Itinerary
- Day 1
Jerusalem
You'll land at the airport and head straight to your hotel in Jerusalem. Take time to settle in and rest before the busy days ahead.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Grand Court)
- Day 2
Jerusalem
Start with breakfast, then spend the morning at the Museum of Israel where you'll see the Dead Sea Scrolls and a model of ancient Jerusalem. After that, check out the Hebrew University campus and walk through Ein Karem's charming streets to find the Shrine of Saint John the Baptist. You'll pay respects at Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum and Memorial. In the afternoon, a Palestinian guide takes you across into Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity, the Grotto of the Manger, and Shepherds' Field. Head back to Jerusalem for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Grand Court)
Included Activities
- Visit Shrine of the Book in the Museum of Israel with Dead Sea Scrolls display
- View model of Jerusalem at the time of Jesus
- Walk through Hebrew University of Jerusalem campus
- Visit Shrine of Saint John the Baptist in Ein Karen
- Visit Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum and Memorial
- Visit Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem
- Visit Grotto of the Manger in Bethlehem
- Visit Shepherds' Field in Bethlehem
Landmarks Museum of Israel Dead Sea Scrolls Hebrew University of Jerusalem Shrine of Saint John the Baptist Yad Vashem Church of the Nativity Grotto of the Manger Shepherds' Field - Day 3
Jerusalem
Begin at Mount Scopus for views over the Holy City, then make your way to the Mount of Olives. Visit Gethsemane and the Basilica of the Agony before entering the Old City. You'll see the Western Wall and walk the Via Dolorosa up to Calvary, stopping at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Finish at Mount Zion to see King David's Tomb, the Cenacle (Hall of the Last Supper), and the Abbey of the Dormition. Stay overnight in Jerusalem.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Grand Court)
Included Activities
- Visit Mount Scopus with views of the walled Holy City
- Visit Mount of Olives
- Visit Gethsemane and the Basilica of the Agony
- Visit Western Wall (Wailing Wall)
- Walk the Via Dolorosa
- Visit Calvary and Church of the Holy Sepulcher
- Visit Tomb of King David on Mount Zion
- Visit Cenacle (Hall of the Last Supper)
- Visit Abbey of the Dormition
Landmarks Mount Scopus Mount of Olives Gethsemane Basilica of the Agony Western Wall Via Dolorosa Calvary Church of the Holy Sepulcher Tomb of King David Cenacle (Hall of the Last Supper) Abbey of the Dormition - Day 4
Jerusalem to Amman
After breakfast, head out early toward the Sheik Hussein Bridge to cross into Jordan. Once there, explore the 12th-century Fortress of Ajlun in a region where Muslims and Orthodox Christians have lived together for centuries, and visit the Church of Saint Sergius. Grab lunch, then continue to the Roman archaeological site at Jerash with its impressive ruins. Travel to Amman and settle in for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Amman West), Hotel (Seven Roses)
Included Activities
- Visit Fortress of Ajlun (12th century castle)
- Visit Church of Saint Sergius
- Visit Jerash Roman archaeological site
Landmarks Fortress of Ajlun Church of Saint Sergius Jerash 
- Day 5
Amman
Travel out to see the Castles of the Desert, built between the 7th and 8th centuries. Check out the imposing Qasr Kharana and the World Heritage Site of Qusayr Amra with its remarkable frescoes. Head to Madaba for lunch and visit the Archaeological Park, which you can walk through along an ancient Roman road. See the Church of St. George with its 6th-century mosaic map of the Holy Land, one of the oldest known. Continue to Mount Nebo where Moses looked over the Promised Land. You'll have free time back in Amman later.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Amman West), Hotel (Seven Roses)
Included Activities
- Visit Qasr Kharana castle
- Visit Qusayr Amra World Heritage Site with frescoes
- Visit Madaba Archaeological Park
- Visit Church of St. George in Madaba with 6th-century mosaic
- Visit Mount Nebo
Landmarks Qasr Kharana Qusayr Amra Madaba Archaeological Park Church of St. George Mount Nebo 
- Day 6
Amman to Dead Sea
Travel to Bethany on the River Jordan banks, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where John baptized Jesus. Visit the Dead Sea Museum and its Panorama Complex. After lunch, arrive at your Dead Sea hotel and swim in the saltiest body of water and lowest altitude on Earth. Have dinner and get settled for the night.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Crowne Plaza Jordan)
Included Activities
- Visit Bethany UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Visit Dead Sea Museum with Panorama Complex
- Swim in the Dead Sea
Landmarks Bethany Dead Sea Museum Dead Sea - Day 7
Dead Sea to Petra
Head up the historic King's Road, which tells the story of the Moab Kingdom from biblical times. You'll encounter the impressive 12th-century Karak fortress, an important military stronghold between Jerusalem and Aqaba. Reach Dana, a picturesque stone village perched on a huge cliff. After lunch, continue along the King's Route to Shobak to photograph the great Crusader Castle from outside. Get to Wadi Musa and explore the Moses Spring where Moses supposedly struck the rock, plus the Petra Museum. Have dinner and stay overnight. Optional activities include a Turkish bath or light and sound show.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Panorama)
Included Activities
- Visit Karak castle (12th century)
- Visit Moses Spring in Wadi Musa
- Visit Petra Museum
Optional Activities
- Turkish bath visit
- Light and sound show in Petra
Landmarks King's Road Karak Castle Dana Shobak Moses Spring Petra Museum 
- Day 8
Petra to Wadi Rum
This is the trip's most exciting day. Visit the archaeological site of Petra, accessed through a narrow canyon where temples and tombs are carved into cliff faces. The ancient city was founded 300 years before Christ. After lunch, head to the spectacular desert of Wadi Rum. At the Visitor Centre, board 4x4 vehicles to explore the impressive landscapes. Take a 45-minute camel ride through the desert and visit Khazali Canyon to see engravings about Arabic language origins. Finish with dinner and stay in a desert camp.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Campamento Mazayen)
Included Activities
- Visit Petra archaeological site
- 4x4 vehicle tour in Wadi Rum
- Camel ride through the desert (45 minutes)
- Visit Khazali Canyon
Landmarks Petra Wadi Rum Khazali Canyon 
- Day 9
Wadi Rum to Saint Catherine
After breakfast, head to Aqaba, Jordan's second city on the Red Sea. Walk through the center, then cross into Israel and arrive in modern Eilat with its excellent beaches. Relax, have lunch, and take a swim if you want. Continue toward Egypt through Sinai and stop to photograph Pharaoh's Island with Saladin's fortress. Arrive in Saint Catherine for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mosaique Beach Resort Taba)
Optional Activities
- Swimming in Eilat beaches
- Stroll through Eilat
Landmarks Aqaba Eilat Pharaoh's Island 
- Day 10
Saint Catherine to Cairo
At Mount Sinai's base, visit the impressive walled Monastery of Saint Catherine. According to tradition, this is where Moses saw the Burning Bush. The monastery, which belongs to the Orthodox Church, is sacred to Jews, Christians, and Muslims and holds UNESCO World Heritage status. Continue through picturesque Sinai Desert landscapes. Stop at the Well of Moses, a biblical site that looks like a small oasis. Exit Sinai through the tunnel under the Suez Canal and arrive in Cairo by late afternoon.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Helnan Dreamland)
Included Activities
- Visit Monastery of Saint Catherine
- Visit Well of Moses
Landmarks Monastery of Saint Catherine Mount Sinai Well of Moses Suez Canal 
- Day 11
Cairo
Spend a full day exploring Cairo's famous ancient sites. See the Pyramids of Cheops, Kefren, and Micerinos (interior tickets not included) and the Sphinx carved from rock. Visit the Egyptian Museum to see ancient art and treasures from Tutankhamen's Tomb. After lunch, explore the Citadel of Saladin and the Alabaster Mosque. Walk through the Coptic neighborhood and visit the Hanging Church built above a Roman fortress.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Helnan Dreamland)
Included Activities
- Visit Pyramids of Cheops, Kefren, and Micerinos
- Visit Sphinx
- Visit Egyptian Museum with Tutankhamen treasure collection
- Visit Citadel of Saladin
- Visit Alabaster Mosque
- Visit Hanging Church in Coptic neighborhood
Optional Activities
- Interior entrance to pyramids (additional fee not specified)
Landmarks Pyramid of Cheops Pyramid of Kefren Pyramid of Micerinos Great Sphinx Egyptian Museum Citadel of Saladin Alabaster Mosque Hanging Church 
- Day 12
Cairo to Minya
See a side of Egypt you might not expect: a country of great lakes in the middle of the desert. Leave Cairo early and stop at the Pyramid of Meidum, the first pyramid ancient Egyptians attempted to build 2,600 years ago. Climb toward the burial chamber and see the mastabas. Visit the Oasis of Al Faiyum, bordered by Qarum Lake that waters the entire oasis. Stop in Tunis village for lunch, famous for ceramic work. Continue through magnificent desert landscapes to Wadi Rayyan, a saltwater lake home to rare birds and gazelles, now a National Park. Walk by the small waterfalls. Enter the Wadi Al Hittan (Valley of the Whales), a UNESCO World Heritage Site with exceptional fossils. See the museum with fossilized whales and learn about climate change. End the day in Minya, a city of 300,000 on the Nile with nice riverside walks. Dinner included.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch in Tunis village), Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Grand Aton)
Included Activities
- Visit Pyramid of Meidum with entrance and climb access
- Visit Oasis of Al Faiyum with Qarum Lake
- Visit Wadi Rayyan National Park with small falls walk
- Visit Wadi Al Hittan (Valley of the Whales) UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Visit Wadi Al Hittan museum with fossilized whale skeletons
Landmarks Pyramid of Meidum Oasis of Al Faiyum Qarum Lake Tunis Village Wadi Rayyan Wadi Al Hittan 
- Day 13
Minya to Asyut
Start an exciting day in the Nile Valley's center. Leave Minya and stop at Zawiyyet Sultan, a cemetery at the foot of a pharaonic necropolis with distinctive vaulted adobe mausoleums. Continue to Beni Hassan, a necropolis on cliffs above the Nile with 39 tombs from 2125-1795 BC; you'll visit four to learn about daily life from that era. Have lunch, then visit the Tombs of Mir with nine open tombs from the Old and Middle Kingdom in a quiet, less-visited area. Next to them sits the Deir El-Muharraq monastery and Coptic pilgrimage site where monks show where Mary and Jesus hid in a cave after fleeing Herod. According to tradition, the church built around 60 AD is the oldest Christian church in the world. Finish in Asyut, a provincial capital. Dinner included.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Assiut Cement)
Included Activities
- Visit Zawiyyet Sultan place of the dead
- Visit Beni Hassan necropolis with four tombs
- Visit Tombs of Mir (nine open tombs)
- Visit Deir El-Muharraq monastery and Coptic pilgrimage site
Landmarks Zawiyyet Sultan Beni Hassan Tombs of Mir Deir El-Muharraq - Day 14
Asyut to Luxor
Leave Asyut for Sohag in one of Egypt's main Coptic areas. Visit the White Monastery, built in the fourth century from stone taken from pharaonic temples showing ancient gods and hieroglyphics; it once held Egypt's largest library. Next, see the Red Monastery, one of Egypt's most impressive Christian buildings with a fourth-century chapel covered in restored frescoes showing religious buildings from the end of antiquity. Continue to Abydos after lunch, the most important worship place of Osiris, god of the dead, and a pilgrimage site and necropolis for over 4,500 years. Many tombs remain unexcavated. The impressive temple of Seti stands out as one of Egypt's most complete and beautiful temples. Arrive in Luxor by evening.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Steigenberger Resort Achti)
Included Activities
- Visit White Monastery
- Visit Red Monastery
- Visit Abydos necropolis and Temple of Seti
Landmarks White Monastery Red Monastery Abydos Temple of Seti 
- Day 15
Luxor
Experience one of the planet's most impressive ancient cities. Early morning, take a private boat across the Nile to the west bank with peaceful views. Visit Deir el-Medina (Valley of the Artisans), where builders and craftsmen of royal tombs lived; see three tombs with daily life scenes. Visit the fantastic temple of Medinet Habu, Ramses II's large and well-preserved temple with war scenes. Stop at the Colossi of Memnon, two impressive statues of Amenhotep II. Visit the Valley of the Queens where the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut (Deir el Bahari) stands; she was the first woman pharaoh. Explore the famous Valley of the Kings with tombs and corridors leading to burial chambers; an electric cart is included to access Ramses' tomb (additional entry required). Return to the east bank for free lunch time. In the afternoon, visit Karnak, Egypt's most important ancient religious complex, with the immense temple of Amun-Ra and the less-crowded temple of Khinsu. Visit the Luxor Museum with impressive local finds and mummies. After dark, see the illuminated Luxor Temple for magical nighttime views and stroll the commercial souk. Visit order varies based on weather and crowds.
- Meals
- Lunch (Free time for lunch)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Steigenberger Resort Achti)
Included Activities
- Private boat crossing the Nile River to west bank
- Visit Deir el-Medina (Valley of the Artisans) with three tombs
- Visit temple of Medinet Habu
- Visit Colossi of Memnon statues
- Visit Valley of the Queens and Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
- Visit Valley of the Kings
- Electric cart ride and access to Ramses' tomb (additional entry required)
- Visit Karnak temple complex
- Visit temple of Khinsu
- Visit Luxor Museum
- Visit illuminated Luxor Temple
Landmarks Nile River Deir el-Medina Medinet Habu Colossi of Memnon Valley of the Queens Temple of Queen Hatshepsut Valley of the Kings Tomb of Ramses Karnak Temple of Amun-Ra Temple of Khinsu Luxor Museum Luxor Temple 
- Day 16
Luxor to Hurghada
You'll have free time in the morning to stroll, shop, or sightsee around Luxor. Head to Dendera, one of Egypt's best-preserved complexes because it remained buried under sand and mud until discovery in the mid-nineteenth century. Explore the impressive 40,000 square-meter enclosure surrounded by an 8-10 meter high brick wall. Visit the temple dedicated to Hathor, goddess of love and fertility. After lunch, travel to the Red Sea across desert mountain ranges with interesting landscapes. Arrive in Hurghada, Egypt's most popular resort with hotels stretching nearly 50 kilometers. Stay on an all-inclusive basis.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Swiss In Hurghada)
Included Activities
- Visit Dendera temple complex
Landmarks Dendera Temple of Hathor 
- Day 17
Hurghada
Spend a full day in Hurghada with free morning time to relax at your hotel facilities or visit the large aquarium or museum on your own. After lunch, take an excursion to explore the area. Head to El Gouna, a short distance away and Egypt's most luxurious holiday town with numerous canals and lagoons accessed by yacht. You'll have free time to walk this exclusive place. Visit Hurghada's mosque (open to visitors) and walk to the marina, a lively touristic area with shops and restaurants. After free time, return to your hotel. Stay on an all-inclusive basis.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Swiss In Hurghada)
Included Activities
- Visit El Gouna
Optional Activities
- Visit large aquarium in Hurghada
- Visit museum in Hurghada
Landmarks El Gouna Hurghada Aquarium Hurghada Museum Hurghada Mosque Hurghada Marina - Day 18
Hurghada to Cairo
Travel along the Red Sea to the impressive Coptic monastery of St. Anthony, the oldest monastery in Christendom dating to the fourth century when monks settled in caves and hidden cliffs. It's considered one of the holiest places of the Coptic Church. Visit the walled monastery with its many adobe buildings. See the Church of St. Anthony, built on the saint's tomb with magnificent 13th-century Coptic murals. After these emotional places, travel to El Galala to see the new cities Egypt is building in the desert. Visit the luxury resort next to the Red Sea with marina and water park. Take the cable car ride (Africa's highest slope) to El Galala, a new city built from 2015 with a large university and magnificent design. Continue to Cairo, arriving by evening.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch in service area)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Helnan Dreamland)
Included Activities
- Visit Monastery of St. Anthony
- Visit El Galala luxury resort
- Cable car ride to El Galala
Landmarks Monastery of St. Anthony Church of St. Anthony El Galala - Day 19
Cairo
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and your tour services end.
- Meals
- Breakfast
