Ascent to the Monastery (Ad-Deir)

Also the ascent path itself is very nice. It threads with lots of stairs among the rocks. There is significantly less tourists here than in the main circuit, but it does not change the fact that even so there are a lot of them. There are plenty of souvenir stands and youths offering horses to help with the ascent.

It is worth to make a little detour from the main path to the interesting Lion's Tomb.
 

Elevation of the Monastery is only about two hundred altitude meters, but even so, the climb seems to be endless. The surface of the path is suitable also for „weekend tourists“ – it is completely nicely paved.
 

Rocks lovers will really enjoy it here. In addition, view more into the distance up to the flat hills behind Wadi Musa sometimes open with increasing altitude.
 

After less than an hour you are at the first destination of this trip – at impressive tomb of Ad-Deir, which was used as a church later during Byzantine period (hence the name). Farther on is the food stall, but the price/performance ratio is not very favorable, as indeed in the whole Petra. After admiring the views of this amazing building it is worth to continue even higher to the outlook points at the very top of the rock massif.
 

Already after a few meters of the ascent a beautiful view of the surroundings open. Far ahead you can see the town of Wadi Musa lying on the deserted slopes falling from the upland plateau. Closer you can see the rocky ridge, through which weaves As-Siq gorge to the interior of the rock town. The Monastery itself is carved into pyramid-shaped rock and looks majestic.
 

From the outlook point number one you will find that there are two more – also the others are worth a visit. You will see directly into the canyon below you from them. Wadi Araba descending directly into the Dead Sea is visible in the distance more than a kilometer below.
 

From the outlook point over the canyon you will be captivated by wild rocks.

The way back is the same, but much faster. If you are here later in the afternoon, you will be almost alone on the way back.