Just got back from walking through The Siq in Petra, and man, let me tell you – you gotta know these things before going. Here’s exactly how my day went down:
Entering The Siq
Woke up at dawn because locals told me beat the crowds AND the heat. Paid my entrance fee at the visitor center – cash only, no cards accepted that day. Started walking down that wide gravel path past the tombs, thinking “this ain’t so special yet”. Then boom – the canyon walls suddenly squeeze tight like Mother Nature decided to give you a dramatic hallway to walk through.
Walking Through
Those towering rock walls made my neck hurt from staring up. Saw ancient carvings everywhere – channels cut by Nabataeans for water pipes, weathered statues of camel caravans almost invisible unless you squint. My flimsy sneakers kept slipping on worn stone paths – should’ve worn proper hiking shoes. About halfway through, donkey carts started rumbling past kicking up dust – if you’re gonna ride one, negotiate HARD before getting on.
Key Survival Moves
What saved my butt:
- Carried 3 liters of water in my backpack and sucked it dry by noon
- Wore a ridiculous wide-brim hat that everybody laughed at until their scalps started burning
- Stopped constantly to take photos when sunlight sliced through cracks in the canyon – looks magical between 8-10AM
The Big Reveal
After about 45 minutes of winding through shadows, I see it – just a sliver of the Treasury glowing pink through the gap. Crowds get thick here with people shoving tripods around. Pro tip: walk past the main viewing area for ten minutes and double back – you’ll get cleaner shots without heads in your frame.
Walked out exhausted with 22,000 steps on my tracker, cheeks covered in fine desert dust. One guard saw me limping and laughed “First Petra day, huh?” Absolutely brutal. Unforgettable. Worth every aching muscle.
