Our ISRAEL, JORDAN & EGYPT tours

ISRAEL  & JORDAN  tour   (13 days) (ISJ13D)

This tour includes return flights between Johannesburg and the Holy Land, on flights appropriate at the time, as well as reliable tours by bus.

On this tour of 13 (thirteen) days, we visit Israel and Jordan.

The tour starts in Johannesburg, with a flight to Israel, and return by flight from Ben Gurion International Airport to Johannesburg.

Here is a typical itinerary of the Israel and Jordan tour (tour code ISJ13D):

Day 1: Johannesburg to Israel: Flight to Israel
We meet at El-Al in O R Tambo International Airport at 18h00. Complete the necessary formalities, greet family and friends, and depart for Ben Gurion Airport at 21h00.

Day 2: Israel: Ceasarea, Mt Carmel
You are met at the Airport and escorted to your tour vehicle, with driver and guide. What an interesting day! We start our journey to Caesarea Marittima, one of Israel’s largest National parks with its spectacular ruins, which includes an ancient harbour, theatre and aqueduct. We then proceed to Mount Carmel, from where Elijah performed great exploits for God against the prophets of Baal.
Overnight in Galilee hotel and enjoy a well deserved dinner.

Day 3: Israel: Yardenit, Capernaum, Mt. of Beatitudes, Magdala, Sea of Galilee
We visit Yardenit Baptismal Site, where you can get baptized, if they would like to, in the River Jordan. We continue and visit Capernaum, the hometown of Jesus (Yeshua), during the majority of his ministry years. Another highlight will be the Mt. of Beatitudes, where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount.
After a delicious St Peters fish lunch, we proceed to Magdala and then to the Sea of Galilee, for a boat ride on the sea.
Overnight and dinner in your Galilee hotel.

Day 4: Israel: Golan Heights, Banias, Dan NR, Cana, Nazareth
This morning our journey is northwards, visiting the Golan heights, towards Kuneitra on the Syrian border. Next we visit Banias, the main source of the Jordan River, then Jordan river Waterfall, and the Dan Nature Reserve. We will enjoy a visit to Cana, where we visit the Wedding Church. It was here that Jesus changed the water in to wine. We will also see Nazareth Village, which is a replica of a first century village in the time of Jesus.
Overnight and dinner in our Galilee hotel.

Day 5: Israel: Dead Sea, Beit Shean, Qumran, Ein Gedi
We head towards the Dead Sea today. We start at Beit Shean, the capital city of the Decapolis with its amazing ruins and interesting new covenant history.
Driving down the Jordan River valley we will enter Qumran. This fascinating site is where many of the dead sea scrolls were found. We’ll then proceed to Ein Gedi for an unforgettable hike to the hidden waterfalls. You can imagine young King David hiding from King Saul in this area.
We’ll check into our Dead Sea hotel to enjoy the Spa, dinner and overnight.

Day 6: Israel: Masada, Negev, Mitzpe Ramon Crater, Timna
After another wonderful breakfast, we will ascend the 1500 feet mountain top fortress of Masada, by cable car. Famous for being the last stronghold of the Jewish rebellion against the Romans.
Travelling down the Negev, you view the incredible Mitzpe Ramon Crater. This overview will astound you. Travelling further south down the Negev, we will reach the Tabernacle of Timna. It is a life size replica of the Tabernacle of Moses, where the Ark of the Covenant stood.
We check into our Eilat hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 7: Jordan: Petra, Wadi Rum
Today we enter Jordan through the Arava Border, and visit the fascinating Nabatean City of Petra. It is accessed via a narrow canyon called Al Sig and contains tombs and temples carved into pink Sandstone cliffs, earning it’s nickname the Rose City. It’s most famous structure is the 45 meter high Greek Style Façade known as the Treasury. We will also have lunch here, and afterwards head to Wadi Rum, for our overnight experience in the desert at a Bedouin camp. Enjoy an optional Camel ride.

 Treasury at Petra, Jordan

Day 8: Israel: Ein Avdat NP, Tel Beersheva, Jerusalem
We cross back into Israel and journey to Jerusalem. Our first stop is Ein Avdat National Park. Enjoy the numerous springs and waterfalls. Next we visit Tel Beersheva, home of the Patriarchs, where Abraham, Isaac and Jacob lived. We learn of its fascinating history and how it has shaped our faith today. We enter Jerusalem and see a spectacular view over Jerusalem from Mount Scopus.
Check into your Jerusalem hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 9: Jerusalem: City of David, Western Wall, Jewish quarter, Cardo, Upper Room, Mt Zion
We start our Jerusalem adventure at the City of David, the most ancient part of the Holy City and the birthplace of the city of Jerusalem. This is where King David established his kingdom, and where much of the history of the People of Israel was written.
We then walk up to the excavated Southern Steps of the Temple Mount, ending at the Western Wall, the holiest site in Judaism and one of the original walls that retained the Temple. Enjoy the guide’s explanation of the Jewish quarter, including the ancient Cardo.
We end the day at the Upper Room, where we can imagine Jesus having the Last Supper with His disciples. We continue to Mt. Zion where we can see the Tombs of Israel’s Kings.
Overnight and dinner: Jerusalem hotel.

Day 10: Bethlehem, Jerusalem: Shepherds fields, Mount of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane, Pool of Bethesda, Lithostratos
This morning we visit Bethlehem, where we visit the Shepherds fields on the outskirts of Bethlehem. We enter Jerusalem again, to the top of the Mount of Olives. It is from here that the risen Jesus ascended into heaven, and it is to the Mount of Olives that He will return.
We walk down the steep narrow “Palm Sunday” road to the Garden of Gethsemane, with its Church of All Nations. You can see the ancient olive trees with a root system that could possibly date back 2000 years to the time of Jesus.
Going through the Lions Gate, we find the Pool of Bethesda and the crusader church of St Anne. Thereafter, we visit the Lithostratos where Jesus was scoured and received His Crown of Thorns and Cross.
Overnight and dinner: Jerusalem hotel.

Day 11: Jerusalem: Israel Museum, Yad Vashem, Knesset, Garden Tomb
This morning we start at the Israel Museum, Israel’s largest museum, which has a 1st century Jerusalem model, and holds many of the Dead Sea Scrolls.
We make our way to Yad Vashem. This museum and site is dedicated to the memory of six million Jews, who perished at the hand of the Nazi’s before and during World War 11.
Hereafter we’ll view Israel’s parliament, called the Knesset, before some free time. We will finish our journey at the Garden Tomb where we will have time to praise, worship and break bread together. We shall see the tomb is empty because He has Risen Indeed.
Overnight and dinner: Jerusalem hotel.

Day 12: Jerusalem: Free day
Enjoy and further explore Jerusalem on this free day. The many sights and sounds you experience in the old city, with its many small shops and antiquities, will make an indeliable mark on your experience of the city of Jerusalem. There is also the new modern city, which might be of interest to you.
This is also an ideal day to meet up with friends from the Holy Land.
Overnight and dinner: Jerusalem hotel.

Day 12: Israel: Return travel
After breakfast, we visit a Harp producing factory (Harari) before we go to the airport for our flight back to Johannesburg.

Day 13: SA: Johannesburg
We arrive back at O.R.Tambo International Airport in the morning. With our Spritual Lives enriched, Touring South Africa (www.touringsouthafrica.com) thank you for travelling with us. "Next year in Jerusalem!"

General information / Note:


• The tour group is led by a specialist and experienced, Christian South African Tour leader.
• The tour is guided by a Specialist local Israeli Guide.
• The visiting order of the itinerary, as well as the specific overnight towns, may change, due to weather conditions, or circumstances beyond our control, or where sights are better for that day, as well as the availability of specific accommodation.
• If a specific attraction can not be visited, because of any disaster beyond our control, it will be replaced, if possible, by another similar attraction.
  
• This tour itinerary may run the other way round.

Included:


• Return flight tickets from Johannesburg and back.
• Bed and Breakfast accommodation, most Dinners, air conditioned tour transport.
• Entrance Fees as per Itinerary.
• Specialist Guide, and Specialist Christian Tour leader.
• Airport taxes JNB-Israel-JNB.
• Visums for Israel and Jordan. (SA guests only. Extra cost for international guests)
• Travel Insurance (SA guests only, under 71 years of age. Extra cost for international guests)
• Gratuities (for local staff, porters)
• Overnight accommodation in suitable Desert Camp, Guest House, Country Inn and/or Hotel.
• Admin fee.

Excluded:


• International guests' to South Africa: Visums for Israel and Jordan.
• International and Domestic Flights and airport tax other than Johannesburg to Israel and return.
• International guests' Travel Insurance.
• To and from Johannesburg: Transport, Accommodation and Meals.
  
• Lunches are not included.
• Meals and refreshments not mentioned in the itinerary, like your tea, coffee, drinks, snacks, lunch, and (extra) water on the tour.
• Any kind of personal expenses.