What‘s Included

What To Expect

Reviews

• 90 minutes at Petra

  rayoboone,

  Jan 23, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  2.00

  22 hours of travel, including 90 minutes at Petra. This is a very late review, and I don’t know if anything may have changed — it was better than nothing, but this is absolutely not how I’d recommend someone see Petra. First of all, the people who are initially on your bus aren’t the people you’ll be with the entire day. Which is fine in itself, but comes into play later. Some people are on the one day tour. Some are on the two day tour. Some aren’t going to Petra at all, but are using the bus as a shuttle to another city. Again, this is all fine. The problems began to arise at the border. Multiple other buses showed up at the same exact time, all full of tourists using the same company. This created a massive line of people trying to get into Jordan. We spent *hours* waiting to cross. That’s not an exaggeration. I understand that some things are out of the company’s control, but this isn’t one of them. Once you cross, you get on another bus and meet the guide. This all makes sense, as it’s logical to have a Jordan-based guide/driver/bus. We made a stop at a gift shop on the way. A very, very long stop. We were there for over an hour. I’m sure the guide got a very nice commission, as lots of people were buying souvenirs. Of course when you arrive at Petra, the very same souvenirs are available all over the place…for about a third of the price. I have no problem with a guide getting a commission, but I couldn’t help but feel a little misled. I’m sure the guide knew the prices were massively inflated at the gift shop. And I’m sure he also knew he was eating into our time at the site. Between the border wait and the gift shop wait, I was left with about an hour and a half at Petra. I had to leave the group behind, in an attempt to actually see more than just the Treasury. Everyone met back up at a designated restaurant afterwards — again, I’m sure there was a nice commission to be had. Yes, the description of the tour says they can’t guarantee a certain amount of time at Petra. I fully understand that. But some things are absolutely within their control…they just choose not to prioritize the experience of their customers.

  

  

  

  

  

  

• RUSHED - LATE PICKUP

  jsh326,

  Dec 10, 2023

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  3.00

  We stood outside in the cold for over an hour starting at 3:00 A.M. All of us weren't sure the bus was ever coming. Finally, it did come, but with an hour and a half delay, our time in Petra was cut short. Some of the seats on the bus have broken levers, so you can't recline to sleep. It is a long ride, so pick a seat that works. After the tour, we had little time to look around or take advantage of other opportunities there. We are fast walkers, so we bee-lined it back (not enjoying the site) so we could quickly pick up a couple of t-shirts to take back (10 minutes). After rushing through lunch, we were taken back to the entry point. The person in charge was confused about which bus we were supposed to be on. We changed three times. People - double and triple check that you are on the right bus! We are glad we went, but we needed more time. We knew it was going to be a fast trip, but due to the starting delay, it was worse. And yes, there are delays at the border, etc. that one can never know. I found the ride in Jordan very interesting and fascinating. There is a lot to see if you keep looking and don't fall asleep! I say only take this quick trip if it is the only way it is possible to get there. Other visitors told us that two days was too long. It would be nice to have one day, but roughly three hours is too short. Our guide did the best he could with the time he had. No complaints there.

• Marvellous and unimaginable!

  Ignacio M,

  Sep 21, 2023

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  It was a wonderful adventure like the place visited, a wonder of the world, a little long to get there but it was worth the wait. The guide in Petra was extraordinary!

  

  

  

  

  

  

• Too much time spent at souvenir shops, too little time to visit Petra

  christiane Sydney,

  Sep 10, 2023

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  3.00

  We arrived at Petra with delay for no obvious reason (other than spending too long at an overpriced souvenir shop) which shortened our visiting time by more than an hour. Camel ride not recommended - overpriced and really only 5 min on the back of a camel, then waiting for the sun to rise right next to camp…

• Do not book

  Richard F,

  Aug 14, 2023

  - Review from Viator

  1.00

  No coordination or safety, the buses are old and caught on fire. The assistants at the borer contracted by Viator are rude and just want money. They beg for tips even if you ask them a question such as “where is the restroom?” DO NOT BOOK

• Worth it

  amanda n,

  Jul 7, 2023

  - Review from Viator

  4.00

  A little pricy and quite a long trip for how long you are there, but when are you going to go otherwise? Worth it! If you can afford it and have the time do an overnight. Petra is SO much bigger than we though, but we enjoyed what we saw. Even the sand storm on the way back. The only thing is, the bus ride from Jordan. They switch at the border. The Israel side was a nice buss, but very crampt. the Jordan bus was maybe from the 70s or 80. Very old and dirty, but it did have AC! just bring some wipes if you are easily offended by dirt!

• Priceless Petra

  arthursP9146VO,

  Jul 7, 2023

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  The trip was conducted very professionally, allowing a full understanding of the archeological sites. Thoroughly recommend.

• Petra from Jerusalem.

  craigbM1460OY,

  Jul 7, 2023

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Our guide for the day was excellent. Its a long day on the bus but well worth it. The process of crossing the border was well organized. Go for it!

• Good Riddance to an organization (Viator) that does not care about it's clients.

  John L,

  Jun 22, 2023

  - Review from Viator

  2.00

  Seeing the Treasury and the road to the Treasury was memorable, but at the end of the day, the mediocre guide who rushed people without telling us why was terrible. Then, we were told that it would take 45 minutes to get back to the bus. We were to meet at the restaurant for lunch at 3:45 and then back on the bus at 4:30. 4 of my party were going to take golf carts back, while 2 others walked. Those taking the carts did not get back until 4:30 because of the line. They were not able to eat a relaxing lunch, but we were able bring food onto the bus for them. But the food, from a buffet, was not that easy to bring, so they only were able to eat pita bread and meatballs. When I complained to Viator and asked them for 25% back, they rather stupidly said that it wasn't their issue. WE BOOK WITH YOU VIATOR. GROW A PAIR AND BE ADULTS. But they don't care and neither do I. As I continue to travel and book tours, I will look elsewhere and not give these morons a second thought. GFY

• It could have been better, but it wasn't the worst

  156coryv,

  Jun 20, 2023

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  3.00

  I'm going to start with all the positives. The bus was punctual. It was a nice bus. They did a good job at the border and there were no issues crossing into Jordan or back into Israel. The tour guide on the bus was a very nice man. They arranged for a second tour guide because the group was so large and we were able to divide into two groups. The lunch provided was fine. It wasn't great, but it wasn't bad. Now for the things that were tough. The buses were full. Our family was one of the last to board and we were scattered throughout the bus just to find seats. The stops in Israel were fine. But in Jordan they stopped at the same souvenir store twice (before Petra and after), which was located very close to Petra, using up valuable time we could have had at Petra. My biggest complaint of all was how they handled lunch. We boarded the bus at 3 AM. They said they would provide lunch. However, we found out right before we arrived at Petra that lunch would be after the tour of Petra - at 3:30 PM. In Jordan, we were not taken to any stop that had more than snacks. If they weren't going to feed us until 3:30 PM, after the arduous tour of Petra, they could have at least told us to bring a lunch with us. My other big complaint is that the bus driver on the Israel side on the way home was reckless. He drove way too fast around corners and we nearly had a collision when he passed a vehicle on a 2 lane road. All that said, it was the only way we could see Petra in one day. Petra was amazing and we survived.

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