Jordan & Israel Explorer
Trip Length |
Trip Code |
| 12 days | PGJI |
Minimum Passengers |
|
| 6 people | |
Maximum Passengers |
|
| 15 people | |
Countries Visited |
|
| Israel, Jordan | |
Start City |
End City |
| Amman | Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv, Israel |
To explore the ancient lands of Jordan and Israel is to come face to face with the various epochs of history that have made us who we are. The Jordanian capital, Amman, was previously known as Philadelphia and its Roman theatre reminds us of the glories of that great empire. Mysterious Petra appears out of nowhere – a remarkable rose-coloured city hewn from the sandstone cliffs by the Nabataean people and now regarded as one of the ‘New Seven Wonders of the World’. The desert at Wadi Rum resonates to the exploits of T.E. Lawrence, more popularly known as Lawrence of Arabia. Then, there is Jerusalem – one of history’s great cities and a holy site for many of the world’s religions. From the Wailing Wall to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and from the Temple Mount to the narrow streets of the Old City, there are few cities in the world that are more evocative, exciting and still have meaning to so many people. Our adventure ends in Tel Aviv after a visit to Nazareth and the beautiful Sea of Galilee.
Day to Day Itinerary
Day 1: Amman
Accommodation: Golden Palace Hotel or similar, Amman
On arrival at Amman's Queen Alia International Airport, you are met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. This is simply an arrival day so you may arrive in Amman at any time. Note that hotel rooms are generally only available after midday. The balance of the day is free to explore your surroundings, but normally a Welcome Meeting is held in the evening where you meet your tour leader and fellow travellers.
Day 2: Aqaba
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Accommodation: My Hotel or similar, Aqaba
After breakfast you are transferred to the bus station for the JETT bus direct to Aqaba. This is a very efficient service and the journey takes around four hours. On arrival you are met and transferred to your hotel and the rest of the day is free for you to explore the town and port. In the evening you meet your tour leader along with any group members arriving from Egypt.
Day 3: Aqaba - Wadi Rum
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner
Accommodation: Camping
With our guide we enjoy a brief orientation of Aqaba. We can visit the old castle (time permitting) before driving to Wadi Rum. After time for lunch we head into the protected area in rather rickety old jeeps, operated by the local Bedouin community. This is an attempt by the Jordanian Government to bring much-needed income into this region - an initiative we also support. We visit several interesting rock formations and enjoy the spectacular desert landscapes for which Wadi Rum is deservedly renowned.
Day 4: Wadi Rum - Petra
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner
Accommodation: Amra Palace Hotel, Petra
It's well worth rising early and watching the cliffs change colour as the sun comes up. We enjoy a walk in the morning (the length of the walk will depend on how energetic we are feeling) and scaling one of the large dunes to enjoy sensational views of the surrounding area. Keen photographers will be delighted! We then take 4WDs from our camp back to the main entrance. The visitor's centre is also a great spot to buy some jewellery and knick-knacks, mostly made by a women's co-operative which is aimed at supporting traditional local industries. We then continue our journey to Petra. On arrival there is time in the afternoon to check out the town, withdraw or change money and just relax…ready for a big day of exploring Petra tomorrow. .
Day 5: Petra
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner
Accommodation: Amra Palace Hotel, Petra
A regular and fully justified contender for the '8th Wonder of the World' title, the iconic Petra view – the Treasury's glorious façade, glimpsed from the narrow cleft known as the Siq – is arguably the single most striking sight of the entire region. The first sight of the exquisite craftsmanship among such stark scenery is a moment that both manage to be eagerly anticipated and also be still an unlikely and almost surreal surprise. Petra's greatest surprise, however, is its size. With our guide we explore the old Roman road, amphitheatre and several old tombs. We also climb up to the Monastery – the site's second beautiful façade – from where we have a magnificent view of the entire site. This is a memorable day exploring a truly extraordinary destination and sure to be one of the highlights of our trip. There is a cafeteria on the site, where we can enjoy a light lunch. In the mid-afternoon we return to our hotel and our tour leader will try hard to persuade us to take a Turkish bath! It's perfect timing after a day exploring Petra, as well as being his a great experience - Petra is an excellent – and safe - place to try this tradition of the region. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 6: Shobak - Dana - Madaba - Amman
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Accommodation: Golden Palace Hotel or similar, Amman
This morning we drive along the King's Highway, a road that dates back to beyond the time of the Old Testament. We reach Shobak Castle, originally built to protect the eastern flank of the Latin Kingdom and its trade routes to the sea before it fell to Saladin in 1189. We enjoy a walk through the site and continue to the ancient village at Dana, where local artisans sell attractive silver jewellery and charms. We then reach Madaba, where we visit the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George that houses an ancient mosaic map. This is of particular interest as it clearly depicts Palestine and Lower Egypt around 550 AD. We expect to arrive in Amman in the late afternoon, where in the evening we can try one of its several fine restaurants. (Please note that Kerak Castle is not included in your tour, as it is often very congested and busy. However, if there is sufficient interest among members of the group, your leader can also arrange an optional visit to Kerak Castle. Many travellers however prefer to spend extra time in Amman.)
Day 7: Jerash - Dead Sea - Amman
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch
Accommodation: Golden Palace Hotel or similar, Amman
The Roman city of Jerash is in a fine state of preservation. Founded in the time of Alexander the Great, it had become a centre of considerable importance by the 3rd century AD. Today it is one of the grandest ancient cities in the world with an imposing collection of archways, theatres, baths, public buildings and colonnaded streets. We visit the site in the morning and later drive down to the Dead Sea. The afternoon is at leisure to experience the warm waters, which have an unusually high saline content, or to relax on the shore. We return to Amman for the night.
Day 8: Bethlehem - Jerusalem
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Accommodation: National Hotel or similar, Jerusalem
Today is an early start as we leave Amman and head for Israel, crossing into the country over the King Hussein/Allenby Bridge some 40 kilometres from Amman. It is important that you read the notes below regarding this border crossing. Once we have cleared Immigration and Customs, we are met by our driver and given a quick tour of Jericho – considered by some to be the oldest, longest inhabited city in the world - before being transferred to Jerusalem. In the afternoon we make the short journey south to Bethlehem, where we make our pilgrimage to Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity, built over the site that marks it as the traditionally-accepted birthplace of Jesus Christ and a sacred place for both Christians and Muslims. From the impressive Constantine mosaics to the colonnaded ancient basilica and the small grotto that marks Jesus' birthplace, visiting the church is a humbling, powerful experience. Afterwards we drive to Beit Sahour to visit one of the most sacred places for Christians, the Shepherds' Field, identified in the New Testament as the site where the Angel of the Lord visited the shepherds and informed them of Jesus' impending birth. At the end of a long day we return to Jerusalem.
Day 9: Jerusalem
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Accommodation: National Hotel or similar, Jerusalem
Jerusalem has one of the great urban skylines – the serried buildings and ancient ramparts of the Old City, the churches adorning the Mount of Olives and the iconic gold of the Dome of the Rock. We start the day with a short drive to the Mount of Olives to take in a panoramic view of the city's extraordinary ensemble before driving to the Garden of Gethsemane. From there we walk to St Stephen’s Gate through which we enter the Old City. We visit the 'Cardo' in the recently restored Jewish Quarter, which was the old north-south axis in Roman times, then the Western (Wailing) Wall, the Via Dolorosa (Stations of the Cross) and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. When entry is permitted we also visit the Temple Mount, the Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa Mosque. After lunch (not included), our tour continues with a short drive to Yad Vashem (Israel's memorial to the Holocaust). Please note that Yad Vashem is closed on public holidays, so on those days we visit Mount Zion, the Cenacle and the Dormition Abbey instead.
Day 10: Nazareth - Sea of Galilee - Tiberias
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner
Accommodation: Kibbutz En Gev or similar, Tiberias
This morning we drive through the Jordan Valley, whose fertile lands were chronicled in the Bible, to Nazareth. There we visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, which incorporates, according to Roman Catholic tradition, the cave in which Mary received the news from Gabriel that she would give birth to Jesus. Passing through Tiberias, one of Judaism's four holy cities, we sail across the Sea of Galilee to Tabgha, where Jesus performed the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. We return to Tiberias to visit Yardenit - the new commemorative site of Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River - and stop off at the site of the ancient settlement of Capernaum situated on the banks of the Kinneret, where Jesus once lived and Peter's house still stands. The day ends in Tiberias where we overnight in a hotel on a kibbutz.
Day 11: Tiberias - Haifa - Caesarea - Tel Aviv
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Accommodation: Metropolitan Hotel or similar, Tel Aviv
We leave Tiberias and head north to the ancient crusader port of Acre, a World Heritage-listed site and a place alive with an eventful history from the crusades and through the Napoleonic battles to the present day. We visit the massive complex of buildings occupied by the Knights of St John as well as the Knight Templars' secret tunnel. We then head down the coast to Haifa where we visit the spectacular Baha'i Gardens. The perfectly manicured gardens are one of the holy places for the Baha'i faith, one of the world's youngest religions. After lunch, we arrive at Caesarea which served as the capital of Israel during the Roman and Byzantine eras and which nowadays holds some of the country's finest classical remains, including an aqueduct and a graceful theatre which overlooks the Mediterranean. Afterwards, we arrive in Tel Aviv where we spend our last night in Israel's liveliest city. With its lively cafe culture and relaxed beach scene, Tel Aviv makes for the perfect end point to our adventure.
Day 12: Tel Aviv
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Accommodation: Metropolitan Hotel or similar, Tel Aviv
Your trip ends today after breakfast. Check-out time is usually around 12 noon and you are free to leave at any time. If you have arranged a private airport transfer you will be advised of the pick-up time. Additional accommodation can be pre-booked if you wish to spend more time exploring Tel Aviv.
Your Trip
What's Included
• The services of Peregrine’s expert English-speaking local tour leader in both countries, and professional local guides at some sites.
• Sightseeing (including entrance fees where applicable): Aqaba; Shobak Castle; Dana ancient village; Madaba; Roman city of Jerash; Bethlehem; the Shepherds' Field; Jerusalem; Garden of Gethsemane; Beit Shean; Yardenit - commemorative site of Jesus' baptism; Nazareth; Tabgha; ancient settlement site of Capernaum; Golan Heights and a Druze village; ancient crusader port of Acre; and Caesara.
• Full day exploring Petra’s old Roman road, amphitheatre, tombs and the ‘Monastery’.
• Exploration of the Wadi Rum including a camel ride to a traditional Bedouin tented camp for an overnight stay (mattresses and blankets provided).
• Sailing excursion on the Sea of Galilee.
• Overnight stay in a hotel on a Kibbutz in Tiberias.
• Time to relax at the Dead Sea.
• Free time to explore Amman, Aqaba, Petra and Tel Aviv.
• Arrival transfer.
Summary of accommodation, transport & meals
Transport
- 4WD vehicle
- Boat
- Bus
- Camel
- Jeep
- Private aircon bus
Accommodation
- 10 nights Comfortable hotel
- 1 night Bedouin camp
Meals
- 11 breakfasts
- 1 lunch
- 4 dinners
Not Included
Flights, meals unless specified, drinks, visas, departure taxes, travel insurance, tips (see below), spending of a personal nature, optional sightseeing, departure transfer.
Optional Extras
We have chosen some great optional activities to enhance your travel experience. You will need to cover any additional costs yourself. For group trips, speak to your leader if you are interested in any of the following:
- Petra - Petra by Night
US$17 - Petra - Turkish Bath
US$21
What to know
VaccinationsVaccinations may be required for this trip. Talk to your doctor about the up-to-date information for this region.
Visas and PermitsIt is your responsibility to ensure you have all required visas for your trip. Rules and regulations governing the issuance of visas are constantly changing, and vary for different nationalities and you should check visa requirements with your travel agent or relevant consular authority well before travel.
Israel
Americans, Australians, British, Canadians and New Zealanders are currently issued with a ‘tourist visa’ on arrival free of charge. All other nationalities should check with the Israeli Embassy or Consulate in their country for up-to-date visa information. It is important to be aware that many Arab and Islamic countries deny entry to any person that has evidence of a visit to Israel. Syria, Iran, Libya and several other countries are included in this list. If you are planning to visit any of these countries with the same passport you must request that your Israeli ‘tourist visa’ be stamped on a loose leaf ‘Form 17 L’ instead of in your passport. Likewise, if entering Israel through the land borders with Jordan please ask the Jordanian officials not to stamp an exit stamp in your passport. If you have evidence in your passport of visits to certain Islamic countries, Israeli border officials will scrutinize you regarding the purpose of your visit to Israel. They can sometimes appear difficult and the delay can be lengthy however patience and a friendly demeanor are advised.
Jordan
Australians, New Zealanders, Americans, British and Canadians require a visa for Jordan. All other nationalities should check with the Jordanian Embassy or Consulate in their country for up-to-date visa information.
Visas are available on arrival at the airport in Amman for approximately US$30 however this must be paid for in Jordanian dinar. As the process can sometimes be time consuming, you may wish to consider obtaining your visa prior to arrival.
If you are arriving in Jordan by ferry at the port of Aqaba it is possible to obtain a Jordanian visa on board, either as an individual or as a group. There is normally no charge for this visa.
Important For those continuing on to Israel after Jordan please ensure that you obtain an individual visa only. Do not enter Jordan on a group visa, as you will find entry to Israel at the Allenby Bridge border difficult. If you obtain your Jordanian visa on the ferry boat from Nuweiba keep your passport separate from your group and obtain the visa individually.
You are required to have travel insurance before heading off on a Peregrine trip. Insurance can be organised by your Peregrine representative or your travel agent.
Responsible Travel
Our Responsible Travel ethos is at the heart of everything we do, from getting the basics right like respecting local cultures and the environment, to initiating projects that make positive contributions to communities, to our staff’s fundraising efforts and offsetting our carbon emissions.
Please visit our Responsible Travel (http://www.peregrineadventures.com/rt) page for more information.
Our Pre Departure Information or Travel Dossier (provided upon booking a trip) provides tips on how you can show respect for the local customs and culture in the country you are travelling in.
The information listed above is a brief description of some things you may need to consider when booking a trip. Once a tour is booked you will be provided with a link to your Travel Dossier which will contain detailed Pre Departure information.
Further Reading
IsraelFrom Beirut to Jerulsalem – Thomas Friedman Lonely Planet’s ‘Israel & the Palestinian Territories’ Jerusalem: City of Mirrors – Amos Elon
JordanSeven Pillars of Wisdom-TE Lawrence Desert Queen-Janet Wallach A Winter in Arabia-Freya Stark Leap of Faith-Queen Noor
About this Information
The information provided here is given in good faith and has been compiled with all reasonable care. However, things change and some of the information may become out of date. Please keep this in mind when you read it and check with us if you want to be sure about something. The document was correct at time of printing, but you can check online for the most up to date version. If you have any queries, please contact your travel agent or our staff in Australia. We are here to help you!
Last Updated
1 November 2012