The dates for the 3rd edition of the Petra Jordan Trail have not yet been set. If you would like to be informed, you can sign up for our email alert by clicking here or contact us by email at contact@exaequovoyages.com.

After starting in 2013 with Kenya, Exaequo Voyages celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2023. For the occasion, we officially announced a new destination, and moreover, we are exploring a new continent, Asia. The seventh stage trail, this time we set out to discover Jordan with the Petra Jordan Trail.

Located in Western Asia, amidst a conflict zone, Jordan is nonetheless a haven of peace where all the magic of the East is concentrated. Localized between two seas, the Red Sea and the Dead Sea, Jordan is a small country engulfed by desert and long inhabited exclusively by nomads. This area of the globe is a crossing point between the Mediterranean world and the East, where many civilizations have succeeded each other and left behind magnificent remnants, among the most important in the Middle East. The treasures are numerous in this country known for housing one of the seven wonders of the modern world, with the sublime Petra. The Petra Jordan Trail is an intense immersion in the wild and diverse nature of this small country and an exploration of Eastern culture.

Our 8-day trail race, including 5 running stages, will take you to discover the country’s main sites and immerse you in the heart of Jordan.

For this second edition, upon arrival in the capital, Amman, we will head north to our camp in the mountains of Aljoun. Just before sunset, which will bathe the surrounding mountains in ochre colors, we will have time to stretch our legs with an acclimatization run. Our first kilometers of running in Jordan will offer us beautiful panoramas worthy of scenes from the “Star Wars” movie set. After the arrival briefing, we will share our first moments of conviviality over a meal overlooking the mountains, before the start of the race the next morning.

New for 2024, this first 10km stage for everyone will give you a unique and rare experience. Early in the morning you will have the opportunity to run in the heart of this magnificently preserved ancient Roman city, Jerash. 10km between the alleys and the Roman amphitheaters for a first dive into the heart of the history of this country. For those who did not have enough time to enjoy the site, you will have the opportunity to visit it after the race. After a 2-hour transfer, you will enjoy the unusual experience of a bath in the Dead Sea. We will then take the road towards the charming village of Dana, a delightful little village made up of stone houses. After a guided tour of this village and local crafts, we will settle in for two nights at the Dana Tower Hotel where Hassen and his entire team will put on a great welcome. The comfort will certainly be rudimentary with rather archaic showers, but the experience will be all the more authentic. The food is very good and plentiful and the cooks will take great pleasure in calling out to you and saying “Eat more”. A charming place where the human warmth and the history of this place that Hassen will tell you will only delight you. The many terraces will allow you to contemplate the stars at the foot of the fire. For those who would not like the evening to end, we will share a tea and a hookah.

The second stage will take place near Shobak, with a program of 16.5 km for the long distance and a little less than 13 km for the short distance (possibility of reducing for walkers). This stage along a trail will offer us magnificent views of the mountains and the Wadi Araba desert. A hot stage, where the bodies will be put to the test with a trail that constantly goes up and down. After a well-deserved rest around a local meal, we will take the opportunity to visit one of the many fortresses in the region. Once back in the village of Dana, we will have an aperitif facing this majestic valley.

The next day, today’s stage will be a dive into the Dana Valley that you’ve seen for the past two days. With over 1,000m of negative elevation gain (3km of descent with significant negative elevation changes), your thighs will be burning before entering this canyon where the mountains will surround you all along the route. The stage will be 19km long for the long distance and 15km for the short distance. The majesty of this stage will not leave you indifferent and you will not escape the fact that it is in this valley that the Breton music group Manau drew their inspiration for their now cult song “Dans la vallée de Dana”. Once past the village school, you will have one last long kilometer to reach the finish line in a charming grove of trees. After the event, you will be able to appreciate the Bedouin barbecue concocted in the heart of nature. A dream setting for a well-deserved lunch. We’ll then head back to Petra, where you’ll pass close to Wadi Araba. This little-known area of ​​Jordan is, however, the second largest desert in the country and offers a truly sublime landscape of white dunes.

After a night in Little Petra, the next day, you will wake up very early but we will offer you a unique experience with a 4th stage in the heart of the city of Petra. From 6 a.m., at the first light of dawn, when the city is still empty of tourists, you will set off for a stage that will take you on trails offering you sublime viewpoints. A highlight of your stay with a long stage of more than 20km or 10km depending on the choice of your distance but with significant positive and negative elevation changes. After the stage, and lunch you will have time to discover in more detail the other part of the city that you will not have run down, with the famous treasure. We will head towards the Wadi Ram desert (or Wadi Rum in English) in the footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia. In the evening, the experience in the desert will intensify with a night in a Bedouin style during which you will experience a moment outside of time (and without network).

The 5th stage, 18 or 11.5 km long, will not be a formality because your support will be hesitant in the sand and the heat will be significant. We have chosen the part of the “white desert”, a sublime setting as the climax of this running adventure, in the middle of what many consider “the most beautiful desert in the world”. We will celebrate upon your arrival the feat achieved by becoming a finisher of this 2nd edition of the Petra Jordan Trail. The afternoon will be devoted to discovering the first part of this reserve where the Star Wars film notably played many scenes (by dromedary or walking). We will spend a second night in this desert where we have decided to organize the “finisher” evening. An authentic and magical setting to celebrate the end of our running adventure.

After a beautiful festive evening, waking up will be difficult for those who enjoyed this awards ceremony until late. We will take the long road back to Amman for a few hours of free visit in this megalopolis where you will feel the heart of Jordan beating. We advise you to discover the King Abdullah I Mosque, which is the only one in the country accessible to visitors, to wander through the streets of the city center to do a little shopping before going to admire the sunset from the top of the citadel. As a highlight of the trip, we advise you to meet us in the evening to share a dinner in the sublime setting of the Mijana restaurant located in the lively Rainbow Street. (Dinner not included and at your own expense) An experience not to be missed on the interior rooftop offering an incredible view of the city. A few pieces of music will enhance the nostalgia of this adventure which is coming to an end. A memorable stay with intense and varied color palettes and numerous cultural discoveries: the Red Sea, Petra the Rose, Amman the White, without forgetting the orange, yellow and gold of the desert… Along the way, the Dead Sea will add salt to your trip and the wadis (“valleys”) will offer you breathtaking views!

After a night in Amman, you will only have a few hours left to finalize your shopping before heading to the airport for a return to France, before a final emotional farewell.

2024 PROGRAM. GIVEN AS AN EXAMPLE. WILL BE SIMILAR FOR THE NEXT EDITION.

DAY 1 – SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28

• Meet at Paris Orly Airport at 6:00 a.m.
• Flight from Paris Orly with Transavia Flight TO4300 – 8:00 a.m./2:05 p.m.
• Arrival at Amman Airport at 2:05 p.m.
• Transfer
• Depending on arrival time: Acclimatization run (depending on light) and free time
• Weekly briefing
• Dinner and overnight stay in Aljoun

DAY 2 – SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29

• First stop or acclimatization run – Jerash – in the heart of the ancient Roman city – 10 km
• Self-guided or guided tour of Jerash
• 1.5-hour transfer to the Dead Sea
• Swimming in the Dead Sea and lunch
• 2.5-hour transfer to the Dana Valley
• Dinner and overnight stay in Dana

DAY 3 – MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

• Second stage – Shobak – view of the mountains and the Wadi Araba desert – Long distance: 19km +407m/-258m Or short distance: 15km +371m/-241m (reduced distance possible for hikers)
• Lunch at the end of the stage
• Visit of Shobak Castle
• 30-minute return transfer to the Dana Valley
• Explore the small village of Dana
• Briefing and aperitif overlooking the Dana Valley
• Dinner and overnight stay in Dana

DAY 4 – TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1

• Third stage – Dana Valley – stage overlooking the valley – downhill stage: long distance: 21km +167m/-1094m or short distance: 15km -904m
• Lunch at the end of the stage – Barbecue at the Bedouin
• 1-hour transfer to the hotel in Little Petra – passing through the Wadi Araba desert – Jordan’s second largest desert
• Option: Turkish bath in Petra
• Dinner and overnight stay in a camp in Little Petra – overnight stay in a Bedouin house

DAY 5 – WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2

• Fourth stage – Little Petra / Petra: Very early departure at 6 a.m. – Discover another part of Petra while running when Petra is almost empty: long distance: 16 km +466 m/-626 m or short distance: 10 km +290 m/-469 m
• Lunch at the end of the stage
• Self-guided and/or guided tour of Petra
• Optional: Turkish bath in Petra
• 2-hour transfer to the Wadi Rum desert
• Meal and overnight stay in the desert in a Bedouin house

DAY 6 – THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3

• Fifth Stage – Wadi Rum – Stage in the “White Desert”: long distance 20km or short distance 10km
• Lunch in the desert
• Free activity in the desert: Rest / camel ride or walk
• 3-hour transfer to the Dead Sea
• Meal and evening “finisher” in the desert
• Meal and overnight stay in the desert, Bedouin style

DAY 7 – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4

• 4-hour transfer to Amman
• Lunch in Amman
• Rest and relaxation / Free discovery of Amman (visit to the mosque, shopping, sunset at the Citadel, Rainbow Street)
• Dinner at your leisure with a restaurant recommendation on Rainbow Street
• Overnight in a hotel in Amman

DAY 8 – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5

• Rest and relaxation / Free morning in Amman
• Transfer from the hotel
• Flight from Amman – Flight TO 4301 3:00 PM/7:40 PM
• Arrival at Paris Orly Airport

2024 PROGRAM. GIVEN AS AN EXAMPLE. WILL BE SIMILAR FOR THE NEXT EDITION.

The Petra Jordan Trail is a unique discovery trip to Jordan. In addition to its athletic appeal, this tour offers sightseeing activities and walks that will introduce you to the best of Jordan.

FREE TIME

Mainly in Amman for the last two days (as the rest of the week’s schedule is very packed). We recommend exploring the King Abdullah Mosque, the only one in the country open to visitors (for non-Muslims), and strolling the streets of the city center for a spot of shopping before admiring the sunset from the top of the citadel. In the evening, we recommend meeting up for dinner in the sublime setting of the Mijana restaurant, located on the lively Rainbow Street (dinner at your own expense). An experience not to be missed, the indoor rooftop offers incredible views of the city. We will also have time to stroll and discover the village of Dana.

SPORTS ACTIVITIES:

• Acclimatization jog (depending on the arrival time at our base camp)
• Walk in Wadi Rum

SIGHTSEEING & CULTURAL ACTIVITIES:

• Visit of Shobak Castle
• Guided tour of the village of Dana and local crafts
• Half-day free or guided tour of the city of Petra
• Night in the desert, Bedouin style
• Swimming in the Dead Sea
• Visit of the Roman city of Jerash
• Several nights, Bedouin style
• Massages and Turkish baths (optional – additional activity)
• Discovery of the Wadi Rum desert by camel (optional – additional activity)

2024 PROGRAM. GIVEN AS AN EXAMPLE. WILL BE SIMILAR FOR THE NEXT EDITION.

AIR TRAVEL: The organization also manages travel for all participants, departing from Paris and arriving at Amman, with the exception of foreign residents (only) who would like to travel to Amman on their own from their country of residence. If this applies to you, please contact us – contact@exaequovoyages.com

• FLYING TO AMMAN ON 09/28: Departure from Paris Orly at 8:00 a.m. / Arrival in Amman at 2:05 p.m.

Flight from Paris Orly with Transavia – Flight TO4300 8:00 a.m./2:05 p.m.
Arrival at Amman Airport at 2:05 p.m.

• RETURN TO PARIS ON 10/05: Departure from Amman at 3:00 p.m. / Arrival at Paris Orly at 7:40 p.m. – Flight with Transavia – Flight TO4301

Flight from Amman with Transavia – Flight TO4301 3:00 p.m./7:40 p.m.
Arrival at Paris Orly Airport at 7:40 p.m.

Please note: You are allowed one large suitcase in the hold (less than 15 kg) and one piece of hand luggage in the cabin (less than 10 kg).

ACCOMMODATION: The project is roaming for 7 nights, and you will be required to change accommodations. Accommodations will alternate between Bedouin-style camps and comfortable hotels. During the camps, the amenities (as well as the bathrooms) may be slightly more basic than in hotels, but they offer a more authentic experience, and the comfort remains very decent. You will be accommodated in double rooms (for couples) and twin rooms for individuals. Single rooms are also available, but at an additional cost (€230 per week) and subject to availability.

FOOD: All breakfasts will be served at the hotel. Lunches will be served either as a picnic (packed lunch/barbecue), as with a hike, or at a restaurant, depending on the day’s schedule. Dinners will be served primarily at the hotel. Two meals will be at your own expense: lunch and dinner during the self-guided tour of Amman. Please note that drinks (except water) are not included in meals and are therefore an additional charge. Mineral water will be provided during your stay (4 liters per day).

TRANSPORTATION: All transfers are organized by bus or jeep.

ADMINISTRATIVE FORMALITIES

VISA AND PASSPORT: Upon entering Jordan, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months. An e-visa is required and will be requested by the organizers (no action required on your part).

VACCINATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: No vaccinations are mandatory, but certain vaccinations are recommended; ensure your usual vaccinations are up-to-date.

INSURANCE: The organization is covered by a civil liability insurance policy. Repatriation insurance is mandatory for each participant; it must be purchased individually.

COMMUNICATIONS: Mobile phones are available with the international option but are very expensive. The dialing code for calling a number in Jordan is +962, minus the 0. Wi-Fi access will vary depending on your accommodation (non-existent at some campsites, such as Wadi Rum), moderate in some villages, such as Dana, and very good in hotels in Amman. Event communication is being handled via the event’s various social media channels, the Facebook page, and the Exaequo Voyages Instagram account. In addition, a discussion group for participants and the organizers has been created on WhatsApp.

MISCELLANEOUS: As a reminder, the Jordanian dinar is the local currency (€1 = 0.77 JD in March 2024). Most credit and debit cards are accepted and used in ATMs. However, bring cash with you to avoid bank payment fees (withdrawals are available on site). The easiest way is to withdraw money from an ATM once you arrive. The official language is Arabic, and most Jordanians speak English. An electrical adapter is recommended (UK plug).

PACKING WELL

• Running outfits (minimum 2 or 3 outfits: T-shirt, shorts, socks, trail running shoes)*
• Change of clothes for afternoons and evenings (shorts, pants, T-shirt, light jacket,
• sweater or warmer jacket, flip-flops, shoes)
• Toiletry
• Small change bag for post-race essentials (tote bag or small backpack)
• Toiletry supplies for rinsing off after each leg (small towel, wipes, etc.)
• Sunglasses / Cap
• Sunscreen
• 1 headlamp
• Electronic equipment: phone, camera, cables, etc.
• Bath towel
• Specific running equipment: gaiters for sand. Only stage 5 takes place in the sand, so it is not necessary to have gaiters sewn onto these trail shoes. For a 10 or 20 km course, we do not necessarily recommend wearing gaiters, but if you want more comfort, you can equip yourself with them.
• Important: Passport
• Required: Camelback / Water bottle holder to carry at least 1L of water during the stages / 1 whistle / a minimum of food for the stages (gels, fruit paste, etc.).
• Tip: An external charger, a few clothespins, and a kit for repairing minor injuries (stomach aches, blisters, headaches). Even if medical assistance is available, don’t hesitate to bring a small first aid kit for minor injuries.

IMPORTANT: You will be staying in a hotel or comfortable tent, so you don’t need to bring a sleeping bag or bedding.