Petra Desert Marathon & Half 2024

Arrival in Jordan & Transfer to the Dead Sea

Upon arrival, our airport representative will meet you in the arrivals hall to take you to your hotel at the Dead Sea. After check-in you have the rest of the day/evening free to enjoy the pool and the beach on your own.

Please note that many flights to Amman arrive at night time. Hotel check in is normally at 15:00 in the afternoon, so if you arrive in the night and want your room available upon arrival we recommend that you book a pre-night. The airport representative is also available for pre-night arrivals and participants also have transfer to the Dead Sea included for pre-night bookings.

Meals: Not included

The Dead Sea

Wake up at the Dead Sea – the lowest point on Earth – and start the day with a delicious breakfast at the hotel. Today will be all about winding down and relaxing by the pool or floating on the surface of the Dead Sea, which is sometimes considered the largest spa in the world, due to its healing properties. It is only fair you get to spend the whole day immersed in this magical place. It is the perfect way to mentally prepare yourself for the challenge ahead.

You will also have the option of joining our full day excursion around some of the historical and cultural highlights of Jordan: Mt. Nebo, Madaba and Baptism Site. It’s an extraordinary excursion packed with knowledge from our experienced tour-guides.

Meals: Breakfast

Dead Sea to Petra, Race Briefing & Pasta Dinner

After breakfast, you’ll take a long drive to Wadi Musa (Petra), approximately 6 hours to enjoy the views from the window. Upon arrival, you’ll have lunch at a local restaurant, before checking into your next hotel, the perfect location to get out and explore the illustrious “Red Rose City of Petra.” As the sun sets all runners will meet at tomorrow’s finish area, where the race officials and medical team will give the race briefing. Participants will also collect their goodie bags at the briefing. In the evening, carb-load with a pasta dinner served at your hotel restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Race Day!

Today is the day we have all been waiting for! After an early wakeup call and a light continental breakfast, all runners will walk together through the Siq to the start line at the Street of Facades. As Petra is not open to the public at that time of day, runners will get the unique experience of seeing Petra without the crowds!

In the evening we offer an optional local experience – Petra Kitchen – that can be booked in addition to the tour package. Please check the excursions below the itinerary for more details.

Meals: Breakfast and packed lunch

Petra & Celebration Dinner

Today, explore Petra’s full glory. After breakfast, you will walk to Petra Visitor’s Center for a guided tour of the site, on foot, and learn about the impressive history of yesterday’s starting point. The main entrance to the historical and archaeological city of Petra is the Siq. With walls rising up to 200 metres in height, this narrow gorge, split apart by tectonic forces, winds its way 1.2km through the mountains and ends at Petra’s most elaborate temple, the Treasury. After lunch you have free time, opt to try the Turkish baths and spas or enjoy one of the local restaurants. In the evening, all participants will head to the desert for a festive celebration dinner. Dine, drink, and dance under the stars.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

After a good nights rest and a spirit of achievement we are ready to start our Adventure Extension!

Our hike begins by the awe-inspiring “Little Petra,” setting the stage for an unforgettable adventure. Our expert tourguide will enrich you with knowledge about the area and prepare you for the journey ahead.

From there, we’ll venture through the viewpoints of Wadi Mataha and Jabal al-Khubtha, guiding you to Petra’s lesser-known back entrances.

After exploring the Monastery, we’ll make our way down to the iconic Treasury and emerge through the magnificent Siq.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Vast, echoing, and god-like is how T.E. Lawrence described the Wadi Rum desert, also known as Valley of the Moon, and now it’s our turn to get lost in this stunning desert and sleep under the stars.

After breakfast we leave Petra and drive to the magnificent Wadi Rum desert. It was here the British army officer T. E. Lawrence gathered the Arab tribes to revolt against the Ottoman Turkish rule during World War I, a story that became world-famous in the movie “Lawrence of Arabia.”

From the Wadi Rum Visitors Center, we change from bus to jeep and go on a tour through the desert, past sand dunes and incredible rock formations. After a cup of tea made by Bedouins, the tour ends with dinner and an overnight in a Bedouin Camp with the choice of a Bedouin Tent or a Star Tent.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

After breakfast in our camp we drive to the Wadi Mujib gorge, in many ways similar to the Siq in Petra – narrow and with towering cliffs rising on both sides. Through the gorge runs the Mujib River and this unique nature reserve is home to over 400 species of plants, more than 100 species of birds and animals like the Nubian Ibex, Red Fox, Hyena, Jackal, Wild Cat, Caracal, Badger, Mongoose, Wolf and Arabian Leopard.

We will see the Wadi Mujib on a 2-hour hike on the Siq Trail. This trail starts at the visitors center and then heads up into the canyon.

We’ll follow the course of the river, wading through the water, up to the base of a large waterfall. Along the way, we’ll climb several smaller waterfalls with the help of fixed ropes, ladders, and our guide.

Once we reach the waterfall, we can swim around in the pool at its base and even go behind the falls! Perhaps the best part, though, is after all the hard work is done – we’ll float peacefully back out of the canyon on the river, and really have time to soak in the surroundings. Please note that while this hike is rated easy – moderate, the depth of the pools can vary depending on seasonal conditions. Thus, the nature reserve authorities require anyone going on this trail to be 18 years old and capable of swimming.

After leaving Wadi Mujib, we will head to Amman where we check in to our hotel.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch

A warm and inviting welcome awaits as you check in at your hotel in Amman, where you stay overnight and look forward to the adventures to come!

Meals: Not included