I have some (LOTS) questions regarding The Monastery in Petra, first how long would normally take to go all the way from the entrance of Petra to the Monastery? (I would rather walk than take the donkey ride. I know it would depend on how fit the person is but what about an average person? Is it possible to do all the walk without a guide or one can get lost? Is it safe to walk alone? Is the path desolated? Is there’s only one way to go back to the entrance of Petra from the Monastery?

Many thanks!

It's 800 steps up - we took the donkey and had a great time - it took maybe 30 minutes. I think you could walk it in 45 minutes or so. (you walk down if you take the donkey up).

A person of average fitness could do it - it's a slow steady climb, not acute. You can easily do it without a guide and the path is well traveled and not isolated - lots of donkeys going up and down!

Not sure about the number of entrances - it's worth the climb - pics on my blog

http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/l..._adv/d_jordan/

I think the walk from the Monastery back down the steps is about 45 minutes but then maybe another half hour or more - maybe an hour - to the entrance to the site itself. In case time is a major concern.

It would be very hard to get lost. The path is paved and relatively narrow, plus much of the way is in a narrow canyon - so you don't have any choice but to end up at the Monastery. I have done this walk a couple of times and I don't believe I was ever completely out of site of another person. It is a safe and easy walk down the slight grade and most of the path is well-paved. I am not in good shape and walked down easily. I walked back up too - it took less than an hour and the way is never steep.

The reason most visitors book a guide is for information purposes, as opposed to finding their way. The first time we went, we went with a guide, and we learned a lot from her.

The donkey/horse ride did not look attractive to me - most of the animals looked to be in rough shape. You can ride in a carriage, but the ride looked terribly bumpy on the pavement. Once you pass the Monastery, there are more opportunities to ride horses or camels - and plenty of entrepreneurs ready to provide the service.

ALF -
I think you're confusing the Monastery with the Treasury. Getting to the Treasury involves a walk of a not-very-steep grade but the Monastery is 800 steps up & back down.

But true that you're never isolated or in danger of getting lost.