Highlights & Tour Itinerary
Highlights
- Explore the religious and historic sites in the Old City of Jerusalem.
- Visit Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus Christ.
- Take a cable car ride to the cliff top fortress Masada.
- Walk in Israel’s largest oasis, Ein Gedi.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Allenby Bridge – Bethlehem – Ein Karem – Jerusalem Hotel
We will explain to you the steps of the border procedure, which takes about 2 hours on average. Your driver waits for you outside the border terminal holding a sign in your name. Head to the Palestinian town of Bethlehem, one of the most popular destinations for Christians, especially in the Christmas season. Arriving at Manger Square you visit the Church of Nativity, a 4th century basilica standing over a cave where Jesus was born. At the outskirts of the town you find the "Shepherds Fields" in Beit Sahour and we have a look over the Greek Orthodox Mar Saba Monastery. Drive to the picturesque village of Ein Karem, the birthplace of John the Baptist. After your visit of St. John the Baptist Church and the Church of Visitation free time to wander around in serene and garden-rich Ein Karem. In just 30 minutes you reach Jerusalem. Overnight at Jerusalem Tower Hotel or similar for the 3* category, at Ambassador Hotel or similar for the 4* category, at Dan Jerusalem or similar for the 5* category.
Day 2: Jerusalem Visit – Jerusalem Hotel
We start our tour with a panoramic view from Mount of Olives, a good place for an introduction to the city, its history and the four quarters of the Old City. Walk down to the Dominus Flevit Church, the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations. Then enter the Old City through the Dung Gate; visit the holy sites of the three monotheistic religions represented in Jerusalem. If the situation allows ascend the Temple Mount to see the exterior of the Dome of the Rock and the Al Aqsa Mosque. Visit the Western Wall, the last remnant of the Second Temple and the holiest site for Jews. Wander through the Arab Market to the Via Dolorosa, to continue in the footsteps of Jesus along the 14 Stations of the Cross. The path ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Jesus was crucified and buried. Visit the Mahane Yehuda market to watch the locals shop and smell the culinary delights of the little cafés. Overnight Jerusalem.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Jerusalem Hotel – Masada – Ein Gedi – Allenby Bridge
We drive around 2 hours to Masada. It is an important archaeological site and a symbol of Jewish heroism. In 66 AD the Great Revolt of the Jews against the Romans broke out, and a group, known as the Sicarii, took over Masada. The Romans besieged several months the fortress and when it became clear they will take over, all Jewish inhabitants of Masada committed suicide. Nowadays a cable car ride takes you up and down to the top. High above the surrounding desert explore the excavated ruins of the castle, the storerooms and the cisterns. Just in half an hour later you reach Ein Gedi, with 14 km2 it is the largest oasis in Israel. A popular spot for hikers you find several trails to its wadis and waterfalls. You have time to do the short walk of around 1 hour to the King David Waterfall. Watch along the way, you might be lucky and see a rock hyrax. If temperatures permit why not cool off in one of the pools? From Ein Gedi we head back to the Allenby Bridge to cross into Jordan.
Meals: Breakfast
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