10-Day Tour of Israel
w/Optional Egypt Extension

Tour members meet for our flight to Israel. After dinner, relax and enjoy on-board entertainment as we prepare for this exciting adventure.

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.

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.

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). Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.

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).

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.

The day begins on the Mt. of Olives with a panoramic view of Jerusalem. Here we travel to the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of the Agony via the Palm Sunday Road. Enter Jerusalem, the “Old City”, through the Zion Gate to the Western Wall (the holiest site in Judaism) and Temple Mount purchased by King David (2 Samuel 24:18-25). We walk the Via Dolorosa, including stops at St. Anne’s Church, Pools of Bethesda, the Pavement, and the Ecce Homo Arch. We conclude our walk at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, then travel down to the original steps Jesus climbed as he entered the Temple Area. We finish with a visit to Bethlehem, passing by Rachel’s tomb on our way to the Church of the Nativity, and Shepherds’ Field. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

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.

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.

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.

Our Egyptian adventure begins as we cross the Taba border. Before tomorrow’s ancient explorations, we’ll settle into our hotel in St. Catherine, enjoy dinner, and rest.

In the early morning hours, we will gather in the hotel lobby (2:00 a.m.) to begin our ascent of Mount Moussa, the biblical Mountain of Moses, where tradition holds that Moses received the Ten Commandments. Those who choose not to climb can relax at the hotel. The climb, following the Path of Moses with its nearly 4,000 steps, will take about three hours, culminating in a breathtaking sunrise at the peak. After descending, we will visit St. Catherine’s Monastery, built around what is believed to be the site of the Burning Bush, and home to priceless works of art. Later, we will transfer to Sharm El Sheikh airport for a short flight to Cairo, where we check into our hotel for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, we will explore some of Egypt’s most iconic ancient sites. We will begin at the Pyramids of Giza, where we will marvel at the Great Pyramid of Cheops, enter the King’s Chamber, and visit the Solar Boat Museum to see a 4,500-year-old cedar wood boat. Nearby these pyramids stands the majestic Great Sphinx. Next, we will visit the Necropolis of Saqqara to see King Zoser’s Step Pyramid, the oldest stone pyramid in Egypt. Our day will conclude in Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt, where we will view the impressive limestone Colossus of Ramses II. We return to Cairo for dinner and overnight.

Our day will begin with a visit to the Museum of Antiquities, home to the world’s largest collection of Pharaonic treasures, including the famous golden treasures of Tutankhamen. We will then proceed to the Citadel, where we will explore the opulent Alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali. Our journey continues with visits to the ancient Suspended Church and the Church of St. Sergius, built over the cave where the Holy Family is believed to have stayed. We will also visit the Synagogue of Ben Ezra, where, according to tradition, Moses was saved by Pharaoh’s daughter. Finally, we will stroll through the lively Khan El Khalili Bazaar, a bustling market full of traditional crafts and souvenirs, before returning to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

On our final day, we will transfer to Cairo Airport for our return flight to the U.S.A., arriving home later the same day, carrying with us the memories of our remarkable journey through Egypt.