JORDAN & Jerusalem

Day 1: Arrival Amman – Amman City Tour

After clearing Immigration and Customs, look for your guide at the Arrivals Hall. He or she will take you on a sightseeing tour of downtown Amman and introduce you to the Citadel before checking-in to your hotel. Overnight at: Hotel in Amman.

Day 2: Umm Qais – Tel Mar Elias – Anjara – Jerash

Travel to Umm Qais (Gadara), where according to the Bible, Jesus performed the Gadarene Swine miracle when he cast out the devil from two men into a herd of pigs. Tall Mar Elias is well-known as the location of Tishbe, a city or region mentioned in the Bible as the birthplace of the Prophet Elijah. Drive to Anjara to see the Shrine of the Lady of the Mountain at the Roman Catholic Church. With your English-speaking local guide, spend two hours on a walking tour of Jerash. The city was one of the best preserved Roman cities when it was rediscovered in the 20th century. Enter through Hadrian’s Arch to see the Hippodrome, Greek temples and Byzantine churches, Roman theatres, colonnaded streets, forum and marketplace. Return to Amman. Overnight: Amman.

Day 3: Amman – Madaba – Mt. Nebo – (border crossing) – Nazareth

Drive to Madaba along the Kings’ Highway to see the oldest mosaic map of the Holy Land on the floor of St George Church. A short drive will bring us to Mt. Nebo, the most revered holy site in Jordan. The Mount is mentioned many times in the Bible when Moses went up from the Plain of Moab to the Mount of Nebo and God showed Moses the Promised Land. From the lookout point, you get views of the Jordan Valley, Dead Sea, Jericho, and the Mountains of Jerusalem. Descend into the Rift Valley and drive to King Hussein Bridge on the border to cross the holy river of Jordan. Once across the border, meet your Palestinian driver and guide and continue on to Nazareth. Overnight: Nazareth

Day 4: Nazareth – Cana – Mt. Tabor

In the morning, enjoy a breakfast buffet in the hotel. Then set out to visit Annunciation Church to see ”the announcement of the Angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary of the approaching virgin birth,” as described in Luke 1:26-38. Visit the St. Joseph the Carpenter Church, believed to have been built over the holy family’s workshop, visit Mary’s Well & Springs – the site of the Annunciation. Visit the Church of Cana, where Jesus performed his first miracle, changing water into wine (John 2:1-11, 4:46-54). Then drive to Mt. Tabor, the site of the transfiguration of Jesus Christ (Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:2-8, Luke 9:28-36). Welcome back to Nazareth! Overnight at the hotel in Nazareth.

Day 5: Mt of Beatitudes – Tabgha – Sea of Galilee

Breakfast in the hotel, then travel to Mt. of Beatitudes where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-8). Visit Tabgha on the north-western shore of the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus is believed to have performed two miracles: the multiplication of loaves and fishes (Mark 6:30-46) and the fourth resurrection appearance of Jesus (John 21:1-24). If you’re in Rome, go to the Church of the Primacy of St. Peter Primacy, which is thought to mark the spot where Jesus helped St. Peter regain his leadership role among the apostles. Before continuing on to Capernaum, take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus lived and healed the sick. He preached in the synagogue, and performed miracles (Matthew 9:1, 4:13). Finally, go to the House of Peter where Jesus is thought to have lived. Back to Nazareth. Overnight: Nazareth.

Day 6: Haifa – Caesarea – Tel Aviv (Jaffa) – Jerusalem

We’ll drive to Haifa, following breakfast and check-out, and ascend Mount Carmel for a panoramic view of the Bay. Then we’ll visit Stella Maris Carmelite Monastery at the top and Elijah’s Cave at the base. Visit Muhraka, the Hanging Gardens of the Bahai’ Shrine, through Meggido, From Haifa, you can then visit the Water Aqueduct and the Roman Theatre, Hippodrome and Crusader fortress in Caesarea. We drive to Tel Aviv, the commercial capital of Israel, then on to Jaffa where we’ll visit the House of Simon the Tanner and the Old City before heading to Jerusalem. Later, enjoy a panoramic view of the Old City and check into your hotel. Overnight: Jerusalem.

Day 7: Walking tour of the Old City of Jerusalem

Breakfast in the hotel then we enter the Old City of Jerusalem from Dung Gate to visit the Walling Wall. Visit Jerusalem’s Old City, where you can walk the traditional Stations of the Cross on the Via Dolorosa and visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

Day 8: Bethany – Jericho – Dead Sea

After an early breakfast we drive to Bethany, where we visit the House of Mary and Martha, and Lazarus’ Tomb. Then we travel to Jericho, a town that dates back to biblical times. Visit the Sycamore Tree (Zacharious the tax collector climbed the tree to view Jesus) and view Mt. of Temptation. When you reach the border crossing, say goodbye to your driver and guide. After crossing the Allenby and King Hussein Bridges, you will be met by your Jordanian driver and taken to your hotel on the northern foreshore of the Dead Sea. Going down to 420 meters below sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth. Float in the Dead Sea with its 7-times-higher salt content and enjoy the minerals that provide therapeutic remedies to many skin ailments. Overnight: Dead Sea.

Day 9: Dead Sea – Karak Castle – Overlooking Dana Nature Reserve – Shobak Castle – Petra

Your tour guide will lead you to Karak Castle. It was built in 1132/34 by King Baldwin I. of Jerusalem. The King’s Highway passes through the beautiful Al Sharah Mountains. You’ll stop to overlook the wild natural reserve of Dana, and drive on to Shobak Castle. This is another crusader castle. In the distance you’ll spot Petra, which is one of the world’s most famous ancient ruins. Make a stop at Wadi Musa, Petra for overnight.

Day 10: Petra – Amman

With your English speaking guide, walk through the mile-long Siq to reach the city of Petra, passing the remains of Nabataean shrines, water channels, wall carvings and some of the original paving stones. See the magnificent Treasury as you exit the Siq, explore the Street of Facades, the Theatre, Royal Tombs, Colonnaded Street, Byzantine Church, Winged Lion’s Temple, Qasr al Bint, and the Petra Museum where your guided tour will end. Climb to the Monastery and/or High Place of Sacrifice on your own. In the afternoon return to Amman for Overnight.

Day 11: Departure

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for departure.