Jordan & Israel

11 days - from $1925

We start in Amman and head down to the charming port city of Aqaba. Anyone wanting to experience the highlights of the Middle East, Jordan is a ‘must’ - the people are extremely friendly, the food is excellent and the monuments are among the most impressive in the region. While Petra is undoubtedly the ‘jewel in the crown’, Jordan also boasts a fine crusader castle at Shobak and an outstanding Roman city at Jerash. Our final destination is holy Jerusalem - where the fabrics of various great religions can be found intertwined in the narrow streets of the Old City.

Highlights

• Bethlehem's Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity
• The Dead Sea
• The Sea of Galilee
• UNESCO World Heritage-listed Jerusalem
• 2000 year-old ruins of Jerash
• Crusader castle at Shobak
• Jordan's capital Amman
• Red Sea resort of Aqaba
• UNESCO World Heritage-listed Petra
• Wadi Rum's red earth desertscapes

Itinerary:

Day 1: Amman2: Amman - Aqaba3: Aqaba - Wadi Rum - Petra4: Petra5: Petra - Kings Highway - Amman6: Jerash7: Bethlehem - Jerusalem8: Jerusalem9: Nazareth - Capernaum - Sea of Galilee - Jerusalem10: Jerusalem11: Jerusalem

What's It Like?

Gecko's adventures offer authentic experiences and a genuine alternative to backpacking. Our trips are designed for younger travelers on a budget but do include the entrance fees to the ‘must see’ sights while not wasting your money on unnecessary frills. Itineraries utilize public transport and basic twin share accommodations in small locally owned hotels, the occasional multi-share, or simply floor space in a jungle or village hut. Many trips involve some physical activity, the occasional long traveling day and you will need to carry your own bags. On camping trips, meals are freshly prepared by our camp cook, but expect to put up and take down your tent, and assist with camp chores. On all trips we only use local tour leaders who are passionate about their homeland. This is travel, grassroots style - basic but rewarding.

Included:

• Gecko’s expert English-speaking local tour guides in both countries.

• Sightseeing (including entrance fees where applicable): Dana ancient village; Shobak Crusader Castle; Madaba’s Greek Orthodox Church of St. George; Roman city of Jerash; Jerusalem; Garden of Gethsemane; Nazareth; ruins at Capernaum; Tabgha; the Church of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes; Sea of Galilee; Jericho; Bethlehem; and Masada.

• Full day exploring Petra.

• Jeep safari in the Wadi Rum.

• Time to relax at the Dead Sea.

• Free time to explore Amman and Aqaba.

International flights, arrival and departure transfers, visas, airport taxes, additional meals, drinks, optional sightseeing tours, insurance, tips and items of a personal nature.