Al Siq | Petra

The Siq (Al-Siq) is the main entrance to the ancient Nabataean city of Petra in southern Jordan. It is a natural geological fault split by tectonic forces and later smoothed by water erosion.

Visual Characteristics

The Siq is a narrow, winding canyon approximately 1.2 kilometers long. The walls rise vertically up to 80 meters on either side, composed of Nubian sandstone displaying vibrant bands of red, pink, orange, and yellow. The path width varies significantly, tapering to as little as 3 meters in certain sections. The floor is partially paved with original Nabataean limestone cobblestones.

Location & Access Logistics

Address: 8FF4+5FW, Wadi Musa, Jordan.

Access: Entry is via the Petra Visitor Center in Wadi Musa. From the gate, visitors walk approximately 15 minutes past the Bab al-Siq area to reach the canyon entrance.

Transit: Motorized vehicles are prohibited. Access is primarily on foot; however, licensed electric club cars are available for those with mobility issues, operating between the Visitor Center and the Treasury.

Entry: Requires a Petra entrance ticket (available for 1, 2, or 3 days; included in the Jordan Pass).

Historical & Engineering Origin

The Siq was used by the Nabataeans as a sacred processional path into their capital. It features sophisticated hydraulic engineering, including terracotta pipes and channels carved into the rock walls to transport water from Wadi Musa to the city center. A massive dam, reconstructed in 1963 on the original Nabataean site, sits at the entrance to prevent flash floods from entering the canyon.

Key Highlights & Activities

The Treasury Reveal: The most significant experience is the "reveal" at the end of the canyon, where the Treasury (Al-Khazneh) gradually appears through a narrow vertical crack in the rocks.

Votive Niches: Numerous small niches carved into the walls once held "baetyls" (sacred stones) representing Nabataean deities like Dushara.

Camel Caravan Reliefs: Badly eroded but still visible life-sized carvings of a merchant leading a camel caravan are located on the left side of the path.

Nabataean Arch: Fragments of a grand triumphal arch that once spanned the Siq entrance remain visible high on the canyon walls.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Safety: Flash flood warning systems are installed. The canyon is closed immediately during heavy rain.

Restrooms: The nearest facilities are at the Visitor Center (entrance) and at the Treasury (exit).

Connectivity: Mobile signal is intermittent due to the high sandstone walls.

Accessibility: The path is mostly flat but consists of gravel, sand, and uneven ancient stones.

Best Time to Visit

The optimal time for photography is early morning (06:00–08:00) or late afternoon, when the low sun casts deep shadows and emphasizes the red hues of the stone. Visiting early also avoids the high-volume crowds and heat.

Facts & Legends

Local Bedouin tradition long held that the Siq was created when Moses struck the rock with his staff (Wadi Musa means "Valley of Moses"). Historically, the Siq remained largely unknown to the Western world until 1812, when Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt entered the canyon disguised as an Arab scholar.

Nearby Landmarks

The Treasury (Al-Khazneh): 0.1km West (immediately at the exit)

Bab al-Siq: 0.2km East (immediately at the entrance)

Djinn Blocks: 0.5km East

Obelisk Tomb: 0.4km East