MAIN ISRAEL EXPEDITION: Mediterannean Coast, Mt. Carmel, Galilee, Golan Heights, Dead Sea & Jerusalem

From $3898 Land-Only (Including Travel Insurance)

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Day 1 & 2 - USA to the Holy Land

Depart: Tuesday, May 14

Arrive: Wednesday, May 15

Your pilgrimage begins as you depart the USA on an overnight flight. You will be welcomed at the Tel Aviv airport by our representative and transferred to your hotel to enjoy dinner where you will meet your hosts who are coming in from the Dubai pre-tour before retiring for the night.

Day 3 - The Galilee

Thursday, May 15

Worship as you sail across the Sea of Galilee. Visit Capernaum, center of Jesus’ ministry in the Galilee, and visit the synagogue built on the site where Jesus taught (Matthew 4:13, 23). On the Mount of Beatitudes, contemplate the "Sermon on the Mount" (Matthew 5-7). Enjoy an included fish-lunch at a local Galilean restaurant.  Explore the Church of the Fish and the Loaves at Tabgha, traditional site of the feeding of the 5,000 (Luke 9:10-17). See the Chapel of the Primacy, where Peter professed his devotion three times to the risen Christ (John 21). In Magdala, once home to Mary Magdalene, visit a recently discovered first-century synagogue. Recall Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist at the Jordan River.

Day 4 - Nazareth, Mt. Carmel, Tel Megiddo & Caesarea

Friday, May 16

Visit Nazareth Village, a modern-day reenactment of Jesus’ boyhood home (Matthew 2:23) built atop a 1st century excavation. Look out over the valley of Jezreel from Mt. Carmel as you retell the story of Elijah defeating the prophets of Baal, then descend to Tel Megiddo (Armageddon) to view one of the most important archaeological sites in Israel. Today’s last stop is Caesarea, a center of the early Christians where an angel visited Cornelius, the first Gentile believer (Acts 10), and where Paul was imprisoned for two years before appealing to Caesar.

Day 5 - Jordan River, Gideon's Spring (Maayan Harod), Bet She'an & Camel Ride Experience

Saturday, May 17

Start the day at a traditional baptism site in the Jordan River at Yardenit (Mouth of the Southern Jordan River). Then continue on to Gideon's Spring at Ma'ayan Harod along with Bet She'an, a city continuously inhabited for over 5,000 years. The uncovered ruins date back to the Greek / Roman city that was part of the Decapolis of Jesus' day. See colonnaded streets with marble sidewalks, Roman public baths, and a theater. We will then be treated to camel rides before ascending to Jerusalem for dinner.

Day 6 - Bethlehem & Jerusalem

Sunday, May 18

In Bethlehem, visit the cave revered as Jesus’ birthplace and see the Church of the Nativity constructed over the site (Matthew 1:18-25). Gaze out over Shepherds’ Field before returning to Jerusalem. Explore the poignant exhibits of Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust Memorial.

Day 7 - Jerusalem & the Old City

Monday, May 19

Begin your day with a group picture taken from the Mount of Olives, where Jesus ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9-12). Walk the Palm Sunday Road and pray in the Garden of Gethsemane and envision the scenes of the night before Jesus’ crucifixion (Matthew 26:36 - 44). Continue to Mount Zion to visit the House of the High Priest Caiaphas, where Jesus was questioned the night of His betrayal (Matthew 26:57). Meditate on the events of the Last Supper as you visit the traditional location of the Upper Room (Mark 14:12-26). After lunch, wander through the excavations of the City of David. Explore Hezekiah's Tunnel, an amazing engineering feat that was dug from either end and met in the middle! (Note: Those who are claustrophobic may want to meet the group at the other end of the tunnel!). Visit the Pool of Siloam, recently uncovered at the foot of the City. In the late afternoon, become an archaeologist for the day by sifting through debris from the Temple Mount excavations!

Experience:

Sound & Light Show 

Day 8 - Leisure Day (Qumran/Ein Gedi/Dead Sea Option)

Tuesday, May 20

Today you have free time to explore on your own or you may choose to visit the Dead Sea Region with the group. Visit Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947 (and enjoy some shopping in their incredible souvenir and jewelry shop). Continue onto Ein Gedi where David and his men hid from King Saul. Ascend by cable car to Masada, Herod’s legendary mountaintop fortress which became the last desperate stronghold of the Jewish Zealots against the Romans. You can still look down on the remains of the Roman camps and the siege ramp below. End your day with a dip in the salt and mineral-laden waters of the Dead Sea.

Day 9 - Jerusalem

Wednesday, May 21

Explore ancient Jerusalem at the Teaching Steps, and then enjoy a visit to the Western Wall along with the Western Wall Tunnels. Enjoy some shopping time in the Old City's Jewish and Christian Quarter Markets. View the Pool of Bethesda where Jesus performed the Sabbath miracle (John 5:1-18). Sing a hymn in the Church of St. Anne and experience its rich acoustics. Visit Herod’s Antonia Fortress, where Jesus appeared before Pontius Pilate (Luke 23:1), and follow in Christ’s steps on the Via Dolorosa ("the Way of the Cross"). At the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, take time to reflect on His sacrificial love. Visit the Garden Tomb for a time of reflection and communion.

Day 10 - Tel Aviv-Jaffa

After touring the ancient tel of Jaffa, enjoy strolling the cobblestone streets and shopping in the arts district.  Then enjoy your day in the modern city Tel Aviv before returning to the hotel for dinner and an opportunity to freshen up before heading to the airport for your return flight.   If you are continuing on to Egypt, you will spend the night and in the morning they will journey to the southern border of Eilat to cross the Sinai desert for your Nile River Cruise Expedition Extension.

Day 11 - Return Flight or Begin Extension