71-year-old Heading for Petra

Q: My 71 year old mother has set her heart on visiting Petra in Jordan. She leads an active lifestyle and plays bowls, but I am worried that it may prove too strenuous for her. How much walking would be involved? - Fiona Hinton

A: A visit to Petra usually involves a great deal of walking, but this is not the only way to see this historic city carved into the rock. Although motorized vehicles are not allowed to enter the site, you can hire a horse or horse-drawn carriage to take you through the Siq, a 1km-long gorge flanked by 80m high cliffs. Elderly or handicapped visitors can get a permit at the Visitor's Centre which will allow the carriage to go inside Petra to visit the main attractions. Once inside the site, you can hire a donkey, or for the more adventurous, a camel - both come with handlers and take designated routes throughout the site. Be sure to see the treasury, the Nabataean king's tomb and the theatre. I am sure your mother would enjoy visiting the two museums: the Petra Archaeological Museum and the Petra Nabataean Museum. I don't think your mother should attempt to visit the monastery as this involves a lengthy and strenuous hike along a path with at least 800 steps and loose rocks. For more information go to the www.petrapark.com website. (18/9/11)