Group 2
Itinerary overview
Day 1 – September 21st
Upon arrival at Amman International Airport you will be met by a local guide who will assist on getting visa and take you to your 5 stars hotel in Amman. No meals are included this day.
Day 2 – September 22nd
After breakfast we go on a short city tour around Amman before heading north through olive fields to the ruin city of Jerash. These well preserved ruins was 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 coloumns and buildings, which is why everything was so well preserved when a Russian expedition excavated the city in 1878.
We eat lunch in Jerash before heading back to Amman where we will enjoy dinner at a local Jordanian restaurant.
All meals included.
Day 3 – September 23rd
When we have checked out from our hotel in Amman we go by bus to Mount Nebo – the mountain where Moses is said to have seen the Promised Land, a land he was himself forbidden to enter. At Mount Nebo we will visit Moses Memorial Church and if we are lucky and have a clear day we can enjoy the spectacular view of the ancient lands of Judah, Jericho and the Promised Land.
From Mt. Nebo we drive south along Kings Highway – a significant historical and religious road. Over the last 3000 years it has been traversed by the Israelites on their way to the Promised Land, Nabateans to and from Petra, Christian pilgrims to Moses’ memorial at Mt. Nebo, Crusaders to their castle fortifications, muslim pilgrims heading to Mecca and
during the time of the biblical kings caravans would travel from Egypt to Syria along this way.
Along the way we will make a lunch stop at a local restaurant.
Our end distination for today is the city of Kerak – famous for its Crusader Castle that dominates the city. The crusaders build many fortifications stretching from Aqaba in the south to Turkey in the north, but the one in Kerak is one of the best kept and stands as a great symbol of the massive efforts the crusaders put in to their invasion of the Middle East.
We check in to our tourist class hotel before having dinner.
All meals are included this day.
Day 4 – September 24th
We start the day by taking a closer look at the castle and the history of the crusades before we continue south on the Kings Highway to Petra. When we arrive in Petra the group will check in to our 5 stars hotel and the rest of the day will be at leisure. All meals are included today.
Day 5 – September 25th
After breakfast all runners for the Petra Marathon 2009 will meet at Petra Visitors Center where the Race Officials and Medical Team will give a briefing about tomorrows big event. This will also be the last chance to change distance. After the info briefing our guide will lead us through Petra so we get an idea of what awaits for the first 5 kilometers of the route.
We will see the 1,2 kilometer (almost 4000 ft) long “Siq” - an astonishing gorge that ends at “Al-Kazneh” or “The Treasury” as it is translated. It was at this location Steven Spielberg filmed the closing scenes in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
Lunch will be served inside the historic city and afterwards you can explore the area on your own or go back to the hotel to prepare for the marathon.
In the evening a Pasta Dinner will be served at the hotel.
All meals are included this day.
Day 6 – September 26th
The day we all have waited for! After an early wake up all runners gather at the start area just outside the entrance to Petra. At 6 am the race is started for both full and half marathon runners. Although regarded as an official marathon with time taking, medals and finishing certificate for all 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 and get a good time.
A light breakfast, packed lunch at the Finish and dinner is included today.
Day 7 – September 27th
The day as at leisure for each runner to recover his or her own way.
In the evening a bus will take us all to Little Petra where we will celebrate our streneous achievements of yesterday with a big Gala Dinner. After the dinner Shuttle busses will take runners back to Petra as they feel ready to leave.
Breakfast and Gala Dinner included this day.
Day 8 – September 28th
After breakfast and check out we leave Petra and go to the Dead Sea via the desert highway, which runs through the desert where Moses walked with the Israelites on their way to the Promised Land. On the way we make a stop at a local restaurant for lunch.
When we have checked in at our 5 stars hotel the rest of the day is at leisure and can be used at the hotel pool or by the Dead Sea.
All meals are included this day.
Day 9 – September 29th
Another day at the Dead Sea to relax and enjoy. We have a late check out and after the buffet dinner we go to the airport to catch our flight home.
All meals included.
OPTIONAL
Day 9 – September 29th
We have the whole day at the Dead Sea to relax and enjoy.
All meals included
Day 10 – September 30th
The day today offers a full day excursion to Jerusalem. After crossing the border to Israel our bus will take us to the famous city that has been the center of many different religions, wars, conflicts and cultures. We will have lunch in Jerusalem and spend the whole day sightseeing before we head back to Amman were we have a a number of hotel rooms for wash and change and a buffet dinner before transfer to the airport for our flight home.
All meals included today.
|