Overview
• This particular Turkey, Jordan & Israel combination is a flexible travel package for individuals. The flexibility of this option allows you to choose your own travel dates and the option to customize the itinerary according to your available travel dates (duration) and where you would most like to visit in each of these countries. We can also arrange the route in a different order if required, for example, start Tel Aviv end Istanbul.
• If you wish to join on an escorted group coach tour for the Jordan-Israel section, please mention this when making your request so that we can advise you of the possible alternatives available according to your chosen travel dates.
• Package Rate starts from 4500 US$ per person, based on 2 persons using 3* hotels. The overall rate varies according to the number of persons traveling, your requested travel dates, hotel category, and any changes you might wish to make to the itinerary. Excludes international flights to the starting & ending points.
Tour itinerary
DAY 01 - Arrival Istanbul
Transfer from Istanbul Airport to the hotel and overnight Istanbul
meals: none
DAY 02 - Istanbul Sultanahmet Tour
Join on a full-day regular group walking tour visiting the Blue Mosque, St Sophia, Hippodrome and Obelisk, Grand Bazaar and Topkapi Palace (excluding optional extra entrance to Harem room) - these particular sights of the historical Sultanahmet area are a must for any visitor to Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.
meals: breakfast & lunch included.
DAY 03 - Bosphorous Cruise & flight to Cappadocia:
Half-day morning cruise on the Bosphorus with views from the vessel and visit of the Spice Bazaar. Then transfer to the airport for a late afternoon/early evening flight to Cappadocia. Arrive and transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia
meals: breakfast included
DAY 04 - Cappadocia Tour with Goreme:
*Optional extra: 01-hour hot air balloon ride at sunrise with amazing views over the Cappadocian valley
Join on a full-day tour during which you explore Devrent Valley and Monk's Valley (Pasabagi) with fairy chimneys; break for lunch in Avanos, a village famous for its pottery; then visit Goreme Open-Air Museum exploring churches and monasteries with their frescoes. Also, view Uchisar Natural rock castle. Overnight in Cappadocia.
meals: breakfast & lunch included
DAY 05 - Red Valley & Kaymakli Underground City:
Today's tour starts with a 4km hike in Red Valley during which you pass by rock churches and fairy chimneys that dot the route leading to the old Greek village of Cavusin. Kaymakli Underground City is next, with its many levels carved out of the soft volcanic rock and used for living quarters and storage. Also, enjoy panoramic views at Pigeon Valley. In the evening, depart on the overnight intercity bus from Cappadocia to Pamukkale (intercity buses in Turkey are of high quality & well maintained).**If you do not wish to travel by overnight bus, we can arrange using domestic flight instead. Please be sure to note your preference when making your request.
meals: breakfast & lunch included
DAY 06 - Travertines of Pamukkale:
Arrive Pamukkale in the early morning (if by overnight bus), and a "morning-room" will be provided for you at a nearby hotel to take a shower and have breakfast. Then meet up with the day tour visiting the "Cotton cliffs" of Pamukkale and the Hierapolis ruins. The day tour ends with arrival & drop-off at the hotel in Kusadasi.
meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner included
DAY 07 - Ephesus & House of Virgin Mary:
One of the jewels in the crown of Turkey - the Ancient City of Ephesus is a must. Walk down marble streets, view the magnificent Celsius Library and the Grand Theatre, etc. Also included are visits to the House of Virgin Mary & remains of Artemis Temple. Overnight in Kusadasi.
meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner included
DAY 08 - Flight from Izmir to Amman (Jordan):
Transfer to Izmir Airport for a flight to Amman. On arrival, transfer to a hotel in the city center with the remainder of the afternoon and/or evening free at leisure to relax or stroll around on your own. Overnight in Amman.
meals: breakfast included
DAY 09 - Jerash, Ajloun & Amman:
First head to Jerash and visit (with 01-hour local onsite guide) the spectacular forum, Roman colonnaded street, Nymphaeum and Temple of Artemis. Then on to Ajloun, the great 12th-century Islamic castle built around 1184/85 by the Islamic leader Salah al-Din. Return to Amman and visit the Citadel with the remains of the Umayyad Palace and Hercules Temple as well as the Archaeological Museum. Downtown, see the Roman Theatre from the 2nd century and traditional souks, stroll in Jabal Amman. Overnight in Amman.
meals: breakfast included
•During the Jordan section of this travel package you will be taken to all mentioned sights by private a/c tour vehicle with an English-speaking driver. Local tour guides are included for the visits of Jerash & Petra only. An optional extra cost would apply if you wish to have an escorting tour guide travel in the vehicle with you on all days - this is not a necessity, most persons are happy with only having local guides in Jerash & Petra.
DAY 10 - Madaba, Mt Nebo & Kerak:
Today visit Mt Nebo, Madaba & Kerak as you head from Amman to Petra. From Mt Nebo you can overlook the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea and parts of the Holy Land. Then to Madaba, known in Jordan as the “City of Mosaic”, where you see the famous 6th-century mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land at St. George’s Church as well as the other mosaics in the Archaeological Park. Continue along the ancient caravan route with a short photo stop in Wadi Al Mujib, a great wide valley with magnificent geological formation. Arrive at the remains of the Crusader castle in Kerak, explore the underground passageways and enjoy the view. Then continue on the drive to the hotel in Petra.
meals: breakfast included
DAY 11 - Petra, the jewel of Jordan:
With your local Petra guide, begin to explore the red rose city of Petra. Pass through the canyon, the so-called Siq, to the beautiful Treasury. From here continue via the Street of Facades to the Royal Tombs and Pharaoh's Castle. After the first 2.5 hours of the visit (can be extended to 5hrs if you wish) the guide will say farewell and you have the remainder of the day to continue exploring around Petra on your own (for those who are fit & adventurous, you could climb the 800 stairs to the Monastery El Deir). Return the same way to the entrance gate where your driver will be waiting to take you back to the hotel. Overnight in Petra
meals: breakfast included
Optional Extra: Tickets for Petra by Night: Experience the entire Siq and Treasury lit with over 1000 candles. Operates every Mon/Wed/Thu only, lasts approximately 2-hours.
DAY 12 - Wadi Rum, a day of adventure including camel & jeep rides
Depart from Petra on the 1.5-hour drive to Wadi Rum, one of Jordan’s great landscapes. On arrival, meet your Bedouin guide and start the camel ride, a traditional way to explore the desert. Along the way see rock inscriptions and stop at Lawrence’s Spring, named after Lawrence of Arabia. Lunch break with Bedouin tea in the shade of a mountain. Then board a 4x4 and while sitting in the open back ride through the desert, passing by enormous cliffs, rock and sand formations of different colors. See the 80 meters high Burdah rock bridge and the smaller Um Frouth, both naturally evolved by wind and erosion over centuries. You have the opportunity to climb Um Frouth if you wish, takes about 15 minutes, and enjoy great views over the surroundings. End of the day with arrival to the camp where you enjoy dinner and overnight under a hopefully starry sky. Overnight in Wadi Rum (private tent with ensuite bathroom)
meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner included
DAY 13 – Dead Sea
After breakfast at the camp, proceed on the 4-hour drive to the lowest point on earth, the Dead Sea. Arrive and check-in to the hotel then free at leisure to float and relax in the salty waters. Overnight at the Dead Sea.
meals: breakfast included
DAY 14 - Border crossing from Jordan into Israel
Transfer to the border, farewell to your driver and cross over from Jordan into Israel. On the Israeli side, meet with the transfer driver waiting there to take you to the hotel in Jerusalem. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is free at leisure for you to begin exploring your surroundings. Overnight in Jerusalem.
meals: breakfast included
DAY 15 - Old Jerusalem & Bethlehem
Join on a full-day regular group tour of Old Jerusalem & Bethlehem. Visit the Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of the city. Then Mount Zion to visit King David's Tomb, Room of Last Supper and Dormition Abbey. Enter the Old City and walk through the Armenian and Jewish quarters to the restored Cardo, the Roman road. See the Jewish Wailing Wall, the Kotel and continue to the Christian quarter. Walk along the Via Dolorosa and visit the Church of Holy Sepulchre. Then continue to Bethlehem and walk through Manger Square to visit the Church of Nativity and Shepherds' field. Tour ends with return to the hotel, evening free at leisure. Overnight in Jerusalem
meals: breakfast included
DAY 16 - Biblical Highlights of Galilee
This full-day tour starts with a drive via the coastal road and landscape of the lower Galilee to Nazareth, the town where Jesus spent his childhood. Visit the Basilica of Annunciation and the Church of St. Joseph. Continue, via Kana, to Tiberias, the lively resort town on the Sea of Galilee. Drive along Kineret Lake to Capernaum and view the ruins of the ancient synagogue where Jesus taught. Then on to Tabgha and visit the Church of Multiplication of the Fish and Loaves with the beautiful mosaic floor. Proceed to Yardenit, the famous baptismal site located where the Jordan River flows out from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea. Overnight in Tel Aviv (or Jerusalem if you prefer)
meals: breakfast included
DAY 17 - Pearls of Western Galilee
Depart on a full-day tour starting with Caesarea, the ancient Roman capital and port. Here enjoy a walking tour of the theatre and the archaeological ruins and excavations. Continue to Haifa for a scenic view of the City, the Port and the magnificent Bahai Gardens and Shrine. Proceed to Rosh Hanikra and descend by cable car into the underwater grottoes and admire the spectacular natural formation. Then head to Acre, the Old City recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site and here walk through the market, the mosque and the old port; visit the remarkable underground Crusader City and crypt and learn about their fascinating history and culture. Overnight in Tel Aviv.
meals: breakfast included
DAY 18 - Departure from Tel Aviv
As per your flight departure time, transfer from the hotel to Tel Aviv (Ben Gurion) Airport.