I virtually missed out seeing certainly one of Petra’s most spectacular monuments, however the attract of journey and the encouragement of my pal and Intrepid group pushed me to tackle the problem.
Within the months main as much as our Discover Jordan journey, my pal Carolyn and I exchanged lots of messages about Petra. Jordan’s historic metropolis is what had impressed us to guide a go to to this nation within the first place, and with each gorgeous photograph shared the countdown acquired much more thrilling.
Someday she texted me a hyperlink labelled Mountain climbing the Monastery.
Don’t you imply the Treasury? I believed, picturing Petra’s most well-known monument. No, this was one other, even greater temple we may go to at Petra.
‘Let’s do it!’ she enthused. After I learn one should climb up 800 uneven steps to see it, I wasn’t certain. I like to hike, however I’m additionally conscious of my bodily limitations – I’m gradual, and tire simpler than most – and I knew our two days in Petra had been already going to contain hours of strolling. I put the elective trek in my journey’s “possibly” column. However I’m so glad it didn’t keep there.
Mountain climbing to the Monastery was all of the speak amongst our group.
Mountain climbing to the Monastery at Petra grew to become a spotlight of my entire journey. It’s additionally one thing I might by no means have skilled if I wasn’t on a bunch tour. I now hope to encourage others who don’t but know in regards to the Monastery hike or are on the fence to present it a shot.
What’s the Monastery?
The Monastery is the most important monument in Petra Archeological Park.
Considered one of many spectacular buildings carved proper out of the sandstone by the Nabateans, it dates again to between the primary and second centuries and was probably used for spiritual functions. Its ornate facade is 45 metres excessive by 50 metres broad – virtually twice as broad because the extra well-known and extra simply accessed Treasury. However you may be forgiven for spending all day at Petra and lacking it. It’s excessive within the hills and the trailhead is hidden on the very finish of a four-kilometre stroll from Petra’s entrance.
Nonetheless, mountaineering to the Monastery was all of the speak amongst our group.
After arriving at Petra, our group of 12 had spent a very unbelievable afternoon visiting the location with our native chief, Yazan, who gave us recommendations on all the opposite issues to do after marvelling on the Treasury throughout our free day.
I had chosen Discover Jordan from the numerous Intrepid excursions of this nation due to that further free day at Petra to decide on your personal journey and was particularly eager to return for the candlelit Petra by Evening expertise the following night.
So, after a scrumptious dinner at a conventional Jordanian restaurant (the place we watched cooks put together the candy deal with knafa, a really cool bonus) the group mentioned our particular person plans for that subsequent day.
I used to be the one one not planning on trekking to the Monastery.
After strolling 20,000 steps that day, I already felt tapped out. Did I actually wish to rise up early to hike a path requiring essentially the most effort? Particularly now that I knew at my tempo it could be at the very least an hour stroll simply to make my method again by the grounds to the trailhead? Plus, understanding that I deliberate to return later for Petra by Evening? I do know that if I’d been alone, I might have bowed out, joyful to sleep in and spend my afternoon within the shade ingesting tea and writing postcards on the cafe in entrance of the Treasury.
Carolyn was very happy to hike on her personal. Nonetheless, now I had second ideas. We got here to expertise the wonders of Petra collectively. And whereas I wouldn’t say I felt peer strain, in any respect, I did get loads of encouragement from the group. Would I remorse being at tomorrow night time’s dinner listening to about what a beautiful expertise I missed out on?
I made a decision to give it attempt. ‘I’ll merely begin strolling, and after I get too drained or uncomfortable, I’ll flip again.’
Gradual and regular
Carolyn was insistent we get a really early begin, to hit the doorway simply as doorways opened. In our travels collectively I’ve come to know her as a most wonderful planner, and this was no exception.
The air was cool and recent, and as we made our method down alongside the winding stone path between the slim gorge often known as The Siq, I couldn’t imagine we had the place to ourselves. The place throngs of tourists had meandered yesterday, we had been the one ones taking on this surroundings.
True to my plan, I saved strolling. Previous the treasured Treasury. Previous the Royal Tombs, the amphitheatre and Byzantine-era church. We bumped into one other member of our group who was mountaineering solo and now we had been three on the Monastery path, beginning to climb.
The steps had been certainly uneven, but additionally fairly stunning. Like a lot at Petra, they’re an historic surprise – undulating waves of purple, yellow, orange, brown and purple. I appeared to recall somebody saying the Monastery hike would take 40 minutes. Hauling myself up I doubted that. However I felt good. The surroundings and wonderful firm (to not point out the common look of cat escorts) made the time handed rapidly and pleasantly. Quickly I realised I used to be probably greater than midway. So, I assume I might be climbing to the Monastery now.
A reunion with a view
I used to be about to mutter my first ‘are we there but?’ into the void after we turned a nook and noticed a number of extra members of our group.
It appears that they had gotten a good earlier begin. As we neared the highest, they had been on their method down. We cheered to our good life selections and celebrated our sudden meet-up with a bunch photograph. Sweaty, red-faced, out of breath, I didn’t care. I needed to mark the second, with the individuals who had impressed me to be right here.
Sweaty, red-faced, out of breath, I didn’t care. I needed to mark the second, with the individuals who had impressed me to be right here.
Across the subsequent nook was the principle attraction. The trek had taken about an hour from the trailhead – although in that second I wasn’t counting in any respect. I used to be simply in awe.
The Monastery was as postcard excellent as, effectively, the postcards. The three of us wandered round to understand it from many angles. For such an incredible place, it didn’t really feel crowded. Simply us, a couple of dozen guests, and a few frolicking goats.
Whereas my buddies adopted the indicators to varied “greatest views on the planet” I sat all the way down to relaxation on the little cafe, the place I ordered scorching tea ready the Jordanian method, with cardamom. There, I bumped into two extra tripmates. They had been stunned to see me, since I’d informed them I wasn’t doing this hike. I needed to admit I did really feel fairly happy with myself.
I didn’t even fear that I now needed to stroll for an additional couple hours to get again. There was a brand new spring in my steps. All in, that day I did over 30,000 steps, which may be a private file.
That night time at dinner, as a substitute of envy, I had a narrative to inform, of how I stated I might stroll till I wanted to cease, however I didn’t cease. Of how I discovered Petra is a lot greater than the Treasury. That an unbelievable architectural surprise of the traditional world awaits on the high of 800 steps. And that with the precise companions, once you get there, you’ll really feel such as you’re on high of the world.
Comply with in Liisa’s footsteps and discover a small group journey in Jordan.
