Highlights
- Take a tour of Petra, the ancient rock city
- Float in the Dead Sea, the saltiest and lowest point on earth
- Visit dozens of historical sites in the Holy City of Jerusalem
- Explore the archaeological ruins, monuments and churches around the Sea of Galilee
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Explore the Ancient Wonders of Petra | Petra |
| Day 2 | A Relaxing Day in the Dead Sea | The Dead Sea |
| Day 3 | Visit the Historical Sites of Bethlehem | Bethlehem |
| Day 4 | Wander Around the Old City of Jerusalem | Jerusalem |
| Day 5 | A Trip through History at the Sea of Galilee | Jerusalem |
| Day 6 | Depart Israel |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Explore the Ancient Wonders of Petra
Our driver will pick you up at 8:00AM from your hotel in Amman to take you to Petra for a day of exploration of one of the world's most stunning ancient sites.
A licensed tour guide will take you on a 2-3 hour tour, where you will learn about the various monuments of Petra and the history of the Nabatean civilization, which built this ancient city.
After the tour, you will have the chance to wander through Petra on your own and visit the Street of Facades or climb up to the High Place of Sacrifice.
Option:
If you're interested in a different experience of Petra, you can choose a Petra by Night tour, which happens every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 8:30PM.
If you're looking to immerse yourself more fully in Jordan's wonderful culture and cuisine, you can elect to have dinner at a local family home in Wadi Musa.
Day 2: A Relaxing Day in the Dead Sea
Enjoy a hearty breakfast before your driver takes you to the lowest point on earth: the Dead Sea! This lake is nearly ten times saltier than the ocean, making it one of the world's saltiest bodies of water.
The Dead Sea has long been renowned for its healing properties -- so much so that Herod the Great built his palace, Masada, above the Dead Sea in order to take advantage of its healing waters and mud.
Spend the day floating in the Dead Sea, enjoying a full-body mud treatment, or relaxing by the pool.
Overnight stay at the Dead Sea with dinner included.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 3: Visit the Historical Sites of Bethlehem
Take in a leisurely breakfast before your driver meets you at 10AM to take you to the King Hussein / Allenby Border to cross into Israel.
Your driver will meet you on the other side of the border to take you to Bethlehem, where you will visit a number of significant religious and historical sites. The first stop will be the Church of Nativity, built upon the site believed to be the birthplace of Jesus.
After the Church of Nativity, you will move on to the nearby Milk Grotto, a shrine with connections to Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus.
Finally, you will visit the Shepherd's Fields, a chapel marking the site where angels first announced the birth of Jesus.
Day 4: Wander Around the Old City of Jerusalem
A pre-arranged taxi driver will take you to the Mount of Olives this morning to start your day with an incredible panoramic view of Jerusalem. After taking in the sight of the city, you'll take a brief 20-minute walk back to the Lion's Gate to enter the old city, where you'll have the day to explore on your own.
Suggested activities include:
- Explore the ancient ruins of the Pool of Bethesda and the ancient Byzantine Church next to the Pool.
- Walk the processional route of the Via Dolorosa to see sites such as Ecce Homo, a 19th-century building and convent, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Christ is believed to have been crucified and buried.
- Visit the Christian, Armenian, Muslim and Jewish quarters, which make up the Old City of Jerusalem.
- Lay your hands on ancient limestone of the holy Western or "Wailing" Wall.
- See the Dome of the Rock, a 7th-century CE Islamic shrine, which houses the Foundation Stone, one of the most important relics of Judaism.
- In the evening, head into downtown Jerusalem to explore the Mahane Yehuda market area to try fantastic local dishes such as falafel, kebab and baklava.
Driving Time: 20 minutes
Driving Distance: 6 miles (10 km)
Day 5: A Trip through History at the Sea of Galilee
Today, a driver will take you to the Sea of Galilee, the second lowest lake in the world (after the Dead Sea), which is surrounded by several significant religious and historical sites.
The first stop is the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus is believed to have delivered the Sermon on the Mount. After exploring this site, you will go on to the fishing village of Capernaum, mentioned in the New Testament as the place where Jesus gathered the first of his disciples. Capernaum has several fascinating archaeological ruins to visit, including two synagogues and a Roman-period town.
Nearby is the area of Tabgha, where Jesus is believed to have performed the miracle of the seven loaves and fishes. You can visit the Church of the Multiplication here, where you can see a mosaic of the seven loaves and fishes, which marks the spot where Jesus is believed to have fed a crowd of thousands.
After spending this day journeying through the past, you will return to Jerusalem to spend the night.
Day 6: Depart Israel
It's time to say goodbye to the unforgettable sights, sounds, and tastes of Israel and Jordan! After breakfast, your driver will take you to the airport for your departing flight. We hope you'll return soon!
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