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| 20 Days Tour Program - Egypt / Jordan / Israel |
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Day 1 - Depart USA to Cairo
Day 2 - Arrival
Arrive in the Land of the Pharaohs and transfer to our hotel beside the Nile.
Overnight: Cairo
Day 3 - Cairo Tour
Go to Giza Plateau to view the 4,500 year old pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus, & Sphinx; Memphis, once the capital of Old Kingdom; Saqqara, Zoser's Step Pyramid, probably the oldest pyramid of Egypt. In the afternoon visit the fabulous Egyptian Museum. We ponder the futility of the ancient Egyptians trying to preserve the bodies to assure a good eternity for their souls. Overnight: Cairo
Day 4 - Karnak and Luxor Temples
Fly to Luxor, Gaze at the Colossi of Memnon. Tour Temples of Karnak with the impressive complex of numerous temples, with the famous Great Hypostyle Hall, an unforgettable forest of towering stone pillars. Temple of Luxor , a strikingly graceful piece of architecture adorned with colossal statues of Ramses II. Overnight: Luxor
Day 5 - Luxor, Valley of the Kings and Queens
Beginning with the 18th Dynasty and ending with the 20th, the kings built their in Thebes (Luxor).. Most of the tombs were cut into the limestone. The texts in the tombs are from the Book of the Dead, the Book of the Gate and the Book of the Underworld. The Valley contains 62 known tombs. Other sites we will see are: Deir el-Bahari (Hatshepsut's temple); Merneptah, Deir el Medina, , Medinet Habu (texts and reliefs that deal with the Sea Peoples) Ramses II (Ramesseum). Overnight: Luxor
Day 6 - Old Cairo
Flight back to Cairo in the morning. Touring Old Cairo to see the Al-Muallaqa Church, one of the oldest Coptic churches in Egypt and Ben Ezra Synagogue where important ancient texts were found. We continue to the Citadel, a medieval fortress which was home to the rulers of Egypt for 700 years and the Alabaster Mosque of Mohammed Ali. Then you will enjoy the oriental ambiance of the Khan el-Khalili Bazaar. Finish the day with a Delitful Nile Cruise and Dinner. Overnight: Cairo
Day - Free Day in Cairo
Taxis are very reasonable. We will be close to the Pyramids and you might like to go back, see the Solar Boat and enjoy the shopping around the Pyramids. Other interesting things are returning to the Egyptian Museum and touring the spectacular Pharaonic Village where you can sail on comfortable motorized barges down a network of canals and view incredibly accurate tableaux which recreate the life of ancient Egyptians. Optional: The Sound and Light Program at the Pyramids starting at 7:30pm. Overnight: Cairo
Day 8 - Sinai
Leave Cairo and travel east toward Sinai, going through the tunnel under the Suez Canal. Drive along the west branch of the Red Sea, following what is thought to be the route of the Exodus. Oasis of Paran (Faran).Mt. Sinai and St. Catherine's Monastery. Dinner and overnight near Mt. Sinai.
Day 9 - St. Catherine's Monastery, Elat, Wadi Rum, and Petra
If you wish, climb Mt. Sinai in the early early morning, renting a camel for assistance and fun for the first 2/3 of the way up to see the sunrise. Visit St. Catherine's Monastery which was constructed by the Roman Emperor Justinian (527 and 565 AD). It is built around what was thought to be Moses' Burning Bush. The Greek Orthodox church building is the oldest continuously used church building in the world..
Leaving St. Catherine's we drive to Nuweiba. Take fast ferry to Aqaba, Jordan.If time permits, proceed to the Wadi Rum, which is a journey to "another world." A vast, silent place, timeless and starkly beautiful. Proceed to Petra for check in and Dinner. Overnight: Petra
Day 10 - Petra, Mt. Nebo, Madaba and Amman.
In the morning we travel into Petra by horseback or on foot to explore this ancient rose-colored rock city of that is always breathtaking. This was a city of Edom from the times of Israel and Judah. It flourished for over 400 years under the Romans. There are over 800 individual monuments, including buildings, tombs, baths, funerary halls, temples, arched gateways, and colonnaded streets. The architecture of Petra was influenced by the Assyrians, Egyptians, Greeks and the Romans. We leave Petra and continue north to Mt. Nebo where Moses looked west over the Jordan River Valley into the Promised Land. The site's association with the last days of Moses is described in moving words found in Deut. (34). Madaba We will see the famous Madaba Byzantine Mosaic Map on the floor of the Greek Orthodox church of St. George. This 6th century mosaic shows the entire region from Galilee in the north, to Egypt in the south. Continue to Amman, the modern and ancient capital of Jordan for check in and dinner. Overnight: Amman
Day 11 - Amman, Jerash, Cross into Israel, Beth Shean (Shan) and Galilee
First we will have an overview of Amman as we continue to the Jordan Archaeological Museum, which has a fascinating collection of antiquities including the famous Copper Scroll of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Amman Citadel Inscription. Leave Amman and pass over the River Jabbok(Jacob wrestled with an angel, Gen. 32). Continue to Jerash. This city is one of the largest and most well preserved sites of Roman architecture. To this day, its paved and colonnaded streets, soaring hilltop temples, theaters, public squares, baths, fountains and city walls remain in exceptional condition. Leave Jerash and continue north crossing over into Israel and go to the ancient city of Beth Shan, one of the oldest cities in Israel. After defeating Saul and his sons at Mount Gilboa, the Philistines hung their bodies on the walls of Beth Shan (1 Samuel 31). Under Roman rule the city thrived and expanded. Overnight:Galilee
Day 12- Galilee, Mount of Beatitudes, Tabgha, and Capernaum
We will travel to Nof Geonasr to visit the "Jesus Boat" and to the site of the Sermon on the Mount, the Mount of Beatitudes. Tabgha commemorates Jesus feeding the 5,000 with the loaves and the fishes. Capernaum was headquarters for Jesus during most of his Galilean ministry where He performed many miracles, and where Peter's mother-in-law lived and was healed. We will continue to Korazin . We'll see Kursi where Jesus cast the demons into pigs which ran into the Sea (Matt.8:28-33). Boat ride on the sea of Galilee and a traditional fish lunch. Continue to a modern baptismal site at the Jordan. Return to our hotel for dinner. In the evening we will go to Hamat Gader ("hot springs of Gadara") which is located in the Yarmuk River valley, some 5 miles east of the Sea of Galilee. Enjoy the warm water in this unique ancient Roman setting. Overnight: Galilee
Day 13 - Upper Galilee, Caesarea Philippi, Dan, Hazor and Jesus Boat
Golan Heights (see Druze Villages) , Banias-ancient Caesarea Philippi-where Peter declared to Jesus, "You are the Messiah, the son of the living God." We continue to Dan, the northern edge of ancient Israel, King Jeroboam set up a golden calf here. We will then see the ancient town of Hazor, important city in the Late Bronze and Iron Age periods, with major buildings done by King Solomon, included will be a visit to the Hazor Museum. This city served as an important first line of defense against armies attacking Israel from the north. Finish the day with the relaxing hot water of Hamat Gader. Overnight: Galilee
Day 14 - Sepphoris, Nazareth, Megiddo, Mount Carmel, Caesarea and Tel Aviv
Start today by driving to ancient Sepphoris, a major Roman city during the time of Jesus. The excavation has unveiled beautiful mosaic floors. Then continue to Cana and Nazareth. Places we will see in Nazareth include: The Basilica of the Annunciation; an ancient synagogue and the "Spring of Mary" at The Greek Catholic Church. Proceed to Megiddo, famous Old Testament site to see the excavations. Look over the Valley of Megiddo and reflect on the prophecy of Armageddon (Revelation 16:16). Visit Muhraka on Mount Carmel the site commemorating where Elijah issued his challenge to the false prophets (1 Kings 18). Continue to Caesarea by the Mediterranean Sea. It is here that Cornelius the Centurion and his household became Christians (Acts 10) and it was also where Saint Paul made his defense before Festus and King Agrippa prior to his journey to Rome (Acts 25 & 26).). Continue to Tel Aviv for check in and dinner. Overnight: Tel Aviv
Day 15- Joppa, Ashkelon, Lachish, Valley of Elah, Beersheba and Arad
Explore ancient Joppa, from here Jonah set sail for Tarshish, God then arranged it for him to become a missionary to the people of Nineveh, through a remarkable miracle involving a great fish (Book of Jonah). We go south to the ancient Iron Age city of Ashkelon. Proceed inland to famous Tel Lachish, ancient city fortified by King Rehoboam. It was captured by Sennacherib, an Assyrian and the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar. Lachish Letters from the First Temple period were found here. Continue to the Elah Valley where David (not the tour leader of our group) killed Goliath. We go to Beersheba, a city that has been Biblically famous since the time of Abraham. The area from "Dan to Beersheba" as the northern and southern extent of the land is first mentioned in Judges 20:1. Next we stop at Beersheba's Muncipal Museum (time permitting). We drive to Arad for check in and dinner. Overnight: Arad
Day 16 - Arad, Massada, Dead Sea, Ein Gedi, Qumran, Wilderness Tabernacle Display & Jerusalem
Travel to ancient Arad, the canaanite city which was conquered by Joshua (Joshua 12:14). Go southeast to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on the surface of the earth. We then we go north to the mountaintop fortress of Massada. It is believed to be one of the areas where David hid from King Saul. Massada is renowned for the palaces and fortifications of Herod the Great (reigned 37-4 BC). The Jewish people resisted the Roman siege here in 72-73 AD. Next is Ein Gedi (nature reserve), a swim in the Dead Sea and a visit to the Qumran, the Jewish community close to where some of the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Next we stop at Kibbutz Almog, where we will see "The Wilderness Tabernacle," an amazingly accurate, life size walk-through replica of the original Tabernacle of the Exodus. Now let us go up to Jerusalem! Arriving we will pause and view the Holy City, just as countless pilgrims have done before us. Overnight: Jerusalem
Day 17 - Old City Jerusalem
We are privileged to have Dr. Bahart as our guest host and teacher. He is the former District Archaeologist for Jerusalem, teaches at Bar Ilan University and is the author of several outstanding books on archaeology. We will go to the City of David and view the Kidron valley. Coming to the Dung Gate we enter the Old City and proceed to the Western Wall, which is a part of the remaining wall of the Second Temple, built by King Herod. Then we will see the extensive excavations of the south-west area beside the Temple Mount. We walk upon the original set of fifteen steps leading to the southern entrance to the Temple. Jesus, the Holy Family and the disciples must have walked on them, entering the Temple compound for the numerous Holy Days and sacrifices. Dozens of the ancient Jewish ritual baths are seen nearby. We proceed to the recent excavation of the "Western Wall Tunnel," which runs north along the Western Wall. Then we will go west into the Jewish Quarter where we will see the Broad Wall , which was built by Hezekiah in the days before the 701 B.C. invasion by the Assyrian king Sennacherib. Next we will proceed to the Burnt House which dates back to 70 AD when Jerusalem was destroyed by fire under the Roman Legions of Titus. We will then see a wealthy residence of Herodian Jerusalem (Wohl Museum). Of significant interest will be the colonnaded porticoes of the Cardo, road and market place that date to the Roman Byzantine period. Along the Cardo we will be able to see one section that reveals levels of Jerusalem that include portions of the city wall from the First Temple (966 -586 BC) and remains from the Byzantine period. Next we proceed to the Israel Museum and the Shrine the Book with its Dead Sea Scrolls display. In leaving we will pass by the Knesset (Israel's Parliament building). Overnight: Jerusalem
Day 18 - Old City Jerusalem
We begin this day on the Mount of Olives over looking the City of Jerusalem. Jesus ascended into Heaven from this mountain (Acts 1). Next we go to Dominus Flevit Church, traditional site where Jesus prayed over Jerusalem. Then we go to the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church Of All Nations. We enter the Old City through St. Stephen's (Lion) Gate and continue to: St. Anne's Church; the Pool of Bethesda; the Franciscan Convent Museum; the Chapel of Flagellation and The Sisters of Zion's Convent. Next we follow the Via Dolorsa (way of sorrow) ending at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Then we will go to the traditional site of David's Tomb and the Upper Room. We will visit the Garden Tomb. In the afternoon, journey to the hill of Nebi Samuel, traditional gravesite of Samuel. Climbing to the top of a mosque, we will have a stunning view of the Central Benjamin Plateau which includes the Biblical cities of Bethel, Beeroth, Mizpah, Rama, Gibeon and Gibeah. We will look out over Upper and Lower Beth-horn (Joshua 16:5) and the valley of Ajalon. Return to our hotel for dinner. Overnight: Jerusalem
Day 19 - Free day in Jerusalem
for you to enjoy many other opportunities that are available in Jerusalem and the surrounding areas. Overnight :Jerusalem
Day 20 - Departure from Israel - arrival in the U.S.A
After breakfast transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for your transatlantic flight back to the U.S.A
We leave Israel and the Middle-East with memories never to be forgotten!
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