Bethlehem Christmas Tour

AMMAN – MT. NEBO

Arrive at Amman & meet our representative. Complete the customs & immigration formalities. Proceed to Mount Nebo. The trip south of Amman along the 5,000 years old King’s Highway is one of the most memorable journeys of the Holy Land, passing through a string of ancient sites of Jordan, the memorial of Moses, and the presumed site of the prophet's death and burial place. From a platform in front of the church, one can enjoy a breath-taking view across the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. Have lunch. Take the Amman City Tour and then, there’s free time for shopping. Proceed to the hotel. Dinner & overnight stay at Amman.

AMMAN – NAZARETH

After breakfast, check out and proceed to Sheik Hussein Bridge to cross the border. It will take 2.30hrs. Complete the customs & emigration formalities. Enter into Israel and have lunch. Then, visit Nazareth, the boyhood town of Jesus and home of Mary and Joseph. Later, visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, built over the grotto, where Archangel Gabriel appeared to announce that she would bear a son, Jesus. Also, stop by Joseph’s workshop and then, visit Cana, where Jesus performed his first Miracle, changing water into wine at the wedding feast. Dinner & overnight stay at Tiberias.

SEA OF GALILEE – CAPERNAUM – JORDAN RIVER – BETHLEHEM

After breakfast, visit Mount Tabor and Capernaum, the centre of Jesus’ ministry after he left Nazareth. Stop at Tabgha, the Church of the Multiplication of the Five Loaves and Two Fishes and the expressive church of the Beatitudes, where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount. Then, drive through the landscapes of Galilee and later ride in a replica of a Galilean fishing boat of that time on the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus calmed the storm and walked on the water. Make a stop at Saint Peter’s house, the Church of Primacy of Peter and the place where Jesus bestowed Saint Peter with his authority. This is believed to be the place where Jesus dined with his disciples, the flat rock known as Mensa Christy, Chris's table to commemorate this event. Then, visit Yardenit on the Jordan River, the traditional Baptismal site. Later, proceed to Bethlehem. Dinner & overnight stay at Bethlehem.

MOUNT OF OLIVES – GETHSEMANE

After breakfast, visit the birthplace of John the Baptist, Ein Karem. Next stop is the Mount of Olives, opposite Jerusalem in Israel are the Church of the Ascension and the Chapel of the Ascension. Also, walk to the Church of the Pater Noster, a Roman Catholic Church on the mountain. Visit Dominus Flevit, while walking you will pass through the Palm Sunday road & Garden of Gethsemane. Have lunch at a restaurant. Also, visit Mary’s Tomb, the Place of Last supper, Tomb of David, Peter in Gallicantu. Then, head to Milk Grotto, the Church of Nativity. Dinner & overnight stay at Bethlehem.

OLD CITY OF JERUSALEM – JERICHO – DEAD SEA

After breakfast, proceed to the pools of Beit Hasda, where Jesus held the crippled man. Take the Via Dolorosa (Way of Grief), traditionally accepted as the last route trodden by Jesus. Follow 14 Stations of the Cross to Golgotha, the place where Jesus was crucified, marking significant events along the route. Then, go to the Wailing Wall, which is the holiest place for the Jewish religion. Have lunch at a restaurant. Then proceed to Bethlehem to visit the shepherd’s field, which is located in the Judah province. It was here that the Angel announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds of Bethlehem during the reign of King Herod. Also, here David tended his flocks until he was anointed King of Israel. Then, head to Jericho and stop to visit the Sycamore Tree, where Jesus stopped on his way to Jerusalem on the Eve of the Passover and where Jesus cured the blind man during his stay at Zacchaeus house. Also, stop for a panoramic view of the Mount of Temptation. Later, proceed to Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth (1305 ft. below sea level), again make a brief stop at a private beach and take the opportunity to float in the salty water, rich in minerals. Proceed to Bethany, the town of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. See Lazarus’ Tomb. Then, head to the Wailing Wall, which is the holiest place for the Jewish religion. Dinner & overnight stay at Bethlehem.

BETHLEHEM – TABA

After breakfast, check out from the hotel. Proceed to Taba, a 5-hour drive. Arrive in Taba. Finish the customs and emigration formalities at the Israel side. Enter into Egypt. Complete the emigration and customs formalities. Check-in at the hotel and then, there’s free time. Enjoy the Red Sea resort. Dinner and overnight stay in Taba.

SINAI – CAIRO

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and proceed to Sinai to see the beautiful and historical mountains. Also, visit the Saint Catherine Monastery, set beneath the mountain, where Moses is said to have received the Ten Commandments. The monastery has been one of the world’s great centres of religious pilgrimage for over 15 centuries. Within its imposing walls rests a citadel like no other, incredibly rich in important religious and historical structures. Among its treasures is a library of ancient manuscripts and icons second only to the Vatican's itself, and a 6th century church reputed to lie directly on the site of the Burning Bush. Quite simply, the monastery is a defining feature of the Holy Land. Proceed to Cairo and have lunch at a restaurant. On the way, cross the famous Suez Canal and arrive at Cairo. Overnight stay at Cairo.

CAIRO

After breakfast, head out to visit the old churches of Cairo, originally the oldest in Egypt. Also, visit the Egyptian Museum, which holds the largest and finest collection of Antiquities from old, middle and new kingdoms as well as the late period. It also houses the collection of King Tutankhamen in a private wing, overlooking the Cairo Tower, built in 1962, Egypt’s tallest structure at 187m. Proceed to a visit to Pyramids, the Great Pyramid of Giza also called the Pyramid of Khufu and the Pyramid of Cheops. It is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in the Giza Necropolis bordering what is now El Giza, Egypt, and in a historical irony is oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the only one that survives substantially intact. It is believed the pyramid was built as a tomb for fourth dynasty Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu (Cheops in Greek) and constructed over a 20-year period concluding around 2551 BC. The Great Pyramid was the tallest man-made structure in the world for over 3,800 years. Have lunch and then go cruising on the River Nile. Enjoy dinner and shows on-board. Return to the hotel. Overnight stay at Cairo.

DEPARTURE

After breakfast, check out from the hotel. Proceed to the Cairo Airport for final departure to Doha.