Israel In Depth

14 Exciting, Life-Changing Days

May 10-23, 2008

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

Day 1, May 10 - Departure
Depart the USA for an overnight flight to Israel.

Day 2, May 11 - Arrive In Israel, Joppa, Lydda, Emmaus, Aijalon Valley
We arrive in Tel Aviv, then by motor coach if time permits, we see Joppa, Lydda, Emmaus and the Aijalon Valley. We conclude the day with a scenic drive up to Jerusalem and arrive at our hotel for our first dinner together and a six-night stay.

Day 3, May 12 - Jerusalem, Mount of Olives, Kidron Valley, Mt. Zion
With excitement we begin our extensive tour of Jerusalem by ascending to the top of the Mount of Olives for a breathtaking view of Jerusalem and Bethany. We descend the Messianic path to the Garden of Gethsemane, across the Kidron Valley to ancient tombs. We continue to the Pinnacle wall and City of David. We then ascend to Mt. Zion to see the Upper Room, David’s Tomb and Grotto, The day ends at Caiaphas’ House to see a 1^st Century prison and road. We overlook the Temple Mount, Hinnom Valley and Potter’s Field.

Day 4, May 13 – Jerusalem, Temple Mt., Via Dolorosa, Jewish Quarter
We begin with a visit to the Archaeological Park to see original 2nd Temple stones and steps that Jesus walked by. We ascend to the Temple Mount to observe the Dome of the Rock, Al-Aqsa Mosque, and Golden Gate, then exit to the Pool of Bethesda and see a stone pavement from the Roman times. We walk the 14 stations of the Via Dolorosa ending at the Church of the Holy Sepulcre. The rest of our day is in the Jewish Quarter to see the Temple Institute, the Burnt House, a model of Jerusalem during the 1st Temple period, a wall built by King Hezekiah, the Cardo and gold Menorah built for the next Temple, and another 3^rd Temple model.

Day 5, May 14 - West Jerusalem, Holocaust Museum, Israel Museum
We travel to West Jerusalem, stop at the Promenade for the view that Abraham first had of Mt. Moriah, and then arrive at Yad Vashem for a somber tour of the Holocaust museum. Later we visit the Israel Museum, Shrine of the Book (Dead Sea Scrolls), and a model of 1st Century Jerusalem. By bus we drive pass the Knesset and continue westward to a possible location of Emmaus where Jesus appeared to two disciples. We walk to a scenic view of the Aijalon Valley where Joshua prayed for the sun and moon to remain still. Our final stop is at the tomb of the prophet Samuel.

Day 6, May 15 - Jerusalem, Wailing Wall, City of David, Garden Tomb
This day in Jerusalem begins with a visit to the Wailing Wall and walk through the excavated Rabbinical Tunnel. We then stroll to the City of David to tour its ruins, Hezekiah’s Tunnel and the Pool of Siloam. We ascend to visit remains of Herod’s palace at David’s Citadel. The afternoon finishes with a quiet visit to the Garden Tomb and Golgotha. That evening we will have a Biblical dinner in Abraham’s Tent.

Day 7, May 16 - Jericho, Bethlehem
From Jerusalem, if conditions permit, we drive east through the West Bank to Jericho to see Herod’s palace, Zaccheus’ sycamore tree, ancient Jericho, and view the Mount of Temptation. On our return to Jerusalem via the Wadi Qelt (Jericho Road), we stop and view St. George’s monastery. Passing through Jerusalem onto Bethlehem, we visit Herodium, the Shepherd’s Field, and tour the Church of the Nativity. We end the day shopping at the olive wood shops and then pass Rachel’s tomb as we return again to Jerusalem.

Day 8, May 17 - Elah Valley, Beersheba, Negev Desert, Dead Sea
Leaving Jerusalem past Hadassah Hospital, 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 to Lachish and on to Beersheba and Abraham’s well. We continue with a drive through the Negev Desert, past the Dimona nuclear facilities, contrasted with Bedouin tents and 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, May 18 - Masada, Engedi, Qumran, Jordan River, 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 Belvoir Fortress. After we get our first view of the Sea of Galilee, water baptisms are done at the Jordan River baptismal site. We begin a three-night stay in Tiberias (once a Roman city).

Day 10, May 19 - Golan Heights, Mt. Hermon, Caesarea Philippi, Hazor
We go north today to the Golan Heights, visiting Mt. Bental with a great view of snowcapped Mt. Hermon, Lebanon and Syria, and then going up Mt. Hermon to Nimrod’s Castle. Next is Banias (Caesarea Philippi where Jesus visited), to see the headwaters of the Jordan River there and at Tel Dan. We end the day by driving through the Hula Valley with a stop at Tel Hazor. As we return to Tiberias, we drive up to Mt. Arbel for a spectacular view of the northern Sea of Galilee.

Day 11, May 20 - Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, Bethsaida, Gadara
Today we concentrate on the primary places of Jesus’ ministry. We take a quiet cruise on the Sea of Galilee in the Jesus Boat, and then disembark at the Boat Museum. Next, we visit the Mount of the Beatitudes, Magdala, Tabgha, Capernaum, Chorazin, Bethsaida, the miracle feedings of the multitudes, Gadara, and finish circling the lake at Tiberias, where we see a film about Galilee’s Biblical history.

Day 12, May 21 - Nazareth, Mt. Tabor, Sepphoris, Cana, Mt. Carmel
We begin by heading west to Nazareth. We pass Kadesh, Mt. Moreh, Mt. Tabor, Endor, Shunem, and Nain before touring Nazareth Village. Afterward, we ascend Mt. Precipice to view Nazareth and Armageddon. We then head to Sepphoris, Cana, and Elijah’s Mt. Carmel for a western view of Armageddon. We drive through the Sharon Plain to our hotel perched on cliffs overlooking the beach and Mediterranean Sea.

Day 13, May 22 – Caesarea, Jezreel Valley, Armageddon, Beth Shan
Our last day in Galilee begins at the ancient seaport and Roman Capital of Biblical Caesarea and its Roman aqueduct. We next take a tour of Tel Megiddo, overlooking Armageddon. We drive through the Jezreel Valley, pass Tel Jezreel, and up Mt. Gilboa to take pictures of the fertile Beth Shan Valley. We then descend to visit Gideon’s springs and Beth Shan. We return to our beach hotel for one last night stay in Israel and for reflections about everything that we have seen and heard.

Day 14, May 23 - Tel Aviv
Leave from Ben Gurion airport on our return flight home with lots of great memories and information, while others will continue on the Jordan Extension.

Read testimonials from past tours

Click Here for Online Reservation Form!

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, payment by credit card (additional 3% surcharge).  Discount airfare available nationwide.  Fuel charges and air taxes can be $300 or more.

Available Extensions*: 
May 23-26    Jordan 3 Day Add-on -  $750.00
May 25-30    Egypt 5 Day Add-on -  $650.00

*Extensions must be purchased in sequential order, not individually.

Also Available:
The Expanded Holy Land - 10 day tour of Jordan & Egypt

copyright (Pilgrim Tours) 2001