Welcome to the Ben Gurion Airport Tel Aviv, Israel. Ben Gurion Airport is located a 25 minute drive from Tel-Aviv and we head for Tel-Aviv where a room in a Tel-Aviv hotel awaits you (included in the package). On your first day when you arrive you can make use of the free time to do whatever you want to. We will be happy to give you suggestions and tips about how to spend your first day in Israel in the best possible way - tell us what you are interested in and we will help you build a plan for your first day.
Day 3: Caesarea, Haifa, Acre and Rosh Hanikra
We will begin the tour in Caesarea, a city dating back to the Roman era, which constituted its regional capital and functioned as a port city. In the city, we would travel by foot along the archaeological sites of the city including the port, the hippodrome and the mesmerizing amphitheater - once the cultural hub for ancient Roman life and nowadays hosts concerts held by top Israeli and international artists.
Moving on we head north towards Haifa while enjoying a breathtaking panoramic view from Mount Carmel on the Bahai Gardens (one of the most frequently and beautiful toured attractions in Israel) the city of Haifa and the port. Haifa offers some of the most memorable views in Israel.
Our journey continues to Rosh Hanikra, where we ascend via cable car to the spectacular limestone grottoes situated on the water front. On top of Rosh Hanikra, we will also get a view of the Lebanese border with Israel. Making our way back traveling south, we stop at the ancient city of Acre to visit the well-preserved Crusader city and enjoy the city’s vast history reflected in all its surroundings. Among the sites, we’ll visit in Acre are the Old City Market, and the harbor.
Overnight stay: Galilee / Golan Heights Kibutz Hotel
Day 4: Golan Heights
The Golan Heights form a natural border between Israel and Syria making this high range of mountains a strategically vital asset to Israeli security. On the Golan Heights Day Tour you can learn about both the modern and ancient history of this region. The Golan Heights are known as one of the most beautiful regions of the country with lush green countryside kept fresh with by the flowing water of the Jordan River. From the vantage point high above the Jordan Valley you can look down on the Sea of Galilee on the Israeli side and also get a glimpse of Syria beyond the boarder.
The tour begins driving up the costal road and then east toward the Sea of Galilee where it stops at Poriya for a view of the Sea of Galilee, the Jordan Valley and the Golan Heights.
From Poriya we continue to the view point at Hammat Gader and then ascend to the Golan Heights Shalom Observatory before continuing to the city of Katzrin where we visit the museum, the excavations of the Talmudic Katzrin, and the ancient synagogue. After Katzrin we ascend Mt. Bental overlooking the Kuneitra Valley and the triangular border with Syria, Jordan and Israel. The tour concludes with a stop at a former Syrian fortification before returning south to the hotels via the Jordan River Valley.
Overnight stay: Galilee / Golan Heights Kibutz Hotel
Day 5: Northern Galilee and Safed
We begin the second day of our tour with a brief tour of a Kibbutz learning about this communal living unique to Israel. We see the communal dining room, the various work assignments and where the kibbutz residents live and work. From there our journey takes us to the Banyas reserve (Caesarea Philippi) thought to have been the site of the Garden of Eden, the breathtaking landscape and foliage is enhanced by the flowing water which leads to the Jordan River. This pure icy water comes from the mountain tops and pours down in gushing streams through rocks and rivulets forming picturesque waterfalls.
Our next stop is Kalat Nimrod Fortress, a Crusader Castle and one of the biggest in the area. Nimrod's Castle is well preserved and sits upon a hill providing a bird's eye view across Israel's northern countryside.Next we reach Birkat Ram a lake which was naturally formed in the crater of an extinct volcano at the foot of Mount Hermon, Israel's highest mountain.
Safed is our last stop before returning to our hotels. This holy city perched among the hills has a mystic and enchanting feel to it. The history of this ancient city is rich with tales of miracles, religious leaders and Biblical events. We visit ancient synagogues and wander the narrow lanes of the artist's Quarter. Here among the stone buildings and cobbled lanes which have stood the test of time, artists display and sell their spiritually inspired works, paintings, sculptures, religious artifacts and silverware.
Overnight stay: Jerusalem Hotel
Day 6: Jerusalem - Old and New
This one day tour starts with a view of Jerusalem as seen from atop Mount Olives, looking down at the Old City and the Temple Mount. Mount Olives is also one of the oldest Jewish burial sites, over three hundred years old. We then descend and make our way along the Kidron Valley, offering a view of the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations, where according to sources Jesus and his followers prayed the night before his crucifixion.
Along the Kidron Valley road we will get a view of the monumental burial tombs situated at the Mount’s feet. We then proceed into the Old City entering from Mount Zion, past the Armenian Quarter walking along the ancient Byzantine Cardo dating back to the Roman era, with our final stop being the Western Wall (the Kotel).
Leading to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre are the Stations of the Cross (Via Dolorosa) which we explore along the way to the church, the site of the crucifixion. Before leaving the Old City we’ll enjoy a brief strolls in the bazaars located in the Christian and Muslim Quarters. Finish the tour with a short walking into the New City and a visit to Yad VaShem, the Holocaust museum.
Overnight stay: Jerusalem Hotel
Day 7: Day of Leisure in Jerusalem
Take a day off in Jerusalem, this is your time to explore Jerusalem on Your Way...
For tourist information about Jerusalem - Click Here
Overnight stay: Jerusalem Hotel
Day 8: Massada and The Dead Sea
We’ll begin our tour descending to the Judean Desert via the Inn of the Good Samaritan, on site we will tour the Inn and its adjacent museum. The Good Samaritan Museum is the only mosaic museum in the country and has on display a vast range of unique artifacts unearthed in excavations across Judea, Samaria and Gaza.
Moving forward we arrive at Masada and then ascent by cable car to tour the remains of the Herodian Fortress, built by King Herod two thousand years ago.Touring the sites, we’ll revisit its history and heritage, relating to the up rise of the Jewish Zealots against their Roman overlords.
We then leave Massada and head towards The Dead Sea, one of the most toured sites in Israel by tourists and locals alike. On shore you could enjoy a mud bath bearing many therapeutic. Dipping in the sea itself is also highly recommended, experiencing the Dead Sea’s unique attributes, allowing for extreme ease of floating and effortless swimming. On our way back we’ll get a view of the Ein Gedi oasis, the Qumran caves where the famous Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered and the ancient city of Jericho, the oldest city in existence with settlements dating back to 9000 BCE.
Notes:
Day 9: Jericho Half Day
Setting out towards the Judean Desert we make a stop at the Inn of the Good Samaritan, the setting for Christ's tale of the beaten and robbed man left on the side of the road who was helped by no one except a Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37). From here we continue to a vantage point high above the Judean Desert where we take in the spectacular view below. As we reach the sign announcing that we are now descending below sea-level we make a short stop and then continue on to Jericho 825 feet below sea level.
The Biblical city of Jericho has long been recognized as the oldest city in the world. As we approach the city we recall the Biblical tales of Jericho. We see the Zacheus Sycamore, the old sycamore tree that the short tax collector Zacheus climbed to see above the crowds and get a better look at Jesus as he approached the city. Our next stop is to take in the sight of the Mount of Temptation where the devil unsuccessfully tried to tempt Jesus (Matthew 4:8).
We visit the Mount of Ancient Jericho or Sultan's Mound (Tel es-Sultan) where extensive excavation has uncovered the remains of 25 ancient settlements the earliest of which dates back to 9000BC. The archaeological discoveries on this site give us a clear idea of the people and civilizations which made this place their home. One of the remarkable discoveries here was a 7000BC, 7 meter high tower. Leaving Jericho behind us we make our way back to our hotels.
Tour ends at 1:00 PM at Jerusalem.
Notes:
- A valid passport is required on the day tour.
- This tour is subject to Palestinian Authority regulations.
- Palestinian guide meets the tour only at border post.
- Change of vehicle may be required for entry to Palestinian Authority territory.
- Entrance fees are not included.
Overnight stay: Jerusalem Hotel
Day 10: Last Day in Israel
Here it is, the last day has arrived, which is in fact a free day. You will have to vacate your hotel room at 11am so that if by chance your flight is in the evening you can leave your luggage at the hotel and enjoy the rest of your last day to the full. As always we will be happy to help you plan a tour for the last day, let us know what interests you and we will assist you in making a plan for your last day in Israel
The Yourway Team wishes you a pleasant and safe flight and hopes to see you again soon in Israel.
Additional Information
The tour includes:
- Nine nights at 3/4/5 star hotels in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Galilee/Golan Heights.
Click here for Hotels Class & Prices. - Seven daily tours with a professional tour guide.
- Transport by air-conditioned vehicle/bus.
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off.
- Entrance fees. (unless otherwise specified in the tour route).
- Breakfasts.
The tour does not include:
- Lunch, Dinner, Drinks.
- Transfers to / from the Airport.
Notes:
- The tour departs on Sundays and Tuesdays.
- The order of the days might be changed on Tuesdays only.
- Possibility to book transfers to / from the Airport.
- Single Traveler Supplement: $50 - $110 per night (According to Hotels Class & Prices).
- High Season Supplement: $50 per person per night.
- A moderate dress code is required to enter the holy places. Knees and shoulder must be covered.
- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
- Confirmation will be received 24-48 hours post booking.