Biblical Jordan and Israel: Tel Aviv, Tiberias, Jerusalem, Amman & More - 14 Days

Day 1: Arrival in Tel Aviv

Once you land at Ben Gurion Airport (TLV), your driver will meet you in the arrival hall and take you to your hotel, where you can relax or set out to explore the city. 

Day 2: Tour Jaffa, Caesarea, and Haifa

After breakfast, your driver will pick you up and take you to the picturesque streets of Jaffa, where you can visit the market, the Mahmoudiya Mosque, and the St. Peter Monastery. 

Then, your tour continues in Caesarea, the administrative capital of the Judaea Province during the Roman Empire and the home of Paul the Apostle. Here you'll be able to see the remains of the ancient city, which flourished from the Byzantine era through the Roman era.

The last stop on your tour is Haifa, where you'll be able to explore the famous Hanging Gardens and the Stella Maris Monastery, before returning to your hotel in Tel Aviv. 

Day 3: Visit Nazareth, Megiddo, and Cana

Start the day off in Nazareth, where Jesus spent most of his life. You'll visit the Mount of Precipice and the Basilica of the Annunciation, before continuing on to Nazareth Village, an open-air museum that reconstructs and reenacts village life during the time of Jesus. 

In the afternoon, you'll drive by Mount Tabor, the traditional site of the transfiguration of Jesus, before visiting the archeological site of Megiddo, an ancient city that's also the site where the great battle of Armageddon is supposed to be fought according to the Book of Revelation. 

Finish up your tour with a stop at Cana, the village where Jesus turned water into wine. Then, your driver will take you to Tiberias, where you'll spend the night. 

Day 4: On the Shores of the Sea of Galilee

Today you'll explore the region around the Sea of Galilee. First, your driver will take you to the village of Capernaum, the archeological site of the fishing village mentioned in the New Testament where Jesus lived, preached, and gathered the first of his disciples.

Then you'll visit some of the most important sites in the Christian tradition, including the Mt. of Beatitudes, Capernaum and Tabgha. End your tour with a boat ride across the water before heading to Jerusalem for the night. 

Day 5: Tour Jerusalem's Old City

There's a lot to see in Old Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives is the perfect place to start your morning. Begin at the top for a stunning, unobstructed view of the city. Stop at the Church of the Pater Noster, and make sure to check out the plaques on the basilica's walls, which have the Lord's Prayer inscribed in over a hundred languages. 

From the hilltop, follow the traditional Palm Sunday route to the Garden of Gethsemane to enjoy its grove of centuries-old olive trees. Enter the Old City through the Dung Gate and make your way to the Wailing Wall, Temple Mount, and the Dome of the Rock. Then, walk along the Via Dolorosa and observe the Stations of the Cross and finish your route at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Christ is said to have been crucified and buried.

Finally, exit the Old City through the bazaars near the Jaffa Gate and enjoy views of Western Jerusalem from your vehicle during the short ride back to your hotel.

Day 6: A Day in Bethlehem

Cross into the West Bank through the Israeli West Bank barrier (or Separation Wall) to visit the Church of Nativity. Also known as the Grotto, this mosaic-lined basilica was built to commemorate what is widely thought to be the birthplace of Christ.

On your way back to Jerusalem, stop by Shepherd's Field Chapel in Beit Sahour. Then, head to Jerusalem's New City to visit the Israel Museum and see the Dead Sea Scrolls. 

Day 7: Visit the Oldest City in the World and Cross Into Jordan

In the morning, your driver will take you to Qumran—where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found—and onto Masada, a grand fortress built by King Herod around 30 BCE. Ride the cable car up to the top for sweeping views of the Dead Sea and the Judean Desert. 

Your next stop is Jericho, one of the oldest cities in the world. After exploring the area, you'll cross into Jordan via the Allenby Border crossing, and continue on to Amman to spend the night there. 

Day 8: Amman, Jerash, and Um Qais

Start the day with a tour of Amman, which will take you to the Roman Theater, as well as the Citadel and its archeological museum, where you can see the famous Deir Alla inscription referencing Balaam (from Numbers 22-24). 

Then, you'll continue on to Jerash (Biblical Gerasa), for a tour of the world's best-preserved Greco-Roman provincial city. Here you'll be able to get a feel for what a Roman Decapolis city was like during Jesus' time. Your tour includes the Arch of Hadrian, seeing a chariot race reenactment in the Hippodrome, and visiting the ruins' theaters and temples. 

Next, you'll go north to the striking basalt ruins of the Decapolis city of Um Qais, Biblical Gadara. From here, you'll have breathtaking views of the Golan Heights in Syria, Lake Tiberias in Palestine and maybe even the mountains in Lebanon. 

Return to your hotel in Amman for the night. 

Day 9: Mt. Nebo, Madaba, and Bethany Beyond the Jordan

Your first stop today is Mt. Nebo, where Moses stood to view the Promised Land he was not allowed to enter. The site is now under the purview of the Franciscans, who also have a monastery here. Take a look at the 5th-century mosaics and baptismal fonts in the Moses Memorial Church, and make sure to check out the small museum on site. 

Next, continue on to Madaba, where you'll take a tour of the city that includes a visit Church of Saint George, where you'll see the famous Madaba Map of the Holy Land. You'll also see other churches and monuments in Madaba, including the Shrine of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist and the Madaba Archaeological Park.

Your next stop is Bethany Beyond the Jordan, which is officially recognized as the site of Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River. The location is also designated on the famous Holy Land mosaic map of Madaba and was a pilgrimage site for early Christians. Monks and hermits lived here during the Byzantine period and the archaeological remains of early churches can still be seen, in addition to the modern Greek Orthodox Church of Saint John, with its distinctive golden dome. 

Finally, drive to the Dead Sea and spend the night at a resort nearby. 

Day 10: Kerak, Buseirah, and Shobak

Today, you'll head south towards Petra, with several stops along the way. First, you'll visit Kerak, a large Crusader castle which includes a church and a museum displaying Moabite artifacts. Kerak is mentioned several times in the Old Testament by various names, including Kir Harosheth (Isaiah 15,16 and Jeremiah 48). 

Then, we will continue on to the historical site of Buseirah (Biblical Bozrah or Botzrah) which was once the capital of the Edomites and is now a modern village located between the towns of Tafilah and Shoubak. It is mentioned several times in the Bible, mainly in the judgments against Edom. (See Jeremiah 49: 13,22 and Amos 1:12).

Next, you'll stop at Shobak Castle—also called Montreal—which is the oldest Crusader castle in Jordan. The remains of a church and chapel can still be seen today. 

Finally, you'll continue south to Wadi Musa, where you will see the Spring of Moses, the place where water was given to the Hebrew tribes, and spend the night there. 

Day 11: A Full Day at Petra

No trip to Jordan would be complete without a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Petra, carved from the rock by the ancient Nabatean people.

Today, you can enter Petra via the main entrance: first, you'll walk through the Siq to reach the Treasury. Then, walk down the colonnaded street towards Qasr al Bint, explore the Royal Tombs, or climb up to the viewpoint opposite the Treasury.

You'll be able to see the remains of three churches and their mosaics dating to the 4th/5th century (Petra Church, Blue Church, and Ridge Church) on a hill opposite the Great Temple.  

You can also visit Petra by Night on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, sign up for a cooking class, or have dinner with a local family in Wadi Musa. 

Day 12: Exploring Wadi Rum

Today you'll drive into Wadi Rum, one of the areas the Israelites camped during the Exodus. Along the way, you'll witness the change of landscape, from the mountains of Petra to the martian-like red dunes of the desert. Once you arrive at your camp, a guide will take you on a three-hour 4x4 Jeep tour through the desert, and you'll have the chance to see endless sand dunes, rock bridges, and ancient inscriptions. 

After the tour, you'll be taken back to camp for a traditional Bedouin dinner and an overnight stay in Bedouin tents. 

Day 13: Relax by the Red Sea

After breakfast, your driver will take you south to Aqaba, on the Red Sea coast. There are two nearby locations mentioned in the Bible: Elath and Etzion-Geber (Deuteronomy 2:8). 

Enjoy a free day in Aqaba: you can visit the Aqaba Museum, go swimming and snorkeling, or simply go for a walk along the promenade. 

Day 14: Departure

It's time to say goodbye to Jordan! When it's time to catch your flight, your driver will take you back to Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) for your trip home. The airport is approximately three and a half hours away from Aqaba.