Marathon
Petra Desert

Arrival at Amman Airport and transfer to the Dead Sea. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Today we wake up by the Dead Sea – the lowest point on Earth – and start the day with a rich breakfast at the hotel. The day will be dedicated to relaxation: you can either rest by the pool or enjoy the unique experience of floating on its waters. The Dead Sea is truly remarkable: a landlocked lake, bordered by Jordan to the east and Israel to the west, known as one of the saltiest bodies of water in the world. Its salt concentration is almost ten times higher than that of the ocean, making it one of the most fascinating natural wonders on the planet.

This extraordinary salinity makes it impossible for plants and animals to survive, hence its name. At the same time, the Dead Sea is often regarded as the largest natural spa in the world, thanks to its beneficial properties. According to legend, even Cleopatra visited it and used its products as part of her beauty ritual. Spending the whole day at this magical place is the perfect way to mentally prepare for the challenge ahead.

You will also have the opportunity to join one of our day excursions, exploring some of Jordan’s most important historical and cultural sites: Mt. Nebo, Madaba, and the Baptism Site. An extraordinary experience, enriched by the knowledge of our expert tour leaders.
Cost: €130 per person.
Meals included: breakfast.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will check out at 9:00 and travel by bus to Wadi Musa (Petra). The journey will take around 6 hours. Upon arrival, we will have lunch in a local restaurant, enjoying a variety of regional specialties while waiting for our rooms to be ready for check-in at 3:00 p.m.

Once settled in, we will have a few hours of free time before heading out to explore the legendary “Rose-Red City” of Petra. The hotel, located right next to the entrance of the archaeological site, means you’ll be just steps away from this ancient Nabataean city carved into the rock. Don’t forget that tomorrow you’ll have exclusive access to Petra before it opens to the public. We’ll also have the whole of Sunday to further explore this stunning site.

At sunset, all runners will gather in tomorrow’s finish area, where race officials and the medical team will hold the pre-race briefing. In the evening, a hearty pasta dinner will be served at the hotel restaurant. Afterward, you can return to your room and rest up for the big day.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Today is the day we have all been waiting for! After an early wake-up call and a light continental breakfast, the runners will meet outside the Petra Visitor Center. At 5:15 a.m., all participants will walk together through the Siq to the start line at the Street of Facades. Since Petra is not yet open to the public at that time, runners will have the unique opportunity to experience the site without the crowds.

The race starts at 6:30 a.m. for both half and full marathon runners. Although the Petra Desert Marathon is recognized as an official competition, run under international race rules with official timing, it is important to remember that it is first and foremost an adventure: here, the experience, the scenery, and the satisfaction of completing the race matter more than winning or setting a personal best.

For a detailed description of the course, please see our Route & Elevation section. At the finish line, refreshments and your medal will be waiting for you.

In the evening, we offer an optional local experience – Petra Kitchen (2.5 hours) – which can be added to the tour package. Cost: €55 per person.

Meals included: breakfast and lunch box.

Today we will have the opportunity to discover Petra in all its glory. After breakfast, we will head to the Petra Visitor’s Center, where our guided walking tour will begin and we will learn about the fascinating history of yesterday’s starting point. The main entrance to the historic and archaeological city of Petra is the Siq: a narrow gorge with walls rising up to 200 meters, formed by tectonic forces, stretching 1.2 km through the mountains and ending at Petra’s most iconic monument, the Treasury.

We will walk again through the Siq and continue past the beautiful tombs and caves carved into the red sandstone cliffs, while our guide tells us about the ancient Nabataeans who founded the city. We will then have some free time to explore the area and buy lunch on our own before returning to the hotel.

Depending on how much time you want to spend in Petra, you may also choose to relax and recover from yesterday’s efforts in one of the local Turkish baths or spas, or simply treat yourself to a meal in a local restaurant and enjoy the delicious Jordanian cuisine.

In the evening, all participants will head into the desert to celebrate the completion of the Petra Desert Marathon with a festive celebration dinner: dining, drinks, and dancing under the stars.

Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

Unfortunately, our adventure in Jordan is over and it is time to say goodbye to this special country. Check-out from the hotel must be before 12:00 (noon). All participants will be transferred to Queen Alia International Airport in Amman.