cycle Jordan actionchallenge in Jordan This sensational cycle challenge takes us back in time to biblical sites, Crusader castles, the Dead Sea and the ancient city of Petra. It’s a fantastic week break in the warmth of an historic and welcoming land. We cycle along isolated sunbaked roads from the Dead Sea to the Red Sea, with the domes of Jerusalem and Bethlehem glinting in the distance. We speed downhill to the lowest point on earth for a float in the Dead Sea, witness the might of the Shoubak Crusader castle and cycle across the Edom plateau through stunning desert scenery, unchanged for thousands of years. Visiting Petra is the highlight of our trip. This 2,000 year old site, carved into the rock face, was once a thriving city at the centre of the ancient silk and spice routes. Our first impression will be built upon the magnificent treasury before we climb the steps of this ancient city, worn down by centuries of use, to Petra’s awe-inspiring Monastery. No trip to Jordan would be complete without a night in the desert spent at a traditional Bedouin camp. We sit together around the campfire, share a BBQ dinner and watch for shooting stars in the desert night sky. We toast the archaeological beauty of Jordan, the shimmering heat of the ride and the new friends we’ve made with a celebratory dinner in Aqaba on the shores of the Red Sea. at a glance trip highlights ● Activity: Cycling - Touring ● Explore the city of Madaba and Mount Debo ● Location: Jordan - Red Sea ● Float in the salty waters of the dead sea ● Duration: 9 days / 6 days cycling ● Cycle through Maai’n mountains ● Difficulty: Moderate ● Witness the grandeur of the Rose City of Petra ● Distance: 327 km ● Enjoy snorkelling in the Red Sea ● Group size: 15 -25 ● Spend a night under the stars in a Bedouin tent ● Visit the 12th century crusader castle of Shoubak Action Challenge have been leading inspirational team adventures across the world for individuals, private groups, charities and corporate clients since 1999. Our trips enable people to experience the world’s most exhilarating locations, often in aid of charity. At the heart of every challenge is team spirit and fulfilment; together we take on once-in-a-lifetime adventures, achieve formidable goals and forge friendships for life. www.actionchallenge.com cycle Jordan introduction This fully-inclusive adventure to Jordan will begin as soon as you register! You will Please visit our website for more details receive a challenge pack including a training guide, kit list and discounts for all the essentials you may need. If you are raising money for a charity, we will sort out all the formalities so you can concentrate on your own preparation and fundraising. We offer pre-challenge briefings to prepare you for this tough and demanding trip. On the day of departure you will meet your group and Action Challenge leader at the airport in London. All inclusive trip cost from £1,679 for 2015 Whether you’re joining the challenge on your own or with others, you will instantly be or £1,729 for 2016 made to feel welcome. As a team we will board our flight to Amman, ready to take on Initial £299 deposit to sign up Jordan and the cycling adventure of a lifetime! Three payment options available brief itinerary Day 1 Depart London Day 6 Petra to Roberts Rock Day 2 Explore Madaba Day 7 Cycle to Aqaba Day 3 Dead Sea - Shoubak castle Day 8 Explore Aqaba Day 4 Cycle to Wadi Musa Day 9 Arrive in London Day 5 Cycle to Petra what’s included · International flights · Action Challenge cycle guide · Full support team, including local guides · UK medic We will be cycling distances between · High quality bike hire 30km and 105km per day. Although on some days much of the terrain is flat, · All accommodation other days involve both uphill and · All meals, except in free time downhill sections, so you will need a · Airline taxes good level of stamina and endurance to · Treated drinking water ensure that you make the most out of the · All transfers in local vehicles challenge and enjoy the ride! · National Park entrance fees · Celebration dinner · Invitation to a challenge briefing in London · Fitness and training guide Why not stay on after the challenge and · Discounts from UK retailers explore some more of Jordan’s highlights? · Reduced rates at Nomad Travel Clinics and Masta Health Please email us for more information The best time to visit Jordan is during the month of September. Temperatures during the Summer can be very high and even during these autumn months temperatures can range from 28 °C to 40 °C during the day. At night the temperature drops considerably, especially in areas high above sea level such as Petra and Amman, so warm clothes are advised. +44 (0) 207 609 6695 www.actionchallenge.com [email protected] cycle Jordan itinerary Breakfast each morning will be in our DAY 1 - Amman hotel whilst lunches will be en-route. Evening meals will be at the hotel or a We depart on a flight bound for the Jordanian capital of Amman. Arriving in the evening local restaurant, except in free time. we meet our local guide and transfer an hour south to our hotel in the town of Madaba, close to the Dead Sea. These meals are likely to include local foods such as flat bread and humus, Meals: D Accom: Hotel falafel, lentils and various meats and fish. We can cater for all dietary requirements DAY 2 - Madaba - The Dead Sea if informed in advance. After breakfast we have our bike fitting before getting into the saddle for the first time. We then set off to explore Madaba, including the famous mosaic map in Madaba Church and Mount Nebo. On a clear day there is a breathtaking view across the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea, to the domes of Jerusalem and Bethlehem. From Madaba, our route takes us downhill past Bedouin settlements to the edge of the Dead Sea. Here • Five nights in comfortable 2/3* hotels we enjoy a late lunch and a float in the sea at the lowest point on earth. We return to along the ride. our hotel for a second night in Madaba. • Two nights camping Meals: B,L,D Accom: Hotel Distance: 50 km All accommodation is on a twin/triple- share, single-sex basis and we will pair you with someone of a similar age, where possible. If you wish to share a room with DAY 3 - The Dead Sea - Kerak someone you are travelling with, please specify this on your registration form. After a short transfer, we pick up the cycling where we left off the previous day. The route is mainly flat as we explore the Maai'n Mountains by bike, with the Judean Desert visible on the far shores to the west. After lunch we join the main road to Wadi Moujeb where we visit the famous Waterfall Canyon. At the end of our ride we transfer by bus to the 12th century Crusader Castle of Kerak, a fortress that once held great strategic importance due to its high elevation (1,330m) above the plateau. If you decide that you would like to have your own room on the challenge, we can Meals: B,L,D Accom: Tent Distance: 32 km accommodate this in the majority of places. Please email us for more information DAY 4 - Dana - Shoubak - Little Petra - Wadi Musa The Dana Nature Reserve stretches over the ancient Edom (red) plateau and is a spectacular blend of mountain and desert landscape with an extraordinary botanical diversity. As we cycle along this unique terrain we may catch glimpses of wild animals such as the Nubian Ibex, Golden Jackal or Red Fox. First we make our way to the • Insurance - approximately £60 village of Shawbak with its impressive Crusader Castle Montreal. We continue down a • Tourist Visa - £37.50 spectacular downhill stretch to reach the mysterious Nabatean city of Baidah (also • Vaccinations - up-to-date on boosters. known as Little Petra). The final leg of our journey today is to Wadi Musa, the modern • Tips for local staff - recommended day town located by the entrance to the ancient city of Petra. amount £30 • Airline fuel surcharge / supplement as Meals: B,L,D Accom: Hotel Distance: 70 km applied by airlines. Please note that this is capped at a maximum of £150. +44 (0) 207 609 6695 www.actionchallenge.com [email protected] cycle Jordan DAY 5 - Petra Today is perhaps the highlight of our challenge as we make our way along the narrow A kit list will be sent to you on receipt of gap in the towering cliffs into the ‘Lost City’ of Petra. Built more than 2,000 years ago, registration. Many everyday items can be Petra was a strategic centre for the old silk and spice routes that criss-crossed the used on this challenge, and we offer a kit Middle East, Asia and Africa. It prospered for many centuries, with a population of hire service to keep costs down. around 25,000 at the height of its power. This stunning ancient city lay forgotten by the world for 1,000 years before being rediscovered in 1812. The city’s houses and monuments are hewn out of the valley’s sandstone cliffs veined with shades of red, purple and pink giving it its warm glow. On arrival in Petra we see the magnificent treasurey, Petra’s most awe-inspiring monument.