16 Day Classic Israel & Jordan

DAY 1, Thursday - Depart for Israel
Depart for Israel

DAY 2, Friday - Arrive in Tel Aviv and transfer to Jerusalem
Arrive in Tel Aviv and transfer to your hotel in Jerusalem. Your tour will begin with an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 7 PM, followed by a light dinner. We recommend that you select flights which arrive no later than 5 PM
Overnight: Jerusalem
Meals: Dinner

DAY 3, Saturday - Jerusalem Old City Tour
Begin your walking tour of Jerusalem at the walled Old City with its four distinct sections; the Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Armenian Quarters. At Mt. Zion, visit the Room of the Last Supper and the traditional tomb of King David. Ascend Mt. Scopus for panoramic views of the city. From here, on to Tower of David Museum, guarding the Jaffa Gate entrance to the Old City. Stroll along Via Dolorosa through narrow alleys and souks to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. After time on your own, continue to the Western Wall, the only remaining remnant of the Second Temple. Enjoy dinner this evening at a local restaurant
Overnight: Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 4, Sunday - Jewish Quarter Tour
This morning, return to the Old City and tour the Jewish Quarter. Visit the Western Wall tunnels, followed by the excavation of the Southern Wall of the Temple Mount at the Davidson Archaeological Center. From here, walk through the Cardo, the ancient Roman market street. End the tour with a quick stop at the remains of the Broad Wall, an ancient defensive wall. The remainder of the day is at leisure or, join the optional Bethlehem tour to visit the Church of the Nativity, commemorating the birthplace of Jesus Christ
Optional: Half Day Bethlehem (PM)
Overnight: Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 5, Monday - Jerusalem New City Tour
Today, embark on a morning tour of Jerusalem's New City, beginning at the Israel Museum. While here, visit the Shrine of the Book where the famous Dead Sea Scrolls are kept. See the replica of Jerusalem, built in a 1:50 scale. The model depicts the city as it was in the late Second Temple period. Continue to the Mount Herzl Military Cemetery, and part of the greater national cemetery. End the tour with a visit to the site of Israel's Holocaust Memorial, Yad Vashem, located on the western slope of Mt. Herzl, also known as the "Mount of Remembrance." Spend the balance of the day at leisure. This afternoon, join the optional tour to the Herodian Mansions and the Burnt House in the Old City. Tonight, attend the optional Illuminated Jerusalem, Dinner & Sound & Light Show
Optional: Half Day Jerusalem Herodian Mansions & Burnt House (PM)
Optional: Illuminated Jerusalem with Dinner (PM)
Overnight: Jerusalem
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 6, Tuesday - Masada en Route to the Dead Sea
Today, travel to the desert mesa of Masada overlooking the Dead Sea. Ascend to the top by cable car to visit the archaeological site of Roman and Byzantine ruins. Excavations of the site have uncovered structures not only of Herod's Palace and a Byzantine church but also a swimming pool, a synagogue, and mosaics. At the bottom of the hill, visit the Museum of Masada that contains artifacts discovered from the mountain and the surrounding area. Arrive at the Dead Sea this afternoon, with leisure time before dinner at the hotel this evening
Overnight: Dead Sea
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 7, Wednesday - Jordan Valley, Beit She'an en Route to Galilee
This morning travel into northern Israel through the Jordan River Valley passing Qumran, the archaeological site near the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Afterwards, stop at Beit Alpha. Visit the mosaic floor of the ancient synagogue depicting lunar Hebrew moons and their corresponding zodiac signs. After a short lunch break on your own, visit the ruins of the Roman theater in the archaeological site of Beit She'an. From here continue to Yardenit, a popular baptismal site on the Jordan River before a stop in Caprice, famous for the diamond factory. Dinner is at the hotel this evening
Overnight: Galilee Region
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 8, Thursday - Day in Galilee
Enjoy a full day at leisure in this region with a deep religious heritage to the west of the Sea of Galilee. The region offers much to do in nearby towns and cities, such as Tiberias, or venture out on the Sea itself to get a glimpse of the natural beauty of the area before dinner this evening. Participate in the optional full day tour to Upper Galilee & Golan Heights with lunch to understand more about the area
Optional: Full Day Upper Galilee & Golan Heights with lunch (AM)
Overnight: Galilee Region
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 9, Friday - Nazareth, Haifa, Caesarea en Route to Tel Aviv
Head towards the Mediterranean Sea this morning through the Galilean hills to Nazareth. Visit the Church of the Annunciation. Continue to Haifa to view the Baha'i Gardens incorporating nineteen distinct terraces in the heart of the city. Follow the Mediterranean coast, stopping in the ancient harbor of Caesarea to see its Roman, Byzantine and Crusader ruins and the theater. Watch history come alive with a multi-media presentation at the visitor center. Drive south along the coastal highway to Tel Aviv for dinner and overnight
Overnight: Tel Aviv
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 10, Saturday - Day in Tel Aviv
Today, spend a full day at leisure to explore the coastal city of Tel Aviv independently. Take time to admire some of the city's Bauhaus buildings, wander along the beach promenade and the Jaffa Port with its Arab heritage. Perhaps, visit some contemporary art galleries, artisan boutiques and the dynamic Sarona Market complex, heart of Israel's culinary art scene. Tonight, enjoy dinner together
Overnight: Tel Aviv
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 11, Sunday - Travel to the Dead Sea (Jordan)
The journey to Jordan begins at the Allenby Bridge border crossing where you'll be escorted through formalities and met by your Jordanian Tour Manager. Visa for Jordan is required but arranged free of charge. Israel Departure tax of $50-$60 is payable locally.* Attend an orientation meeting with your Jordanian Tour Manager. Later, choose to take part in the optional tour to Bethany, the site of Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist. Afterward, travel to your hotel at the Jordanian Dead Sea. Here, you can float in buoyant, salty waters at the lowest spot on earth
*Please visit Visa and Entry Fee/ Departure taxes page for more details
Optional: Half Day Bethany
Overnight: Dead Sea
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 12, Monday - Mount Nebo, Madaba, Shobak Castle
Today, drive towards Petra. En route, travel to Mount Nebo, the reputed burial site of Moses, overlooking the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. Continue to the mosaic city of Madaba, where an ancient map of the Holy Land is set into the floor of Saint George's Church. Afterward, stop at Moses Springs and visit a mosaic school and workshop. After lunch in Madaba, proceed to Shobak Castle. The ruins of this Crusader castle are located just east of Arabah. Arrive in Petra for overnight
Overnight: Petra
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 13, Tuesday - Petra City Tour
This morning explore Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enter the "rose red" city hand-sculpted from a mountain range by the Nabateans in the 3rd century BC. Begin your walk through the "Siq", a winding canyon road. At the end, you'll gaze at the towering Treasury building rising over 140 feet. Beyond, discover soaring temples, elaborate royal tombs, a theater, burial chambers and water channels - all remnants of a once great Nabatean culture. After lunch, there will be time on your own to further explore Petra before returning to the hotel
Overnight: Petra
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 14, Wednesday - Wadi Rum Desert, Travel to Amman
Morning departure to Wadi Rum, a desert terrain of ancient river beds, wind-sculpted mountains, and pastel-colored sands. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, served as inspiration and site of the filming for T.E. Lawrence's novel, Lawrence of Arabia. Ride in a 4x4 vehicle to explore the valley, with its looming rock faces. Cross the huge red sand dunes and the eroded pillars of sandstone rock known as "The Seven Pillars". Then, savor lunch in an authentic Bedouin tent where you'll be introduced to "Zarb" -a selection of foods cooked in an oven with hot coals beneath the desert floor. Afterward, travel back to Amman
Overnight: Amman
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 15, Thursday - Jerash, Amman City Tour
Today, embark on a tour to the city of Jerash, part of the Decapolis (the ten large Roman cities of the East) has been called the Pompeii of the East for its unique state of preservation. The city features theaters, churches, temples of Zeus and Artemis, a Nymphaeum and colonnaded street. Next, proceed to a city tour of Amman, often referred to as the "White City" because of the white stone used to build the houses. The tour will take you to the museums Roman Amphitheater and the ancient Citadel. Later this evening, during dinner, bid farewell to your Tour Manager
Overnight: Amman
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 16, Friday - Depart Jordan
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast