Discover Israel & Jordan: Jerusalem, Amman, Petra & Tel Aviv - 9 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Tel Aviv & City Tour, Transfer to Jerusalem

Welcome to Tel Aviv! Upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, you'll be met by your driver and hit the ground running with a half-day tour city tour. Discover the highlights of Tel Aviv, from the Bauhaus and Art Deco buildings of Rabin Square to the historic neighborhood of Neve Tzedek. Take some time at the Diaspora Museum to journey through the history of the Jewish people, then head to the ancient port of Jaffa and its eclectic artists' colonies. After a stroll along Sheinkin, a lively and colorful street specially known for its independent shops and cafés, your driver will take you an hour southeast to the holy city of Jerusalem and your base for the next three nights.

Day 2: Discover the Mount of Olives

This morning's tour starts with breathtaking views across Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a high ridge east of the city. Here you can visit the Church of Ascension and pass Pater Noster Church before proceeding down to the Garden of Gethsemane, home to 2,000-year-old olive trees that date back to the time of Christ. It's also the site of the Basilica of the Agony and Tomb of Saint Mary, a dimly-lit, below-ground church where a Christian tradition says the mother of Jesus was buried.

 

The remainder of the afternoon is free for you to relax back at your hotel or explore on your own. 

Day 3: Tour Jerusalem's Old City

Immerse yourself in the ancient Old City of Jerusalem today, starting with a walk along the Via Dolorosa—a winding route thought to be the path Jesus walked on his way to his crucifixion. Along the way, you'll stop to explore the Christian and Muslim Quarters with visits to the Pool of Bethesda, the Monastery of the Flagellation, and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Continue to the Jewish Quarter to explore the Cardo, an ancient colonnaded street dating back to the Roman Empire, then make your way to the Wailing Wall to see the golden domes of Temple Mount—venerated as a holy site in Judaism, Islam, and Christianity alike. 

Continuing to Mount Zion, you'll explore the ancient building of King David's Tomb and visit the Cenacle (an upper room said to host the Last Supper), then pay a visit to the striking church of Saint Peter at Galicantu. 

Day 4: Transfer to Amman via Bethlehem & Jericho

This morning starts with a visit to nearby Bethlehem to see the Church of Nativity. Also known as the Grotto, this mosaic-lined basilica was built to commemorate what is widely believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ. After exploring the chapel of Shepherd's Fields in Beit Sahour, you can stretch your legs with a stroll through religious ruins from the early days of Christiandom before getting back on the road and heading east into the Judean Desert.
 
Along the way, you'll pass the Good Samaritan Inn (Khan al-Hatruri) before making a short stop at sea level to enjoy panoramic views of the vast, arid landscape. Continue to Jericho, one of the oldest still inhabited cities in the world, where you can see the biblical site of Zacchaeus' sycamore tree and the Mount of Temptation, said to be the hill where the devil tempted Jesus Christ.
 
After a visit to the archaeological site of Tel Jericho—where remains of 25 ancient cities have been uncovered— it's time to say goodbye to Israel for now as you continue to the Allenby Bridge and cross into Jordan. Upon arrival at the border, a shuttle bus will take you across to customs and immigration, where your guide and driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in Amman. The nation's largest city, Amman has been inhabited since the Bronze Age and is full of cultural and historic highlights. 

Day 5: Archaeological Wonders of Jerash, Aljoun & Amman

Start today's tour with a transfer north to Jerash, one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman cities in the Middle East. Spend time wandering the extensive site and be sure to check out the well-preserved remains of two amphitheaters, the north-south Colonnaded Street, and the Hippodrome (the site of ancient chariot races).

Continue to Ajloun, in the highlands, where you can explore the 12th-century Ajloun Castle, a fortress built to ward off the Crusader armies at the vital trade and pilgrimage intersection between Jerusalem, Cairo, Damascus, and Mecca. Roam the ramparts and enjoy the sweeping views over the Levant. 

In the afternoon, your driver will take you back to Amman for an afternoon tour of the historic Old City. Discover the magnificent Amman Citadel (Jabal al Qal'a) and the 2nd-century Roman Theater, two of the most famous archaeological sites in the capital, and stroll amid colorful wares and aromatic spices in Amman's old souks (markets). 

In the evening, you can head to dinner at a local restaurant to sample Jordanian specialties like mansaf (rice topped with lamb and pine nuts), Arabic sweets, and mint tea. 

Day 6: Transfer to Petra via Madaba, Mount Nebo, Bethany & the Dead Sea

After breakfast at your hotel, you'll check out and meet your driver for today's journey south. Stop in Madaba to check out its intricate Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics, including the spectacular Madaba Map, the oldest preserved mosaic map of the Holy Land. Nearby, the Madaba Archaeological Park preserves the mosaic-rich Church of the Virgin Mary and artifacts from the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic eras.

Continue your journey to Mount Nebo, an elevated ridge of the Abarim range said to be where Moses took in the view of the Promised Land. Follow in his footsteps and look out at the Dead Sea and beyond, before eventually making your way to the Memorial Church of Moses, a modern structure that now houses excavated relics from the region.

Then it's on to Bethany, the site where John the Baptist is said to have baptized Jesus Christ on the eastern bank of the Jordan River. Located in a wadi kharrar, or reeded valley, several centuries-old churches and manmade pools have recently been discovered and are worth exploring.  

After a stop at the shores of the Dead Sea—where you can spend some time floating in the salty waters, enjoying a full-body mud treatment, or relaxing in the sun—you'll continue south to Petra and get settled into your hotel for the evening. 

Day 7: Explore Petra, Wadi Rum Jeep Excursion, Transfer to Amman

This morning starts at Jordan's beloved archeological treasure: the lost city of Petra. Known as the "Rose City" for the area's distinctive red sandstone, it's easy to see why Petra was named one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Its intricate architectural design is hundreds of years old, and remarkably well maintained. You can choose to hire a guide for a two-hour tour of the site or spend some time exploring at your own pace.

Enter through the Siq, a dramatically narrow gorge flanked by towering cliffs, and spend your day wandering at your leisure through Petra's seemingly endless temples, tombs, and colonnaded streets. Navigate the impressive water conduit system of the historic Nabataean city, paying a visit to Qasr al-Bint, a grand temple that was once the population's primary place of worship. 

If you're feeling adventurous, climb your way up the 800 steps to the Monastery, Petra's largest and lesser-visited monument. For a stunning view overlooking the Treasury and jagged mountains beyond, hike the steep stone-carved staircase to the top of Jabal al-Khubtha.

When you've had your fill of Petra, your driver will take you into the martian landscapes of the Wadi Rum for a two-hour desert adventure. After switching into a sturdy Jeep, you'll travel through valleys, rock canyons, dunes, and deserts, stopping to check out rock inscriptions and petroglyphs as well as majestic views. Spend a little time at each stop to hike and scramble and explore at your own pace. Along the way, you'll visit desert oases, see 2,000-year-old Kufic rock art, and learn about the history of the area and the local Bedouin culture. 

After an afternoon of exploration, your driver will be waiting to transfer you back to Amman for the evening. 

Day 8: Transfer to Tel Aviv via Allenby Bridge

After a leisurely breakfast this morning, you'll bid Jordan farewell and meet your driver for the 20-minute drive to the Allenby Bridge. Upon arrival at the border, a shuttle bus will take you across to customs and immigration, where your guide and driver will be waiting to welcome you back to Israel and transfer you to Tel Aviv. 

 

Upon arrival in the city, you will have the remainder of the afternoon free. After settling into your hotel, consider heading to the beach to watch the sunset over the Mediterannean.

Day 9: Depart Tel Aviv

Enjoy a leisurely final breakfast in Tel Aviv. When the time comes, your driver will be waiting to transfer you to the airport to catch your departing flight. Safe travels!  

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