PETRA, JORDAN THE USUAL: THE ALTERNATIVES: ALSO TRY:

The standard approach to this rock-hewn marvel, through the 1.2km-long canyon known as the Siq, is as claustrophobic as it is spectacular: just a few metres wide but 200m high, the gorge can seethe with tourists at busy times. The reward is the big reveal, when you emerge to be faced by the famed Treasury (AlKhazneh) – but this 2,000-year-old Nabataean city is so much more than just a dramatic entrance.

Rather than following that well-trodden trail from Wadi Musa through the Siq, consider the less-known ‘backdoor’ route via Siq al-barid, known as Little Petra, thought to have been a suburb of the old city. This 8km path winds up an ancient stairway etched into a cliff and continues to the city’s largest monument: Al-deir, known as the Monastery but in truth a third-century royal tomb. From here, you’ll enjoy those sweeping views over Petra – a glorious introduction to this astonishing site.

The climb to the Monastery from the main site takes about an hour; an alternative but just as impressive viewpoint is the High Place of Sacrifice (Al-madbah), above the Theatre. Continue west along the Wadi Farasa backroad to discover a cluster of little-seen monuments.

Night-time tours of Petra are hardly unknown, but strolling through the candle-lit Siq is an atmospheric twist to the classic approach.

The four-day Dana to Petra walk is the showpiece section of the 650km-long Jordan Trail. Traversing Wadi Dana, watch for Nubian ibex roaming the hilltops and wind through sandstone mountains on the final approach via Little Petra (note: to enter the main site, you’ll need to arrange your pass for Petra in advance). ( Wind through the Siq ravine to discover Petra’s temples and tombs, such as the Treasury ( this

carved from the red rock wanderlust.co.uk

March 2019

( Sail between the temples and tombs of the Pharaohs on a traditional ( delve into the desert to discover the pyramid tombs of the kings of Kush at Meroë, Sudan 64 wanderlust.co.uk March 2019