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BEST OF ISRAEL & JORDAN

Price from
A$5,010
(per person)
Duration
11
Days
Tour Type
Small Group

HIGHLIGHTS

Tel Aviv, Masada fortress, Dead Sea, old & new Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Jericho, Sea of Galilee, Tiberias, Golan Heights, Nazareth, Acre, Caesarea, Haifa, Jerash Roman ruins, Petra tour, Madaba mosaics, Mount Nebo views
COUNTRIES : Israel, Jordan

This 11-day trip through Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories along with Jordan is the perfect tour for faithful travellers and it is also an incredible adventure for travellers who are here for the exploration of these fascinating countries. The tour has time to explore the buzz of the city and beaches of Tel Aviv before touring Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Nazareth and visiting many important religious and historical sites and monuments. The tour also includes a visit to the Dead Sea where you can bob on top of this remarkably salty Sea, the lowest place on Earth. The tour also visits the famous Sea of Galilee, Tiberias and Masada. Leaving Israel behind we cross the border into Jordan where we visit some of Jordan's tourist highlights including the Roman Ruins in Jerash, the 'lost city' of Petra, Biblical Mount Nebo and the famous mosaic map of the Holyland in Madaba.

On this tour you get to see most of the highlights of these amazing countries and relate the important religious sites to the relevant important passages in scripture. Our Classic Israel tour also follows a similar itinerary in Israel and a Jordan extension can be booked seperately on request but has less of a focus on connecting sites to biblical writings and features some more general non-religious sites.

After arrival at Ben Gurion airport, we meet & greet you, then transfer you to your hotel in Tel Aviv. The rest of the day is free to relax and recover from your flight or head out to explore the local area.

  • OVERNIGHT:
    Tel Aviv Hotel
  • EXTRAS:
    Extra day in Tel Aviv - pre-tour, Extra day in Jerusalem - pre-tour, Single room supplement (ISSHIE)

Today we drive south out of Tel Aviv passing by the cities of Ashdod, Ashkelon and Beersheba, the capital of the Negev Desert. We then head east, via Arad, to Masada. This hilltop fortress was the last stronghold of the Jews after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 A.D. We make our way up to Masada by cable car, where we visit Herod's Palace and the food storeroom, and water irrigation channels. If time and weather allow, we'll have a chance to float on the incredibly salty waters of the Dead Sea and maybe cover yourself with the mineral rich mud that many believe has therapeutic effects. We end the day in the holy city of Jerusalem.

  • OVERNIGHT:
    Jerusalem hotel
  • MEALS:
    Breakfast

Today we take a tour to the new city of Jerusalem. We start with a drive to the Israel museum, where we can see the Shrine of the book where the Dead Sea Scrolls are housed, along with wonderful scale model of ancient Jerusalem. We then make a stop at Yad Vashem, Israel's memorial to the victims of the Holocaust, before taking an afternoon drive to the pictureaque village of Ein Karem. Returning to downtown Jerusalem, we explore Mahane Yehuda one of the largest open market in Israel. Here we'll experience the flavours, aromas, colours as traders interact with the crowds.

  • OVERNIGHT:
    Jerusalem hotel
  • MEALS:
    Breakfast

Today we enjoy a full day tour of the Old City of Jerusalem. We start with a climb up to the Mount of Olive for a stunning panoramic view back over the old city walls and ancient Jewish cemetery. Our next stop is the Church of All Nations and we then continue to Mount Zion to visit the tomb of King David and the Room of the Last Supper. We now enter the Old City to experience some of the wonders of Jerusalem. We’ll take a walk through the newly restored Jewish quarter, make our way along the Cardo, the main street of Jerusalem 2,000 years ago and through the Herodian quarter. We'll also stop to see the Temple Mount and the people praying at the Western Wall, and stroll along the Via Dolorosa, where Jesus carried his own cross. We then stop at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which is considered to be the place where Jesus's tomb is located. Finally, we cross over to the Occupied Palestinian Territories to visit Bethlehem (subject to border restrictions), and see Rachel's tomb, the Church of Nativity and Manger's Square.

  • OVERNIGHT:
    Jerusalem Hotel
  • MEALS:
    Breakfast

We leave Jerusalem today and drive north passing by Jericho and the oldest city in the world. We continue to Beit Shean to see the remains of the mosaic floor of an ancient synagogue depicting the zodiac. We next drive to Nazareth, where we visit the Church of the Annunciation, which stands over the cave that tradition holds to be the home of the Virgin Mary. Finally we visit Safed, the centre of Jewish mysticism, where you have time to explore the ancient synagogues and artists' colony.

  • OVERNIGHT:
    Kibbutz hotel
  • MEALS:
    Breakfast

We then climb up to the Golan Heights to explore the area, with visit to the former Syrian bunkers, Kuneitra and the new Israeli town of Katzrin. We’ll also take time to visit the Golan winery for a wine tasting session and a tour of the winery. We finally visit "Kessem Hagolan" tourist centre, which includes an excellent introduction to the Golan with a half-hour virtual journey around the region, projected on a 180-degree panoramic screen.

Later, we descend to the shore of the Sea of Galilee, for an optional boat ride, and proceed to Capernaum, to visit the ruins of the ancient synagogue, the Mount of Beatitudes, traditional site of the Sermon on the Mount and Tabgha. We then head onwards to Tiberias, the old center of Jewish learning.

  • OVERNIGHT:
    Kibbutz hotel
  • MEALS:
    Breakfast

After breakfast, we start the last day of our tour with a drive through the hills of the Galilee, westwards to Acre (Akko) for a visit of the old, famous Crusader stronghold and medieval fortifications.

We then drive to the picturesque port city of Haifa, situated on the Mediterranean Sea, and stop for a wonderful panoramic view of the beautiful Bahai gardens and Haifa Bay.

Continuing south along the Mediterranean coast we visit the excavations at Caesarea capital of Judea under Roman rule. We take time to visit the excavations of the ancient city, including the Roman theatre and aqueduct, before finally arriving back in Tel Aviv.

  • OVERNIGHT:
    Tel Aviv hotel
  • MEALS:
    Breakfast

After breakfast in Israel we head to the border and cross into Jordan where our first visit will be to nearby Jerash, 'the Jewel of the North'. One of the largest and most well-preserved sites of Roman architecture in the world outside Italy, the ancient city of Jerash boasts an unbroken chain of human occupation dating back more than 6,500 years. The city's golden age came under Roman rule and Jerash is now generally acknowledged to be one of the best-preserved Roman provincial towns in the world. Having been hidden for centuries in sand, evacuations restorations over the past 70 years have revealed a fine example of the grand, formal provincial Roman urbanism that is found throughout the Middle East, comprising paved and colonnaded streets, soaring hilltop temples, handsome theatres, spacious public squares and plazas, baths, fountains and city walls pierced by towers and gates. Leaving Jerash behind, we'll head to the capital city Amman where we'll have time for a short city tour.

  • OVERNIGHT:
    Amman Hotel
  • MEALS:
    Breakfast

After an early breakfast in Amman today, we'll drive to Petra and enjoy the remainder of the day today inside the world famous Nabatean site of Petra. The ancient capital of the Nabataean commercial empire until the Romans finally took over in 106AD, Petra was largely forgotten, except by the local Bedouins, until it was 'discovered' in 1812 by a young Swiss explorer, Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. Petra is situated on the edge of Wadi Aruba., whose canyon walls and surrounding hills make it almost impossble to approach except through a narrow, winding cleft in the rock, called the Siq. The city itself has very few free-standing buildings, as the Nabateans chose to carve their homes, buildings and tombs into the multi-coloured sandstone cliffs. Nowadays, the Jordanian government and local people are well aware of Petra's interest to tourists, and the tourism infrastructure in the adjoining village of Wadi Musa is booming, though, thankfully, once you enter through the Siq, the site is protected, and all the building feels miles away.

This afternoon we tour this fascinating city (guided tour, then free time to explore yourselves). We start by walking through the Siq, which rises to 200m above us, and narrows to just 2m wide in places. The ancient Nabatean water channel can still be seen on one wall, as well as some remnants of the terracotta pipes that brought water into the city. All of a sudden, a now classic view appears around one corner, and one of Petra's most impressive monuments, the Khazneh (Treasury) comes into view. Our guide will explain how this, and the other buildings here, are mainly elaborate facades carved into the rock from the top down, and also discuss the spiritual significance of the building style. From the Khazneh, the valley opens out, with tombs carved into the rock on both sides. We'll see the ruined Roman amphitheatre, and colonnaded street, and during your free time you can walk up a steep and narrow winding gorge past beautifully coloured sandstone cliff walls to the huge and imposing 'Monastery'. The biggest of Petra's carved monuments at 50m high and 45m wide, this is truly spectacular, as are the distant views west across Wadi Aruba and the Jordan valley. Another climb can take you to the High Place of Sacrifice, and Lion Fountain.

All in all, this is a full & tiring, but hugely rewarding day touring one of the world's most famous ancient sites. We spend the evening and night relaxing at our hotel.

  • OVERNIGHT:
    Petra Hotel
  • MEALS:
    Breakfast

This morning we'll leave Petra behind and start our journey back into Israel. En-route we stop in Madaba and see the town's main attraction, the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George where we'll see its famous 6th Century Byzantine mosaic map of the Holy Land and other biblical sites. We'll also enjoy great views of the Holy Land from Mt. Nebo, known as the burial place of the propher Moses.

In the afternoon we'll cross the Jordan/Israel border and return to Tel Aviv where we'll be spending our final night.

  • OVERNIGHT:
    Tel Aviv Hotel
  • MEALS:
    Breakfast

After breakfast, your time is free until we pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your departure.

  • OVERNIGHT:
    N/A
  • MEALS:
    Breakfast
  • EXTRAS:
    Extra day in Tel Aviv - post-tour, Extra day in Jerusalem - post-tour
Included:
  • All accommodation in 3/4-star hotels (upgrades available)
  • All transport and transfers
  • 24-hour airport arrival and departure transfer service
  • English speaking guide during touring days
  • All site entry fees
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary

Excluded:
  • International flights (available on request)
  • Visa fees
  • Border tax & crossing fees (payable locally at approx. $107 per person)
  • Travel insurance (compulsory)
  • Meals not indicated in the itinerary
  • Drinks, snacks, tips and other personal expenses (e.g. laundry)
  • Tips for tour leaders and drivers
  • Any other items not mentioned above

Notes:
Note: This tour runs with an average of 15-20 people but has a potential maximum full-coach size of 45.
Best of Israel & Jordan accommodation
The hotels and accommodations listed below are the ones we use most often on this tour. From time to time we may exchange these for similar properties at the same level. In general, specific hotels cannot be guaranteed on our group tours, but you may select your preferred options if you are booking a tailor-made trip.
sea-net-hotel-tel-aviv-israel.jpg
Local rating
Our rating
Sea Net Hotel
Tel Aviv, Israel

A good mid-range hotel in the vibrant city of Tel Aviv, located just a 3 minute walk to the beach. The hotel has an on-site restaurant, bar an...


A good mid-range hotel in the vibrant city of Tel Aviv, located just a 3 minute walk to the beach. The hotel has an on-site restaurant, bar and coffee shop.

The 70 air-conditioned rooms have mini-bar and safe and the in-room TV's have cable channels as standard. Bathrooms include a bath or shower and hair dryer and complimentary wifi is available throughout the hotel.

prima-galil-hotel-tiberias-jordan.jpg
Local rating
Our rating
Prima Galil Hotel
Tiberias, Israel

Located in the centre of Tiberias, the Prima Hotel offers comfortable accommodation with great views over Tiberias and the Sea of Galilee....


Located in the centre of Tiberias, the Prima Hotel offers comfortable accommodation with great views over Tiberias and the Sea of Galilee.

Guests can enjoy clean, spacious rooms and larger family suites are also available.
The hotel is great base for exploring the city and the historial monuments around the Sea of Galilee. The hotel features an outdoor terrace, gardens, bar and restaurant. Rooms at the hotel feature free toileteries, bathrobe and en-suite facilities, flat screen TV, radio, air conditioning and mini bar.

jerusalem-gold-hotel-jerusalem.jpg
Local rating
Our rating
Jerusalem Gold Hotel
Jerusalem, Israel

The Jerusalem Gold is an elegant hotel in the heart of the new city, next to the Central Bus Station and a 20-minute walk from the historic ce...


The Jerusalem Gold is an elegant hotel in the heart of the new city, next to the Central Bus Station and a 20-minute walk from the historic centre.

Rooms at the Jerusalem Gold come with extra-long beds, Mahogany furniture, black-out curtains, and double glazed windows for extra quiet. You can choose your pillow from a menu. Modern facilities include air conditioning, fridge, video games, and a laptop-sized safe.

The hotel is a stone throw away from the Jerusalem Congress Centre, while the colourful Mahne Yehuda Market is within walking distance. The city's major attractions, such as the Biblical Zoo, Time Elevator and Science Museum, are easily accessible by public transport.

There are numerous restaurants, shops and entertainment venues within short walking distance from the Gold Hotel.

larsa-hotel-amman.jpg
Local rating
Our rating
Larsa Hotel
Amman, Jordan

Larsa Hotel is characterised by its special location and panoramic view. It is close to the tourism and commercial sites in the Capital Amman....


Larsa Hotel is characterised by its special location and panoramic view. It is close to the tourism and commercial sites in the Capital Amman. Free WiFi is available throughout the entire property.

The Hotel provides modern rooms of elegant design in different sizes. Each room contains a built in flat-screen TV with satellite channels, free mineral water and tea/coffee making facilities.

Larsa Hotel provides various catering options, including the original and traditional foods, in addition to the buffet of international cuisine in Sinbad Restaurant. Guests can take Shisha in the terrace of Arab-style Shumu Cafe whenever the weather is warm.

The Hotel provides a taxi services with driver to all tourism sites with attractive prices. The hotel also provides free-of-charge services such as transportation to Mecca Mall, City Mall/Carrefour, and Sweifieh by the newest cars of the Hotel. Guests can enjoy the use of the hotel's health club.

amra-palace-petra.jpg
Local rating
Our rating
Amra Palace Hotel
Petra, Jordan

Amra Palace Hotel is wonderfully located at the heart of the city, the hotel is minutes away from the main shopping areas and the entrance to ...


Located in Petra next to the Wadi Musa Souk, this hotel offers panoramic views of the Petra Mountains. It has a spa with indoor heated pool surrounded by loungers. The Hotel is within a walking distance from the Petra Gate.

All rooms at the Amra Palace International Hotel are decorated in warm colours. They offer flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, a minibar and a private bathroom with a hairdryer.

Guests of the Amra Palace can enjoy a relaxing massage at the spa. Guests can enjoy a drink and admire the sunset on the terrace overlooking the hotel's garden.

Each morning a breakfast buffet is served in Hotel Amra’s dining room. In the evening, the à la carte restaurant serves a wide variety of Arabic and international cuisine. In the summertime, the hotel offers an outdoor Bedouin Restaurant, which serves a traditional barbecue.

Best of Israel & Jordan options

Our tours are designed to include all that you need to enjoy a really special time in the destination you're visiting. However, we do also offer some extra options to complement the tour and add some additional sightseeing or activities, or some extra time at either end of the tour.

All accommodation based options (e.g. Single supplements, extra nights, cruise upgrades) should be booked and paid for in advance so that we can make the appropriate arrangements. Other options may either be booked and paid for in advance or while you are on the tour, though we recommend booking in advance to ensure there are no issues with availability.

Many options are priced the same throughout the year, but some may incur single or high season supplements - full details are given on the tour reservation form or on request.

Single room supplement (ISSHIE)
Price from
A$1785
per person



Single room supplement (ISSHIE)
Min numbers: 1 person

This option books a single room in all the accommodation throughout the tour. Room shares may be available but the supplement is payable if a ..


This option books a single room in all the accommodation throughout the tour. If you are a single traveller and would be happy to share a room, let us know and we will see if we can pair you up with another single traveller of the same sex. If a room share is not available when you book then we will add the single room supplement to your booking and it will be payable with your balance payment unless we have arranged a room share for you by then. If a room share is arranged after you have paid the supplement then we will refund it to you. Room shares are arranged in order of booking.

Extra day in Tel Aviv - pre-tour
Price from
A$180
per person



Extra day in Tel Aviv - pre-tour
Min numbers: 1 person

This option adds an day night to the start of your tour, staying in the same hotel as the main tour itself (subject to availability). Your air..


This option adds an extra day to the start of your tour in Israel, staying in the same hotel as the main tour itself (subject to availability at the time of booking). Your airport arrival transfer is NOT included. Prices shown are per person and based on two people sharing.

Note: Single room and peak season supplements apply.

Extra day in Tel Aviv - post-tour
Price from
On
Request

per person



Extra day in Tel Aviv - post-tour
Min numbers: 1 person

This option adds an extra day to the end of your tour, staying in the same hotel as the main tour itself (subject to availability). Your airpo..


This option adds an day to the end of your tour in Israel, staying in the same hotel as the main tour itself (subject to availability at the time of booking). Your airport departure transfer is NOT included. Prices shown are per person and based on two people sharing.

Note: Single room and peak season supplements apply.

best-israel-jordan-map.jpg
Best of Israel & Jordan tour notes

The detailed Tour Notes below have been written to give you some more detailed information about how the tour runs, what to expect, and how to prepare for your holiday. We recommend downloading an up to date copy of these shortly before you travel in case of any changes.

We use good quality hotels rated at the Israeli 4-star and Jordanian 3-star level on this tour, together with a night in a Kibbutz hotel. Options are available to upgrade the accommodation to a better 4-star, or standard 5-star level. Please contact us for prices to match your dates. The normal hotels we use for these upgrades are shown below, though these may changes to alternate hotels of a similar standard on some dates:

Comfort (good 4-star): Amman - Grand Palace  |  Petra - Nabatean Castle  |  Tel Aviv - Grand Beach  |  Jerusalem - Grand Court  |  Kibbutz Lavi - Superior room
Superior (4/5 star): Amman - Regency Palace  |  Petra - Mariott  |  Tel Aviv - Dan Panorama  |  Jerusalem - Dan Panorama  |  Kibbutz Lavi - Superior room

As different hotel levels are available, this does mean that if some people take up the upgrades there will be more than one hotel pick-up and drop-off each day, though we do aim to plan these to minimise any extra travelling time. 

Accommodation is based on twin or double en-suite rooms with air conditioning. All couples will be given a private double room. Single travellers will need to pay a single room supplement to guarantee themselves a single room throughout the tour. We aim to keep this cost as low as possible. As we may share this tour with other operators, we do not offer a room-share option for solo travellers.

Our trips feature a mix of different transport options. We want you to feel like you’re really experiencing the country you’re travelling through, but at the same time we want you to finish journeys refreshed enough to enjoy the next stage of the tour. Our routes in Israel and the small distances involved mean that we use private vehicles throughout this tour.

This tour includes an arrival airport transfer from Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv to your hotel at anytime on Day 1 of the tour, and a transfer back from your hotel to the airport on Day 11. If you would like to add extra time in Israel and arrive before Day 1 of the tour or leave after Day 11, we can provide you with a quotation for your extra nights and airport transfer.

For legal reasons when crossing from Israel into Jordan, it's not possible for us to use the same vehicle so you'll be escorted to the immigration point on the Israel side of the border before taking a shuttle bus to the Jordanian side where our Jordanian team will greet you. Once in Jordan you'll have a Jordanian guide and driver who will continue with you for this part of the tour. You should budget approximately $107.00 for border fees which are not included in the tour price. These fees will be paid locally, in cash, when crossing the border. We have many passengers each year crossing this border and our local team are very experienced - full assistance will be given at each side.

We want to give you as much flexibility as possible when it comes to booking your holiday with us. So, to take account of people with varying travel plans, we don’t include your international flights in the main tour price. We are however very provide suggestions for flights to go with your tour. Please contact us with your preferred dates and departure airport and we’ll give you a selection of airlines, times and fares to choose from.

Your airport arrival & departure transfers are included on the first and last days of the tour. All our group tours in Israel start and finish at Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv (TLV).

This tour includes two crossings of the Israel/Jordan border. We ask for your patience when crossing borders, as this process can sometimes take more than an hour. Please be assured that our local team is working daily with the authorities and is doing whatever they can at all times to expedite this. We also suggest that you try to travel as light as possible, as the Israeli security is tight and it can take a while for them to search through and check large cases.

Crossing at Beit Shean (Sheikh Hussein) from Israel to Jordan.
Our border assistant will explain the procedure to you at the entrance to the terminal. First, you enter the terminal and visit the exit tax kiosk and pay your exit tax (100 ILS plus 5 ILS surcharge in USD, EUR or Israeli Shekels). Take your exit tax to the immigration counter and hand it over with your passport. After processing your passport you walk through the duty free and outside across the road there is a waiting area. Here you can wait till called to board your shuttle bus to the Jordan Terminal. Note: Our staff cannot accompany you during this process, so you should follow the instructions of the assistant and border staff to ensure your crossing is smooth.  You pay the shuttle bus fee of JOD 1.6 (approx. $2.3 US or 10 NIS) on arrival at the Jordan terminal and then head to Jordanian immigration to arrange your Jordan visa and enter the country. Once on the Jordanian guide, your guide/assistant (sometimes the same person), will handle the taxes and if appropriate, visa payments.

Returning to Israel from Jordan.
Our assistant team on both sides can take you right up to the border fence and will explain to you the procedure throughout.

On average the group departures on this tour tend to have a minimum of around 10 passengers and an average of 14-18, though we only need 2 passengers to book for a departure to be guaranteed. The maximum capacity of this tour is 45 which is a lot more than our normal 'small-group tours'. We allow this higher number to ensure affordability in what is a very expensive country to arrange tours like this. We also share this tour with a small number of other operators and offer upgrades to higher hotel levels so you may join with travellers booking with different companies and staying in different hotels.

At Egypt Uncovered we aim to only ever use local Israeli guides and reps. We feel this gives you the best experience of the country and the sites you are seeing. A different guide may be used for the Occupied Palestinian Territory sites to the rest of the tour, and a Jordanian guide will be used for the Jordan section.

The tour price includes entrance fees to all the tourist sites mentioned in the itinerary. If you visit any sites not mentioned in the itinerary then you will need to cover the entrance fee costs.
Tipping is common practice in Israel, as a sign of appreciation for services provided. You may therefore wish to tip your guide and driver at the end of the tour.  You should not feel obliged to tip any particular amount, and should consider your personal budget. We are often asked to provide a guide however, and can suggest that approx. GBP 5 / USD 8 per person per day would be appropriate.

You should ensure you are fully insured for medical emergencies including emergency evacuation and repatriation.

Recommended vaccinations and other health protection measures vary according to the country you are visiting and where you are travelling from. We recommend you contact your GP/medical practitioner or a travel clinic for current information on vaccinations needed for your destination.  You should ensure that you are up to date with vaccines and boosters recommended for your normal life at home, including for example, vaccines required for occupational risk of exposure, lifestyle risks and underlying medical conditions.
In addition, additional courses or boosters normally recommended for the countries in this region are:

Egypt: Tetanus, Typhoid, Hepatitis A
Jordan: Tetanus, Hepatitis A
Israel: Hepatitis A, Poliomyelitis
Lebanon: Dipheria, Hepatitis A

Malaria is not generally present unless it has been contracted abroad; you do not need to take malaria prophylactics.

More information is available here: Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon

Note: We are aware of some places in Egypt using ‘black henna’ instead of pure brown henna. Black henna contains a chemical dye PPD (paraphenylenediamine) which can result in severe allergic reactions and resultant scarring. To be safe we recommend avoiding any henna tattoos while in Egypt unless you are certain they are using pure brown henna.

Passports should be valid for at least six months after your departure from the country. Please do not bring an almost full or almost expired passport. Visa arrangements are the responsibility of the traveller, and requirements are subject to change by the local authorities.

Many nationalities (including UK, European, USA, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, South African) do not need to obtain a visa to enter Israel as a period as long as your stay is for less than 3 months. Other nationalities should check with their local consulate.

Most of our tours visiting Israel also enter the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT). No special visas are required but check points and border posts are operated by the Israeli authorities and access is sometimes limited or restricted.

Passports should be valid for at least six months after your departure from the country. Please do not bring an almost full or almost expired passport. Visa arrangements are the responsibility of the traveller, and requirements are subject to change by the local authorities.

To promote tourism to the country, the Jordanian government has designed the Jordan Pass. This provides most nationalities with a free single entry Jordan visa (for stays of 3 nights or more), a discounted package of entrance fees, and free digital brochures for the various sites in Jordan. Please check the Jordan Pass tour note for more information.

Double or multi entry visas for Jordan are no longer available and you will need to arrange two visas if you are doing a combination tour (eg. with Egypt and/or Israel) that visits Jordan more than once. Exceptions may occur if you are crossing to and from Israel via the King Hussein Bridge - please contact us for details.

If you wish to arrange your visa separately in advance, or if your stay will be shorter than four days/3 nights, then a visa fee of 40JD (approx. USD 57) will be due.

Other nationalities may require a visa prior to arrival and to obtain this in advance, please contact your local Jordanian embassy or consulate or a visa agency for details. In addition, if you plan to enter Jordan via the southern Wadi Araba crossing (Eilat-Aqaba) or the Allenby Bridge/King Hussein border with Israel in the north, you will need to obtain your Jordan visa in advance as these are not available on arrival at the border.

The time in Egypt, Jordan and Israel is GMT plus 2 hours. Daylight saving adjustments have historically been applied in some years but not others. At present it appears that there will be no daylight saving changes in Egypt 2016 and beyond, though this may change at short notice (with a resulting impact on flight times and schedules). In Jordan and Israel, daylight saving of one hour is generally applied between the end of March and the end of October, making it GMT plus 3 hours. Exact dates vary from year to year and sometimes the changes may be scrapped altogether.

Sockets are two round pronged and 220 volts (Type C). Universal adaptors are available in most airport shops if you don’t have one already. Standard European adapters will work fine, though sometimes they may feel a little loose in the sockets. All hotel rooms have electrical sockets where you can re-charge cameras, phones etc. Hair dryers are normally available on request from the hotel reception if not in your room already.
If you have US appliances (110 volts) you will need a voltage converter as well as a plug adapter.

The local currency in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories is the Israeli Shekel (ILS). You do not need to arrange to bring any Shekels with you as exchange facilities are available in the international airports and in most hotels, banks and bureau de changes in major towns. You should try to obtain and keep hold of small denomination notes or coins on you during the tour as these are useful for toilets, tips and small purchases. ATMs are readily available in major towns and many local shops will accept VISA/Mastercard or Amex, but may charge fees of up to 10% - check before you pay. Travellers cheques are not recommended as they can not be changed in many places now, and can incur high fees.

While in Israel and the OPT you will need sufficient funds to cover meals not included in the itinerary, drinks, snacks, souvenirs and personal expenses such as laundry. These should generally all be paid for in local currency, though tips for guides and drivers may be paid in hard currency (GBP, USD, EUR).

It is difficult to recommend a level of personal spending money which will suit everyone as this can differ greatly, but as a guideline, we would suggest allowing USD 25-35 per person per day as a minimum. Allow more if you plan on doing lots of shopping, or buying many alcoholic drinks.

The local currency in Jordan is the Jordanian Dinar (JD). You do not need to arrange to bring any Jordanian Dinar with you to Jordan as exchange facilities are available in the international airports and in most hotels, banks and bureau de changes in major towns. You should try to obtain and keep hold of small denomination notes or coins on you during the tour as these are useful for toilets, tips and small purchases. ATMs are readily available in major towns and many local shops will accept VISA/Mastercard or Amex, but may charge fees of up to 10% - check before you pay. Travellers cheques are not recommended as they can not be changed in many places now, and can incur high fees.

While in Jordan you will need sufficient funds to cover meals not included in the itinerary, drinks, snacks, souvenirs and personal expenses such as laundry. These should generally all be paid for in Jordanian Dinar, though tips for guides and drivers may be paid in hard currency (GBP, USD, EUR).

It is difficult to recommend a level of personal spending money which will suit everyone as this can differ greatly, but as a guideline, we would suggest allowing USD 15-25 per person per day as a minimum. Allow more if you plan on doing lots of shopping, or buying many alcoholic drinks.

Luggage: Suitcases, rucksacks or fabric holdalls are all fine to bring with you to Israel and Jordan. You should also bring a small daypack/bag to take out during the day. Your main luggage will normally be left in the hotel during your sightseeing trips – you will not need to carry it far, and there are nearly always hotel porters to assist.

Luggage limits: There is no luggage limit for this tour. However, most airlines restrict you to between 20kg and 25kg for your hold luggage and between 5kg and 10kg for hand luggage. Please check with your airline before travelling to the airport.

Clothing: The climate in Israel and Jordan varies widely from hot days in the summer to cool and sometimes wet days in the winter months. At night, especially in the deserts, the temperatures can drop quite dramatically. So you must pack for cool conditions. Formal dress (eg. suits & ties) is not required. Modesty rates highly in Jordan (and parts of Israel), especially for women, so to respect the local culture & people, please ensure all clothes are loose fitting and not revealing. Shorts (not hot-pants) are OK in tourist sites, as are T-shirts, but these should not show too much bare flesh (we suggest that your shoulders should remain covered). When visiting any mosques, legs and arms should be covered.

Other items: At the Bedouin camp bedding is provided but we recommend bringing a light sleeping sheet or sleeping bag liner for comfort all year round (even with the best efforts, sand does find its way pretty much everywhere). In the winter months, or if you think you would like to sleep under the stars instead of in your tent, then we recommend you bring a sleeping bag with you as it can get very cold at night. We also recommend you bring a sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, a basic first aid kit, toiletries, money belt, small torch, camera & charger.

We run regular small-group departures on this tour starting on Sundays throughout the year. All departures are guaranteed to run with a minimum of 2 people. Departure dates and prices are listed on our website and on a separate dates & prices sheet available on request.

If you would like to book a place on this tour, please complete the online reservation form on our website (via the Dates & Prices tab on the tour page). You can pay your deposit or full balance online, or just hold a reservation if you prefer. We will then contact you with more details about how to complete your booking. Payments may be made by debit or credit card (subject to a card processing fee), or by making a bank transfer or posting us a cheque/bank draft. Full details will be provided in your booking confirmation email. Please contact us if you would like any more information or have any questions before making a booking.

Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our tours and needs to cover personal accident & liability, medical expenses and repatriation, travel delay & abandonment. We also strongly recommend that you take out cover against cancellation and lost/stolen baggage. Personal medical insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover and is generally not suitable for travel on our tours. You will not be able to join your tour if you have not provided us with details of your insurance or if you arrive without cover in place (no refunds will be due in this event). More information...

You may arrange your own insurance, or you can take advantage of a comprehensive policy that we can arrange for you through Endsleigh Insurance which has been designed to be suitable for our tours. The policy is available to travellers of all nationalities and you do not need to live in the UK  to take out the policy. For full details of cover provided, prices and to apply for one of our policies, please complete travel insurance application form.

Note: Any country that borders the Mediterranean is considered as 'Europe' for the purposes of travel insurance (including Turkey, Israel, Egypt and Morocco). If you are doing a tour that visits one country in 'Europe' and one that is 'Worldwide' (for example, an Egypt and Jordan tour), then you need a 'Worldwide' policy. When completing the form you should enter your travel dates including any extra days involved in overnight flights or connecting travel between your home and the tour. Our policies are not able to cover any extra time or activities other than your tour and options booked with us and your travel to & from home.

If you plan to arrange a hot air balloon flight locally, or do some scuba diving during your tour, you should check the small print in your policy to make sure these are covered (these are covered in our policy). Please also check the maximum altitude that you will be reaching and that full cover including emergency evacuation is provided up to this altitude.

IMPORTANT:  We must have your travel insurance details (policy number and type of insurance) before you depart or you may not be allowed to join the tour.  If you haven't told us already, please let us know the details when you can. You should take a paper copy of your insurance policy with you as you may be asked to show this at the start of the tour.

We are a UK registered company and an ABTA Member (Y4447) and you can be confident when booking with us that your money is safe and protected. Financial failure insurance is provided through Affirma to protect all customers for the land portion of their tour.
Please see our website or booking conditions for more information.

It is impossible not to have an impact on the local environment, cultures and eco-systems when you travel. However, it is very possible to try and ensure that these impacts are as limited, or positive as possible. We are committed to ensuring that we try to leave our host countries in a better state than we found them and encourage and assist our travellers to help us with this.
The following are a few simple tips that require very little effort on your part but which will help ensure that any effect you have on the locations you visit is positive rather than negative.

  • Don’t prejudge: Things in different countries will almost certainly be different. That doesn’t make them worse or inferior, just different.
  • Communicate: Don’t expect locals to speak your language. Take the trouble to learn a few words or phrases of the local language. Don’t worry about sounding silly. Most locals are patient and accommodating and appreciate you making the effort to communicate in their language.
  • Conserve energy: Be careful not to waste valuable resources. Use local resources sparingly. Switch off lights, air-conditioning and fans when you leave the hotel room and don’t waste water. Remove superfluous packaging. Many countries have far less efficient waste disposal systems than ours. Remove packaging from newly acquired items before leaving home.
  • Don’t litter: No matter how untidy or dirty the country you’re travelling in may look to you, avoid littering, as there is no need to add to the environment's stress. Many of the countries we visit have a tough challenge dealing with rubbish and waste. Please consider taking home as much plastic waste as you can (e.g. water bottles).
  • Choose environmentally friendly products: By using environmentally friendly (bio degradable) sun creams, shampoos and detergents you can help reduce pollution.
  • Respect local customs and traditions: As you are a guest in these countries, you should also comply with the local customs. If you are friendly and well mannered, the locals will reciprocate and it will only enhance your experience. It’s important to follow dress and behaviour guidelines especially when visiting religious or sacred sites (your tour leader will advise you how best to do this).
  • If a client commits an illegal act the client may be excluded from the tour and Egypt Uncovered shall cease to have responsibility to/for them. No refund will be given for any unused services.

All porters are employed and equipped following guidelines set by the International Porter Protection Group (IPPG).

You can stay in touch with us online by following us on Facebook and Twitter. We post updates on relevant travel news in our destination countries, special offers and discounts and other interesting travel related news and information.
www.facebook.com/EgyptUncovered
www.twitter.com/encounterstravl (yes, without the 'e')

It is important when considering and preparing to travel anywhere in the world that you have a good understanding of the country you are visiting, its laws and customs, and the possible risks and situations that may occur. This includes specific risks related to your itinerary (eg. does it involve water & can you swim, are you fit enough for the activities included), as well as more general risks such as terrorism and natural disasters.

General details and links to more information about health risks, visa requirements, money, and travel insurance are given in these tour notes. We recommend that you re-read all these before your departure as well as the small print of your travel insurance policy so you know exactly what is covered and what is not.

You should take copies of your important travel documents with you and ideally also store them online securely as a backup. Make sure that you have given us your emergency contact details and told that person where and when you are travelling. Ensure you take enough money with you and that you have access to emergency funds.

Finally, you should read through and stay updated with the current official government travel advice for your destination. We are registered partners with the UK Foreign Office's 'Travel Aware' campaign which provides further useful and invaluable information.

'Travel Aware' campaign

Best of Israel & Jordan dates & prices
Small-group tour departure dates are given below. The tour is also available for booking privately for travel anytime through the year, with adjustments to fit your personal requirements. Please contact us for details and prices.
Start Date End Date Price (P/P) Offer Price Note
17 Nov, 2024 27 Nov, 2024 A$5010 - - Book now
01 Dec, 2024 11 Dec, 2024 A$5010 - - Book now
22 Dec, 2024 01 Jan, 2025 A$5445 - - Book now
12 Jan, 2025 22 Jan, 2025 A$5010 - - Book now
26 Jan, 2025 05 Feb, 2025 A$5010 - - Book now
02 Feb, 2025 12 Feb, 2025 A$5010 - - Book now
16 Feb, 2025 26 Feb, 2025 A$5010 - - Book now
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ISRAEL Reviews
Service

Product

Posted Nov 21, 2017
Service rating : Efficient and helpful service pre-travel offering excellent value for money. All the arrangements during the holiday worked well making for an enjoyable and stress-free time.
Product : Wonderful trip made even more enjoyable by efficient arrangements and a very informative and helpful guide.
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Posted Jan 07, 2017
Excellent service, from the initial phone call to booking the holiday the following day.
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Posted Feb 04, 2016
Service rating : Great service
Product : Great tour guide
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Posted Oct 24, 2015
Service rating : From the moment we were met by our taxi until our taxi dropped us off at the airport to return home we were treated like royalty. The whole holiday was superb
Product : We had been with Encounters Travel before to Jordan which was excellent, so our expectations were high. We were not disappointed. The hotels were very good, the guide extremely knowledgeable with excellent English, and food plentiful and excellent. We visited all the places We remembered from the bible at Sunday school, and then some. I would recommend this holiday to anyone. It was fantastic. I shall definitely book another holiday with Encounters Travel.
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Posted Aug 18, 2015
Service rating : Excellent
Product : Excellent made so in part by a brilliant guide
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Posted May 24, 2014
Service rating : Smooth organisation and communicative company - low stress holiday!
Product : I wish we could have done this years ago! The small group concept works so much better than a big coach tour, providing both flexibility, good use of time and more personal attention from a first rate guide.
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Posted May 23, 2014
Service rating : Booking was efficient and accurate; queries were handled promptly by e-mail; phone calls were answered in a friendly and informed manner; adding extra days at the beginning and end of the tour caused no problem at all; the pre-trip information was useful.
Product : In many respects this was an excellent tour giving a good insight into much of what Israel has to offer. My criticism would be that it was very 'whistlestop' and I think too much is crammed into too few days. The time allocation at a number of the sights was insufficient and we were not able to see things completely or have free time to experience it on our own. On a number of days we did not have a lunch break until mid afternoon, having had breakfast at 7.30 am and there was not always time to grab refreshment mid morning. The bias of the trip was very much Christian; it would have been more balanced if we could have visited a synagogue and mosque and maybe Greek/Russian orthodox. It'really a 12 day tour squashed into 6. I have no regrets about going on this trip, I just would have liked more time.
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