Day 1: Departure
Today we embark on our Journey to the Holy
Land. Prepare yourself for a life-changing
experience. Get some rest on the
flight…tomorrow you will be walking where
Jesus walked!
Day 2: Arrive Israel
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 travel northward to our hotel for one
night in the coastal area near Tel Aviv. The
remainder of the day is free to walk along
the Mediterranean, relax, and have dinner.
The time is right for a personal devotional
with the sunset over the “Great Sea.” Enjoy
a time of prayer of thanks for safety and
the special blessings ahead, a prayer for
the people of this land, and a good night’s
rest.
Day 3: Caesarea, Megiddo & Nazareth
After breakfast, we 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. 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. 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 will have dinner and overnight
lodging for the next two nights in the
Tiberias
area on the
Sea of Galilee.
Day 4: Capernaum, Dan, Caesarea Philippi &
Mount of Beatitudes
Following breakfast, our morning travels
take us to two valuable northern sites
emphasizing the loss of God's blessing on
Israel.
Dan
is where the children of Israel fell to the
depths of pagan worship and
Caesarea Philippi
which is also the site of Peter’s
Confession. In order to save valuable time,
a box lunch will be provided. In
Capernaum
we will visit the ruins of an ancient
synagogue and Peter’s home. Then we travel
on to the site of the multiplication of
loaves and fishes and the
Mount of the Beatitudes
overlooking the Sea. After viewing the
ancient Fisherman Boat at an operating
Kibbutz, we enjoy a relaxing cruise on the
Sea of Galilee. A brief scripture reading
and devotional on board brings to life the
experiences of Jesus and the fishermen
disciples concluding a wonderful day.
Day 5: Jordan River Baptism Site, Beth Shean
& Dead Sea
We begin our day with a visit to the
Jordan River
Baptismal site. Next we travel 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 hanged their bodies on the walls
of Beit-Shean. During the intertestamental
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, your guide will point out
the agricultural restoration of the “Land of
Milk and Honey,” the Kibbuzt system and
Israel’s intricate irrigation development.
We pass ancient Jericho, view from a
distance this city famed as the oldest in
the world, before coming to our lodging for
the evening at the
Dead Sea
– the lowest place on earth. Spend time in
the special spa and enjoy a dip in the Dead
Sea for a relaxing float before dinner.
Day 6: Masada, Ein Gedi, Dead Sea
Scrolls, Abraham's Tent
Our day begins with 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. Afterwards we
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. Next, we visit
Qumran Caves
where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered.
This afternoon we will take part in the
Genesis Land/Dinner 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. Our lodging for the next
four nights will be in
Jerusalem.
Day 7: Around Jerusalem, Bible Times,
Holocaust Museum
Passing by the Protestant Cemetery, we visit
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, and a then a guided walk through an
accurately detailed model of Biblical
Jerusalem will help to prepare you for what
you will experience in the following days.
We conclude the day with a visit to
Yad Vashem,
the Holocaust Museum, for a needed reminder
of what the Jews have suffered as a people.
Day 8: Jesus' Steps, the Last Days -
Messianic Lecture
Today we walk where Jesus walked; beginning
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.
How many have wished to be whisked back in
time to get a glimpse of our Lord or hear
His voice if only for a moment? To walk
between the ancient olive trees, read the
scriptures of Jesus' prayer and take time
for personal reflection is important here.
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
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
the immense cornerstone rejected by the
builders. We move on to the
Judgment Hall of Pilate,
hear of those who conspired against Him 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.
Day 9: Way of Suffering, Garden Tomb,
Pentecost, Bethlehem
While walking along the Via Dolorosa, we are
reminded of His way of suffering along with
a visit to the
Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
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
communion and a time of praise. 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 saved and baptized on the
Day of Pentecost.
We will enjoy a challenge from God’s word
and a song before an optional time this
afternoon. Those who wish may stay in the
city marketplace for shopping, while others
may choose to spend the remainder of the day
surrounding the birth of Christ, with a
visit to
Bethlehem.
Day 10: Red Sea & Mt. Sinai
This morning we depart Jerusalem and travel
southward to the Red Sea resort city of
Eilat for lunch. This afternoon we retrace
the route of the Exodus, the land of the
Pharaohs, Jacob,
Joseph
and Israel during the famine. We cross the
Sinai and learn of the terrain and the
history of this region en-route. Arriving in
the late afternoon to the hotel situated
below the St Catherine Monastery at
Mt. Sinai
(Mt. Horeb), we have dinner and rest for our
early morning activity.
Day 11: Sinai, Suez Canal
, Cairo
Just into the new day, those who desire
and are physically capable will depart for a
memorable early morning walk up Mt. Moses.
You may choose to ride a camel part way,
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 praise 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, is a highlight today. We learn
of the terrain and the history of this
region en-route as we stop at 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. Have your
picture taken with arms raised in
remembrance of God's victory as Moses' arms
were held high by Aaron and Hur. Marah
(Springs of Moses), the Wilderness of Sin
and further to the nouth, pass through the
southern edge of the
"Land of Goshen"
before we arrive in Cairo, our place of
lodging for the next two nights.
Day 12: Cairo-
Pyramids and Museum
An entire day of exploring the ancient
treasures of Egypt awaits us today. 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 Tutankhamon's
treasures and ancient remains.
Day 13: Homeward
Early today we depart Cairo Airport for our
flight home.