What should I pack for Petra?

Trail shoes or hiking boots with thick soles and ankle support. This is the single most important item. The 1.2 km walk through the Siq has uneven cobblestones worn smooth by flash floods, and the 800-step climb to Ad Deir will shred lightweight sneakers in a single visit. Sandstone is abrasive when dry, gritty underfoot, and slick after rain (uncommon in June, but possible in March and November). Expect 15,000 to 25,000 steps on a full day covering 8 to 12 km. Flip-flops are a mistake you'll feel by the second hour. Closed-toe, broken-in, grippy rubber soles.

On June 25, Petra recorded 22.6°C at 8 AM with 31% humidity. By noon it will likely reach 36 to 38°C, and humidity tends to stay below 30%. The Siq keeps you in shade until about 9:30 AM, but beyond Al Khazneh the site opens into exposed valleys where heat reflects off pale sandstone and bakes your skin from two directions at once. A wide-brimmed hat matters more than sunglasses here, though bring both. SPF 50+ sunscreen needs reapplication every 90 minutes because you'll sweat it off on the climbs. A lightweight UV-protective long-sleeve shirt beats short sleeves plus sunscreen in practice. The heat is dry, not humid, so you might not notice dehydration until you feel dizzy on the Ad Deir steps.

Carry at least 3 liters of water per person. A hydration bladder with a drinking tube works better than bottles because you'll want both hands free on the Ad Deir staircase. Bedouin vendors sell water and sweet sage tea along the main trail for 1 to 3 JOD per bottle, compared to 0.25 JOD at shops on Tourism Street in Wadi Musa. The markup is steep but the tea is worth trying. It's brewed over wood coals with a smoky, herbal sweetness that tastes better after 4 km of walking than anything you packed. The Basin Restaurant near Qasr al-Bint, about 3 km from the Visitor Centre, serves a buffet lunch for around 15 JOD. It's the only sit-down option inside the site.

Jordan is conservative by regional standards. Cover shoulders and knees, which also happens to be the smart call for sun protection across 8 km of exposed desert. Lightweight long pants in breathable fabric, cotton or merino t-shirts with sleeves. Women may want a light scarf for visiting mosques in Wadi Musa or later in Amman. After sunset, desert temperatures drop to 15 to 18°C even in June, so a packable fleece earns its weight. Jordan uses 230V with Type C, F, and G outlets. US travelers need a universal adapter. A portable charger is non-negotiable. Between GPS navigation, camera use, and the Jordan Pass QR code on your phone, expect your battery to hit 20% by early afternoon.

Skip packing bottled water, a keffiyeh, and excessive toiletries. The checkered red-and-white keffiyeh that Bedouin guides wear is the best sun protection for your neck and face, and vendors in Wadi Musa sell them for 2 to 3 JOD. Pharmacies on Tourism Street carry sunscreen for 3 to 5 JOD. The Visitor Centre shop has site maps for 1 JOD. Don't bother with a rain jacket from June through September. One thing that's hard to find locally is high-SPF lip balm. The dry heat cracks your lips within the first few hours, and Wadi Musa shops tend to stock low-SPF options at best.