Itinerary
- Day 1
Jerusalem or Tel Aviv
You'll arrive and check into your hotel in either Jerusalem or Tel Aviv. From there, you have the rest of the day to yourself to rest up from travel, get oriented to the city, and wander around the local area at your own pace. This is a good time to grab dinner somewhere nearby and settle into your accommodations.
Optional Activities
- Explore local restaurants and experience the unique flavors of the city
- Day 2
Jerusalem Old City
This morning you'll head into the Old City's four quarters, starting with the Western Wall in the Jewish Quarter. Walk through the Via Dolorosa in the Christian Quarter and see the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. After that, wander through the souq markets in the Muslim Quarter where you can pick up snacks and souvenirs. Later, explore modern Jerusalem including Machane Yehuda Market, which has a completely different energy from the Old City. You'll get lunch somewhere in between, then head back to your hotel by evening.
Included Activities
- Visit the four quarters of the Old City
- Visit the Western Wall in the Jewish Quarter
- Walk the Via Dolorosa in the Christian Quarter
- Visit the Holy Sepulchre
- Explore the souq markets in the Muslim Quarter
- Walk from Tzahal Square to the Municipality Complex, Jaffa Street, Davidka Square, and Nachlaot
- Explore Machane Yehuda Market
Landmarks/POIs Western Wall Holy Sepulchre Via Dolorosa Machane Yehuda Market - Day 3
Old City
Start early at the Mount of Olives and visit the Gardens of Gethsemane and the Chapel of Ascension. From there, check out the Pater Noster Church where Jesus taught the Lord's Prayer, then see the Church of All Nations and Mary's Tomb. Enter the Old City through Lion's Gate to view the Pool of Bethesda. Grab lunch in the Muslim Souq (around midday works best), and after eating, walk the Via Dolorosa before heading back to your hotel for the evening.
- Meals
- Lunch (Delicious lunch in the Muslim Souq (marketplace))
Included Activities
- Explore the Mount of Olives
- Visit the Gardens of Gethsemane
- Visit the Chapel of Ascension
- Visit the Pater Noster Church
- Wander through the Garden of Gethsemane
- Visit the Church of All Nations
- Visit Mary's Tomb
- Visit the Pool of Bethesda
- Walk the Via Dolorosa
Landmarks/POIs Mount of Olives Gardens of Gethsemane Chapel of Ascension Pater Noster Church Church of All Nations Mary's Tomb Lion's Gate Pool of Bethesda - Day 4
Jericho
You'll head to Bethlehem this morning to explore the Church of Nativity and see the Banksy Hotel. Next, drive to Jericho for a guided tour of the area. Take the cable car up the Mount of Temptation, which gives you good views of the surrounding region. Later, visit the Qasr Al Yahud baptismal site on the Jordan River before the drive back to Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. The whole day involves a lot of travel between sites, so expect to spend time on the road.
Included Activities
- Tour the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem
- See the famous Banksy Hotel
- Guided tour of Jericho
- Ascend the Mount of Temptation via cable car
- Visit the Qasr Al Yahud baptismal site on the Jordan River
Landmarks/POIs Church of Nativity Banksy Hotel Mount of Temptation Qasr Al Yahud - Day 5
Ein Gedi - Dead Sea
Early on, you'll reach Masada and take the cable car up to the ruins of King Herod's palace for a guided tour of this significant historical location (around 75°F/24°C, so bring water). After exploring Masada, head to the Ein Gedi nature reserve to walk around a bit. Then you'll float in the Dead Sea and apply some of the mineral-rich mud if you want to. Grab lunch during your free time there, and then head back to Tel Aviv or Jerusalem by evening.
Included Activities
- Ascend Masada via cable car
- Guided tour of Masada
- Explore the ruins of King Herod's palace and fortified site
- Explore Ein Gedi nature reserve
- Float in the Dead Sea waters
- Immerse in the mud of the Dead Sea
Landmarks/POIs Masada Ein Gedi Dead Sea - Day 6
Jerusalem or Tel Aviv
Today is yours to do whatever you want. Stay in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv and explore at your own pace, rest at your hotel, or spend time on something that interests you. Some travelers check out neighborhoods they missed, visit museums, or just relax before the next day of activities.
Optional Activities
- Explore Jerusalem or Tel Aviv independently
- Day 7
Akko - Haifa
You'll start in Caesarea to see the 2,000-year-old Roman amphitheater and hippodrome remains. From there, head to Akko, the ancient Crusader city that's also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which has interesting history and narrow streets to walk through. Later, drive to Haifa to see the famous Bahai Gardens cascading down the hillside and the Stella Maris Monastery. This day involves a fair bit of driving between these northern coastal sites before returning to Tel Aviv or Jerusalem.
Included Activities
- Explore Caesarea and see the Roman amphitheater and hippodrome
- Explore Akko, the city of the Crusaders
- Visit Haifa
- See the hanging Bahai Gardens
- Visit Stella Maris Monastery
Landmarks/POIs Caesarea Roman Amphitheater Akko Bahai Gardens Stella Maris Monastery - Day 8
Capernaum - Nazareth
You'll arrive at the Sea of Galilee area, Israel's largest freshwater lake, and spend the day exploring the biblical sites around it. Visit Capernaum, where the Apostles lived at the base of the Mount of Beatitudes, and take in the panoramic views. Stop at the Church of Multiplication at Taghba and then head to Yardenit for the baptism site on the River Jordan. End the day in Nazareth, Israel's largest Arab city, wandering through the Middle Eastern atmosphere and charming old town before heading back to Tel Aviv or Jerusalem.
Included Activities
- Visit the Sea of Galilee area
- Visit Capernaum
- Visit the Church of Multiplication at Taghba
- Visit the River Jordan at Yardenit and the baptism site
- Explore Nazareth
Landmarks/POIs Sea of Galilee Capernaum Mount of Beatitudes Church of Multiplication Yardenit Nazareth - Day 9
Departure
This is your departure day. If you'd like, the tour operator can arrange an airport transfer for you. Otherwise, you'll make your own way to the airport for your flight home.
