"Follow in the Footsteps of Jesus" Biblical Israel with optional 5-days in Egypt

March 4-13 (or 18), 2024

Tour members will meet for our flight to Israel. After boarding our international flight, 

dinner will be served aloft. Then it’s time to relax, enjoy the on-board entertainment, 

and prepare for the adventure of a lifetime.

Day 2 – Tuesday, March 5: Arrive in Tel Aviv at Ben Gurion International airport

We proceed through customs and security and meet our agent who assists us to our

motor coach. We have a short drive to our hotel in Netanya in time for dinner and

overnight beside the Mediterranean Sea.

Day 3 – Wednesday, March 6: Caesarea, Megiddo, Mt. Carmel, Galilee, Nazareth,

Nazareth Village, Cana

This morning, we depart for the Galilee region to visit the Biblical site of Caesarea

Maritima, where Peter proclaimed the Good News to the Roman Centurion (Acts 10).

We also see Megiddo and then Mt. Carmel, where Elijah confronted those prophets

of Baal and the Asherah (1 Kings 18).  Time permitting, we stop at a Druze Village 

for a short lunch break (not included). We drive to Nazareth (Jesus’ childhood home)

visiting Nazareth Village, an authentic first century farm and re-creation of the town

Jesus grew up in. Next, we proceed to Cana (location of Jesus’ first miracle

- John 2) and the Mt. of Precipice. Afterwards, we arrive in Tiberias for dinner and 

overnight in a kibbutz hotel beside the Sea of Galilee.

Galilee Boat Ride, Bethsaida, Jordan River

Get up a little early today. Nothing compares to watching the sunrise over the Sea of Galilee. We begin at Tabgha, the traditional site of the feeding of the 5,000 and the Church that marks Peter telling Jesus three times, that he loves him. At the Mount of Beatitudes we spend time reflecting and worshipping with our focus on the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). Then we arrive in Capernaum, Jesus’ home base for His earthly ministry. Afterwards, we board a replica wooden “Jesus Boat” to sail on the Sea of Galilee. For those interested, our lunch stop includes the option of ordering the special St. Peter’s Fish (not included). After lunch, we visit Gadara and Bethsaida (time permitting) before we arrive at the Jordan River baptismal site.  

Dinner and overnight are back in Tiberias.

Day 5 – Friday, March 8: Golan Heights, Caesarea Philippi, Tel Dan, Gideon Springs, Beit Shean, Jerusalem

After breakfast, we travel north to the Golan Heights for a beautiful view of northern Israel’s landscape in the springtime. Then we head to Caesarea Philippi where Peter confessed “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:13-16). We embark on a short hike to Dan to see the altar of Jeroboam before heading to Gideon Springs. Next we visit Beit Shean, one of the best preserved of the ten "Decapolis" Roman cities. This is where King Saul and his sons’ bodies were hung from the city walls after being defeated by the Philistines (1 Samuel 31:10-12). Finally we ascend to the majestic city of Jerusalem in time for dinner and overnight. 

  "I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go up to the house of the Lord.' Our feet are standing within your gates O Jerusalem!"

   (Psalm 122:1-2 NASB).

Day 6 – Saturday, March 9: Mt. of Olives, Palm Sunday Road, Garden of Gethsemane, Via Dolorosa, Church of the  Holy Sepulcher, Bethlehem 

We begin today on the beautiful Mt. of Olives to behold the 

breathtaking panorama of the "Holy City." Our pilgrimage

proceeds down the Old Palm Sunday Road to the ancient 

olive grove at the Garden of Gethsemane. Then we continue

on to the Church of the Agony (Church of All Nations) marking

the traditional area where Jesus prayed before his arrest. 

Next we make our way to Stephen’s Gate (also called the

Sheep Gate) to walk the Via Dolorosa – including St. Anne’s 

Crusader Church, the Pools of Bethesda, The Pavement (where

Jesus stood while being tried by Pilate), Ecce Homo Arch, and

the ancient Cardo (main street, "heart" of the ancient city.)

Dinner and overnight are in Jerusalem.

Day 7 – Sunday, March 10: Western Wall, Temple Mount, Southern Steps, Shrine of the book, Model City, Elah Valley

After breakfast, we enter the old city of Jerusalem through the Zion Gate and proceed to the Western (Wailing) Wall, the holiest site in Judaism. Beyond the wall lies the 35-acre temple area purchased by King David (2 Samuel 24:18-25), which is called the Temple Mount. This area is also the third holiest shrine in Islam, housing both the El-Aqsa Mosque and the magnificent Dome of the Rock. Next we take a short walk to the original steps that Jesus climbed as he entered the Temple area and where Peter likely preached the very first gospel sermon, (Acts 2). We depart the old city and drive to the Shrine of the Book Museum to see the Dead Sea Scrolls and the fascinating 1:50 scale model of Jerusalem as it would have appeared in Jesus’ day. We journey to Elah Valley to see the stream bed and field where David slew Goliath. Last, we return to Jerusalem for Dinner and overnight.

Day 8 - Monday, March 16: City of David, Hezekiah’s Tunnel, The Pool of Siloam, St. Peter Gallicantu, the Garden Tomb

After breakfast, we drive to the City of David then go on a short walk to Hezekiah’s Tunnel (conditions permitting). Be sure to bring a flashlight and water shoes to walk through the tunnel. Anyone wanting to stay dry can walk through the Canaanite shaft instead. If time permits, we will visit the newly excavated Pool of Siloam and the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu (Caiphas' house). We end our day in worship and communion at Golgotha and the Garden Tomb. Dinner and overnight are in Jerusalem.

Day 9 – Tuesday, March 12: Qumran, Ein Gedi, Masada, Dead Sea for Swim/Float

After breakfast, we drive to Qumran, the settlement of the Essenes - the first-century sect who authored the Dead Sea Scrolls. Time and conditions permitting, we’ll include a visit to Qasr El-Yahud, the newly-opened and likely spot in the Jordan River where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. If possible, we will also include a short visit to Jericho where the walls came tumbling down. From here, we head to Ein Gedi where David hid from King Saul.  Next, we travel south along the western shore of the Dead Sea toward Masada and ascend by cable car up to King Herod’s astonishing fortress. At the Dead Sea we may enjoy a float time in the buoyant and mineral-rich waters. Our Farewell Dinner and overnight are in our resort hotel by the Dead Sea.

Day 10  (Israel only passengers) – Wednesday, March 13: Transfer from the Dead Sea to Ben Gurion airport for our flight home

We arrive back in the U.S.A. at the close of an unforgettable tour. We carry home wonderful memories of the Old and New New Testament, a renewal of our faith, and a greater understanding of the life of our Lord. Bible accounts will now will be in vivid brilliance as we read and hear them.

OPTIONAL FIVE-DAY EGYPT AND LUXOR EXTENSION

Day 10 (Extension passengers only) – Wednesday, March 13: Transfer from the Dead Sea to Ben Gurion Airport and flight to Cairo

Upon arrival in Cairo International Airport we meet our Egyptian guide and drive to the world-famous Egyptian museum, including the special section housing the treasures of King Tutenkhamun. We will have time for shopping in the  amazing Grand Bazaar.

Dinner and overnight at our Cairo hotel on the Nile River. 

Day 11 – Thursday, March 14: Cairo, the Pyramids 

After breakfast at our hotel we will have a full day of touring visiting the Giza

plateau to see the Pyramids and the Sphinx. We'll even go inside one of the 

pyrammids. Afterwards, we'll visit the Citadel, the Muhammed Ali mosque 

(known as the Alabaster Mosque).

We return to our Cairo hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 12 – Friday, March 15: Cairo, Memphis and Sakkara

After breakfast, we travel to the Necropolis of Sakkara, the site of King

Zoser’s Step Pyramid. This vast site in the heart of the desert plateau is the

largest necropolis in Eypt. We also visit Memphis to see the stone Colossus 

of Ramses II. Here the remnants of the nation’s first capital, once the most

cosmopolitan city in Egypt, lie scattered in the desert. 

Dinner and overnight are in Cairo.

Day 13 – Saturday, March 16: Cairo, Egyptian Museum, Grand Bazaar 

After breakfast, we transfer to Cairo International for our flight to Luxor. Upon arrival we visit the fabulour Luxor Temple and the enormous Temple complex of karnak. It's splendors include the Hypostyle Hall, largest of any temple in the world, covering an area of 57,749 square feet with its roof blocks supported by 134 colossal columns 70 feet high.
Dinner and overnight are at our hotel in Luxor.

Day 14 – Sunday, March 17:  Arrive in U.S.A.

Today we explore the west bank of the Nile, including the Necropolis of Thebes and the Colossi of Memnon.  Next is the stunning temple of Hatshepsut, ancient Egypt's first female pharaoh and considered today as the most successful. We then continue to the Valley of the Kings, burial ground of the pharaohs and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For 500 years, beginning in the 16th century BC, tombs were built along this valley for pharaohs and nobles, including the "Boy King" Tutankhamun. After touring we take a short flight to Cairo where we connect to our international flight home.

Day 15 - Monday March 18:  Arrive back home in the USA. Our memory cards, minds and hearts are filled with experiences in Israel and Egypt, places we've dreamed of and memories we will carry for a lifetime. They will make the Scriptures and stories absolutely come alive for us and for others.