16-Night Israel Jordan and Egypt Tour

Ancient wonders come one after another. This 16-night Israel, Jordan, and Egypt tour packs Jerusalem, Petra, Mount Sinai, Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan into one long route, with hotels, internal flights, border help, guides, and many meals arranged for you. I like the sheer range of places covered, and I like that you do not have to build three separate trips from scratch. The main concern is the Jordan-to-Egypt transfer, which can be physically punishing and poorly timed.

I also like the mix of sacred places, Roman ruins, desert sites, and a Nile cruise. You will see far more than on a single-country holiday, but this is not a gentle vacation. Early starts, long road transfers, border crossings, heat, stairs, and a nighttime climb up Mount Sinai all require stamina.

Key Points Before You Book

• Jerusalem and Bethlehem come early: You visit the Western Wall, Via Dolorosa, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Yad Vashem, and the Church of the Nativity.
• Masada includes the cable car: The day also covers Qumran, Ein Gedi, and time to float in the Dead Sea.
• Petra is a full sightseeing day: You cross from Israel into Jordan, then spend the day walking among the Treasury, tombs, temples, and Roman Theater.
• Mount Sinai follows a hard overnight transfer: You may leave Petra in the evening, cross into Egypt, drive to Sinai, and climb before sunrise.
• The Nile cruise adds welcome rhythm: Three nights on board connect Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu, and Luxor.
• The advertised price is not the final price: Add the $130 departure tax, a $60 Egypt visa, and a $75 Jordan visa per person.

What You Are Really Buying for $3,478

The listed price is $3,478 per person for about 17 days, including 15 nights of accommodation, breakfast every day, six lunches, three dinners, ground transport, domestic flights, border assistance, sightseeing, and the Nile cruise.

That is a strong amount of coverage for a three-country trip. You are paying for coordination as much as for sightseeing. Ben Gurion Airport is the starting point, and Cairo International Airport is the finish. Between them, the route uses a climate-controlled van, flights from Israel to Eilat, a flight from Cairo to Aswan, and a flight from Luxor back to Cairo.

The real cost is higher. Add the $130 departure tax, the $60 Egypt visa, and the $75 Jordan visa. That brings the known total to at least $3,743 per person, before the roughly $15 Petra by Night ticket and any extra charges such as the mummy room in Cairo. Check what your booking confirmation says about individual entrance fees, since one Cairo day is specifically marked as not including admission.

The group may include up to 50 people. That keeps the price lower, but it can make loading vehicles, entering sites, and moving through borders slower. A smaller private trip would likely feel more relaxed, but this package is aimed at people who value breadth and convenience over a quiet, flexible pace.

Tel Aviv, Nazareth, and the Sea of Galilee

Your first night is in Tel Aviv after a transfer from Ben Gurion Airport. Day two begins around 7:20 a.m., so plan to arrive ready for a fast start rather than a slow morning in the city.

The route crosses the Plain of Armageddon, with a view toward Megiddo, then continues to the Mount of Precipitation and Nazareth. The Church of the Annunciation and the nearby Church of St. Joseph provide the main focus. You also pass Cana, associated with the biblical story of water turned into wine.

The Sea of Galilee section brings Capernaum, Mount Beatitude, and the Benedictine church linked with the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish. At Yardenit, you have the opportunity to be baptized in the Jordan River waters. Mount Tabor, linked with the Transfiguration, appears on the return route.

I like this day because it combines major religious sites with views across northern Israel. The drawback is the pace. You stay overnight in Tel Aviv, not in Galilee, so the day includes a long return drive after a full program.

Caesarea, Haifa, Rosh Hanikra, and Acre

Day three follows the Mediterranean coast through Herzliya and Netanya to Caesarea. The Roman theater and hippodrome help you picture the scale of this ancient port city, and the open setting makes it a useful contrast to the enclosed quarters of Jerusalem.

In Haifa, you visit the Bahá’í gardens and shrine. The route then reaches Rosh Hanikra, where a cable car takes you down to the grottoes. The day ends in Acre, one of the strongest stops for understanding the Crusader period. You walk through the Turkish prison, a place also tied to British executions of Jewish prisoners after World War II.

This is an ambitious coastal circuit with several distinct chapters: Roman, religious, natural, and Crusader. It is also another eight-hour day, and the distance between stops leaves little room to linger. If you enjoy seeing many headline sites in one sweep, the tradeoff makes sense.

Jerusalem’s Old City and Yad Vashem

Jerusalem receives one packed day. You begin with views from the Mount of Olives, then see the Church of All Nations and the Garden of Gethsemane before entering through Zion Gate.

Inside the Old City, the route passes through the Armenian Quarter, the Byzantine Cardo, and the Jewish Quarter. At the Western Wall, you have time to observe one of Jerusalem’s most important places of prayer. The walk along the Via Dolorosa ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, followed by the markets.

The final major stop is Yad Vashem, the Holocaust museum and memorial. It is a serious, emotionally demanding visit, and it gives the day a very different tone from the religious sites. Yad Vashem is closed on Fridays and Saturdays, so the exact order may need to change if your schedule falls on those days.

Wear practical shoes. Jerusalem’s old streets, markets, and stone surfaces are not suited to flimsy footwear. The 7:20 a.m. pickup also means you should have breakfast plans ready.

Bethlehem, Jericho, and the Dead Sea

Day five begins with the Dead Sea area and a stop at the Sea Level marker. You pass the Inn of the Good Samaritan and continue to Jericho, described here as the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. Mount Temptation rises above the city, linked with the biblical account of Jesus fasting for forty days and nights.

The route then reaches Bethlehem. From Manger Square, you enter the Church of the Nativity, where you can see the fourth-century mosaic floor and the place marked as the site of Jesus’ birth. The visit continues to the Manger, the altar dedicated to the Three Wise Men, St. Catherine’s Crusader church, the Milk Grotto, and Shepherd’s Fields.

This day has a strong biblical focus and offers plenty of context for the region. It also has a lot of stops, so expect guided movement rather than free time. The combination of religious importance and desert geography makes it one of the more varied days in Israel.

Masada, Qumran, and the Dead Sea

Day six is the longest Israel day, lasting about 12 hours. You head south through the Judean Desert to Masada, Herod’s desert fortress above the Dead Sea. The included cable car saves you from walking the Snake Path, though you will still walk around the summit.

At the top, you see palaces, a bathhouse, a synagogue, Roman barracks, and other remains. The site is memorable because the ruins sit high above the desert, with broad views in every direction. You then pass Ein Gedi and Qumran, associated with the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, before reaching the water for a swim or float.

Afterward, you go to Ben Gurion Airport for a flight to Ramon Airport near Eilat. A driver meets you there and takes you to Eilat for the night. There are no domestic flights on Fridays, so the plan changes to an overnight in Tel Aviv and a flight to Eilat the next day.

This day is a good example of the tour’s value and its strain. You cover several important places, but the airport transfer at the end comes after a very full day. Keep your luggage and documents easy to reach.

Petra: A Wonder That Requires Walking

On day seven, pickup is around 8:30 to 8:45 a.m. You receive assistance at the Arava border, then meet a Jordanian driver for the roughly two-hour trip to Petra.

Petra is the trip’s great visual payoff. The Treasury is the famous first image, but the site continues with temples, caves, tombs, a Roman Theater, and other carved and built remains. You should expect substantial walking on uneven ground, even though the itinerary does not give a precise distance.

You spend the night in Petra, which is useful because it avoids returning to Israel after the sightseeing day. Petra by Night is optional and costs about $15. Ask your guide about it, and consider your energy carefully. After a full day at Petra, another evening activity may be too much.

The next day gives you free time in Petra before the evening departure. You can return to the site independently, walk through the market, or rest at the hotel. That free morning is valuable, but it is also the calm before the hardest transition of the entire trip.

The Jordan to Egypt Transfer and Mount Sinai

Around 5 p.m. on day eight, you are driven back toward the border and Eilat. After crossing into Israel, you arrange a meeting point with the driver who will collect you around 9 p.m. This leaves roughly two hours in Eilat for a meal or swim before the overnight drive into Egypt.

At Taba, you receive assistance with the border process, then continue to Mount Sinai. The plan calls for a nighttime climb so you can reach the summit for sunrise. The following morning includes St. Catherine’s Monastery, the sixth-century church, the Burning Bush, and Jethro’s Well. The monastery is described as one of the oldest working monasteries in the world and contains the world’s oldest library.

This portion needs the clearest warning. One published account describes the Jordan-to-Egypt transition as awful, with the travelers leaving Petra after a full day, crossing the Egyptian border, and then being expected to climb Mount Sinai in the dark. That is not a small inconvenience. It is a demanding physical effort after a long vehicle transfer, with little proper sleep.

Ask your guide exactly how the timing works, what luggage stays with you, and how much walking is expected. The itinerary presents Mount Sinai across days eight and nine, but the practical experience is one continuous overnight push. After the monastery, you drive to Cairo for the night.

Giza, Saqqara, Memphis, and Cairo

Day ten brings the pyramids of Giza: Cheops, Chephren, Mycrenos, and the Sphinx. A short camel ride is included in the area. You then continue to the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the pyramids of King Titi, and Saqqara.

Lunch is at a local restaurant, followed by ancient Memphis and its Open Air Museum, including the statue of King Ramses II. The day offers an excellent sequence from the most famous pyramid complex to earlier and less monumental sites.

Admission to the mummy room is not included. Ask about any additional entrance costs before the day begins. Also note that the program has another eight-hour duration, so the morning start and the amount of driving matter after the Sinai night.

The Nile Cruise From Aswan to Luxor

On day eleven, you fly from Cairo to Aswan and transfer to the ship. After lunch, the tour visits the Aswan High Dam and the Temple of Philae. Dinner and a Nubian show take place on board.

Days twelve through fourteen are the most comfortable part of the route. At Kom Ombo, you see the temple of Sobek and Haroeris, then sail to Edfu for the Temple of Horus. The ship continues to Luxor for the night.

On the West Bank, you visit the Theban Necropolis, the Valley of the Kings, and the Temple of Hatshepsut. Three royal tombs are included in the Valley of the Kings visit. After lunch, you have a free afternoon and evening entertainment on board.

The cruise gives you a needed change of pace after the border crossings and road days. Day fourteen begins with checkout, then covers Karnak and Luxor temples on the East Bank. Lunch is at a local restaurant before your flight from Luxor to Cairo and transfer to your hotel.

Cairo’s Museum, Citadel, and Final Free Day

Day fifteen covers the Egyptian Museum, central Cairo churches, the Citadel of Salah El Dien, and the Mosque of Mohamed Ali. Optional tours, cruises, and shows are available through the guide, but these cost extra and should be considered only if you still have energy.

Day sixteen is free in Cairo. That open day is well placed. After two weeks of early starts, long drives, flights, and site visits, you can rest or walk around on your own rather than rush into another scheduled program.

On day seventeen, you are transferred to Cairo International Airport. The tour ends there, so arrange your onward flight from Cairo rather than Tel Aviv or Amman.

Who Should Book This Trip

I would recommend this tour to someone who wants the main sights of Israel, Jordan, and Egypt in one organized package. It suits an independent-minded person who can handle fixed schedules, shared transport, border procedures, and long days without needing much downtime.

It is less suitable if you want slow mornings, private guides, or control over every hotel and meal. It is also a poor match for anyone with limited fitness, since Petra involves walking and Mount Sinai requires a nighttime climb after a difficult transfer.

The mobile ticket is convenient, and passport name, number, expiration date, and issuing country are required at booking. You need a valid passport on the day of travel, and children must be accompanied by an adult. The tour operates in all weather, so clothing and footwear need to suit changing conditions.

Final Verdict: Book It for the Route, Not the Rest

This is a remarkable amount of ancient history and religious heritage for one booking. Jerusalem, Masada, Petra, Giza, Mount Sinai, and the Nile cruise form a powerful route, and the included transport and border help remove much of the planning burden.

I would book it only after accepting the pace and confirming the Jordan-to-Egypt schedule. The most important question is not the pyramids or Petra. It is whether you are prepared for a full Petra day followed by a late border crossing and a pre-dawn Mount Sinai climb.

If that sounds exciting rather than exhausting, the package offers impressive value. If you want comfort and breathing room, choose a slower itinerary, even if it costs more.

FAQ

How long is the Israel, Jordan, and Egypt tour?

The tour lasts approximately 17 days and includes 15 nights of accommodation.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts with pickup at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel and ends with drop-off at Cairo International Airport in Egypt.

What visas and fees are not included?

The Egypt visa costs $60 per person, the Jordan visa costs $75 per person, and a $130 per-person departure tax is not included.

Is Petra by Night included?

No. Petra by Night costs about $15 and is not included. Ask the guide about availability.

Are meals included?

Breakfast is included for 15 days. The package also includes six lunches and three dinners.

What happens if the Israel to Eilat flight falls on a Friday?

There are no domestic flights on Friday. In that case, the overnight is provided in Tel Aviv, followed by a flight to Eilat the next day.