Jordan & Palestine Highlights: Amman, Wadi Rum, Petra, The Dead Sea, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv - 8 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Amman

After arriving, your driver will be waiting for you at the airport to transfer you to your hotel in Amman. 

Depending on your time of arrival, you may have some time to explore this bustling capital city.

Suggested activities include:

• Walk around in Jabal Weibdeh, which is the oldest neighborhood in Amman. There are lots of small side streets, shops offering local goods and produce to be explored, as well as many cafés and restaurants.
• Close to Jabal Weibdeh is also the King Abdullah II Mosque which welcomes visitors. 
• Explore the Citadel with the Temple of Hercules which offers a 360-degree view over Amman. It's best to be there during prayer time, as you'll hear the calls to prayers from the various mosques, creating a surreal echo. 
• Continue to the Roman Theater, and then head through the bustling downtown souks.
• Head to Rainbow Street in Jabal Amman, which is lined with shops, restaurants, and shisha cafés. You can explore the side roads, and you'll have great views over the surrounding "white hills".
• Visit the Jordan Museum, where some of the Dead Sea Scrolls are on display.

Day 2: Karak – Wadi Rum Desert Tour

In the morning, your driver will pick you up to visit Karak, where you can visit one of the largest Crusader Castles in the Middle East. This castle fell to Saladin in 1189 when he conquered the Transjordan. There is time to explore the ruins and you can choose to have lunch here.

You’ll then travel on to Wadi Rum. Here, you will go on a two-hour Jeep tour through the desert where you'll discover Nabatean inscriptions, red sand dunes, rock bridges, and other bizarre rock formations. In this desert, the movie "The Martian" was shot partly because the landscape looks like it's from another planet.

You will spend the night under the stars in a Bedouin camp where you'll have a traditional dinner.

Optional:

• Try Mansaf, the Jordanian national dish in Karak, where this dish originally comes from

Day 3: Wadi Rum - Transfer to Petra

Today you’ll travel north to Petra, which is about two hours of driving, where you'll have the day to visit this famous UNESCO site.

You can walk through the mystic Siq until you reach the famous Treasury. There is also a viewpoint opposite it which you can climb up for a view from above. Then, you can visit the Street of Facades and walk through the Roman area, where you can climb up to the High Place of Sacrifice and follow the path to the Garden Temple Complex.

If you have the energy then climb the 800 steps up to the Monastery, Petra’s largest Temple.

Optional:

• A private tour guide in Petra
• Visit Petra by Night (this takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays)
• Dinner in the home of a local family

Day 4: Petra Hike - The Dead Sea

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel, to hike the secret backdoor hike to Petra with a local guide. This trail will lead you to the Monastery, the largest monument in petra. From here, you can continue by yourself back to the exit.

Your driver will then take you north to the lowest point on earth: the Dead Sea. Here, you have a free afternoon to float in the salty waters, go for a full-body mud treatment or relax in the sun. In the evening, you can enjoy the sun going down over the mountains on the other side.

You'll spend the night at a hotel at the Dead Sea.

Day 5: King Hussein Border - Jerusalem

You'll have the morning to relax and enjoy a dip in the Dead Sea. At around noon, your driver will take you to the King Hussein Border, where you will cross over. On the other side, another driver will await you, and take you to Jerusalem. You'll have the afternoon and evening free to explore this famous city.

Please note: The Jordanian departure tax is 10 JOD, the bus through the no-mans-land at the border costs 8 JD and 2 JD per luggage. This day should fall on a weekday (Sunday - Thursday) since on weekends the border closes earlier.

Day 6: Jerusalem & Bethlehem Tour

Today, you will have a group tour around Jerusalem and Bethlehem, with an English speaking guide.

First, you will drive to Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of the city. You'll then stop at Mount Zion to visit King David's Tomb, the Room of Last Supper, and the Dormition Abbey. Afterward, you'll enter the Old City and walk through the Armenian and Jewish quarters to the recently excavated and restored Cardo, the Roman road. You'll also see the Jewish Wailing Wall, the Kotel, and continue to the Christian quarter and then walk along the Via Dolorosa and visit the Church of Holy Sepulchre.

You'll then head to Bethlehem where Jesus was born and walk through the Manger square to visit the Church of Nativity and visit the Shepherds' field.

Day 7: Visit Caesarea, Haifa, Rosh Hanikra and Acre

Your driver will pick you up at your hotel, and together you'll drive to Caesarea, the ancient Roman capital and port, and enjoy a walking tour of the theater and the archaeological ruins and excavations. Afterward, you'll continue to Haifa for a scenic view of the city, the port, and the magnificent Bahai Gardens and Shrine before going to Rosh Hanikra. You'll descend by cable car into the underwater grottoes and admire the spectacular natural formation. Your next stop is Acre, the Old City which is recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site. Here, walk through the market, the mosque and the old port. You can visit the remarkable underground Crusader City and crypt to learn about their fascinating history and culture. 

Day 8: Tel Aviv & Jaffa City Tour, Departure

Begin your day with a transfer to Rothschild Boulevard, one of the most iconic streets in Tel Aviv. Your guide will lead you through the area's beautiful architecture, including the White City, a collection of over 4,000 Bauhaus-style buildings that have earned the city UNESCO World Heritage status. You'll learn about the various architectural styles present in the area, including modern and eclectic designs, and how Tel Aviv's skyline has evolved over the years.

Next, you'll venture to the ancient port city of Jaffa, where your guide will take you on a tour of the old port and the historic old town. You'll learn about the city's rich history and cultural significance, including its role in biblical stories and its importance in modern-day Tel Aviv.

Afterwards, you'll visit Carmel Market, one of the city's largest and most vibrant marketplaces. Here, you'll have some free time to explore the various stalls and shops, where you can purchase unique local goods and taste delicious street food.

Your driver will take you to the Ben Gurion Airport in time for your departure.