March 1:Departure
Our journey begins this evening as we board our overnight flight to Cairo, Egypt.
March 2: Arrival Cairo
We arrive in the land of the Pharaohs, Jacob, Joseph and Israel during the famine. Upon arrival in Cairo we meet our guide and driver who will transport us to the hotel for dinner and rest for the remainder of the evening. We relax tonight as we prepare for the adventurous travel ahead.
March 3: Cairo Pyramids & Tutankhamen’s Treasures
Today we travel back to ancient Egypt with a full day of touring to the wonders of the ancient world, some of which date back to 1000+ years prior to Abraham. We spend time at one of the seven wonders of the world—the pyramids. Cheops, with an original height of 496 feet, is the most colossal pyramid ever built. Today, we will also see the Sphinx and tour the Egyptian Museum, location of Tutankhamen's treasures and ancient remains.
March 4: Marah, Amalekites, Mt. Sinai
This morning we depart Cairo with stories of the "Land of Goshen" to the north and travel the southward route of the Exodus through the Wilderness of Shur. We learn of the terrain and the history of this region en-route as we stop at Marah (Springs of Moses), the Wilderness of Sin, and further to the south, the Oasis of Feiran. For those who are able, we climb a small hill to the ruins of an ancient chapel that overlooks the palm tree valley where Israel battled with the people of Amalek. Arriving in the late afternoon to the hotel at Mt. Sinai (Mt. Horeb), we have dinner and rest for our early morning activity.
March 5: Mt. Moses, Red Sea, Aqaba
Just into the new day, those who desire and are physically capable will depart for a memorable early morning walk up Mt. Moses. Whether you choose to ride a camel part way or not, stop at one of the stations to take in scenery along the climb to the summit (750 steps) for a sunrise to remember. Once at the top, enjoy a time of reflection and then depart down the mountain for breakfast. A visit to St. Catherine's Monastery, claimed to be built around the area of Moses' Burning Bush, will be followed by a short ride to the Red Sea. A stop for lunch along the shore will provide a view of Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel to the north. Gazing across the Gulf of Aqaba, we can begin to imagine the miracle of the parting of the sea. We then travel north viewing the Red Sea en-route to the border crossing between Egypt and Israel. Transferring through Eilat in southern Israel, we arrive in Jordan with lodging for the evening in Aqaba, Biblical Ezion Geber - the lovely seaport of King Solomon.
March 6: Petra
This morning we turn north toward the amazing mountain fortress of Petra, known to be inhabited by the Edomites - the descendents of Esau. Begin the tour with a walk through the "Siq," an immense crack in the Nubian sandstone, to the city of Petra carved out of the rose red rock. The Treasury, El Khazneh, is one of the most elegant remains of antiquity. Beyond El Khazneh we are surrounded on both sides by hundreds of Petra's carved and built structures. Departing Petra, we travel northward on the King's Highway through the land of the Moab where to the east we view the hilltop palace/fortress of Machaerus, the place where John the Baptist was beheaded. We overnight in Amman for this evening.
March 7: Madaba, Mt. Nebo, Qumran, Ein Gedi and Masada
Our morning tour begins in the town of Madaba, the biblical Medeba, 30 kilometers south of Amman. Madaba is best known for its Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics and at the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George we view the earliest surviving mosaic map of the Holy land. Mt. Nebo, believed to be the site of the tomb of Moses, commands a spectacular view across the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. Study the panorama as we read the scripture passage of God showing Moses the "Promised Land" before he died. As we travel west toward the Allenby Bridge, we view to the north the Plains of Moab, the area where the tribes of Israel camped before crossing the Jordan. There, too, we picture Bethany Beyond the Jordan, the place where Jesus was baptized. Crossing back into Israel, we drive south to the western shores of the Dead Sea to Qumran where we visit Qumran Caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Further south we stop at 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 end our day at Masada. Here we take a cable car ride to the mountain top fortress of Masada. Here our guide will treat us to the history of the famous zealot stand. We then drive to our hotel at the shores of the Dead Sea for dinner and overnight.
March 8: Beersheba, Valley of Elah, Joppa, Caesarea, Megiddo
Our day begins with driving further south to the southern end of the Dead Sea to where the highway meets the Maaleh Akrabbim (the Ascent of the Scorpions). This is mentioned in Joshua 15:3, regarding the border of the promised land. The Romans had a road here, into which they cut very impressive steps, connecting Mamshit with En Hatseva in the Arava. From there it crossed up to Petra. Today there is Route 227, which follows a route opened by the British Mandate and later paved by Israel to connect Beersheba to Eilat. Once in Beersheba we visit the city of the Patriarchs including Abraham's Well. We then drive north through the Philistine cities to the area of Beth Shemesh on our way to Joppa. We stop in the Valley of Elah, where David encountered Goliath (I Samuel 17). We visit the ancient port of Joppa, as it was called in the Bible; it is now known as Jaffa. Joppa was the home of Tabitha, also known as Dorcas, a Christian lady known for her goodness and generosity. It was also at Joppa, while in the home of Simon the Tanner, that Peter had the vision that showed him that the Gospel was to go out to the Gentiles as well as the Jews (Acts. 10: 9-16; 36-43). We continue driving through the Sharon Valley to Caesarea where Gentiles first heard the Good News from Peter and were baptized. We’ll see the Roman Amphitheatre and aqueduct, and then journey on to Mt. Carmel, where Elijah challenged King Ahab and the prophets of Baal. Next we travel through the Jezreel Valley to Megiddo, the Armageddon Battlefield, where archaeologists have unearthed 20 levels of civilization. Then we cross the country to the Arbel cliff for a magnificent view over the Sea of Galilee and the sites of Jesus’ mission (Matthew 4). We will have dinner and overnight in Tiberias. (B, D)
March 9: Mt. of Beatitudes, Capernaum, Beth Saida, Chorazin, Kursi & Jordan River
Today we drive up to the Mount of Beatitudes (Matthew 5-7). Those who wish may walk down the hill to the lake and meet the group at Tabgha where Christians have long remembered the first feeding of the multitude (Mark 6) and nearby, the breakfast of John 21. We continue to Capernaum where Franciscan archaeologists believe they have uncovered the house of Peter (Mark 1 and 2). We drive the northern end of the Sea of Galilee heading east and we stop at Beth Saida, which is the fishing village of the Gospels. This village was the home town of Peter, Andrew, and Philip (John 1:44). Here, as well as Capernaum and Chorazin, Jesus performed most of his miracles, healed a blind man, and cursed all three towns for their failure to repent. In Luke’s account, the feeding of the 5000 occurred in the area of Beth Saida. We continue driving around the eastern shores of the Sea of Galilee heading south to Ein Gev where we can stop for a St. Peter's Fish lunch ( optional ). After lunch we drive further south. We stop at Kursi in the "Gergesa" of Matthew’s Gospel where the evangelist locates the miracle of the swine. We then drive full circle around the lake and stop at a location where the Jordan River exits south from the Sea of Galilee and heads down the Jordan Valley. We end our day at the modern baptismal site of the Yardenit before heading back to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
March 10: Hazor, Caearea Philippi, Gamala, Mt. Hermon
After breakfast, we travel to Hazor, the largest Canaanite city, for a brief visit and a view of Mount Hermon and its beautiful surroundings. We continue to Dan, where we combine a nature walk beside the Upper Jordan with views of the ancient ruins, including the Israelite high place that supported a golden calf (I Kings 12). A short drive then takes us to the spring of Caesarea Philippi (Banias) where Peter confessed his recognition of Jesus as Christ (Matthew 16). Here we can visit the stunning remains of a first-century AD palace belonging to Agrippa II. from there we drive to Gamla National Park. Gamla was built on a steep hill shaped like a camel's hump, from which it derives its name (Gamla means 'camel' in Aramaic). Josephus Flavius, Commander of Galilee during the Jewish Revolt against Rome in 66 AD, fortified Gamla as his main stronghold on the Golan. Josephus gives a very detailed topographical description of the city and the steep ravines which precluded the need to build a wall around it. Along the northern saddle, at the town's eastern extremity, was a 350 metre-long wall that is mentioned in Josephus. We then drive around Mt. Hermon for a glimpse of Damascus, 45 miles away, before heading back over the Golan Heights to our home on the Sea of Galilee for dinner and overnight.
March 11: The Lower Galilee, the Upper Jordan Valley and Jericho
Today we will visit three major sites: Nazareth, Beth Shean and Jericho. We drive through the area of Cana and Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus, where we visit the Nazareth Village - a wonderful recreation of Biblical times with costumed guides. We then drive to the strategic crossing point between the Jordan Valley and the Jezreel which is located in the city of Beth Shean (aka Scythopolis). Here, we will climb the Tel to view the setting of Saul’s death (I Samuel 28 - II Samuel 1). We shall then survey the magnificent Roman and Byzantine ruins: theatre, bathhouses, ancient rest rooms, market areas, colonnaded streets. We drive through the Jezreel Valley west to Ein Harod (Judges 7), which describes Gideon’s actions in thinning out his army. This is where he brought the men to the spring and sorted them on the basis of how they drank from the water. We then drive east into Harod’s Valley with a fantastic view filled with biblical history. From this location on Tel Jezreel looking east, one can yet imagine the crowned Jehu "driving like a madman," on his way to killing the kings of Israel and Judah. Probably somewhere in this valley, Jesus healed the ten lepers 900 years later. We continue east back to the Jordan Valley and then south to Jericho. At Jericho, we visit the Tel of this oldest city and view the traditional mountain of Jesus’ temptation. Ascending the Roman road along Wadi Qilt, we stop for a look at St. George’s Monastery. Finally atop Mt. Scopus, we behold majestic Jerusalem where we will have dinner and overnight.
March 12: Around Jerusalem, Bible Times, Holocaust Museum
Passing by the Protestant Cemetery, we visit the possible site of the "Upper Room" just outside the Zion Gate where the disciple whom Jesus loved laid his head on His breast and where later Thomas cried, "my Lord & my God." An interesting and educational time awaits us at the Israeli Museum. Walk through collections of centuries old Israeli artifacts including the Dead Sea Scrolls. Then a guided walk through an accurately detailed model of Biblical Jerusalem will help to prepare us for what we will experience in the following days. We conclude the day with a visit to YadVashem, the Holocaust Museum, for a reminder of what the Jews have suffered as a people.
March 13: Jesus' Steps, the Last Days - Messianic Lecture
Today we continue to walk where Jesus walked. We begin the day with a panoramic view of the city, Mount Moriah and the Dome of the Rock from atop the Mount of Olives and then the Garden of Gethsemane. Next we visit the House of Caiaphas where Jesus was beaten and spit upon. See a pit where he may have been held for the evening and the ancient hillside steps he might have walked as he was taken to be condemned. On our way into the city we will visit the Wailing Wall and then 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, giant stones, water supply and Roman street where our Lord was led to judgment. Before exiting the tunnel we see an immense cornerstone rejected by the builders. We move on to the Judgment Hall of Pilate, hear of those who conspired against Jesus and are reminded of His brutal beating and humiliation. From here we will also be able to see the Pool of Bethesda, Stephen's Gate and St. Ann’s Church. This evening we enjoy a special lecture by a local believer prior to dinner, giving us a perspective of Messianic life in Israel.
March 14: Way of Suffering, Garden Tomb, Pentecost, Bethlehem
While walking along the Via Dolorosa, we are reminded of the suffering of Jesus. We also visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Our guide will explain the differing opinions on the route that Christ was led. The actual place of crucifixion and burial is a very interesting study. The climax of the day is the area of Golgotha (place of the skull) and the Garden Tomb, where we celebrate the resurrection with a time of communion or reflection. This afternoon we visit 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 exchangers who were exploiting the people. It is also likely that this is the place that Peter stood and preached and where thousands were affected and baptized on the Day of Pentecost. Those who wish may stay in the city marketplace for shopping, while others may choose to spend the remainder of the day focusing on the birth of Christ, with a visit to Bethlehem.
March 15: Home
A very early morning departure for the Tel Aviv Airport for our flight homeward will allow for arrival back in North America by early afternoon.
