Holy Mountains in the Holy Land

In the morning, enjoy a coach city tour through Amman before heading to the Jordan River for a visit of the traditional Baptism Site. Afterwards, pay a visit to Madaba for its 6th century mosaic map of the Holy Land.

In the afternoon, drive up to Mt. Nebo and recall the biblical account of Moses looking upon the Promised Land shortly before his death (Deuteronomy 34). Continue to Petra via the ancient Kings’ Highway.

Overnight in Petra.

Spend a full guided day in the ancient Nabatean city of Petra and visit its stunning monuments: The Siq, the Treasury, the Winged Lion Temple, and Qasr al-Bint, the High Place and ad-Deir.

Overnight in Petra.

In the early morning, start your guided hike from the Snake Monument down through Wadi Magtal ad-Dikh: Pass by Aaron’s Terrace and arrive to Jabal Haroun (Mt. Aaron, 1450m), one of the holiest sites in Jordan. Enjoy the panoramic view and have some time for meditation at the 14th shrine commemorating the brother of Moses. Descend and continue to Aqaba.

Overnight in Aqaba.

In the morning, cross the Araba border and drive with 4×4 cars into the southwestern Negev to the foot of Har Karkom (Mountain of Saffron), believed by some scholars to be the biblical Mt. Sinai where Moses received the Tablets of Stone.

Note: The visit is only possible Friday to Saturday.

Overnight in tents at Har Karkom Campsite.

At sunrise, follow a path leading up the high plateau and discover some of the numerous relics of ancient times including shrines, altars, stone circles, stone pillars, and over 40,000 rock engravings. Return to the campsite for lunch and continue to Jericho.

Overnight in Jericho.

In the morning, visit Tel es-Sultan, ancient Jericho, before riding in the longest cable car below sea level up to the Mt. of Temptation. Visit the same-named monastery and the Omayyad Palace Qasr Hisham. Continue to Nazareth.

Overnight in Nazareth.

Enjoy a 4-summit-day: Mt. Precipice south of Nazareth, where tradition holds that angry Jewish worshippers attempted to throw Jesus of a cliff; Mt. Tabor, one traditional site of Jesus’ transfiguration, Mt. Arbel, offering a panoramic view of the Sea of Galilee area, and Mt. Beatitudes for Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Continue to the Golan Heights.

Overnight in the Golan.

In the morning, take the chairlift up to the Hermon Mountain Range (Jabal el-Sheikh) in the border region of the Golan Heights. Reaching up to 2,814m in Syria and 2,236m in the area accessible from Israel, the mountain range has held a special religious significance since ancient times, and is believed by some to be the actual Mt. of Transfiguration.

Descend and continue through the Galilee and Jezreel Valley to the Mt. Carmel Mountain Range (Jabal Mar Elyas) to Stela Maris Monastery, located high above Haifa for a visit of the cave dedicated to prophet Elijah and overnight.

Overnight in Stela Maris Monastery.

Depart from Stela Maris to Nablus, the ancient city of Shechem at the foot of Mt. Garizim (881m) and Mt. Ebal (951m). Visit the archaeological site on Garizim’s summit and meet the local Samaritan community. Inside the city, pay a visit to Jacob’s Well, the Tel el-Balata excavations and Nablus Old City before heading to Jerusalem.

Overnight in Jerusalem.

Start your day with a panoramic view from the Mt. of Olives in Jerusalem’s east, followed by a walk along the biblical sites on its western slope. Continue through the Kidron Valley to the excavations of the biblical city of Jerusalem before walking up to Mt. Zion, south-west of the Old City with the Dormition Abbey, the Last Supper Room, and the Tomb of David.

Overnight in Jerusalem.

Start your second day in Jerusalem with a guided visit to the Haram al-Sharif (aka the Temple Mount) with the Dome of the Rock and the al-Aqsa Mosque. Afterwards, continue along the traditional Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built upon the traditional Golgotha Rock and the tomb of Jesus.

Overnight in Jerusalem.

Check-out and transfer to the airport or land border.