Jordan / Israel Itinerary

Thursday 24 September

Depart Wellington to Amman via Melbourne and Dubai.
Arrive Amman Friday 25 September at 9.30am

Friday 25 September
Transfer from Amman International Airport to the Dead Sea
Rest of day at leisure

Saturday 26 September
Day at Leisure

Sunday 27 September
This morning depart the Dead Sea and travel to the baptism site of Bethany. Continuing on the Kings Highway, one of the oldest highways on earth to view the oldest known map of the “Holy Land’ inlaid in mosaics at Madaba. After this visit travel to Mt Nebo where Moses looked out over the ‘Promised Land’ followed by a visit to Mukawir, Herod’s Castle where John the Baptist was beheaded and Um er-Rasas.

Monday 28 September
This morning depart the Dead Sea and travel south to Petra on one of the Kings Highway taking the crusader trail via Kerak and Shobak

Tuesday 29 September
Petra
This morning explore the famous Nabatean rock-cut tombs and temples of Petra. Entry is via a narrow ‘siq’, reaching hundreds of feet high. Here you will meet your private guide. Your first sight is of El Khazneh – the Treasury, carved ornately in the red rock. The Nabataeans were an industrious Arab people who settled in South Jordan more than 2,000 years ago. Other sights include the 3,000 seat theatre (1st C. AD) and a Palace Tomb in the Roman style.

Wednesday 30 September
Petra – Wadi Rum
This morning depart Petra and travel to Wadi Rum where Lawrence of Arabia rode over the desert. You will be met by your private guide, Saleh who will take you 4 wheel driving, sand boarding and trekking through the Lawrence of Arabia trail on a camel. You will stay with Saleh and his family in his Bedouin camp where his wife Alia will cook dinner for you.

Thursday 1 October
This morning transfer from Wadi Rum to the Arava Border between Jordan and Israel. Proceed through immigration and transfer to the Eilat airport. Flight from Eilat to Tel Aviv
Upon arrival in Tel Aviv proceed through security and transfer to Haifa.

Friday 2 October / Saturday 3 October
Days at Leisure Haifa

Sunday 4 October
Western Galilee Day
Start with an overview of the Baha’i Gardens and the religion, continue to Nazareth to visit the church of the Annunciation and St Joseph’s to see where the story of Jesus began, onto Zippori National Park for its amazing mosaics and water systems. Then drive to the coast to Acco to visit the crusader city with underground facilities, markets and much more.

Monday 5 October / Tuesday 6 October
Days at Leisure. Celebrate David’s birthday on 6 October

Wednesday 7 October
Haifa – Jerusalem
Start at Caesarea, the Roman capital built by King Herod. Continue to Latrun (an old British fort) home to the Israeli armoured corp museum (over 200 tanks, kids love it) and the nearby ruins of Emmaus , where Jesus was first seen after his resurrection. On to the Hills of Judea to see where David fought Goliath and crawl through 1800 year old tunnels used to fight the Romans. Arrive Jerusalem late afternoon.

Thursday 8 October
Jerusalem Old City walking tour:
Start with Mount of Olives to see the fantastic view on the Temple Mount – Dome of the Rock, walking downhill to the Sanctuary of Dominus Flevit, then to the Garden of Gethsemane, crossing the Kidron Valley to the City of David to Hezekaih Tunnel and Pool of Siloam, Lions Gate to enter the Old City, and start the Via Dolorosa all the way to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (with a quick stop at the Austrian Hospice). Continue to Jewish quarter – Western Wall, Byzantine Cardo, Mount Zion Last Super Room and King David Tomb.

Friday 9 October
Jerusalem
Start with stalactite cave Avshalom, then going to the Israel Museum – Shrine of the Book, the Dead Sea Scrolls and the model of Jerusalem from second temple days (including Palace of Herod). After go to Machane Yehuda market place for tasting tour, and then to Me’a She’arim – ultra orthodox neighborhood. We complete the day with the German Colony and Yamin Moshe/Mishkanot Sha’ananim – the first neighborhood outside of the city walls.

Saturday 10 October
Bethlehem and Jericho
Depart for Bethlehem for an overview of the quaint Shepherd’s Fields. Drive on for a visit to the Grotto at the Church of Nativity and Manger’s square. Onto the Judean Desert via the Inn of the Good Samaritan. Short stop at sea level and continue onto Jericho – the oldest city in the world. Stop at the Zaccheus Sycamore tree and a view of the Mount of Temptations. Explore the ancient mound of Tel Jericho where 25 ancient cities have been uncovered.

Sunday 11 October
Day of Leisure

Monday 12 October
Masada and Dead Sea
Travel south and descend to the lowest place on earth – the Dead Sea. Ascend (by Cable Car) to the mountain fortress of Masada, once a luxurious palace built by Herod the Great and later the last stronghold of the Jewish rebellion against the Romans. Explore the unique remains including the bathhouse, water cisterns, storerooms, hanging palaces and the Synagogue. Then a chance to swim (float) in the mineral rich Dead Sea. The high mineral content in the water and the mud is well known for its curative effects.

Tuesday 13 October
Day of leisure

Wednesday 14 October
Jerusalem – Galilee area
Leave Jerusalem and head down towards northern tip of Dead Sea. On the way stop at beautiful desert spring for a swim and a walk (Wadi Kelt) and a short off road excursion to the tomb of Moses. Stop at the Jordan River baptismal site and continue along the Jordan Valley with several stops along the way including the main baptismal site on the northern Jordan River before arriving in Tiberias.

Thursday 15 October
Sea of Galilee & Golan day
Drive to the northern side of the Sea of Galilee to visit Mt Beatitudes where the Sermon of the Mount took place, Capernaum where Jesus lived and Peter’s Primacy. Afterwards continue up to the Golan Heights for views into Syria, old army tanks & bunkers to explore and even a waterfall to swim at. Back to Tiberias towards the evening.

Friday 16 October and Saturday 17 October
Days at Leisure

Sunday 18 October
Galilee to Amman crossing the border by land

Monday 19 October
Day at Leisure, Amman

Tuesday 20 October
Amman
Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight from Amman to Wellington via Dubai and Melbourne

Thursday 22 October
Arrive Wellington late afternoon