A main draw to Jordan is Petra, which one can spends days to fully explore. However, fewer know about Siq al-Barid, better known as “Little Petra.” It is believed that Little Petra was an important suburb of Petra, the entry and exit point for the trade routes to the north and north-west. Here the caravans from the Negev, Gaza, Jerusalem, Egypt and the Mediterranean coast arrived, had a rest and engaged in trade. The trail through Little Petra culminates in rock-cut stairs which lead through a narrow gap out onto a wide flat ledge. One the day we visits, there we rested here and had some tea with a Bedouin woman who had set up shop there.

Little Petra is located 9km north of Wadi Musa, so it’s a quick taxi ride if you’re staying in town. Although it sees its share of tour buses, Little Petra retains an atmosphere and calmness that are much harder to find in Petra proper.

Photos taken March 20, 2013.