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Sunset

Golden Light at Wu'ayra

Catch the last warm rays of the day at a ruined Crusader castle overlooking the desert, with no crowds to break the silence.

Best time: sunsetAbout 90 min

Timeline

  1. 17:07

    Check the route to the castle. Since there are no food or drink shops listed in the immediate vicinity, bring your own water and a simple snack to save time and avoid the walk back later.

  2. 17:22

    الوعيرة

    Walk up to Wu'ayra Castle. The path is rugged, so take your time. Arrive early enough to find a comfortable spot among the ruins to wait for the light to change.

  3. 17:47

    الوعيرة

    Settle in. The castle walls frame the western horizon perfectly. As the sun begins its descent, the stone turns a deep, rich amber.

  4. 18:07

    الوعيرة

    Watch the sun dip below the horizon. The golden light fades into the blue twilight, leaving the castle in silhouette against the darkening sky.

  5. 18:37

    الوعيرة

    Stay for a moment in the quiet afterglow. The temperature drops quickly, so wrap up warm before you begin the walk back down.

Local tip

The area is extremely rugged and difficult to access. Wear sturdy shoes and bring a headlamp or flashlight for the walk back in the dark.

Check before you go

  • No food or drink shops are listed near Wu'ayra Castle. Bring water and snacks with you.
  • Sunset on 15 October is at 18:07 (local time). The sun sets toward the W.
  • The terrain is rugged. Check the route beforehand if you are unfamiliar with the area.

Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Petra (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

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