World Heritage in the Lands of the Bible

Cultural tour of Jordan & Israel

Tour Suspended

This is a combination of Jordan: Where it all began AND Israel's World Heritage Sites. The itinerary has been designed in such a way that aside from the complete journey, you also have a choice of doing only the Jordan portion of the tour (7 days) or the Israel portion of the tour (9 days).

UNESCO World Heritage Sites covered in this tour
1. Baptism Site “Bethany Beyond the Jordan” (Al-Maghtas) 2. Masada
3. Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem 4. Old City of Acre
5. Biblical Tels - Megiddo, Hazor, Beer Sheba 6. Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls
7. Incense Route - Desert Cities in the Negev 8. Petra
Tour Information
Duration : 15 days
Minimum : 02 persons
Maximum : 20 persons
Price (From) :
International air not included
Day 01: Arrive Amman (JORDAN)
Day 02: Jerash
(B, D)
Day 03: Desert Castles/Dead Sea/Al Maghtas
(B, D)
Day 04: Amman/Umm ar Rassas/Madaba/Mt. Nebo/Kerak/Aqaba (Drive)
(B, D)
Day 05: Aqaba/Wadi Rum (Drive)
(B, D)
Day 06: Wadi Rum/Petra/Amman (Drive)
(B, D)
Day 07: Amman/Tel Aviv (ISRAEL) (Drive)
(B, D)
Day 08: Caesarea/Muhraka/Megiddo/Acre (Drive)
(B, D)
Day 09: Tiberias/Capernaum/Banias
(B, D)
Day 10: Cana/Nazareth/Beit Shean/Jerusalem (Drive)
(B, D)
Day 11: Jerusalem
(B, D)
Day 12: Bethlehem Excursion
(B, D)
Day 13: Qumran/Masada/Dead Sea
(B, D)
Day 14: Jerusalem/Mitzpe Ramon (Drive)
(B, D)
Day 15: Mitzpe Ramon/Beersheba/Tel Aviv (Drive)
(B)
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Day 01: Arrive Amman (JORDAN)

Ahlan Wasahlan (Welcome in Arabic). Upon arrival at Amman International Airport, we are warmly welcomed and transferred to our hotel. Check in starts from 1500 hrs.
Overnight: Days Inn or Imperial Palace Hotel, Amman (3 nights) (D)

Day 02: Jerash

Cardo Maximus, Jerash, Jordan

After breakfast we take a morning tour of Jordan’s capital, visiting the archaeological site known as the Citadel, the Roman Theatre, the Jordan Archaeological Museum, the Folklore Museum and one of Amman’s many art galleries, as we get a glimpse of old and modern Amman. In the afternoon we explore the ancient city of Jerash, generally acknowledged to be one of the best-preserved Roman provincial towns in the world. The Gerasa of Antiquity features colonnaded streets, temples, theatres, spacious public squares and baths. (B, D)

Day 03: Desert Castles/Dead Sea/Al Maghtas

Early this morning we head out to the visit the Desert Castles, beautiful examples of both early Islamic art and architecture. Qasr Al-Mushatta, Qasr A-Kharrana, Qasr A-Tuba and Qasr Al-Hallabat, Qasir Amra* stand testament to a fascinating era in the country's rich history. We also visit the black basalt fort at Azraq, headquarters of Lawrence of Arabia during the Arab Revolt. We then drive down to the lowest spot on earth and experience floating in the waters of the Dead Sea. We then head to the Baptism Site “Bethany Beyond the Jordan” (Al-Maghtas)* and explore the archaeological site and the area of the churches of Saint John the Baptist near the river. Situated in a pristine natural environment the site is believed to be the location where Jesus of Nazareth was baptized by John the Baptist. It features Roman and Byzantine remains including churches and chapels, a monastery, caves that have been used by hermits and pools in which baptisms were celebrated, testifying to the religious character of the place. The site is a Christian place of pilgrimage. Late afternoon, we return to Amman. (B, D)

Day 04: Amman/Umm ar Rassas/Madaba/Mt. Nebo/Kerak/Aqaba (Drive)

Salt deposits, Dead Sea, Jordan

Today we travel to Aqaba along the 5,000-year-old Kings' Highway, one of the most memorable journeys in the Holy Land. We will see some of the finest Byzantine church mosaics at Umm ar Rassas *, followed by a visit of Madaba, city known for its spectacular mosaics, including the famous 6th century mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land. We then head to Mt. Nebo, the alleged burial site of Moses that overlooks the Dead Sea and the Jordan Valley and drive through the magnificent scenery of Wadi Mujib with an optional stop for lunch at the Crusader Castle of Karak.
Overnight: Marina Plaza Hotel or Aqaba Gulf Hotel, Aqaba (1 night) (B, D)

Day 05: Aqaba/Wadi Rum (Drive)

After a brief tour of Aqaba we head to the land of Lawrence of Arabia, to explore haunting desert landscapes and fascinating Bedouin culture in Wadi Rum*. Here we to embark in a 2-hour 4x4 jeep safari to explore the wadi. In the evening we enjoy a barbecue dinner by traditional campfire under the stars.
Overnight: Jabal Rum Camp, Wadi Rum (1 night) (B, D)

Day 06: Wadi Rum/Petra/Amman (Drive)

Al-Khasneh (The Treasury), Petra, Jordan

Today we travel to explore the pink city of Petra*, an ancient Nabatean city set deep inside a narrow desert gorge. We will walk through a long chasm to Petra's most dramatic monument, the Treasury. We then explore the Roman Theater, the Courts, Qasr Bint Pharaoun, the Temple of the Winged Lion and the Monastery with a break for optional lunch. After our breath-taking exploration of Jordan’s most famous monuments, we return to Amman in the late afternoon.
Overnight: Days Inn or Imperial Palace Hotel, Amman (1 night) (B, D)

Day 07: Amman/Tel Aviv (ISRAEL) (Drive)

This morning we will be taken to the border of Jordan/Israel.  Welcome to Israel!  We will be met by our local representative and transferred to our hotel in Tel Aviv for dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Grand Beach Tel-Aviv Hotel, Tel Aviv (1 night) (B, D)

Important Note:
Passengers doing only the Jordan Tour will be transferred to Amman airport for their departure on this day. Passengers doing only the Israel Tour will be met at Ben Gurion International Airport and transferred to the hotel in Tel Aviv for dinner and overnight.

Day 08: Caesarea/Muhraka/Megiddo/Acre (Drive)

Peristyle Courtyard of the Promontory Palace, Caesarea, Israel

This incredible tour starts as we drive from Tel Aviv along the coastal plain to Caesarea, capital of Judea under the Romans. We visit the excavations of the ancient city, the Roman theatre and aqueduct. Proceed to Muhraka, the site of confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal; enjoy the spectacular view of the Jezreel  Valley and the lower Galilee. We continue to the Biblical Tel of Megiddo*, identified as the site of Armageddon, exploring the archaeological excavations including the well-preserved water supply system.  We head to the Old City of Acre* to visit the ancient city and harbor and end our day at Kibbutz Lavi.
Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi (Eden Wing), Acre (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 09: Tiberias/Capernaum/Banias

After a brief tour of Tiberias, we take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee to visit the Yigal Alon Museum and see an ancient fishing boat from the 1st century, called the “Jesus boat”. We continue to Capernaum and visit the remains of the 2nd century synagogue.  We proceed to Tabgha, the site of the Miracle of Fish and Loaves, and visit the Church of Multiplication with its 4th century mosaic floor and continue to the Mount of Beatitudes, the place where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. We end our day at the Banias Springs and waterfalls and tour the Golan Heights. (B, D)

Day 10: Cana/Nazareth/Beit Shean/Jerusalem (Drive)

Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem, Israel

A short drive to Cana to visit the Wedding Church, where Jesus performed his first miracle turning water into wine.  Continue to Nazareth to visit the Church of Annunciation, St. Joseph's Workshop and Mary's Well then head to Yardenit, the baptismal site on the Jordan River; continue to Beit Shean, a newly excavated city, and visit the Roman theatre. Next we drive along the Jordan River, which takes us to the historical city of Jerusalem.
Overnight: Grand Court Jerusalem Hotel, Jerusalem (4 nights) (B, D)

Day 11: Jerusalem

Today we explore the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls*. We start at the Mount of Olives to get a panoramic view of the city, visit the Church of All Nations, King David's Tomb and the room of the Last Supper on Mt. Zion. We then explore the city within the walls, visiting the Cardo, the Temple Mount (entrance to the mosques not included), the Western Wall, Via Dolorosa, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Oriental Bazaar. Our day end with a visit to the Garden Tomb. (B, D)

Day 12: Bethlehem Excursion

We drive to Ein Karem to visit the Church of the Visitation, continuing to Yad Vashem, the famous Holocaust memorial, visit the Israel Museum, the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea scrolls are housed, and the miniature model of Jerusalem as it was during the second temple period. We the head to Bethlehem to visit the Church of Nativity*, subject to security conditions. (B, D)

Day 13: Qumran/Masada/Dead Sea

Cable car over snake path, Masada, Israel

We drive to Qumran, the place where the Dead Sea scrolls where found and visit the ancient city of Qumran and drive along the shores of the Dead Sea to Masada*, the last stronghold of the Jews after the destruction of the second temple in 70 A.D. We ascend Masada by cable car and explore the food storeroom, water irrigation system and Herod's Palace. Time and weather permitting, there will an opportunity for us to float on the Dead Sea. (B, D)

Day 14: Jerusalem/Mitzpe Ramon (Drive)

From Jerusalem we will drive towards the city of Dimona, and start our exploration of the Incense Route to the Desert Cities in the Negev* on the road between Petra and Gaza. We explore the Nabatean towns of Mamshit and Avdat, which flourished from the 3rd century BC until the 2nd century AD. Together they reflect the hugely profitable trade in frankincense and myrrh from south Arabia to the Mediterranean. With the vestiges of their sophisticated irrigation systems, urban constructions, forts and caravanserai, they bear witness to the way in which the harsh desert was settled for trade and agriculture.
Overnight: Isrotel Ramon Inn, Mitzpe Ramon (1 night) (B, D)

Day 15: Mitzpe Ramon/Beersheba/Tel Aviv (Drive)

Man with a camel by the sea level marker, Qumran, Israel

We head to Beersheba, capital of the Negev, which was built by the Ottomans in the 19th century. Here we explore the ancient ruins of Tel Beersheba*, a Biblical city, which dates back almost 4,000 years ago. We see the ancient ruins and the water well dug by the ancient inhabitants of the city, nicknamed "Abraham's Well" by the locals after stories from the book of Genesis relating to Abraham. We then travel to Tel Aviv, visiting Old Jaffa, one of the oldest cities in Israel built by the Mediterranean shores about 4,000 years ago. Jaffa was the port city used by King Solomon to import Cedar trees from Lebanon when he built the first Temple in Jerusalem. From here, it is said Jonah boarded the ship on his journey ending in whale's belly. We will walk around the narrow lanes; visit the house of Simon the Tanner where St. Peter had his vision. Next explore the White City of Tel-Aviv*, constructed from the early 1930s until the 1950s by architects who were trained in Europe where they practiced their profession before immigrating to Israel. They created an outstanding architectural ensemble of the Modern Movement in a new cultural context. Many of the city's buildings were built in the Bauhaus-style. We will walk along the Rothschild Boulevard and see the restored buildings. We are the transferred to Ben Gurion International Airport for our departure flight. (B)

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Departure Dates & Prices

We accept payments in US$, CA$ as well as in other convertible currencies like EUR, AUD and GBP. Tour prices have been costed in US$. CA$ price shown below is an indicative amount reached at by using the conversion rate at the time of web posting and will be applicable if there is no change in the conversion rate. Should the currency conversion rate change, the US$ pricing will prevail. Bestway Tours & Safaris offers a conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please click here

Stay tuned for future dates! If you want to be the first ones to know click here
Departure(s) Per Person on
Twin Sharing
Single Room
Supplement
This is a suggested program for private tours. Please contact us for details.
Stay tuned for future dates! If you want to be the first ones to know click here
Departure(s) Per Person on
Twin Sharing
Single Room
Supplement
This is a suggested program for private tours. Please contact us for details.

Notes

N/A

Inclusions


Tour Price Includes
  • Accommodation as mentioned or similar, including hotel taxes
  • 26 Meals as mentioned (B=Breakfast, D=Dinner)
  • All sightseeing and transfers by private transportation
  • Services of local English speaking guide cum driver
  • Entrance fees to museums and sites included in the itinerary
Not Included
  • Any airfares
  • Insurance/visas
  • Tips/gratuities

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 20 participants

Customised Itinerary

If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you.

Contact Info
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call 1-604-264-7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1-800-663-0844.

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