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Map of Premium Middle East including Egypt, Israel and Jordan

Unveil the ancient riches and cultural heart of the Middle East

Embark on a 22-day Premium adventure through the Middle East, from the heartland of ancient Egypt down the iconic Nile River, to the desert landscapes of Wadi Rum, both sides of the Dead Sea and the centre of the Christian world in Jerusalem. Take in the temples of Philae, sail on a Nile riverboat and break bread with local families and communities. Discover lost kingdoms in Jordan, camp under the desert stars in traditional Bedouin accommodation and marvel at some of the world’s most impressive sites in Jerusalem. Uncover the swathes of history alive in this region, joined by expert local guides and a small group of likeminded adventurers.

Start
Cairo, Egypt
Finish
Tel Aviv, Israel
Destinations
Egypt, Israel, Jordan
Style
Premium
Theme
Explorer
Code
XEPIC
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

premium accommodation

Our best accommodation and highest level of service.

premium experiences

Unusual, exceptional and authentic on-trip experiences.

premium knowledge

Led by our most experienced and highest rated local leaders.

  • A day at the incredible Pyramids of Giza is only the beginning. Discover the Valley of the Kings, Petra, Wadi Rum, Jerusalem’s historical religious sites and experience the unique sensation of floating in the Dead Sea.

  • Experience the best of each country with Feature Stay accommodation – three unforgettable evenings on a Nile riverboat, isolated elegance at a luxury camp in Wadi Rum and old school charm in Haifa in a historic hotel. 

  • Embrace local life as you travel with passionate local leaders, make a meal at a refugee camp, spend an evening with a Bedouin community, learn about Nubian life on an island in the Nile and dine with locals. .

  • Lift the lid on local cuisine during Exclusive Experiences, including a hummus tasting and falafel lunch in Jerusalem, a zarb dinner at a Bedouin camp, a meal in a family’s home in Cairo and sunset drinks on board a traditional felucca.

  • The unearthing of Tutankhamun’s tomb is one of the world’s greatest discovery’s – at the Valley of the Kings you’ll have the chance to enter three tombs of your choice, followed by a visit to the resting place of the famous young Pharaoh.

Is this trip right for you?

  • Ramadan is an annual month-long festival, during which travel can be a rewarding cultural experience, however some regular services may not be available during the day, such as restaurants or cafes, and occasionally travel can be disrupted by events. Your leader will adjust the itinerary accordingly, but please consider this when selecting your travel dates. You’ll find dates and further information in the ‘Climate and seasonal information’ section of the Essential Trip Information.

  • This trip takes in many religious sites, so it’s best to come prepared. You will need to bring clothes that cover arms and legs – a light scarf is a good idea for hot days.

XEPN - Exploring the Aswan bazaar
XEPN - Group meal on Felucca while cruising down the Nile river
XEPN - View of the pyramids on a bright and sunny day in Cairo, Egypt
XEPN - Group tour exploring inside the Luxor Temples, Egypt
Traveller sits with leader on car bonnet in Wadi Rum desert
Peregrine Adventures jordan petra monastery ancient temple
Travellers pose in front of Petra in Jordan with their leader
Travellers look out over the rocky landscape of Masada on a sunny day
Hotel room at Dar Sitti Aziza, Bethlehem, Palestine
Hotel Dar Sitti Aziza exterior, Bethlehem, Palestine

Itinerary
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Welcome to Cairo! On arrival at the airport, take an included transfer to your hotel. You are free to arrive at any time today before an important welcome meeting, held at 6 pm. If you do arrive early, perhaps get out and explore the busy streets, finding a hole-in-the-wall eatery for a snack like ta’ameya – Egypt’s take on falafel. Or you may wish to make the most of your hotel – the pool area offers magnificent pyramid views. After your welcome meeting, where you will meet your local leader and fellow travellers, head out for an included dinner with the group. Here your leader will introduce you to the dazzling variety of Egyptian cuisine, known for being fresh, delicious and unique to the country. Best enjoyed when shared, tuck into an array of traditional dishes like fatta, a dish made with rice, bread and meat in a garlic and vinegar sauce, and kushari, a tantalising mixture of pasta, rice, lentils and fried onions.
Accommodation
  • Steigenberger Cairo Pyramids Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
  • Cairo - Welcome Dinner
Optional Activities
  • Cairo - Islamic Art Museum (entrance fee) - EGP180
  • Urban Adventures - Islamic Cairo in Depth Tour - USD43
  • Urban Adventures - Saqqara and Memphis - USD70
  • Cairo - Urban Adventures Downtown Cairo Tour - USD20
Meals Included
  • Dinner
Special Information
An airport arrival transfer is included. This transfer is only valid if arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-trip accommodation through Intrepid. Please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 15 days prior to travel.

It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

This morning, tour the mighty Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx with your small group and expert leader, who is a trained Egyptologist. Seeing these ancient and iconic structures up close is a memory that will stay with you long after your time in Egypt is over. For an additional charge, you may be able to go inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu (or Cheops). After stopping to purchase some lunch, Your adventure continues to the Egyptian Museum, home to one of the world's great collections of ancient artefacts. Wander the treasure-filled halls, and make sure to check out the optional Mummies Hall for a close encounter with some of the country’s most important queens and pharaohs. The masses of gleaming artefacts recovered from the tomb of Tutankhamun are an impressive sight – from jewellery to the famous golden death mask and his gilded sarcophagi, this pharaoh was certainly prepared for the afterlife. Your leader will take you through some of Egypt’s dynastic history, and you will have plenty of time to explore on your own – home to almost 100,000 artefacts, there’s a whole ancient world to uncover.
Accommodation
  • Steigenberger Cairo Pyramids Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Cairo - Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx
  • Cairo - Egyptian Museum
Optional Activities
  • Cairo - The Great Pyramid of Cheops (entrance fee) - EGP600
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
The Grand Egyptian Museum opening has now been postponed to at least November 2022. If it is not open when you travel, your tour will still include a visit to the current Egyptian Museum which holds many of the same treasures that are due to be moved to the new premises.

You will be required to walk around the pyramids complex. It can be very hot in the summer months, so be prepared for little shade and pack appropriate clothing, sun protection, and lots of water. Inside the pyramids is very small and warm. For those suffering from claustrophobia, it is not recommended. The Great Pyramid of Khufu is occasionally closed to visitors without notice.

Catch a morning flight to Aswan – Egypt’s southernmost city. Its relaxed charm is due in no small part to its large Nubian population. Check in to your hotel then travel to Philae Island and visit the beautiful Temple of Isis – the goddess of health, marriage and wisdom – rescued from the rising waters of the Nile and relocated here. Your leader will share stories of the history and changing landscape of the island. Then, take a boat to a Nubian village on an island in the middle of the Nile. Walk through the village before sitting down to dinner with a local Nubian family in their home. Enjoy traditional Nubian food, swap stories with your friendly hosts and gain a unique perspective into their way of life.
Accommodation
  • Movenpick Aswan or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Aswan - Nubian Village Visit and Dinner
  • Aswan - Philae Temple
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s flight is approximately 1.5 hours.

After breakfast, you may like to take a stroll around Aswan or join an optional tour of Abu Simbel, a temple complex that was dismantled and moved to make way for the Aswan High Dam, before you board a Nile riverboat, your Feature Stay accommodation for the next three nights. Travelling by riverboat allows you to get to the heart of each destination while ensuring the journeys in between are every bit as interesting. In the afternoon, board a traditional felucca sailing boat where you can sit back and relax with some drinks as the sun sets over your beautiful surroundings. Return to your riverboat for dinner.
Accommodation
  • MS Nile Style or La Fayan Nile Cruise (Feature Stay) or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Aswan - Sunset drinks on a felucca
Optional Activities
  • Aswan – Abu Simbel excursion by car (includes transfer, guide and entry) - USD110
  • Aswan - Abu Simbel excursion by flight (includes flights, transfers, guide and entry) from price - USD380
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
It is possible to book a morning excursion from Aswan to Abu Simbel, where you can explore some magnificent temples. Please speak to your booking agent to arrange this in advance, as flights frequently sell out. Currently, flight times to Abu Simbel change frequently and may require a very early start.

Accommodation aboard the Nile riverboat is full board – breakfast, lunch and dinner are included. Drinks are offered from the bar area for an additional cost. An evening program is also available. Please note that you may sail on either the MS Nile Style, Nile Premium, or La Fayan Nile Cruise depending on sailing dates.

Enjoy a peaceful morning on board your riverboat, then set out in the afternoon along the river, relaxing in the sun on deck and taking in the desert hills forming a backdrop over the lush riverbanks. Arrive at Kom Ombo Temple, sitting spectacularly on the river’s edge. Your leader will let you in on the secrets of this ancient temple. Built in approximately 181 BC, Kom Ombo is dedicated to two gods – Horus (god of protection) and Sobek (god of fertility, linked to the Nile’s water). Each god has a dedicated section – north or south – and there have been recent discoveries of mummified crocodiles in the Sobek section. Afterwards, return to your riverboat and continue to Edfu where you will dock for the evening.
Accommodation
  • MS Nile Style or La Fayan Nile Cruise (Feature Stay) or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Izbat Al Bayyarah - Kom Ombo Temple
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

This morning, you will be moored near Edfu and may have the option to venture independently into town to see the nearby temple. Sail towards Luxor passing through the Esna Locks. You may have to queue to proceed through the locks, but this is a great opportunity to sit back with a drink in hand and observe life on the Nile – listen to the shouts of the many captains as they navigate their way through the various small boats of merchants selling their wares to a captive audience. Arrive at the open-air museum of Luxor – from the spectacular temple complex of Karnak to the Valley of the Kings, Luxor is full of wonderfully preserved reminders of the Pharaohs. Today you'll explore the Karnak Temple. One of the world's most celebrated temple complexes, Karnak is a house of the gods built over a period of some 200 years. Your guided tour of this vast temple of impressive pylons, obelisks and chapels will reveal its finest sections, such as the Avenue of Sphinxes and the Great Temple of Amun.
Accommodation
  • MS Nile Style or La Fayan Nile Cruise (Feature Stay) or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Luxor - Karnak Temple
Optional Activities
  • Edfu - Edfu Temple (entrance fee) - EGP300
  • Luxor - Karnak Temple Sound and Light Show (minimum 2 persons) (entrance, guide & transport) - USD35
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
The only mode of transport to the Temple of Horus in Edfu is by locally managed horses and carriages. As a company committed to responsible travel, animal welfare is extremely important to us. Operators of this service have been found to be in breach of our animal welfare guidelines and, for this reason, we do not include this visit. In addition to animal welfare concerns, we have had a large amount of feedback suggesting that the visit itself is uncomfortable due to pushy vendors and suppliers at the site.

Previously, some travellers have decided to walk to the temple. This takes approximately 30 minutes each way. Be aware the road is very busy and there have been instances of travellers getting hassled by the carriage drivers. If you choose to walk, inform your leader before you depart and ensure you are carrying water, hat and sunscreen and have comfortable shoes.

If there is no time to visit the Karnak Temple today, this will take place tomorrow on Day 7.

Disembark your riverboat and travel to the Valley of the Kings. Buried under the arid hills here are over 60 tombs of pharaohs, many richly decorated with reliefs and paintings. With your leader, explore this place, where the pharaohs of the New Kingdom (16th to 11th century BC) were secretly interred for all eternity, and where discoveries are still being made. Your leader will explain the history and legends of these remarkable people, and the significance of the many paintings and hieroglyphics, still well preserved in the deepest tombs. Entry is included to three tombs of your choosing, as well as access to the tomb of Tutankhamun. The unearthing of the young Pharaoh’s resting place is one of the world’s greatest archaeological discoveries, and today you will have the chance to explore the painted chamber and marvel at his famous golden sarcophagus. Continue to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut – a colonnaded building set against high cliffs that create a spectacular natural amphitheatre, then view the Colossi of Memnon – two 17-metre-high statues on Luxor's west bank.
Accommodation
  • Sonesta St George Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Luxor - Hatshepsut Temple
  • Luxor - Valley of the Kings (entrance to 3 tombs)
  • Luxor - Tomb of Tutankhamun
  • Luxor - Colossi of Memnon
Optional Activities
  • Luxor - Hot Air Balloon over the Valley of the Kings - USD130
  • Luxor - Valley of the Queens (entrance fee) - EGP100
  • Luxor - Tomb of Queen Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens (entrance fee) - EGP1400
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
You can purchase a photo ticket that will entitle you to take photos in any of the tombs that you visit as part of your visit to the Valley of the Kings. The cost of the camera ticket is around EGP300.

It is possible to do a Valley of the Kings hot air balloon tour which your leader can reserve for you. Intrepid only uses providers that have been risk assessed. You will be picked up between 4.30 and 5am from your hotel. Balloon capacity is maximum of 25 people and cameras are prohibited in the basket (mobile phones are acceptable). This activity runs subject to weather conditions. Please speak to your leader on Day 1 if you would like to book this activity.

Board a flight bound for Cairo this morning. On arrival, settle in to your hotel then head with your group to the Al-Azhar neighbourhood to visit Khan al-Khalili Bazaar – a sprawling maze of alleyways including the gold market, cloth market, 'perfume street' and the spice market. Continue to the 9th-century Al-Azhar Mosque – one of the oldest and largest in Egypt. Its perfectly proportioned courtyard and distinctive minaret make it a masterpiece of Islamic architecture. Stop off in Cairo’s oldest coffeeshop for an Arabic coffee or mint tea as you watch the world go by. It’s a known fact that the very best food in Cairo is made inside local homes, but few visitors get the chance to experience this for themselves. This afternoon, you will be one of the lucky few as you are welcomed into the home of a local family for a meal. Sit down to a wonderful meal of traditional dishes which you’ll share with your friendly hosts and gain an inside look at modern Egyptian life.
Accommodation
  • Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir Cairo or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Cairo - Home-Cooked Dinner
  • Cairo - Khan al-Khalili Bazaar
  • Cairo - Al-Azhar Mosque
  • Cairo - Coffee/tea in a local cafe
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s flight is approximately 1.5 hours.

The meal in a family home may be lunch or dinner, depending on your flight time.

Today you will transfer to Cairo airport and catch a flight to Amman, Jordan’s cosmopolitan and contemporary capital that’s steeped in biblical history. On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel where a meeting will take place at 6pm to welcome any new travellers joining you for the next part of your adventure. After the meeting, head out to a local restaurant for a welcome dinner with your group and leader. Sharing food is a huge part of Jordanian culture and eating out is a social affair that’s packed with flavour. Tonight your leader will introduce you to some of the country’s most beloved dishes, like mansaf, a dish made with lamb, yoghurt and rice, and kunafa, a delicious dessert made with pastry and cheese.
Accommodation
  • Ambassador Boutique Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
  • Amman - Welcome Dinner
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s flight is approximately 1.5 hours.

As this is a combination trip, your group leader and the composition of your group will likely change at this location. There will be a group meeting to discuss the next stage of your itinerary. We suggest you attend, as this is also a great chance to meet your new fellow travellers. It’s important that you attend the welcome meeting as your new group leader will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

This morning, leave Amman for a short drive north to Jerash where you’ll find some of the world’s best Greco-Roman ruins. Reaching its peak as a favourite of the emperor Hadrian, Jerash holds a striking collection of archways, theatres, baths, public buildings and colonnaded streets. Your leader will share the incredible history of the ruins and help you imagine what life once looked like in this glorious Roman city. Grand columns encircle the city's centrepiece of the Oval Plaza – an atmospheric place to linger after exploring Jerash's riches. Afterwards, return to Amman and head to a cooking school run by a mother and her daughters, where you’ll get a special look behind the scenes of Jordanian cuisine. You’ll feel as through you’ve stepped into the welcoming home of a local grandmother as you learn how to make classics like tabbouleh, flat bread and lentil soup with passionate guidance and generations of culinary know-how. The flavours, recipes and warmth of this evening are sure to stick with you long after your time in Jordan is over.
Accommodation
  • Ambassador Boutique Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Jerash - Roman ruins
  • Amman - Beit Sitti cooking class and dinner
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s total driving time is approximately 2 hours.

Today you will make the journey from Amman to the Dead Sea. Named for the lack of life in its waters, this lake is so intensely salty that the water density makes swimming very difficult, but bobbing on the water's surface is a truly fun and one-off experience. En route, stop off at Mount Nebo and hear the story of how Moses saw the Promised Land before he died from what is believed to be this very spot, and St Georges Church, best known for its Byzantine mosaic depicting a map of the Holy Land. On arrival, enjoy some time to float in the buoyant waters of the Dead Sea, relax on your hotel’s beachfront or take a dip in one of three swimming pools or jacuzzi.
Accommodation
  • Holiday Inn Resort Dead Sea or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Madaba - St Georges Church
  • Mt Nebo - Site visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s total driving time is approximately 1.5 hours.

Depart the Dead Sea and drive to the ancient Crusader castle at Shobak – your leader will explain how this ancient castle was originally built to protect the eastern flank of the Latin Kingdom and its trade routes to the sea before it fell to Saladin in 1189. Enjoy superb scenery and stop off at the viewpoint overlooking the Dana Nature Reserve before arriving in the late afternoon to your Petra accommodation. Petra dates back to the sixth century BC and is considered the crown jewel of Jordan, featuring an impressive series of tombs and dwellings carved directly into the rock. On arrival, there is time to check out the town that has grown around the site and to relax, ready for a big day of exploring Petra tomorrow.
Accommodation
  • Petra Moon Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Shobak - Shobak Castle
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s total driving time is approximately 3.5 hours.

Petra is a small and busy city with limited hotel options, so it is often difficult to secure a preferred hotel here. Alternative hotels in Petra may include Old Village Resort, P Quattro Relax or Hyatt Zaman. If you would like to confirm in advance which hotel is included on your tour, please check with your booking agent 30 days prior to departure.

Today will be spent uncovering the secrets of Petra with the knowledgeable guidance of your leader. The iconic view of the Treasury's glorious facade, glimpsed from a narrow cleft known as the Siq, is perhaps the single-most striking sight of the entire region. The Siq leads through the rock and is at points only a few metres wide, with walls soaring up to 180 metres on either side. Explore the old Roman road, amphitheatre and several ancient tombs. You will also have time to climb to the Monastery if you wish, providing a magnificent view of the entire site. There is a cafeteria on the site, where you can enjoy your own light lunch. The rest of the day will be at your leisure. This evening, perhaps take the chance to witness Petra by night if your dates align. Seeing the Treasury plaza lit up by candlelight while Bedouin music plays is a truly memorable experience.
Accommodation
  • Petra Moon Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Petra - leader-led tour of Petra
Optional Activities
  • Petra - Petra By Night - JOD17
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
The optional activity Petra by Night runs every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, beginning at 8.30pm from the Petra Visitor Centre and finishing back at the Visitor Centre around 10.30pm. Please ensure you check your departure date if you are planning to book this activity as it is not available on all departures.

For another glimpse at Petra, rise very early for an unguided morning visit, if you wish. Then, drive to Wadi Rum, a protected area of desert that impresses with sandstone mountains, canyons and arches. Enjoy some lunch in the small village of Rum and browse the informative visitor’s centre. Afterwards, jump into a local jeep and journey into Wadi Rum with your Bedouin hosts. Visit several of the area’s distinctive rock formations and appreciate the vast silence and spectacular desert landscapes. These landscapes are home to hardy Bedouin communities that live in scattered camps. You will gain a deeper understanding of their way of life as you join them for a zarb (underground oven) dinner at one of their camps, set in an amazing location deep in the desert. Tonight’s Feature Stay accommodation is a luxury camp that offers a splendid base among remote and wild surroundings. Spacious tents are fitted out with creature comforts like king-sized beds, air conditioning and en suite bathrooms, and all furniture is made by hand with décor inspired by Bedouin culture. Fall asleep in your luxurious tent beneath a magnificent canopy of stars and wake up to a sunrise over the red-hued landscape.
Accommodation
  • Wadi Rum Luxury Camp (Feature Stay) or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Petra - Petra second day visit (unguided)
  • Wadi Rum - Desert Jeep tour
  • Wadi Rum - Zarb Local Dinner
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s total driving time is approximately 2.5 hours.

In Wadi Rum, you will stay in permanent Bedouin style tents with modern ensuite bathroom facilities. Tents are complete with comfortable king-size or twin beds, a Bedouin sofa, mirrors, lamps, and all bedding. Electricity is provided in the guest tents in the evenings via solar power. On occasion, an alternative Feature Stay Camp may be used. Please see the Important Notes section for more information.

After waking up in the unique surrounds of your Bedouin camp this morning, take a walk around the area – the length of which depends on the group’s desires – before scaling one of the large dunes to enjoy panoramic views of your surrounds. Afterwards, return to Amman for the evening. Tonight you may like to join your group for a final dinner to round off your adventure – speak to your leader about the best restaurants in the city that are popular with the locals.
Accommodation
  • Ambassador Boutique Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Wadi Rum - Desert and dunes walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s total driving time is approximately 4.5 hours.

Today, you will transfer to the Allenby Bridge Border Crossing in private transport with a local representative. On arrival at the border, a VIP crossing service has been arranged for you. After departure formalities with Jordanian customs, there will be private transport to transfer you the six kilometres to the Israel and Palestinian Territories border. On the Israel side you will need to pass through immigration and customs. This does involve checking in your baggage which is then scanned – the length of this process can differ depending on how busy the border is but be prepared to wait 1-2 hours. Next, your Intrepid transfer representative will collect you and transfer you to your hotel in Jerusalem. The journey from Amman to Jerusalem takes approximately 2 hours, but this can vary depending on the time of year and how busy the border crossings are. There are no activities planned today until a welcome meeting at 6 pm, where you’ll meet your local leader and fellow travellers. Afterwards, join your leader for a welcome meeting and dinner.
Accommodation
  • The Arthur Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
  • Jerusalem - Welcome Dinner
  • Jerusalem - Leader-led orientation walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s border crossing is unaccompanied. Due to current border regulations, it may be difficult to locate your driver after passing into Israel and the Palestinian Territories. Please be patient – they will collect you once they have been made aware of your arrival. If after 5-10 minutes you cannot locate an Intrepid representative, they might be waiting for you at the other arrival terminal – if they are not here have the border officials call the number in the ‘Problems and Emergency Contact Information’ section of your Essential Trip Information.

As this is a combination trip, your group leader and the composition of your group may change at this location. There will be a group meeting to discuss the next stage of your itinerary and you're welcome to attend, as this is a great chance to meet your new fellow travellers.

Set off on a walk through Jerusalem as your leader shares local knowledge and ancient tales. Enter the Old City and visit Temple Mount Courtyard, where you can see the Dome of the Rock from the outside and Al Aqsa Mosque. Follow the Via Dolorosa along Jesus’s path to crucifixion and stop by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, then visit the remains of the Western Wall on the Temple Mount. Take some time out for lunch to taste one of the most famous hummus in Jerusalem, alongside with salads and falafel, then check out the views from the rooftop of a 19th-century guesthouse. Your evening is free to explore on your own.
Accommodation
  • The Arthur Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Jerusalem - Western Wall (Wailing Wall)
  • Jerusalem - Old City walking tour
  • Jerusalem - Church of the Holy Sepulchre
  • Jerusalem - Rooftop views from the Austrian Hospice
  • Jerusalem - Temple Mount Courtyard
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

After breakfast, drive out to visit the Garden of Gethsemane before stopping at the Mount of Olives, where you’ll be treated to incredible views of the Old City. See the Church of All Nations, then continue to Bethlehem. This afternoon, visit the Aida Refugee Camp and join some passionate home cooks for a cooking class. Learn about everyday life for those who live in the camp as you whip up authentic Palestinian dishes with the families of those who were forced to leave their villages during the 1949 Israeli-Arab war. At the end of the class, enjoy your culinary creations during a shared lunch. Return to Bethlehem and see the Church of the Nativity and nearby Shepherds’ Fields in Beit Sahour before returning to Jerusalem. Back at the hotel, have a conversation with a geopolitical expert to have a better understanding of the situation in this intriguing land.
Accommodation
  • The Arthur Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Jerusalem - Garden of Gethsemane
  • Jerusalem - Mount of Olives
  • Bethlehem - Church of the Nativity & Shepherds' Field
  • Bethlehem - Refugee Camp Cooking Class
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Today’s total driving time is approximately 2 hours.

This morning, head to the clifftop fortress of Masada, where you’ll take a cable car to the top. Your leader will explain why this World Heritage-listed site is so important to Jewish people, as a symbol of exile from the Holy Land, of bravery and self-sacrifice. Afterwards, drive to Qumran, an archaeological site on the West Bank, home to major discoveries such as the Dead Sea Scrolls. You’ll even have a chance to float in the famously buoyant Dead Sea, which is not only fun but is also believed to provide numerous health benefits. Discover the slow-paced town of Jericho in the West Bank, where people have lived for over 11,000 years. Then onto an activity you won’t find in the guidebooks - spend the evening with a local family in Jericho who will serve up a traditional Palestinian home-cooked dinner. Learn about life in this historic city, surrounded by churches and mosques. Hear the stories about daily life and enjoy traditional Palestinian food with your hosts.
Accommodation
  • Jericho Resort or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Masada - Fortress visit by cable car
  • Qumran - Archaeological site visit
  • Dead Sea - Visit and float
  • Jericho - Home Cooked Meal
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s total driving time is approximately 4 hours.

Say goodbye to Jericho and travel to Tiberias, a holy city sitting on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. If conditions allow, take a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee while your leader fills you in on its spiritual significance. Then it’s on to Capernaum, where you’ll find two ancient synagogues and the church said to have been the home of Saint Peter. Next head to Nazareth, and visit the Church of the Annunciation – it’s believed this is the place Mary was told by an angel she would conceive and bear God’s son. Enjoy some free time in the Old City to grab lunch. Finally, continue to Haifa, a dynamic city where old and new go hand in hand, and check in to your Feature Stay. More than 100 years old, The Colony Hotel Haifa is located in the city’s historic district, just 300m from the UNESCO listed Baha’i Gardens (garden entrance not included). You’ll be perfectly placed to catch a glimpse of the famous 19 manicured terraces.
Accommodation
  • The Colony Hotel (Feature Stay) or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Tiberias - Sea of Galilee boat ride
  • Capernaum - St Peter's Church
  • Nazareth - Church of Annunciation & Mary's Well
  • Haifa - Bahai Gardens view & photo stop
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s total driving time is approximately 5 hours.

Today, stop at the former crusader port of Acre. Visit the complex of buildings occupied by the Knights of St John, and take a peek at the secret tunnel of their rivals – the Knights Templar. Continue to Caesarea, once a great port town built by King Herod around 25 BC, the city was eventually abandoned and lost under the desert sands. Thanks to excavations in the 1950s, an amphitheatre, hippodrome, palace, Roman temple and a network of aqueducts are now on display. Arrive in Tel Aviv and spend the afternoon discovering this high-energy city with your leader, visiting the Old City of Jaffa and Peace Square.
Accommodation
  • Melody Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Acre - Knights of St John Complex
  • Caesarea - Roman ruins
  • Tel Aviv - Leader-led tour of Old Jaffa
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s total driving time is approximately 4 hours.

With no activities planned for today, your journey through Israel and the Palestinian Territories comes to an end after breakfast. You are free to leave the accommodation at any time, provided you comply with the hotel’s internal check-out times.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
If you are catching a flight today, we recommend that you allow at least three hours to check-in and pass through security before your departure, due to strict security measures at Tel Aviv Airport.
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Meals

21 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 14 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle, Plane, Riverboat, Felucca, Jeep

Accommodation

Comfortable hotel (16 nights), Feature Stay (5 nights)

Included activities

  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
  • Cairo - Welcome Dinner
  • Cairo - Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx
  • Cairo - Egyptian Museum
  • Aswan - Nubian Village Visit and Dinner
  • Aswan - Philae Temple
  • Aswan - Sunset drinks on a felucca
  • Izbat Al Bayyarah - Kom Ombo Temple
  • Luxor - Karnak Temple
  • Luxor - Hatshepsut Temple
  • Luxor - Valley of the Kings (entrance to 3 tombs)
  • Luxor - Tomb of Tutankhamun
  • Luxor - Colossi of Memnon
  • Cairo - Home-Cooked Dinner
  • Cairo - Khan al-Khalili Bazaar
  • Cairo - Al-Azhar Mosque
  • Cairo - Coffee/tea in a local cafe
  • Amman - Welcome Dinner
  • Jerash - Roman ruins
  • Amman - Beit Sitti cooking class and dinner
  • Madaba - St Georges Church
  • Mt Nebo - Site visit
  • Shobak - Shobak Castle
  • Petra - leader-led tour of Petra
  • Petra - Petra second day visit (unguided)
  • Wadi Rum - Desert Jeep tour
  • Wadi Rum - Zarb Local Dinner
  • Wadi Rum - Desert and dunes walk
  • Jerusalem - Welcome Dinner
  • Jerusalem - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Jerusalem - Western Wall (Wailing Wall)
  • Jerusalem - Old City walking tour
  • Jerusalem - Church of the Holy Sepulchre
  • Jerusalem - Rooftop views from the Austrian Hospice
  • Jerusalem - Temple Mount Courtyard
  • Jerusalem - Garden of Gethsemane
  • Jerusalem - Mount of Olives
  • Bethlehem - Church of the Nativity & Shepherds' Field
  • Bethlehem - Refugee Camp Cooking Class
  • Masada - Fortress visit by cable car
  • Qumran - Archaeological site visit
  • Dead Sea - Visit and float
  • Jericho - Home Cooked Meal
  • Tiberias - Sea of Galilee boat ride
  • Capernaum - St Peter's Church
  • Nazareth - Church of Annunciation & Mary's Well
  • Haifa - Bahai Gardens view & photo stop
  • Acre - Knights of St John Complex
  • Caesarea - Roman ruins
  • Tel Aviv - Leader-led tour of Old Jaffa

Premium Inclusions

  • Arrival airport transfer
  • Tipping for accommodation, activities and transport
  • Luggage transfer
  • Daily breakfast and signature local meal experiences
  • 24/7 on-ground support

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Premium Middle East trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information. 
3. This trip includes domestic and international flights as indicated on the trip map. The luggage allowance is 23kg for check in luggage and 7kg for carry on.
4. Petra By Night is offered as an optional activity. This activity is currently scheduled to operate on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Please check your departure date if you are planning this activity as it is not available on all departures.
5. Travel is always an adventure and, as destinations reopen, there are a few challenges as everyone gets back up to speed and adjusts to the new normal. Our leaders are experts when it comes to dealing with anything unexpected along the journey, so pack your understanding and flexibility, sit back and relax while they take care of the rest.
6. Yom Kippur will take place on September 24-25. The Israel and Palestinian Territories portion of XEPIC230905 will feature a modified schedule to accommodate all described activities. The departure will feature 1 additional night in Tel Aviv and 1 less night in Jerusalem. On Yom Kippur, there will be a walking tour in Tel Aviv, followed by free time. Please ask your sales consultant for more details.
7. 5. On the following departures, the Nile cruise will dock overnight in Luxor on Day 5, rather than in Edfu: XEPIC230623 and XEPIC230825. All stops will still be visited.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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