Petra Desert Marathon & Half 2025

Pre-Race Wonders of Amman Extension: 2-3 September 2025 | 2 Days | One-Night Package

Wonders of Amman Features:

• One night in 4* Amman hotel
• Transportation as per itinerary
• Local English-Speaking Guide
• Meals according to itinerary

Tuesday, September 2 – Arrive to Jordan

Transfer provided to your hotel in Amman where you can rest after your travels and look forward to your adventure starting in the morning!

Wednesday, September 3 – Journey to Jerash and the heart of Amman

Today we embark on a captivating exploration of Jerash, often referred to as the “Pompeii of the East”. We will enter through the South Gate, immersing ourselves in the grandeur of the Roman City, strolling through the Oval Plaza with its surrounding colonnades, and visit its grand Roman theaters and Byzantine churches adorned with mosaic-covered floors.  After Jeresh, we will head to Amman, Jordan’s bustling capital, renowned for its political, cultural, and commercial significance spanning thousands of years. Highlights of our Amman exploration include the Citadel, Roman ruins, the Roman theater, and an outside visit to the King Abdullah Mosque.

You will have free time to explore the city or visit the vibrant Souq Market before transferring to your Dead Sea accommodations to join other runners on the tour.

Optional Activity in Petra | 6 September 2025

Petra Kitchen: Join this optional tour to the main package for a fun way to learn how to cook traditional Jordanian food!

Chefs guide the cooking class through appetizers and a main course before the full dinner is enjoyed. The cooking class starts at 5:30 PM and will last approximately 2.5 hours ($110)

Post-Race Adventure Extension: 8-11 September 2025 | 4 Days | Three-Night Package

Extension Features:

• One night in same hotel as tour package
• One night in tented camp in Wadi Rum (Star Tent Upgrade at additional cost)
• One night in 4* Amman Hotel
• Local English-Speaking Guide
• Entrance fee to Wadi Rum and Wadi Mujib
• Transportation per the itinerary
• Meals per the itinerary

Monday, September 8 – Little Petra – Monastery hike

After a good night’s sleep, you will be ready to set off on our Adventure Extension!  Starting at the awe-inspiring “Little Petra”, Our expert guide will set the stage for an unforgettable adventure.  Venturing through Wadi mataha & Jabal al- Khubtha, you will see some of Petra’s lesser-known back entrances.  After exploring the Monastery, we will make our way to the iconic Treasury and emerge through the magnificent Siq. Tonight, you will sleep in your current hotel room. (Breakfast & lunch included)

Tuesday, September 9 – Wadi Rum Desert

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 became world-famous in the movie “Lawrence of Arabia.”

From the Wadi Rum Visitors Center, we change from bus to jeep and go on a tour through the desert, past sand dunes and incredible rock formations. After a cup of tea made by Bedouins, the tour ends with dinner and an overnight in a Bedouin Camp with the choice of a Bedouin Tent or a Star Tent.  (Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included)

Wednesday, September 10 – Wadi Mujib and Amman

Following breakfast, we drive to Wadi Mujib Gorge, which in many ways is  like the Siq in Petra. The Mujib River runs through the gorge. This unique nature reserve is home to more than 400 species of plants, more than 100 species of birds, and animals such as the Nubian Red Fox, Hyena,  Jackal and more. We will see the Wadi Mujib during the two-hour hike, climb several small waterfalls with the help of fixed ropes and ladders, swim at the base of a large waterfall and float peacefully back out of the canyon (optional). Following, we head to Amman for your final evening in Jordan. Tonight, dinner is on your own. (Breakfast and lunch included)​

Thursday, September 11 – Farewell Jordan

Enjoy a  leisurely morning before checking out of your hotel by 12:00 PM and departing for your international trip home.  Three scheduled airport transfers will be provided to the Queen Alia International Airport in Amman to arrive at the airport at 5:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 6:00 PM. It is possible to book a different transfer to Amman if the above scheduled group transfers don’t fit your onward journey (extra charge applicable). (Breakfast included)

Marathon Tours & Travel 2025 Petra Desert Marathon Package

Petra Tour | Five-Night Package: 3 – 8 September 2025

Features: 

• 5 nights’ accommodation
• English-speaking tour leader
• 4 scheduled departure transfers
• 3-days entry to Petra
• Celebration dinner including transportation
• Arrival transfer from Amman Airport to Dead Sea

Also available:

• Marathon or Half Marathon entry
• Additional tours and excursions – See more details under “Extensions”

Race Entry includes:

• English-speaking race officials
• Medical team
• Timekeeping
• Transport to the starting point
• Manned drink stations including safety equipment
• Start number and medal
• Exclusive Petra Desert Marathon running T-shirt

Not Included:

• International roundtrip airfare to Jordan
• Jordanian Visa (approx. 40 JOD upon arrival)
• Race Entry Fee (unless added-on)
• Gratuities and tips (recommended $10/person/day)
• Travel Insurance
• Meals unless noted on itinerary
• Additional room nights available upon request
• Unscheduled airport transfer available for $175 AUD upon request

Rates (all prices are per person and in AUD dollars) 

Race Date: September 6, 2025

Start Time: 6:30AM, which means runners need to meet at the Visitor Center at 5:15AM.

Time Limit:

All runners have seven (7) hours to complete the race. Runners still on the route after the cut-off time will be picked up by a race official or medical car and driven back to the finish area. Five hours after the start however, the route closes at the 31 KM mark (10 KM for the half marathon) meaning that runners who haven’t passed this point by 11:30 AM will not be allowed to finish the race.

Start / Finish

For the start, all runners must meet at the Petra Visitor Centre from where we walk the 2.5 kilometres through the Siq and past the Treasury to the start line at the Street of Facades.

The finish line is located near the Petra Visitor Centre within walking distance of the Mövenpick Resort, Petra Palace, Petra Guest House, and Edom hotels.

All runners who complete the marathon or half-marathon within the time limit will receive a medal after crossing the finish line. Water and a sandwich lunch pack are given to all participants. Checked-in bags can be picked up at the bag check-out area.

Route Description

From the start line in the Street of Facades, the route goes through the ancient city of Petra and right away you will find yourself surrounded with tombs, caves, and monasteries carved in the mountainsides. A 2 km uphill section on a paved road leads runners out of the Petra Archaeological Park boundaries and, via the main road, towards the desert on hilly tarmac road.

After 6 kilometres, the route leaves the asphalt road and continues into the desert. Half-marathon runners take the direct way to the river bed gorge “Siq Al Bard,” while marathon runners have to do a loop around the hilltop “Al Musirh.” Leaving Siq al Bard at Little Petra, the route goes back on the tarmac road heading towards the village of Ammarine.

Half-marathon runners continue straight through the village while marathon runners, just before the village, turn left on the road leading to Wadi Araba to do a 8 km back-tracking stretch that will take you past incredible rock formations that only a few tourists visit.

When passing the 30 km mark, full marathon runners find themselves back at Ammarine village and merge again with the half marathon course. From here, the route goes uphill to a mountain ridge for the next 5 kilometres, but the strenuous efforts are rewarded with an astonishing view over most of the marathon route, the mountains covering Petra and on clear days even Israel can be seen. On this mountain ridge the surface becomes gravel for the next 3 km. The final 4 km is steep downhill running on paved roads towards the finish line.

There will be no race pacers at this event.

Weather:

It is very hot in Jordan. Be prepared for temperatures to be in the high range of 32°C.

Eligibility:

Marathon runners must be 18 years of age or older on race day. Half-Marathon runners must be 16 years of age or older on race day.

Awards:

All finishers receive a medal. A small, symbolic prize is given to the winners of both distances for men and women. There is no prize money.

Difficulty:

Difficult. Hilly course with an ascent of roughly 1,200 meters and a descent of 1,100 meters. Be prepared for unrelenting heat with temps between 29°-40°C.

For more information click here