Here is a mini travel guide to help you prepare for your upcoming trip to Petra. Located in the south of Jordan on the edge of the Wadi Araba mountainous desert, Petra is an ancient wonder known for its majestic sandstone hills and ruins . From spectacular rock formations carved into mountainsides to temples, palaces, and tombs, there is no lack of what to see and do in Petra. In years gone by, as the Nabataean capital, Petra a major hub for trade on the famous Silk Road. Not only was Petra prominent on the trade routes, which its mountains helped to protect and control, but even with their limited scientific knowledge, the ancient Nabataeans managed to construct water conduits and dams with which to capture rain waters for use during times of drought. To preserve this natural wonder and ancient city, Petra was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.

There is more than one way to get to Petra, depending on your starting point. If you are traveling to Petra from Israel, you will first need to head to Israel’s southern city of Eilat, which is located only a 10-minute drive away from the Arava border crossing (Yitzhak Rabin Terminal) which serves as the border crossing between Israel and Jordan for both travelers and goods Before you leave Eilat, be sure to schedule in some time to go scuba diving among the gorgeous coral reefs, to visit the world-famous dolphin reef, or to go banana-boat riding, paragliding, parasailing, and swimming.

As you leave Israel for Petra, you will need to pay an exit fee, have your luggage checked and passports stamped, and wait for your entry visas to Jordan. If you prefer not to travel alone, there are plenty of America Israel Travel tours you can join, ranging from one-day to four-day trips.

If you are starting out from Amman, take some time to visit the triumphal arch, the ancient baths, the Temple at Jerash, Um Qais, and the Castle of Ailoun. Other sites typically included on tours to Jordan are St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church and Mount Nebo, thought to be the burial place of Moses. Wadi Rum is another site not to be missed, which you can explore by camel or by car and which features the majestic sandstone mountains known as the Valley of the Moon. Once you arrive in Petra, here are some of the popular tourist spots to visit:

• The Siq
• Bab as-Siq Triclinium Tomb
• Obelisk Tomb
• Urn Tomb
• Al-Khazneh
• Amphitheater
• High Place of Sacrifice

Finally, no trip to Jordan is complete without experiencing “Petra By Night,” a magnificent spectacle of light which takes place on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights and which features arresting Bedouin music to the backdrop of 1,000 candles. And don’t forget to pack your camera so that you can create some lasting memories of your Petra vacation.

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