10 Day Package - Best Of Israel & Jordan

Itinerary

Day 1: Check in

Stop At: Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv District
Come to check-in and relax in our award-winning hostel.
You can check in any time after 15:00


Duration: 20 minutes

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Staying in Abraham Hostel Tel Aviv

Day 2: Tel Aviv Bike Tour (Guided)

Stop At: Rothschild Boulevard, Tel Aviv Israel
If you love (or even like) bikes, enjoy learning new stuff, and want to see the best of Tel Aviv, this is the tour for you! Not only is Tel Aviv a perfect city for biking, it is the way that many locals prefer to get around. Because it’s so flat, we’ll be able to cover a lot of ground; riding from Abraham Hostel, up Rothschild Boulevard, all the way to the Yarkon Park, and ride along the sparkling Mediterranean!

The tour begins with Rothschild Boulevard, where the guide will point out the famous “kiosks” – little booths which for years have been the central point of the Tel Aviv leisure spots. This street was built in European tradition, with shady trees, lots of benches to sit and sip coffee with friends, and a walking path separating you from the noise of the streets. Keep your eyes open for Bauhaus architecture!
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv District
We ride all the way to Habima Square, a large square and central point for Tel Aviv culture and the arts. Here, we are surrounded by art, with the Habima Theatre, home to Israel’s national theatre company on one side, The Helena Rubinstein Pavilion on the other, and the home of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. Your guide will point out the famous Kadishman sculpture and nearby water fountain.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Itzhak Rabin Monument, Ibn Gvirol Street Near City Hall, Tel Aviv Israel
From there we go to a more sombre and historically significant spot – Rabin Square, the location of former Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin’s assassination in 1995. We will talk a little bit about Israel’s recent history, and the guide will point out the nearby memorial, should you wish to come back on your own time.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Yarkon River and Park Hayarkon, Ganei Yehoshua Rokach Blvd, Tel Aviv Israel
Our tour continues on the flat streets of Tel Aviv all the way north to the “Central Park” of Tel Aviv – Yarkon Park. A huge green space, the Yarkon Park is named after and divided by the Yarkon River, which flows all the way to the Mediterranean Sea. This park is so green and lush, you will have a hard time believing you are so close to the big city. Here you will see Tel Aviv residents in their element – relaxing, exercising, picnicking, sailing, or kayaking. Some of our tour here will take you onto the Israel National Trail, a rigorous hiking path that covers the entire country (don’t worry, we aren’t doing all of it today).
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Old Tel Aviv Port Area, Nemal Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv Israel
We will ride alongside the picturesque park to the Mediterranean Sea, where we will stop at the Tel Aviv Port, where the guide tell you what fun free things are happening during your stay. There we will take a short break and you will have the chance to stretch your legs, buy something to drink, or maybe even enjoy a cold beer before beginning to head south.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Tel Aviv Marina and Sea Center, Atarim Square, Tel Aviv Israel
The last part of this tour takes you alongside the beach and the renovated and beautiful Tel Aviv Promenade. Your guide will point out features of the Tel Aviv shore, among them Tel Aviv’s colorful gay beach, a dogs-only beach and a separate-swimming religious beach. We also pass the Tel Aviv Yacht Club, the famous salt-water Olympic-sized Gordon Pool, and the Tel Aviv Marina. Our tour takes us past sandy beaches and blue waves, and you will be able to pick out the perfect beach spot for when you come here to chill out later on your trip.

Zipping past HaTachana, Tel Aviv’s Old Railway Station, you will be able to see the area which used to be Tel Aviv’s train station complex, and has now been transformed into a trendy shopping and culinary spot. We then ride through Neve Tzedek, the first neighborhood to be built outside of Jaffa, and now a beautiful, charming, and prosperous neighborhood. On the way back to the hostel we finally pass Independence Hall, the understated and unpretentious site of the signing of the Israeli Declaration of Independence and current Independence Museum.

This tour takes you through the real Tel Aviv, and gives you the chance to see how people live in the Nonstop CIty. In three hours you reach many highlights and attractions, and being on a bike will give you a great viewpoint and layout of the city that would be hard to get in any other way.
Duration: 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Staying in Abraham Hostel Tel Aviv

Day 3: Kibbutz Experience Tour + Israeli Cooking Workshop (Guided)

Stop At: Ma'agan, Ma'agan, Jordan Valley, Northern District
One of the key segments of early Zionist communities in Israel, Kibbutzim are collective communities based upon a socialist philosophy, with lifetime membership for their residents. With a long history of involvement in the realization of the Zionist dream, they also play a key role in the agriculture and manufacturing sectors of Israel.

We’ll depart Tel Aviv mid-morning and travel an hour north to Kibbutz Ma’agan Michael, situated on one of the most beautiful stretches of the Mediterranean coast. Our guide, a local kibbutz member, will meet us and give a brief introduction about the community. Following an in-depth tour of the kibbutz, including observing its extensive fish pools which provide one of the key sources of income, you’ll get to experience and understand the amazing culture and history of the Kibbutz movement as we eat a delicious communal lunch in the dining hall.

As one of the last remaining truly communal kibbutzim in Israel, a tour to Kibbutz Ma’agan Michael is a fascinating and unique experience and immersion into one of history’s most influential community structures.

Following our tour and lunch, we will depart for Tel Aviv, arriving back at the Abraham Hostel Tel Aviv in the mid afternoon.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: Enjoy a communal lunch at the Kibbutz dining hall
• Dinner: Jump into Mediterranean cuisine with our shakshuka-making culinary workshop!
Accommodation included: Staying in Abraham Hostel Tel Aviv

Day 4: Caesarea & Nazareth (Self-Guided)

Stop At: Caesarea National Park, Route 2 Near Aqiva, Caesarea Israel
Escape the city limits and take a day trip to the ancient Roman ruins at the Caesarea National Park.

We depart from Tel Aviv mid-morning, traveling along the coastline northward. You’ll soon arrive at the Caesarea National Park where the ruins of an ancient Roman harbor city await. Caesarea was one of the most significant Roman cities outside of Rome during the time of Herod, and the ruins include a Hippodrome, aqueduct, houses, and palaces.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Nazareth, Nazareth, Galilee Region, Northern District
After Caesarea, you will arrive in Nazareth - the heart of the Galilee and the North, famous both for its association with Jesus, and for its vibrant and colorful marketplaces and food stalls today. We will have free time in the afternoon to explore the nearby markets and sites around the town.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Staying in Fauzi Azar (Abraham Hostel Nazareth)

Day 5: Galilee & Golan (Self-Guided)

Stop At: Kfar Nahum (Capernaum) National Park, Road 87, Tiberias Israel
Our first stop brings us to the Sea of Galilee, the largest fresh-water lake in the Middle East and the lowest situated lake in the world – 200m below sea level, as we visit the adopted Town of Jesus, Capernaum, where you can marvel at the religious and historical significance of a site revered by millions of Christians throughout the world. Visit the home of Peter, as well as an ancient synagogue situated where Jesus taught.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Mount of Beatitudes, Har Nahum, Capernaum Israel
We will visit Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus famously preached his Sermon on the Mount, and where you can enter the beautiful Roman Catholic Franciscan Chapel, with stunning views of the Sea of Galilee and the valley below.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Banias Nature Reserve, Golan Heights
A scenic drive through the Galilee region will take us to the famous Banias Nature Reserve, a place of captivating nature and fascinating history, Also known as Caesarea Philippi. it is near here where Peter first told Jesus that he was the Christ – the Messiah. Beautiful streams originating in Mount Hermon make this place a must see, and a perfect opportunity for a short hike.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Odem Mountain Winery, Moshav Odem, Odem 12473
Our next destination is the Odem winery, where you can develop your wine palate as you sample a variety of locally produced wines at a boutique winery.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Mount Bental, Golan Heights Volcanic Park
We will travel to the summit of Mount Bental, with time to stop and grab a bite to eat. From here you can overlook the Syrian territory sprawling off to the horizon, with Damascus just 60km away. Not only does Bental provide some of the most amazing views of the Galilee, Golan, Syria, and Mount Hermon, but it is also a dormant volcano with a crater-like feature which can be seen from the summit as well as a battle site in the 1973 Yom Kippur War replete with bunkers and trenches to explore.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Sea of Galilee, Tiberias Israel
Our final stop (seasonal) brings us back to the Sea of Galilee where we’ll relax at a beach allowing you to enter the cool and refreshing waters, escaping the heat of the day, before returning to Nazareth.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner: Traditional Cooking Workshop
Learn to cook traditional Middle Eastern dishes and enjoy a feast in the lounge.
Accommodation included: Staying in Fauzi Azar (Abraham Hostel Nazareth)

Day 6: Jerash and Amman, Jordan (Guided)

Stop At: Jerash, Jerash, Jerash Governorate
From Nazareth, we will drive to Sheikh Hussein Bridge border crossing. We continue towards Jerash, where we will have lunch at a nearby restaurant before continuing to the ancient city of Jerash, an incredibly well-preserved Roman city of colonnaded streets, mosaics, baths, temples, and a marvelous hippodrome – a true blend of Eastern and Western architectural traditions.
Duration: 4 hours

Pass By: Amman, Amman, Amman Governorate
Our next destination is the capital city of Amman, where we will drive by the Royal Palace, King Hussein National Mosque, and get a general overview of the city. Before moving on from Amman, we’ll get to taste a delicious local sweet, called Knafeh. We will then continue south toward the desert, and arrive at the Bedouin camp, where we’ll spend the night. The Bedouins are nomadic dwellers of the desert who have lived in the region for thousands of years, and will share their delicious meals and comfortable tents with us.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Bedouin Campsite - Experience authentic Bedouin hospitality just outside of Petra

Day 7: Petra (Guided)

Stop At: Petra - Wadi Musa 77110 Jordan
One of the seven wonders of the world, and Jordan’s most treasured attraction, Petra is an unforgettable place. It was carved into the red rocks of the soaring cliffs in the early 1st century as the tomb of a Nabataean king and was hidden under sand for centuries before recently becoming accessible again.

We will enter through the Siq, a narrow gorge, and tour the Treasury and Amphitheater with our guide who will explain the sites and history as you marvel at the beauty of each structure. We will have lunch together in Wadi Musa before returning back to Tel Aviv via the Allenby Bridge Border Crossing.
Duration: 9 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Staying in Abraham Hostel Jerusalem

Day 8: Jerusalem - Old City Tour (Guided) + Hummus WorkShop

Stop At: Old City of Jerusalem, Jerusalem Israel
Starting from Jaffa Gate of the Old City, we’ll step back into time and walk through the different Quarters of the Old City. Taking in the indescribable energy that every corner presents, we’ll visit the sites most holy to all three religions. To Jews, the Western (Wailing) Wall, the last remains of the Jewish Temple which stood here thousands of year ago. To Muslims, the site where the Prophet Mohammed ascended to heaven, the Dome of the Rock, as well as the courtyard of the beautiful Al Aqsa Mosque. And to Christians, the Via Dolorosa along which Christ walked with his own cross to his crucifixion, and the room of the last supper, as well as venturing inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre! Biblical stories will be put into context as you stand in the place where they took place whilst learning about the 5 Pillars of Islam, the foundation of the Jewish nation and the discovery of the True Cross, to name a few.

This is an amazing way to experience the rich history of Jerusalem, a tour packed with amazing sites, stories and spectacles that will bring a new meaning to almost every page in Biblical history. Leave political opinions and preconceptions behind as you begin this truly inspiring and revealing tour of an extraordinary city.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Staying in Abraham hostel Jerusalem

Day 9: Masada, Ein Gedi and Dead Sea (Self-Guided)

Stop At: Masada National Park, Masada 8698000 Israel
Masada is one of Israel’s most important archaeological sites, and the site of one of the greatest tales of Jewish heroism. The excavated ruins are fascinating to explore, and the remarkable location high above the surrounding desert and the Dead Sea, makes this an impressive experience.
[Optional ascension with the cable car - additional fees apply]
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Ein Gedi Israel
After leaving Masada, we’ll travel the short distance to the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve. Surrounded by desert, this beautiful reserve offers a beautiful hike alongside the cool waters which flow from the spring. Stop and cool off beside one of the pools which can be found along the way, before returning to the entrance and heading to our final stop of the day.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Neve Midbar Beach, 90 Route At the northern end of the sea near the road back to Jerusalem., 9066600 Israel
As the lowest place on Earth, the Dead Sea's water is so salty that it allows you to float. Float in the water and immerse yourself in the therapeutic mud before returning to Tel Aviv having enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you’ll never forget.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner: Hummus Workshop & Dinner
Step by step on the process of making the perfect hummus- a necessity in Middle Eastern cooking
Accommodation included: Staying in Abraham Hostel Jerusalem

Day 10: Package Concludes

Stop At: Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Jerusalem District
Check-out from Abraham Hostel Jerusalem
Duration: 15 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.