Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Tel Aviv
You'll land at Ben Gurion Airport and connect with your tour representative who handles your transfer to the hotel. After dropping your bags, the afternoon and evening are open for you to wander around Tel Aviv on your own schedule. Check out the beachfront, grab dinner somewhere local, or just settle in after your flight.
- Day 2
Tel Aviv to Masada to Dead Sea to Jerusalem
Meet your guide early and head south to Masada. The cable car takes you up to walk through Herod's palaces, the old synagogue, bathhouse and cisterns while your guide explains the history of the Jewish Zealots' final stand. Later you'll float in the Dead Sea's mineral-heavy water and try the black mud treatment. Then it's a drive through Ein Gedi oasis and the Judean Desert on your way to Jerusalem, arriving by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ascend Masada via cable car
- Visit Masada excavations, Herod's palaces, synagogue, bathhouse and cisterns
- Float in the Dead Sea and experience mineral-rich black mud
- Pass by Ein Gedi oasis
Landmarks/POIs Masada Dead Sea Ein Gedi - Day 3
Jerusalem
Start at the Israel Museum checking out the Shrine of the Book and the Dead Sea Scrolls on display. You'll also see a detailed model showing how Jerusalem looked during the Second Temple period. After that, drive to the quiet village of Ein Karem, which Christian tradition marks as John the Baptist's birthplace. The afternoon includes time at Yad Vashem to pay respects at the Holocaust memorial. Before heading back to your hotel, you'll visit Bethlehem to see the Church of the Nativity and Manger Square.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Shrine of the Book at Israel Museum and view Dead Sea Scrolls
- View model of Herodian city of Jerusalem
- Explore Ein Karem village
- Visit Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial
- Visit Church of the Nativity and Manger Square in Bethlehem
Landmarks/POIs Shrine of the Book Ein Karem Yad Vashem Church of the Nativity Manger Square - Day 4
Jerusalem
This morning takes you into Jerusalem's Old City to see the Western Wall and Temple Mount. You'll walk the Via Dolorosa through the city, following the Way of the Cross to Calvary and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which holds both the traditional Crucifixion site and Resurrection tomb. From there, head to Mount Zion for King David's traditional tomb and the Room of the Last Supper. The Mount of Olives gives you a wide view of the holy city below. Next you'll walk through the Garden of Gethsemane before finishing at Mahane Yehuda market by evening, where you can walk through vendor stalls, take in the sounds and smells, and try local food.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Western Wall and Temple Mount in Old City of Jerusalem
- Walk the Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross) to Calvary
- Visit Church of the Holy Sepulchre
- Visit Mount Zion with traditional tomb of King David and Room of the Last Supper
- View panoramic Jerusalem from Mount of Olives
- Visit Garden of Gethsemane
- Explore Mahane Yehuda open market
Landmarks/POIs Western Wall Temple Mount Via Dolorosa Church of the Holy Sepulchre Mount Zion Tomb of King David Room of the Last Supper Mount of Olives Garden of Gethsemane Mahane Yehuda - Day 5
Jerusalem to Tiberias
Drive north from Jerusalem passing Jericho, then continue through the Jordan Valley to Beit Shean and its well-kept Roman excavations. From there, climb up to the Golan Heights for a wine experience including a tour and tasting with details on how the wine gets made. You'll drive through Druze villages and see old Syrian fortifications, with views toward Mount Hermon and into Syria. By afternoon, descend to the Hula Valley and continue to Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee, one of Judaism's four holy cities.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Buffet dinner served in the hotel dining room)
Included Activities
- Visit Beit Shean Roman city excavations
- Tour and wine tasting in Golan Heights
- Experience Israeli wine country and wine production process
Landmarks/POIs Jericho Beit Shean Golan Heights Mount Hermon Tiberias - Day 6
Sea of Galilee - Nazareth
Travel along the Sea of Galilee shore to Capernaum and walk through the ruins of an old synagogue. Next stop is the Mount of Beatitudes, the traditional location of the Sermon on the Mount, then Tabgha for the traditional site of the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes. After that, drive to Nazareth to visit the Church of the Annunciation and other Christian holy sites. You'll head back to Tiberias for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Buffet dinner served in the hotel dining room)
Included Activities
- Visit Capernaum ancient synagogue ruins
- Visit Mount of Beatitudes
- Visit Tabgha
- Visit Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth
- Visit Christian holy sites in Nazareth
Optional Activities
- Optional sailing on a boat across the Sea of Galilee to experience the tranquility and scenery little changed during the past 2000 years (subject to conditions and extra fee if available)
Landmarks/POIs Sea of Galilee Capernaum Mount of Beatitudes Tabgha Church of the Annunciation Nazareth - Day 7
Tiberias to Acre to Haifa to Caesarea to Tel Aviv
After breakfast, drive westward through Galilee's hills to Acre and see the old Crusader stronghold with its medieval fortifications. Continue to Haifa, where you'll go up Mount Carmel for views across the city, the Baha'i Shrine and Persian Gardens overlooking Haifa Bay. Along the Mediterranean coast, stop at Caesarea to see the Roman Theater and Crusader fortress that Herod the Great built. End the day back in Tel Aviv with a city tour and a walk through the ancient port area of Jaffa.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Acre (Akko) Crusader stronghold and medieval fortifications
- Ascend Mount Carmel for panoramic city view
- View Baha'i Shrine and Persian Garden in Haifa
- Visit Roman Theater at Caesarea
- Visit Crusader fortress at Caesarea
- City tour of Tel Aviv
- Visit ancient port of Jaffa
Landmarks/POIs Acre Mount Carmel Baha'i Shrine Caesarea Jaffa - Day 8
Tel Aviv to Sheikh Hussein Border to Jerash to Amman
Drive from Tel Aviv to the Sheikh Hussein border crossing to enter Jordan. Head to Jerash, about 45km north of Amman, where you'll walk through the well-kept ancient Roman city with its colonnaded streets, baths and hill-top temple. From there, travel to Amman for a city tour of Jordan's capital, then settle into your hotel for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cross Sheikh Hussein border crossing into Jordan
- Visit Jerash ancient Roman city with colonnaded streets, baths and hill-top temple
Landmarks/POIs Jerash Amman - Day 9
Amman to Petra
Leave early and drive south to Wadi Musa, the village near Petra. You'll ride horseback into the Siq canyon, then continue on foot to explore the red rock city. Walk through the Treasury (El Khazneh), a Nabatean king's tomb, then see the field of tombs, obelisks and the altar (Al Madhbah). From the altar, you get a view of the whole rock city spread out below. Return to Wadi Musa village by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ride on horseback to Petra Siq (canyon)
- Walk through Petra red rock city
- Visit Treasury (El Khazneh)
- Visit field of tombs, obelisks and altar (Al Madhbah) at Petra
- View panoramic Petra rock city
Landmarks/POIs Wadi Musa Petra Siq Treasury - Day 10
Petra to Madaba to Mount Nebo to Tel Aviv
Drive north to Madaba to see the remains of a Byzantine church and its ancient mosaic floor map, the oldest surviving original map of the Holy Land and Jerusalem. Continue about 10km to Mount Nebo, the traditional spot where Moses saw the Promised Land, which offers views of the Jordan Valley, Jericho and the Dead Sea. After that, head to the border crossing and return to Israel, driving back to Tel Aviv.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Madaba Byzantine church and ancient mosaic map
- Visit Mount Nebo and view Promised Land vista
- Cross border back into Israel
Landmarks/POIs Madaba Mount Nebo Jordan Valley Jericho - Day 11
Departure from Tel Aviv
Your transfer picks you up and takes you to Ben Gurion Airport for your international flight home.
