Arrive in Cairo International airport, the ‘city of a thousand minarets’. You will be met and transferred to your city centre hotel ahead of this evening’s welcome dinner and briefing.

Visit Egypt’s most iconic sites: the Pyramids of Giza and the unblinking Sphinx, guardian of the mortuary complex. The Sphinx was poetically described by the writer John Lawson Stoddard as 'grand in its loneliness; veiled in the mystery of unnamed ages.' After lunch, explore the atmospheric Cairo Museum* with its collections of statues, mummies and pharaonic treasures. Later, explore the Khan el Khalili Bazaar, a souk famed for its precious and semiprecious jewellery. *Please note: Should the new Grand Egyptian Museum be open when you travel, then the Cairo Museum visit will be replaced by a visit to the new Grand Egyptian Museum, to which the artefacts will be moved.

Spend the morning exploring Cairo’s oldest district, the Coptic Quarter. Explore its Coptic churches and the impressive Christian artefact collection at the Coptic Museum. Later, continue to Sakkara, an ancient necropolis famed for its painted catacombs and the famous Step Pyramid of Djoser. Built for the Pharaoh by his architect, the high priest Imhotep, this 27th BC structure was Egypt’s first ever pyramid. Inside, you’ll see wonderful carvings on the alabaster stone walls. Visiting the Step Pyramid of Djoser requires some crouching to walk down a short sloping tunnel. The tunnel is both the entrance and exit, and you will be able to turn around if uncomfortable. You can opt to wait for the group outside the pyramid if you prefer.

Take the desert road to Alexandria, on Egypt’s northern coast. This afternoon, discover Alexandria’s breathtaking highlights, from the Roman theatre to the beautifully-carved Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, a 2nd century construction and one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages. Three tiers of underground tombs are found here, with atmospheric reliefs of gods and serpentine spirits carved into the walls. Pause to admire the renovated 15th-century Qaitbay Citadel, once an important defensive stronghold on Africa’s Mediterranean coastline.

Depart Alexandria and visit nearby El Alamein, the site of two key battles during World War II. The Allied Victory in the second battle was instrumental in ending the Axis threat to Egypt. Visit the military museum and Commonwealth war cemeteries. Head southeast back to Cairo, stopping en route to visit the historic Monastery of St Macarius the Great, continuously inhabited by Coptic Orthodox monks from the 4th century up to the present day.

Take a short flight from Cairo to the city of Luxor, boarding your 5-star Nile cruise ship before lunch. This afternoon, we visit sites around Luxor’s East Bank, exploring the Temples of Luxor and Karnak. Both are dedicated to the Theban Triad: the sun god Amun the Creator, his consort Mut (mother of the world) and their son Khonsu, god of the moon. Return to the ship for dinner.

Start the day with a visit to Luxor’s West Bank, one of the most stunning landscapes in Egypt. Our day begins with a stop at the eerie Colossi of Memnon statues before continuing to the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir-el-Bahari, the mortuary complex of one of Egypt’s earliest female pharaohs. Continue to the Valley of the Kings, burial site of almost all New Kingdom pharaohs of the 18th, 19th and 20th dynasties. Visit the tomb of Tutankhamun, along with some other tombs of your choice. The Valley’s many-chambered tombs are richly decorated with vibrant wall paintings depicting the stories of their rule, their gods and legends of the afterlife. This evening, the ship sails to the farming town of Esna.

Continue to Edfu, south of Esna, to visit the Temple of Horus and its wealth of inscriptions. Although it was built under the Ptolemaic dynasty, its style appears much older, and it remains impressively intact. During lunch, sail to the agricultural town of Kom Ombo, famous for its Ptolemaic-era twin temples to falcon-headed Horus and crocodile-headed Sobek. This evening, sail toward Aswan.

Rise early and journey southwest to the iconic temples of Abu Simbel, at Egypt’s furthest edge. The Great Temple here is dedicated to Ramesses II, sometimes said to be the greatest pharaoh of the New Kingdom; four 66-foot-high statues of him flank its entrance, and many more enormous statues and halls filled with wall paintings are to be seen inside. To the right of the Ramesses temple entrance is the Small Temple, dedicated to Nefertari (Ramesses’ chief queen) and the sky deity Hathor, the symbolic mother of all pharaohs. Return to the ship in Aswan. The drive from Aswan to Abu Simbel takes around three hours, but is almost universally considered worth the journey by all who have visited in the two centuries since its discovery. Many consider it the highlight of Egypt.

Spend the morning exploring the great monuments around Aswan. You’ll visit the 3600-metre long High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and the majestic Temple of Philae. This afternoon, board a traditional felucca boat and enjoy a relaxing cruise around the area before dinner. This evening, fly back to Cairo, where you’ll stay in a hotel near the airport ahead of tomorrow’s flight to Jordan.

Fly to Amman and be transferred to your city centre hotel ahead of this evening’s briefing and welcome dinner.

Continue to Jerash, an ancient Roman city known as ‘the Pompeii of the East’; it is one of the best-preserved Roman towns outside Italy. Learn about the city's history and explore its many archaeological remains. Take a short drive on to the town of Ajloun, a small town overlooked by the Saracen fortress of Qa'lat Al Rabad in the Jordan Valley. Stop by the Biscuit House, a community project providing employment to local women, and try your hand at one of the heritage crafts preserved here. After, head back to Amman and relax before dinner.

Enjoy a tour of the old city of Amman this morning, exploring Amman’s Roman amphitheatre and the hilltop Citadel, home to ruins from many periods of Amman’s history. Later, head out of the city for a visit to some of Jordan's Desert Castles, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Qasr Amra, a stunning example of early Islamic art and architecture and boasting impressive frescoed ceilings. Stop at the mysterious site of Al Kharanah, a many-roomed house or palace about which little is known, before visiting the intriguing Azraq Castle. Built in the 13th century, Azraq also served as Lawrence of Arabia’s headquarters in the winter of 1917, during the Great Arab Revolt.

After breakfast, you will make your way to Mount Nebo. It is said to be from here that Moses viewed the promised land in Canaan before his death. Explore the ruins of Nebo’s 4th and 5th-century churches, whose floors are still covered with marvellous and intricate mosaics. Continue to the town of Madaba to visit the Orthodox Church of St George and the Madaba Mosaic Map, the oldest surviving depiction of the Holy Land. Your evening ends in the town of Petra, where we’ll enjoy an authentic Levantine cooking class, preparing soup, appetisers and a main course under the expert eye of a local chef.

This morning you will marvel at the beauty of Petra, the ‘Lost City of the Nabateans’ carved directly into the rugged sandstone cliffs. Surrounded by imposing mountains, the former capital of the Nabatean Empire is approached through a deep cleft in the rocks known as the Siq. Rounding the last corner of the Siq and being confronted with the magnificent façade of the famous Treasury is an emotive experience for many travellers. Your guide will introduce you to Petra’s many secrets before an afternoon at leisure. This evening, we’ll return to Petra and experience the unforgettable sight of the Treasury lit by over a thousand candles. Enhanced by the play of light and shadow, ‘Petra by Candlelight’ is an altogether overwhelming experience.

Spend the morning at Little Petra, a nearby Nabatean site on a smaller scale and less well-known to visitors. Look out for the Painted Biclinium room with its remains of Nabatean wall-paintings. Journey to Wadi Rum; the ‘Valley of the Moon’. This adventurer’s paradise epitomises the romance of the Arabian desert, with ancient valleys and towering sandstone mountains erupting dramatically from the white and pink sands. A 4x4 will whisk you through the dunes to see ‘Lawrence’s Road’, visiting the most spectacular sights of Wadi Rum. Hear its long history and role in the Great Arab Revolt and the story of Lawrence of Arabia. Drive among sand dunes and canyons with Bedouin petroglyphs, and venture through the dry oasis to see the iconic Seven Pillars of Wisdom. These rough, coarse columns of sandstone and granite were originally called Jabal Al-Mazmar, and renamed after Lawrence’s autobiography. This evening you will stay in a unique desert camp – a wonderful opportunity for stargazing and a chance to experience diyafah (Bedouin hospitality). Please note that temperatures in Wadi Rum can drop sharply at night. Make sure to bring a warm jacket with you. You will be camping in a large Bedouin en-suite tent with electricity and all necessary amenities.

Depart Wadi Rum this morning, heading north along the Jordanian/Israeli border to the Dead Sea – the lowest point on earth. Many travellers come to bathe in these unique waters and the high salt content and mineral-rich mud are said to bring many health benefits. After lunch, you are free to enjoy the delights of the Dead Sea, bathing in its super-buoyant waters, or perhaps simply relax in your hotel room before dinner.

After breakfast you will transfer to Tel Aviv for your tour of Israel and Palestine. Relax and settle in ahead of the welcome dinner and briefing. This trendy Mediterranean port city is both ancient and cosmopolitan, boasting famous architecture, endless beaches, world- class cuisine and a collection of UNESCO-recognised buildings.

Begin your explorations with a walk through the beautiful and historic district of Jaffa, on the edge of Tel Aviv. This historic and charming old town is famed for its various legendary associations and biblical stories. Drive to Caesarea Maritima to view the fascinating ancient and medieval ruins of this coastal city. Visit the double aqueduct and the restored Roman theatre with its stunning Mediterranean views before continuing to the Crusader fortifications to admire the imposing thirteenth-century defences. Drive 40 minutes to the slopes of Mount Carmel to meet the Druze ethnoreligious community. The unique Druze faith incorporates aspects of many different religions, including but not limited to Christian, Islamic and Buddhist traditions. Explore a local bazaar and enjoy a local lunch before a short drive to the viewpoint at Mukraqa, a viewpoint atop Mt. Carmel, to see the Carmelite Monastery of St. Elijah. Finish the day with dinner in Nazareth, the childhood town of Jesus and our base for the next two nights.

Head to Kibbutz Degania Bet, an expansion of Israel's very first Kibbutz (Degania Alef). Tour the community and learn about the polarising Kibbutz movement, originally conceptualised as a utopian agrarian community in the early 20th century. Continue to Tabgha on the northern shores of the Sea of Galilee, held to be the site of the miracle of the Feeding of the Five Thousand. Visit the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes, home to some of the finest 5th century mosaics in Israel. Drive 10 minutes east along the shore to Capernaum to visit the archaeological remains of the 3rd-4th century synagogue, built on the site where Jesus is believed to have performed many miracles, including the raising of Jairus’ daughter from the dead. Explore the ruins of its white limestone halls and look out for impressive architectural reliefs and decorative Corinthian capitals. Walk 30 metres to the south to visit the excavations of the House of St Peter, visible through the glass floor of the modern church which has been built over them. From here, a short drive brings you to the Mount of Beatitudes, the site of the Sermon on the Mount, as told in the Gospel according to Matthew. Admire the view over the Galilee region before lunch. Head west to Acre (Hebrew name Akko) to visit the Crusader Fortress here before dinner. Return to Nazareth.

Explore Nazareth’s famous Church of the Annunciation, believed to be where Gabriel first appeared to Mary. Afterwards, enjoy a scenic two-hour drive through the Jordan River Valley to Qasr El Yahud. Believed to be the original site of Christ’s baptism by John, this is one of the three most significant Christian pilgrimage sites in the world. The site is located in the West Bank and administered by the Israeli Ministry of Tourism. Continue to the city of Jericho, administered by the Palestinian Authority, for a cable car journey to the Quarantal Monastery. The monastery clings to the cliff face of the Mount of Temptation, considered to be the site of the Devil’s third and final attempt to tempt Jesus during his forty-day fast. The cable car journey across the valley takes seven minutes, pausing halfway for you to enjoy the panoramic view over the region. Later, continue to the Dead Sea for an unforgettable experience – floating at leisure in its super-buoyant, salt-rich waters.

Drive one hour to the impregnable mountain of Masada, ascending to the summit by cable car. Visit the archaeological remains of the fortress built by King Herod the Great c. 37 BC. Hear the story of the Siege of Masada in 73-74 AD – the fateful and controversial last stand of the Jews against Rome in the First Jewish-Roman War, as recorded by Josephus. Continue to Qumran, the site where the ancient religious texts known as the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered by shepherds in the 1940s. From here, drive on to Bethlehem, re-entering Palestinian-administered territory. Enjoy a Palestinian dancing show during dinner this evening (group size permitting) and stay in Bethlehem overnight.

This morning visit the UNESCO-listed Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, birthplace of Jesus and one of the most holy and significant Christian sites in the world. Enter via the tiny Door of Humility (made smaller by Crusaders to prevent their enemies riding in on horseback) and descend the stairs to the Grotto of the Nativity – atmospherically lit by lanterns and marked by a 14-pointed silver star. Continue to Jerusalem to visit the famous Western Wall, an iconic site in the Holy Land. The wall is the last remnant of the original Temple Mount retaining wall, which supported the First and Second Temples of Jerusalem. Head underground to visit Jerusalem's Western Wall Tunnels (also known as the Wailing Wall) to view the original stonework from the period of King Herod the Great. Then, walk along the points of the Stations of the Cross to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Jesus is said to have been crucified and resurrected. Continue to Temple Mount itself, sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims, where you will find the Dome of the Rock and Al Aksa Mosque. Please note that there is a lot of walking today, though the walking will be at a leisurely pace. Be aware that wearing religious symbols on Temple Mount is forbidden. Be aware that your guide may change the order of touring in Jerusalem to provide you with the best experience, based on how busy certain sites are. No touring will be missed.

Head outside the Old City to Mount Zion to visit the Cenacle (the room of the Last Supper), King David's Tomb and the Abbey of the Dormition. After lunch, drive to the Mount of Olives, a site of much significance in both the Old and New Testaments – not least as the site of Christ’s Ascension. Visit the Pater Noster Church and the Church of the Ascension and admire the view over Jerusalem before walking down into Josaphat Valley to the Garden of Gethsemane, site of Christ’s arrest, to admire its ancient olive trees. End your tour with an authentic Shabbat dinner experience, hosted and prepared by a local rabbi. This fascinating experience will help you to gain an understanding of Jerusalem's Orthodox Jewish community, and gain an insight into their lives. Please note that there is a lot of walking today, though this will be at a leisurely pace. Please watch your footing whilst walking down the Mount of Olives, and ensure you are wearing sensible footwear.

Transfer from Jerusalem to Ben Gurion International airport, Tel Aviv for your return flight.