Middle East Heritage Journey

Depart from Kochi International Airport for your flight to Amman, Jordan (flight duration approximately 7-8 hours, potentially with one connection). Upon arrival at Queen Alia International Airport, complete immigration formalities (visa on arrival available for Indian passport holders) and meet your Jordanian guide who will transfer you to your hotel in Amman. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a brief orientation drive through Jordan's modern capital city. This evening, savor a welcome dinner featuring traditional Jordanian mezze and specialties at a local restaurant, where you'll receive an introduction to your upcoming journey through three ancient lands. Overnight in Amman.

After breakfast, check out and begin your journey southward. Your first stop is Mount Nebo (approximately 1-hour drive), one of the most revered holy sites in Jordan, where Moses was granted a view of the Promised Land before his death. Enjoy the panoramic views stretching from the Jordan Valley to Jericho and Jerusalem on a clear day. Visit the Memorial Church of Moses with its exceptionally well-preserved Byzantine mosaics. Continue to nearby Madaba, known as the "City of Mosaics," to see the famous 6th-century mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land at St. George's Church. After lunch at a local restaurant, proceed to the ancient Nabatean city of Petra (approximately 3-hour drive). Upon arrival, check into your hotel and rest. In the evening, experience "Petra by Night" (optional, at additional cost), where the Treasury is illuminated by thousands of candles, creating a magical atmosphere. Overnight in Petra.

Rise early for a comprehensive tour of Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Enter through the narrow Siq, a natural gorge flanked by towering cliffs, which dramatically opens up to reveal the magnificent Treasury (Al-Khazneh). Explore this vast archaeological site including the Roman Theater, Royal Tombs, and Colonnaded Street with your expert guide explaining the history and significance of this rose-red city. After lunch at a local restaurant within the Petra complex, depart for the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge border crossing (approximately 4-hour drive). After completing exit formalities from Jordan, cross into Israel where you'll meet your Israeli guide. Continue to Jerusalem (approximately 1-hour drive from the border), one of the world's oldest and most sacred cities. Check into your Jerusalem hotel and enjoy dinner. Overnight in Jerusalem.

After breakfast, embark on a full-day exploration of Jerusalem's Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site enclosed by ancient walls and divided into four quarters – Jewish, Muslim, Christian, and Armenian. Begin at the Western Wall (Kotel), the holiest site in Judaism, where you can observe the faithful in prayer and place your own written prayer in the crevices of the wall. Explore the Western Wall Tunnels to see the full length of this ancient structure. Continue to the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif (subject to opening hours and security conditions), home to the iconic Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque. Walk along the Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrows), following Jesus' path to crucifixion, ending at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, believed to be the site of his crucifixion and burial. After lunch in the Old City, visit the Jewish Quarter including the Cardo, an ancient Roman main street. End your day at Mount Zion to see King David's Tomb and the Room of the Last Supper. Return to your hotel for dinner. Overnight in Jerusalem.

Begin your day with a visit to Yad Vashem, Israel's official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust, for a moving and educational experience. Continue to the Israel Museum to see the Dead Sea Scrolls housed in the distinctive Shrine of the Book, along with an impressive model of Jerusalem from the Second Temple Period. After lunch, cross into the Palestinian Territories to visit Bethlehem (subject to local conditions), including the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus. Return to Jerusalem and spend the evening exploring the Mahane Yehuda Market, a vibrant local market with numerous food stalls where you can taste Israeli specialties. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Jerusalem.

After breakfast, embark on a full-day excursion to Masada and the Dead Sea. Drive through the Judean Desert to Masada (approximately 1.5 hours), a UNESCO World Heritage site and ancient fortress perched on a rocky plateau overlooking the Dead Sea. Ascend by cable car to explore this remarkable site where Jewish zealots made their last stand against the Romans in 73 CE. Tour the remains of King Herod's palace, synagogue, and bathhouse while learning about the dramatic history of the site. Continue to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth at 422 meters below sea level. Enjoy lunch at a beach resort followed by the unforgettable experience of floating effortlessly in the mineral-rich waters. You can also apply the famous Dead Sea mud, known for its therapeutic properties. Return to Jerusalem in the late afternoon. Enjoy dinner at your hotel or at a local restaurant. Overnight in Jerusalem.

After breakfast, check out and drive to Tel Aviv (approximately 1 hour), Israel's vibrant, cosmopolitan city on the Mediterranean coast. Begin with a panoramic tour of Tel Aviv's highlights, including Rothschild Boulevard with its distinctive Bauhaus architecture, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit Independence Hall, where Israel's Declaration of Independence was signed in 1948. After lunch, explore the ancient port city of Jaffa, one of the oldest ports in the world, with its charming artists' quarter, galleries, and flea market. Enjoy free time at the Carmel Market to experience local life and flavors. Check into your Tel Aviv hotel and spend the evening at leisure to enjoy the city's renowned culinary scene and vibrant nightlife. Overnight in Tel Aviv.

After breakfast, embark on a day trip along Israel's Mediterranean coast. First, visit Caesarea National Park (approximately 1-hour drive), an impressive archaeological site built by Herod the Great, featuring a Roman theater, hippodrome, and ancient harbor. Continue north to Haifa (approximately 30 minutes), Israel's third-largest city, to visit the beautiful terraced Baha'i Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage site offering spectacular views of the city and bay. After lunch in Haifa, continue to Acre (Akko), another UNESCO site featuring impressive Crusader fortifications and an Ottoman-era old city with a colorful market. Return to Tel Aviv in the late afternoon. Enjoy a farewell dinner to Israel at a restaurant along the Tel Aviv promenade, with views of the Mediterranean Sea. Overnight in Tel Aviv.

After an early breakfast, check out and drive south to the Taba Border Crossing (approximately 4.5 hours) on the southern tip of Israel. After completing exit formalities from Israel, cross into Egypt's Sinai Peninsula where you'll meet your Egyptian guide. Continue to your beachfront resort in Sinai (either in Taba or Nuweiba area). Spend the afternoon relaxing on the beautiful beaches of the Red Sea, with optional activities including snorkeling or diving to explore the vibrant coral reefs (additional cost). In the evening, enjoy a traditional Bedouin dinner experience, complete with local cuisine and cultural entertainment under the stars. Overnight in Sinai.

For the spiritually inclined, there's an optional early morning hike to the summit of Mount Sinai to witness the sunrise from the place where Moses is believed to have received the Ten Commandments (additional cost, departing around 2:00 AM). After breakfast, visit the historic St. Catherine's Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site built in the 6th century at the foot of Mount Sinai. This ancient monastery houses the famous Burning Bush and an impressive collection of religious icons and manuscripts. After lunch, begin your journey to Cairo (approximately 6-7 hours drive), crossing under the Suez Canal through the Ahmed Hamdi Tunnel. Arrive in Cairo in the evening and check into your hotel. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Cairo.

After breakfast, embark on a full-day exploration of Cairo's most iconic sites. Begin with the Giza Plateau to witness the only surviving wonder of the ancient world – the Great Pyramids of Giza. Marvel at the massive Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops), the slightly smaller Pyramid of Khafre, and the relatively modest Pyramid of Menkaure. Get up close to the enigmatic Sphinx, with the body of a lion and the head of a pharaoh. After lunch at a local restaurant overlooking the pyramids, visit the Egyptian Museum, home to the world's largest collection of Pharaonic antiquities, including treasures from Tutankhamun's tomb. Later, explore the colorful Khan el-Khalili bazaar, dating back to the 14th century, where you can shop for souvenirs, spices, and traditional crafts. In the evening, enjoy a Nile dinner cruise with traditional Egyptian entertainment, including belly dancing and tannoura performances. Overnight in Cairo.

After breakfast, visit Old Cairo, including the Coptic Christian quarter with its ancient churches. See the Hanging Church, built on top of a Roman fortress; the Church of St. Sergius and Bacchus, where the Holy Family is believed to have sought shelter during their flight to Egypt; and Ben Ezra Synagogue, one of the oldest synagogues in Egypt. Continue to the Citadel of Saladin, a medieval fortification that offers panoramic views of Cairo, and visit the alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali within its complex. After lunch, enjoy some free time for last-minute shopping or relaxation before your transfer to Cairo International Airport for your flight back to Kochi. End of services.