12 Day Pastor Led Program

Your Life Will Be Changed Forever!

Day 1 • Departure
This afternoon we embark on our journey to the Holy Lands, a life changing experience. Our night flight begins with dinner service and time to fellowship with friends new and old, meditate on the treasures ahead, and catch some shut-eye enroute to Tel Aviv.

Day 2 • 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 of Netanya. The remainder of the day is free to walk along the Mediterranean, relax, and have dinner. Our pastor guide will conduct our day’s devotional with the sunset over the “Great Sea.” We will enjoy a time of praise, a 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, Cana, 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. See the Roman Amphitheater and aqueduct. Then we’ll journey on to Mt. Carmel, where Elijah hid from King Ahab, and through the Jezreal Valley to Megiddo, where archaeologists have unearthed 20 levels of civilization. In the afternoon, we continue on to Cana and Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus. We will have dinner and overnight lodging for the next three nights in Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee.

Day 4 • Capernaum & Mount of Beatitudes
Begin the day with a visit to the Jordan River Baptismal Site. A relaxing cruise on the Sea of Galilee with easy viewing of the nearby Golan Heights brings to life the experiences of the fishermen disciples. 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 where our guide will reenact Jesus’ famous “Sermon on the Mount.” We will also visit the ruins of ancient Capernaum. This evening we will take in the multi-media presentation of the "Galilee Experience," an entertaining, educational and enriching experience not to be missed.

Day 5 • Golan Heights, Caeseria Philippi, Tel Dan
Following breakfast, our morning travels take us to Dan and Caesarea Philippi, site of Peter’s Confession. "Banias" is the original name of this site near Mt. Hermon in the North, famous as the place where Peter first confessed that Jesus is the Messiah. (Matt 16:13-16; Mark 8:27-30; Luke 9:18-21) We visit Nimrod Castle, a massive 12th century castle overlooking the Hula Valley. Originally built by Muslims atop a precipice, to protect the road from Tyre to Damascus; it changed hands many times in the battles with the Crusaders. Next we tour Tel Dan, the northernmost city of ancient Israel, thus when Scripture speaks of all of the Land, from North to South, it often says, "from Dan to Beersheva." (Judges 20:1 1 Sam 3:20 2 Sam 3:10; 17:11; 24:2; 15 1 Kings 4:25) Abraham traveled from Hebron to Dan to rescue his nephew Lot from Kedorlaomer. The tribe of Dan was not satisfied with its inheritance near Judah, so it settled here and set up idolatrous worship that plagued Israel throughout its history. This was especially so in the time of Jeroboam, son of Solomon and first king of the divided Northern Kingdom, who set up golden calves in Dan and Bethel to keep people from going to Jerusalem to worship. (Judges 18; 1 Kings 12:26-33) 

Day 6 • Gideon Springs & Beth Shean to Jerusalem
Beit-Shean/Scythopolis is 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. (1 Sam 31:10-12) 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. Next we visit Gideon Springs -- Here, Gideon, one of many "deliverers" in the Book of Judges, prepared for the battle against the Midianites by paring down his army from thirty-three thousand (Judges 7:3) to ultimately only three hundred--so that God could demonstrate his greatness in granting them ultimate victory. (7:2-8) our lodging for the next 6 nights will be in Jerusalem.

Day 7 • Around Jerusalem
Today we walk where Jesus walked. 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 Gethsemene. 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. We travel through the Kidron Valley to Mt. Zion and view David’s Tomb. Next we visit the house of Caiaphas and the “Upper Room” where the disciple whom Jesus loved laid his head on His breast and where later Thomas cried; “my Lord & my God.” We conclude the day with a visit to the Shepherd’s Field and an overview of Bethlehem.

Day 8 • Masada, Dead Sea Scrolls, Ein Gedi 
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. We'll visit Qumran Caves, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. 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. (1 Sam 23:29; 24 Song of Songs 1:14).

Day 9 • Biblical Gardens, Jerusalem Model, Israel Museum
Asite not to be missed is a scale model of the ancient city of Jerusalem. Our guide will walk us through an accurately detailed smaller version of Biblical times in Jerusalem as well as the architecture and décor of the Temple. Following lunch we travel to the Shrine of the Book with time to enjoy the museum, including the Dead Sea Scrolls and the absolute miracle of God’s preserved Word. A highlight today will be a visit to the Biblical Resource Scriptural Gardens to view a threshing floor, wine press, olive press and sheepfold, as well as the many plants of Biblical times as portrayed by costumed guides. 

Day 10 • Old Jerusalem
we enter the Old City through Stephen's Gate, and visit the Pool of Bethesda where Jesus cured a cripple. 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. While walking along the Via Dolorosa, we are reminded of His way of suffering, view the Church of the Sepulchre before we arrive at the climax of our tour - the Garden Tomb. Your faith, that blessed hope and communion with Christ, will take on a tremendous new meaning today. From here we will see the ancient Roman Cardo, Herodian Mansion, Temple Institute and Western Wall. On our way out of the city we will visit the Rabbinical Tunnels leading us through the Second Temple era. Later today our guide will escort those who wish to visit the marketplace in Old Jerusalem. 

Day 11 • Stories of David & Goliath and Samson
An interesting and educational day of touring awaits us today as we travel south and west through Philistine Country. We stop in the Elah Valley where David slew Goliath. We view Beth Guvrin and Beth Shamesh with comentary on the travels of the Ark of the Covenant. We visit Tzora and the land of Samson’s short-lived life.

Day 12 • Home
A very early morning departure for the Tel Aviv Airport for our flight homeward allows for arrival home by early afternoon.

Price per Person:
From $1671.00 per person double occupancy
Single supplement $255

Price Includes:  1st class lodging, roundtrip air fare from JFK, expert Biblical guides, admissions, sightseeing, and breakfast & dinner daily.

Not Included: air taxes, gratuities.

Deposit Required: $300 per person will reserve your place.  A $100 service fee will be charged for cancellation at any time in addition to our normal payment and cancellation policy. 

Attention Pastors: Do you have a group of 8 or more? Pilgrim will customize a tour for you. We also have scheduled departures for smaller groups.