The Lost City of Petra

The mysterious city of the Nabateans, Petra, is so securely concealed by the craggy
encircling mountains that it was once ‘lost’ for 1,000 years and is one of the Seven
Wonders of the World. From this natural fortress, the Nabateans commanded the
trade routes from Arabia and the East, until the Romans conquered them in 106 AD.
On arrival, you will walk to the entrance of the Siq – a very narrow, twisting pathway
between towering sandstone and rainbow-coloured cliffs. The narrow passage is an
adventure in itself, for the towering walls create an artificial gloom until you suddenly
emerge into the blinding light, and there before you is the Treasury, your first glimpse
of the ‘Rose-Red City’.

The Treasury is the most famous and outstanding of all the monuments; its Pediment,
Rotunda and Corinthian pillars are all carved from the solid rock, and it is in a
marvellous state of preservation. Your guide will lead you down the Outer Siq, passing
the Street of the Façades before the fine Nabatean Theatre comes in to view. There
are tombs everywhere because they were cut into the rock, whereas the temples and
public buildings were free standing and destroyed by earthquakes.

The site is surrounded by stunning mountains and as you approach the main
Colonnade Street, you will pass a series of fascinating tombs; The Urn, the Corinthian
and the Palace Tomb are known collectively as the Royal Tombs. The Palace Tomb is
one of the largest, a three-storey imitation of a Roman Palace. The partly restored
Qasr al-Bint is the only freestanding structure in Petra and is thought to have been the
main place of worship in the city.

Enjoy a buffet luncheon in a local hotel and reflect on the sights of this unforgettable
day of your life.