Petra Desert Marathon

2 Sep 2023

Cultural Extension 2023

In the heart of the Fertile Crescent, Jordan is part of the birthplace of civilization. Brimming with relics from ancient times, this tour will show you some of the highlights - from biblical locations to Roman ruins to an Arab crusader castle.
4-7 Sep | 4 days | 695 USD
  • Temple of Artemis in Jerash
  • Mount Nebo
  • Bethany Beyond the Jordan
  • Madaba Basilica of Saint George
  • Day 1 - 4 Sept: Madaba, Mount Nebo, Baptism Site, & Amman

    We start our day with a visit 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 built up around the mosaic for protection of this historical site.

    We'll continue to Mount Nebo, the mountain where Moses saw the Holy Land before finding his final resting place on the mountain. We can enjoy the great views all the way to Israel and down the Jordan Valley. We'll then continue down the Jordan Valley to Bethany Beyond the Jordan, or better known as the Baptism Site. This place has been identified as the likely site where John the Baptist preached and where he subsequently baptized Jesus.

    We finish our day in Amman, where we'll check into our hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast and lunch

  • Day 2 - 5 Sept: As-Salt and Amman

    Today, we will be heading to the small town of As-Salt. A living museum, As-Salt features old lanes and beautiful houses from the late Ottoman period. 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.

    After our visit in As-Salt, we drive back to Amman and will do a sightseeing tour of the capital's most prominent places and buildings.

    We'll end the day in our hotel in Amman.

    Meals: Breakfast and lunch

  • Day 3 - 6 Sept: Ajloun and Jerash

    After breakfast, we'll head to the Castle of Ajloun, another highlight of northern Jordan. The Qalat er-Rabad, as the Ajlun Castle is locally known, was the base of the Arab forces of Saladin when he defeated the Crusaders in the 12th century. The nearby Ajlun Mountains are famous for their lush vegetation and thick green forest.

    We'll then drive north through the Jordan Valley to the excavated city of Jerash, known as Pompeii of the East. The well-preserved ruins were once the ground pillars of a Roman Decapolis city built in approximately 330 BC. At its peak, the city flourished from trade with the Nabateans in Petra and was one of the most important cities in the Roman province. In 747 AD, Jerash was hit by an earthquake and slowly the city was abandoned. As the years went by, sand buried the columns and buildings, which is why everything was so well preserved when a Russian expedition excavated the city in 1878. A modern city has been built next to the ancient city of ruins, so visitors can see both sides of Jordan. 

    After lunch in Jerash, we'll drive back to Amman. In the evening, we'll head to a local restaurant in Amman for a farewell dinner together.

    Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

  • Day 4 - 7 Sept: Farewell Jordan

    Our adventure in Jordan is over and it’s time to bid farewell to this extraordinary country. Checkout from the hotel must be completed before 12:00 noon. All participants are transferred from Amman to Queen Alia International Airport.

    Three transfers are available and ARRIVAL times at the airport are 05:00, 13:00 and 18:00.

    It is possible to book a different transfer to Queen Alia International Airport if the above scheduled group transfers don't fit your onward journey (extra charge).

    Meals: Breakfast

  • Price Information

    All prices are per person.

    Shared double room: USD 695
    Single room supplement: USD +225

  • Inclusions
    • 3 nights in 3 star hotel, Amman
    • Transportation as per itinerary
    • Local English-speaking guide
    • Entrance fee to Madaba, Mt. Nebo, Baptism Site and Jerash
    • Meals according to itinerary
  • Exclusions
    • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
    • Beverages
    • Personal expenses
    • Cancellation insurance due to illness prior to departure
    • Travel and health insurance (we strongly recommend you to take out sufficient insurance)
    • Anything not mentioned under “Inclusions”