Full Middle East: Turkey, Egypt, Jordan & Israel - 22 days

Welcome to the start of your exciting journey! Upon your arrival at the airport, you will be greeted and transferred to your chosen hotel for a restful night.

After breakfast, we set off for Ankara, passing through the scenic Bolu Mountains. Upon arrival, we embark on a panoramic tour of Ankara, the cosmopolitan capital of Turkey. We'll visit the Anitkabir Mausoleum, the resting place of the founder of the Turkish Republic, before settling in at our hotel for the night.

We depart for Cappadocia after breakfast. Along the way, we'll marvel at Turkey's second-largest lake, The Salt Lake, and visit a 13th-century caravanserai. Upon arrival in Cappadocia, we'll check into our hotel and prepare for the next day's adventures.

After breakfast, we set out to explore the fascinating region of Cappadocia. We'll visit the Göreme Valley, a Byzantine monastic complex with churches carved into the rock, and the Avcilar, Pasabagi and Güvercinlik Valleys, known for their unique volcanic formations. We'll also visit traditional workshops where Onix and Turquoise stones are crafted. For those interested, an optional hot air balloon excursion is available at dawn.

We depart early for Konya, the capital of the Seleucid sultans, where we'll visit the Mausoleum of Mevlana, the founder of the mystical and religious sect of the Dancing Dervishes. We then continue to Pamukkale, where we'll explore the ancient city of Hierapolis and the famous Cotton Castle, a natural wonder of white waterfalls and stalactites.

We start our day with a visit to the ancient Greco-Roman city of Ephesus, where we'll explore the Temple of Hadrian, Temple of Trajan, the theater, and the Library of Celsus. We'll also visit the House of the Virgin Mary, where she is believed to have spent her last years. We then head to Izmir airport for a domestic flight back to Istanbul, where we'll transfer to our hotel for the night.

We start the day with a boat trip on the Bosphorus, the channel that separates Europe and Asia. We'll admire the palaces of the Sultans and old wooden houses from the water. Next, we visit the Spice Bazaar, a vibrant marketplace established by the Ottomans five centuries ago. In the afternoon, you have the option to explore the Asian part of the city, including the Beylerbey Palace and the Golden Horn.

Today, we'll explore the magnificent city of Istanbul in depth. We'll visit the Basilica of Santa Sofia, the famous Topkapi Palace, and the Blue Mosque. After a local lunch in the Sultanahmet area, we'll continue to the Hippodrome and the Grand Bazaar, where you'll have free time to explore its 4,000 shops. We return to the hotel for a restful night.

After breakfast, we'll transfer to the airport for a flight to Cairo. Upon arrival, you'll be assisted by our representative before passport control. We'll then transfer to our hotel in Cairo for the night.

We'll spend the day exploring the iconic landmarks of Giza. We'll visit the three Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and the Valley Temple. We'll also explore the Sakkara necropolis and the ancient city of Memphis. In the evening, you have the option to attend a Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids of Giza.

We'll spend the day exploring Cairo's rich history and culture. We'll visit the Museum of Pharaonic Art, the Saladin Citadel with its Alabaster Mosque, the bustling Khan el Khalili Bazaar, and the historic Coptic Quarter. In the evening, you have the option to enjoy a buffet dinner with a show on a boat on the Nile River.

We'll depart for the Sinai Peninsula, passing through the Ahmed Hamdy tunnel under the Suez Canal. We'll visit Ayun Musa, also known as the Springs of Moses, before heading to the city of Saint Catherine. Upon arrival, we'll check into our hotel for the night.

At dawn, we'll ascend Mount Moses, where the prophet Moses received the Tablets of the Law. We'll enjoy a sunrise view and visit the Saint Catherine Monastery. After descending the mountain, we'll depart for the Jordanian border, entering Jordan via Arava and continuing to Petra for the night.

We'll spend the day exploring Petra, the Pink City and capital of the Nabateans. We'll visit the most important and representative monuments sculpted in the rocks by the Nabataeans, including the Tomb of the Obelisks, El Siq, and the famous Treasury. We then travel to Amman for the night.

We'll depart for Madaba, known as the City of Mosaics, where we'll visit the Church of San Jorge, home to the oldest known mosaic map of the Holy Land. We'll also visit Mount Nebo, a place of great importance to Christians. We then continue to the Allenby Border and depart for Jerusalem.

Enjoy a free day in Jerusalem to explore at your own pace. Alternatively, you can join an optional tour to Masada and the Dead Sea, which includes a cable rail ascent to Masada, a visit to the excavations, and free time to enjoy a bath in the salty waters of the Dead Sea.

We'll start the day with a visit to the Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of the city, followed by a visit to the Orchard of Gethsemane and the Basilica of the Agony. We'll then explore the modern part of the city, visiting the Shrine of the Book in the Museum of Israel, Yad Vashem, and the neighborhood of Ein Karem.

We'll explore the old city of Jerusalem, visiting the Wailing Wall, the Via Dolorosa, and the Church of the Holy Tomb. We'll then continue to Mount Zion to visit the Tomb of King David, the Cenacle, and the Abbey of the Dormition. In the afternoon, we'll visit the Basilica and Grotto of the Nativity and the Field of the Shepherds in Bethlehem.

We'll depart for Mount Tabor to visit the Basilica of the Transfiguration. We'll then continue to the Yardenit, the traditional place of baptism on the Jordan River. In the afternoon, we'll visit the city of Safed, known for its charming streets, synagogues, and its significance in Jewish mysticism. We'll then check into our hotel in Galilee for the night.

We'll visit the Mount of Beatitudes, the scene of the Sermon on the Mount, and explore Tabgha, the place of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes, and Capernaum. In the afternoon, we'll travel via Cana of Galilee to Nazareth, where we'll visit the Basilica of the Annunciation and the Carpentry of José.

We'll depart for the city of Acre to visit the Old Fortress of the Crusaders. We then continue to Haifa to visit the Carmelite Monastery of Stella Maris and enjoy a view of Haifa Bay and the Persian Gardens of the Bahai temple. We'll then visit the Roman Theater and Fortress in Cesárea before heading to Tel Aviv via the coastal road. We'll also visit Jaffa and Tel Aviv before checking into our hotel for the night.

After breakfast, we'll transfer you to Ben Gurion Airport for your departure, marking the end of our services. We hope you enjoyed your journey and look forward to welcoming you back soon!