The Monastery at a glance
The Monastery is one of the largest monuments in Petra, carved into a mountain plateau well above the Colonnaded Street. It is a rock-cut facade set back on a mountain plateau, reached by a long climb rather than a stroll.
The Monastery is not on the main trail. The main trail runs from the Visitor Center through the Siq to the Treasury, past the theatre and along the Colonnaded Street to Qasr al-Bint, a distance of 3.9 km (2.4 mi) one way. The Monastery is an extra walk that starts where the main trail ends. Walking times below are for one direction, without stops.
The trail to the Monastery, step by step
The route in the order you walk it. Times are official walking times without photo stops or rests.
Visitor Center to the Siq
Enter at the Petra Visitor Center in Wadi Musa. Tickets are covered in our Petra tickets guide. The Siq itself is a natural sandstone gorge of a little over 1.2 km (0.75 mi), in places only 3 m (10 ft) wide.
The Treasury and the Street of Facades
The Siq ends at Al-Khazneh, the Treasury, about 39.5 m (130 ft) high. The path then continues past the Street of Facades and the theatre to the Colonnaded Street.
Qasr al-Bint and the start of the stairway
The Al Dayr trail begins at the stairway near Qasr al-Bint, at the end of the main trail. Plan your energy: you have already walked the full main trail by now.
The climb
The official trail page describes about 800 steps. It gives the distance as 2 km one way in its heading and about 1.6 km in its text, so treat both as rough figures. The walking time is 1:30 to 1:45 hours one way.
Petra tours with a guide
Guided visits to Petra, including options that continue to the Monastery, with live prices and availability.
How long to allow
The official times are one way and without stops. Add the main trail to Qasr al-Bint, then the climb, then the same walk back, plus time at the viewpoints and for rests. In practice a Monastery visit takes most of a day. Start at opening time, when the park opens at 06:30 in winter (2 October 2026 to 1 March 2027) and 06:00 in summer, according to the Petra authority's 2026/2027 calendar. Other official portals list slightly different winter hours, so leave yourself a margin.
Visitors must leave the archaeological park before sunset, and staying overnight is not allowed. Allow for the earlier winter closing and be on your way down in good time. The one exception is the separate evening program described on our Petra by Night page.
Guide prices and options
Rates as listed by the Petra authority in 2026. Check at the Visitor Center what is included before you pay.
| Option | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed guide, main trail | About 2.5 h | JOD 50 |
| Licensed guide, main trail with the Monastery | Most of a day | JOD 100 |
| Back route from Beida to the Monastery and the basin restaurant | 6 to 8 h | JOD 150 |
| Cart, Visitor Center to the Treasury | – | JOD 15 one way, JOD 25 return |
| Cart, theatre to Qasr al-Bint | – | JOD 10 one way, JOD 15 return |
One listing for an astronomy and archaeology trail gives the same JOD 100 for the main trail plus the Monastery. Guides are arranged at the Visitor Center and speak English and other languages. The carts stop well short of the Monastery stairway, so they help with the main trail only. Their listed hours are 07:00 to 18:00 and the listed distance from the Visitor Center to the Treasury is 4 km each way.
What to bring
The official advice for the Monastery trail is short: sturdy shoes, water, sun protection and a hat. The steps are uneven and the climb has little shade at midday, so water matters more than anything else on this list.
- Closed shoes with grip. Sandals are a poor choice on worn rock steps.
- At least a liter of water per person for the climb, plus more for the main trail.
- A hat, sunscreen and sunglasses, even in winter.
- A small daypack, so that both hands stay free on the steps.
- Your ticket or Jordan Pass and passport details, as described on our Jordan Pass page.
The Monastery climb is stepped and uneven, and barrier-free access is not guaranteed. Cart service does not reach the stairway.
Donkeys on the stairway
Donkeys are a familiar sight on the Monastery path. The Petra authority warns that the paths are steep and that using an animal is at your own risk. Many visitors walk instead. A short horse ride from the main entrance to the start of the Siq is listed separately by the authority and does not extend to the Monastery.
Whatever you decide, treat the animals considerately and skip any that looks exhausted or overloaded.
The back route to the Monastery
The Monastery can also be reached from the north, on the Back Door route. It is a 7 km (4.3 mi) walk, officially 3:15 to 3:30 hours one way without stops, rated moderate. It passes Little Petra and finishes at the Monastery. There is also a transport variant: a jeep from the Nabataean Cultural Village for JOD 5 per person one way, with a stop of about 15 minutes at Little Petra, ends at the gate of the Monastery path, not at the facade. Details, status and an honest look at the other trails are on our hiking trails page.
For the history behind the monument, see the history of Petra. If you want to sleep close to the entrance the day before an early start, read where to stay in Petra.
Petra Monastery: frequently asked questions
How many steps are there to the Monastery?
The official trail description mentions about 800 steps. Treat that as an approximate number, not a counted one.
How long does it take to walk to the Monastery?
The official walking time is 1:30 to 1:45 hours one way from Qasr al-Bint, without stops. That comes on top of the main trail from the Visitor Center, which is 3.9 km one way and takes 1:30 to 1:45 hours without stops.
Is the Monastery part of the main trail?
No. The main trail ends at Qasr al-Bint. The Monastery is a separate, steeper walk from there.
Do I need a guide for the Monastery?
The Petra authority asks visitors to stay on the main paths unless accompanied by a guide, and a local guide is required for guided routes. A licensed guide to the Monastery is listed at JOD 100 in 2026. Ask at the Visitor Center about the current rules for your route.
Can I get to the Monastery by car or cart?
No. Carts run on the main trail only, and the Back Door jeep transfer ends at the gate of the Monastery path. You walk the last section.
What is the best time of year for the Monastery climb?
Spring and autumn are the milder seasons, and summer afternoons are hot. See our best time to visit Petra guide for the monthly temperatures.