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Israel

The Wonders of Ancient Israel

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Overview Itinerary Dates & prices Reviews Hotels, flights & FAQ

The Wonders of Ancient Israel

with Jordan extension

Duration: 9 or 13 days
Group size: 15-35
Reviews: 128

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Ancient and historic. Energetic and eclectic.

For a spiritual epicenter, Israel still feels surprisingly contemporary and fresh. Uncover cosmopolitan Tel Aviv’s laid-back vibe and hip Haifa’s Bauhaus style. Then, descend into the holy lands that set the foundations for many faiths—including Jerusalem, one of the oldest cities in the world.

Your tour package includes

7 nights in handpicked hotels
7 breakfasts
4 dinners with beer or wine
11 guided sightseeing tours
Expert Tour Director & local guides

Included highlights

Old Town Jaffa
Bahá’i Gardens
Acre Crusaders fortress
Capernaum
Yad Vashem

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Day-by-day itinerary

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Overnight Flight1 night

Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Tel Aviv today.

Tel Aviv2 nights

Day 2: Arrival in Tel Aviv

Included meal: Welcome dinner

Welcome to Israel! Gather with your Tour Director and fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.

Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Tel Aviv

Included meal: Breakfast

While in Tel Aviv, get to know the city on a guided tour.

Walk through the Old Town of Jaffa
Discover the UNESCO-listed White City, named for its 4,000 buildings built in the Bauhaus and International styles
Take in Bauhaus architecture at Tel Aviv’s Rabin Square, Independence Hall, and Rothschild Boulevard

Enjoy a free afternoon in Tel Aviv or add an excursion.

Carmel Market & Israeli Cooking Class with Dinner

Excursion (additional cost)

Nazareth1 night

Day 4: Nazareth via Caesarea, Haifa & Acre

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Discover some of the region’s legendary sites and living traditions.

Uncover Caesarea on a tour of the ancient theater, aqueduct, and hippodrome
Marvel at Mount Carmel and the Hanging Bahá'í Gardens in Haifa
Get to know the ancient city of Acre, stopping at the local market, stepping inside the Knights Halls in the Crusaders fortress, and visiting the ornate El-Jazzar Mosque
See the sights of Nazareth, including the Church of the Annunciation, where the Archangel Gabriel visited Mary

Sit down for an included dinner this evening.

Jerusalem4 nights

Day 5: Jerusalem via Capernaum & Jericho

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Soak in the history that pulses through the region as you travel to Jerusalem.

Visit Capernaum to see archaeological excavations on the Sea of Galilee, including an ancient synagogue and the home of St. Peter
Snap a photo of the Old Sycamore Tree in Jericho and ride a cable car to the Quarantal Monastery
Look over Jerusalem’s Old City from the Mount of Olives
Pay visits to the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of the Agony

After an included dinner, enjoy a free evening in Jerusalem or add an excursion.

Jerusalem by Night

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 6: Holocaust History Museum & the Israel Museum

Included meal: Breakfast

Spend time at Yad Vashem, the Holocaust History Museum, a world leader in Holocaust education, commemoration, and research. Then, visit the Israel Museum, where you will get a chance to see the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Later, enjoy a free afternoon in Jerusalem or add an excursion.

Bethlehem & the Church of the Nativity

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 7: Free day in Jerusalem

Included meal: Breakfast

Spend the day exploring Jerusalem at your leisure or add an excursion.

Masada, the Dead Sea & Kfar Hanokdim Bedouin Camp

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 8: Sightseeing tour of Jerusalem

Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner

Delve deeper into Jerusalem’s holy sites and cultural quarters.

Venture into the Muslim, Christian, Armenian, and Jewish quarters of Jerusalem
Pay a visit to the Western Wall, also known as the “Wailing Wall”
Follow the Via Dolorosa to the Church of Holy Sepulchre
Head to Mount Zion to view King David’s Tomb and the Upper Room, where Jesus held the Last Supper

Tonight, celebrate your trip with your group at a farewell dinner.

Flight Home

Day 9: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home or continue your tour in Jordan.

Extension to Jordan

Jordan is one of the most welcoming countries in the world. The striking landscapes are only rivaled by the UNESCO sites (both outmatched by the hospitality of the locals). Continue your adventure to tour the lost city of Petra and take a desert safari through the Wadi Rum sand dunes.

Petra2 nights

Day 9: Petra via Jerash

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Travel along the Jordan Valley, crossing into the Kingdom of Jordan, and stop to visit Jerash—one of the world’s largest and best-preserved Roman ruins.

Then, continue on to Petra and sit down for an included dinner.

Day 10: Sightseeing tour of Petra

Included meal: Breakfast

Head to the city of Petra, which was carved into the red rocks of Mount Hor, and embark on a guided tour.

Learn about Petra’s unique architecture, one of the reasons it was named to the list of modern world wonders
Walk through the UNESCO World Heritage Site to the famous Al-Khazneh temple
See the intricately carved pillars and columns that make up the Palace Tomb
Stroll through the winding gorge known as the Siq

Please note: In order to enter Petra, customers should be able to walk two miles round-trip in hot weather over uneven terrain. Other modes of transportation may be available for you to book upon your arrival at an additional cost.

Spend a free evening in Petra or add an excursion.

Jordanian Home-Hosted Dinner

Excursion (additional cost)

Amman1 night

Day 11: Amman via Wadi Rum

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Drive to Wadi Rum, also known as the Valley of the Moon, and marvel at the region’s landscapes and petroglyphs on a desert safari.

Hop in a Jeep and ride to a red sand dune
Set off on an optional walk to view ancient rock carvings
Stop at a Bedouin tent to learn about the traditions of the ethnic group, who are largely regarded as the Jordan's first inhabitants, and enjoy Arabic coffee
Sit down for a buffet lunch in an air-conditioned desert bubble camp

Later, continue on to Amman and sit down for an included dinner.

Overnight Flight1 night

Day 12: Sightseeing tour of Amman & late-night departure

Included meal: Breakfast

Explore Madaba, the city of mosaics, and St. George’s Church. Next, head to Mount Nebo, Moses’ burial place. Return to Amman in the afternoon for a guided tour of the old city featuring the citadel and Roman theater.

Then, relax in a dayroom before boarding your flight home.

Arrive Home

Day 13: Travel day

Arrive home today.

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Reviews

4.7 average

Our reviews are authentic and unedited.

01/29/2020 by 2nd time traveler Tannyce B.

Our tour of Ancient Israel was great! Our tour guide was very informative, which made this very educational for me! If we had done this trip not with go ahead and just on our own we would have missed out on so much information, I highly suggest if you plan on going to Israel to go on a group tour.

Touring Israel

11/18/2019 by 2nd time traveler Melanie M.

Nash was an excellent guide. He was very helpful & extremely knowledgeable @ everywhere we went. Our days were jam packed but we never felt rushed or tired. Our bus driver was also excellent. So happy we chose go ahead for our tour! Thank you for the amazing experience!

Tough trip

11/14/2019 by 2nd time traveler Cheryl M.

The trip was far more physically demanding than was originally advertised. Go ahead tours should definitely lay out the day to day trips much more efficient.

Go Ahead Tours replied on 11/14/2019

Dear Cheryl, Thank you for the suggestion on how t...

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The escort can make or break the tour...

10/07/2019 by 19th time traveler Linda A.

Henry Mater was the tour director/escort and failed dismally in his duty. I have coordinated and or participated in over 15 tours with GoAhead. I had poor communication with the staff in the US with answers like “we can’t give you a timeframe on the last day in Jordan so that you might arrange your ...

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Go Ahead Tours replied on 10/07/2019

Dear Linda, Thank you for continuing to choose Go ...

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A Must-Do Trip with the Petra extension

09/29/2019 by 3rd time traveler Lynne R.

This was a lifetime dream to visit Israel and Petra. Our guides in Israel and Jordan were both great. This is a very busy tour and not for those that can't get around well. The website did not stress the amount of walking up hills and steps that we would do. We probably averaged about 4 miles a ...

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Hotels, flights & FAQ

Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.

Hotels

We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.

Dan Jerusalem Hotel

This contemporary hotel is located in Jerusalem. Guests enjoy indoor and outdoor pools, Wi-Fi, and a spa. Nearby, you'll find the Old City, the Dead S...

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Dan Panorama Tel Aviv

This elegant hotel is located in the Neve Tzedek neighborhood. Guests enjoy a pool, fitness center, and Wi-Fi. Nearby, you'll find beaches along the M...

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The Old Village Resort

This unique, rustic-chic hotel is located in the Ma'an Governorate in the town of Wadi Musa. Guests enjoy a swimming pool, sauna, and restaurant and b...

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Le Grand Amman

This opulent hotel is located in the city center. Guests enjoy a pool, spa, and free internet. Nearby, you’ll find King Abdullah Mosque, National Libr...

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Legacy Hotel

This comfortable hotel is located in Nazareth. Guests enjoy a gym, patio, and restaurants. Nearby, you'll find the market of Nazareth, Church of the A...

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Flights

Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.

Add our airfare package and you'll get:

Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes

Find out more about flights

FAQ

Print FAQ

Passport & visa requirements

In order to enter Israel (and Jordan on the tour extension), U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
There is no visa required for U.S. and Canadian citizens to enter Israel.
A group visa for entry into Jordan (on the tour extension) will be provided for all travelers whose flights have been arranged through Go Ahead Tours, as well as for travelers who book their own flights and provide Go Ahead Tours with their full passport and flight details.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Tour pace

You will walk for about 4 hours daily across uneven terrain, including paved roads, cobblestone streets, and dirt paths, with some steep hills.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Tour Director

You will have a different Tour Director in Jordan on the tour extension.
When crossing into Jordan on the tour extension, the Tour Director for the Israel portion of your tour will leave while you’re on the Israeli side of the border and will not cross into Jordan with your group. The bus and driver will drive your group five minutes to the Jordanian side of the border, where you’ll meet the Tour Director for the Jordan portion of your tour who will assist with the groups Visas.

Transportation & arrival information

Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in and depart from Tel Aviv (or from Amman on tour extension). A Go Ahead Tours representative will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.

Baggage allowance

Airlines have varying weight restrictions on baggage. Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage; be advised that you are responsible for any such costs.
Contact your airline for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flight, but please note that our travelers are restricted to one checked bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
One carry-on bag of 45 total inches (length + width + height) is also permitted.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.

Clothing & packing tips

We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered, as well as a light jacket or rainwear. Please note that temperatures will dip with changes in elevation throughout your tour.
A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
A sun hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen is recommended for outdoor activities.
You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
It is preferable not to visit churches, temples, or other religious sites with bare legs or shoulders (entrance may be denied on this basis).

Health

There are no major health risks associated with traveling to Israel.
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
Please be sure to take proper care with sun exposure, the sun can be especially strong in some of the areas you are visiting.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to goaheadtours.com and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.

Cuisine

Israeli food is invariably fresh and very carefully prepared. A typical breakfast may consist of sourdough bread with sheep’s-milk cheese and olives, as well as jam or honey. You’ll find everything from Kosher meals to dishes with Middle Eastern and Mediterranean influences, as well as the international choices available in any major city. On the coast, fish is an excellent choice.
On the tour extension, Jordanian cuisine resembles that of the rest of the Middle East. Olives, hummus, sesame seeds, and herbs are typical in many meals. Falafel is the main street food and many meals are served with rice. Hummus and salad are also popular and available at many restaurants.You'll find plenty of opportunities to sip mint tea or Turkish coffee.

Electricity & air conditioning

Israel (and Jordan on the tour extension) operates on 220 volts and historically uses a Type H plug, with three flat pins. As the Type H plug is being phased out, you will mostly encounter a new socket that fits both a newer, round-pinned version of the Type H plug as well as the European standard Type C plug with two round pins.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
The strength of the air conditioning in Middle Eastern hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what one might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Time zones

Israel (and Jordan on the tour extension) is 7 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.
When it's noon in New York City, it's 7pm in Israel.

Currency

You will use the Israeli new shekel in Israel (and the Jordanian dinar on the tour extension).
Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
We recommend tipping the equivalent of $7USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
Tips can only be paid in cash.

Purchasing excursions on tour

Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour.
Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa or MasterCard as payment for excursions.
Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information.

Dates & prices