Daily Itinerary for our tour of Biblical Israel and the optional extension to Egypt
March 9-22, 2020
Day 2 – Tuesday, March 10: Arrive in Tel Aviv
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.
of Caesarea Maritima, where Peter proclaimed the Good News to
the Roman Centurion (Acts 10). We also see Megiddo and Mt.
Carmel, where Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18). Time permitting, we will stop at the Druze Village for a short lunch break (not included). Then we continue on to Nazareth (Jesus’
and the Mt. of Precipice. Afterwards, we arrive in Tiberias for
dinner and overnight beside the Sea of Galilee.
Capernaum, Galilee Boat Ride, Bethsaida, Jordan River
Nothing compares to watching the sunrise over the Sea of Galilee!
We begin today at the recently excavated village of Magdala on
tthe Galilee shore, then Tabgha (the traditional site of the feeding
of the 5,000) and the Church of the Primacy of Peter. We visit,
rreflect and worship at the Mt. of Beatitudes remembering Jesus'
Sermon on the Mount. Then we arrive in Capernaum, Jesus’ home
base for His earthly ministry. Afterwards, we board a replica wooden “Jesus Boat” to set 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 head to Gadara and Bethsaida (time permitting) before making our way to the Jordan River.
Day 5 – Friday, March 13: 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.
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 Tel Dan to see the altar of Jeroboam before heading to Gideon Springs. Next, we visit Beit Shean, one of the best preserved of the Decapolis Roman cities. This iswhere 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).
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
plive grove at the Garden of Gethsemane. Then we continue
on to the Church of the Agony (Church of All Nations) marking
the 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 (original street that is the "heart" of the city.)
Day 7 – Sunday, March 15: 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 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 the Elah Valley to see the brook where David slew Goliath.
Last, we return to Jerusalem for Dinner and overnight.
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 Hezekiah’s shaft. 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 17: Qumran, Ein Gedi, Masada, Dead Sea for Swim/Float
After breakfast, we drive to Qumran, the settlement of the Essenes. They were 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 excavated site the likely spot at the Jordan where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. If possible, we will also include a short visit to Jericho. 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 time to float in the buoyant waters. Our Farewell Dinner and overnight are in our resort hotel by the Dead Sea.
Day 10 – Wednesday, March 18: 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 Testament, a renewal of our faith, and a greater understanding of the life of our Lord.
OPTIONAL EGYPT EXTENSION ($1777.00 per person)
(Price, based on minimum of 15 travelers for price to be valid, includes: Visa & Border taxes of $55 and Gratuities of $75)
Day 10 – Wednesday, March 18: Transfer from the Dead Sea to Taba Border and cross into Egypt
We transfer to St. Catherine for check-in, dinner, and overnight at our hotel.
at the hotel). On the southern end of the collection of peaks,
is Mount Moussa (Mountain of Moses), biblically considered
to be where Moses received the Ten Commandments from
God. Climbing the mountain takes about 3 hours on foot
following the Path of Moses – to arrive at the peak for the
wonderful view of the sunrise. After enjoying the sunrise, we
visit St. Catherine’s Monastery at the foot of the mountain.
The monastery is the traditional site of Moses’ Burning Bush
and is a spectacular natural setting for priceless works of art.
We then transfer to Sharm El Sheikh airport for our short flight
to Cairo. Upon arrival we transfer to our hotel for dinner andovernight in Egypt
Day 12 – Friday, March 20: Cairo, Great Pyramids, Sphinx,
Memphis
After breakfast, we venture to some of Egypt’s oldest sites,
and enjoy a camel ride. We begin with the Pyramids of Giza.
The Great Pyramid of Cheops is the largest, comprised of 2.3
million stone blocks. We enter this pyramid and visit the King’s Chamber. Nearby, we journey to the Solar Boat Museum to see an ancient Egyptian cedarwood boat dating back 4,500 years. We also visit the Great Sphinx. Next, we see 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 Egypt. We end in Memphis, to see the limestone 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 21: Cairo
After breakfast, we enjoy a special tour of the Museum of Antiquities. The museum houses the greatest collection of Pharaonic treasures in the world, including the expansive Tutankhamen collection of golden treasures. We continue to the Citadel. Inside, we see the lavishly decorated Alabaster Mosque of Mohammed Ali. We continue to the famous Suspended Church, dating back to the late fourth and early
fifth centuries. We then visit the Church of St. Sergius, a fifth century Coptic church built in the cave where it is believed that Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus stayed. We arrive at the Synagogue of Ben Ezra, where baby Moses was saved by the daughter of Pharaoh’s attendant. Finally, we stroll through the famous Khan El Khalili Bazaar, a bustling warren of shops where you can bargain for rugs, copper and leather crafts, and much more. We return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 14 – Sunday, March 22: Depart Cairo, Arrive in U.S.A.
This morning we transfer to Cairo Airport for our flight back home to the U.S.A., arriving home the same day.
Our memory cards and hearts are filled with experiences in Israel and Egypt, memories we will carry for a lifetime, and images that will make the Scriptures and stories come alive!
