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- 29-Day Tour of China, Jordan, Lebanon, Israel, Egypt & Morocco
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ltinerary Code:2018TT-SG12
Daily Itinerary Briefings
1st Day : Arrival in Beijing
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By the time your flight arrives at Beijing International Airport, our local English-speaking guide will pick you up at the airport after you clear the customs. Transfer to the hotel and we will leave the rest of the day free for your own arrangement.
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Central Plaza Hotel
- the best Holiday Inn Hotel in Beijing 2nd Day: Beijing (B+L)After breakfast, you will meet your group members at the lobby of the hotel where your guide will give you all a briefing. The first day tour begins with a visit to the world-famous Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, the world’s largest city square and ancient architectural complex. After an a la carte lunch of authentic Chinese food, you will visit the Temple of Heaven, the imperial altar. The evening highlights is the lively Chinese Kung Fu Show at the Red Theatre.
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Central Plaza Hotel
3rd Day: Beijing (B)|
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A big breakfast is recommended today as you will hike the splendid Badaling Great Wall in the morning. And also restaurants in the mountain area are tourist restaurants which can not meet our standard, so we suggest you prepare some fast food for your lunch. After you make to the top, we will provide red wine for a group-toasting to celebrate and commemorate this moment. Drop by a jade factory. Then the exploration continues with a visit to the Sacred Way in the afternoon. The whole day's sightseeing comes to an end after seeing the Bird's Nest (Olympic National Stadium) on the way to the urban area. Our driver stops there for a few minutes for you to take pictures if you so wish.
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Central Plaza Hotel
4th Day: Beijing Exploration, Fly to Amman (B+L) |
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Today you will visit Summer Palace in the morning, where you will appreciate the magnificent landscape and architecture of the ancient Chinese royal garden. Among all the attractive and beautiful sites, the most famous ones are the enchanting Kunming Lake and the well-known Long Gallery. Then visit a pearl store. After a scrumptious a la carte lunch, a tour of the traditional Hutong area is scheduled. You can walk or if you like, take the rickshaw along the original Hutong alleys and get a glance of the lifestyle of local families. Your amazing tour ends here. Our guide will then transfer you to the airport and see you off to the flight to Amman in Jordan. Wish you a pleasant Journey!
5th Day: Arrival in Amman, Airport pick-upUpon landing at the Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, our local representative will pick you up on time, and send you to the hotel. The rest of the time is free for you. Your private Jordan tours will start tomorrow, including historical treasures in this Middle East country and the lowest place on earth- Dead Sea.
Accommodation: Down Town Hotel Apartments
6th Day: Private transfer from Amman to Petra, with tour in Mt. Nebo, Madaba, Wadi Mujib, Kerak (B)After breakfast at hotel, the English-speaking driver will pick you up on time, and drive to the first destination of your Dead Sea trip, Mount Neb. It is one of Jordan's holy places. It is said that Moses was buried somewhere on this mount. The top of Mount Nebo is 817m (2680 ft.) above sea level. Standing on the observation deck, you will overlook the Jordan valley and parts of the Holy land. Continue to Madaba, the "Mosaic City". The most famous mosaic artwork in the city is the mosaic map of the Middle East on the ground of St. George's Church, which is also the oldest surviving map of the Middle East in the world. Driving along the famous King's highway, we will have a short stay and take some nice photos when passing by Wadi Mujib. Then head to Kerak fortress, a crusader castle built in the 11th-12th century. Finally, we will reach Petra and stay overnight there.
Accommodation: Petra Guest House
7th Day: Petra highlights tour with Siq, Treasure and Dead Sea (B)Today you will visit a significant attraction during this Dead Sea tour. That is Petra, the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom. It is a historical city in southern Jordan and is one of the most mysterious ancient cities in the southern desert of Jordan. Due to the local famous reddish-brown sandstone, it is known as the "City of Roses". Ride a horse from the entrance of Petra Scenic Area to Siq Canyon, walk along the narrow path and visit Al Khazneh (the Treasure). This is a magnificent building with a height of 140 feet and a width of 90 feet in a strong Greek style. If you are still energetic after 2.5 hours guided tour here, you can visit other sites nearby on your own. Then we will drive to the Dead Sea in the afternoon and stay overnight there. It takes around 3 hours on the way.
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Dead Sea Resort
8th Day: Drive from Dead Sea to Anman Airport, Fly to Beirut, Pick-up (B)After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy your leisure time at the beach. You may float on salty water or try the dark mud on the shores, which is healthy for your skin. Our English-speaking driver will send you to Amman Airport according to your flight time, which takes about 1 hour by car. Wish you a pleasant journey to your next destination, Beirut in Lebanon!
On arrival, we will arrange an English-speaking driver to pick you up from Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport and transfer you to the hotel. You may spend the rest of the day as you like.
Accommodation: Gems Hotel
9th Day: Highlights of Beirut (B+L)The best Lebanon tours starting today will be highlighted by Phoenicians, Roman and more historical heritages. Our first stop today will be the National Museum. It will be an eye-opening experience to see Phoenician alphabet tablets, the ancient Roman sculptures, the stone coffins with fine reliefs and many other relics of the Iron Age. Next, we will pay a visit to the Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque and the nearby St. Georges Maronite Cathedral. After lunch, the tour guide will lead you to Beirut Souks to see the landmark Clock Tower. Later, we will visit the American University of Beirut, enjoy coastal landscape at the Pigeon Rocks (Raouche Rocks) and take a walk along the Corniche.
Accommodation: Gems Hotel
10th Day: Jeita Grotto tour, Harissa & Byblos highlights (B+L)After breakfast, drive to Jeita Grotto scenic area. A cable car ride is needed to get to the karstic caves at the Nahr al-Kalb valley, where the traces of prehistoric humans have been found. After the grotto tour, we will leave for Harissa. By cable car, we can visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon and enjoy a bird’s-eye view of Jounieh Bay. Our next stop is Byblos, which is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. We are going to see the old castle, the Church of St. John, the Roman amphitheater and the old souks there. Stay in Byblos tonight.
Accommodation: Aleph Boutique Hotel
11th Day: Day trip to Becharre with Kadisha Valley & Qozhaya Monastery (B+L)It will take us 1.5h to drive to Becharre this morning. We will stop at Tannourine town midway to appreciate three natural bridges and the Baatara Gorge Waterfall. After arrival in Becharre, the guide will first lead you to visit the museum in memory of Lebanese-American poet Kahlil Gibran (1883-1931). Then it is time to have a walking tour in the forest known for 1,500-year-old cedars. When we hike through the Kadisha Valley (Holy Valley) shaped by the Kadisha River, unspoiled slopes, springs and waterfalls can please your eyes. There are also many churches and monasteries here. Qozhaya Monastery which dates back to the 12th century is the final stop today. Later, get back to Beirut.
Accommodation: Gems Hotel
12th Day: Fly from Beirut to Tel Aviv (B)See you off at the Beirut airport. You will then need to fly to Tel Aviv in Israel on your own. Upon landing, you will be picked up and sent to the hotel to settle down. Have a good rest to restore the energy.
Accommodation: a local hotel
13th Day: Old & New Jerusalem Tours (B)During the next two following days, our best Israel tours will mainly lead you to explore Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and the stories behind their historical relics. Today will be spent in Jerusalem. After breakfast, our English-speaking driver-guide will pick you up on time in your hotel lobby. As the sacred place of the three major religions, when you come to Jerusalem, you must feel the religious atmosphere here.
The first stop will be the Mount of Olives, where you can have a panoramic view of the entire old town. Then come to the Western Wall, the first holy place of the Jews, where the Jews whisper and read the Bible. For thousands of years, when Jews return to the holy city of Jerusalem, they would come to this wall and pray in a low voice, crying about their suffering and seek for comfort, so it is also called the "Wailing Wall". It is said that this is also the closest place to God and if you write your wish and stuff it into the wall, God will help you realize it.
Afterwards, the driver-guide will take you to walk along the Way of the Cross to follow Jesus' footprints, which is the most sacred ritual for Christians. The last stop on the Way of the Cross is the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, one of Jerusalem's Christian cathedrals, where Jesus was killed, buried, and resurrected according to the legend. Then you will visit Yad Vashem (closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays) in the afternoon. The memorial hall is a commemorative place built to commemorate the six million Jews who died in German concentration camps during World War II.
If you encounter a Saturday or Jewish holiday in the day trips from Jerusalem, the Israel Museum will be arranged instead, which is a national museum and one of the most important museums in the Middle East. The treasures and artifacts displayed in the museum are mostly different types of Bibles from various eras, including the oldest and most complete version of the prophet Isaiah, so it is also called a bible museum. In addition, there are the precious Dead Sea Scrolls and Second Temple Model. In 1947, an Arab teenager living near the Dead Sea entered a hidden cave of the desolate canyon in search of the missing sheep and found a Hebrew scroll in a clay pot. These manuscripts date back to two thousand years ago and are the earliest Bible manuscripts of the age of human discovery.
Finally, your driver-guide will take you to the famous local market, Mahane Yehuda Market. This large outdoor market sells almost all the necessities of daily life for Jerusalemites and you can see a wide range of handicrafts and taste the local food. After visiting the market, the driver-guide will send you back to the hotel.
Accommodation: a local hotel
14th Day: One Day Tel Aviv City Tour (B)At the agreed time, set off and drive to the Ancient City of Jaffa which is one of the oldest ports in the world and has a history of at least 4,000 years. Here you can see ancient buildings. The most famous one is the Church of St. Peter, the landmark of Jaffa. The church's bell tower is the highest point of the entire Jaffa Old City, and it will ring the bell at every half hour and the hour. The church was built during the Middle Ages in memory of the great apostle Peter who took the gospel from Jaffa to Rome.
The next stop of the Tel Aviv tours is the Carmel Market. On the way, you will drive past the Hall of Independence. Carmel Market is one of Tel Aviv's largest street markets and is also one of the largest outdoor markets in the Middle East popular with locals and tourists. It is open every day except for the Jewish Sabbath. Israel's agriculture is particularly developed. Its soilless cultivation technology is leading in the world. The fruits and vegetables here have no additives, no preservatives, and no catalyst dairy products. There are many types of bread, flowers and plants. Here you can taste the most authentic Israeli food and you can have lunch here by yourself, and driver-guide can provide some suggestions based on your requirements.
After lunch, you'll continue to visit the Diaspora Museum to experience the history, culture and beliefs of the Jews. The great Diaspora Museum is one of the world's largest museums dedicated to the Jewish people and their history. And it is also a central place for Jewish education to promote mutual recognition among Jews. It provides Jewish people with the opportunity to explore the history of their family, from which they can find the origin of their genealogy and names. The museum's exhibits include photos, documents, movies, music, maps, etc. These exhibits tell the history of the Jewish exiles, and show the synagogues, houses and workshops of the Jews in different regions in different periods. It also collects a large number of movies and music related to the history of Jewish exiles.
Then drive to visit the main streets of Tel Aviv, also known as the "White City", which is declared by UNESCO as a Bauhaus style cultural heritage of the world. After that, head to Rabin Square, which was called Tel Aviv Square. On November 4, 1995, the former Israeli Prime Minister Rabin attended a peace conference here. Rabin was assassinated and killed when he left the venue after the meeting, and Israel fell into grief. Then Israel government changed the name of the square into Rabin Square in memory of him. From then on, every year on November 4, a group of Israelis came to Rabin Square to light candles and present flowers in memory of the Israeli Prime Minister who dedicated his life to peace in the Middle East.
Finally, you will visit the last stop of the Tel Aviv tour packages, Neve Tzedek, a block of Tel Aviv built in 1887, and Nahalat Benyamin, the city's pedestrian street, where you can enjoy live street music, art, handicrafts and handmade accessories. After the Tel Aviv tours, the driver-guide will take you back to the hotel to rest.
Accommodation: a local hotel
15th Day: Fly from Tel Aviv to Cairo (B)According to the flight schedule, the driver-guide will transfer you to the airport for you to take the flight to Cairo in Egypt. When arriving at Cairo airport, you will meet our local representative holding a sign at the exit who will transfer you to the hotel. After checking in, you can arrange the rest time of the day as you like. We will start our Egypt tours in desert tomorrow and plan to spend two nights in the desert campsite, so please check your backpack again to ensure you have prepared sleeping bag, comfortable shoes, sunscreen, snacks and other necessities.
Accommodation: Pearl Hotel, Maadi
16th Day: Hiking through a valley & Camping at desert (B+L+D)After breakfast, the guide and the driver will pick you up and drive 2 hours to the campsite in the desert. Before starting our hiking, we will have a short break in the campsite. Today's tour is to going through a solitary valley. Except our guide, we also hire a local Bedouin guide specially who is familiar with both the landforms there and the animals and plants in the desert. We will spend about 4 hours hiking through the valley. If you are still energetic after it, the guides will continue to lead you hiking through the wadi for 2 - 3 hours. Finally, you will be transferred to the campsite by car. In the evening, you can appreciate the starry sky and experience the unforgettable desert camping.
Accommodation: Camping at desert
17th Day: Transfer to Fayoum Oasis and Hiking at Wadi Al-Hitan (B+L+D)At around 08:00, we will set out to Fayoum Oasis which is about 4 hours' drive away. The well-known Wadi Al-Hitan National Park is located here. Because hundreds of whales' fossils are discovered there, it is also called Whales Valley. The guide will accompany you to enjoy a 4-hour hiking in the valley. The large whales' fossils scattered in the desert once again implies the great natural changes from vast sea to land. Tonight, we will camp in the park.
Accommodation: Camping at Wadi Al-Hitan National Park
18th Day: Transfer to Wadi El Rayan, Hiking & Visit Tunis Village (B+L)In the morning, we will take the car for 2 hours to Wadi El Rayan where we will spend 2 hours hiking. There are abundant water resources, luxuriant plants, quite fresh air and also the highest waterfall in Egypt. It would definitely be a wonderful and unforgettable Egypt trekking. The next stop is Tunis Village by the lake with splendid scenery. Almost all the villagers make a living at ceramics, so plenty of galleries and ceramic workshop are available for tourists to visit. Afterwards, we will drive 2 hours back to Cairo and check in the hotel. Then you can have a rest or explore the nearby areas on your own.
Accommodation: Pearl Hotel, Maadi
19th Day: Fly from Cairo to Casablanca (B)Your Egypt tour draws to an end today. Our driver will pick you up at the hotel at the appointed time and escort you to Cairo International Airport for the departure flight. You will then fly to Casablanca in Morocco.
When your flight lands, our English-speaking driver guide based locally will pick you up and transfer you to check in at a local hotel. After, set off for the famous Hassan II Mosque to start this all-inclusive Morocco tours. As an architectural landmark and city center of Casablanca, the tallest minaret, exquisite carved patterns and spectacular mosaics make this mosque a must-go attraction when touring there. Since it is open to the endless Atlantic Ocean, it offers a splendid view of sea scenery if visitors wander around the large square outside this mosque.
Accommodation: a local hotel
20th Day: Casablanca - Rabat - Fez (B)After a hearty breakfast at your hotel, we will set out for Rabat, one of the four imperial cities and the political capital of this Muslim country. Upon arrival, you will be escorted to visit the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, where luxurious interior and gorgeous exterior symbolize the royal family's noble life.
Then, visit the unfinished Hassan Tower nearby. Although the tower is 44 meters (144 ft) high, only half as high as the original plan, the only remaining stone pillars that surround the tower will provide you a spectacular view. Before departing for the imperial city of Fez, proceed to the Kasbah of the Udayas, a complex of castle dwellings, where you can experience the sense of romance through appreciating the blue and white residential area and alleys. Today's service ends when we arrive n Fez.
Accommodation: a local hotel
21st Day: Fez City Tour (B)Today's sightseeing starts with a deep exploration of the world's largest Medina inside old city of Fez. Remember to follow your guide closely in case you may easily get lost due to intricate paths. Along the way, you may be amazed about this bustling city, displaying a vast variety of handicrafts, like mosaics, leather goods, porcelains, gold and silver products, etc.
Moreover, it boasts many spice and vegetation markets, and over 700 mosques. Afterwards, visit the King's Palace from the outside, built in 13th century, which is characterized by gilded bronze gate, exquisite mosaic, and white marble columns. The remaining time is free for personal exploration, and you will obtain wonderful suggestions at your request.
Accommodation: a local hotel
22nd Day: Fez - Meknes - Fez (B)In the morning, explore the Ruins of Volubilis, a well-preserved Roman site. Later, visit Moulay Idriss, where your curiosity will be piqued by the remains of an ancient historic structure, a best-preserved aqueduct. To highlight your Morocco vacation packages all inclusive, we will set off for Meknes, the third imperial cities that we plan to travel. Though small in size, Meknes has bustling outdoor markets, old medina, and Islamic architecture complex, all of which will immerse you in traditional Moroccan culture. At the end of the day, drive back to Fez for a good overnight.
Accommodation: a local hotel
23rd Day: Fez - Atlas Mountain - Erfoud (B)This morning, set out for Erfoud, lying at the edge of the Sahara Desert. Please have a big breakfast at your hotel for today's long drive. During the road, ascend the Middle Atlas Mountain. Then, pass through Ifrane, a wonderful ski resort. At noon, take a short break at Midlet, which provides a stunning view of the Atlas Mountain.
Later, continue to the Ziz Valley, the last southern valley of Morocco, and the Tafilet Oases, home to palm trees. Then, reach Erfoud, a favorable movie set.
Accommodation: a local hotel
24th Day: Erfoud – Sahara (B+D)Today, first visit a local tent to learn the authentic desert life of local people. If time permits, get close to Gnawa people and know about their culture. Later, drive to Erg Chebbi, popular sand dunes where to enter Sahara. A 4*4 vehicle will take you deep in the Sahara Desert. No trip to desert is complete without camel trekking. En route, sense the silence of endless golden sand dunes. Desert sunset and starry night push this Morocco vacation to a new climax.
Accommodation: Overnight camp in Sahara
25th Day: Sahara – Ouarzazate (B)We get up early in the morning to enjoy the glorious desert sunrise. Then, depart for the Dades Gorge, a fertile oasis which is home to palm trees, almond and roses. Later, run through the Todra Gorge, which is considered as one of the world's ten most beautiful valleys. With over 300 meters (984 ft) high steep cliffs on either side, there is a clear stream running along this canyon floor. Continue to Ouarzazate, and check into your hotel for a sweet night.
Accommodation: a local hotel
26th Day: Ouarzazate – Marrakech (B)After breakfast, head to the famous Ait Ben Haddou, an ancient Berber village that has been in many movies, such as Game of Thrones, and The Mummy. What makes this small village speial is the unique earthen clay architecture and the far-reaching significance of Berber's folk customs.
Ascend higher passing castles along the alleys, and you will have a panoramic view of the village surrounded by not only oasis but also a river. Afterwards, drive to Marrakech, the last imperial city of this all-inclusive holidays to Morocco.
Accommodation: a local hotel
27th Day: Marrakech (B)During daytime, visit Bahia Palace, a royal palace with ordinary appearance but luxurious interior. Then, move onwards to the Saadian Tombs, whose construction time dates back to the 16th century. Exquisite wood carvings on ceilings and Arabic decorative elements interior will leave you fascinated by its charm.
Later, pay a visit to the landmark of Marrakech, Koutoubia Mosque, whose minaret reaches 67 meters (220 ft) high, ranking the highest building in old medina quarter of Marrakech. When night comes, it's high time to wander around the busy Jemaa el-Fna, another UNESCO World Heritage site but still be in service. This is a microcosm of the locals' huddle and bustle, like bartering, spice smell, heartbeat sensation, local food, exquisite handicrafts, rumbustious crowds and colorful wears.
Accommodation: a local hotel
28th Day: Marrakech (B)Full day is free for personal excursion to Marrakech, the red city, for most buildings here are brick red. It's highly advisable to appreciate the charm of this ancient city by strolling through the old medina, tasting local cuisines, or meandering around the fabulous souks.
Accommodation: a local hotel
29th Day: Departure from Casablanca (B)Our service will end today. After breakfast, you will be transferred to airport in Casablanca. Wish you a pleasant trip home!
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