Do you know any good hotel close to the site (ideally to go
and visit the site very early in the morning)? I don't have
a big budget! Many thanks.
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There are tons of them, not exactly next door to the site
but less than a mile away. I recommend the Tawissi Inn.
There are signs everywhere, it's a good deal, and you are
bound to meet other travelers (if that's what you're
after...). Have a great time and buy a two-day pass, you'll
need it.
There are indeed tons of cheap hostels, up on the hill,
not near the gates, but it's only 10-15 minutes walk
(downhill - uphill is another story but many hostels
have late afternoon minivans back up). Twaissi is very
good, 200m uphill from the traffic circle. Very clean
and in 1998 triples cost JD12 and very good buffet dinners
were JD3; lots of free videos.
I don't remember
the ticket office as being open very early, maybe 9am.
But it is very easy to see the whole site, including the
outlying areas like High Hill of Sacrifice and the Monastery
in one day if you're a decent walker. The key point is
to avoid the valley sites in the middle of the day (10-3)
when they are flooded by tourists off buses. It cost
JD20 for one day, 25 for 2 days, 30 for 3 or 4. But the
problem with going multiple days (besides it being
unnecessary) is that it's a very long walk from the
entrance, through the siq canyon, to the Treasury, along
the main valley, and on to the areas you didn't see the
first day - almost 2 hours. Going through the siq be wary
of madly careening horse carts. While walking around the
site you need sunglasses but be sure to take them off
occasionally to appreciate the depth of color in the rocks.
Personally, while I thought the classic approach through
the siq was impressive, the rock cut temples of Ellora in
India have the main part of the site beat.
By now there will be a Pizza Hut near the gates,
1/2 block up from the Movenpick Hotel. The Movenpick has
excellent ice cream (JD1) available from a sidewalk window
(try the chocolate chunk).
I third the twassi- i stayed there for three night and it was
very clean, a great bargain and the staff was very friendly
and courteous. in fact, they will give you a ride to and from
petra at no charge (otherwise it takes 20 minutes to walk
down to it and 30 minutes to walk back to the hotel).
Also, spend more than a day there! you can do the high place
of worship, aldeir (the monastary) etc in a day, but there is
so much more. I recomend that you talk to the woman that
works in the book shop across from the ampitheater (in
petra). she is a brittish woman who is married to a bedoin
and she knows her stuff- she also sells decent topographical
maps of the area which are a huge plus- get out and explore
the place- just watch out for the feces inside the facades!!
jester
Petra opens very early. I was there in late February and I
believe the gates open at 6:00am (maybe 7:00...). If you
arrive early, head straight for the Monastery. Great to be
up there (and I do mean UP there...) before anyone else
arrives.
Thanks guys for your help! Wish you all the best!
I stayed at the Moon Valley Hotel and was quite pleased. It
was 5 JD for two beds and a full bathroom, though I was all
by my lonesome. The staff was extremly friendly but their
suggestion for the new Ali Babba Restaurant across the
street should be avoided (despite the staff being beyond
friendly and helpfull, the food was not good and not cheap).
The hotel is situated about 500 meters downhill from the
roundabout. It is a beautiful walk to the Siq from there
but plan on about 20 minutes or more...I know you'll enjoy
it!
The orient gate hotel: clean, peaceful and with young
owners. They can prepare you a lunchbasket for the day.Not
expensive we are just back from petra so the informatin is
"fresh"
The orient gate hotel: clean, peaceful and with young
owners. They can prepare you a lunchbasket for the day.Not
expensive we are just back from petra so the informatin is
"fresh"