13 Day Essential Israel & Jordan

 13 Day Essential Israel & Jordan

From $1519 Land Only

$2499  Air & Land

Escorted Package Includes

• Flights New York-Tel Aviv, Amman-New York
  Other departure cities available*.
• Airline taxes & fuel surcharges
• 11 nights accommodations
  • 1 night Tel Aviv
  • 2 nights Galilee Region
  • 3 nights Jerusalem
  • 1 night Dead Sea
  • 2 nights Petra
  • 2 nights Amman
• Hotel taxes, fees & service charges
• Hotel porterage
• Departure transfer
• 13 meals: 11 breakfasts, 2 dinners
• Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motor coach
• Services of English-speaking tour managers throughout
• Entrance fees per itinerary
• Visa to Jordan

Special Features

• Leisure time to enjoy Tel Aviv, known as Israel’s "playground on the sea"
• Tour the astounding Roman, Byzantine and Crusader ruins at ancient Caesarea
• Enjoy the serenity of the Sea of Galilee, the largest freshwater lake in Israel
• Tour the impressive archaeological site of Beit She’an dating back to King Saul
• In Jerusalem's Old City, explore the Via Dolorosa, Church of the Holy Sepulchre and Mt. Zion
• Time to explore the multifaceted ancient "golden" city of Jerusalem at your own pace
• Visit Bethany, the site of Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist
• Stand atop Mount Nebo, where Moses climbed to see the Promised Land
• At Madaba, see the vivid 6th century mosaic map of the Holy Land

• Sunday Departure
•  / Monday Departure
• / Wednesday Departure
• / Thursday Departure /
• Friday Departure

DAY 1, Sunday - Depart for Israel
Depart for Israel

DAY 2, Monday - Arrive in Tel Aviv
Arrive in Tel Aviv and transfer to your hotel. Time to rest, relax and acclimate to your new time zone. Your tour will begin with an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 7 PM. We recommend that you select flights which arrive no later than 5 PM
Overnight: Tel Aviv

DAY 3, Tuesday - Tel Aviv, Caesarea, Galilee Region
This morning get acquainted with Tel Aviv known as the "Big Orange" on a walking tour of the city's highlights. Travel to the ancient port of Jaffa with its reconstructed Artists' Quarter before continuing to quaint Neve Tzedek. Next, go to Rabin Square to view the memorial to the late Prime Minister. Later, depart Tel Aviv and drive along the sparkling Mediterranean coast to ancient Caesarea; view the astounding Roman, Byzantine and Crusader ruins and the 2,000-year-old theater. Travel to the age-old fishing village of Capernaum on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, home to a celebrated Byzantine-era synagogue and frequently mentioned in the Bible as Jesus' base during his Galilean ministry. Arrive in the tranquil Galilee Region for dinner and overnight
Overnight: Galilee Region
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 4, Wednesday - The Sea of Galilee
Spend the day at leisure to enjoy the serenity of the Sea of Galilee, the largest freshwater lake in Israel, or explore this city embedded with a history dating back to the Roman Emperor Tiberius and religious sites that include the Church of St. Peter. Don't miss the optional full day tour to Galilee that begins at the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus preached His famous "Sermon on the Mount". Next on to Safed, one of Judaism's holiest cities and mystical center of Kabbalah; walk through the colorful artists' colony and visit an ancient synagogue. Then, ascend the Golan Heights to understand more about this strategic area; visit Har Bental, site of a former Israeli bunker. Following lunch, visit a kibbutz and taste special vintages at a winery in Katzrin before heading back. Tonight, dinner is at your hotel
Optional: Full Day Galilee & Golan Heights with Lunch (AM)
Overnight: Galilee Region
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 5, Thursday - Beit She'an, "Golden" Jerusalem
This morning, visit a factory where diamonds are cut and set in jewelry. Learn about the manufacturing process of this industry. Traveling south reach the impressive archaeological site of Beit She'an, an ancient city dating back to King Saul; see the remains of an ancient Roman city and the ongoing excavations. Continue via the Jordan Valley to the "golden city" of Jerusalem. The rest of the day is at leisure to discover the many facets of Jerusalem on your own. The afternoon optional tour of the New City begins with a drive via the Supreme Court building and the Knesset, Israel's Parliament, to the impressive Israel Museum. Here, view the Shrine of the Book, home of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the scale model of Jerusalem during the Second Temple period. Then, pay respects at Yad Vashem, Memorial to the Holocaust on the Mount of Remembrance. Later, the entertaining optional evening includes dinner at a popular restaurant followed by attendance at the spectacular Sound & Light Show at the Tower of David
Optional: New City of Jerusalem (PM)
Optional: Restaurant Dinner, Sound & Light Show & Illuminated Jerusalem (PM)
Overnight: Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 6, Friday - Jerusalem Old City Tour
Begin your exploration of Jerusalem at the walled Old City with its four distinct sections - the Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Armenian Quarters. Have a chance to see the famed Western Wall, then follow the steps along the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, one of the holiest sites in the Christian world. Pass through the narrow alleys and souks to Mt. Zion; visit the room of the Last Supper and the Tomb of King David. The remainder of the day is on your own to stroll through the picturesque lanes of the Old City or visit the exotic bazaars. Join the optional afternoon tour to Bethlehem that includes a visit to the Church of the Nativity, commemorating the birthplace of Christ. A stop for local olive wood handicrafts is included
Optional: Half Day Bethlehem (PM)
Overnight: Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 7, Saturday - Day in Jerusalem
Today is free to immerse yourself in this ancient city; walk through the city's colorful neighborhoods that reveal a diverse blend of traditional and modern cultures. Or, participate in the optional tour to Masada that begins with a drive along the shores of the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, to Masada. Ascend by cable car to the top of these heroic heights; listen to the brave tale of the Zealots who chose to perish rather than live under Roman rule. Visit the archaeological sites including the remains of Herod's Palace, a synagogue, bath houses, and dwellings. Pass through the Museum of Masada at the base, then stop at the Dead Sea for a swim in the salty and buoyant waters before returning to Jerusalem. Tonight, enjoy a reception and bid farewell to your Tour Manager
Optional: Full Day Masada and Dead Sea (AM)
Overnight: Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8, Sunday - Depart Israel, Travel to the Dead Sea, Bethany
After breakfast, depart Israel and travel towards the Dead Sea, Jordan. Transfer from your hotel in Jerusalem and arrive at the Allenby Bridge border. You will be escorted through the border crossing process and then met by your Jordanian Tour Manager. Visa for Jordan is required but arranged free of charge. Israel Departure tax of $50-$60 is required and payable locally.* Travel to your hotel in the Dead Sea area, the lowest point on earth. This afternoon, visit the village of Bethany, the site of Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist. This is also the area where the prophet Elijah ascended to heaven via a chariot of fire. The sites that make up Bethany were part of early Christian pilgrimages between Mt. Nebo and Jerusalem. Tonight, enjoy a drink and orientation meeting with your Tour Manager
*Please visit Visa and Entry Fee/ Departure taxes page here for more details
Overnight: Dead Sea
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 9, Monday - Kerak Castle, Little Petra, Arrive in Petra
After breakfast, travel to the city of Kerak, situated on the King's Way. The city is known for its Crusader Kerak Castle, dating back to the 12th century. Tour the imposing fort that consists of stone-vaulted halls and endless passageways. After lunch on your own, visit Little Petra, a smaller archaeological site located north of Petra. The site features temples, tombs and cisterns carved out of the rock as well as impressive frescoes from the Nabatean period. Then, continue to Petra and check into your hotel. Your evening is at leisure
Overnight: Petra
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 10, Tuesday - Day in Petra
Today, spend your day at leisure or, join the optional Petra tour. Enter the "rose red" city hand-sculpted from a mountain range by the Nabateans in the 3rd century BC. Begin your walk (or ride) through the "Siq", a winding canyon road. View Petra's most extraordinary monument - the towering Treasury building rising over 140 feet. Discover soaring temples, elaborate royal tombs, a theatre, and burial champers - all remnants of a once great Nabatean culture. In the afternoon perhaps join the optional Wadi Rum Jeep Safari. Ride in a 4x4 vehicle to explore Wadi Rum, with its looming rock faces and huge red sand dunes. Enjoy a breathtaking sunset over Wadi Rum before driving back to Petra
Optional: Petra Tour (AM)
Optional: Wadi Rum Jeep Safari (PM)
Overnight: Petra
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 11, Wednesday - Madaba and Mount Nebo
After breakfast, stop at Kerak Castle after departing Petra on the way to Amman. En route, visit the mosaic city of Madaba, where an ancient map of the Holy Land is set into the floor of Saint George's Church. Continue with a visit to Mount Nebo, the reputed burial site of Moses, overlooking the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. Afterward, arrive in Amman the capital of the Kingdom of Jordan. Often referred to as the "White City" because of the white stone used to build the houses, Amman is among the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world
Overnight: Amman
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 12, Thursday - Day in Amman
Spend your last day in Jordan at leisure or, join the optional tour to Jerash. Travel north of Amman to the city of Jerash, the best-preserved example of Roman civilization in Jordan. Jerash, was part of the Decapolis (the ten large Roman cities of the East) The city features theaters, churches, temples of Zeus and Artemis, a Nymphaeum and colonnaded street. In the afternoon you have the choice to attend an optional tour of Amman. Visit the Amman Citadel in the city center, followed by a trip to the Archaeological Museum. Continue to the Roman Amphitheater, one of the largest in the Middle East. Then, experience the heart of the city center by browsing in the downtown markets. Tonight, attend a reception and bid farewell to your Tour Manager
Optional: Half Day Jerash (AM)
Optional: Amman City Tour (PM)
Overnight: Amman
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 13, Friday - Depart Jordan
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast

Due to local events and holidays, the order of sightseeing may be changed. Details to be provided locally by the Tour Manager.