Private Petra Back Entrance Tour with Guide .

Exploring Petra with a Private Back Entrance Tour: An Authentic and Personalized Experience

If you’re planning a trip to Jordan’s iconic city of Petra, you might be weighing the options between the usual main trail and taking a more off-the-beaten-path approach. Enter the Private Petra Back Entrance Tour with Guide, a curated experience that promises a more intimate, less crowded way to see one of the world’s most awe-inspiring archaeological sites.

Our review is based on glowing traveler feedback and detailed descriptions, designed to help you decide if this tour fits your style.

What we love about this experience is its ability to combine personalized guidance with unique perspectives on Petra’s sprawling ruins. The tour’s focus on the less-frequented back entrance means fewer travelers blocking your view, plus the chance to capture some breathtaking photos from unconventional angles.

Plus, the tour is well-structured to hit key highlights like the Monastery, Qaser Al-Bint, and the Treasury, ensuring you don’t miss Petra’s most iconic sights.

A potential consideration is the physical activity involved—the tour includes some uphill climbs and long walks, so it’s best suited for travelers with a moderate level of fitness. Also, the price point of $140 per person reflects a comprehensive package with a guide, transportation, and entry tickets, which generally offers good value for an all-inclusive, private experience.

This tour is ideal for travelers who value expert insight, authentic exploration, and a more relaxed pace away from crowds. If you’re hoping to get a deeper understanding of Petra’s history while enjoying some stunning scenery, this is likely to be a memorable choice.

Key Points

• Fewer Crowds: By taking the back entrance, you’ll enjoy Petra with fewer travelers, making your experience more peaceful and photogenic.
• Expert Guide: Knowledgeable guides like Bassil enrich your visit with insightful explanations and local context.
• Beautiful Views & Photos: From scenic vistas to the iconic facade of the Treasury, you’ll find plenty of Instagram-worthy moments.
• Flexible and Personalized: The private nature lets you set a comfortable pace, explore spontaneously, and ask plenty of questions.
• Comprehensive Itinerary: Covering major sites like the Monastery, Royal Tombs, Quaser Al-Bint, and the Colonnaded Street, you’ll see Petra’s key highlights.
• Good Value: For $140, the package includes transportation, a guide, and tickets, making it a solid deal for a tailored experience.

This experience made our article of What Are The Best Tours & Things To Do In Petra? Our Top 16 Picks.

An In-Depth Look at the Petra Back Entrance Tour

Starting the Journey: Hotel Pickup and Scenic Entrance

The tour kicks off early at 7:00 am with hotel pickup, which means you’ll start your adventure before much of the day’s crowds arrive. The convenience of hotel pickup and drop-off ensures a stress-free start, especially if you’re staying outside the main site. Included in the price is a 4×4 ride to the bottom of the Monastery stairs, a thoughtful touch that saves you from a long, steep uphill climb right at the start, especially on hot days.

Exploring Little Petra and the Monastery

Your first stop is at the visitor’s center, where you’ll collect your tickets and hop onto a free shuttle provided by the Petra Authority to Little Petra. Here, you get a quick 15-minute glimpse of this smaller site—an interesting prelude to the main event. Afterward, a 4×4 shuttle takes you to the base of the Monastery stairs, where the real climb begins.

The climb up to the Monastery (Al Dayr) takes about 3 hours including the ascent and exploration—an impressive feat that rewards with one of Petra’s most spectacular monuments. The admission to the Monastery is included, so you just need to enjoy the trek and the stunning views along the way. Multiple reviews highlight guides like Bassil as being very knowledgeable, explaining Petra’s features and taking time to answer questions, which is invaluable given the site’s vastness.

Walking Down the Colonnaded Street

Descending 850 steps from the Monastery, you’ll arrive at the Colonnaded Street, Petra’s ancient marketplace. This descent offers sweeping views of the surrounding landscape and a chance to appreciate the site’s engineering marvels. The walk takes about an hour, allowing you to soak in the scenery and imagine Petra as a thriving trading hub.

Visiting the Royal Tombs and The Amphitheater

From the Colonnaded Street, you’ll walk along the main trail to overlook the Royal Tombs and the Amphitheater—a stunning viewpoint that gives insight into Petra’s grandeur. This part of the tour takes about 30 minutes, with tickets included, and provides excellent photo opportunities. Travelers report that guides like Bassil excel at sharing historical context, making these sights more meaningful.

The Grand Finale: The Treasury

The tour culminates at the Treasury, Petra’s most recognizable façade. Here, the guide will give you time to explore and take photos, and you’ll have the option to linger or continue on your own for about 45 minutes. Afterward, you can choose to walk back through the canyon or, if tired, opt for a paid hotel drop-off (around 5-10 JOD).

Authenticity & Flexibility

What sets this tour apart is its private nature, allowing you to explore at your preferred pace and ask questions freely. The reviews consistently mention guides like Bassil as being patient, knowledgeable, and passionate, adding a personal touch that enhances the experience.

The Overall Experience

Spanning approximately 5 to 7 hours, this tour is a good balance between seeing extensive sights and enjoying a relaxed pace. The price of $140 includes tickets, transportation, and guide services, which many travelers find offers excellent value, especially considering the personalized attention you receive. It’s a longer, more in-depth alternative to standard group tours that often stick to the main trail.

Why This Tour Is Worth Considering

This journey through Petra’s back entrance offers a distinctly different perspective. You’ll appreciate the serenity, the chance to capture unique photos with fewer travelers, and gain insights from a guide who truly knows the site. It’s especially suitable for those who love off-the-beaten-path adventures and want a richer understanding of Petra’s history and architecture.

Multiple reviewers mention how the knowledgeable guides, like Bassil, make the experience memorable. As one enthusiastic traveler put it, “Bassil took some amazing photos and explained what we were walking past,” showing how guides can turn a sightseeing trip into a meaningful cultural experience.

The tour’s emphasis on authentic, less crowded areas means you’ll avoid the hustle typical of the main trail, giving you space to reflect and truly absorb your surroundings. The logistical conveniences—like the shuttle to the monastery and hotel pickup—remove much of the hassle often associated with visiting Petra, allowing you to focus on the sights and the experience.

The Sum Up

For travelers seeking an authentic, personalized, and less crowded way to discover Petra, this Private Back Entrance Tour offers a compelling choice. With knowledgeable guides, scenic views, and flexible pacing, you’ll experience Petra in a way that many visitors miss. The inclusion of key sites ensures you won’t leave without seeing Petra’s highlights, while the quiet back entrance offers a more relaxed and intimate atmosphere.

This tour is best suited for visitors who want to maximize value, enjoy expert insights, and are comfortable with some walking and climbing. Its private nature makes it perfect for those who prefer a tailored experience over larger group excursions.

If you’re craving a more authentic encounter with Petra—less commercialized, more personal, and packed with stunning vistas and historical tidbits—this tour delivers. It’s a solid investment for your Jordan trip, especially if you value quality over quantity and want to explore Petra’s quieter, more mysterious side.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in the tour price?
The $140 fee covers hotel pickup, a private guide, a 4×4 ride to the monastery stairs, and entry tickets to Petra’s major sites.

How long does the tour last?
It takes approximately 5 to 7 hours, allowing plenty of time for exploration and photos without feeling rushed.

Do I need to be physically fit?
Yes, travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level, as the tour involves walking and climbing stairs, especially to the Monastery.

Is transportation provided?
Yes, included in the tour is a shuttle to Little Petra, a 4×4 ride to the monastery stairs, and hotel pickup. Drop-off at your hotel is available for an extra fee.

Can I customize the tour?
Since it’s a private tour, you have some flexibility to spend more or less time at certain sites and ask questions along the way.

When should I book?
Booking on average occurs about 45 days in advance, reflecting its popularity among travelers seeking a more intimate Petra experience.

What about tickets and entrance fees?
Entry tickets to Petra are included in the tour price, so no separate purchase is necessary.

What if the weather is bad?
The tour is weather-dependent. If canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

In all, this tour offers a thoughtful, scenic, and engaging way to see Petra—perfect for travelers who want a more authentic and personalized adventure. It balances expert guidance with flexibility, making it a worthwhile choice for those eager to explore Petra beyond the crowds.