Jordan, Israel & Palestine Discovery

Welcome to Amman, the capital of Jordan, where our adventure begins. There are free transfers to the hotel from Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) for all customers today. Please note, transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts. Stay: Khan Khediwe Hotel (or similar).

After an early breakfast, we head to the Citadel for breathtaking views of Amman and a short tour of the site. There is a small but very interesting museum to visit. From this viewpoint, we can see the remains of the Roman Theatre in the old city area. Leaving Amman, we join the King's Highway, which takes us up and down huge wadis (valleys).

We stop en route at Madaba, known as the city of the mosaics, and beautiful Mount Nebo where Moses saw the Promised Land just before he died. Further south, we reach the magnificent city of Petra; the premier historic site in Jordan and one of the New Wonders of the World. Stay: Standard hotel – see accommodation section for more detail (B).

This morning, we have an early start to make the most of our day exploring the Unesco World Heritage site of Petra. To enter, we must begin by walking down a narrow chasm, known as the Siq, surrounded by high cliffs on either side. Unveiled at the end is El Khazneh, the Treasury, the first breathtaking sight of a remarkable day. Continuing to the centre of the city, we pass the houses and tombs of the rich citizens and the remarkable scale of the site begins to unveil itself.

An optional walk can then be done up 850 steps to El Deir, the Monastery, with its superb facade topped by a huge urn. Petra was founded by the Nabateans, an Arab tribe that arrived here in the sixth century BCE. Building began in the third century BCE and continued through the Roman period, financed by taxes levied on the desert caravans. Two features are unique: firstly, it is a city made defensible by being built down a series of chasms, rather than on a hilltop. Secondly, it is built directly into the rock – beautiful red and yellow sandstone carved into the most impressive facades, which glow in the brilliant sunlight. Stay: Standard hotel – see accommodation section for more detail (B).

Today we explore Little Petra, where well-preserved ruins hide in the mountains, before continuing to the spectacular Wadi Rum desert. This is where Lawrence of Arabia and Prince Faisal assembled the Arab tribes for the attack on Aqaba in the First World War, and also where sections of many famous films have been shot including Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) and Rogue One (2016), and The Martian (2015).

Its Mars-like landscape is truly breath-taking. We take a 4x4 safari through the area stopping at an outcrop of rocks for sunset before returning to our Exodus permanent tented camp for a star-filled night. Stay: Permanent Bedouin camp (B/D).

Today, we head back up north to the amazing Dead Sea for a float and relaxing evening. On the way, we stop at Al Karak (or Kerak) Castle for a guided tour of this imposing Crusader stronghold. This is a place of legend in the battles between the Crusaders and the Islamic armies of Saladin (Salah-ad-Din). A guided tour through the well-preserved ruins opens another aspect of the history of Jordan. We continue to the Dead Sea in time for a float in the incredible saline waters and to watch the sun set over Israel on the opposite bank. Stay: Holiday Inn Dead Sea (or similar) (B/D).

After breakfast, we take a short drive to the Allenby Bridge for the crossing to the West Bank. Your tour leader will explain in detail what happens at the border and how the crossing works (the border crossing can be busy). It is time to say farewell to the Jordanian leader and driver. The leader and driver for the Israel and Palestine portion of the trip have to wait for the whole group to clear Israeli security checks before they are allowed to drive to the exit hall, this can mean there is a wait at the exit hall before the leader and driver arrive.

Our first stop is Jericho in Palestine, claimed to be the oldest city in the world and rich in Biblical associations. We take a 1mi (2km) cable ride to the Greek Orthodox Monastery of Temptation with wonderful views of the Judaean Desert below. The monastery dates to the 12th century and is supposedly built around the grotto where the Devil appeared to tempt Jesus.

From Jericho, we head to Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found by a Bedouin shepherd boy. Although the caves cannot be entered, there is a centre where a short film is shown and then a trail takes us through the cliffs where the various caves are located. After this visit, we continue to Jerusalem. Stay: Holyland Hotel (or similar) (B).

Today we step back in history with a guided walking tour of the old city of Jerusalem. This includes the Temple Mount, Dome of the Rock, the Wailing Wall and the Church of the Sepulchre. The city is perfect to explore on foot as it is compact and there are plenty of sites to see and places to sit and rest. Jerusalem's history stretches back more than 3,000 years and a guided tour of this labyrinthine city is one to remember. Stay: Holyland Hotel (or similar) (B).

Today is free for personal exploration of Jerusalem. Our leader will provide suggestions for more places to visit and information on how to get to each one. You may want to return to the old city and take a leisurely stroll through the streets or head to the Mount of Olives, the scene of Christ's agony and the Garden of Gethsemane. Another option is the Yad Vashem (Holocaust museum and memorial). Stay: Holyland Hotel (or similar) (B).

Today we have a local guide in Bethlehem who will reveal its Biblical traditions. As we enter Bethlehem, we visit the Walled Off Hotel, a boutique hotel designed by street artist Banksy. Bethlehem is perched on a hill at the edge of the Judaean Desert, it was the childhood home of David and the birthplace of Jesus. It has been a major site of pilgrimage since the construction of the Church of the Nativity in the fourth century CE and is located on the spot generally believed to be the likeliest site of the nativity.

The tour will include Manger Square, St Catherine's Church and the Milk Grotto. We leave Bethlehem and drive to Herodion Castle. Herod the Great built this monumental fortress and palace on the highest hill in the Judean desert, 9mi (15km) south of Jerusalem. Herod was buried in the site that bore his name. The site was later a rebel stronghold and hiding place during the great revolts against the Romans. It is one of the most fascinating sites in the Holy Land. We return to Jerusalem after. Stay: Holyland Hotel (or similar) (B).

This morning, we leave Jerusalem and head west. Our first stop is The Lady of the Ark of the Covenant church. This hilltop church lays on the edge of Abu Gosh and has a fifth-century mosaic. From here, we continue to Old Jaffa on the Mediterranean. According to the Bible, a settlement was founded here by Noah's son Japheth following the great flood. Remains date to 2,000 BCE, making Jaffa one of the oldest ports in the world.

Leaving Jaffa, we head to Tel Aviv, the modern face of the Jewish state. This Mediterranean resort has a long sandy beach and palm-filled avenues lined with elegant buildings in the Bauhaus style. We visit Sarona market, the largest enclosed culinary market in Israel.

Tonight, there are plenty of great restaurants where the group can head for dinner to share the wonderful memories this trip has created. Stay: Cinema Hotel (or similar) (B).

The trip ends after breakfast in Tel Aviv. If you have onward flights, speak to your sales representative to arrange a private transfer to Ben Gurion Airport (extra cost) or you can arrange a taxi through the hotel reception. Please see the Joining Instructions for more details (B).