Road to Jerusalem - 11 days

Road to Jerusalem - 11 days

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Road to Jerusalem - 11 days

11 Days Starting in Amman and ending in Tel Aviv

Visiting: Amman, Mt Nebo & Umm ar Rasas, Petra, Wadi Rum, Shobak Castle, Wadi Mujib canyoning & the Dead Sea, Dead Sea, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Haifa, Tel Aviv

Tour operator:

On The Go Tours

Tour code:

542/RTI

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

2 - 24

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

18 years or 16 years with an accompanying adult

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians, Please contact On The Go Tours with specific dietary requests

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Small Group

Interests:

Cultural

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

Combine Jordan and Israel on one unforgettable trip. Discover the wonders of Petra, camp out in Wadi Rum and float like a cork in the Dead Sea before crossing the border into Israel. Take in the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem and the oldest church in the world in Bethlehem before travelling down the Mediterranean Coast to Tel Aviv.

Highlights

  • Amman - Start your adventure in the Jordanian capital, with time to explore independently and an included visit to the Citadel

  • Petra - Spend two days exploring this legendary ancient city, including a walk through the Siq and visits to the Treasury and Monastery

  • Wadi Rum - Journey into the red desert on an SUV safari, and spend a night camping under the stars at our comfortable Rainbow Camp

  • Dead Sea - Unwind at the shore of the sea with a free day to float in the salty, therapeutic waters and slap on some rejuvenating mud

  • Jerash - Explore this historic Graeco-Roman city, home to some of the best-preserved Roman ruins in the Middle East

  • Jerusalem - Discover the historic Old City, taking in sites including the Wailing Wall, Mount of Olives, and Church of the Holy Sepulchre

  • Bethlehem - Visit Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity - reportedly the birthplace of Jesus and the oldest church in the world

  • Caesarea - See some of the important Roman and Crusader-era ruins which dot the seafront

  • Tel Aviv - End your journey in this vibrant Israeli city, and opt to extend your stay to make the most of the city's shopping, nightlife and beaches

Itinerary

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Day 1: Amman

Location: Amman

Saturday. Welcome to Jordan and the start of an amazing adventure. Arrive in Amman and enjoy an included transfer to our hotel. The remainder of today is at your leisure to independent explore or simply relax.

Day 2: Amman

Location: Amman

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Amman - Jerash - Umm Qais - Amman. Heading north, we visit Jerash, the Graeco-Roman city known as the ‘Pompeii of the East’. Built over 2,000 years ago, Jerash is widely regarded as the best-preserved city of the Decapolis, a confederation of 10 Roman cities dating from the 1st century! We explore the site taking in the colonnaded street, amphitheatre, nymphaeum, forum and more, before continuing to Umm Qais (Gadara), a dramatic black-basalt Roman city of the Decapolis with panoramic views over the Sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights. Tonight, we head out for a meal and a stroll along Amman's famed Rainbow Street.

Day 3: Mt Nebo & Umm Ar Rasas

Location: Mt Nebo & Umm ar Rasas

Meals Included: Breakfast

Amman - Madaba - Mount Nebo - Umm ar Rasas - Petra. Today we tour the citadel and Archaeological Museum of Amman before we take a walk through the bustling local souk to enjoy typical Jordanian street treats of falafel and hummus at the country’s most popular local street stand. As the pictures on the wall will prove, the unglamorous food stand was a great favourite of the late King Hussein.





Leaving Amman, we stop first at Mt. Nebo, the site from which Moses saw the Promised Land. Having led the Israelites for 40 years through the wilderness, Moses finally saw them from this awesome vantage point. This amazing panorama includes the Jordan River Valley, the Dead Sea, Jericho and the spires and domes of the Mt. of Olives and Bethlehem on the Judean hills just across the wide valley. Later, we visit Madaba en route to Petra where we see the Church of St George, the Madaba Archaeological Park, Apostles Church and Madaba Museum.





Our next port of call is Um ar-Rasas, one of Jordan’s World Heritage sites and once an important stop on the busy caravan routes. The impressive mosaic floor of the St. Stephen Church features medallions commemorating all the early Christian pilgrimage sites of the region, and the extensive ruins also include one of the area’s earliest Stylite towers, where a Byzantine hermit lived atop the tower and preached to the pilgrimage visitors.





Our final stop of the day is Petra. Consider doing the Petra by Night excursion (approx. USD$25 payable locally) for a tantalizing candlelight stroll through Petra’s Siq…. a romantic preview of things to come.

Day 4: Petra

Location: Petra

Meals Included: Breakfast

Chief among Jordan’s many archaeological riches is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Rose City of Petra. The city was first settled around 6th century BC by the Nabataean tribe from Western Arabia. Rediscovered in 1812, it remains on the list of many travellers bucket lists. We access the hidden archaeological treasures of the Rose City on our walk through a narrow, deep siq, where the rocks finally give way to reveal the famous facade of Al-Khazneh (The Treasury). Continuing our walk, we go on to explore parts of this fantastic once-lost city which is full of tombs, temples, an impressive amphitheatre and a Roman colonnaded street. The intrepid, can ascend the hundreds of rock-cut steps to Ad-Deir, better known as the Monastery. Ad-Deir has a similar facade to that of the Treasury, but is far bigger and the views from the nearby cliff-tops are breathtaking.





Want to learn how to cook Middle Eastern food? Consider our Petra Kitchen Add-on tonight!

Day 5: Wadi Rum

Location: Wadi Rum

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Petra - Wadi Rum. A chance to revisit Petra before our afternoon drive to Wadi Rum. A vast, silent landscape of ancient riverbeds, pastel coloured stretches of sandy desert and amazing rock formations known as jebels that rise from the desert floor, the desertscape of Wadi Rum represents some of the most stunning countryside on the planet. Boarding our 4x4 jeep, we take a safari through the sand dunes, getting up close and personal to the surrounding scenery of Wadi Rum. Tonight, we enjoy a Jordanian dinner and bed down in private cabins for the night.

Day 6: Shobak Castle, Wadi Mujib Canyoning & The Dead Sea

Location: Shobak Castle, Wadi Mujib canyoning & the Dead Sea

Meals Included: Breakfast

Wadi Rum - Shobak – Wadi Mujib - Dead Sea. After breakfast at our campsite, we head north along the Desert Highway to visit Shobak Castle, which is perched dramatically on a hill top and was built by the Crusader king Baldwin I in 1115. After exploring the castle we descend some 1300 meters to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on the earth’s surface. More than 400 meters below sea level, the mineral-rich Dead Sea is the world’s original health and beauty spa. Drift out and bob in the waters and slap on some of the famous black Dead Sea mud to give your skin an invigorating boost.





For departures between April and October we head up the King’s Highway to Wadi Mujib and embark on a moderate–paced two hour trek along the Siq Trail. Measuring 500 metres in depth and spanning 4kms across, the impressive Wadi Mujib is one of Jordan’s most remarkable natural landscapes. This dramatic canyon features sheer rocky walls and sparkling waterways that range from puddle height to depths that are perfect for swimming (chest height or deeper) depending on the rainfall. When the water level is high you should be prepared for having to climb up ladders, clamber across boulders and be happy to wade through water. The canyon is just one feature of the Mujib Biosphere Reserve, the lowest nature reserve in the world, home to a surprising diversity of wildlife and plant species. For those not interested in taking the full hike, you can walk part of it or wait by the Visitor Centre until the group returns. After our trek we make our way to the Dead Sea.

Day 7: Dead Sea

Location: Dead Sea

Meals Included: Breakfast

The lowest point on the earth's surface at more than 400m below sea level, the Dead sea is a natural phenomenon and high on most travellers must experience lists. Lucky for us, we have a whole day to spend here, whiling away the time bobbing in its mineral-rich buoyant waters and lathering up with a detoxifying mud bath. Later today, there is an optional visit to the Ma'in hot springs - a series of waterfalls and hot springs, and a sacred baptism site where Jesus Christ is thought to have been baptised (payable locally).

Day 8: Jerusalem

Location: Jerusalem

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Dead Sea – Jerusalem (West Bank). This morning you are picked up at 9:00am and transferred to the Jordanian border, where after immigration formalities you travel by a border public shuttle bus between the borders, into Israel. Here you are met by a driver and escorted to your hotel in Jerusalem. This afternoon and evening offers free time. Today is the Sabbath, which offers good opportunity to explore the World Heritage Listed city on foot without the usual crowds.

Day 9: Bethlehem

Location: Bethlehem

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today, we enjoy a guided tour of Jerusalem and Bethlehem in the West Bank. Our first stop is the holy Mount of Olives where there are amazing panoramic views of the old city. We take a walking tour of the atmospheric old city; wander through the Armenian and Jewish quarters to the Cardo (ancient Roman road). We continue, through the old City and the Christian Quarter, visiting the famous Wailing Wall - a place of constant prayer and one of the most revered Hebrew sites. Retrace the final laboured steps of Jesus, burdened under the weight of the cross, along the Via Dolorosa to the hallowed Church of the Sepulchre; the site of the crucifixion, Jesus’ tomb and the resurrection.





A short drive from Jerusalem is Bethlehem – the birthplace of Jesus, where we visit Manger Square and the Church of Nativity, which is reputed to be the oldest Church in the world and the site where Jesus was born. Spend the evening at leisure in Jerusalem.

Day 10: Haifa

Location: Haifa

Meals Included: Breakfast

Jerusalem – Caesarea – Jaffa – Tel Aviv. We bid farewell to Jerusalem today and travelling down the coast, we stop in the historic city of Caesarea where Roman and Crusader-era ruins are strewn along the sea front. Continuing south, we reach Jaffa, an ancient port where we enjoy a walking tour of the picturesque, fortified town and marvel at the hilltop views. Then, it's just a short drive to the vibrant, modern and cosmopolitan city of Tel Aviv, where we spend our final night. Dubbed "the city that never sleeps" Tel Aviv is renowned for its hedonistic nightlife and the city also has a plethora of trendy bistros, high-end restaurants and delicious street food stalls to choose from.

Day 11: Tel Aviv

Location: Tel Aviv

Meals Included: Breakfast

Tuesday. Our tour ends today with an included transfer from Tel Aviv to Ben Gurion Airport at any time of day.





There's so much to see and do in Tel Aviv that we highly recommend extending your stay to enjoy its beautiful beaches, art galleries and markets, including the popular Nachiket Benjamin market, which is only open on Tuesdays. We can arrange post tour accommodation, please enquire.

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    4 star hotels & 1 night deluxe desert camp in Wadi Rum

  • Breakfast daily and 4 dinners

  • 9 nights 4 star hotels

  • 1 night Wadi Rum desert camp - en suite tents with beds and bedding

  • Wadi Rum - 4x4 desert safari through the sand dunes

  • Dead Sea - Free time to swim and detox

  • Touring in Jordan - Amman, Jerash, Dead Sea, Petra, Wadi Rum, Shobak, Umm ar-Rasas, Mt Nebo and Madaba

  • Touring in Israel - Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Caesarea and Jaffa

  • Escorted by licensed Jordanian and Israel guides and some English speaking specialist guides at some local sights

  • Airport arrival and departure transfer day 1 and day 11

  • All relevant transfers and transportation in private modern air-conditioned vehicles

What's Not Included

  • International flights and visas (see Trip Notes for further information about visas)

  • Tip for your tour guides in Jordan and Israel. We recommend you allow USD$5-7 per day, per traveller. Tipping your tour guides is an entirely personal gesture

  • Entrance Fees: USD$140-160pp, paid in local currency

Age Policy

18 years or 15 years with an accompanying adult

Check out our Q&As

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?

    9 nights 4 star hotels

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    Airport arrival and departure transfer day 1 and day 11

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 1998

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

Reviews from travellers on this tour

Jennifer Christiansen  

Road to Jerusalem - 11 days

17-Jun-2023

We feel so fortunate to have had Hameed/AJ as our tour guide in Jordan. His communication skills as well as his passion for people were outstanding! He went above and beyond to make sure that we were safe and happy with things, looking out for our best interest. He did a great job creating a fun “family environment” with us all. It truly was the trip of a lifetime! I am in awe of the kindness/welcoming spirit of the Jordanian people! I would highly recommend this tour- but would also add that to experience all of the highlights of the trip- one should be physically fit! Hameed made this trip extraordinary! A Five Star tour guide!🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Warren Dixon  

Road to Jerusalem - 11 days

19-Jun-2023

Great tour , good pace , great guide, good history and local knowledge. 18 people on the tour was the right number . 13 in Israel was great. Having the same people in Israel part was a relief.

Dipankar Choudhuri  

Road to Jerusalem - 11 days

03-Dec-2018

Fantastic trip. No problem from start to finish. Thank you for conducting such a lovely tour. wish you all very best.

Elaine Penn  

Road to Jerusalem - 11 days

24-Oct-2018

Trip was very good and I enjoyed the very busy itinerary. Both guides were excellent and I was also lucky to have a very friendly and outgoing group. My only slight disappointment with this trip was that the time in Israel was very short. In Jordan I enjoyed Petra and felt we did as much there as I wanted - Petra by night, the climb to the monastery and the hike to the viewpoint. Wadi Rum was great too and all the stops on the way to the camp were fun. More like glamping though. I was expecting a sleeping bag on the ground so much more comfortable than that! The day at the Dead Sea was very relaxing and just what was needed after the canyon hike! Israel was good in that I saw a lot of the places I wanted to see.

Anne Brown  

Road to Jerusalem - 11 days

01-May-2017

We have had the most fantastic time . Met new and interesting people , been to exciting places ,hiked in Petra and slept in the desert . Both guides were well balanced and with great neutrality, taught us about the countries we were in and gave us an insight not portrayed by the media and politicians .

Ryan Briffa  

Road to Jerusalem - 11 days

20-Dec-2017

Tour guide was great....very informative!! He had a good knowledge about the history of the counrty.

Ann Clydsdale  

Road to Jerusalem - 11 days

09-May-2018

The tour was a good mix of adventure (hiking in Petra, Wadi Rum and Wadi Mujib) and history. Our guide and driver were terrific--very knowledgeable,caring and skillful, respectively. However, the organisation left something to be desired. There were itinerary changes - Shobak vs Karak castle, hotel changes, and the optional tours to the Baptismal site and the Ma'in hot springs. It was also not a good idea to land us in Jerusalem on Shabat. There were no money exchanges open and it was difficult to find an ATM. However, the hotels were of an excellent standard, as were their staff. I, personally prefer a tour which is all -inclusive, with everything except tips included. It is also misleading to call it an 11 day tour when it is really only 9. However, I thoroughly enjoyed myself and would go back to Jordan tomorrow.

Lesley Goldsworthy  

Road to Jerusalem - 11 days

12-Aug-2014

Overall very happy with this tour, there is time to relax and very interesting sightseeing. The guide was excellent too.

Frank Mayes  

Road to Jerusalem - 11 days

09-May-2024

The visit to Jordan was ..more enjoyable than the visit to Israel. Our guide who he told us to call him AJ... was much the reason that we enjoyed the Jordan visit so much. He was very knowledgeable about the history of Jordan, about the Roman occupation of Jordan and the Christian Histories of Jordan. He was proud of his country and shared his love of his country with us. It was mostly because of AJ that the visit to jordan was the best part of the tour. The visit to Israel was ok... we stopped at the required stops... he made sure we stopped at some wood carving spot in Bethlehem and we spent a long time there. Everywhere else... all the guides wanted to do is get it over with and leave us to manage ourselves. I say Guides... because we had two. Neither of the guides was interesting, and they made no effort to befriend or show any kindness us as individuals. Again... all the two guides we had wanted was to get it over with and get away.. back where ever they had come from. So if I judged the two area visits , I would definitely give the visit to Jordan a 10. The visit to Israel a 4...simply because of the "Lackluster" guides we were stuck with.

Tracy Kutsenkow  

Road to Jerusalem - 11 days

28-May-2024

We found the Jordan part of the trip to be interesting, educational and fun. At one point I lost my purse in the middle of Wadi Rum and it was found and delivered by a group of young men. Amazing. The guide was phenomenal. The Israel part of the trip not so much. The guide was gruff, uncommunicative and difficult to understand. He spent all our time showing us bogus sites of religious value (we did not need to see All the stations of the cross). He gave alot of miss-information and would argue with our group when we disagreed. We were very disappointed not to have seen more of Israel.

Read all 15 reviews

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