11 Day Jordan & Israel Uncovered Premium Small Group

Welcome to Jordan, cosmopolitan and contemporary, yet steeped in biblical history. On arrival at Amman's Queen Alia International Airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. If you arrive with time to spare then walk the streets, where you'll soon hear “Welcome to Jordan” from the locals. Maybe pick up a coffee from one of the cafés and partner it with an ara'yes, a toastie filled with spicy mincemeat. Maybe head to the Old Town's Roman Amphitheatre, find fine culture at the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts, look down on the city from the hilltop Temple of Hercules or begin your trip with a relax in a Turkish bath house. Arrival airport transfers are included as part of your package. If you are eligible for a Jordanian visa on arrival, this will be included in your tour package. You will be met and assisted through immigration and transferred to your hotel. If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed. If you are arriving early and have made your own arrangements prior to your tour commencing, airport transfers and the Jordanian Visa will not be included. However, if you are purchasing pre-nights accommodation as part of your Inspiring Vacations package, your Visa and airport transfers will still be provided to the starting hotel. If you are eligible for a Jordanian visa on arrival, this will be included in your tour package. You will be met and assisted through immigration.

After breakfast, enjoy a tour of this capital city. Cosmopolitan and contemporary, yet steeped in ancient biblical history, Amman is a bit of a chameleon. Most of the city's historical sites are located downtown. Here we'll visit the Citadel, with remains from the Roman to the early Islamic period; the Jordan Archaeological Museum, which houses the oldest Neolithic statues dating from 8000 to 5000 NC, as well as other valuable artifacts; the souq, where we'll get an idea of everyday life; as well as the beautifully restored 2nd-century Roman Theatre. Next we'll take a short drive (approximately one-hour) north to Jerash. Once one of the grandest ancient Roman cities in the world, Jerash now boasts some of the best Greco-Roman ruins around. Admire this site's striking collection of crumbling archways, theatres, baths, public buildings and colonnaded streets. Grand columns encircle the city's centrepiece, the Oval Plaza, a wonderfully atmospheric place to linger after exploring this ruined city's lasting riches. Inspiring Highlights Citadel Jordan Archaeological Museum Roman Theatre Jerash Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.

Today marks the beginning of our journey towards the fabled site of Petra. En route we'll visit Madaba, an ancient market town that's home to a number of fine Byzantine mosaics, the most outstanding of which lies within Saint George's Greek Orthodox Church. Here, a map of the Holy Land once carpeted the whole floor, said to contain more than two million pieces. Crafted around 560 CE, a large swathe of this mosaic map can still be viewed, providing the oldest map of Palestine in existence. Next we'll continue to the ancient village at Dana, on the edge of the Dana Biosphere Reserve, where local artisans sell silver jewellery. Later, we'll drive along the King's Highway, up to Shobak Castle, sometimes known as Montreal. Perched at the top of a hill in the desert, this ancient Crusader castle was originally built to protect the eastern flank of the Latin Kingdom and its trade routes to the sea before it fell to Muslim sultan Saladin in 1189. Stroll the site and discover a small chapel, original gatehouse, and find out where a long, dark secret passage leads. Inspiring Highlights Madaba Dana Biosphere Reserve Shobak Castle Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.

Get ready for Petra! A firm fixture on most bucket lists for good reason – the jewel of Jordan is an arresting sight. The so-called Rose City boasts an impressive series of tombs, caves and temples hidden behind ornate façades carved directly into the rock. No one knows the exact date of this desert kingdom's creation, but the lost city of the Nabateans is believed to date as far back as the 2nd century CE. The city has lain empty and unknown for centuries, only rediscovered in 1812 by a Swiss explorer. You'll feel just like Indiana Jones, as you meander through the narrow canyon known as the Siq; at times the path measures only a few metres wide, with walls soaring up to 180 metres on either side of you. It's easy to imagine the armies and merchants who made their way here many years ago, and the sense of awe they too must have felt upon reaching this ancient rock-hewn kingdom, surrounded by such a stark landscape. The Siq is the main entranceway to The Treasury – perhaps Petra's most iconic sight, and one of its most elaborate temples. Petra's greatest surprise, however, is its size. With our guide we'll explore the old Roman road, the amphitheatre and several tombs. We'll also climb up to the beautiful façade of the Monastery, from where you will have a magnificent view of the entire site. Exploring this truly extraordinary destination is sure to be a highlight of your trip. Inspiring Highlights Petra

We continue to Wadi Rum and browse around the excellent and informative visitor's centre. We'll visit several of Wadi Rum's distinctive rock formations and soak in the vast silence, towering sandstone mountains and spectacular desert landscapes of this surreal 'Valley of the Moon', where the wind-sculpted rock formations change in hue throughout the day. We'll also meet with local Bedouins, who live in scattered camps throughout the area. We'll enjoy an evening with them at one of their camps,savouring the hospitality of these nomadic peoples and the uninterrupted desert panoramas. Wadi Rum is probably best known for its connection with the enigmatic British army officer TE Lawrence, who was based here during the Great Arab Revolt of 1917-18. Much of David Lean's movie on his exploits, Lawrence of Arabia, was actually filmed in this very region. Inspiring Highlights Wadi Rum Valley of the Moon Bedouin Camp Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours. Please note - While we are sure that this experience will inspire you, please be aware that your stay will differ from that of a traditional hotel. There are no hotels in or near Wadi Rum: the only places to sleep are the numerousbedouin-run camps dotted around the desert. The camps that we use are quoted as being 'luxury' because their locations differ from other styles of camps and your tent will have its own ensuite. Even at the best and more 'luxurious' camps, bathroom facilities within the tents are somewhat rudimentary and the bedding can also be quite basic, however still offering you a comfortable nights' accommodation. All of your meals are included and will be served in a common social area. While we may not make it sound glamorous, it will be a unique and memorable experience. For those who prefer not to ride a camel, there is the option of travelling into the desert by 4WD.

After waking up in the unique environment of the luxury camp this morning, we'll enjoy a walk around the area before scaling one of the large dunes to enjoy sensational views of the surrounding area; keen photographers will be delighted. We'll then ride camels back across the Wadi Rum desert. (For those who prefer not to ride a camel, there is the option of travelling by 4WD) Later, we'll drive for approximately two hours to reach a radically different landscape – the Dead Sea. We'll spend the afternoon on the shores of this famous body of water, named for the dearth of life in its waters. The saline water has a high density that keeps bathers buoyant and makes getting underneath the surface very difficult. Floating on the surface without any sort of lilo makes for a once in a lifetime experience. Afterwards we'll return to Amman for the evening. Inspiring Highlights Wadi Rum desert camel ride The Dead Sea Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 5.5 hours

Leaving the hotel early this morning, we make our way to the Allenby bridge, at the Israeli border. The bridge crosses the Jordan River near the city of Jericho and connects the West Bank with Jordan. En route to Jerusalem we visit the ancient fortress of Masada. Situated at the very top of an isolated rock plateau in southeastern Israel, Masada is the site of the Jews' last stand against the Romans after the fall of Jerusalem in 70 CE, and is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Afterwards, we continue our drive to Jerusalem, where we'll enjoy a welcome dinner to celebrate our first night in Israel. Inspiring Highlights Ancient fortress of Masada Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours. This travel time does not include border crossing formalities which can vary depending on group size and how busy it is. The crossing typically takes 1-3 hours and you will be unescorted, your tour leader will be waiting for you on the Israel side. You will need some USD or JOD to pay for Jordan exit tax (approx. 8-10 JOD) and the bus ride across the border (7 JOD plus 1.50 JOD per bag) prices can change on the border so please discuss this with your Tour Leader prior to crossing.

After breakfast, begin the day with sweeping views across Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, taking in the city skyline and key landmarks including the Dome of the Rock, Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Old City. Continue into the Old City to walk the Via Dolorosa, traditionally believed to trace the route Jesus took on the way to his crucifixion and still an important Christian pilgrimage path today. Visit the Western Wall, one of Judaism's holiest sites, where visitors gather to pray and place written prayers between the ancient stones. Travel on to Bethlehem, stopping for lunch at your own expense, before visiting the Church of the Nativity, a UNESCO World Heritage Site revered as the birthplace of Jesus. Its historic basilica and grotto offer a powerful insight into the area's religious significance. Return to Jerusalem in the afternoon, with the evening at leisure. Inspiring Highlights Mount of Olives Jerusalem Old City Via Dolorosa Bethlehem

After breakfast we headnorth to the Sea of Galilee, a tranquil freshwater lake closely associated with the ministry of Jesus. We explore several key sacred sites, including Capernaum, often called the ‘Town of Jesus', as well as Tabgha and the Mount of Beatitudes, believed to be the setting for many pivotal teachings. Enjoy a peaceful boat ride on the lake, taking in the landscapes that have inspired pilgrims for centuries. We end the day in Nazareth, the city where Jesus spent his early years, rich in biblical heritage and cultural significance. Inspiring Highlights Capernaum Tabgha Mount of Beatitudes Sea of Galilee Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 3.5 hours.

After breakfast, we explore the key sights of Nazareth, including the revered Church of the Annunciation, a landmark deeply connected to Christian tradition and the city's spiritual heritage. We then continue to Caesarea, renowned for its impressive national park and remarkably preserved Roman remains. Here, aqueducts, a grand amphitheatre, and the outlines of an ancient hippodrome reveal the city's storied past. The restored amphitheatre, still used for summer performances, offers a striking glimpse into Caesarea's former grandeur. Our journey continues to the ancient port city of Jaffa, the historic heart from which modern Tel Aviv has grown. We conclude our day in this vibrant, cosmopolitan city, celebrated for its coastal charm, lively dining scene, and bustling array of bars, restaurants, and boutiques. Inspiring Highlights Church of the Annunciation Caesarea Jaffa Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.

Unfortunately, today marks the end of your incredible tour through Jordan and Israel. Thank you for travelling with Inspiring Vacations. We hope you had a memorable experience. Special Information Departure transfers are included as part of your package. You will be collected from your hotel at the appropriate time and transferred to the airport to meet your flight. If you choose to extend your stay (e.g., departing after the final tour date) and have booked your additional accommodation independently, this included service will be forfeited and no refund will be issued. If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed.