Take Your Kids on an “Indiana Jones” Adventure in Petra, Jordan

First glimpse of the Treasury from the Siq.

Petra is an ancient archeological site hiding deep in a canyon in the mountains of Jordan. There are temples, tombs, and homes all built into the bright red stone. A day in Petra is like an Indiana Jones adventure for kids – hiking though canyons, discovering ancient artifacts, and exploring caves with hidden rooms and chambers.

In order to get to the main site, you have to walk through a narrow canyon called the Siq. With every few steps, you discover something new as you follow the unexpected twists and turns. My son loved wandering through the Siq, as we all pretended to be on an adventure as archaeologists to discover hidden treasure.

Then all of the sudden out of nowhere, in between the cracks of the Siq, the majestic Treasury appears. The Treasury is a giant temple carved into the rock and is a mix of Greek, Egyptian, and Roman architecture all blended into one. In the film “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” the end scene was filmed at the Treasury and is the place where they find the Holy Grail. My kids loved playing in front of the Treasury pretending to be Indiana just discovering it.

Petra extends for many kilometers through other smaller canyons leading in all directions. We explored the area and hiked through the Roman and Nabatean ruins, writing down different inscriptions we found on the stones and imagining what they could mean. There are dozens of caves and nooks to explore all over the site and is a dream come true for curious kids.

Up in the mountain farther on past the Treasury lies another ancient treasure hidden from the outside world – the Monastery of Petra. In order to reach the Monastery, we had to hike 850 steps carved out of the mountain that weaved in and out of cracks and crevices in the stone. During our hike, we passed by dramatic cliffs, colorful rocks, Bedouins selling their handmade goods, and many tired donkeys.

As we walked, we hummed the Indiana Jones theme song, wore our Bedouin head wraps, and stared in awe at the incredible natural beauty surrounding us. Soon enough we turned the corner and found the stunning Monastery towering over the rest of the area. Carved completely out of the side of the mountain and standing 50 meters (165 feet) high, the Monastery is a sight to behold and so worth the exhausting, yet exhilarating hike up to it.

Another part of the adventure through Petra is meeting the local Bedouins who look like they just stepped out of a movie set. With their long black curly hair, black eyeliner, and charm, they are the only people who live in Petra and know all of its secrets. Their Bedouin tribe has been living there for centuries, even before it was rediscovered by the Europeans in the 1800s. My kids had such a great time chatting with them, riding their beautifully-adorned camels around the site, and playing with the kids. The Bedouins were also so fun to watch – always up to hilarious antics – like riding camels backwards or standing up on donkeys – and made for a fun way to be entertained while relaxing over a sweet cup of Bedouin tea.

Whether you spend one day or several days exploring ancient Petra, you will not be disappointed. Your kids will have an unforgettable adventure as they immerse themselves in the fascinating history, landscape, and beauty of one of the world’s greatest treasures.

Has your family visited Petra? Please share your adventures with us!