EGYPT, JORDAN & THE HOLY LAND
A cultural tour of Egypt, Jordan & Israel

This journey through Egypt, Jordan and the Holy Land traces the footsteps of history and civilization. This is the region where history has not only been in the making, but it can best be described, “where it all began”. The tour covers the most important of the many historical sites in a manner that the setting of bygone days will be facing us, for us to understand the how, why, what and where of today.

Day 1: Arrive Cairo (EGYPT)
Upon arrival into Cairo International airport, you are met and assisted by our airport representative, assisted through passport and custom formalities, and transferred to the hotel in Cairo for evening at leisure and overnight.   Check in time starts from 1500 hrs.
Overnight: Barcelo Hotel  (2 nights) (D)

Day 2: Pyramids, Sphinx, Solar Boat, Egyptian museum, Old & New Cairo, Coptic Cairo and Synagogue of Ben Ezra
This morning you will be meeting with your guide and start the tour with a visit to one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, the 3 Pyramids of Giza: Cheops, Chephren and Mekerinus. Visit the majestic great Sphinx, which is the largest single block sculpture located at the foot of the grandest pyramid Chephren. Enjoy the opportunity for a camel ride by the Pyramids followed by a visit to the Solar Boat museum, whose main attraction is an ancient Egyptian cedar wood dating back 4500 years. Continue to visit the famous Egyptian Museum; here we shall provide you with a brief but colorful insight into the five thousand year history of Egypt fascination land. Visit Old Cairo with  the city's cultural landmarks that span three millennium of Egyptian history; The Coptic church , where you will visit the Hanging church  dating to the late 4th and early 5th century . This basilica was named "Al-Mu'allaqah" because it was built atop the south gate of the fortress of Babylon. Continue to the church of St. Sergius, a 5th century Coptic church. This basilica is built on the cave in which the holy family stayed and is regarded by visitors as a source of blessing. As we stroll along we will come to the recently restored Synagogue of Ben Ezra – the oldest Jewish synagogue in Egypt built in 882 AC. Next we will explore the spices and silks in the medieval bazaar of Khan el Khalili, one of the biggest bazaars in the middle east and north Africa's most famous bazaar Return to hotel. (B, D)

Day 3: Sinai desert / Morah by the red sea / Elim / Rephdsim / Land of Goshen
Today we head out to Mt. Sinai via the tunnel underneath the Suez Cannel to the west branch of the Red Sea, following what is thought to be the route of the Biblical Exodus (Genesis 16-18). Our drive through the Sinai peninsula to the Mount Sinai area (233 miles) takes about 6 hours. Next to Morah by the red sea; the desert springs along the shore of the red sea where the children of Israel found the water bitter. Continue to Wadi Feiran (Rephidim), the desert valley where the children of Israel fought against Amalekites. We continue inland heading towards the granite mountains of Mt. Sinai and Wadi El Raha; According to traditions the area where the Israelis camped and the golden calf was forged (Exodus 32). We will arrive to the hotel near Mt. Sinai.
Overnight: New Morgan Land Hotel (1 night) (B, D)

Day 4: Mt. Sinai to the Red Sea / Mountains of Edom / Taba border / Arava border / Aqaba panoramic / Petra
Early morning, climb up Mt. Sinai Jabel Musa. Enjoy a time of praise and incredible views of the Sinai wilderness.   Descending the mountain, we return to the hotel for breakfast.  Leaving Mt. Sinai area toward the eastern shores of Sinai Peninsula and on the Red Sea north to Taba border (Egypt Israel crossing border).  After meeting and assistance at the Taba border, proceed to Arava border (Israel-Jordan crossing border).   Welcome to Jordan! Upon arrival in Jordan, you will be met and assisted by your Jordanian guide through visa formalities.   You will then proceed for a panoramic tour of Aqaba and transferred to your hotel in Petra for overnight including dinner.
Overnight: Kings Way Hotel (1 night) (B, D)

Day 5: Full day Petra visit / Amman
Explore the rose red city; upon arrival to visitor's center, you will begin a most memorable day with a 20 minute horseback riding to the Siq of Petra (Canyon) followed by guided tour through the Siq to the Treasury; the accompanying guide will give a brief history of Petra, followed by a full day to explore the Rose-Red city including the Siq, Treasury, City center, the Royal tomb, the theatre, the high place.   In the afternoon transfer to Amman hotel for dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Ramada Hotel (1 night) (B, D)

Day 6: Amman / Madaba / Nebo/ Baptism site / Allenby or Sheikh Hussein /Tel Aviv
A trip through the historical mountains of Moa'ab. Stopover in Madaba, this town has a long history being first mentioned in the Bible and in the Mesha Stele when it was a Moabite town; visit St. George orthodox Christian church and see the mosaic map of Jerusalem, Palestine, Jordan, Israel and Egypt.   Proceed to Mt. Nebo, from where Moses viewed the promised land in Canaan and where he died and was buried. View the ruins of the 4th and 6th century churches with their mosaic floors. Continue to the baptism site Bethany, the site of John the Baptist's settlement at Bethany beyond the Jordan where Jesus was baptized has long been known from the Bible (John 1:28 and 10:40 and from the Byzantine and Medieval texts.  After the visit transfer to Allenby or Sheikh Hussein for departure.  Meeting and assistance on the Israeli side and transfer to your hotel in Tel-Aviv.
Overnight: Grand Beach Hotel, Tel Aviv (1 night) (B, D)

Day 7: Caesarea/Megiddo/Haifa/Acre/Galilee
Following a delicious Israeli buffet breakfast (which you will enjoy each morning prior to departing for your day of touring), depart Tel Aviv. Drive north along the coastal plain to Caesarea (Acts 9.30 Acts 10 24-48), capital of Judea under the Romans.  Visit the excavations of this ancient city, the Roman theatre and aqueduct.  Continue to Megiddo (1 Kings 4.28, 9,15, 2 Kings 23,29 & Revel. 16.16), identified as the site of Armageddon.  Visit the archaeological excavations at Megiddo, including the well-preserved water supply system.  Drive to the beautiful port city of Haifa, nestled on the Mediterranean Sea, for a panoramic view of the Bahai gardens and Haifa Bay.   From Haifa continue to Acre (Micah 1.10), capital of the Crusaders for more than a century. Visit the ancient city and harbour before continuing eastwards across the plains of the Galilee to Kibbutz hotel Lavi, not far from the Sea Of Galilee for dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Kibbutz Lavi-Lev Wing, Galilee (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 8: Tiberias/Capernaum/Banias
After a short tour of the Kibbutz grounds we take a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum (Matt.  4.13 13.54, 17.24, Luke 7, Mark 1.2, John 4.46-54).  Visit the remains of the 2nd century synagogue.  Proceed to Tabgha (Matt. 13, Mark .33-45, & John 21), the site of the miracle of fish and loaves, and visit the Church of Multiplication with its 4th century mosaic floor. Continue to the Mount of the Beatitudes (Matt. 5,6,7,8), where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. Drive to the Banias Spring and Waterfall (Matt. 16.13 and Mark 8.27), where Jesus was recognized as The Messiah by His Disciples.  Tour the Golan Heights, with its valleys, grazing land and snow capped mountains. Return to Kibbutz Lavi for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

Day 9: Nazareth/Beit Shean
Begin the day with a drive to Nazareth (Luke 1.26, 4.16-29, Matthew 2.23) via Cana of Galilee (John 2.1-11).  In Nazareth, we shall visit the Church of the Annunciation, St. Joseph’s Workshop and Mary’s Well. Next on our program is the Jordan River and the Baptismal site Yardenit. Continue to Beit Shean, one of the ancient Decapolis cities (Mark 5.20, 7.31), and visit the Roman theatre. This is the city where Saul and his son Jonathan were nailed to the walls (1st Samuel 31.10). Judges 1.27 also mentions Beit Shean.  Continue south along the shores of the River of Jordan.  Passing Jericho, we proceed westward and climb to the Golden City of Jerusalem.  Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Overnight: Grand Court, Jerusalem (4 nights) (B, D)

Day 10: Jerusalem - Old City
Today our visit of this Golden City begins with a panoramic view from the Mount of Olives, overlooking the walls of the old city and the ancient Jewish cemetery.  Visit the Church of All Nations.  Proceed to Mount Zion to see the tomb of King David and the nearby Room of the Last Supper (Mark 14.13, Luke 22. 10-38, Matt 26 17-29, Acts 1.13 and Acts 2 the Pentecost).  Enter the Old City to begin exploring the wonders of Jerusalem. Walk through the Cardo, the main street of Jerusalem 2000 years ago.  View the Temple Mount and the Western Wall.  Walk along the Via Dolorosa, where Jesus carried His Cross. Continue to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (Matt. 27. 33-57, 28.10).  No visit to Jerusalem is complete without a walk through the colourful Arab bazaar (a chance to test your negotiating skills). Visit the Garden Tomb. (B, D)

Day 11: Jerusalem – New City and Bethlehem*
Today’s program is dedicated to the new city of Jerusalem.  Visit the model of ancient Jerusalem .Continue to Yad Vashem, Israel’s memorial to the victims of the Holocaust.  Enter the site by walking along the Street of the Righteous Gentiles, dedicated to the non-Jews that risked their lives in order to save their Jewish neighbors.  Continue to Ein Karem, birthplace of John the Baptists (Luke 1.39-80).  This Spanish style church and Mary’s well is where Mother Mary met her cousin Elizabeth.   Proceed to Bethlehem* (subject to availability) to visit the Church of the Nativity. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. (B, D)

Day 12: Qumran/Masada/Dead Sea
Drive through the Judean Desert to Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls where found in 1947 by a Bedouin boy.  Visit the ancient city of Qumran and drive along the shore of the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth, to Massada, the last stronghold of the Jews after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 A.D.  Ascend Massada by cable car and visit the food storeroom, water irrigation system and Herod’s Palace. Time and weather permitting we will have an opportunity to float on the Dead Sea waters.  Return to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

Day 13: Depart
Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for your departure flight out.  Check out time is by 1100 hrs. (B)

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Departure Dates
2012 English Speaking Departures Every Tuesday.  Except Mar 27, Apr 03, Sep 11, 18, 25 & Oct 02
Inclusions
Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include Accommodation mentioned or similar including taxes Meals as mentioned (B=Breakfast, D=Dinner) All sightseeing and transfers Services of local English speaking guides Entrance fees to museums and sites included in the itinerary Any airfares /departure & border taxes Insurance / Visas Tips / Gratuities
Tour Price
We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat.
Departure Double Occupancy Single Room Supplement 2012 US $ 2995 US $ 995 Supplement for May 22, all departures in July and Aug & Oct 22 US$ 100.00 per person sharing Twin.
Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour
Canada - West Coast US $ 1300 USA - West Coast US $ 1100 Canada - East Coast US $ 1100 USA - East Coast US $ 900
Participants
This tour operates on a minimum of 02 participants.
Notes
Customised Itinerary If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you. Foreign Language Departures Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures. You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844.