Highlights of Jordan and Israel: Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Petra, Wadi Rum and More - 14 Days

Day 1: Arrival in Tel Aviv

Land at the airport. Your driver will take you on a short drive to Tel Aviv and drop you off at your hotel.

Day 2: Tour Tel Aviv and Haifa

After breakfast, your driver will pick you up and take you to Jaffa, where you can tour the old market and visit the Great Mosque, as well as the St. Peter Monastery. 

Then, head to Acre to see Khan al Ummdan and stroll in the harbor, before continuing on to Haifa to explore the famous Hanging Gardens and the Stella Maris Monastery. 

Spend the night in Haifa. 

Day 3: Tiberias and the Sea of Galilee

After breakfast, you will drive to the Sea of Galilee.  First, your driver will take you to the archaeological site of Capernaum, the fishing village mentioned in the New Testament where Jesus lived, preached, and gathered the first of his disciples.  

Then head to Tiberias by the Sea of Galilee and visit some of the most significant sites in the Christian tradition, including the Mt. of Beatitudes and Tabgha.

For lunch, you'll eat St. Peter’s fish, then take a boat ride across the water and spend the night in Tiberias. You'll also have the option to visit the site of rare first-century Synagogue ruins in Magdala. 

Day 4: Tour Jerusalem's Old City 

In the morning, you'll catch a transfer to Jerusalem and take a guided tour of the city. Start off with a panoramic view from the top of the Mount of Olives before moving on to the Old City. Here, you'll walk the Stations of the Cross along the Via Dolorosa, climb up to the Al Aqsa Mosque/Dome of the Rock/Temple Mount complex, and touch the Western Wall. 

Wander through the alleys of the Roman Cardo, which date back 2,000 years, and then visit the bustling markets of the Muslim Quarter. Finally, take a moment to reflect at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and visit the legendary Tomb of David. You'll also have the option to visit the Jaffa Gate, David Citadel, and Damascus Gate.

Spend the night in Jerusalem. 

Day 5: Full-Day Tour of Bethlehem

In the morning, your driver will pick you up for another guided tour. You'll start off with visits to Yad Vashem and the Israel Museum, then head to Bethlehem for lunch. 

After lunch, you'll visit the Church of the Nativity, the  Milk Grotto (also called Grotto of Our Lady), Shepherd's Fields, Solomon's Pool, and Herodium, before driving to your hotel in Bethlehem to spend the night. 

Day 6: Visit Jerash and Ajloun

Early in the morning, your driver will pick you up and take you across the border to Jordan, and then north to Jerash, one of the best-preserved Roman sites outside of Italy. You'll be able to wander down the Colonnaded Street—or Cardo—climb up the steps of the Temple of Artemis, and listen to traditional bagpipe players in the Theater. There's also a restaurant where you can grab lunch. 

Then, you'll continue on to Aljoun Castle, an ancient Muslim fortress. Finally, you'll drive to Amman, Jordan's capital, and spend the night there. 

Day 7: Amman City Tour and Drive to Petra

After breakfast, tour Amman and visit the Citadel and the Roman Theater.

Then, your driver will take you south along the King's Highway, an ancient trade route. Your first stop will be Madaba to see its Byzantine mosaics and churches. Climb up the bell tower in St. John's Church to get a great view of Madaba from above. 

Your next stop will be Mount Nebo, where Moses saw the Promised Land. Afterward, you'll continue south to the Kerak Crusader castle, which is one of the largest Crusader castles in the Middle East, before finally driving to Petra, where you'll spend the night. 

If you're interested in local cuisine, you can sign up for a cooking class. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, you can also visit Petra by Night. 

Day 8: Full Day at Petra

Today, you'll spend the full day touring Petra, a spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site. Start by walking through the Siq to see the carvings and temples along the way, until you reach the Treasury at the end of the canyon, where the rest of this enormous carved city opens up before you. Climb up to the High Place of Sacrifice, explore the Roman Theater, and walk down the Colonnaded Street, before finally returning to your hotel in the evening. 

Day 9: Wadi Rum

In the morning, a local Bedouin guide will pick you up and take you to the beginning of a beautiful hiking trail, which leads through Petra's "backdoor" to the Monastery, its largest monument. 

Then, you'll drive south to the beautiful Wadi Rum desert and go on a two-hour Jeep tour through the dunes. Finally, head to your camp in the desert to spend the night. If you prefer, you can also replace the Jeep tour with a camel ride. 

Day 10: Hike up Jabal Um Ad Dami

This morning, you'll leave the camp early and drive to Jabal Um Ad Dami, the highest mountain in Wadi Rum. A guide will take you on a two-hour hike to the top, where you'll get to enjoy magnificent views of the area, including Saudi Arabia. This excursion takes approximately six hours. If you prefer, you can also replace the hike with a shorter Jeep tour. 

Afterward, you'll return to camp and drive to Aqaba, by the Red Sea. There, you'll have a free evening to explore on your own. 

Day 11: Snorkeling and Swimming in Aqaba

In the morning, you'll board a boat to go snorkeling on the Red Sea. Lunch will be served on board. In the afternoon, your driver will take you to the lowest point on Earth: the Dead Sea. There, you can grab dinner and spend the night. 

Day 12: Free Day at the Dead Sea

Enjoy a free day to relax at the Dead Sea. You can float in the mineral-rich waters, treat yourself to a mud bath, or simply sit on the shore and read. 

Day 13: Return to Tel Aviv

Today, your driver will take you across the King Hussein/Allenby Border and back to Tel Aviv.  You'll have the rest of the day free to enjoy the city, do some last-minute sightseeing, or simply relax. 

Day 14: Departure

It's time to say goodbye! Your driver will take you back to the airport for your flight home.