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Map of Discover Israel & the Palestinian Territories including Israel

Uncover hospitality, history and the holy in a complex land

Get a kaleidoscopic perspective on Israel and the Palestinian Territories on this eight-day tour. Entrenched in the ancient but emphatically modern in outlook, nominally Jewish but with oodles of Muslim and Christian influence, this region is endlessly fascinating and rewarding to travel in. Stroll the Old City’s ramparts in Jerusalem, visit Jesus' biblical birthplace in Bethlehem and see Masada’s rugged outcrop. Break bread with Palestinians and Israelis, walk the graffitied separation wall in Bethlehem, go for a float in the Dead Sea and form your own impressions of this captivating part of the world.

Start
Jerusalem, Israel
Finish
Tel Aviv, Israel
Destination
Israel
Style
Original
Theme
Explorer
Code
ENSI
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Challenge your perspective in Jerusalem: walk the ‘Way of the Cross’, and dine with a Palestinian family.

  • Learn the stories behind some of the most challenging and poignant works of graffiti that decorate the barrier wall in Bethlehem during a walking tour.

  • Access the glowing blue grottoes of Rosh Hanikra by cable car, then enjoy views over the Mediterranean Coast of Western Galilee.

  • Go underground to explore the excavated dungeon, crypt and halls that were used by the Knights of St John over 700 years ago in Acre.

  • Visit the remains of the clifftop fortress of Masada, the site of the famed siege at the end of the first Jewish–Roman War.

Is this trip right for you?

  • Popular sites can get congested with large groups of coach travellers in Israel and the Palestinian Territories. We do our best to avoid peak times, but there may be delays, lines and private services that prevent us from entering in a timely manner. If this occurs your tour leader will arrange alternative activities.

  • Some of the sites we visit involve walking on rocky and steep hillsides with little or no shade.

  • Israel and the Palestinian Territories is by no means a cheap destination and you should budget accordingly. The good news is that your expert local leader is on hand to help you uncover the best deals!

Monastery on cliff, St George of Goziba, Israel & the Palestinian Territories
Group of travellers standing in front of Dome of the Rock, Al Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem, Israel & the Palestinian Territories
Groups of people praying at the Wailing Wall, Jerusalem, Israel
Travellers looking at spice market, Israel & the Palestinian Territories
Traveller with local bedouin smiling in desert, Israel & the Palestinian Territories
Woman reading book and floating in the Dead Sea, Israel & the Palestinian Territories
Group of travellers viewing grotto cave, Rosh Hanikra, Israel & the Palestinian Territories

Itinerary
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Welcome to Jerusalem, a city steeped in spirituality and legend that is called home by Palestinian Muslims and Christians, Sephardic Jews, Ashkenazi Jews, Armenian Christians, Ethiopian Copts and Greek Orthodox monks, among others. If you arrive with some time to spare before your tour, perhaps drop by the Israel Museum and browse its superb collection of art and history.

Your adventure kicks off at 6 pm today, when you meet your leader in the hotel lobby for an introduction to your tour and to your fellow travellers. Later, perhaps venture out for a local meal or head to the hotel's rooftop restaurant and relax for the evening before a big day of sightseeing tomorrow.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Jerusalem - Old City Ramparts -Entry Fee - ILS18
  • Jerusalem - Israel Museum - Entry Fee - ILS54
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
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.

Explore the Old City this morning on foot. Start with the Courtyard of the Dome and the Western Wall, then continue to St Stephen’s Gate, passing the crusader church of St Anne and the Pool of Bethesda. Continue along the Way of the Cross (Via Dolorosa) and stop by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built where Jesus is believed to have been crucified, buried and resurrected. Perhaps stop and recharge and sip on sweek tea or sample fresh local bread and then walk through the Christian Quarter up to Jaffa Gate. In the afternoon use your free time to explore more of the city.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Jerusalem - Guided tour of Old City
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
The Dome of the Rock/Al-Aqsa Mosque is open from 7.30–10.30 am Sundays through Thursdays, and again for an hour in the afternoon. In order to beat tourist traffic, our guides usually like to go there first thing in the morning.

The Western Wall area is open every day. However please note that on Friday evenings and Saturdays, tourists are not allowed to take any photos.

Start the day off with a panoramic view of the city. Drive out to the Mount of Olives that looks over Jerusalem’s Old City and visit the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus is said to have prayed the night before his crucifixion. See the Church of All Nations (also known as the Basilica of the Agony), then drive the short distance out to Bethlehem and take a graffiti walking tour along the barrier wall. Graffiti by many artists has graced the wall over the years, including famous ones like Banksy. Continue to Manger Square and consider refuelling with some of Bethlehem’s famous falafel. Visit the Church of the Nativity, marking the spot of the stable where Mary is said to have given birth to Jesus, then head back to Jerusalem. In the afternoon, enjoy some free time to explore this fascinating city - you may choose to visit the Yad Vashem Jewish Holocaust Memorial or visit local markets. This evening meet up with your leader and enjoy a home-cooked meal of chicken maqloubeh (an upside-down layered dish) with a Palestinian family. With a full belly, enjoy a traditional oud performance from a local musician.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Jerusalem - Mount of Olives
  • Bethlehem - Separation Barrier Graffiti Tour
  • Bethlehem - Church of Nativity
  • Jerusalem - Local Family Dinner
  • Jerusalem - Church of All Nations
Optional Activities
  • Jerusalem - Yad Vashem Museum - Free
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

This morning drive out to the cliff-top fortress of Masada. On the way your leader will make a few stops; each leader has their favourite photo spots and stories to tell so we leave it up to them to share what they love. Arrive in Masada and take a cable car to the fortress built by King Herod around 35 BC. This UNESCO site is very important to the Jewish people as a symbol of their exile from the Holy Land and of bravery and self-sacrifice. Spend some time visiting the site, then drive around 30 minutes to the shores of the Dead Sea, where the dense and super-salty water means you’ll go for a float, not a swim. Spend some time relaxing here and soaking in the mud, which is supposed to have healing properties.

Tonight you’ll stay at a guest house, where the accommodation is part of an NGO, originally a refugee camp and now a community initiative that aims to protect the ecology of the Dead Sea and the Jordan River Valley.On arrival your host will speak about the environmental situation in the valley, and the work they are doing in waste management and water conservation.
Accommodation
  • Guest house (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Dead Sea - Visit and float
  • Masada - Masada visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Please note that the guest house tonight is simple but sufficient. Rooms are twin share and have basic ensuite facilities. Although this is not a hotel standard, the experience of staying here to learn and support the work done by our NGO friends here is very memorable. The dinner is included at the guest house too.

Travel to the western shores of the Sea of Galilee and historic Tiberias, established all the way back in AD20. Visit the ancient fishing village of Capernaum. See the site of two ancient synagogues and a church said to have been the home of St Peter. Continue to Nazareth to take a stroll through the Old City and visit the Church of the Annunciation, where Mary is said to have received the news of the Immaculate Conception. Hit the road again and arrive in Haifa for the evening.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Sea of Galilee - Capernaum
  • Nazareth - Church of Annunciation
  • Nazareth - Walking Tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

This morning travel to Rosh Hanikra  (1 hour's drive) where white cliffs meet the blue sea. This little beauty of natural geography is tucked away on the border with Lebanon and is usually a highlight for everyone. Take the cable car up the cliff to view the spectacular grottoes. Continue to the ancient crusader port of Acre (Akko in Hebrew), where you’ll visit the vast complex of buildings occupied by the Knights of St John (Knights Hospitaller), excavated to uncover rooms including a large hall, a dungeon, a dining room and the crypt of an ancient Gothic church. Perhaps a good place to have lunch and relax before returning to Haifa. In the afternoon, enjoy some free time. You may want to visit the Baha’i Gardens, where the elaborate terraces and a golden shrine sit overlooking the city. There are some great produce markets and excellent restaurants nearby, just ask your leader for recommendations.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Akko - Knights Fortress Visit
  • Rosh Hanikra - Cable Car & Grottoes
Optional Activities
  • Haifa - Baha'i Gardens - Free
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

After breakfast, journey to Tel Aviv via the coast and tour the ancient port of Caesarea (approximately 1 hour), which served as the capital of Israel during the Roman and Byzantine eras. Built in 25 BC, the city was eventually abandoned and lost under the desert sands. Thanks to archaeological excavations since, its splendour is on show once again. Continue along the coast to Tel Aviv. Take a stroll through the Old City of Jaffa, then drop your luggage at tonight’s accommodation. Head out on an orientation walk with your leader, taking in Rabin Square. Finish up your walk at the promenade, the perfect place to find a restaurant for dinner this evening, or enjoy a farewell drink at your hotel with your leader and fellow travellers and try the local boutique beer.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Caesarea - Roman Amphitheatre & Aqueduct
  • Tel Aviv - Leader-led tour of Old Jaffa
  • Tel Aviv - Leader-led orientation walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

This trip comes to an end today. There are no activities planned and you are able to depart the accommodation at any time after you check out.

Getting to the airport is very simple and easy by public transport with buses nearby taking you to the train station and connecting to the airport. Private transfers are available to pre-book with Intrepid.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

7 breakfasts, 2 dinners

Transport

Minibus

Accommodation

Hotel (6 nights), Guest house (1 night)

Included activities

  • Jerusalem - Guided tour of Old City
  • Jerusalem - Mount of Olives
  • Bethlehem - Separation Barrier Graffiti Tour
  • Bethlehem - Church of Nativity
  • Jerusalem - Local Family Dinner
  • Jerusalem - Church of All Nations
  • Dead Sea - Visit and float
  • Masada - Masada visit
  • Sea of Galilee - Capernaum
  • Nazareth - Church of Annunciation
  • Nazareth - Walking Tour
  • Akko - Knights Fortress Visit
  • Rosh Hanikra - Cable Car & Grottoes
  • Caesarea - Roman Amphitheatre & Aqueduct
  • Tel Aviv - Leader-led tour of Old Jaffa
  • Tel Aviv - Leader-led orientation walk

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Discover Israel & the Palestinian Territories trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

Prices may go up, so secure your trip today!
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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. Following recent safety incidents we recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest information on travelling in Israel (particularly within the West Bank) before your departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas of your itinerary. We have links to prominent government travel advisories and regular updates on issues affecting this trip on our Travel Alerts page: www.intrepidtravel.com/au/travel-alerts
3. Important alert: Yom Kippur day in 2023 will be on 24-25th Sep. We'll need to make below changes to departures during this time to ensure you'll be able to experience all included activities on your trip:
Departure code: ENSI230920
D5 - Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, Rosh Hanikra, Knights Fortress in Akko. Overnight in Nazareth.
D6 - Nazareth walking tour & Church of Annunciation. Overnight in Nazareth.
Departure code: ENSI230923
D2 - Bethlehem tour in the morning and home cooked lunch with a local Palestinian family
D3 - Jerusalem old city guided tour (except for Courtyard of Dome)
D4 - morning visit Courtyard of Dome and continue to Jericho as per original itinerary.

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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