Can you tell me what time you returned from the Petra tour to Eilat? Thanks

We got to the border crossing at 0730 and there was already a small line. The border opens at 8 and we were on the bus to Petra around 0845.

It took about 30mins to cross back as there was really no line and I was back at the hotel around 730 that night. I think they tell you the average time to be back at the Israel border is 7pm.

It was a long day, but a great memory!

For those doing an overnight, like most others on here it seems, I also stayed at the Crowne Plaza right outside the gates. Nothing special, but not bad. A plus is that if you choose their meals inclusive package, there is a restaurant inside Petra itself (right before the pathway to the monastery) that is part of the hotel. So you can use that meal for lunch / dinner, etc as part of the package.

I was so proud of myself for hiking all the way up to the monastery and as I took that step around the corner, staring at this beautiful building, I stepped into sand and twisted my ankle! AGH! So, I paid a bedoin boy and his donkey 5JD to take me down the mountain.

I thought it was a bargain until we were stopped by the tourist police since he was an illegal panhandler (only the camels / horses at the front gate are authorized). I explained to him - while holding up my massive ankle - that I wasn't on a joyride....I couldn't walk! he asked how much I paid, and then responded by saying that if I paid that much he should take me all the way to my hotel!! Then mandated that the boy do so.

Good times...

THanks for all the info here about a trip to Petra. I, my wife and 2 kids (13 and 16) will be going to Israel at the end of August 2009. We're wrapping up the trip with - Get there Tues and fly out in the evening on thurs. We figured a full day group tour for Petra on Wed. But reading this and constantly 2nd guessing myself I wonder - is 2 days too much (we already booked Eilat hotels, so cancelling is likely not doable and we don't have 2 full days to do petra). But I am all for spending as much time seeing things than being on the bus. So do the group tours give you enough time? Is it feasible to get ourselves to the border, then get a guide / get to petra at our own pace (which is fast - I don't want to spend time there working out details).

Is there more than 1 company doing these group tours? I saw the mention about the eco tour but didn't see it mentioned by NY times as some have said (not a big deal).

Thanks!

I highly recommend two days and going on your own. I would rent a car in Aquaba, there is a lot to see in Petra and it is nice to be on your own schedule. I highly recommend a home stay in a Bedouin village near Petra, I stayed with Zeinab Albedoul her backyard is an entrance to Petra, you can email her at desert_flower_camp (at) yahoo.com. While I was there I was invited to local Bedouin parties, I along with the 3 others I as traveling with were the only westerners at the party.

Her family has a very history, she was actually born and lived the first few years of her life in the caves of Petra, until the government forced them to move out and live in homes near by. The community is now doing well and mainly live of off tourism.