Trip Overview
Worth noting…
Heads up! On Day 7, our awesome Topdeck Trip Leader and driver will say their goodbyes in Jordan and a local Israeli Trip Leader will accompany us for the remainder of the trip.
Tales From Topdeckers
Trip itinerary
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Amman – Madaba, Mt Nebo and Karak – Petra
2Rise and shine! We’re off to the Lost City after breakfast. But it’s not just about the destination – the road to Petra is gonna be amazing. First? Madaba: the site of an ancient holy map that’s so detailed it puts Google Maps to shame. Check out the vibrantly coloured and intricately detailed Byzantine-era mosaics scattered across the city before we take in allllll the views of the Promise Land from Mt Nebo. Then: channel your inner crusader as we storm Karak Castle. And to round it all off? Level up your chef skills with an optional local cooking class. Or experience Petra – by night. Opt for a goosebump-inducing walk down the dark ravine, following the sound of traditional music and the soft glow of a candle-lit desert floor. Awesome is an understatement.
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Included Today
- Visit Madaba
- Visit Mt Nebo
- Visit Karak Castle
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Optional extras
- Local cooking class: from 47 USD
- Petra by Night tour: from 24 USD
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Included Today
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Petra
3Can you imagine wandering through the streets of a 10,000-year-old city? Don't just imagine it. LIVE it. The Lost City is a labyrinth of ancient tombs, hypnotic temples and flaming-red cliff faces. Our day begins with an orientation walk with our expert Trip Leader. Then: spend the arvo uncovering all of Petra’s secrets for yourself. A fan of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade? Rock the fedora and pose for a photo in front of the iconic rose-red façade. Bucket-list moment: tick! Worked up an appetite? You won’t wanna miss tonight’s optional dinner: an authentic meal of maqluba with a local family. Awesome food with awesome people guaranteed.
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Included Today
- Orientation walk of Petra with Trip Leader
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Optional extras
- Dinner with a local family in Petra: from 43 USD
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Included Today
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Petra – Wadi Rum
4Back in the day, camels were the go-to way to cross the desert. But we’re in the present. With our spit-free, buttock-friendly 4x4 transport. Sit back as we venture across The Valley of the Moon to our traditional Bedouin Camp in the heart of the Jordanian desert. This? This is real travel. Tonight’s included dinner is brought to you by one of the world’s most ancient nomadic tribes – tuck in around the camp fire and learn all about Bedouin life with your trip mates.
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Included Today
- Wadi Rum 4x4 excursion
- Stay overnight in Bedouin desert camp
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Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
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Included Today
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Wadi Rum – Aqaba
5We’re swapping sand for sea today, so get ready for all things aquatic at Aqaba! The only coastal city in Jordan sits on the edge of the Red Sea. You know what that means? It's your chance to trade feet for fins and dive right in! Spot Sebastian, Nemo and some coooool dude turtles. Discover lost army tanks, sunken airplanes and mysterious shipwrecks. Once you’re done with your gills, it’s time to hang up the flippers and head to the beach for sunset. A shawarma (Jordanian kebab) isn’t for sharing, but there’s plenty to go round!
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Optional extras
- Diving in Aqaba: prices available locally
- Snorkelling in Aqaba: from 45 USD
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Meals
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Aqaba – Dead Sea – Amman
6A big fan of salt? You love it on your hot chips. But how about on your skin? ’Cos the Dead Sea is FULL of it. Float on top of the rippling water like a weightless cloud. Even after a hefty serving of breakfast. Ever dipped a papercut into salt by accident? Yep. You’ve just scrunched up your face. Same thing applies here – let those hairs grow. Nobody is looking – pinky swear. Soak up the natural minerals, say see ya to stress, and then wave goodbye to the lowest point on Earth. We’re going full circle back to where this journey began: Amman. Here, our top-tier Trip Leader will fill you in on allll the historical deets with a walking tour. Byzantine Basilica, Ummayad Palace, the Temple of Hercules... Hope you're ready to catch your jaw – it’s about to DROP.
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Included Today
- Float in the Dead Sea
- Walking tour of Amman with Trip Leader
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Included Today
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Amman – Jerash – Jerusalem (Israel)
7Crank the history knob to 11 with a visit to Jerash – home to a bunch of Greco-Roman highlights, including a hippodrome which was used for chariot racing (and has nothing to do with hippos). Then wave goodbye to Jordan as we cross into Israel. Flash your passport and meet your local Israeli Trip Leader. After another included group dinner, we’re bunking down in the heart of Jerusalem tonight. Sit back and enjoy the vibe. This sh*t hits different.
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Included Today
- Visit the Roman ruins of Jerash
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Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
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Included Today
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Jerusalem
8Jerusalem is the G.O.A.T. of holy places. Christianity, Islam AND Judaism believe it encompasses all things sacred. Get educated about this city on a guided tour. We’re talking Mount of Olives for the incred views. Church of All Nations AND the Garden of Gethsemane. Then, the old city. Phew! We’re not even halfway. Cue: Via Dolorosa, Stations of the Cross, and a tonne of sacred sites. Jesus’s final resting place at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre? Check. The Western (Wailing) Wall aka the most sacred place in Judaism? Check. Mount Zion – the traditional site of the Last Supper? Check. (Ginny’s dad being God-like has a whole new meaning.) Still got energy to explore? That daily step count is gonna explode. One thing you cannot miss this avvy: Mahane Yehunda Market – a variety of local produce stores by day, buzzing bars and shisha stalls by night. You wanted free time to delve deeper – go get it!
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Included Today
- Walking tour of Jerusalem with Trip Leader
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Included Today
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Jerusalem – Bethlehem – Jerusalem
9Today begins on a sombre note with a visit to Yad Vashem, The World Holocaust Remembrance Centre – please dress respectfully. In the museum, you can take in the Hall of Names, read survivors’ tales and see personal artifacts of Holocaust victims. It’s an eye-opening experience. After, we’re hitting up Bethlehem. Yep, the birthplace of Jesus himself. Our walking tour’s main attraction: the Church of the Nativity. Then: get your art fix at the Separation Wall. Its history will make you feel things. The graffiti will make your jaw drop. You’ll learn something that might change your outlook on life. Okayy, *deep breath* heavy chat over, it’s back to Jerusalem for the night.
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Included Today
- Visit Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial site
- Walking tour of Bethlehem with Trip Leader
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Included Today
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Jerusalem – Lake Galilee & Golan Heights – Northern Israel Region
10Tranquil. Stormy. Unbelievable. REAL. Nope, it’s not the latest retrograde. It’s Lake Galilee. Our first stop of the day. You may not get to walk on water, but you can deffo embrace the serene atmosphere on an included boat tour. Onwards to Golan Heights. Get your tastebuds ready cos a local wine tasting is about to happen. Then, it’s back to the waters with a visit to Yardenit, a turquoise baptismal site on the Jordan River. Next up: a local Kibbutz. What’s that? A community settlement entirely unique to Israel. You wanted to experience the authentic side of travel. This is it. And you’re staying the night. With traditional dins included! Don’t say we don’t treat you.
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Included Today
- Boat tour of Lake Galilee
- Local Israeli wine tasting
- Walking tour of a Kibbutz with local guide
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Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
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Included Today
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Northern Israel Region – Nazareth – Tel Aviv
11Our road trip continues! First stop: Nazareth. An awesome sight you’ll behold on our included walking tour: the Basilica of the Annunciation. According to Catholic tradition, this is the site of Mary’s home, where Angel Gabriel announced she would give birth to the Son of God. Want a beaut view of the terraced Baha’i Gardens in Haifa? Sorted. After: it’s our last stop. Put the tissues away for now cos we’re in Israel’s capital. It’s giving bright. It’s giving awesome. It’s giving love. Tel Aviv understands the assignment. Get to know this iconic city on a walking tour with your Trip Leader. Top sights you’re gonna fall for? Jaffa’s Old Port, Rabin’s Memorial Site, Neve Tzedek. And MORE. Tonight, we’re gonna tuck into our last supper, Topdeck-fam style. Where’s the shakshuka at?
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Included Today
- Walking tour of Nazareth with Trip Leader
- Walking tour of Tel Aviv and Old Jaffa with Trip Leader
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Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
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Included Today
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Tel Aviv
12Down your pomegranate juice and take a deep breath – this morning it’s time to say our goodbyes. Get in on the WhatsApp group for next year’s reunion, where it WILL make it out of the chat. Sticking around? Track down Abu Hassan for hummus that will haunt your dreams (it’s that good).
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Meals
- Breakfast
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Meals
What's included
Included experiences
- - Visit Madaba
- - Visit Mt Nebo
- - Visit Karak Castle
- - Orientation walk of Petra with Trip Leader
- - Wadi Rum 4x4 excursion
- - Stay overnight in Bedouin desert camp
- - Float in the Dead Sea
- - Walking tour of Amman with Trip Leader
- - Visit the Roman ruins of Jerash
- - Walking tour of Jerusalem with Trip Leader
- - Visit Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial site
- - Walking tour of Bethlehem with Trip Leader
- - Boat tour of Lake Galilee
- - Local Israeli wine tasting
- - Walking tour of a Kibbutz with local guide
- - Walking tour of Nazareth with Trip Leader
- - Walking tour of Tel Aviv and Old Jaffa with Trip Leader
Accommodation
- 9 nights in hotel-style accommodation (twin-share), 1 night in a Bedouin desert camp (twin-share), 1 night in a Kibbutz (twin-share)
Transport
Optional activities
- FYI: these are optional activities available locally. Things might change – prices are here to give you a rough idea.
- Local cooking class in Petra: from 47 USD
- Petra by Night tour: from 24 USD
- Dinner with a local family in Petra: from 43 USD
- Snorkelling in Aqaba: from 45 USD
- Diving in Aqaba: prices available locally
Other information
Important note on Ramadan
As many Middle Eastern countries are of Islamic faith, it is important to note many restaurants and shops will either be closed or operating on reduced hours during Ramadan. As a result, some optional and included activities on your trip may be affected. Ramadan, which dates vary depending on your year of travel, is an incredibly important and sacred month for Muslims. When equipped with some basic knowledge, you’ll have the chance to immerse yourself in this special tradition and experience all its highlights.
Airport transfers
Individual transfers are included for all passengers flying into Amman. Please provide arrival flight details as soon as possible, a minimum of six weeks before departure. You will be met before immigration by an airport representative with a Topdeck sign. Please refer to the ‘Visas’ section below for details on this process. Once you’ve cleared immigration and customs you will transferred to your hotel to check in. If you have booked pre-tour accommodation, please advise us no later than six weeks before arriving in order for us to make arrangements.
Visas
For all non-restricted nationalities (please check the eligibility for your passport) we will obtain a free visa on your behalf. To obtain your free visa on arrival in Amman, we will require your full passport, flight and insurance details no later than 60 days before arriving to ensure our representative can meet you before immigration. If you do not provide us with these details we will be unable to obtain a free visa for you and you will be subject to paying the full amount on arrival.
Please note: Topdeck does not include Israel visa fees in the total trip price. Please check the individual entry requirements for your passport.
Accommodation
On your trip you will primarily stay in quality three-star hotels on a single or twin-share basis, depending on what you have booked. You will also get to experience a night in a desert camp at Wadi Rum. The camp features twin-share tents or cabins, with beds, pillows and all sheets and blankets provided. The bathroom facilities are basic (hey, you're in the desert!) and the showers are usually cold-water only – but it's all part of an amazing experience!
Views & Reviews
Latest Reviews
Average rating based on 3 reviews
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Anonymous March 2023
Our tour guide in Jordan (Osama) made the trip extremely disappointing. He was very rude, lazy and actively ignored dietary requirements of the group. Anything we asked to see/ do was simply too much trouble if it was remotely outside of his usual ‘plan’ we were told no, many of the days myself and one other person just didn’t get lunch as the only option we were offered didn’t account for our dietary requirements and no other options were given as this was easiest for Osama. Many of our dinners were the same - we ate at the hotel buffets many times as this was once again easiest for him. The day we crossed into Israel he simply ignored us, bought the bus tickets for us and gave them to a guy on the tour. He didn’t say anything to anyone as we got on the bus and he had left before we’d even crossed the border. This is unacceptable given that anything could’ve happened and we were on our own.
The Israel portion of the trip was better however there was quite a bit of time in tel Aviv where there was nothing planned/ organised by Topdeck/ the guide (Johnny) and we just ended up wasting time and walked to have a coffee. There were also a few thing we simply just didn’t do like the Banksy hotel which was disappointing to miss. This was disappointing as we had limited days in Israel and there seemed to be many things that should’ve been included or at least recommended. Our guide also left us early the last day as he said he had to pick up another tour even though some of us saw him later that night at our accomodation. Johnny however was very good with dietary requirements and far more accomodating if we did ask about something we wanted to see, he did arrange this. However more communication from him was needed
Overall this tour was extremely disappointing especially given the price as this is not a cheap tour
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ALFREDO AR February 2023
The overall experience was great. From picking us up upon arrival at both Jordan and Israel, having a very friendly and knowledgeable tour guides and drivers that shared their insights about not only the locations from the tour but also about places to check out to visit and for getting local food. The proximity of our hotels to the hot spots of each location made it ideal and convenient for spending more time exploring. It was well worth it.
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Robert Os February 2023
Very beautiful and well organized tour!
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