Israel and Jordan: Walking in the Footsteps of Abraham

If you are arriving on Day 1 you will be met by your local guide on arrival at Ben Gurion (Tel Aviv) Airport. Please ensure that you arrive no later than 12:00 hrs (midday), as there is one group transfer to our hotel located in the City of Nazareth. If time permits we will visit the aquaduct of ancient Caesarea enroute. Approx driving time/distance: 1.5 hrs, 115 kms. Overnight: Hotel in Nazareth

Meals:  D

We will start our day by visiting the Church of the Annunciation. It represents the self-innovation of the Catholic Church after the Second Vaticanum – modern, multi-cultural, with a myriad of different representations of the Virgin Mary. We will stroll through the Arab market and walk up to the top of the City with its magnificent view over the landscape of the lower and upper Galilee. A short drive will take us to the fantastic lookout of Arbel cliff where we will look over the Sea of Galilee to the Horns of Hittim - the site of the Battle of Hittim, Saladin's victory over the Crusaders in 1187; and the shrine of Nabi Shweib - the holiest site of the Druze religious community. We will then hike to Wadi Hamman - the biblical Valley of the Doves, and down to the shore of the Sea of Galilee. After lunch (optional St. Peter’s fish) we will visit the Holy Sites of the Mt of Beatitudes, the Church of the Multiplication of Fish & Bread (Tabgha), and the headquarters of the early community around Jesus at Capernaum. A swim (depending on the time of year) in the Sea of Galilee will complete our adventures for the day. Approx walking time/distance: 2-3 hrs, 8 kms. Overnight: Kibbutz Guest House, area of Sea of Galilee

Meals:  B,D

After breakfast we will have a guided tour through the Kibbutz, and talk with a Kibbutz veteran about this unique collective community lifestyle. A short drive will take us to the Golan Heights where we will hike through one of the basalt canyons, with springs and waterfalls along the way (including a swim between April and October). Approx walking time/distance: 3-4 hrs, 8 kms. Overnight: Kibbutz Guest House, area of Sea of Galilee

Meals:  B,D

After a half an hour drive we will reach the “Sheikh Hussein” border at Beit Shean. Here we will cross into Jordan and meet our Jordanian guide and bus. Our first stop will be the town of Jerash, where we visit one of the largest and best preserved Greco-Roman ruins in the Middle East. Its colonnaded streets, public spaces, theatres, temples and exquisitely preserved mosaics provide a vivid picture of the grandeur of Imperial Rome. This afternoon we will continue to our hotel in Madaba, the “City of Mosaics”. If time permits, we will take a detour to visit the Monastery in Mount Nebo, a high hill overlooking the Dead Sea from where Moses is said to have seen the Promised Land. Approx driving time/distance: 4 hrs, 200 kms. Overnight: Hotel in Madaba

Meals:  B,D

After breakfast we will walk to St George Church with its world famous mosaic depicting the Middle East from the Byzantine period. Then we drive on the ancient “King’s Highway” along the mountains of Moab and Edom and through steep valleys down to the Dana Nature Reserve. Here we will take a hike along ancient terraced gardens and past giant boulders. Afterwards we continue to Wadi Musa (Petra) for overnight. Approx walking time/distance: 3-4 hrs, 8 kms. Overnight: Hotel in Wadi Musa

Meals:  B,D

A short transfer brings us to the far less visited area of Little Petra (or Beidha). From here we begin the Petra "back door“ trail. This area is relatively untouched, with the colourful reddish and rose sandstone for which Petra has become famous as the Red Rose City. We reach the Ed-Deir Temple with its fantastic view over the Petra mountains, before heading down the ancient staircase to the Roman Cardo. After lunch, we will continue onto the King’s Tombs. From here, we will leave the Petra Valley through a colourful and narrow gorge WITHOUT passing the Siq and Treasury, which we will visit the following day. Approx walking time/distance: 6-7 hrs, 14 kms. Overnight: Hotel in Wadi Musa

Meals:  B,D

Today we have a full day visit of classical Petra. The soul-stirring, Red Rose City of Petra is chief among Jordan’s archaeological riches, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Petra is the legacy of the Nabateans, an industrious Arab people who settled in south Jordan more than 2,000 years ago. We enter the site through the famous Siq, a 1km long narrow gorge flanked by towering cliffs. We will stop at Petra’s most spectacular monument, the Khaznet al-Faraoun (or Treasury) and afterwards visit the Roman amphitheatre. Afterwards there will be some free time for independent exploration of the area. You may wish to hike through colourful sandstone formations to the Monastery and the High Place of Sacrifice with its magnificent view of the Petra mountains. Various walks and climbs reveal literally hundreds of buildings, facades, tombs, baths, funerary halls, temples and haunting rock drawings and reliefs. This afternoon we will depart Petra and transfer to Wadi Rum, where we will enjoy a traditional dinner at our Bedouin camp. Note: Your entry ticket into the city of Petra includes a horse ride into the site and you will have the option to ride a donkey to the end of the Siq. In line with our commitment to animal welfare in tourism we encourage you to walk, rather than ride a horse and donkey. There have been a number of instances where travellers have been upset by the treatment of the horses and donkeys by their handlers. Approx walking time/distance: 3-4 hrs, 6-8 kms. Approx driving time/distance: 1.5 hrs, 100 kms. Overnight: Wadi Rum Camp

Meals:  B,D

Amazing landscapes await us with scenery from the famous Hollywood production “Lawrence of Arabia”. We will ride in jeeps and do some exploring on foot through desert landscapes and unique valleys; between reddish sandstone, yellow sand and black rocks. (NOTE: the vehicles/ jeeps used in Wadi Rum are basic. They are built for purpose, that being to handle sandy desert tracks. They are owned and maintained by the local Bedouin people as part of local tourism initiatives). Afterwards we will depart from Wadi Rum and drive to the Arava border crossing and cross back into Israel, and meet our Israeli guide and bus. After a swim in the Red Sea, we continue to our Kibbutz accommodation for overnight. Approx walking time/distance: 2 hrs, 6 kms. Approx driving time/distance: 1.5 hrs; 80 kms. Overnight: Kibbutz Guest House, Eilat area

Meals:  B,D

We will drive through the Arava Valley to the Masada National Park. Masada's majestic mountain fortress is uniquely located in the middle of the desert, overlooking the Dead Sea and the Judean Desert. We will hike up via the “Shvil Ha’Ratz” or the Snake Path. After our visit, we will enjoy a dip in the famously buoyant waters of the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth with a saline level around 30 per cent. Approx walking time/distance: 1.5 - 3 hrs; 5-10 kms. Approx driving time/distance: 4 hrs; 300 kms. Overnight: Kibbutz Guest House, Northern Dead Sea area

Meals:  B,D

Today we will hike a desert oasis along a pilgrimage hiking trail through the upper part of the Wadi Qelt riverbed to the Chariton Monastery – the first byzantine monastery in the Judaean Desert. At the end of our hike we will refresh ourselves with a soak in the Officer’s Pool. From here it is a short drive up to Mt Scopus, the highest point of the Mount of Olives range. We will enjoy a splendid view over Jerusalem, before hiking down to enter the Old City of Jerusalem through the Lions Gate. Approx walking time/distance: 5-6 hrs; 10 kms. Overnight: Hotel in Jerusalem

Meals:  B,D

This morning we will enjoy a full day walking tour in the Old City of Jerusalem with its Jewish, Muslim and Christian Quarters. We will visit Mt Zion with its Judeo-Christian traditions (Last Supper Room, Tomb of King David, Burial Place of Maria), see the Western Wall, pass by the City of David and the Via Dolorosa up to the Church of the Resurrection. In the afternoon, you will have free time for independent discoveries in the Old City. Overnight: Hotel in Jerusalem

Meals:  B,D

We will drive to Battir village (UNESCO World Heritage) and meet with local Palestinian environmental activists attempting to save the ancient terraces of the village. We will hike through biblical landscapes towards Bethlehem, and visit the Nativity Church and the Shepherds Fields. Return to Jerusalem where the afternoon is free at leisure. Approx walking time/distance: 2 hrs, 6 kms. Overnight: Hotel in Jerusalem

Meals:  B,D

Today we will visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial, Mt Herzl Cemetery, the Children’s Memorial, the Tent of Commemoration and the Valley of the Lost Communities. Then it's onto the vibrant city of Tel Aviv. We will take a stroll along the many remnants of Bauhaus architecture, pass through the Carmel Market, and walk along the seaside promenade to Old Jaffa - one of the oldest cities in the world. Here we will visit the Artisan’s Quarter, and perhaps take a swim in the Mediterranean. This evening, we will enjoy a farewell dinner in a local fish restaurant in the Old Jaffa Harbour. Overnight: Hotel in Tel Aviv

Meals:  B,D

This morning will be free at leisure to absorb the sights and sounds of Tel Aviv. Transfer to the airport for anyone leaving Israel today. Additional nights accommodation and private airport transfers on any other day can be arranged for extra cost.

Meals:  B