Jerusalem over day

Jerusalem:

Mount  of Olives: from here we enjoy the panorama of the Old City and we have a first glance of the places we are going to visit

Old City:

We come very close to the Jewish sanctuary of biggest importance, the Western Wall, then we follow the catholic Way of Cross beginning from the fifth station to its end – to the tomb of Jesus. It is located in the Holy Sepulcher Church. There, we also visit Golgotha (also known as Calvary) the site of Jesus’  execution .

Mount of Zion: Here, we discover where Jesus had his last supper and we have a look on David’s tomb.

Bethlehem:

In Bethlehem there is a lunch break, souvenir shopping occasion and the visit of the Church of Nativity, the eldest working church and Jesus’ birth place.

Dead Sea:

The Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth (427 metres below sea level).  It also has the highest salt content in the world ( 27% - Red Sea has 8% only). The Dead Sea is famous for its benefits to health and beauty.  At the Dead Sea we stop for approximately 1h 20 min to have a swim.

Time frames:

From Sharm el Sheikh to Taba border:  2.5 h excluding a 15 min stop on the way.

Border  crossing:  Approximately 1.5 h depending on tourist traffic.

From border to Jerusalem/ Mount of Olives: Approximately 4h excluding one stop on the way

Time spent in Jerusalem: 2.5 – 3.5 h

Travel time between Jerusalem and Bethlehem:  20 min

Time spent in Bethlehem : approximately 3h

Time spent on Dead Sea:  around 1.5h

Further important information:

Border:

It is necessary to prepare Egyptian departure and arrival cards, so the guests should bring a pen with them.  A fee of 2LE has to be paid by visa holders (blue white passport sticker).

The border has three parts, Egyptian part, no man’s land and Israeli  border. The guests will encounter double security check and double passport control.  On Israeli part of the border it is not allowed to leave the luggage unattended at any time . Do not carry any weapons.  Tunisian, Moroccan, Algerian, Syrian and border stamp  holders from Lebanon and the Emirates will have a security interview, but can enter Israel. Please remark, that temporary passports are not accepted in Israel!!! It is also necessary to possess a passport to cross the border. ID cards are not enough.

Guide:

The guide is usually waiting at the border or at the Dead Sea, which is located  half way to Jerusalem (2h driving time).

Visiting order:

The visiting order is as shown above, but it may vary according to traffic and waiting times in the city. The stop at the Dead Sea may take place on the way to Jerusalem OR on the way back, depending on time of the year and time of leaving the border.

Money:

Money change is not needed, Euro and Dollar are accepted in Israel, British pound is uncommon. Egyptian money is accepted in Bethlehem only.

Lunch:

Lunch break takes place in Bethlehem.  It is served as an open buffet. The drinks are extra charged.

Clothes:

Absolutely necessary are clothes which cover shoulders, neck, back, belly, décolleté, knees (for both sexes!) to enter the holy sites.