12 Day Holy Land with Petra, Jordan Vacation Package – ISR – DHS02

Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, where you will be met by a our representative and transferred to your hotel.

Overnight in Tel Aviv.

Depart Tel Aviv and drive along the coastal plain to Caesarea, once the Roman capital of the region; visit the excavations of the ancient city, the Roman Theater 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. Continue to Megiddo, identified as the site of Armageddon; learn the impressive history of this battle field as you visit the archaeological excavations, including the well-preserved water supply system. Onto Acre to visit the remarkable underground Crusader City and crypt; walk through the Old City, recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site, and visit the local market and harbor.

Overnight in hotel on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.

After a short tour of Tiberias, enjoy a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee; visit the Yigal Allon Center where the “Jesus boat,” an ancient fishing boat from the 1st century, is displayed. Continue to Capernaum to visit the remains of the 2nd century synagogue. Stop at Tabgha, the site of the Miracle of Fish and Loaves, and visit the Church of Multiplication with its 4th century mosaic floor. Proceed to Mount of Beatitudes, the place where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. Drive to the Banias springs and tour the Golan Heights.

Overnight in hotel on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.

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, Joseph’s workshop and Mary’s well. Proceed to Yardenit, the baptismal site on the Jordan River, followed by a stop at Beit Shean to visit the newly excavated Roman city and amphitheater. Drive along the Jordan Valley to Jerusalem for overnight.

Overnight in Jerusalem(Grand Court).

Drive to Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of the city; visit the Church of All Nations, King David’s Tomb and Room of Last Supper on Mt. Zion. Enter the Old City; walk through the Cardo, the ancient roman road. Visit the Jewish and Christian quarters; see the Jewish Wailing Wall; view the Temple Mount; walk along the Via Dolorosa and the oriental Bazaar to visit the Church of Holy Sepulchre. Next, drive to the Garden Tomb and enjoy the beautiful gardens and peaceful ambiance.

Overnight in Jerusalem(Grand Court).

Drive to Ein Karem to visit the Church of Visitation; proceed to Yad Vashem, Israel’s official memorial to the Holocaust. Visit the Israel Museum and 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. Proceed to Bethlehem*, birthplace of Jesus; visit Shepherds’ Field; walk through Manger Square to visit the remarkable Church of Nativity. Return to Jerusalem.

Overnight in Jerusalem(Grand Court)..

Drive through the Judaean Hills to Qumran Caves, where the Dead Sea scrolls were found; continue along the shores of the Dead Sea to Masada, the last stronghold of the Jews after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD; ascend Masada by cable car and tour the mountain fortress built by King Herod; visit the remains of the walls, the water cistern and Herod’s Palace; descend by cable car. Continue to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth; enjoy the opportunity to float in the unsinkable water and cover yourself with the mineral rich mud, believed to have therapeutic effects (weather permitting).

Overnight in Jerusalem(Grand Court)..

Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for departure.

* Visit subject to the security conditions.

** Program sequence is subject to change without advance notice.

• THE ROYAL  JORDAN EXTENSION: (5Days)

DAY 08
Transfer from the Sheik Hussein bridge crossing to Amman. Transfer to your hotel in the Jordanian Capital.

DAY  09 (MADABA/ MT. NEBO / KERAK)
After breakfast depart Amman to Petra via the Kings’ Road. En route, visit the mosaic city of Madaba, where the oldest map of the Holy Land exists on the floor of Saint George’s Church. Madaba, or Medeba in antiquity, features many famous mosaics that exist in public and private buildings. After Madaba, a short drive will bring us to Mt. Nebo, the alleged burial site of Moses overlooking the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. Here Franciscans have built a structure that protects a 4th and 6th Century Byzantine church. After visiting this site, we continue on via the scenic canyons of Wadi Mujib (Arnon’s Valley in the Bible) to the Crusader castle at Kerak. This 12th Century hill top fortress features galleries, towers, and chapels and ramparts that recall the gallantry of the Crusaders themselves. Then proceed to Petra and check in at your hotel. (B)

DAY 10 (PETRA)
After breakfast, depart on a full day tour of Petra. Once the ancient Nabatean capital, this city has a lot to tell. The visit starts at the visitors center, where we are assigned a Bedouin guided horse for the journey to the entrance of the lost city. After passing some tombs that are located outside the city, we will pass through the Siq an immense crack in the Nubian sandstone. It is a winding, one-kilometer-long fissure between overhanging cliffs that seem to meet more than 300 feet overhead. Near the end of the passage, the Siq, we will make one last turn and out of the gloom into a towering brightness, where Petra’s most impressive monument, el Khazneh – “The Treasury”, stands. This most elegant remains of antiquity is carved out of solid rock from the side of the mountain. It is nearly 140 feet high and 90 feet wide. Beyond el Khazneh we are surrounded on both sides by hundreds of Petra’s carved and built structures, soaring temples, elaborate royal tombs, a carved Roman theater, large and small houses, burial chambers and much more. The Victorian traveler and poet, Dean Burgon, gave Petra a description which holds to this day – “Match me such a marvel save in Eastern clime, a rose-red city half as old as time.” (B)

DAY 11 (PETRA /WADI RUM /AMMAN)
Visit the Wadi Rum Desert (a short ride in 4×4 vehicle) and its awesome moonlike landscape, where the film “Lawrence of Arabia” was shot. Time permitting we may have a short visit to Aqaba. Return to Amman on the Desert Highway. Overnight in Amman. (B)

DAY 12 (AMMAN / Departure)
Morning bid farewell to this ancient city as you are escorted to Amman Airport in time for your return flight home. B

• OPTIONAL DELUXE EGYPT NILE EXTENSION:(9 Days)
  

DAY 08
CAIRO Arrive in Cairo.Transfer to the deluxe Pyramids Park Resort in Cairo.

DAY 09 (CAIRO) 
You will have a full day excursion with lunch, visiting the famous Egyptian Museum where archaeological pieces dating as far back as 3000 BC are in exhibit; where you will see the famous treasure of King Tut-ank-amon. You will also visit the Alabaster Mosque, the Coptic District, and the Ancient Citadel which was built in 1176. Time permitting you will visit jewelry and ornament wholesalers. Dinner on your own. (Meals B-L)

DAY 10 (CAIRO) 
Today, you will have a full day excursion with lunch, visiting the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. You will drive around the Pyramid of Chephren, the Pyramid of Cheops (also known as the Great Pyramid or Khufu), and the Pyramid of Mykerinos. You will have time to walk around Cheops, and take pictures. Then visit the Sphinx, the collasal one-piece sandstone man-headed lion-bodied statue. Then continue to Memphis, the capital of Old Kingdom; and then Sakkara, to visit the Step Pyramid, the first monumental stone structure in Ancient Egypt. Return to hotel. Dinner on your own. (Meals B-L)

DAY 11 (CAIRO/LUXOR) 
Transfer to Cairo airport for flight to Luxor. Upon arrival transfer to your cruise ship MS Carnival for a memorable Nile cruise. Optional Excursion Packages**$299PP afternoon visit Luxor and the Karnak Temples.. Dinner and overnight on board in Luxor. (B,L,D)

DAY 12 (LUXOR) 
Optional Excursion Packages** full day tour visiting the West Bank of the Nile with Thebes, Valley of Kings, Valley of the Queens and Nobles.

DAY 13 (ESNA / EDFU) 
Sail through the Nile lock in Esna and continue to visit the Temples of Isis & Osiris in Edfu – Optional Excursion Packages** (B,L,D)

DAY 14 (EDFU / ASWAN) 
Sail to visit the famous Temple of Kom Ombo – Optional Excursion Packages**. Continue to visit Aswan and Felucca sail around. (B,L,D)

DAY 15 (ASWAN ABU SIMBEL/ CAIRO) 
Early morning flight to visit the Temples of Abu Simbel, then fly to Cairo and transfer to your hotel. (B)

DAY 16 (CAIRO / USA) 
Transfer for your return flight to the U.S. (B)