DAY 1- Depart USA

Depart from USA airport to Ben Gurion International Airport, Israel.

DAY 2 – Arrival

Welcome to Israel! You will be met at Ben Gurion International Airport by your guide and driver. Time permitting, we will drive to the Old City of Jaffa for a walking tour of this ancient port town, before following the Mediterranean Coast north to the coastal town of Netanya/Tel Aviv where we will spend the night and celebrate the beginning of our trip with dinner.

Overnight: Netanya / Tel Aviv (D)

DAY 3 – Caesarea, Megiddo, Mt. Carmel, Sepphoris, Mt Precipice

We start the morning in the ancient capital of Judea, Caesarea (Acts 10), before leaving the coast behind as we climb into the heart of the Mount Carmel Range (1 Kings 18). We visit the biblical tel of Megiddo (Armageddon; 1 Kings 9:15; Rev. 16:16), and continue to the lower Galil. Here we will tour Zippori (Sepphoris) to see the famous mosaic of the “Mona Lisa of the Galilee” and finally visit Mount Precipice on the outskirts of Nazareth. We end the day at our hotel close to the Sea of Galilee.

Overnight: Tiberius (B,D)

DAY 4 – Mt. Arbel, Jesus Boat, Capernaum, Tabgha, Mt. of Beatitudes, Korazim, Beitsaida lookout, Sea of Galilee, Yardenit

We start our day atop Mt. Arbel where we have a phenomenal view over the Sea of Galilee (John 6:23). We continue to the shores of the lake where we have a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, including worship on the water. We then see the “Jesus boat” from the first century; a vessel found here along the shores in 1986. We continue on to Capernaum, where Jesus spent the majority of his ministry in Galilee, before visiting Tabgha, remembering the story of the feeding of the 5,000. This afternoon, we will spend some time at the Mount of Beatitudes and read from Matthew 5, the Sermon on the Mount. We will visit the Valley of Bethsaida hometown of Peter, Andrew, and Philip, and the Gospel Scenic Lookout there. Time permitting, we will stop at the cursed city of Chorazin where an impressive ancient synagogue stands. We will end our day at the Yardenit baptismal site, where those who wish can enter the flowing waters of the Jordan River.

Overnight: Tiberius (B,D)

DAY 5 – Tel Hazor, Tel Dan, Caesarea Philippi, Mt. Bental, Golan Heights.

After breakfast, we make our way north through the Hula Valley stopping first at Tel Hazor, a city conquered by Joshua (Joshua 11:10-14). We then head to Tel Dan where we will see the gate of Abraham, as well as the city remains from the Israelite period. We continue to Caesarea Philippi where Peter declares Jesus to be the Messiah (Matt. 16). Next, we climb the Golan Heights, to the Mt. Bental overlook. From this former military base, we can look into Syrian territory and learn about the village of Kunetra and the 1967 & 1973 wars. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.

Overnight: Tiberius (B,D)

DAY 6 – Beit Shean, Jericho, Dead Sea

This morning we leave the Galilee behind as we make our way along the Jordan Valley. The highway takes us to the Biblical site of Beit Shean, a well-preserved Decapolis Roman city. Here the bodies of King Saul and his sons were hung from the city walls after they were defeated by the Philistines (1 Samuel 31:10-12). We continue our drive through the Wilderness of Judah to Jericho, where we view from outside the ancient city where the wall came tumbling down (Joshua 2-6; Mark 10:46; Luke 19:1). We then continue to Kaser-El Yehuda Baptismal site where tradition says Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. We make our way to our hotel at the Dead Sea, where we have an opportunity to swim/float (included) in the mineral rich lake, or enjoy a spa treatment at the hotel (not included).

Overnight: Dead Sea (B,D)

DAY 7 – Masada, Ein Gedi, Qumran, Jerusalem

After breakfast, we depart the Dead Sea and make our way to Masada. Here we ascend high above the wilderness by way of the cable car, to the mountain-top fortress built by King Herod. We survey the ruins of the fortifications, waterworks, synagogue, bath house and palaces. We have an optional walk down the snake path, or descend by cable car. We then continue our drive to Ein Gedi, where David hid from King Saul. We enjoy a walk to the waterfalls, hopefully seeing ibex and coney (hyrax), along the way. This afternoon, we drive to the northern Dead Sea shore, to Qumran and the settlement there dating from the first century when it was inhabited by a Jewish sect who hid the Dead Sea Scrolls, possibly the Essenes. We then begin our ascent of 4,000 feet in 13 miles to the majestic city of Jerusalem. Upon entering Jerusalem, we make a stop at Mount Scopus for a panoramic view over the city before proceeding to our hotel.

Overnight: Jerusalem (B,D)

DAY 8 – Temple Mount, St. Annes / Bethesda pool, Hezekiah’s Tunnel, Pool Of Silom, City of David, Bethlehem

We will have an early start to visit the Temple Mount, the platform on which the Jewish Temple stood prior to its destruction in 70ad, and today is home to the Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa Mosque which can be viewed from the outside. We continue to the Pools of Bethesda where Jesus healed the lame man in John 5 and the church of St. Anne. Our morning continues at the City of David where we will walk through the 2,700 year old Hezekiah’s Tunnel, ending up at the Pool of Siloam (John 9). This afternoon we drive to Bethlehem. After lunch (not included) we will visit the Church of the Nativity including the Grotto of Nativity believed to be the birthplace of Christ. Return to Jerusalem.

Overnight: Jerusalem (B,D)

DAY 9 – Mt. of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane, Mt. Zion, House of Caiaphas, Western Wall Tunnels, Sound and Light Show David Tower

We begin our sightseeing with a visit to the Mt. of Olives, beholding a breath-taking panorama of the Holy City. We visit Pater Noster and then walk down the “Palm Sunday” route to the Garden of Gethsemane. We pass through the Kidron Valley to Mt. Zion where we will visit the House of Caiaphas. We return to the Old City of Jerusalem where we visit the Western Wall, and tour through the Western Wall Tunnels. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to peruse the Old City souk, or maybe one of the areas of modern Jerusalem. Following dinner, we will take a short walk through the Mamila promenade to the Sound & Light Show at the Tower of David.

Overnight: Jerusalem (B,D)

DAY 10 – Israel Museum with Shrine of the Book, Yad VaShem, Garden Tomb

This morning we visit the Israel Museum where we will see the Shrine of the Book, home to the Dead Sea Scrolls. We continue to Yad VaShem, the national Holocaust museum and memorial. This afternoon we visit the Garden Tomb where Jesus was crucified, buried, and resurrected. Here we will have time for worship on our last day in Jerusalem.

Overnight: Jerusalem (B,D)

DAY 11 – Elah valley, Beer Sheva, Beit Guvrin, Archaeological dig, Tel Aviv

We leave Jerusalem and head to the Valley of Elah where David slew Goliath. Then we travel to Beer Sheva in the Negev Desert, named by Abraham 4000 years ago. Here, we visit Tel Beer Sheva where archaeologists have uncovered a city dating from the early Israelite period (10th century BCE.) This city is located on the edge of the wilderness near the confluence of the Beer Sheva and Hebron streams. The meticulously planned water system of this city demonstrates impressive engineering expertise. Prepare to ‘get dirty’ as you participate in an archaeological dig in the shadow of Tel Maresha at Beit Guvrin. You will discover pottery from the time of the Maccabees and develop an appreciation for the tedious work of archaeologists! Continue to Tel Aviv to check in to our hotel, before our farewell dinner – an Israeli Food Workshop!

Overnight Tel Aviv (B,D)

Day 12 – Departure to USA

We will have breakfast in our hotel before driving to Ben Gurion airport filled with new experiences and memories we will remember forever.

*** the itinerary is subject to change due to security weather and timing conditions