Israel In Depth

14 Exciting, Life-Changing Days

May 27 - June 9, 2006

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

Day 1 - Departure
Depart the USA for an overnight flight to Israel.

Day 2 - Arrive In Tel Aviv
Arrive in Tel Aviv, then by motor coach we visit Joppa, the Sharon Valley, Emmaus, Aijalon Valley, and Elah Valley. We conclude the day with a scenic drive to Jerusalem, begin our six-night stay there, and have our first dinner together.

Day 3 - Jerusalem
Thrill at the opportunity to stand on the Mount of Olives overlooking Jerusalem, then walk to the Garden of Gethsemane, across the Kidron Valley to the Temple Mount and Wailing Wall, and tour the Rabbinical Tunnel. We continue to see the rest of the Jewish Quarter, the Temple Institute, the Burnt House, and a model of Jerusalem during the 1st Temple period.

Day 4 - Hinnom Valley, Bethlehem, Jerusalem
We drive through the Hinnom Valley to visit Hezekiah's Tunnel, the Pool of Siloam, Caiaphas' House, and continue on to the Promenade for another spectacular view of the Old City. If conditions permit, we drive into Bethlehem for shopping, then travel to Herodium, return via the Shepherds’ Field to tour the Church of the Nativity. We pass Rachel’s tomb as we return to Jerusalem. 

Day 5 - West Jerusalem, Holocaust Museum
On this day we travel to West Jerusalem, pass the Knesset and visit the Israel Museum, Shrine of the Book (Dead Sea Scrolls), see a 1st Century model of Jerusalem, then have a guided tour of the Biblical Resources Center, and end the day with a somber tour of Yad Vashem, the Holocaust museum.

Day 6 - Via Dolorosa, Garden Tomb
This day in Jerusalem begins with a visit to the Archaeological Park, to see original 2nd Temple stones and steps that Jesus walked by, then ascend to the Temple Mount, exit to the Pool of Bethesda, see a stone pavement from the time of Jesus, walk the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcre, walk past Hezekiah’s wall, see a 3rd Temple Model, the Upper Room, David’s Tomb, and end with a quiet visit to the Garden Tomb and Golgotha.

Day 7 - Jericho
From Jerusalem, we drive east through the West Bank to Jericho to see a full-scale model of Moses’ Tabernacle. Then we visit Herod’s winter palace, Zaccheus’ sycamore tree, ancient Jericho, and view the Mount of Temptation. On our return via the Wadi Qelt (Jericho Road), we see St. George’s Monastery nestled in the cliffs. Back in Jerusalem on our final day there, we soak in its history at the museum in David’s Citadel, then shop and have free time in the Old City.

Day 8 - Beersheba, Negev Desert, Dead Sea
Leaving Jerusalem, we travel west through beautiful mountains to the Valley of Elah, where David defeated Goliath. We then drive through the land of the Philistines, passing the city of Gath. We drive past Lachish and on to Beersheba and Abraham’s well. We continue with a drive through the Negev Desert, passing the Dimona nuclear facilities, contrasted with herds of camels, donkeys and sheep. Our desert tour then stops at Mamshit, Arad, Zoar, Sodom, and Lot’s wife, then a relaxing swim in the Dead Sea by our luxurious hotel.

Day 9 - Masada, Qumran, Beth Shan, Tiberias
Our day begins with an ascent to the ancient fortress of Masada. After digesting its history, we drive to the oasis of Engedi, then on to Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. We then head north to Galilee passing where Jesus was baptized, through the Jordan Valley and Samaria, to visit Beth-Shan, Belvoir Fortress, the Jordan River baptismal site, and then get our first view of the Sea of Galilee. We begin a four-night stay in Tiberias (once a Roman city).

Day 10 - Golan Heights, Mt. Hermon, Tel Hazor
We go north today to the Golan Heights, visiting Mt. Bental with a great view of snowcapped Mt. Hermon, Lebanon and Syria, then going up Mt. Hermon to Nimrod’s Castle. Next is Banias and Caesarea Philippi, where Jesus visited, and see the headwaters of the Jordan River there and at Tel Dan. We end the day by driving through the Hula Valley with the final stop at Tel Hazor.

Day 11 - Sea of Galilee
Today we concentrate on the primary places of Jesus’ ministry. We take a quiet cruise on the Sea of Galilee in the Jesus Boat, then disembark at the Boat Museum. Next, we visit the Mount of the Beatitudes, Magdala, Capernaum, Chorazin, Bethsaida, the miracle feedings of the multitudes, Gadara, and finish circling the lake at Tiberias, where we view a film about Galilee’s history.

Day 12 - Nazareth, Mt. Tabor, Mt. Carmel
We begin by heading west to Nazareth. We pass Kadesh, Mt. Moreh, Mt. Tabor, Endor, Shunem, Nain and ascend Mt. Precipice to view Nazareth and Armageddon. After touring Nazareth Village, we visit Sepphoris, Bahai Gardens at Haifa, Elijah’s Mt. Carmel, Cana, and overlook the Sea of Galilee at Mt. Arbel.

Day 13 - Jezreel Valley, Armageddon, Caesarea
Our last day in Galilee includes visits to Gideon’s springs, Sachne, a drive up Mt. Gilboa, taking pictures of the fertile Beth-Shan Valley, passing Tel Jezreel thru the Jezreel Valley, and tour Tel Megiddo, overlooking Armageddon. Final stop is by the Mediterranean Sea, at the Roman Capital of Biblical Caesarea, and we finish our tour at its Roman aqueduct. We have one last dinner together.

Day 14
Return back in the USA with lots of great memories and information, while others will continue on the Jordan Extension.

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 Deposit: $300 per person is required to secure a reservation.
Final Payment: 60 days before departure.

Price Includes: Round-trip air, 4 star hotels, motor coach, guides, taxes, gratuities, transfers, sightseeing, and two meals a day.

Not Included: Lunches, drinks, optional tours, and personal items, air taxes.

Available Extension:  Petra 3 Day Add-on -  $497

copyright (Pilgrim Tours) 2001