Middle East: Fall or late winter?

When is Ramadan? That will have some impact on activities.

Maria F, Ramadan is in April. Shouldn't affect any of the potential itineraries.

I was due to be in the Jordan port last April and had arranged with a taxi/drivers to pick me up from the ship, take me to Petra, and we would arrange a pick up time. Easy peasy. TripAdvisor will give you the names of some drivers or I can send the details that were recommended to me. Of course, that didn't happen, but I've have rebooked for Nov 2021, so 'maybe'. They say staying over night to see the night show is worth the effort. There are numerous hotels right there.
Wadi Rum is supposed to be 'magical', particularly for overnight tent visits; so may be worth trying to consider as well.

If the trip finishes in Eilat, though a bit of a hassle, you can get from Eilat to Aqaba Jordan. In fact, I am sure there are some discussions here on how to do that.
Chani may chime in, but it seems that Israel and Jordan are doable on one's own. Ethiopia may be more difficult; so here is an opportunity to see it.

The few people that I know that have been to Ethiopia say it’s a great, beautiful country to visit, albeit if you get into rural parts, the accommodation is very “rustic”. I would take this option any day over your other options which are mainstream and easy to cover elsewhere.

Thanks to all for your replies.

I have postponed my trip to February/March, starting with 8 nights in Ethiopia and ending in southern Israel. And I discovered that there are several companies doing day trips from Eilat to Petra, so I will plan on adding that at the end of my tour.

I actually feel relieved. I've been anxious about heading over there in October/November, unsure of what to expect. I think there's a much better chance of things returning to some semblance of normal a year from now. At least I hope that will be the case.

I think you made the right decision Lane. Can’t wait to read about it on your blog!

Maybe it's too late, but here are my thoughts.

1. mid-January is a bit early because of the likelihood of cold weather and the shorter days. I don't know that there's all that much of interest for 5 days in Palestine. The most interesting places are Bethlehem and Jericho. Bethlehem is easily visited independently from Jerusalem, with or without a guide. Jericho is farther but also accessible by public bus or with a private guide (easier to get to the "best" sight there - Hisham's Palace - with a guide).
2. not too bad. The weather is simply unpredictable at this time of year. I spent 4 days in the Galilee and Golan Heights last week (hotels just reopened for vaccinated guests), weather was mostly good, just a little rain, lots of sun, not cold, but a couple weeks earlier there was a lot of snow and really cold weather there and in Jerusalem. February/March is spring here - there were lots of wildflowers. Tomorrow's going to be over 80F nd full sun but 2 days later it'll be rainy and 50s. Two years ago I was in Jordan for 5 days at the end of February and the weather was glorious - warm and sunny and tons of wildflowers. I would encourage you to take a tour that includes Jordan. Petra is very interesting but Jerash in the jewel of Jordan and there's more besides that. You must have a guide for Wadi Rum (you need a jeep and someone who knows the desert - there's not much in the way of roads) and you won't want to miss it. You don't need a guide for Petra. You can get a taxi (or probably a bus) at the Eilat/Aqaba border crossing and stay in a hotel in Petra and walk to the sight. If the border's open, it's likely that the Israeli tour operators will have tours going again that include a guided tour of Wadi Rum. Keep an eye on Desert Eco Tours. I used them a number of years ago and I've heard good things about them ever since.
3. I haven't been the Ethiopia but I'm sure it's very interesting. What are the details of 5 days "Eilat, and other locations along the Egyptian border" - I can't think of 5 days worth of stuff there when the water's too cold for bathing - and it will be icy cold in March/April.

On the whole March weather is warmer and drier than February. One caveat - no one knows what the border crossings will be like - including to Bethlehem, the Sinai (Egypt) and Jordan.

Chani, thank you so much for your detailed reply!

We won't actually be staying in Eilat. We'll fly to Eilat from TLV and have half a day there before heading to Neot Semadar kibbutz, where we spend two nights. On the second day we visit Timna Park. On day three we go to Mitzpe Ramon, with a stop on the way at Sde Boker. We stay three nights in Mitzpe Ramon. On day four we visit Makhtesh Ramon, and on day five we visit Erez.

I've discovered several tour companies that offer one-day trips from Eilat to Petra, but I'd love to go on my own if that's easy. Do you recommend staying overnight there? And would a tour of Wadi Rum go from Petra or from Eilat? It would be easier, I think, to get a hotel in Eilat at the end of the tour and do daytrips, rather than bringing my luggage with me. I assume the best way to get home at the end of this is to fly from Eilat back to TLV.

Would you mind if I send you a private message with more questions as the time gets closer?