Tour Route
Day 1: Jerusalem - Old and New
This one day tour starts with a view of Jerusalem as seen from atop Mount Olives, looking down at the Old City and the Temple Mount. Mount Olives is also one of the oldest Jewish burial sites, over three hundred years old. We then descend and make our way along the Kidron Valley, offering a view of the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations, where according to sources Jesus and his followers prayed the night before his crucifixion. Along the Kidron Valley road we will get a view of the monumental burial tombs situated at the Mount’s feet.
We then proceed into the Old City entering from Mount Zion, past the Armenian Quarter walking along the ancient Byzantine Cardo dating back to the Roman era, with our final stop being the Western Wall (the Kotel). Leading to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre are the Stations of the Cross (Via Dolorosa) which we explore along the way to the church, the site of the crucifixion.
Before leaving the Old City we’ll enjoy a brief strolls in the bazaars located in the Christian and Muslim Quarters. Finish the tour with a short walking into the New City and a visit to Yad VaShem, the Holocaust museum.
Overnight stay:
Tel Aviv
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Day 2: Petra
Flight at 06:40 AM from Sde-Dov Airport (Tel Aviv) to Eilat Airport.
The tour starts with a pick-up from Eilat Airport at 7:40 AM. Our representatives will meet you at the Southern Border (the Arava border), assisting with visa requisition and passage through the border. To save time with the crossing, we will send your passport details to the border a day in advance so on the day we should be able to go straight through. You'll be accompanied the whole time by our staff and your tour guide will meet you on the other side. The native tour guide will sort out the border crossing and after collecting your visas we'll be on the road to Petra.
The tour takes place on a minibus and therefore spaces are limited. This ensures a smooth visit which lasts around 4-5 hours. First thing you'll be given is a bottle of mineral water – got to stay hydrated! The two hour drive to Petra takes us through Aqaba and the nature reserve of Wadi Rum, while your tour guide briefs you on Jordan's intricate history and culture. There will be a stop-off at a magnificent viewpoint, showcasing the red desert views, the inspiration for Lawrence of Arabia. A second viewpoint overlooks Wadi Musa, a town which means 'the valley of Moses', and in the background you'll see the shrine to Moses' brother Aaron, believed to be his grave site.
We'll start by making our way to Siq Canyon, either by walking with the guide or hiring a horse for $US 25. The road takes us through the Silica Quarries, the Jinn Blocks, and then finally the Obelisk Tomb. Once at the Siq we'll see the stone damm that was built to shield the city from floods, with its impressive primitive draining channels. Inside the Siq an archway is visible – once the grand entrance to the ancient city. The plumbing runs all the way through the Siq, reminding us how advanced the inhabitants of Petra were for their time.
It's always amazing to see the ancient carvings in the rock, paying homage to the various deities worshipped in the city. The end of the canyon is marked by Petra's most famous structure, the Treasury (the Khazneh), the perfect spot for a photo break! From here the tour continues down the Street of Facades to the Nabataean Theater. The Royal Tombs are an impressive site, and after that we'll walk down the Colonnade Street to see the Great Temple, assuming there is time of course. Then we'll return to the Siq entrance for a well-deserved lunch at a local restaurant in Wadi Mussa. After a delicious lunch we'll make our way back to Eilat Airport for your flight to Tel Aviv.
Flight back from Eilat to Tel Aviv Sde-Dov Airport at 08:55 PM.
Overnight stay:
Tel Aviv
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Day 3: Masada and Dead Sea
We’ll begin our tour descending to the Judean Desert via the Inn of the Good Samaritan. Moving forward we arrive at Masada and then ascent by cable car to tour the remains of the Herodian Fortress, built by King Herod two thousand years ago. Touring the sites, we’ll revisit its history and heritage, relating to the up rise of the Jewish Zealots against their Roman overlords.
We then leave Massada and head towards The Dead Sea, one of the most toured sites in Israel by tourists and locals alike. On shore you could enjoy a mud bath bearing many therapeutic. Dipping in the sea itself is also highly recommended, experiencing the Dead Sea’s unique attributes, allowing for extreme ease of floating and effortless swimming. On our way back we’ll get a view of the Ein Gedi oasis, the Qumran caves where the famous Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered and the ancient city of Jericho, the oldest city in existence with settlements dating back to 9000 BCE.
Additional Information
The tour includes:
- Two nights' accommodation on Bed & Breakfast basis. Click here for Hotel Class & Prices.
- Three touring days as per itinerary, with English speaking guide.
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off service.
- Transport by air-conditioned van/bus.
- Entrance fees.
- Flights from Tel Aviv to Eilat and back.
The tour does not include:
- Lunch, dinner, drinks.
- Transfer from Tel Aviv to Dov airport (for Petra tour)
Notes:
- The order of the days and sleeping arrangements might be replaced due to lack of availability.
- Single supplement is required according to Hotel Class & Prices.
- High season supplement is required according to Hotel Class & Prices.
- A moderate dress code is required to enter the holy places. Knees and shoulder must be covered.
- Confirmation will be received 24 hours post booking.