Discover Israel & Jordan: Jerusalem, Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum & Tel Aviv - 14 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 five 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 to relax 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 a visit 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: Day Trip to Masada, Qumran & the Dead Sea

Today you'll pack your swimsuit and set out on a day trip into the remarkable landscapes around the Dead Sea. On an isolated cliff in the Judean Desert, you'll find the ancient hilltop fortress of Masada, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. Ascend to the top by cable car and tour the archaeological site where the Zealots made their last stand against the Romans in 73 CE. You'll see different buildings, including the bathhouse and synagogue, and take in breathtaking views of the Dead Sea and the remains of the Roman camps below.   

After a stop at the remarkable Qumran Caves to see where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, you'll reach the shores of the Dead Sea and the lowest point on earth. Spend the rest of the afternoon floating in the salty, mineral-rich waters before returning to Jerusalem for the evening.

Day 6: Transfer to Amman via Bethlehem & Jericho

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 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 historical highlights. 

Day 7: 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 8: 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, 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 9: Explore the Sandstone City of Petra

Today you'll explore 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 opt for a full-day private tour or arrange for a two-hour tour with the rest of the day free to explore the canyons and temples 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 once the population's primary place of worship. If you're feeling adventurous, climb 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.

After a full day of exploring, return to your hotel to rest and cool down before dinner. If your visit falls on a Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday, you can head out again after dark to experience an unforgettable Petra by Night tour. Stroll through canyons lined with thousands of candles to reach the illuminated Treasury, where live Arabic music sets the scene and a welcoming cup of tea awaits. 

Day 10: Transfer to Wadi Rum, Desert Jeep Excursion & Camping

After breakfast this morning, your driver will take you south into the wilderness of the Wadi Rum, an expanse of desert dubbed the "Valley of the Moon" by Lawrence of Arabia. Along the two-hour drive, you'll pass through red valleys, rock canyons, and dunes to reach your base for the night at a Bedouin-style camp.

Switch into a sturdy Jeep for an off-road excursion that takes you deeper into the UNESCO-protected desert. 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. Back at the camp, you'll enjoy a traditional dinner around the campfire as the sun sets, then spend the rest of your evening stargazing under clear desert skies.

Day 11: Transfer to Wadi Araba Border Crossing, Fly to Tel Aviv

Today you'll bid Jordan farewell as your driver transfers you to the Wadi Araba border, and you cross back into Israel. A driver will be waiting for you after customs to take you to the nearby Eilat Airport to catch a short flight back to Tel Aviv. Upon arrival in the city, you will have free the remainder of the afternoon. After settling into your hotel, consider heading to the beach to watch the sunset over the Mediterranean.

Day 12: Day Trip to Caesarea, Haifa, Acre & Rosh HaNikra

Explore the beauty and diversity of Israel's northern coastline today, starting at the ancient seaside city of Caesarea—the perfect place to learn about the former Roman and Crusader presence in the country. Marvel at the massive Roman amphitheater that overlooks the Mediterranean and spend some time discovering the city's Crusader fortress.

Continuing up the coast, you'll reach the sun-soaked port of Haifa, a city with a long history dating back to biblical times. Take in breathtaking views of Haifa Bay from Mount Carmel, then pay a visit to the Persian Hanging Gardens of Baháʼí, considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.

After a stop at the bustling, UNESCO-listed markets of Acre (Akka), proceed to Rosh HaNikra to explore its interesting chalk cliff rock formations and grottoes on the shared border with Lebanon. In the afternoon, you'll return to Tel Aviv, where the remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Day 14: 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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