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The phenomenal desert is lit by loads of flickering candles, casting a warm glow over the ancient landforms, cultural music that resonates through the night, enriching the environment with the sounds of Jordanian culture is what Petra by Night is all about. This is an amazing event where the ancient city comes alive.
As you walk through the breathtaking landscape of Petra by Night, each step shows the ornate details of its architecture, inviting you to discover its rich history. This a very intimate event with a limited number of visitors every evening. You’ll feel a deep connection to the past with candles softly illuminating your path. As night falls, stars shine luminously enhancing the overall experience of visitors. This event is a blend of traditions, sublime natural beauty, and history that beauty makes Petra by Night an extraordinary adventure.
What to expect in Petra by night ?
You start from the visitor center and walk through the Siq to the Treasury. There are no horses carrying passengers on carriages, no donkey braying or tour guides taking you in the secrets of the Siq. When you reach there many people are already seated. There you sit in narrow rows on pillows on the ground and are served with the famous sweet and aromatic Bedouin tea. After that, they tell some stories of Petra in Arabic, which many don’t understand. Afterward, the treasury was lit up in bright colors, which ruined the atmosphere a bit for me. Then you walk back through the Siq. It doesn’t sound that impressive, but I liked it. The famous sweet and aromatic Bedouin tea is served. The Petra by Night is not very long, with a few melodies on a traditional flute, the rababa, and some story of Petra, and it is over.
What to expect in Petra by night ?
This event takes place only three times per week. These days are Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. It is an open-air show and can be canceled because of bad weather. The Petra by Night starts at 8:30 pm and goes on until 10:30 pm. To be the first one to arrive at the treasury, reach the visitors center at 8 p.m. The event lasts for 2 hours which includes walking down the siq and the show.
Petra by night ticket cost :
The entrance fee for Petra during the day is 50,55, or 60 JOD for 1,2 or,3 and it is included in the Jordan pass respectively. However, the ticket for Petra by night event is 17 JD per person. This an entirely different event that’s why it’s not included in Petra or Jordan’s pass. If you have the pass you can visit Jordan during the day but cannot attend the event. To attend the event, you don’t need a pass for that day to see the show at night. The tickets can be purchased from the Visitor Centre or hotels. These tickets cannot be purchased beforehand because of cancellation. These tickets are available on the spot or the day before the event only.
Entering Petra at night :
The doors open at 8:30 pm. There is a long queue for the tickets but if you have the tickets you can enter the petra. To reach the treasury you first cross the siq. It is a canyon which 1.2 kilometers long and takes visitors around about 20 minutes to reach the treasury where the actual event takes place. Once you reach the end of the canyons, you will see treasury appearing from the fissure. Entering Petra at night is an amazing experience, as the flickering candlelight guides you through the Siq, heightening the anticipation until you finally emerge to witness the Treasury illuminated in a warm glow, that creates a magical environment.
Walking back from siq :
Walking back from the siq after attending the Petra by night is a unique and amazing experience. When the event ends, the flickering candles are off and you have to navigate through canyons in complete darkness. On certain nights, the moonlight casts a silvery glow over the landforms and illuminates the towering cliffs that enhance the beauty of Petra. The breathtaking starry sky, where constellations shine luminously, creates a stunning backdrop. The cool night air adds to the atmosphere, making the return journey feel both mystical and reflective, a perfect end to an unforgettable evening.
Taking Pictures :
- If you want to take some amazing shots of this landscape, you need a good camera and a tripod. Treasury is very huge and its picture cannot be taken with an ordinary camera or phone. They only destroy the quality. You need a decent camera with wide-angle lenses that work best in night light and can capture wide angles.
- The major problem you will face while taking the picture is the presence of people in the frame. The solution to this is to sit as far as you can in a perfect shot with no people in the frame. Additionally, you will also have a wide shot of the treasury. The more near you sit to the treasury, the less the treasury you will capture.
- A very good angle to take a perfect shot is the right or left corner of the treasury as most people are interested in capturing the treasury from the front. They don’t pay focus to this corner and you can get a perfect shot with fewer people in the frame.
- You should set up your tripod a few meters behind the last official seats which will give you a broad frame to capture. You can check during the daytime which perspective gives you a good shot so that you don’t miss the opportunity.
- Adjust your camera setting. Set the aperture to open as far as possible, the autofocus works very well. Also, set the exposure time so that you can have the remote control of how much longer you want to expose.
- If you are one of the last ones to walk back through the Siq, you can also take some amazing photos with the lanterns that are set up there.
Conclusion :
Petra by Night is an amazing experience that converts the ancient city into a magical realm under the stars. The combination of flickering candlelight, cultural music, and the spectacular landscape creates an enchanting environment that lingers in the memory.
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