Highlights of Jordan & Israel

Our tour starts in Amman, one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. Home to almost half of Jordan's entire population, Amman is a fascinating city of contrasts, where the ancient and the modern collide. Get lost in the bustling souks of downtown, where you'll be tempted by falafel and baklawa stalls, or visit the hillside Roman Theatre for a taster of the city's varied history. There are no activities planned for today, so you're free to arrive in Amman at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer, you'll need to arrive at Queen Alia International Airport (AMM), a 30-minute drive from our hotel. Due to most flights arriving late in the evening, our Explore Leader will meet you for a welcome meeting the next morning. You'll find the meeting information on the notice board in the hotel reception. Stay: Toledo Hotel (Premium)

This morning, we start with a tour of Amman, the cultural heart of the Hashemite kingdom. The origins of Jordan's capital can be traced back 9,000 years and rose to prominence with the arrival of the Ammonites in 1200BC. We'll walk through history, visiting Amman's ancient highlights, including the Citadel and Temple of Hercules, the 8\super th\nosupersub -century Ummayad Palace and the Roman Theatre and Nymphaeum. In the afternoon, we'll head north of Amman to ancient Jerash. Inhabited for 6,500 years, the city's golden age was in Roman times when it became part of the Decapolis League - a confederation of important Middle Eastern cities. One of the best-preserved Roman ruins in the world, only 10% of the city has been uncovered since excavation began more than 100 years ago but you can still get a feel for how life in the city once was. Walk the colonnaded streets, visit the hilltop temples, explore the chariot-racing stadium, and hear your voice amplified in the ancient theatre. Stay: Toledo Hotel (Premium) (B)

This morning, we'll depart Amman and head to the Dead Sea This unique body of water is the lowest point on the earth's surface. With a salt content of 33%, it's almost impossible to sink and we'll take a dip to experience the mysterious floating sensation. While we're there, you can cover yourself in the water's rejuvenating mud, famous for its healing properties. After your dip, feel free to unwind by the pool or at the bar - there are shower facilities to freshen up in, too. Once we've had a float, we'll journey on to Petra. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the seven wonders of the world, the ancient 'rose city' is Jordan's most valuable treasure. Our Explore Leader will guide us on a tour through Petra's highlights before we have free time to explore further. As you enter the site, you're led down a kilometre-long chasm (known as the Siq) where the towering canyon walls reach up to 200 metres high. At the end of the Siq sits the beating heart of the city, the Treasury - miraculously well-preserved, the façade stands at 43-metres-high. Beyond the Treasury, the ancient city becomes a sprawl of tombs and temples waiting to be explored. The Bedouin community who still live within Petra sell their wares and offer refreshments along the colonnaded streets. As the day goes on, you'll notice the façades change colour with the light as the early morning and late afternoon sun brings out red, pink, and orange highlights in the rocks. After an action-packed day, we'll refuel with a traditional Bedouin dinner. We'll visit a nearby restaurant and learn how to make Maklouba, an upside-down dish of meat, rice and vegetables, followed by Um Ali, a creamy Arabic dessert. Stay: Edom Hotel (Comfortable) (B)

Today is free for you to uncover more of Petra. Climb the steep path to the High Place of Sacrifice for a panorama over Wadi Araba and the Negev Desert or trek up to the Monastery - Petra's largest monument. In the evening, there's the option to witness Petra by night. Follow the candlelit Siq trail and watch how the light plays against the high canyon rocks, blanketed by stars, before coming upon the treasury, lit up by night. Settle into the sands in front of the ancient temple and listen to a welcome speech from the Bedouin community that still calls the city home. Stay: Edom Hotel (Comfortable) (B/D)

Leaving Petra behind, today we'll embrace the nomadic lifestyle of the Bedouin and head into the dunes of Wadi Rum. We'll travel to the Wadi Rum visitor's centre by bus, where we'll meet our 4Wd vehicles to journey onwards through the desert. Our exhilarating drive along the sands will lead us through untouched parts of Wadi Rum. Described by T.E. Lawrence as 'vast, echoing and God-like…', Wadi Rum occupies 74,000 acres with its monolithic outcrops of granite rock and sandstone rising out of the blankets of sand. The Bedouins learned to live within this hostile environment 3000 years ago, adapting to the elements to perfect their nomadic way of life. Once we've watched the sun go down, setting the dunes aglow with fiery red and orange light, we'll head back to camp to experience Bedouin hospitality. We'll be served a traditional Zarb, a BBQ of chicken or goat meat (vegetarian options will be available) cooked under the desert sand served alongside a selection of mezze. Tonight, we'll sleep in a traditional Bedouin tent, crafted from goat hair which offers the best protection against the extreme desert climate. We'll share a communal tent (with gendered compartments) with rugs, mattresses, pillows, and blankets provided. There is a toilet and shower block at the end of the site. Private tents are also available at an extra cost. Stay: Salim Camp (Comfortable) (B/D)

After a full-on few days exploring the highlights of Jordan, we'll head to Aqaba for downtime by the Red Sea. A resort town, Aqaba is where local Jordanians come to holiday, lounge on the beach and experience water sports. The port city is famous for its preserved coral reefs and sea life and this afternoon there'll be the option to get out on the water for a snorkelling trip. If you don't have your sea legs, you can cool off in the hotel's rooftop pool or wander the vibrant souks. There are plenty of restaurants and bars to get a flavour for local life, too. Stay: My Luxury Hotel (Premium) (B)

Setting off early this morning, we'll make our way to the border of Aqaba into Eilat. Here, we'll say goodbye to our Jordanian Explore Leader and greet our new tour leader and driver. Making our way north, we'll head to the isolated, hilltop fortress of Masada, around a three-hour drive. The story of Masada is shrouded in mystery - it was fortified by Herod the Great and was once the last stronghold of the Zealots during the First Revolt AD70 against the Romans. We'll take a cable car up to the citadel, where we can take in the panorama of the desert, Mount Moab and the Dead Sea. After exploring the ruins, we'll continue to our accommodation for tonight in the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve. Our hotel in Ein Gedi had humble begins, starting off as a place for the women of the local kibbutz to visit and take advantage of the healing properties of the water. Now, the hotel sits within verdant gardens, between the Dead Sea and the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve. Stay: Prima Oasis Hotel (Comfortable) (B/D)

Today starts with a visit to the Ein Gedi National Park. We'll visit the excavation site of the synagogue and take in its intricate mosaic floor. Next, we'll drive to the Mount of Olives viewpoint where we're treat to a panorama of the old city of Jerusalem. We'll leave the bus and take a walking tour of the city, passing through Herod's Gate and making our way through the winding streets, bustling with stalls and shops, to the Via Dolorosa, traditionally believed to be the route taken by Christ on the day of his execution. Our route will take is via the Stations of the Cross to the Church of the holy Sepulchre, the holiest site in Christendom and the reputed place of the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We'll spend the afternoon uncovering Jerusalem's sacred sites, including Mount Zion, where we'll see the Last Supper rooms and King David's Tomb. Stay: Hotel Caesar Premier (Comfortable) (B)

After an early breakfast, this morning we'll return to the Old City on foot. Along the way, we'll visit the Temple Mount, the City of David and the Western Hall. Known as Haram esh-Sharif in Arabic, Temple Mount is a small hill inside the walls of the Old City and is recognised as a holy site in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. We'll continue to the historic City of David, where Jesus healed a blind man before stopping by the Western Wall - sometimes referred to as the Wailing Wall - the last remnant of the sacred Second Temple. After lunch, we'll drive to Bethlehem, around one hour away. As we cross the border into Palestinian Territory, we'll say goodbye to our Explore Leader in Israel and meet our local Palestinian guide. We'll take a guided walk from the central bus station along the cobbled streets to the Church of the Nativity before continuing by bus to the Shepherd Fields and the Milk Grotto. This evening is free to continue exploring Jerusalem. Discover the modern areas outside of the Old City or walk the pedestrianised Jaffa Street. Please note, Bethlehem can become incredibly busy with tourists and pilgrims. This means we can't guarantee the time we get to spend at each site or predict the length of queues. Some areas, including the Church of the Nativity and Milk Grotto have long wait times and little shade, so be prepared with a sun hat and water. Stay: Hotel Caesar Premier (Comfortable) (B)

Today we'll take the train to Yad Vashem, the world Holocaust memorial centre, dedicated to preserving the memory of the Jews who were murdered. Here, we'll learn about the history of the Holocaust and hear true life stories of those impacted. We'll also visit the memorial dedicated to the 6,000,000 people who lost their lives. This afternoon, we'll head back to the Old City of Jerusalem for a walking tour of the city's ancient streets. Our Explore Leader will guide us through markets and religious sites before leaving us to shop, eat or discover more at our own pace. Stay: Hotel Caesar Premier (Comfortable) (B)

Our tour ends at our hotel in Jerusalem. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer, you need to depart from Ben Gurion Airport (TLV). (B)