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Be wowed by world wonders and a religious epicenter.
The Middle East is a global crossroads where events that shaped holy scriptures took place and stories of King Tut come to life. Discover the history behind Jerusalem and Petra before figuring out once and for all how the Egyptians built the Pyramids of Giza. Then, live like a local by savoring your fair share of falafel and relaxing in the salty waters of the Dead Sea.
Your tour package includes
12 nights in handpicked hotels
12 breakfasts
3 lunches
4 dinners, some with beer or wine
13 sightseeing tours
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Included highlights
Jaffa's Old Town
Yad Vashem
Jerusalem
Western Wall
Mount Zion
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Start planning today
An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.
Welcome to Israel! Meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at a welcome dinner this evening.
Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Tel Aviv
Included meal: Breakfast
Join your Tour Director for a sightseeing tour of Tel Aviv, a modern metropolis located on the Mediterranean Sea.
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
Spend a free afternoon in Tel Aviv or add an excursion.
Food of Tel Aviv Walking Tour
From $129 per person
Jerusalem3 nights
Day 4: Transfer to Jerusalem, Israel Museum & Yad Vashem
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Make your way to Jerusalem and explore the sites of one of the world’s holiest cities with your Tour Director.
Visit the Israel Museum, where you will get a chance to see the Dead Sea Scrolls
Spend time at Yad Vashem, the Holocaust History Museum, which is a world leader in Holocaust education, commemoration, and research
After an included lunch, enjoy a free afternoon in Jerusalem or add an excursion.
Bethlehem & the Church of the Nativity
From $119 per person
Day 5: Sightseeing tour of Jerusalem
Included meal: Breakfast
Delve deeper into Jerusalem’s holy landmarks and cultural quarters alongside your Tour Director today.
Soak in panoramic views of the city from the Mount of Olives
See the Church of All Nations and enter the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus was arrested before his crucifixion
Venture into the Muslim, Christian, Armenian, and Jewish quarters
Pay a visit to the Western Wall, also known as the “Wailing Wall”
Enter the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Walk through the city’s bazaar as you stroll along Via Dolorosa
Head to Mount Zion to view King David’s Tomb and the Upper Room, where Jesus held the Last Supper
Spend a free evening in Jerusalem or add an excursion.
Jerusalem by Night & Dinner
From $185 per person
Day 6: Free day in Jerusalem
Included meal: Breakfast
Enjoy a free day in Jerusalem or add an excursion.
Masada, the Dead Sea & Kfar Hanokdim Bedouin Camp
From $255 per person
Amman1 night
Day 7: Amman via Jerash
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Cross into the Kingdom of Jordan and meet up with your Jordanian Tour Director. Together, you’ll visit Jerash where you’ll enjoy an included lunch, then set off to explore some of the world’s largest and best-preserved Roman ruins.
Then, continue on to Amman and enjoy a free evening in the city.
Aqaba2 nights
Day 8: Sightseeing tour of Amman & transfer to Aqaba
Included meal: Breakfast
Join a local guide for a sightseeing tour of Amman, Jordan’s capital city.
Explore the ruins of the citadel and Roman theater
Step inside the King Abdullah Mosque, a beautiful landmark dedicated to Jordan’s first king and houses some of his personal items
Walk through the Old City
Please note: Travelers are required to remove shoes when entering the King Abdullah Mosque. Women must cover their hair, arms, and legs. Men must cover their legs.
Travel to Aqaba, a coastal city located on the Red Sea.
Day 9: Wadi Rum desert safari
Included meal: Breakfast
Drive to Wadi Rum, known as the Valley of the Moon. Hop inside a Jeep to marvel at the region’s landscapes and petroglyphs during a desert safari led by a Bedouin guide.
Spend a free afternoon in Aqaba or add an excursion.
Red Sea: Boat Ride & Coral Reef Snorkeling
From $165 per person
Dead Sea1 night
Day 10: Sightseeing tour of Petra & transfer to the Dead Sea
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Travel 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, travelers 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 on arrival at an additional cost.
Later, travel to the Jordanian side of the Dead Sea and sit down for an included dinner.
Cairo3 nights
Day 11: Free morning at the Dead Sea & flight to Cairo
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Enjoy a free morning to relax in the salty waters of the Dead Sea. Then, fly to Cairo, Egypt. You’ll meet up with a professional Egyptologist, who’s also your Tour Director, and sit down for an included dinner.
Day 12: Sightseeing tour of Giza
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Join your Egyptologist on a guided tour of Giza.
Uncover the Pyramids of Giza, the only Wonder of the Ancient World to have survived the modern era
Visit the enigmatic Great Sphinx, the largest monolith statue in the world
Enjoy an included lunch at a local restaurant
Enter the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, which houses the famous masks of Tutankhamun
Please note: Travelers will not be able to enter the mummy room as it’s moved to a different museum. Additionally, the visit to the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities will be replaced with a visit to the new Grand Egyptian Museum once it opens.
Day 13: Sightseeing tour of Cairo
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner
Explore the capital city of Cairo on a sightseeing tour led by your Egyptologist.
View a number of the city’s 500 mosques, which display some of the finest examples of Islamic architecture in the world
Visit the citadel that was built in the 12th century by mighty Salah el-Din and originally used as a fortress before it became the residence of the Sultans until 1850
Stop at the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, also known as the Alabaster Mosque
Spend the afternoon in the oldest part of Cairo as you explore the labyrinth like alleys, ancient churches, and ornate mosques as you learn more about Egypt’s history.
Enter the Hanging Church, one of the oldest churches dating back to the 3rd century
Step inside the Ben Ezra Synagogue and view its ornate Turkish style interior that is a place of pilgrimage for North African Jews
Celebrate your trip with your fellow travelers at tonight’s farewell dinner.
Flight Home
Day 14: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the airport for your flight home or continue on to visit Luxor and further explore Cairo.
Extension to Luxor & Cairo
"The world’s greatest open-air museum." That’s how travelers and historians describe the city of Luxor. Fly here from Cairo to join your Egyptologist and explore many of the city’s sprawling temples and admire ancient statues, which sit on the banks of the Nile River, before ending your trip back in Cairo.
Luxor2 nights
Day 14: Flight to Luxor & sightseeing tour
Included meal: Breakfast
Fly to Luxor and set off on a guided tour with your Egyptologist.
View the painstakingly excavated Temples of Karnak and Luxor, once connected by an avenue of sphinxes
Walk past symbolic statues, view towering pillars, and see ancient hieroglyphics as you explore the temples
Day 15: Sightseeing tour of Luxor’s West Bank
Included meal: Breakfast
Spend the day touring the Nile’s West Bank with your Egyptologist as your guide.
Explore the Valley of the Kings, a series of tombs hidden in the Theban hills
Tour the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, devoted to one of the few female pharaohs
View the 64-foot-high Colossi of Memnon
Spend a free evening in Luxor or add an excursion.
Nile River Felucca Ride & Dinner
From $119 per person
Cairo1 night
Day 16: Flight to Cairo
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Fly back to Cairo and celebrate your trip at an included dinner this evening.
Flight Home
Day 17: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
That's all it takes to secure your spot on tour with AutoPay. Then, pay for your trip in interest-free, monthly installments.†
Reviews
4.2 star rating
Overall rating 4.2 out of 5
Based on 98 authentic traveler reviews
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4.0 star rating
Israel, Jordan, Egypt: Petra to the pyramids.
9/30/23 by 1st-time traveler Tanya
This was the first guided tour I have taken. I did like the fact that I didn't have to do any of the planning (flights , hotels, excursion, ground travel). I just packed my bags, and even that was easy with tips from EF (but I did do my research). The trip was amazing (for some of us, a once in a l...
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5.0 star rating
EF Go Ahead tours was a life saver
10/7/23 by 1st-time traveler Caroline
A friend and I went to Israel the day before our tour started. Unfortunately, that was the day the war broke out in Israel. EF Go Ahead tours was a true life saver! Although no one else from the tour had arrived, they were there with me by phone and kept me informed every step of the way. They made...
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EF Go Ahead Tours replied on 11/14/23
We are so glad to hear that you felt supported dur...
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3.0 star rating
Amazing places with aggressive itinerary
9/30/23 by 1st-time traveler Anonymous
I wouldn’t recommend this itinerary if you really want to experience these countries because it’s too short on time. It’s a bit rushed and includes a lot of travel time. (This can be hard on older travelers). That said, if you just want a flavor of the area and to quickly see some bucket list places...
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EF Go Ahead Tours replied on 10/27/23
Thank you for leaving a review. We are delighted t...
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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 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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Lady Stern Jerusalem Hotel
This elegant hotel is located in Jerusalem, Israel. Guests enjoy kosher breakfasts, on-site café, and gastronomic restaurant. Nearby you’ll find the B...
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Amman Rotana
This massive tower hotel is located in Amman's new downtown area. Guests enjoy the outdoor pool, state of the art cocktail bar, and spacious rooms wit...
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DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Aqaba
This trendy hotel is located in the business district of Aqaba, Jordan. Guests enjoy the infinity pool, rooftop lounge overlooking the Red Sea, and fi...
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Hilton Dead Sea Resort & Spa
This luxurious hotel is located on the Jordanian side of the Dead Sea. Guests enjoy an outdoor pool, fitness center, and restaurant options. Nearby, y...
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Radisson Blu Hotel, Cairo Heliopolis
This stylish hotel is located in the Heliopolis district of Cairo. Guests enjoy the rooftop pool, health club, and fitness center. Nearby you'll find ...
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Steigenberger Nile Palace
This modern hotel is located on the Nile River in Luxor, Egypt. Guests enjoy an outdoor pool, restaurant options, and a fitness center. Nearby, you’ll...
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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
This tour visits Israel, Jordan, and Egypt. In order to enter these countries, 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 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.
U.S. and Canadian passport holders must obtain a visa in order to enter Egypt. U.S. citizens can purchase your visa at the airport upon arrival for $25. The entry authorities require exact change in crisp, new bills. You can also purchase your visa in advance by using a visa provider, such as our partner VisaCentral. Additionally, you can opt to purchase an electronic visa on the Egyptian Electronic Visa Portal website (Please note: Canadian citizens may only obtain a visa directly from the Egyptian Embassy or consulate). Passport control officers at ports of entry can verify your e-visa in their systems. However, we advise keeping either a digital or hard copy of your e-visa in case of any system failures.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code IJE.
You will walk for at least 3 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.
Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
Your Tour Director, who’s also an Egyptologist, will be with you throughout the duration of your Egypt tour. There will also be additional staff working alongside your Tour Director to confirm logistics, as well as assist with transfers and on-tour flights. Having these staffers, who are solely focused on ensuring all on-tour logistics go smoothly, allows your Tour Director to dedicate even more one-on-one time to teaching your group about Egyptian history and culture. While it’s customary to tip your Tour Director, you don’t need to tip these additional staff members.
You will have a different Tour Director in each country on this tour.
Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Tel Aviv and depart from Cairo. A representative from Go Ahead Tours 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.
A flight from Amman to Cairo is included in the price of your tour. The tour extension also includes a roundtrip flight between Luxor to Cairo.
All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
A sun hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are recommended for outdoor activities.
A small bottle of hand sanitizer may be helpful when other facilities are not readily available while on the road.
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, mosques, or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
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, as the sun can be especially strong in some of the areas you are visiting.
Drink bottled water only while in Egypt. Refrain from drinking tap water, including when brushing your teeth.
Bring a small first aid kit, including antacids, antidiarrhea medication, motion sickness medication, and any prescription medications in your carry-on bag.
In Egypt, avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables unless they are cooked or washed in clean water and peeled.
Public restrooms in Egypt can be quite bare. We suggest carrying bathroom tissue and hand sanitizer with you.
Depending on season and weather patterns, air pollution in Cairo may be problematic for travelers with a history of respiratory problems. Based on your health history, please discuss any precautions with your healthcare provider prior to departure.
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.
Certain over-the-counter and prescription medications may be banned in one or all of the countries on this tour. Importing these drugs can carry severe consequences, including imprisonment. Please consult your healthcare provider prior to departure to ensure that any drugs you may want to bring with you are legal in all countries you will visit.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code IJE.
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.
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.
Egyptian cuisine uses the bountiful harvests of the Nile Valley—corn, eggplant, zucchini, onions, tomatoes, cabbage, chickpeas, and citrus fruits are popular in many dishes. Don’t miss out on Egyptian interpretations of typical Mediterranean staples like baba ghanoush, falafel, and stuffed grape leaves. Tea is the national drink and is offered at breakfast, after lunch, and in most social situations.
Israel 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.
Jordan operates on 220 volts and uses Type C or G plugs with two round pins or three flat pins, respectively.
Egypt operates on 220 volts and uses Types C or F plugs 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 you 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.
You will use the Israeli new shekel in Israel, the Jordanian dinar in Jordan, and the Egyptian pound in Egypt.
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.
You may find it useful to have a supply of U.S. currency in small denominations when bargaining for everything from taxi rides to souvenirs.
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 $8USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director, $1USD per person per day for the bus helper, and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
In Egypt, tipping is an important part of the local culture and you will be expected to tip for services including, but not limited to, taking photos in some areas or seeing additional exhibits. Travelers should carry small bills (in USD) for this purpose.
As dictated by Egyptian Tourism Police, all foreign groups must be accompanied by an armed guard and/ or convoy.
Be aware of your surroundings, as pickpockets are active at most tourist sites. We recommend leaving your passport in the hotel safe, and concealing credit cards and cash in a money belt or a hidden pouch.
Bring photocopies of your passport, credit cards, and other important documents. Keep them separate from the originals.