Petra Desert Marathon & Half Marathon

Transcription

1 Petra Desert Marathon & Half Marathon 1 September 2018 PETRA DESERT MARATHON 5 DAY PACKAGE Welcome to the Petra Desert Marathon! Embark on an Arabian adventure and run one of the most challenging desert marathons on Earth. Petra Desert Marathon & Half Marathon is a small race with about 250 entrants and takes place on 1 September Starting from the ancient city of Petra, the marathon route takes runners on a scenic tour through the stunning mountain and desert landscape. Take part in a historic run in remarkable settings. Explore the UNESCO-listed site while running a challenging desert marathon that showcases the beauty of Jordan. The marathon event consists of a full marathon and a half marathon. The event is part of a 5-day tour package which includes social events, tours, hotel accommodation, entry pass for Petra and a dip in the Dead Sea. You can also extend your stay in Jordan with our tours suited for the adventurous or the cultural traveler. Day 1 / 30 August Arrival Amman Arrive in Amman Queen Alia International Airport. Upon your arrival you will need to obtain a visa (see Page 6) and then in the arrivals hall you will be met and taken to your driver who will bring you to your hotel at the Dead Sea. Note that you can choose between a standard hotel package and a deluxe hotel package The rest of the day is free to enjoy the pool and beach on your own. No meals are included this day. Day 2 / 31 August Dead Sea, Petra, race briefing and pasta dinner Waking up at the Dead Sea the lowest point on Earth you can start the day with a swim in the Dead Sea and relax at the pool. In the early afternoon we check out and drive by bus to Wadi Mousa (Petra). On the way we stop for lunch and upon arrival in Wadi Mousa we check in at our hotel not far from the entrance to Petra. In the late afternoon all runners meet for a race briefing given by the Race Officials and Medical Team and afterwards we will carboload with a pasta dinner in the hotel restaurant. Breakfast, lunch and pasta dinner included this day. Day 3 / 1 September Petra Marathon & Half Marathon The day we all have waited for! After an early wakeup call and breakfast all runners meet outside the Petra Visitors Center. At 5:30 all participants walk through the Siq to the start line at the Street of Facades. As Petra is not opened to the public at that time of day, runners will get the unique experience of seeing Petra without the tourist crowds. At 6:30 am the race is started for both full and half marathon runners. Although regarded as an official race following international competition rules including time taking, it is important to remember that it is first and foremost an Adventure Marathon in which the experience, scenery and satisfaction in completing is more important than winning or setting a personal record. For a detailed description of the marathon day and route, please see under Race Information on the race website. At the finish line, located near the Visitors Center, runners receive the medal and refreshments. A light continental breakfast and packed lunch at the Finish included this day.

2 In the evening we offer two optional local experiences that can be booked in addition to the tour package. Petra by Night is a unique way to visit the most famous of Petra s landmarks the Treasury. The 1.2km long Siq is lit by candles all the way to an illuminated Treasury where Bedouin music is played and local stories are told. This experience is normally only available Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, but we have secured an extra tour especially for Petra Desert Marathon participants. The extra cost for this is approx. R 585 per person. Petra Kitchen teaches you to cook some of the most tasteful Jordanian dishes. Under professional guidance from your chef you will cook a full meal with delicious appetizers and a traditional main course. Of course we will sit down and enjoy the meal together and the full recipe is handed out to everyone, so you can cook for your friends and family at home. A fun and festive way to celebrate your completion of the Petra Desert Marathon today. The extra cost for this is approx. R 750 per person. Day 4 / 2 September Petra and Celebration Dinner Today is the day to explore Petra at its full glory. After breakfast we walk to Petra Visitors Centre from where we will start our guided tour on foot and learn about the impressive history of yesterday s starting point. The main entrance to the historical and archeological city of Petra is the Siq. With walls rising up to 200 meters in height, this narrow gorge, split apart by tectonic forces, winds its way 1.2 km through the mountains and ends at Petra's most elaborate ruin, the Treasury. We continue past the marvellous tombs and caves carved out of the red sandstone cliff while our guide tells us about the old Nabateans who created the city. After some time to explore the area and buy lunch on our own we head back to our hotel. Depending on how much time you want to spend in Petra you can also relax and recover from the strenuous efforts of yesterday in one of the areas Turkish Baths and Spas or simply treat yourself at a local restaurant with the incredibly tasty Jordanian cuisine. In the evening all participants depart from the hotel to the desert where we will celebrate the completion of Petra Desert Marathon with a festive Celebration Dinner. Dine, drink and dance under the stars and crescent Moon. Breakfast and Celebration Dinner included this day. Day 5 / 3 September Farewell Jordan or Hello Extension Our adventure in Jordan is over and it s time to bid farewell to this extraordinary country. Check out from the hotel must be completed before 11:00 am. All participants are transferred to Queen Alia International Airport in Amman. Four transfers are arranged with ARRIVAL times at the airport on 3 September as follows: 05:00, 08:00, 13:00 and 18:00. It is possible, for an extra charge, to book a different transfer to Amman if the above scheduled group transfers don't fit your onward journey. Participants who book one of the extensions will start these adventures after breakfast today. Breakfast included this day. Estimate 4 nights land package, arriving 30 August 2018 Day 1 30 AUG: Arrival Amman and transfer to the Dead Sea Day 2 31 AUG: Dead Sea, transfer to Petra and info meeting Day 3 01 SEP: Petra Desert Marathon Day 4 02 SEP: Petra sightseeing and gala dinner Day 5 03 SEP: Farewell Jordan or extend your stay Standard Hotel (Grand East Dead Sea & in Petra there are various hotels) Package cost: approx. R per person Cost for a single room supplement is approx. R (Note: Single travellers who wish to save the single room supplement can request to share a double room with another traveller of the same sex. A shared room however cannot be guaranteed) Deluxe Hotel (Holiday Inn Dead Sea & Movenpick Resort in Petra) Package cost: approx. R per person Cost for a single room supplement is approx. R (Note: Single travellers who wish to save the single room supplement can request to share a double room with another traveller of the same sex. A shared room however cannot be guaranteed) 4 nights accommodation Transportation as per itinerary English-speaking tour leader 3-day entry to Petra Meals according to itinerary Celebration dinner

3 Price does not include: Flight to/ from Jordan (Amman) Visa on arrival (approx. JOD40) Meals not mentioned in the itinerary Beverages Personal expenses Tips for local guides and drivers (US$5 per person per day is recommended) Cancellation insurance due to illness or injury prior to departure Travel and health insurance (we strongly recommend you take out sufficient insurance) Race Entry Optional tours on 1 September (see above) Anything not mentioned under Price includes Marathon Entry Package: approx. R per person Entry to Petra Desert Marathon or Half Marathon English-speaking race officials Medical team Time taking Supplies on the route Running T-shirt Medal EXTEND YOUR STAY AND GET MORE ADVENTURES IN JORDAN Two extensions are offered a cultural and an adventure tour. The two tours cannot be combined. Adventure Extension 4 days/3 nights Jordan is a true wonderland for active and adventurous souls and this extension takes us through the Wadi Rum desert, the Dana Valley reserve and the Wadi Mujib gorges. Day 1 / 3 September Wadi Rum Desert 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 reached world fame in the movie Lawrence of Arabia. From the Wadi Rum Visitors Centre we change from bus to jeeps and go on a tour in the desert past sand dunes and incredible rock formation. The tour ends in the middle of the desert where we set up our tented camp for the night. Like real Bedouins we will cook dinner over an open fire with the gazing stars and Moon illuminating our outdoor hotel. NB: Before booking this adventure kindly beware of the fact that toilets and running water will not be available at the camp! All meals included this day. Day 2 / 4 September Dana Valley White Dome Trail We enjoy breakfast Bedouin style before the jeeps bring us back to the Visitors Centre from where our bus will take us to the village of Tafilah. From here we set out for an 8km hike through the Dana Valley one of Jordan s premier nature reserves. The trail contours the huge escarpments of Wadi Dana and offers breathtaking views of the canyon-like valley while passing through village terraced gardens.

4 After an estimated 4 hours we reach Rummana Camp where we find our tent for the night. All meals included this day. Day 3 / 5 September Wadi Mujib and Amman From Rummana Camp we head north along the Wadi Araba highway. Just before the Dead Sea we reach 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 from inside on our 4 hours hike and swim through the river and nature reserve. Back out we head to Amman where we check in at our hotel. Breakfast and lunch included this day. Day 4 / 6 September Farewell Jordan Our adventure in Jordan is over and it s time to bid farewell to this extraordinary country. Check out from the hotel must be completed before 11:00 am. All participants are transferred from Amman to Queen Alia International Airport. Three transfers are arranged and ARRIVAL times at the airport are: 05:00, 08:00, 13:00 and 18:00. It is possible, for an extra charge, to book a different transfer to Amman if the above scheduled group transfers don't fit your onward journey. Breakfast included this day. Estimate for Adventure Extension Day 1 03 SEP: Wadi Rum Day 2 04 SEP: Dana Valley Day 3 05 SEP: Wadi Mujib and Amman Day 4 06 SEP: Farewell Jordan Package cost: approx. R per person sharing a double room approx. R single room supplement Participants going on the Adventure Extension will have 2 nights in a tented camp. In Dana Valley the camp is set and has basic facilities for toilet and shower (note: cold water only). In Wadi Rum it is IMPORTANT to note that the camp will be set up by participants themselves and no toilets or running water is available once entering the desert. 1 night in tented camp in Wadi Rum 1 night in tented camp in Dana Valley 1 night in hotel in Amman Transportation as per itinerary Local guide Entrance fee to Wadi Rum and Wadi Mujib Meals according to itinerary Price does not include: Meals not mentioned in the itinerary Beverages Personal expenses Cancellation insurance due to illness or injury prior to departure Travel and health insurance (we strongly recommend you take out sufficient insurance) Anything not mentioned under Price includes Culture Extension 4 days/3 nights Although Petra is the best known historical site in Jordan this country has loads of other cultural and historical places worth a visit. On this extension we visit most of them. Day 1 / 3 September Shoubak, Madaba & Mt. Nebo

5 We start the day with a visit the old crusader fortress of Shoubak, a castle from the Mamluk period with original Crusader features. From there we continue to the historic city of Madaba, famous for the ancient Mosaic of Jerusalem one of the oldest pictured testimonies of the Holy City. A church has now been build up around the mosaic to protect this historical site. We continue to Mount Nebo, the mountain where Moses saw the Holy Land before finding his final resting place on the mountain. Like Moses we can enjoy the great views to Israel and the Jordan Valley. We finish our day in Amman where we check in to the Grand Palace hotel. Breakfast included. Day 2 / 4 September As-Salt and Baptism Site Today we ll be heading to the small town of As-Salt. Being a living museum, As-Salt features old lanes and dazzling houses from the late Ottoman period and a walking tour through this inviting community showcases some of Jordan s most charming buildings and bazaars. In As-Salt, many traditional businesses and skilled artisans enrich the city s cultural life, and as you walk down the street, you will see a variety of different trades and shops, including blacksmiths, shoemakers, barbershops, Arabic sweet stores, and herbalists. From As-Salt we continue down the Jordan Valley to Bethany Beyond the Jordan, or better known as the Baptism Site. The place has been identified as the site where John the Baptist preached and where Jesus was baptised by John. We end the day in Amman where with a dinner at a local restaurant. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included. Day 3 / 5 September Jerash and Amman After breakfast we head north through the Jordan Valley to the ruin city of Jerash. These well preserved ruins were once the ground pillars of a Roman Decapolis city build approximately 330BC. In its peak the city flourished from trade with the Nabateans from Petra and was one of the most important cities in the Roman province. In 747AD Jerash was hit by an earthquake and slowly the city was abandoned. As the years went by sand covered the columns and buildings, which is why everything was so well preserved when a Russian expedition excavated the city in After our visit in Jerash we drive back to Amman and do a sightseeing tour of the capitals most prominent sites and buildings. Breakfast and lunch included. Day 4 / 6 September Farewell Jordan Our adventure in Jordan is over and it s time to bid farewell to this extraordinary country. Check out from the hotel must be completed before 11:00 am. All participants are transferred from Amman to Queen Alia International Airport. Three transfers are arranged and ARRIVAL times at the airport are: 05:00, 08:00, 13:00 and 18:00. It is possible, for an extra charge, to book a different transfer to Amman if the above scheduled group transfers don't fit your onward journey. Breakfast included this day. Estimate for Culture Extension Day 1 03 SEP: Shoubak, Madaba, Mt. Nebo and Amman Day 2 04 SEP: As-Salt, Baptism Site and Amman Day 3 05 SEP: Jerasj and Amman city tour Day 4 06 SEP: Farewell Jordan Package cost: approx. R per person sharing a double room approx. R single room supplement 3 nights accommodation in Grand Palace Amman Transportation as per itinerary Local guide Entrance fee to Shoubak, Madaba, Mt. Nebo, Baptism site, As-Salt and Jerash Meals according to itinerary Price does not include: Meals not mentioned in the itinerary Beverages Personal expenses Cancellation insurance due to illness or injury prior to departure Travel and health insurance (we strongly recommend you take out sufficient insurance) Anything not mentioned under Price includes

6 Travel Insurance Petra Desert Marathon organisers insist that you are adequately covered. Travel Insurance Consultants have a comprehensive cover which we can arrange for you. The current premium for up to 8 days is approx. R 630 for each runner (aged up to 59 years). The current premium for up to 8 days is approx. R 645 for each runner (aged years). The current premium for up to 14 days is approx. R 1145 for each runner (aged up to 59 years). The current premium for up to 14 days is approx. R 1250 for each runner (aged years). Terms and conditions apply more details available on request. For families or groups a reduced premium can apply please ask for more information. Passport & Visas You need a full valid passport with at least six months beyond the date of their arrival in Jordan. A visa is required for all visitors, and can be obtained on arrival. The current cost is JOD40 (equivalent to approx. R700). Advice and assistance with these requirements is available on request however they can only be a guideline. Please refer to Sure Travelways/Penthouse Travel Sporting Tours cannot be held responsible if travellers obtain incorrect information and do not have the correct personal documents to travel. All other nationalities need to please check their requirements. If you have an RSA passport as well as a foreign passport you must show the RSA passport when exit/enter RSA. Please note that it is your responsibility to be in possession of the necessary travel documents before travelling. How to book Places are limited. IF YOU WISH TO MAKE A BOOKING PLEASE COMPLETE AND FAX/SCAN THE BOOKING FORM, ENTRY FORM, and PAGE 5 OF STANDARD T&C S TO US TOGETHER WITH PASSPORT COPIES. Upon receipt of these documents (subject to availability) we will send banking details and a request for an initial 25% non-refundable deposit per person to secure. Balance of monies will then be calculated and due before 1 st June Airline tickets are extra must be paid in full within 1 5 days of booking (dependent on airline rules and advised at the time of booking). To which bank account do I pay deposits? Details will be provided if your application is successful. IMPORTANT Prices are approx. because at the time of calculating travel package costs we take a projected exchange rate; base it on current government and supplier charges and fees. Therefore all prices quoted are estimates, subject to change and will be calculated in May Terms & Conditions apply as per Booking Form and Standard Business Terms & Conditions. Also organisers/race rules as per Flights Please note flights are extra. If you would like us to arrange your flights please advise and we will advise current airline costs and the options available. Airline tickets must be paid in full within 1 5 days of booking (dependent on airline rules and advised at the time of booking). For reservations please contact Travelways Pty Ltd, t/a PENTHOUSE TRAVEL SPORTING TOURS Pope House, Unit 2, Chenoweth Street, Durbanville, South Africa Tel: (021) Fax: (021) info@runningtours.co.za Website: IMPORTANT-At the time of calculating travel package costs we take a projected exchange rate; base it on current government and supplier charges and fees. Therefore all prices quoted are estimates, subject to change and will be adjusted when final invoice is sent in May 2018 (if necessary). Terms & Conditions apply as per Booking Form and Standard Business Terms & Conditions. For further race/itinerary details and rules please refer to Copyright of Travelways (Pty) Ltd t/a Penthouse Travel Sporting Tours 18 December 2017 Page 2 of 2