MARATHON TOURS & TRAVEL 5 NIGHTS DURBAN PACKAGE 8 - 13 JUNE, 2023
Depending on the length of stay you have booked with us you might arrive before or depart on different days to the following itinerary. The itinerary below reflects the 5 nights package.
Thursday 8 June, 2023 – Arrival Day, Shake-out Run
On arrival at Durban King Shaka Airport (DUR) you will be met by Marathon Tours & Travel team and transferred to your hotel in central Durban, which is approximately a 45-minute drive. Our hotel has a beautiful swimming pool and areas to relax and enjoy the sea views. For those who wish to stretch out travel weary legs please join us for a short, easy run along the beachfront at 3.30pm. The rest of the day is at your leisure to relax.
Friday 9 June, 2023 – City Tour, Expo, Stretch Session, Shake-out Run, Welcome Reception
After breakfast, depart the hotel at 9.30am for a half-day sightseeing tour of Durban and the beachfront area. Tentative stops include the Apartheid (KwaMuhle) Museum, Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban Botanic Gardens, uShaka Marine World lunch and Durban City Hall. The tour will finish at the Expo so you can pick up your race kits. Lunch can be purchased at the Expo, after which we invite you to shop and enjoy the vibe before making your way back to your hotel (approx. a 20-minute walk).
For those who wish to stretch out travel weary legs please join us for a short, easy run along the beachfront at 3.30pm or join us as we host a Marathon Tours & Travel stretch session either on the beach or in the hotel surrounds.
This evening at 5.30pm please join us for a Welcome Reception that will take place at the Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel or a venue close by. Our expert team will guide you through the weekends itinerary, answer any questions you may have whilst you meet your fellow runners and enjoy a selection of food and drinks.
(Breakfast and dinner included)
Saturday 10 June, 2023 – Private Course Tour, Expo, Park Run, Pre-race Dinner
After breakfast, please join us at 9.30am for our private Comrades Course Tour. The coach tour will include stops at Comrades House Museum in Pietermaritzburg, the Wall of Honour and Arthurs Seat and allows you the opportunity to preview the route whilst sitting in the comfort of our luxury coach.
If you prefer to spend the day in Durban instead and at your leisure, we can recommend starting the day either walking or running the North Beach Park Run. The Park Run is a free organised community run which starts approx. 1km from your hotel and navigates a scenic, flat 5km loop along the beachfront.
Massages will be available today to pre book (at additional cost).
Tonight, we will gather for the pre-race dinner at the Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel.
(Breakfast and dinner included)
Sunday 11 June, 2023 – Race Day!
The day you have been training for is finally here! Our private luxury coaches (with on board toilet) will depart with our runners to the starting area in Pietermaritzburg. Coaches will leave before the roads close, leaving at 3am from our hotel and where possible will wait near the start area until you need to join your corrals. After finishing the race, meet Marathon Tours & Travel team at the designated location (TBD), we will look after you. Our hotel is approx. 1km distance, one of the closest to the finish at Kingsmead Stadium, so it won’t be long before you reach the comfort of your room. We understand how tired you will feel after a long time on your feet, meals can be purchased at one of the restaurants or take the opportunity to order room service! Relax, you deserve it.
We understand that family and friends want to also share the excitement. We will arrange a watch party in the comfort of the hotel, or you can take a stroll down to Kingsmead Stadium (1km) and meet your runner at the finish.
Massages will be available to pre book (at additional cost).
(Breakfast included)
Monday 12 June, 2023 – Stretch Session, Sundowners & Celebrations
Today is a free day to enjoy. Mid-morning, we will host a Marathon Tours & Travel stretch session either on the beach or in the hotel surrounds to ease those travel weary muscles whilst at the same time soaking up the sunshine and enjoying the sea views.
In the early evening, join Marathon Tours & Travel for sundowners, dinner & celebrate with your running peers and companions.
(Breakfast and dinner included)
Tuesday 13 June, 2023 – Departure Day
Today is departure day. Your airport transfer (approx. a 45-minute drive) to Durban King Shaka Airport is included. Departure times will be shared on-site and will coincide with your given flight arrangements. Safe travels and we hope you enjoyed your Comrades Experience!
(Breakfast included)
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MARATHON TOURS & TRAVEL 3 NIGHTS THANDA LODGE PRIVATE GAME RESERVE EXTENSION PACKAGE 13 - 16 JUNE, 2023
Thanda Safari is a world of wilderness and wildlife game reserve, matched with a deep commitment to Zulu culture and environmental conservation. Thanda means ‘Love’ in the language of the Zulu people, and Thanda Safari lives this ethos in the management of its 14 000-hectare reserve, its three unique properties, and its community partnerships. Experience the ultimate safari and game lodge experience with Thanda Safari, which has repeatedly been named the World’s Leading Luxury Game Reserve Lodge.
ITINERARY
Tuesday 13 June, 2023 - Transfer from the Southern Sun Elangeni Maharani Hotel in Durban to Thanda Safari Lodge, a five-star safari lodge at the heart of the Elephant Coast in Umkhanyakude District Municipality, South Africa. The group transfer will be an approximately 3.5 hour drive along the Indian Ocean. After arriving to your suite or experiential non electrified / solar powered luxury tent, you will depart for your first game drive (approx. 4:00 PM) in four-wheel Land Rovers. An early morning or late afternoon safari is the best time to look for the Big Five. With 14,000 hectares to explore and led by experts of the African bush, you’ll see an incredible range of animals, including cheetahs, hyaenas, giraffes, warthogs and abundant bird and plant life. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 June, 2023- Today is an early morning wake-up (6:00 AM) with coffee available before departing for your morning game drive. This is a great time to view many animals visiting the water holes and/or predators hunting for its day food. We will return around 9:00 AM for breakfast and spend the balance of the day relaxing, going on bush walks, and/or enjoying optional activities that you can book on site. We will head out for our last game drive at 4:00 PM and return for dinner. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Friday 16 June, 2023- After breakfast, we will depart Thanda Safari Lodge for the return transfer to the airport. We recommend flying from local Richards Bay Airport (2 hour drive) or King Shaka International Airport (3 hour drive) in Durban so that you can connect with your international flight home. (Breakfast included)
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MARATHON TOURS & TRAVEL 3 NIGHTS VICTORIA FALLS EXTENSION PACKAGE 13 - 16 JUNE, 2023
Victoria Falls presents a spectacular sight of awe-inspiring beauty and grandeur on the Zambezi River, forming the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. It was described by the Kololo tribe living in the area in the 1800s as “Mosi-oa-Tunya” – “The Smoke that Thunders.” In more modern terms Victoria Falls is known as the greatest curtain of falling water in the world.
ITINERARY
Tuesday 13 June, 2023 - Transfer from the Southern Sun Elangeni Maharani Hotel in Durban to King Shaka International Airport for your flight to Victoria Falls. Upon arrival you will be transferred to the Palm River Hotel, a unique 5-star hotel offering unparalleled luxury and ideally situated along the banks of the iconic Zambezi River, only 4 kilometers from Africa’s Natural World Wonder, Victoria Falls – so close, in fact, that on a clear, quiet day you can hear the thunder and see the spray of the mighty waterfall from your room. In the afternoon enjoy complimentary tea, coffee and sweet treats served at the hotel daily from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM or one of the delicious Palm River Hotel restaurants for dinner. (Breakfast included)
Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 June, 2023- These days are set aside for you to experience the many activities that are available around Victoria Falls. A complimentary shuttle bus which runs on a regular basis throughout the day will transport guests between The Palm River Hotel and Victoria Falls Town, stopping at the key landmarks for guests’ convenience: the Victoria Falls Rainforest, Ilala Lodge Hotel and the various craft markets. We also encourage you to unwind and relax at the 34-meter infinity pool or enjoy the hotel’s luxurious spa offerings. The Tours and Activities Desk located in the hotel is happy to help you find adventures from game viewing to helicopter flights, and river cruises to historical tours of the vibrant town, there is much to see and do in Victoria Falls. (Breakfast included)
Friday 16 June, 2023 - After breakfast, we will depart the Palm River Hotel for the return transfer to the airport. We recommend flying from Victoria Falls Airport to Johannesburg (JHB) so that you can connect with your international flight home. (Breakfast included)
Please Note: Airfare to/from Victoria Falls is not included in the package price.
All itineraries are subject to change.
Extensions are guided by Marathon Tours & Travel staff subject to a minimum number of sales. If sales do not reach a minimum number the trips will be unguided.
Please contact us for a quote on the extension tours.