Itinerary subject to change while touring for the best interest of the group

Day 1: Departure (Tuesday, May 19)
Today we embark on our life-changing pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Get some rest on the overnight flight…In the following days you will be walking where Jesus (Yeshua) and the prophets walked! 

Day 2:  Arrive in Israel – The Mediterranean Sea and Caesarea
(Wednesday, May 20)
We arrive at Ben Gurion Airport, where we will be met by our Israeli guide who will accompany us during our entire stay in Israel. We’ll travel by private motor coach along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea to Caesarea, where Gentiles first heard the Good News from Peter and were baptized. Here we’ll see the vestiges of Herod's port from which Paul set sail for his trial in Rome, the Roman Amphitheatre, and aqueduct. In the afternoon, we’ll check into our hotel in Netanya. The remainder of the day is free to leisurely walk along The Mediterranean Sea, relax, and have dinner. After dinner, we will gather to ‘meet and greet’ one another and discuss the days ahead. We will have a time of thanksgiving for safety, special blessings on our pilgrimage, prayer for the people of this land, and a good nights rest.

Day 3: Mt. Carmel, Megiddo, Nazareth, Mt. Arbel,  The Sea of Galilee (Thursday, May 21)
After a hearty breakfast, our guides will take us to Mt. Carmel, where Elijah challenged King Ahab and the prophets of Baal. From this mountaintop, we will view the Jezreel Valley and Megiddo—the Armageddon Battlefield where archaeologists have unearthed 20 levels of civilization. Next we will drive through the area of Cana to Nazareth and visit the Basilica of the Annunciation. Then our journey will lead us to Mt. Arbel for a panoramic view of the Sea of Galilee and surrounding lands. From this view you will see routes that Jesus walked in His early ministry. We will have dinner and overnight lodging for the next two nights at Ma’agan, a kibbutz on the southern shore of The Sea of Galilee. Following dinner we will have a local Messianic believer come and share insights about current events and God’s activity among believers in the Galilee Region.

Day 4: The Galilee Region (Friday, May 22)
Following breakfast, we begin our morning in Capernaum where we will visit the ruins of an ancient synagogue and Peter’s house. Then we journey onward to the site of the multiplication of loaves and fishes and the peaceful church at the Mount of Beatitudes overlooking the Sea. For lunch, we’ll enjoy fresh tilapia at an outdoor restaurant. Next, our journey will take us to the “Holy Ground” where Jesus appeared to the disciples after His resurrection, then view the ancient Fisherman Boat, and enjoy a memorable and relaxing cruise on the Sea of Galilee. A brief scripture reading and easy viewing of the nearby Golan Heights, brings to life the experiences of Jesus and the fishermen. We conclude our day with baptisms at the Jordan River Yardenet Baptismal Site. After dinner, as an option, we will meet on the beach for singing, prayer, and communion.

Day 5: Beth Shean, Qumran, Ein Gedi, & The Dead Sea (Saturday, May 23)
This morning we will journey southward to Beit-Shean/Scythopolis, the most magnificent archeological site in Israel, located at the strategic juncture of the Jezreel and Jordan valleys. Like Jericho, it has been almost continuously occupied throughout history. After defeating Saul and his sons on Mt. Gilboa, the Philistines hung their bodies on the walls of Beit-Shean. During the inter-testamental period, the city was renamed the "Scythopolis." Archaeologists have uncovered a huge number of ruins of the Roman/Byzantine Scythopolis. During the time of Jesus, Scythopolis was one of the chief cities of the Decapolis—a league of ten cities sharing Greek culture and government. Following the fertile Jordan Valley southward, our guide will point out the agricultural restoration of the “Land of Milk and Honey” —the Kibbutz system and Israel’s intricate irrigation development. We will pass ancient Jericho, and view from a distance this city famed as the oldest in the world. Next, we visit the legendary Qumran Caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. We’ll proceed to Ein Gedi (Spring of the Goat), an oasis on the western shore of the Dead Sea. Because of its warm climate and abundant supply of water, the site developed a reputation for its fragrant plants and date palm groves. This is where King David hid from Saul and where God defeated the enemies of the Israelites by praise and worship led by King Jehoshaphat. We will arrive in the late afternoon at The Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth, and enjoy a salt-water float in this mineral rich body of water. After dinner, our Israeli tour guide will share personal stories of miraculous victories from the 1967 War.

Day 6: Masada, Beersheba, Abraham’s Tent, & Jerusalem (Sunday, May 24)
Our day begins with a cable car ride to the mountain top fortress of Masada. Here our guide will share the history of the famous zealot stand. We’ll travel east through the Negev, to Beersheba; and explore the wilderness where Abraham made a pact with Abimelech for the use of a well for his animals. This evening we will take part in a refreshing meal in ‘Abraham's Tent,’ where we enjoy a trip back in time: a reliving of life in the time of the Patriarchs, complete with costume, dramatic presentation, and authentic food. We will arrive in Jerusalem in the early evening and view the city from the Mount of Olives and then, if time permits, visit the Kotel (the Western Wall). Our lodging for the next five nights will be in a luxurious hotel in Jerusalem.

Day 7: Walking in Jesus' Steps (Monday, May 25)
We’ll start our day walking where Jesus walked beginning with a panoramic view of the city from the Mount of Olives. We will walk along the Kidron Valley to The Church of All Nations and the Garden of Gethsemane where we will take time for personal reflection. Next, we’ll enter the city through Steven’s Gate and experience the Pool of Bethesda and the incredible acoustics at St. Ann’s Church. We will then move on to the Judgment Hall of Pilate, hear of those who conspired against Him, and be reminded of His brutal beating and humiliation.  Next we will enter the southern gate or The Dung Gate and visit the Kotel (The Western Wall) and the fascinating Rabbinical Tunnels leading us through the Second Temple era. The tunnel and exhibit give a clear understanding of the amazing construction of the Temple Mount. Next, we’ll explore the Southern Wall excavations. This southern side of the Temple was the main entrance for the common folk, whereas the priests and Levites had their own entrance from the higher eastern side. Parts of the giant stairs, which led to the Temple Mount from the courtyard, have been unearthed along with the purification pools. From here, Jesus entered the Temple Mount and drove out the vendors and money changers who were exploiting the people. It is also likely that this is the place that Peter stood and preached and where thousands were saved and baptized on the Day of Pentecost. This afternoon, we’ll visit the Temple Institute and explore Hezekiah’s Tunnels. Those who wish may wade through water in the tunnels. After dinner we will have a speaker come and share about the spiritual environment in Israel.

Day 8: The Temple Mount and Way of Suffering (Tuesday, May 26)
We begin our morning exploring the Temple Mount. Then we will visit the beautiful Garden Tomb, share communion and celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. Next we will enter the city through the Damascus Gate and be reminded of His way of suffering while we walk the Via Dolorosa that will lead us to The Church of the Holy Sepulcher. We will linger here for prayer, worship, and exploration. Our guide will explain the differing opinions on the route that Christ was led and the actual place of crucifixion and burial. Then we will enjoy lunch and shopping at Ben Yehuda Street market. This afternoon we will make the journey into Bethlehem (subject to availability), where we’ll visit the Church of the Nativity and a local Christian ministry. After dinner, as an option, a group of us will be going to the Western Wall for prayer.

Day 9: The Zion Gate, Upper Room, Yad Vashem, and The Old City(Wednesday, May 27)
Our morning begins outside the Zion Gate, where we’ll visit the House of Caiaphas where Jesus was beaten and spit upon. We will also see a pit where he may have been held for the evening and the ancient hillside steps he walked as he was taken to be condemned. Next, we’ll visit the  Upper Room where the disciple whom Jesus loved laid his head on His breast and where later Thomas cried, "My Lord and my God.” Following this, we will pay our respects at King David’s Tomb, and then we’ll visit Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum, for a reminder of what the Jews have suffered as a people. The remainder of the afternoon will be free time. Some options include shopping at the Roman Cardo in the Jewish Quarter or exploring the city with a small group. We’ll meet back at the hotel for dinner.

Day 10: Biblical Gardens and Shavuot  (Thursday, May 28)
We’ll begin our day at the incredible Biblical Gardens at Neot Kedumim, where we take part in a tree planting ceremony. Afterwards, we’ll visit the intriguing Ayalon Munitions Museum used during the War of Independence. Back in Jerusalem, we'll proceed to the Jaffa Gate and visit Christ’ Church—the first Protestant church in the region. As time permits, we’ll return to our hotel to rest in preparation for the evening activities at The Western Wall as Jewish people gather to celebrate Shavuot (also called The Feast of Weeks).

Day 11: Tarrying in Jerusalem - Pentecost Sunrise Service and Jaffa
(Friday, May 29)
This morning we will experience a sunrise service at the Mount of Olives and celebrate Pentecost and the birth of the Church. Next we will visit the Upper Room where believers first received the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Afterwards we will return to our hotel, rest, and prepare for our final destinations and the ancient seaport town of Jaffa. Before leaving Israel, we will enjoy a delicious farewell dinner at one of Jaffa’s many great seafood restaurants. We depart Israel with an overnight flight that arrives in the U.S. the next morning, Saturday, May 30.