Petra:Worth the trip if we don't hike up to the Monastery?

I suffer from fear of heights etc. I have never been to Petra though it is on my list - I have to say that everything I have heard from many people who have been there is that it is worth the trip even if you don't make the climb.The walk into site, the view of the treasurary as you come in from the Siq. The whole valley is full of temples, theatres and other sites and sounds like it is well worth day to visit. It is one of the iconic ancient sites.

I have no fears. Petra would be worth the trip even if El Deir did not exist. Jordan would be worth the trip even if Petra did not exist.

To answer Question No.2, YES, just seeing the Treasury would be worth your while! That is all that I was able to enjoy because my husband succumbed to heat & dehydration as we stood there in awe, so the tourist police put us in a horse-drawn buggy and got us back to coolness & lots of water.

Thanks so much, everyone,for the reassurance that its still a worthwhile trip. I'm so exited about seeing Petra, but I didn't want to be the party pooper waiting at the bottom!! Many thanks for
the responses!

allison, dont they have chemicals to fix those prolems for a short time? ......better living through chemistry.... happy trails.

Ray,
LOL..I would absoultely consider such a remedy and if I can find one that won't have me dozing off, I'm all in!! I've often wished for such a wonder drug...short-acting anxiety eliminator!!

This is one area where psychologists have had a lot of success. Fear of flying, etc, can be either entirely solved or greatly ameliorated by systematic desensitisation. Fear of heights is one that is probably easily addressed. You may wish to call a psychologist in the area and ask if they offer treatments. I would think that a matter of a month or two can greatly address these concerns. I'm no longer a psychologist, but that is the word on my degree.

I've been to Petra twice, on separate trips. The first visit we spent the entire day in the valley. The second trip we hiked up the hills. I do not recall any of the paths being particularly narrow nor do I recall any drop offs. It was no different than walking up rather steep hills. There is a book on Petra by Ian Browning published in 1989 by Chatto & Windus Ltd, London. A lot more has been excavated since then but it is worth the effort to find a copy.

Thanks everyone. We've decided to go and are very much looking forward to it! We're spending the night prior at the Movenpick and will go early morning to see the Treasury and anything else the area has to offer an acrophobic!! Many thanks, again.

Allison, I went to Petra with my husband back in December 2001, staying at the Movenpick near the gate. We walked in and spent several hours, having lunch onsite, then went back in early the next morning. I vividly remember our first walk in and glimpse of the Treasury; exploring the rock-cut chambers that were open; and, poking around the ruins where the market, temple and main road used to be. What I distinctly remember of our afternoon walk to the monastery was how grueling I found it to be and how my first impression of it was: "um, it looks pretty much like the Treasury". So, the monastery would have been - for me anyways - "skipable". You will be so impressed with the Valley itself, that you need not go up to the monastery if you won't feel comfortable doing so. Do make sure that you have time to visit the little museum too.