Summary
Introduction to Petra and the Monastery
Departing from the Royal Tombs, we progressed towards the sunlit regions of Petra, following a trail leading to the Monastery, another distinguished site situated high in the mountains.
Trekking to the Monastery
For reasons I cannot fully articulate, I experience performance anxiety whenever I anticipate a demanding trek or hike ahead. This may stem from the awareness that, despite feeling fortunate to witness the destinations we are trekking towards, my enthusiasm may wane during the endeavor.
The burden of my camera bag often weighs heavily (admittedly fueled by sweets I carry and the odd pack of cookies, but primarily consisting of camera equipment).
Moreover, I tend to lack agility or speed while ascending trails (yet, I compensate notably on the descent; I recognize many express concerns about joint strain, but my joints seem adept at that particular challenge – 😄).
Fortunately, numerous sights line the route, providing ample distraction prior to commencing the ascent to the Monastery, such as the various temples along this pathway.
Experience at the Monastery
As the ascent was underway, the sun was fully present. I can only assume that during the summer months, this is the point where the prevailing warmth could become somewhat overwhelming.
Nevertheless, we experienced delightful weather!
My jacket was no longer merely tied around my waist but was secured within my camera bag as temperatures escalated to levels that were warm yet still comfortable.
The initiation of the pathway leading to the Monastery is neither clearly defined nor adequately signposted, thus it is prudent to inquire about directions to the stairway before embarking on your trek.
This recommendation is particularly wise to prevent inadvertently descending into a ravine or starting a climb up the opposite side of the mountain, as we nearly did. 😄
During busier times, navigating the route may be less daunting as there are generally more visitors, but our experience had few individuals present, and even those ahead of us seemed uncertain of the path.
Fortunately, the local residents were quite accommodating (even if some attempted to persuade you to ride a donkey to the summit – for a fee, naturally) and readily provided direction.
As you complete this 850-step journey, be sure to take intervals to admire the changing views, which become increasingly captivating as you ascend.
This serves as an excellent opportunity to pause and regain your breath before continuing onward. 😄
Return Journey
Following our trek, we descended via a slightly different path, exploring additional temples along the way, before rejoining the primary route.
Finally, arriving back at the Treasury, we reflected on our time, realizing we had spent nearly 10 hours exploring. Originally, we had intended to return to our hotel by noon, particularly after our early 6 AM start – an intention to relax by the pool while pondering the massage treatments and cocktails available at the bar.
Upon our return to the hotel, rest assured that we managed to fit in both massages and cocktails…
…which pair beautifully with the stunning sunset views over Petra.
We will return to Petra in the upcoming days, but tomorrow’s plans will take us much farther from Petra!
Discover more: Optimal ways to experience Petra
