11 Days Holy Land & Jordan Journey
DAY 1: Depart USA
DAY 2: Arrival Tel Aviv Our life-changing journey begins as we arrive at Ben Gurion International Airport. We will be met by our representative. After boarding our bus, we will transfer to the hotel for overnight in Netanya.
DAY 3: Caesarea, Mt. Carmel, 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 Armageddon Battlefield, where archaeologists have unearthed 20 levels of civilization. We drive through the area of Cana and Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus, to visit The Church of the Annunciation and the ancient synagogue where Jesus preached. Dinner and overnight in Galilee.
DAY 4: Caesarea Philippi, Capernaum, Baptism This day will be an exciting day in the Galilee area after a delicious breakfast. We will depart from the Roman hot springs resort city of Tiberias via a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum (John 6:24) to visit the ancient ruins of the first century synagogue where Jesus preached (Matt. 4:13-17). Then on to the Mt. of Beatitudes where Jesus preached the “Sermon on the Mount” (Matt. 5-7) and to Tabgha – the chapel dedicated to the multiplication of the loaves and fishes – (Mark 6:34-44). We will then proceed to upper Galilee and the site of Peter’s confession (Matt. 16:16) at Caesarea Phillipi and to Mt. Hermon (Psalm 89:12) the probable site of the Transfiguration (Matt. 17:1-8) and the present-day Golan Heights where Israel, Lebanon and Syria come together. We will follow the fresh mountain waters of Mt. Hermon to the Sea of Galilee and to the outlet passage at the southern tip of the Sea. We will stop at the beautiful Yardenit Baptismal Site at the Jordan River. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 5: Border Crossing - Madaba – Nebo - Petra Breakfast and checkout. . We will cross the border to Jordan and turn southward toward the amazing mountain fortress of Petra, known to be inhabited by the Edomites—the descendants of Esau. On the way we enjoy our stop at Mt. Nebo, believed to be the site of the tomb of Moses, which commands spectacular views across the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. A short drive takes us to the town of Madaba, the biblical Medeba, 30 kilometers south of Amman. Madaba is best known for its Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics. Check in dinner and overnight in Petra.
DAY 6: Petra Full Day Sightseeing – overnight in Petra This morning begins with a tour with a walk through the “Siq,” an immense crack in the Nubian sandstone, to the city of Petra carved out of the rose red rock. The Treasury, El Khazneh, is one of the most elegant remains of antiquity. Beyond El Khazneh we are surrounded on both sides by hundreds of Petra’s carved and built structures. After the guided part of the tour you will have the afternoon to explore—perhaps you will want to hike up the 822 steps carved out of the mountain to the Monastery building – its large, intricately carved façade and views looking out over the surrounding valleys are stunning. Other things to see include the pillars of the Hadrian Gate and the Cardo beyond it – a long street that was once the ancient city’s main thoroughfare. Our hotel this evening remains in Petra so you can explore at your own leisure.
DAY 7: Border Crossing – Masada – Jericho- Jerusalem We cross the Jordan River into Israel. Our day begins with a cable car ride to the mount top fortress of Masada. Here our guide will treat us to the history of the famous zealot stand. we continue our way to Jerusalem stopping in the ancient city of Jericho famed as the oldest in the world. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
DAY 8: MT OLIVES – BETHLEHEM After a night of rest and a hearty breakfast this exciting day will begin with a drive to Mt. Scopus and the Mt. of Olives (Matt. 24:3) for a panoramic view of the Old City of Jerusalem, visiting the Chapel of the Ascension, the Church of Pater Noster and the Dominus 11 Days Holy Land & Jordan Journey Flevit. Walk along Hosanna Road to the Gethsemane to visit the Church of All Nations that stands on the Rock of Agony where Jesus was betrayed by Judas (Matt. 26:36-57). See the Pillar of Absalom, the Eastern (Golden) Gate and the Pinnacle of the Temple. This afternoon we continue our tour to Bethlehem. We will visit the Church of the Nativity, the birthplace of Jesus, and Shepherds Fields (Luke 2:1-20) then the Field of Boaz and Ruth (Ruth 1:16-17 & 4:13). We return to Jerusalem passing Rachel’s Tomb to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 9: OLD CITY – GARDEN TOMB – Free Time Today begins with a walking tour of the Old City of Jerusalem. Starting at the Western Wall (Wailing Wall) where the faithful Jews cry their petitions to God, we continue to the Temple Area of Mt. Moriah. Visit the El Aksa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock that was built on the ancient site of Solomon’s Temple (Genesis 22:9-14) and over the Rock of Sacrifice where Abraham offered Isaac (Genesis 22) and the ceremonial sacrifice of animals took place. After this we walk along the Via Dolorosa to Pilate’s Judgment Hall, the Chapel of the Flagellation, the Ecce Homo Arch (John 19:13) where Jesus was tried before Pilate (Mark 15:6). Then continue through the Old City bazaars to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Visit the Garden Tomb and Golgotha – Place of the Skull – for a worship service. Enjoy some free time in the Old City Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
DAY 10: Mt Zion and Tour of New Jerusalem In the morning we drive to Mt. Zion where we visit the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu on the site of Caiphas’ House, the Room of the Last Supper (Luke 22:14-20) and the Tomb of King David. we enjoy the rest of the day touring New part of the city, visiting Israeli Museum to see including the Dead Sea Scrolls, and enjoy a walk through an accurately detailed model of Biblical Jerusalem. This model will help put into perspective all that you have seen over the previous days touring We enjoy a tour New Jerusalem, see Yad Vashem – the immensely moving memorial to the six million martyrs of the Holocaust . return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 11 DEPARTURE Airport Departure Transfer to Tel Aviv Airport for Departure - the end of a most enjoyable and unforgettable journey.