Day 1 Arrival in Tel Aviv, Israel
Arrive at Ben Gurion International Airport and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day is at leisure. Enjoy this evening’s welcome drink with your traveling companions, hosted by your Tour Director.
Day 2 Tel Aviv�Jaffa�Latrun�Valley of Elah�Jerusalem
Stop in Jaffa for a walk through the beautifully restored ancient port, where medieval pilgrims started their strenuous 2-day trek to Jerusalem. Next is strategic Latrun, where you will visit the MONASTERY OF THE TRAPPIST MONKS. Continue via the wide Valley of Ayalon, the land of the Dan tribe, and the Valley of Elah, site of David’s victory over Goliath, to the holy city of Jerusalem, one of the oldest places in the world with a history dating back as far as 4000 BC. (B,D)
Day 3 Jerusalem. Excursion to Ein Karem, Bethlehem and the Garden Tomb
This morning, drive to Ein Karem and visit the CHURCH OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST and the CHURCH OF VISITATION, said to be built over the home of John the Baptist’s parents. Enjoy a beautiful view of the valley and the surrounding wooded hills. Continue to Bethlehem and see Shepherd’s Field, where the angels announced the birth of Jesus. Next, visit the CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY, which stands on the site where Jesus was born. On the way back to Jerusalem, visit the GARDEN TOMB, where you will enjoy the scenery of the beautiful holy garden. Tonight, perhaps an optional Israeli folklore show with dinner? (B)
Day 4 Jerusalem. Excursion to the Old City
After a panoramic view from the MOUNT OF OLIVES over the old and modern parts of the city, start your guided walking tour. Via the Chapel of Dominus Flevit, where Jesus wept over Jerusalem, arrive at the GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE. Here, see the Rock of Agony, where Jesus prayed his last prayer before his arrest. Nearby are the Cave of the Assumption of Mary and the Cave of Betrayal. Follow the Stations of the Cross along the VIA DOLOROSA to Golgotha, and visit the CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE. Erected over the site of the crucifixion, this church is shared by six Christian communities. Walk past the Temple Mount, from where you can see the Dome of the Rock, a splendid mosque on the holy mount. On to the WAILING WALL, the most holy shrine in Jewish religion. Then, stroll through the restored Jewish quarter to MOUNT ZION and visit the UPPER ROOM, the TOMB OF KING DAVID, and the HOUSE OF CAIAPHAS, where Jesus was kept the night after he was arrested. Evening at leisure. (B)
Day 5 Jerusalem�Masada�Eilat
South toward the Dead Sea, passing the caves of Qumran, where the precious Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Arrive at Masada and ascend by cable car to the spectacular cliff-top FORTRESS. Hear how 960 Jewish zealots preferred death at their own hands to the indignity of surrender to overwhelming Roman forces. Next, continue to the resort of Eilat, beautifully situated on the Red Sea for your overnight stay. (B,D)
Day 6 Eilat�Petra, Jordan
Enjoy a leisurely morning before crossing the border into Jordan and arriving in the “rose-red” city of Petra, the ancient capital of Jordan. Tonight, you may wish to join an optional excursion to experience Petra by night. (B,D)
Day 7 Petra
A full day of guided sightseeing in Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Lost to the world for centuries, it is located in the biblical land of Moab. Enjoy an unforgettable experience as you walk down the SIQ, the narrow gorge made famous in the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Stand in awe in front of the famed TREASURY. In addition to seeing numerous spectacular temples and tombs created out of the rose-colored sandstone, sip tea in a BEDOUIN TENT. (B,D)
Day 8 Petra�Kerak�Wadi Mujib�Mukawir�Madaba�Mount Nebo�Dead Sea
Stop in Kerak to visit the CRUSADER CASTLE and Wadi Mujib, the “Jordanian Grand Canyon.” Continue to Mukawir, where Salome danced and John the Baptist was imprisoned and beheaded. Then, on to Madaba to visit ST. GEORGE’S CHURCH, which houses a precious 6th-century mosaic map of the Holy Land. Also explore the MADABA ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM. One of today’s highlights is a visit to MOUNT NEBO, where Moses saw the Promised Land. Arrive at the Dead Sea resort with time to experience the feeling of buoyancy in the heavy water. (B,D)
Day 9 Dead Sea�Amman Airport�Cairo, Egypt
Transfer to Amman and board your flight to Cairo, Egypt. Start soaking up the atmosphere of this exciting city. (B)
Day 10 Cairo. The Pyramids
Guided sightseeing starts at the EGYPTIAN MUSEUM with Tutankhamun’s fabulous treasures, an exciting first encounter with the splendor of three millennia of Egyptian civilization. Then, leave for ancient MEMPHIS to admire the 40-foot statue of Ramses II and the Alabaster Sphinx. On to SAKKARA’S “stairway to the sky,” the oldest of all pyramids. At GIZA, take a close-up look at the enigmatic SPHINX and the daunting Great Pyramids. Cheops, with an original height of 496 feet, is the most colossal pyramid ever built. Tonight, you may wish to enjoy an optional dinner cruise on the Nile. (B)
Day 11 At Leisure in Cairo
Full day at leisure or join an optional excursion to see the Hanging Church, the Coptic Museum, and more. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with your traveling companions of an unforgettable journey. (B,D)
Day 12 Cairo
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
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