Tour Essential Jordan, Israel & The Palestinian Territories

Others

Included activities Wadi Rum - 4WD jeep safari and desert camp Petra guided tour - One day pass Dana - Ancient Village Visit Jerusalem - Machane Yehuda Market & Bite Card Jerusalem - Walk on the Ramparts of the Old City Jerusalem - Western Wall (Wailing Wall) Jerusalem - Church of the Holy Sepulchre Dead Sea - Dead Sea visit Masada - Entrance & Cable Car one-way Masada - Snake Path Hike Jaffa - Town Visit Jerusalem - Mount of Olives Bethlehem - Grafitti Walking Tour Bethlehem - Church of the Nativity & Shepherds’ Field

Guide

All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced leader however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders. Your leader will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your leader can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip. All Intrepid group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced leader. However, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders. Your leader will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. Due to the vast historical significance of the region, your Tour Leader in the Middle East will also be a Local Tour Guide and will be licensed, registered and trained in accordance with local authorities to provide full guiding services through out your Middle East Adventure. This trip is made of two smaller trips connected by an international border crossing. You will be travelling with different Leaders on each trip who are local to their destination. You will not have an accompanying Leader during your border crossing and it will be necessary to carry your luggage through the customs checkpoints. There will be a departure tax payable when leaving Jordan this fee will be 10 JD. If you do not wish to have any Israel stamps in you passport please ask the Jordanian Officials not to stamp your passport when exiting. Israeli Officials generally do not stamp.

Accommodation

The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation. Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we’re arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn’t always possible which means we won’t be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available. OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION: The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances. ACCOMMODATION STYLE: Some of the accommodation along the way is basic or simple, three and four star accommodation in the Middle East (with the exception of Israel) is often not equal to same star facilities in some western destinations. Rooms are clean and comfortable, however you may note some small maintenance issues that have been overlooked, please assist us by bringing these to the attention of your Leader so that we can follow up with our hosts. Many restaurants and hotels do not serve alcohol for religious reasons or due to local laws. Breakfast is included in 95% or our hotels, pleaser refer to our daily itinerary for meal inclusions. TWIN SHARE / MULTI SHARE BASIS: Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multi share basis. CHECK-IN TIME: Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we’re arriving prior to normal check-in time. However this isn’t always possible which means we won’t be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination. Standard check in time is 1400 hours. PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION: If you’ve purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (subject to availability), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights. SHOWERS: Showers at some hotels only have hot water at peak times (usually morning and evening). Outside of these times you may need to speak to reception to obtain hot water. HEATING AND AIR-CONDITIONING: As a desert region, this part of the world has extremes of weather. Winter months (approx December to March) can be very cold. All of our hotel accommodation contains suitable bedding, and simple light bedding is provided during camping activities such as an overnight felucca, desert camps or at the Red Sea Beach camp stay. Most of our travellers find the bedding provided here adequate, but for your own comfort and if you are particularly sensitive to the cold, consider bringing your own sleeping bag, thermals, scarf, gloves and a warm jacket. Some of our guesthouses / hotels don’t supply heating. In many cases this would be a major financial and environmental strain on our hotels and the local towns. Summer (approx June to August) can be very hot everywhere we travel, which means that it can be quite uncomfortable for those not used to the heat. Not all our hotels have air-conditioning, and in those that do, it’s not always functioning. ROOM ISSUES: If you have any issues with your room, please speak to the hotel and your tour leader right away so that the problem can be addressed without delay. Hotel (4 nights),Hostel (4 nights),Desert Camp (2 nights)

Meals

9 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners

Transport

Jeep,private bus,public bus There are some long travel days and some rough travelling in areas away from main tourist routes. Windy roads, rough surfaces and cramped conditions make for some challenging travel experiences. On some long travel days we depart early in the morning to ensure we optimise our time at our next destination. If you experience travel sickness we recommend you consider medication to help ease the discomfort.

Not included:

Optional

Other activities and services not included

Others

Other activities and services not included

Insurance

Insurance is not included. Travel insurance is required for this tour. Please make sure you are adequately covered. If you require travel insurance, TourRadar has partnered up with World Nomads to provide a hassle-free experience. More information can be found here (https://www.tourradar.com/travel-insurance).

Flights

International flights are not included

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Day 1 Day 1: Amman
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Amman

Welcome to the Middle East! Touch down in Jordan’s capital city, Amman. Meet up with your leader and fellow travellers at an important welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight, but until then, you’re free to hit the streets. Why not make a beeline for Rainbow Street for a falafel and a shisha – it’s what the locals do. Something more substantial? Maybe head to the Old Town’s Roman Amphitheatre, have a cultured afternoon at the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts, snap some pics of the city from the hilltop Temple of Hercules, or sweat it out in a Turkish bath house. After your welcome meeting, why not get a group together and head out for the night – your leader will know of some spots to go.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 2 Day 2: Wadi Rum
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Wadi Rum

This morning, take a tour with your leader around Amman, beginning at the hilltop Citadel, then following the edge of the walls down into town past the Roman Theatre, the Nymphaeum ruins and the Al Husseiny Mosque. Be sure to stop in at some nut shops or a souq for some snacks along the way. After lunch, drive 4 hours to Wadi Rum. Once arrived, you’ll meet your Bedouin hosts, who’ll show you around camp and offer you many rounds of ‘Bedouin whisky’ (mint tea), so settle in for a night of traditional hospitality. This evening you’ll be dining on traditional Bedouin cuisine, sleeping in Bedouin-style tents and gazing up at some traditional Bedouin skies. Did we mention Bedouin?
Accommodation: Desert Camp
Day 3 Day 3: Wadi Rum
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Wadi Rum

You won’t want to miss this – Wadi Rum rarely looks as fine as she does early morning. Wake up early to take in a magical sunrise, and once you’re breakfast-ed, it’s time to head on safari. Jump in one of the jeeps and begin driving around the curious landscapes, passing by Lawrence Spring – a rocky landscape contrasted by a freshwater spring, with panoramic views over the valley. You’ll also stop at Lawrence House, supposedly the house where Lawrence of Arabia lived and stored his equipment. Continue on to one of the largest sand dunes in Wadi Rum and check out some of the famous rock bridges. The deserts around Wadi Rum have got a real otherworldly feel to them, and many Hollywood blockbusters have been shot in and around where you’ll tour today. Later in the afternoon, return to your camp and enjoy a second night of Bedouin hospitality.
Accommodation: Desert Camp
Day 4 Day 4: Petra
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Petra

Today, farewell your Bedouin mates and journey on to Petra (about a 2-hour drive). You’ll have two full days exploring Petra and its surrounds, so be sure to take your time in seeing the spectacular archaeological site. Once you’ve arrived, take a guided tour of the site, where you’ll learn about its thousands of years of history, and the many films that have used this as a backdrop. You’ll get to follow in Indiana Jones’s footsteps on a guided tour that’ll take you through the site’s narrow siq (a narrow crack in the mountain) to Petra’s tombs, temples and rock-hewn amphitheatre. For those wanting to admire the ’rose-red city’ from a different angle, there’s also the option of continuing up a cliff-top path past the Monastery for elevated views over the site. After a long day of exploration, you’ll probably be feeling quite weary, so the cave bar is a good place to relieve your parched throat and put your feet up for a while.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 5 Day 5: Petra
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Petra

You’ve got another day to explore the majestic Petra, and the best thing is you’re free to do as you please. Perhaps walk the road to Al Khanzneh (the Treasury) – one of the most stunning temples of the whole site. Or, if you didn’t make it yesterday, head up the stairs to El Dier (the Monastery). Other great options today are to hike to the royal tombs or visit the incredible Byzantine mosaics. Your leader will know all the good things to do, so ask them for help with arranging these.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 6 Day 6: Madaba
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Madaba

This morning after breakfast, head away from Petra and drive down the King’s Highway towards Madaba. You’ll stop to check out the famous Dead Sea and have the chance to swim in its salty waters. If you’re feeling a bit sore and weary after your Petra expedition, do not fear, as the Dead Sea’s mud has known healing properties and will be sure to bring back your youthful good looks. Afterwards, swing past Mt Nebo where you will have the opportunity to view the Promised Land, just like Moses did. Arrive in Madaba – the city of mosaics – and take a leader-led walking tour to get your bearings of the city. Included this afternoon is a visit to St Georges Church where you’ll see the intricate mosaic map, containing the oldest surviving cartographic depiction of the Holy Land and Jerusalem. Later on, perhaps head out with the gang for dinner – there are some awesome places to eat in this city; your leader knows where to go.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 7 Day 7: Jerusalem
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Jerusalem

Shalom! Welcome to Jerusalem. Your adventure begins with this afternoon’s important welcome meeting at 4.30 pm. If you arrive early, you could grab a coffee or a cold one from the many bars, cafes and restaurants near your hostel. Once you’ve made your introductions, head out on an orientation walk with the group. You’ll stop at Machane Yehuda Market, where you can sample tasty local cuisine using a Bite Card – your ticket to tasting the likes of sabich (pita stuffed with fried aubergine and boiled egg) and authentic kubbeh soup (veggie broth topped with meat-filled dumplings). Your leader will leave you here to spend the evening as you wish – we recommend checking out the laneway bars with your new-found friends as the market comes to life, or wandering nearby streets to check out the shop-shutter graffiti only visible at night.
Accommodation: Hostel
Day 8 Day 8: Jerusalem
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Jerusalem

This morning you’ll take in some of Jerusalem’s cultural wonders on a walking tour of the Old City. Follow the stations of the cross along the Via Dolorosa, which represents the route Jesus took before his crucifixion; witness locals and pilgrims rocking in prayer at the Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest site; and get fabulous views of the golden Dome of the Rock – and the city’s countless other spires and towers – from the rooftop terrace at the Austrian Hospice, a historic Catholic guesthouse. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore. You could try a flight of boutique Israeli brews at the Beer Bazaar, hunt down the perfect hummus in the Old City (ask your leader for tips) or grab some snacks and find the perfect picnic spot at Sacher Park – saving time to wander the winding paths of the nearby Wohl Rose Garden.
Accommodation: Hostel
Day 9 Day 9: Jerusalem
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Jerusalem

Rise and shine nice and early (approximately 3am) to drive out to the spectacular cliff-top desert fortress of Masada, near the Dead Sea. Kick off the day with a morning hike up the Masada Snake Path, which meanders up approximately 400 metres from the lowest point on earth (the Dead Sea) to the peak. This World Heritage site is important to the Jewish people; it’s seen as a symbol of their exile from the Holy Land as well as bravery and self-sacrifice. Catch the cable car back down and drive to the Dead Sea for a float in the oh-so-salty waters. Apparently, Cleopatra used products from the area as part of her beauty regime, which is also said to have included almond extract and goat’s milk. After soaking in the briny sea, transfer back to your hostel in Jerusalem for a free evening.
Accommodation: Hostel
Day 10 Day 10: Tel Aviv
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Tel Aviv

This morning, check out of your hostel and head to the Mount of Olives for panoramic views of the Old City. From there, you’ll drive to Bethlehem. Visit the Church of the Nativity, built on the spot where Jesus is said to have been born, and head to the Shepherd’s Fields, where angels allegedly appeared to bring the good news. You’ll also have time to explore the street art that emblazons much of the contentious West Bank Barrier – including pieces by famed British artist Banksy – and learn the personal stories and political implications behind some of the more prominent pieces. Afterwards, continue to Tel Aviv via the ancient port city of Jaffa. This afternoon, enjoy some free time in this relaxed city. An optional sunset bike ride (approximately 2 hours) is a great way to get your bearings. Tonight, why not get the gang together and hit the town? Tel Aviv is known for its happening nightlife.
Accommodation: Hostel
Day 11 Day 11: Tel Aviv
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Tel Aviv

There aren’t any activities planned for today, so you’re free to leave the hostel at any time. That doesn’t mean your Middle Eastern adventure has to come to an end! If you’re looking at spending more time in Tel Aviv, we don’t blame you. Let us know in advance and we’ll happily organise additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).

11 days tour

Essential Jordan, Israel & The Palestinian Territories

This tour includes:

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Itinerary of your trip Essential Jordan, Israel & The Palestinian Territories

Day 1: Amman

Day 2: Wadi Rum

Day 3: Wadi Rum

Day 4: Petra

Day 5: Petra

Day 6: Madaba

Day 7: Jerusalem

Day 8: Jerusalem

Day 9: Jerusalem

Day 10: Tel Aviv

Day 11: Tel Aviv

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