16-Night Israel Jordan and Egypt Tour

Three ancient countries, one long haul. This 16-night Israel, Jordan, and Egypt tour packs Jerusalem, Petra, Mount Sinai, Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan into one tightly managed trip. I like the airport-to-airport planning, with local drivers, domestic flights, border assistance, hotels, meals, and sightseeing arranged in advance. I also like the range of major sights, from Masada and the Western Wall to the pyramids and Valley of the Kings.

The tradeoff is pace. You leave early, spend long hours in a van, cross several borders, and face one especially punishing Jordan-to-Egypt transfer. The Mount Sinai section can require an overnight drive followed by a climb for sunrise, so this is not a gentle vacation. It is a serious sightseeing trip for people who value seeing a lot over lingering in one place.

Key points to know before booking

• Petra is the tour’s most difficult transition: You may tour Petra during the day, cross into Egypt that evening, and continue toward Mount Sinai overnight.
• The trip covers three countries without separate planning: Hotels, many meals, local transport, domestic flights, and border assistance are included.
• Jerusalem receives strong coverage: The Old City, Mount of Olives, Western Wall, Via Dolorosa, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and Yad Vashem all appear in the route.
• Egypt combines a Nile cruise with Cairo sightseeing: You visit Giza, Saqqara, Memphis, Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor, and the Valley of the Kings.
• Physical fitness matters: Expect early pickups, walking at archaeological sites, desert heat, long transfers, and a possible night climb at Mount Sinai.
• The real price is higher than $3,478: Add the $130 departure tax, a $60 Egypt visa, and a $75 Jordan visa, before optional activities and other personal costs.

Why this three-country route is so appealing

I understand the appeal immediately. Planning Israel, Jordan, and Egypt separately means arranging hotels, airport transfers, domestic flights, border crossings, and guides in several currencies. Here, the route is stitched together for you, with a climate-controlled van on land and flights between key points.

That convenience has real value. At the same time, you give up control over the pace. Most touring days begin around 7:20 a.m., and some run for eight hours or more. You will see famous places, but you will not always have the luxury of a second look.

The group can reach up to 50 people, although some portions may be handled in smaller arrangements. One traveler described being the only two people on the Jordan-to-Egypt section, which shows that group size may change during the trip. That can feel personal, but it may also mean less support during a difficult transfer.

Tel Aviv and the northern sites of Galilee

Your first night is in Tel Aviv after a transfer from Ben Gurion Airport. It is mainly a landing day, giving you time to recover before the first full touring morning.

Day two starts early and heads north through the Armageddon Plain, with a view toward Megiddo. The route continues to Nazareth, where you visit the Church of the Annunciation and the Church of St. Joseph. These sites carry major importance for Christian pilgrims, and the stop gives the day a clear religious focus.

You then pass Cana and reach the Sea of Galilee. Capernaum, at the foot of the Mount of Beatitudes, is another major biblical site. The tour also includes the Benedictine church connected with the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish.

At Yardenit, you have the chance to be baptized in the Jordan River. This is optional, but it is a meaningful addition for pilgrims who want a personal ceremony rather than only a sightseeing stop. You finish by passing Mount Tabor, associated with the Transfiguration, before returning to Tel Aviv.

The main drawback is the distance. You cover several places in one day, and the biblical connections can make the schedule feel dense. If you are interested in archaeology, faith, or both, this is a productive day. If you prefer slow village visits and long meals, it will feel rushed.

Caesarea, Haifa, Rosh Hanikra, and Acre

Day three follows Israel’s Mediterranean coast to Caesarea. The Roman theater and hippodrome help you picture the scale of the ancient port city, and the setting by the sea adds variety after the inland religious sites.

In Haifa, you visit the Bahá’í gardens and shrine. The gardens provide one of the trip’s more polished urban views, with a very different religious and architectural tradition from the Christian and Jewish sites elsewhere in the route.

Rosh Hanikra brings a change of pace. A cable car takes you down to the grottoes, where the sea has cut through the cliffs. Since this stop depends on the cable car and conditions, your exact experience may vary with the day’s operation and weather.

The final stop is Acre, the large Crusader-era city. You walk through the Turkish prison, a place tied to the British Mandate period and the execution of Jewish prisoners after World War II. It is a sobering reminder that Acre’s past is not limited to medieval walls and military history.

This is another full eight-hour day. You will appreciate the variety, but you should expect plenty of road time between stops.

Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and the Dead Sea region

Day four is the emotional center of the Israel portion. From the Mount of Olives, you get an overview of Jerusalem before visiting the Church of All Nations and the Garden of Gethsemane.

Inside the Old City, the route passes through the Zion Gate, Armenian Quarter, Byzantine Cardo, and Jewish Quarter. You reach the Western Wall, then follow the Via Dolorosa toward the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. The markets add a more everyday side of Jerusalem, with narrow lanes and shops between the major religious sites.

The day ends at Yad Vashem, the Holocaust museum and memorial. It commemorates the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust and the people who helped them. This visit is important, but also demanding. Give yourself emotional space afterward if possible.

Yad Vashem is closed on Fridays and Saturdays, so the schedule may change around the calendar. That detail matters because the Old City and religious sites remain central, but the museum is not a flexible add-on.

Day five combines the Dead Sea area, Jericho, and Bethlehem. You pass the Inn of the Good Samaritan and stop at the Sea Level marker before reaching Jericho, described as the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. Above the city, you can see the Mount of Temptation.

In Bethlehem, you walk across Manger Square to the Church of the Nativity. The original fourth-century mosaic floor, the star marking the traditional place of Jesus’ birth, the Manger, and the altar connected with the Three Wise Men are included. You also visit St. Catherine’s Church and its grotto, then pass the Milk Grotto and Shepherds’ Fields.

For many people, Bethlehem will be a highlight. Just remember that the day mixes religious sites with driving and sightseeing in the Dead Sea region, so it is not a restful pilgrimage day.

Masada, the Dead Sea, and the move to Jordan

Day six is one of the longest days, listed at about 12 hours. You drive south through the Judean Desert to Masada, Herod’s dramatic mountaintop complex.

The cable car takes you up, sparing you the full climb, though you can still see the Snake Path used more than 2,000 years ago. At the top, you tour the palaces, bathhouse, synagogue, Roman barracks, and other remains.

The route then passes Ein Gedi and the Qumran caves, linked with the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls. You finish with time at the Dead Sea, where you can swim or float in its unusually buoyant water.

Afterward, you are taken to Ben Gurion Airport for the flight to Ramon Airport in Eilat, followed by a transfer to your hotel. No domestic flights operate on Friday, so the plan changes to an extra night in Tel Aviv and a flight to Eilat the next day.

That change is practical, but it can affect the rhythm of the trip. Pack a small day bag, keep water handy, and do not assume you will have much downtime.

Petra and the hardest night of the journey

Day seven crosses from Israel into Jordan at the Arava border. A driver assists with the border process, then a Jordanian driver takes you on the roughly two-hour drive to Petra.

Petra itself is the reward. You visit the Treasury, the carved temples, caves, tombs, and Roman Theater. The Treasury is the image most people carry home, but Petra is far larger than that single facade. Wear sturdy shoes and expect considerable walking over uneven ground.

You stay overnight in Petra. Petra by Night is optional and costs about $15, not included in the package. Ask your guide about the current arrangement before deciding, especially because the next day begins a difficult sequence.

Day eight is intentionally unusual. You have a free morning in Petra, so you can return to the site on your own, visit the market, or rest. Around 5 p.m., a driver takes you back toward the border and Eilat. You then have roughly two hours for food or a swim before meeting the driver for the trip to Cairo.

The route crosses the Taba border, with assistance on both sides, and continues toward Mount Sinai. The plan calls for climbing the mountain to see sunrise. In practice, this can mean a night drive followed by a nighttime or early-morning climb.

This is the point I would examine most carefully before booking. A previous experience on this section involved only two people, and the overnight connection felt harsh after a full day at Petra. The combination of walking all day, border formalities, a long drive, and a mountain climb is physically demanding. You should not treat this as a normal transfer day.

Mount Sinai and the road to Cairo

Day nine continues the Mount Sinai experience. You visit St. Catherine’s Monastery, a sixth-century church that has never been destroyed, along with the Burning Bush and Jethro’s Well. The monastery is one of the world’s oldest working monasteries and contains a very old library.

The visit has real historical and religious weight, but sleep may be the scarce resource. The schedule places the mountain and monastery close together, then sends you by road to Cairo for the night.

If you have a medical issue, poor balance, or limited stamina, the Sinai portion deserves serious thought. The tour requires moderate physical fitness, and the exact strain will depend on the timing and how long you spend at Petra the day before.

Pyramids, Saqqara, and Memphis in one Cairo day

Day ten begins at the Giza Plateau. You see the pyramids of Cheops, Chephren, and Mycerinos, along with the Sphinx. A short camel ride is included, giving you the classic desert scene without turning the day into a long riding excursion.

You continue to Saqqara for the Step Pyramid of Djoser and the pyramids of King Teti. Then comes Memphis, the ancient city’s open-air museum, including the statue of Ramses II.

Lunch at a local restaurant is included. The pace is quick, but the sequence gives you a useful look at different periods of Egyptian architecture, from the early Step Pyramid to the better-known Giza monuments.

Entry to the mummy room is not included. If that room is important to you, ask about the additional cost before the visit. The day runs about eight hours, and Cairo traffic can affect the timing of transfers.

The Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor

On day 11, you fly from Cairo to Aswan and transfer to your ship. After lunch, you visit the Aswan High Dam and Philae Temple, then return for dinner and a Nubian show.

The cruise is a welcome change after the road-heavy Israel and Jordan sections. You unpack once and let the ship handle part of the movement between sites. Still, this is not a lazy river holiday. Sightseeing begins soon after arrival.

Day 12 includes the Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to Sobek and Haroeris, followed by Edfu and the Temple of Horus. You return to the ship and sail to Luxor for the night.

Day 13 focuses on Luxor’s West Bank. You visit the Thebes Necropolis and Valley of the Kings, entering three royal tombs. Lunch is back on the ship, with a free afternoon and evening entertainment.

The three-tomb limit is useful because the heat, walking, and interior steps can wear you down. The Valley of the Kings rewards patience, so use your free time wisely rather than trying to force in too many extra activities.

Day 14 brings the East Bank, with Karnak and Luxor temples after breakfast and checkout. Lunch at a local restaurant follows, then you fly from Luxor back to Cairo.

Cairo’s museum, citadel, and final free day

Day 15 covers the Egyptian Museum, Cairo’s city center, churches, the Citadel of Salah El Dien, and the Mosque of Mohamed Ali. It is a broad city day that adds religious and civic history after the pharaonic sites.

Optional tours, cruises, and shows may be offered through the guide. Budget carefully before accepting extras, since the base price already excludes several required costs and some attraction add-ons.

Day 16 is free in Cairo. You can walk around on your own or rest after nearly two weeks of early starts. That rest day is valuable, although the plan does not include a guided activity or admissions.

On day 17, a transfer takes you to Cairo International Airport. The tour ends there rather than returning you to Israel.

What the $3,478 price really buys

The listed price is $3,478 per person. It includes 15 nights of accommodation, 15 breakfasts, six lunches, and three dinners, along with the arranged transport, touring, domestic flights in the route, and border assistance.

You should add the $130 departure tax, a $60 Egypt visa, and a $75 Jordan visa. That brings the known total to at least $3,743 per person before Petra by Night, the mummy room, optional Cairo activities, drinks, and personal spending.

That is still a strong value for a trip covering three countries, multiple flights, a Nile cruise, guides, hotels, and major archaeological sites. The value is best for you if convenience matters more than choosing your own hotels or setting your own pace.

Keep your passport details accurate at booking. The operator requires each person’s name, passport number, expiration date, and country, and you must carry a current valid passport.

Should you book this tour?

Book it if you want the major sights of Israel, Jordan, and Egypt in one organized trip and you are comfortable with early starts, long transfers, and a moderate level of physical effort. The route is especially good for first-time visitors who do not want to arrange several border crossings and domestic flights alone.

Think twice if you need flexible days, quiet mornings, or careful recovery time between hikes. The Jordan-to-Egypt connection, followed by Mount Sinai, is the biggest warning sign. I would ask specific questions about that transfer before paying, then pack light, carry snacks and water, and keep a spare layer for the night climb.

Because the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed, this is a trip to buy only when your dates, passport, fitness, and appetite for a fast pace are all settled.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The trip lasts approximately 17 days and includes 15 nights of accommodation. It begins at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel and ends with a drop-off at Cairo International Airport.

What countries does the tour visit?

The route visits Israel, Jordan, and Egypt. Main stops include Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Petra, Mount Sinai, Cairo, Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu, and Luxor.

Are flights included?

The trip includes airport-to-airport transport and flights within the route, including travel from Israel to Eilat, Cairo to Aswan, and Luxor to Cairo. The tour ends at Cairo airport for your flight home.

How much are the visa and departure charges?

The Egypt visa costs $60 per person, the Jordan visa costs $75 per person, and the departure tax is $130 per person. These charges are not included in the listed price.

Is Petra by Night included?

No. Petra by Night costs about $15 and is not included. Ask your guide about the current arrangement if you want to attend.

What level of fitness is needed?

A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended. You should be prepared for long touring days, walking at archaeological sites, border transfers, and a possible nighttime climb at Mount Sinai.