Explore Israel and Jordan

Overview

Step into an ancient world on a two-week Middle Eastern journey that combines the highlights of Israel and Jordan. Discover life in Jerusalem on a dual-perspective walking tour with Israeli and Palestinian guides, explore the Roman ruins of Jerash, ride through the desert on a 4×4, and venture into the awesome and ancient city of Petra. Connect with the past while tasting contemporary life in this incredible region.

DAY 1?JERUSALEM

Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer included.

We highly recommend booking a pre-night in Jerusalem to recover from jetlag and relax as this is a fast paced trip with little free time.

Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting

1h 18:00

The adventure begins tonight. Feel free to explore, but make sure you’re back in time to meet the group. After introductions, your CEO will review the details of your tour.

Private Vehicle

Ben Gurion Airport ? Jerusalem

Stretch out and scan the scenery from the comfort of a private vehicle.

Accommodation

**National Hotel (or similar)**

Hotel

DAY 2JERUSALEM

Take a specially designed walking tour of the Old City of Jerusalem with both Israeli and Palestinian guides trained by National Geographic Emerging Explorer Aziz Abu Sarah. This unique dual-narrative tour allows travellers a deeper understanding of the diverse cultural, religious, and political aspects of Israel. Visit key sites including the Temple Mount, Dome of the Rock, and the Al Aqsa Mosque. Continue to the Western Wall, then walk through the Stations of the Cross to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This afternoon, visit the Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane, and the Church of All Nations. Later, enjoy a discussion on the current state of affairs with a leading Israeli scholar.

Old Jerusalem Walking Tour

Jerusalem

Take a specially designed walking tour of the Old City of Jerusalem with two guides: one Israeli and one Palestinian, both trained by National Geographic Emerging Explorer Aziz Abu Sarah. This unique dual-narrative tour allows travellers a deeper understanding of the diverse cultural, religious and political aspects of Israel. Visit key sites including the Temple Mount, Dome of the Rock, and the Al Aqsa Mosque. Continue to the Western Wall, then walk through the Stations of the Cross along the Via Dolorosa, ending inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. In the afternoon, ascend to the top of the Mount of Olives, taking in panoramic views of the Old City.

Discussion with Israeli Scholar

Jerusalem

Discuss present-day Israel with a local rabbi who specializes in conflict resolution. Sit down with this leading Israeli scholar to talk about the current state of affairs here, gaining insight into both Israel and the Middle East.

Private Vehicle

Jerusalem

Stretch out and scan the scenery from the comfort of a private vehicle.

Accommodation

**National Hotel (or similar)**

Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 3JERUSALEM

Take a sobering visit to Yad Vashem Memorial to learn about the Holocaust and its ramifications today. In the afternoon, visit the famed Israel Museum. View the Dead Sea Scrolls, housed in the Shrine of the Book, and walk through the museum?s state of the art archeological exhibition.

Yad Vashem (Holocaust Museum) Visit

Jerusalem

The Holocaust History Museum is home to state-of-the-art exhibits on this horrific tragedy. It also showcases original artifacts and survivor testimonies.

Israel Museum & Dead Sea Scrolls

Jerusalem

Visit the famed Israel Museum and view the Dead Sea Scrolls, housed in the Shrine of the Book. Considered one of the greatest archaeological finds of the past century, theses ancient manuscripts (dated at over 2000 years old) were discovered between 1947 and 1956 in 11 caves near Khirbet Qumran, on the shores of the Dead Sea. After, walk through the museum?s state of the art archeological exhibition which showcases some of the most significant finds in the region.

Private Vehicle

Jerusalem

Stretch out and scan the scenery from the comfort of a private vehicle.

Free Time

BethlehemAfternoon

Enjoy some time on your own.

Accommodation

**National Hotel (or similar)**

Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 4 JERUSALEM

Enjoy a second exclusively designed dual-narrative tour of Bethlehem with Israeli and Palestinian guides. Visit Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity. Walk through a nearby Palestinian refugee camp and then head to a local Palestinian family’s home for a cooking class and lunch. Later, visit Herodion, a hill fortress built by Herod the Great.

Bethlehem Walking Tour

Jerusalem

Enjoy a dual-narrative tour of Bethlehem with two guides: one Israeli and one Palestinian. This experience was exclusively designed by National Geographic Emerging Explorer Aziz Abu Sarah. Hearing personal stories and cross-cultural learning, visit Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity, known as the birthplace of Jesus, and learn about the city?s shrinking Christian population. Also walk through a nearby Palestinian refugee camp, and learn how murals and graffiti have been used to depict the refugees? struggles.

Palestinian Family Meal

Jerusalem

Enjoy a midday break with a visit to a local Palestinian family’s home. Experience a cultural immersion, learning about daily life in Bethlehem during a cooking class that focuses on traditional favourites. After, enjoy the results for lunch.

Private Vehicle

Jerusalem

Stretch out and scan the scenery from the comfort of a private vehicle.

Visit Herodium Hill & Fortress

Bethlehem

Visit Herodium and the ruins of a fortress, palace, and small town built by Herod the Great. Designated a National Park, Herod’s tomb is thought to be located at this site.

Accommodation

**National Hotel (or similar)**

Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch

DAY 5 JERUSALEM/TIBERIAS

Start the day with a guided visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Masada with stops at Herod?s Palace, the Bathhouse, and the Synagogue. Next, visit Qumran, the site where a Bedouin shepherd found the Dead Sea scrolls. After that, it?s off to the Dead Sea, continuing along the Jordan Valley north to the Sea of Galilee, where we?ll stay in a kibbutz hotel for the next two nights

Private Vehicle

Jerusalem ? Tiberias4h-5h

Stretch out and scan the scenery from the comfort of a private vehicle.

Masada Guided Tour

Masada

Take a tour of Masada, a UNESCO World Heritage site and stunning rock fortress that was the last stronghold of the Jewish in their war against the Romans. The story of the site reveals the courage of the defenders of Massada and their battle against the conquering Romans. Visit Herod?s palace, the mikveh, storerooms, watchtowers, and the synagogue.

Qumran caves

Dead Sea

Visit the desert and caves of Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered between 1947-1956. Of the 900 scrolls discovered here (to date), most were written on parchment and papyrus and the caves are thought to be an ancient library. Excavations continue and other important archaeological finds continue including an ancient settlement, ritual baths, a tower, pottery kilns and cemeteries.

Accommodation

**Ma’agan Kibbutz (or similar)**

Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 6 TIBERIAS

Visit the Mt. of Beatitudes, for gorgeous views of the Sea of Galilee and visit the church that was built atop this hill, where Jesus is believed to have delivered his ?Sermon on the Mount? speech. Continue to the ruins of Capernaum, where Jesus lived and preached, and where many apostles, including Peter, made their home. Learn about the lives of Israeli Arabs on the way to Nazareth, where we visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, one of the largest churches in the Middle East.

Private Vehicle

Tiberias

Stretch out and scan the scenery from the comfort of a private vehicle.

Nazareth Guided Tour

Nazareth

Visit some of the highlights of Nazareth, a city of religious importance and spirituality. Delve into its rich historic and biblical significance, but also admire its modern culture and Middle Eastern charm.

Sea of Galilee area tour

Tiberias

Enjoy stunning sights this morning with a drive to the Mt. of Beatitudes with sweeping views of the Sea of Galilee. Visit the church that was built atop this hill, where Jesus is believed to have delivered his ?Sermon on the Mount? speech. Next, tour the ruins of Capernaum, where Jesus lived and preached, and where many apostles, including Peter, made their home.

Accommodation

**Ma’agan Kibbutz (or similar)**

Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 7 TIBERIAS/TEL AVIV

Continue to the Mediterranean, visiting the coastal city of Haifa and then south to Caesarea Maritima to see the ruins of Herod?s harbour city. After, continue toward Jaffa, an ancient port city dating back to the Bronze Age. Continue on to the bustling city of Tel Aviv for our last evening.

After a very busy trip, should you wish to enjoy some relaxation and leisure time, we do recommend booking post nights in Tel Aviv,

Caesarea Guided Tour

Qesarya

Visit the majestic Roman ruins of Caesarea. It was built as part of Herod the Great’s ambitious plan to “Hellenise” the Holy Land in the 1st century BC. He chose the site of a small Phoenician port and built a classical Greek city. Herod also constructed an artificial harbour by making use of concrete piling underwater – the first ever such use of concrete.

Private Vehicle

Tiberias ? Tel Aviv7h-8h

Stretch out and scan the scenery from the comfort of a private vehicle.

Accommodation

**Cinema Hotel (or similar)**

Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 8 TEL AVIV/AMMAN

Transfer to the border and cross over into Jordan. Transfer to Amman and meet your new CEO.

You will have one CEO in Israel and one in Jordan. In this case you will be transferred to the border and cross over unescorted to Jordan ? either on your own or with any other travellers who are continuing on for the Jordan portion of the tour. You will be met on the Jordanian side of the border and transferred to Amman, where there is free time to relax until the welcome meeting in the evening.

Private Vehicle

Tel Aviv ? Beit She’an2h

Stretch out and scan the scenery from the comfort of a private vehicle.

Border Crossing (Israel – Jordan)

Beit She’an ? Sheikh Hussein1h-3h

The border crossing process takes about an hour on average. Please note that depending on security check process and traffic, the border crossing time can take anywhere from 1 to 3 hours.

Private Vehicle

Sheikh Hussein ? Amman2h

Stretch out and scan the scenery from the comfort of a private vehicle.

Accommodation

**Grand Palace Hotel (or similar)**

Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 9 AMMAN

Take an orientation drive through Amman and visit the National Museum and archaeological site of the Citadel. Continue on to visit Jerash, one of the largest and most well-preserved Roman ruins outside of Italy.

National Archaeological Museum & Citadel

Amman2h

Visit the museum for an overview on Jordan’s history and ancient sites. Continue on to the Citadel archaeological site, best known for the Roman Temple of Hercules, but used by numerous civilizations dating back to the Bronze Age.

Private Vehicle

Amman ? Jerash1h-1h30m

Stretch out and scan the scenery from the comfort of a private vehicle.

Jerash Guided Visit

Jerash3h-4h

Take a step back in time visiting Jerash, one of the most well-preserved Roman sites outside of Italy. Wander amid its paved and colonnaded streets, soaring hilltop temples, handsome theatres, spacious public squares and plazas, baths, fountains, and city walls pierced by towers and gates ? all in exceptional condition.

Private Vehicle

Jerash ? Amman2h-2h30m

Stretch out and scan the scenery from the comfort of a private vehicle.

Accommodation

**Grand Palace Hotel (or similar)**

Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 10 AMMAN/W?D? M?S?

Visit the ancient town of Madaba, famous for its mosaics and churches. Continue to Mt Nebo where we are rewarded with stunning views from the summit. In the evening, enjoy a lecture with a local archaeologist to discuss the importance of Petra, and ongoing excavations at this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Depart early today for the long but very interesting drive by way of the King’s Highway to Petra. The first stop is Mount Nebo, which is believed by many to be the site of Moses’ death and has thus been a centre for pilgrimage since the earliest Christian times.

Visit the town of Madaba, which has some of the finest Byzantine mosaics in the world. Arrive in the early evening at Wadi Musa, our base for exploring Petra.

Private Vehicle

Amman ? W?d? M?s?10h

Stretch out and scan the scenery from the comfort of a private vehicle.

Mt Nebo Visit

Jabal Nab?

Visit Mount Nebo, a historic site believed by many to be the location of Moses’ death and has thus been a centre for pilgrimage since the earliest Christian times. Trek to the summit (817m or 2,680 ft), and be rewarded with views of the stunning surrounding countryside and Israel in the distance.

Madaba Mosaics Guided Tour

M?dab?

Explore Madaba?s long history on this guided tour, including its role as the centre of early Christianity. See some of the finest Byzantine mosaics in the world, including the famous sixth-century mosaic map of the Middle East. Tour churches, the Archaeological Park, and the local museum that’s housed in several old Madaba residences.

Petra Archaeologist Talk

W?d? M?s?

Join an archaeologist for a talk about the UNESCO World Heritage site of Petra, the ancient city that was half-built and half-carved into a sandstone landscape. Learn about the ongoing excavation taking place here, and get a better understanding of the site for when you explore it yourself.

Accommodation

**Hotel Petra Moon (or similar)**

Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 11 W?D? M?S?

Enjoy a guided tour of Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with free time this afternoon to explore on your own. In the evening, enjoy a cooking demonstration and dinner of local specialties.

Wind your way through the Siq, a narrow, 1km-long (.6 mi) gorge flanked by soaring 80m-high (262 ft) sandstone walls. Take in the astounding colours and patterns of the rock, and, at the end of this passage, catch your first glimpse of Al-Khazneh, the famed treasury of Petra. Spend the morning exploring this famed site with your guide. The guide will give a brief history of the city, which the Nabateans carved from the living rock of the surrounding mountains. The site is large so please be prepared for a lot of walking over sand and rocks. Pace yourself, stay hydrated and be sure to have proper walking/hiking shoes.

Private Vehicle

W?d? M?s?

Stretch out and scan the scenery from the comfort of a private vehicle.

Petra Guided Tour

Petra

Journey to Petra to explore this UNESCO World Heritage site. Each tour will be different depending on the interests of the group, but everyone arrives through the dramatic Siq, rounding a corner and setting eyes on the famous treasury building.

With time, hike approx 25km (15 mi) to cover the entire site. Climb (steps) to two sacred hilltops. Depending on the weather and the interests of the group, opt to hike an additional 2km (1.2 mi) to see the magnificent views from the top of the treasury. This makes for a unique and unforgettable experience.

Get a brief history of the city, one of the greatest tourist attractions in the Middle East. The Nabateans carved this capital from the living rock of the surrounding mountains in Petra. Visit monuments that include the Pharaoh’s Castle, the triumphal arch, the amphitheatre, and the monastery.

Free Time

W?d? M?s?Afternoon

Continue to explore Petra on your own.

Cooking Demonstration with Dinner

W?d? M?s?

Head to a restaurant for a cooking demonstration of some popular local dishes. Under a local chef’s guidance, cook a full Jordanian dinner including soup, hot and cold mezza dishes (appetizers), and a main course. Enjoy eating the creations as a delicious dinner.

Optional Activities – Day 11

Accommodation

**Hotel Petra Moon (or similar)**

Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast | Dinner

DAY 12 PETRA/WADI RUM

Continuing to Wadi Rum in the heart of Jordan’s desertscape. Enjoy lunch at our camp and an exciting 4×4 desert excursion into the desert. In the evening, watch the sunset and enjoy a traditional Bedouin feast with music and entertainment, after take a walk in the desert admiring the night sky with a local Bedouin guide.

After breakfast, drive to Wadi Rum, a vast, silent landscape of ancient riverbeds and the largest and most magnificent of Jordan’s desert landscapes. Spend the night is a comfortable desert camp; The authentic goat-wool tent combines traditional Bedouin living with modern amenities including full ensuite. Each tent is outfitted with sheets, pillows, a raised bed, towels, electricity and thick covers against the desert cold.

November ? February: The desert can get very cold after the sun sets and it can be cool during the days. If you are visiting during the winter months you should pack warm comfortable clothing for daytime and especially the evenings (a jacket, hat, gloves and warm pajamas).

September/October & March/April: evenings can still get chilly so you should bring something warm to wear. Daytime is usually warm and comfortable but you can bring a sweater or jacket just in case.

May ? August: the weather is very hot during the day and the evenings are usually comfortable and warm.

Private Vehicle

Petra ? Wadi Rum2h

Stretch out and scan the scenery from the comfort of a private vehicle.

4×4 Desert Trip

Head deep into the desert by 4×4 and enjoy the amazing natural beauty and unique landscape on this unforgettable drive. Along the way we drive up red sand dunes, view stunning rock formations and visit ancient sites to view rock art and inscriptions.

Wadi Rum Night Walk

Wadi Rum

There?s nothing quite like counting stars in the night sky from the desert below, away from the noise and light pollution of our modern world. Enjoy this experience while walking with a Bedouin guide who?s lived in this remote region his entire life.

Accommodation

**Rahayeb Camp (or similar)**

Campground

Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

DAY 13 WADI RUM/DEAD SEA

Enjoy a visit to the archaeological site of Bethany, thought to be the site where Jesus was baptized. Continue to the Dead Sea with the option to swim and use the natural sea salts and mud as your own personal spa.

At 423m (1,388 ft) below sea level, the shores of the Dead Sea are at the lowest land elevation on Earth. The sea is named because its salinity is so high (up to nine times that of the world?s oceans) that only a few microorganisms can live in its waters.

Private Vehicle

Wadi Rum ? Dead Sea3h30m

Stretch out and scan the scenery from the comfort of a private vehicle.

Bethany Beyond the Jordan

Dead Sea

Visit the archaeological site of Bethany, thought to be the site of John the Baptist’s settlement and where Jesus was baptized. Fairly recently rediscovered, the site is an important archaeological find, numerous sites are being uncovered including Roman and Byzantine Baptismal pools, ancient churches, and caves.

Free Time

Dead Sea

Relax under an umbrella next to one of the freshwater swimming pools or enjoy the other facilities at the resort hotel. Why not indulge in an optional massage or one of the other health and beauty therapies available?

Optional Activities – Day 13

Accommodation

**Ramada Resort Dead Sea (or similar)**

Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast | Dinner

DAY 14DEAD SEA

Depart at any time.

Check-out time from the hotel is normally mid-morning, but luggage storage facilities are available. We also encourage you to book a few additional nights to relax and take advantage of the stunning natural surroundings.

Speak to your CEO about arranging your transfer to the Amman airport (approx. 1 hour away).

Departure Day

Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.

Meals included: Breakfast

AGE REQUIREMENT: 12+

PHYSICAL RATING: 3 – AVERAGE

Some tours may include light hiking, biking, rafting, or kayaking in addition to walking.

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Price Start From

$3899 Per Person

Duration
14 Days
Meals:
Breakfast For All Days. Other Meals Listed in Itinerary.
Group Size:
Max 16