Israel Heritage Tour & Jordan Extension
11 day - Israel Heritage Tour & Jordan Extension
Join our Israel Heritage tour with an extension to Jordan. Explore Jerusalem, Bethlehem, the Golan Heights, Masada and the Dead Sea. Continue to Jordan and visit Jerash, Wadi Rum and Petra, with its tombs and palaces carved into the rose-red sandstone cliffs.
Israel is best known as the Holy Land, a country with a rich tapestry of sacred sites for Christians, Jews, Muslims and Bahais. Israel's tumultuous history has resulted in over 20 civilisations leaving their mark on the land over a period of 10,000 years, making it an archaeological and historical treasure trove. Jordan is a land that incorporates both remote deserts and canyons as well as coral reefs of the Red Sea. A highlight is the Nabateans' architecture at the rose-red city inside a narrow ravine.
Departs: Thursdays
: 3 Oct 2019-17 Dec 2020 - Tour does not operate on 17 Sep or 24 Sep 2020
Note: High season and holiday supplement may apply
Day 1 Thu: Tel Aviv
Upon arrival at the airport, meet our representative and transfer to hotel in Tel Aviv for overnight.
Day 2 Fri: Tel Aviv-Jaffa-Caesarea- Megiddo-Tiberias
This morning involves a drive to the ancient town of Jaffa where you'll enjoy a short walking tour of the picturesque alleys within this old fortified town. Afterwards, continue to the archaeological ruins of Caesarea, an ancient port city rebuilt by Herod the Great. After a brief stop, continue to the city of Megiddo, a city that hasn't been inhabited for more than 5000 years. Drive on to Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee for overnight. (B)
Day 3 Sat: Tiberias-Capernaum-Tabgha-Golan Heights-Tiberias
Depart for Capernaum to visit the fascinating Synagogue, once the place of Jesus' teachings. Continue to the town of Tabgha, the location of the miracle of Loaves and Fishes. After a brief stop, hike to the top of the Mount of Beatitudes. Proceed to the Golan Heights and view the panoramic view of the peaks of Mt. Hermon, the rugged plateau of the Golan Heights, and beneath it, the green pastoral Hula Valley. (B)
Tabgha
Day 4 Sun: Tiberias-Nazareth-Cana-Beit Shean-Jerusalem
After breakfast, depart for the holy site of Nazareth before heading to the Basilica of the Annunciation, Mary's Well and the Church of St. Joseph. Continue to the church at Cana, where Jesus turned water into wine. Drive to the ancient city of Beit She'an to see the excavated Roman and Byzantine city of Scytopolis. Proceed to Jerusalem for overnight. (B)
Day 5 Mon: Jerusalem-Masada-Dead Sea-Jerusalem
Drive south towards Masada via the Inn of the Good Samaritan, and visit the caves of Qumran. Afterwards, ascend the fortress of Masada which was the last stronghold of the Jewish Zealots. Visit the excavations - Herod's Palace, the synagogue and bath house. Descend by cable car back to the coach and drive along the coast of the Dead Sea where there is the opportunity to float in the salty waters. Return to Jerusalem for overnight. (B)
Day 6 Tue: Jerusalem-Old City
Drive to Mt. Scopus for a view of Jerusalem, then to the Garden of Gethsemane, Western Wall and Temple Mount. Trek the Via Dolorosa, also known as the Stations of the Cross. Continue to Mt. Zion for a visit to the tomb of King David and the room of the Last Supper. Overnight in Jerusalem. (B)
Day 7 Wed: Jerusalem New-Bethlehem-Jerusalem
Enjoy a guided tour seeing the highlights of modern Jerusalem. Begin with a visit to the Shrine of the Book to view the Dead Sea Scrolls. Continue on to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial before a visit to the village of Ein Karem, known as the location where St. John the Baptist was born. Drive by the Knesset (Israel Parliament) before arriving at Bethlehem. Visit Rachel's Tomb and the Church of the Nativity (subject to
security clearance) before returning to Jerusalem for overnight. (B)
Day 8 Thu: Jerusalem-Jerash-Amman
Drive to Sheik Hussein Bridge for border crossing procedures to enter Jordan. Explore Jerash, the ancient Roman city of the Decapolis. Visit the Citadel and Roman Amphitheatre on a panoramic city tour of Amman. Overnight: Amman. (B)
Day 9 Fri: Amman-Petra
Depart along the Desert Highway to Wadi Musa – the modern village of Petra. Enjoy a spectacular full-day tour exploring the rose-red city of Petra. Enjoy a short horse ride, then travel on foot through the awesome Siq valley. Visit the Treasury, and explore many buildings, tombs, temples, and a 3,000 seat theatre dated to the first-century AD. Overnight: Petra. (B)
Day 10 Sat: Petra-Wadi Rum-Madaba, Mt Nebo-Amman
Travel south to the towering mountains and rock formations of Wadi Rum, which mesmerised Lawrence of Arabia. Drive through the stunning desert landscapes on a jeep safari, visiting the Lawrence Spring and Khazali Canyon. View the intricate, ancient Mosaic map of the Holy Land at Madaba and visit Mt. Nebo where Moses viewed the promised land. Explore the remains of the Byzantine Church with its mosaic floor, and, from a platform in front of the church, enjoy a breathtaking view across the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. After the visit depart for Amman. Overnight: Amman. (B)
Day 11 Sun: Amman
Departure transfer to Amman airport or cross the Allenby/Sheik Hussein Bridge for transfer to Jerusalem or Tel Aviv airport. (B)
7 nights' accommodation in selected category
8-day regular coach tour
Airport transfers with Meet and greet service
Entrance fees to sites visited
L-Lunch)
Sightseeing as per itinerary with licensed English-speaking guide
Dead Sea Israel
Mt Nebo
This tour provides a wonderful introduction to Israel & Jordan ...