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14 day tour, air fare, hotels, two meals a day, private motor coach, and Israeli guide. Since most who go to Israel can do it only once in their lifetime, see basically all Biblical related sites that are accessible. After creating and successfully leading this tour 7 times from 2005-2011, once again this will be led by John Hodges (Van), an experienced traveler who has visited Israel fifteen times in the last fourteen years, plus much of the Middle East. He is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute, and has been a student and teacher of the Bible, Israel, Biblical history, and Bible prophecy for 39 years.
This is an excellent tour for laypersons, retirees, students
(high school, college, seminary), and pastors. |
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Day 1, May 26 - Departure from US
Depart the USA for an overnight flight to Israel.
Day 2, May 27 - Arrive In Israel, Lydda, Emmaus, Aijalon
Valley, Jerusalem
Tour members arrive in Tel Aviv at Ben Gurion Airport,
then by motor coach we drive past Lydda, Emmaus, and the
Aijalon Valley on a scenic drive up to Jerusalem and arrive
at our hotel for our first dinner together and a six-night
stay.
Day 3, May 28 - Jerusalem, Wailing Wall, Temple Mount
Steps, Jewish Quarter, Mount Zion
With excitement we begin our extensive tour of Jerusalem
by visiting the Wailing or Western Wall and walk thru the
excavated Rabbinical Tunnel to see a massive Herodian stone
wall and street from the time of Jesus. We then witness the
many Bar Mitzvah celebrations and prayer at the Wall.
Strolling to the Archaeological Park we see a film, original
2nd Temple stones, and southern steps that Jesus walked on.
Ascending up to the Jewish Quarter we see the gold Menorah
built for the next Temple, the Temple Institute, the Burnt
House, a 1st Temple period model of Jerusalem, a wall built
by King Hezekiah, and the Roman Cardo. The rest of our day
is at Mt. Zion to see the Upper Room, David’s Tomb, and the
first Church Grotto. We then walk to see the remains of
Herod’s palace at David’s Citadel and possible place of
Pilate’s trial of Jesus.
Day 4, May 29 - West Jerusalem,
Ramah, Gibeon, Emmaus, Joppa, Holocaust Museum, Israel
Museum
This day begins with travel to West Jerusalem to the tomb of
the prophet Samuel and a view of his hometown Ramah, and
Gibeon where the Lord appeared to King Solomon before he
built the Temple. We 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. We go past
Lydda where Peter healed a paralyzed man and arrive at the
ancient port of Joppa where Jonah and Peter spent time. Back
to Jerusalem, we pass the harp bridge before arriving at Yad
Vashem for a somber tour of the Holocaust Museum. Afterward
we pass the Knesset and visit the Israel Museum, Shrine of
the Book (Dead Sea Scrolls), plus see a model of 1st Century
Jerusalem.
Day 5, May 30 - Jerusalem, City of
David, Judean Wilderness, Jericho
We begin the day by touring the City of David to see a film,
its Canaanite and Israelite ruins, an optional walk thru
Hezekiah’s Water Tunnel, view recently discovered 2nd
Temple road, finishing at the Pool of Siloam where Jesus
healed a blind man. For lunch we have a Biblical dinner in
Abraham’s Tent. If conditions permit, we drive further east
thru the West Bank and Judean Wilderness to stop for a
scenic view of the Wadi Qelt and ancient Jericho Road. We
continue on past Bedouin camps to Jericho to see Herod’s
winter palace, Zaccheus’ sycamore fig tree, Elijah’s Spring,
ancient Tel Jericho, and view the Mount of Temptation where
Satan tempted Jesus.
Day 6, May 31 - Jerusalem, Temple
Mount, Via Dolorosa, Promenade, Bethlehem
We ascend on top the Temple Mount to observe columns and
steps from the Temple where Jesus taught, Al-Aqsa Mosque,
the Dome of the Rock shrine, the Golden Gate, then exit to
the Pool of Bethesda where Jesus healed a paralyzed man. We
see a stone pavement from the Roman times then walk the 14
stations of the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy
Sepulcre. Our next stop is at the Promenade for the view
that Abraham first had of Mt. Moriah. We then continue on to
Rachel’s tomb as we enter into Bethlehem to tour the Church
of the Nativity that displays where Jesus was born, shop at
the olive wood factory, then by bus we visit the Shepherd’s
Field, ending at Herod’s palace and tomb on top of Herodium.
Day 7, June 1- Jerusalem, Mount of Olives, Bethany,
Kidron Valley, Hinnom Valley, Garden Tomb
This final day in Jerusalem begins with an ascent to the top
of the Mount of Olives for a breathtaking view of the Dome
of the Rock, Jerusalem, Bethphage, and Bethany. We remember
the last week of Jesus’ life on earth and descend the
Messianic path where He rode on a donkey, visiting where He
wept over Jerusalem, then tour the Garden of Gethsemane
where He was arrested, then across the Kidron Valley to
ancient tombs. We continue up to the Temple Mount and high
Pinnacle Wall where Satan tempted Jesus when He began His
ministry, and on to Caiaphas’ House to see a 1st
Century road and prison where traditionally Jesus was put on
trial by the high priest. We overlook the Hinnom Valley,
also called Gehenna, and the Potter’s Field where Judas was
buried. The afternoon finishes with a quiet visit, tour, and
communion together at the Garden Tomb and Place of the Skull
called Golgotha or Calvary.
Day 8, June 2- Beth Shemesh, Elah
Valley, Philistia, Beersheba, Negev Desert, Dead Sea
Leaving Jerusalem past Hadassah Hospital, we travel west
thru beautiful mountains and the Sorek Valley to Beth
Shemesh where the Ark of the Covenant was carried from the
Philistines by two cows pulling a cart. The next stop is Tel
Azekah and the Valley of Elah, where David defeated Goliath.
We then drive to where battles were fought at Mareshah and
Lachish, then thru the land of the Philistines, passing the
city of Gath. We continue on to Beersheba and see Abraham’s
well. We then go east with a drive thru the Negev contrasted
with Bedouin tents and herds of camels, donkeys, sheep, and
blossoms of the Israeli desert agriculture that is
fulfilling prophesy from Isaiah. Our desert tour then stops
at the traditional locations of Biblical Arad, Zoar, Sodom,
and salt stone of Lot’s wife, then we have a relaxing swim
in the Dead Sea by our luxurious hotel.
Day 9, June 3- Masada, Engedi, Qumran, Jordan River, Sea
of Galilee, Tiberias
We ascend by cable car to the ancient fortress of Masada to
digest its history and see the Roman siege works. We drive
to visit the oasis of Engedi where David hid from King Saul,
then on to Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. We
head north past where Jesus was baptized, thru 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
four-night stay in Tiberias (known for Roman hot springs).
Day 10, June 4- Northern Galilee, Golan Heights, Mt.
Hermon, Caesarea Philippi, Hazor
We go north today to the Golan Heights of ancient Bashan,
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
and archaeological ruins that are there and at Tel Dan. We
end the day by driving thru 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 Sea of Galilee.
Day 11, June 5- Sea of Galilee,
Beatitudes, Capernaum, Chorazin, Bethsaida, Kursi, 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 to tour the Boat Museum.
Next, we visit Magdala, the Mount of the Beatitudes, Tabgha,
Capernaum, Chorazin, Bethsaida, the miracle feedings of the
multitudes and the place of the demoniacs and pigs at Kursi,
Hippos, Gadara, and finish circling the lake by arriving at
Tiberias, where we shop and see a film about Galilee’s
Biblical history.
Day 12, June 6 - Central Galilee,
Cana, Sepphoris, Nazareth, Armageddon, Beth Shan
We begin by heading west thru Cana and then tour the ancient
city of Sepphoris. Next we go to close by Nazareth and a
guided tour of Nazareth Village. Afterward, we drive by the
Church of the Annunciation and then ascend Mt. Precipice for
a view of Nazareth and northern Armageddon. We descend to
the Jezreel Valley, stop at Tel Jezreel the city of Ahab and
Jezebel, and then go to Harod Springs where Gideon downsized
his army to 300. We drive up Mt. Gilboa to where King Saul
was killed, to take pictures of the fertile Beth Shan
Valley. We then descend to visit the extensive Roman ruins
and Tel of the ancient city of Beth Shan. We return to
Tiberias thru the Jordan Valley and one last drive along the
Jordan River and Sea of Galilee.
Day 13, June 7 - Western Galilee,
Mt. Tabor, Mt. Carmel, Jezreel Valley, Caesarea
On our last day in Galilee, by bus we pass thru the Biblical
places of Kedesh, Mt. Moreh, Mt. Tabor, Endor, Shunem, and
Nain. We then travel northwest to Elijah’s Mt. Carmel where
he dueled with the 450 prophets of Baal. We have a wonderful
western view of the Jezreel Valley. We descend back down the
mountain to take a tour of ancient Tel Megiddo, overlooking
southern Armageddon. Our last stop is at the ancient seaport
and Roman Capital of Biblical Caesarea where Pontius Pilate
lived, Peter visited to minister to the Roman Centurion’s
family, the evangelist Philip lived, and Paul was put on
trial before sailing for Rome. We take pictures of the
city’s Herodian built theater, hippodrome, palace, harbor,
and aqueduct. We drive thru the Sharon Plain to our hotel
perched on cliffs overlooking the beach and Mediterranean
Sea for one last night stay in Israel and for reflections
about everything that we have seen and heard.
Day 14, June 8 - Tel Aviv
Some leave from Ben Gurion airport on their return flight
home with lots of great memories and information, while
others will continue on the Jordan Extension.
Click here to read testimonials from past tours
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Chicago O'Hare (ORD) |
Land Only |
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Price Per Person
Double Occupancy (approximate) |
$3,851.00 |
$2,650.00 |
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Single Supplement $998.00 |
Deposit:
$300 per person is required to secure a reservation.
Final Payment: 60 days before departure.
Price Includes:
Round-trip airfare from Chicago, IL, (discount airfare available
nationwide), First class lodging, motor coach, guides,
taxes, gratuities, transfers, sightseeing, two
meals a day, Abrahamic lunch.
Not Included:
Air
taxes (based on airfare purchase) Fuel charges and air taxes can be $100-$200 or more,
lunches, drinks, optional tours, and payment by credit card for land portion
(additional 3% surcharge).
Available Extensions*:
June 8-10
Jordan, Southern Israel 3 Day Add-on - $817.00
June 10-15
Egypt 5 Day Add-on - $685.00
Also
Available:
The Expanded Holy Land - 10 day tour of Jordan, Southern
Israel & Egypt
