Little Petra is about five kilometres from the main site and believed to be a retreat for the rich Nabataeans of Petra. It is almost like a scale model of the main city, complete with a short, narrow canyon, or Siq, to enter through, opening out into a wider valley with tombs and ritual dining areas carved into the rock. There are some remarkable cave paintings in the Hellenistic tradition, and if you continue through to the end of the site, a narrow path takes you out to a ledge with great views over the surrounding mountains and canyons. Little Petra is a fascinating addition to a visit to Petra and is also the starting point for the back entrance to Petra over the mountains.
