TEL AVIV, NAZARETH, GALILEE, JERUSALEM, MASADA, THE DEAD SEA, AND EILAT PLUS EXCURSION TO PETRA
From dazzling Tel Aviv to the inspiring sights of 3,000-year-old Jerusalem, our enriching Israel tour with airfare included, reveals incredible beauty, history, and spirit—and our guides are passionate about telling its stories! Our Holy Land tour takes you from uplifting places of faith to the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea. We also feature a tour of a traditional kibbutz, which includes a lunch and an interesting lecture about their unique way of life. Continue your tour in Israel’s southernmost city, Eilat, filled with picturesque beaches. While in Eilat enjoy an excursion to Jordan where you’ll visit the famous archaeological site, Petra, which is often called the “Rose City”.
Shorten Your Trip! Enjoy our 11-day Wonders of Israel tour visiting Israel’s highlights from Tel Aviv to the Dead Sea.
Did you know you can make this tour private? Find out about pricing and options
for groups of 15 or more travelers.
Itinerary at
a Glance
Tour Itinerary:
- 2 nights in Tel Aviv
- 2 nights in Galilee
- 5 nights in Jerusalem
- 3 nights in Eilat
- 1 night in Jerusalem
Tour Highlights
- Tel Aviv
- Basilica of the Annunciation (Nazareth)
- Sea of Galilee
- Golan Heights – Winery Visit & Lunch
- Kibbutz experience with lunch
- The Western Wall (Jerusalem)
- Church of Holy Sepulcher (Jerusalem)
- Mount of Olives (Jerusalem)
- Yad Vashem (Holocaust Museum)
- Masada
- Float in the Dead Sea
- Eilat
- Excursion to Petra
Your Tour Includes
- Optional round-trip airfare from the New York area (varies by departure) including taxes, fees & fuel surcharges
- All intra-Israel ground transportation and transfers
- Accommodations at first-class hotels
- 19 meals: 12 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners
- Comprehensive sightseeing tours and entry fees
- English-speaking Tour Director throughout
Max Group Size: 30 travelers
Activity Level: Level 1
Expect most included touring to require walking and standing periods up to 3 hours at a time (up to 2 times per day) on easy terrain with some light stairs. Learn More
Pacing Level: Balanced
Expect either half-day or full-day tours most days with a free day or free half-day to explore independently in most cities. There may be a few early mornings or long travel days by bus (don’t worry—there are always comfort stops!), and you may expect to stay in most accommodations for 3+ nights. Learn More
No Additional Entry Requirements for U.S. Passport Holders
A valid passport is required for international tours. Currently, there are no additional entry requirements for U.S. passport holders, but this can change at any time. Before travel, both U.S. and non-U.S. passport holders should visit our Passports & Visas page to reconfirm entry requirements.
There are stairs at Masada (we do not take the Snake Path). Old City Jerusalem has uneven walking surfaces.
For more detailed information about this tour and destination, visit
our Before You Depart section.
Passengers who purchase flights will depart 1 day before the tour starts and return on the same day as the tour ends.
For flight details, see Before You Depart.
Welcome to the vibrant city of Tel Aviv, which has made a name for itself with its exciting culinary scene, trendy culture, colorful markets, and Mediterranean beaches! Travelers who purchased our air-inclusive package will be met at the airport and escorted to Tel Aviv. This afternoon, our Tour Director will lead us on an orientation walk around the hotel's neighborhood. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner.
Accommodations: Renaissance Hotel (2023) or Leonardo Gordon Beach Hotel (2024) or similar
Meals: Dinner
After a morning briefing, we’ll explore two of Tel Aviv’s unique neighborhoods. We’ll start with a guided walk of the beautifully restored Neve Zedek, a picturesque neighborhood dating back to the early 1900s. It feels a bit like southern France, with its narrow streets lined with Bauhaus and Art Deco buildings, galleries and great restaurants. After a free afternoon to delight in the seaside promenade or an outdoor café, we’ll gather for a tour of Old Jaffa. We’ll see traces of Jaffa’s ancient history, as well as the intriguing Artists Quarter.
Meals: Breakfast
Today we’ll gain insights into Israel’s diverse history, religions and scenery as we leave Tel Aviv and travel north along the coastal road. Our first stop is ancient Caesarea, where we’ll dig into its amazing archaeological discoveries and see its ancient Roman port and aqueduct, Byzantine streets and Crusader ruins. The next leg of our journey takes us up scenic Mount Carmel for splendid bay views, as well as a visit to a Druze village’s colorful market. The Druze are a unique religious and ethnic minority in Israel. In Haifa, we’ll see the world headquarters of the Baha’i faith, the imposing golden-domed Baha’i Shrine and its terraced Persian gardens. We’ll continue to Nazareth and the Basilica of the Annunciation. Tradition holds that the Basilica stands over the cave that was the Virgin Mary’s home and where the imminent birth of her son was proclaimed to her.
2024 Departures: Instead of visiting Nazareth and the Basilica of the Annunciation, we'll continue to Crusader city of Akko on Haifa Bay and finish our sightseeing at the grottos of Rosh Hanikra. Nazareth and the Basilica of the Annunciation will be visited on Day 5 in 2024.
Accommodations: Nof Ginosar Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Enjoy the tranquil Sea of Galilee from two different perspectives: first, on a delightful boat cruise, and then from the Golan Heights, a volcanic plateau, which affords spectacular vistas. Here, we’ll tour a local winery and sample the wines. After lunch, our excursion continues to Safed, a center of Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism) and a thriving artists’ colony, before returning to your hotel late this afternoon. This evening we'll enjoy dinner at our hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Our travels take us to Biblical sites, including Capernaum, home of the church believed to be built on the location of St. Peter’s house, and Tabgha, the traditional site of the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes. Later, we’ll proceed to Beth Shean to view the stunning remains and amphitheater of a well-preserved Roman city. We’ll also stop in Beth Alpha to admire the magnificent mosaic floor of its sixth-century synagogue. And passing through the lush Jordan River valley and climbing the Judean hills to Mt. Scopus, today’s awe-inspiring pilgrimage ends with our first unforgettable views of Jerusalem.
2024 Departures: After Tabgha, we'll visit Sindyanna, a unique non-profit organization, and then continue to Nazareth and the Basilica of the Annunciation.
Accommodations: Lady Stern (2023) or Bat Sheva Hotel (2024) or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Count on emotions running high today because Jerusalem is a city that will lift your spirits, make you weep, and leave an impression you’ll never forget. This holy city is unique in so many ways, and we’ll have the opportunity to see some of its storied sites with an expert local guide, including the Mount of Olives and Western Wall (admission included). We'll also explore the excavations at the Archeological Park - Davidson Center which features artifacts from the First and Second Temple periods, the Byzantine Muslim period, the ancient Crusades period, and more (interior of the center including multimedia presentation currently closed). Stroll a magnificently restored cardo (old Roman road). And follow the ancient Via Dolorosa and the Stations of the Cross to the Christian Quarter and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the traditional site of the Crucifixion. Later we’ll tour Mount Zion and view King David’s Tomb and the Room of the Last Supper. The remainder of the day is yours to explore or relax.
Meals: Breakfast
We'll see a symbolic site of Jewish cultural identity and experience a timeless therapy with a full-day excursion to Masada and the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth and containing a whopping 34% salt concentration! But first, we’ll drive along its shores past Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. In Masada, we’ll stop to ride a cable car up the mountain for a tour of a mountaintop fortress built by King Herod, a UNESCO World Heritage site where Jewish rebels held off a Roman siege and committed mass suicide rather than surrender. At a spa hotel on the Dead Sea’s shores, we’ll enjoy lunch, pool and beach, as well as the chance to "float" on the therapeutic waters of the Dead Sea. The sense of buoyancy is amazing! After several relaxing hours, we’ll tour Ahava Laboratories, which makes beauty products with Dead Sea minerals, before returning to Jerusalem late this afternoon.
2024 Departures: Before reaching Masada, visit the Oasis of Ein Gedi, the biggest oasis in the country.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
We’ll visit Yad Vashem—the moving, heartbreaking memorial dedicated to the remembrance of the Holocaust—tour the Israel Museum’s renowned Shrine of the Book, which houses the 2,000-year-old Dead Sea Scrolls, and stroll through the peaceful Billy Rose Sculpture Garden.
2024 Departures: After visiting the museum, we'll take a short drive to see the 9/11 Memorial.
Meals: Breakfast
Our exploration of Jerusalem continues with a guided walking tour of the Old City. Highlights include the colorful bazaar (where you’re sure to find unique souvenirs), David’s Citadel and the Tower of David Museum, which spans the entire history of Jerusalem. This afternoon is at leisure or join the Bethlehem & Nativity optional tour. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner with your fellow travelers.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast, we'll say goodbye to our tour director and travel to Eilat, Israel’s sun and beach destination. Located on the calm waters of another very salty sea, Israel’s southern-most city offers pure relaxation and exciting activities. Our tour host will greet us upon arrival at our resort hotel and assist us with check in and offer a brief orientation. Once settled in, we can enjoy free time to relax at the pool or on the beach, stroll along the seafront promenade and dine in outdoor cafés and restaurants.
Accommodations: Caesar Premier Hotel Eilat or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Take an unforgettable full-day excursion to mystical Petra, Jordan. Built over 2,000 years ago as the Nabatean capital, Petra is one of the world’s most marvelously preserved archaeological sites. Once a flourishing city, Petra was lost by the middle of the 7th century to all but the local Bedouin tribes after an earthquake and changes in trading routes. Today only about fifteen percent of this beautiful city has been explored. Our tour host will escort us as far as the border where we'll get our Jordan visa and then we'll continue to Petra where we'll meet our local expert. We'll explore this rose-colored city carved out of rock face and view the imposing facades of palaces, temples and tombs before returning to Eilat late today.
*Please note: Jordan visa and border crossing fees are not included in the price and will be collected at the border.
Meals: Breakfast
Today is all about soaking up Eilat’s famous sun and surf. Additional options are a visit to the Coral Reef Underwater Observatory, the Dolphin Reef (snorkel with dolphins!) or a jeep excursion to view desert wildlife.
Meals: Breakfast
Today, travel back to Jerusalem where the remainder of the day is at leisure.
Accommodations: Lady Stern (2023) Bat Sheva (2024) or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Our tour comes to an end after breakfast today. Travelers who purchased our air-inclusive program will transfer to the airport for our return flight to the U.S.
Meals: Breakfast
Instant Savings of up to $400 per person for a handful of spots on select dates. While supplies lasts, ends Sep 29.
Prices listed as “with flights” below include round-trip
airfare from one or more airports in the USA.
Travelers may choose to purchase the tour only,
and arrange their own arrival in destination.
Please note this may change your tour start date.
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Rates are per person based on double occupancy.
Single supplement applies when not sharing a room. Select a
date above to see the rates for that specific departure.
For more information on this tour, please
contact us here
or call us during business hours (Monday-Friday from 9:00 am - 5:30 pm Eastern)
at 1.800.337.7773.
Reservations and Payments
Reservations can be made online or by phone
(1.800.337.7773)
and will be confirmed upon receipt of your non-refundable,
non-transferable deposit, which must be received at the
time of reservation.
Deposits are $300 per person.
Full payment is due 90 days prior to departure.
Space and prices subject to availability.
Please see the
smarTours Terms and Conditions for complete
booking information.
Optional Tours
Customize your trip with these optional tours.
Enhance your trip with our recommended optional tours.
Indicated optional tours are available to pre-book
when you reserve your trip and can be added to your
reservation up to final payment. This is the best option
to guarantee your spot on your preferred optional tour!
Optional tours require a minimum number of participants.
Optional tours are non-refundable unless they do not operate.
Some optional tours can be purchased in-destination and
may cost extra. The payment methods and currency
information to purchase tours in-destination will be
provided on final documentation.
The Bethlehem tour will involve leaving the State of Israel and crossing the border into the Palestinian Authority. Once you arrive in the West Bank, you will be met by your Palestinian guide, who will accompany you on this tour. You will visit the Church of the Nativity, commemorating the birthplace of Jesus Christ, where you will see meticulously restored mosaics.
AVAILABLE TO PRE-BOOK!
2023 departures only
On this optional excursion, you’ll witness the beginning of the Sabbath services at the Western Wall before proceeding to the Hass Promenade for amazing views of Jerusalem and the illuminated walls surrounding the old city.
AVAILABLE TO PRE-BOOK!
Featured Accommodations
121 Hayarkon Street
Tel Aviv, 63453 Israel
14 Eliezer Peri Street, Tel-Aviv
Website
Kibbutz Nof Ginosar, Ginosar 1498000 Israel
Website
204 Jaffa Street
Jerusalem, Israel 9438301
Website
42 King George St., Jerusalem
Website