Day 1: Depart U.S.A.
Tour members meet for our flight to Israel. After dinner, relax and enjoy on-board entertainment as we prepare for this exciting adventure.
Day 2: Arrive in Tel Aviv
In Tel Aviv, after proceeding through customs, we’re met by our tour guide. From here, we drive to our hotel in Tel Aviv for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Caesarea, Megiddo, Mt. Carmel, Nazareth, Cana, Galilee
We start by traveling to Caesarea Maritima (Acts 10), then venture to Megiddo and Mt. Carmel (1 Kings 18). If time allows, we’ll visit a Druze Village for lunch (not included). Afterwards, we continue to Nazareth (Jesus’ childhood home), then Cana (Jesus’ first miracle - John 2), concluding our day atop Mt. Precipice. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias near the Sea of Galilee.
Day 4: Galilee, Mt. of Beatitudes, Capernaum, Boat Ride, Bethsaida, Jordan River
This morning, experience the sunrise over the Sea of Galilee! We then begin our day at Tabgha (feeding of the 5000) and the Church of the Primacy of St. Peter. We read the Sermon on the Mount at the Mt. of Beatitudes, then travel downhill to Capernaum (Jesus’ ministry base). Venturing to Ginosar, we sail on the Sea of Galilee in a replica “Jesus Boat.” Lunch features the option to try an authentic St. Peter’s Fish (not included)! After lunch, we visit Gadara and Bethsaida (time permitting) before heading to the Jordan River. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.
Day 5: Golan Heights, Caesarea Philippi, Tel Dan, Gideon Springs, Beit Shean, Jerusalem
Today we travel north to the Golan Heights for stunning views, then to Caesarea Philippi where Peter confessed, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:13-16). We take a hike through Tel Dan to see the altar of Jeroboam, and then visit Gideon Springs. Traveling south, we explore Beit Shean, where King Saul’s body was hung (1 Samuel 31:10-12). This evening, we ascend to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight. “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’ Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:1-2).
Day 6: Mt. of Olives, Palm Sunday Road, Garden of Gethsemane, Western Wall, Temple Mount, Via Dolorosa, Southern Steps, Bethlehem
This morning we drive down to Qumran, home of the Dead Sea Scrolls. From here, we head to Ein Gedi (where David hid from Saul), then travel to Masada to scale King Herod’s fortress (via cable car). Before returning to Jerusalem, we stop at the renowned Dead Sea for a swim or float. Time permitting, we’ll stop and visit Qasr el-Yahud (the traditional site of Jesus’ baptism) and possibly Jericho. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 7: Qumran, Ein Gedi, Masada, Dead Sea for Swim/Float
This morning we drive down to Qumran, home of the Dead Sea Scrolls. From here, we head to Ein Gedi (where David hid from Saul), then travel to Masada to scale King Herod’s fortress (via cable car). Before returning to Jerusalem, we stop at the renowned Dead Sea for a swim or float. Time permitting, we’ll stop and visit Qasr el-Yahud (the traditional site of Jesus’ baptism) and possibly Jericho. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 8: Shrine of the Book, Model City, City of David, Hezekiah’s Tunnel, Pool of Siloam, St. Peter Gallicantu, Garden Tomb
Today, we visit the Shrine of the Book museum to see the Dead Sea Scrolls (found in Qumran) and a 1:50 scale model of Jerusalem from Jesus’ time. Afterwards, we explore the City of David and walk through Hezekiah’s Tunnel (bring a flashlight and water shoes). Anyone wishing to stay dry can walk through Hezekiah’s Shaft. If time permits, visit the newly excavated Pool of Siloam and St. Peter in Gallicantu. We end a perfect day with worship at Golgotha and the Garden Tomb. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 9: Jerusalem, Elah Valley, Jaffa, Farewell Dinner
Leisure time in Jerusalem this morning before venturing to the Elah Valley where David slew Goliath. Afterwards, we travel to Jaffa for a visit of the Old City and then return to Jerusalem for our last overnight and Farewell Dinner.
Day 10: Ben Gurion Airport, Arrive in U.S.A.
From here, we transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for our flight back to the U.S.A. Arriving back in the U.S.A., we take home wonderful memories, renewed faith, and a greater understanding of our Lord’s life.
**Jordan Extension, Day 10: Allenby Bridge, Jordan: Madaba, Machaerus, Petra
This morning we depart Israel for Jordan via the Allenby Bridge, where we meet our agent and are assisted through security and customs. We board our motor coach to Madaba, the Moabite town of the Bible to see the Ancient Holy Land Map. Next, we travel to Machaerus (Mukawir). Perched on a 700-meter- high hill southwest of Madaba are the ruins of the fortress of Herod the Great. Machaerus is where John the Baptist was beheaded by Herod Antipas. We continue south to Petra, “the Red Rose City.” Dinner and overnight are in Petra.
**Jordan Extension, Day 11: Petra, Amman
After breakfast, we visit Petra, a 2000-year-old Nabatean city. We’ll walk about a half-mile through the narrow passageway with cliffs on either side (called the “Siq”). At the end of the Siq appears Petra’s Treasury, a massive royal tomb carved out of the solid mountain rock. Time permitting, we will see Jabal Harun - the place where Aaron is buried. We then leave in the afternoon for Amman. Dinner and overnight are in Amman.
**Jordan Extension, Day 12: Amman, Mt. Nebo, Allenby Bridge, Israel: Jaffa, Tel Aviv Airport
This morning we travel to Mt. Nebo to view the Holy Land from where Moses stood (Deuteronomy 34:1), a breathtaking view across the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea to the Mt. of Olives and the roof tops of Jerusalem. We then return to the Allenby Bridge for our return to Israel. After our border formalities, we arrive back in Israel and continue with a visit to Jaffa. Then we have dinner and an evening transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for our return flight back to the U.S.A.
**Jordan Extension, Day 13: Arrive in U.S.A.
We arrive home in the U.S.A. At the close of an unforgettable tour, we take home wonderful memories of the Old and New Testament, a renewal of our faith, and a greater understanding of the life of our Lord.