INTO THE PROMISED LAND TOUR
14 DAYS / 12 NIGHTS SPIRITUAL JOURNEY TO THE LAND OF EGYPT, JORDAN AND ISRAEL
MONDAY DEPARTURES / TUESDAY ARRIVALS IN CAIRO
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14 Days / 12 Nights Fully Escorted Tour to Egypt, Jordan & Israel Tour / Monday Departures / Tuesday Arrivals in Cairo / Breakfast and Dinner Daily / English Speaking Tour |
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DAY-BY-DAY TOUR ITINERARY:
Day 1: Monday - Departure
Our journey starts today as we depart on our flight to Egypt - the land of the Pharos. Sit back, relax and enjoy your flight, and prepare yourself for a life-changing experience.
Meals: On Board
Overnight: On Board
Day 2: Tuesday - “Ahlan Wa Sahlan” - Welcome to Egypt
Arrive at the Cairo international Airport to be met and assisted by our representative.
A private transfer is included from Cairo International Airport to the hotel. Our hotel is conveniently located only 1.5 miles away from one of the Wonders of the Ancient World, the Great Pyramid of Giza.
Check-in and Dinner at the hotel.
Meal:Dinner
Overnight Cairo: » Giza Intercontinental Pyramids Park Resort
Optional Evening Activity: Pyramids Sound & Light Show ($35 pp)
Day 3: Wednesday – Discovering an Ancient Civilization
Pyramids / Sphinx / Solar Boat Museum / Egyptian Museum
After breakfast meet our Egyptologist tour guide and start our first touring day in Egypt. The first stop will be at the Pyramids of Giza. A visit to the Giza Pyramids is on every world traveler's must-see list. As we marvel at the Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren, and Mykerinos, we realize that nothing evokes the long and intriguing history of Egypt as powerfully as the pyramids. Next we will visit the colossal statue of the Great Sphinx, which has stood guard over the pyramids for more than 4,500 years. Carved from one solid piece of limestone, the Sphinx remains the ultimate symbol of Ancient Egypt with its lion’s body and human head. Next, we will visit the Solar Boat Museum, whose main attraction is an ancient Egyptian cedar wood boat dating back 4,500 years. We will then drive into Cairo to discover the greatest collection of Pharaonic treasures in the world at the famous Egyptian Museum. See the unique collection of Pharaonic art, starting with the Old Kingdom Collection, on to the Middle and New Kingdom galleries and Greco-Roman periods. An in-depth visit of the famous Tut-Ankh-Amon treasures is featured on our visit. Return to our hotel for dinner. Overnight: Cairo
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Overnight cairo: » Giza Intercontinental Pyramids Park Resort
Optional Evening Activity: Nile Dinner Cruise with Show ($55 pp)
Day 4: Thursday - From Coptic Cairo to the Sinai Wilderness
Old Cairo / Coptic Cairo /Bazaar / Sinai Desert
After breakfast we will drive to Old Cairo to visit the City’s cultural landmarks that span three millennium of Egyptian history. We begin with Coptic Cairo, where you will visit the Hanging Church, dating to the late 4th and early 5th Century. This basilica was named "Al-Mu'allaqah" because it was built on top of the south gate of the Fortress of Babylon. Continue to Church of St. Sergius, a 5th century Coptic Church. This basilica is built on the cave in which the Holy Family stayed and is regarded by visitors as a source of blessing. As we stroll along, we will come to the recently restored Synagogue of Ben Ezra - the oldest Jewish synagogue in Egypt built in 882 AC. Next, we will explore the spices and silks in the medieval bazaar of Khan el-Khalili, one of the biggest bazaars in the Middle East and North Africa’s most famous bazaar. Here you can find rugs, copper, leather crafts, perfumes, and other goods both exotic and familiar. Enjoy the busy atmosphere of the bazaar, watch skilled craftsmen and practice your bargaining skills. After lunch, we will depart Cairo via the tunnel underneath the Suez Cannel to the west branch of the Red Sea, following what is thought to be the route of the Biblical Exodus (Genesis16-18). Our drive through the Sinai Peninsula and the biblical Land of Goshen to the Mount Sinai area (233 miles) takes about 6 hours. Arrive at our hotel near Mt. Sinai and St. Catherine's Monastery. Check in and dinner. Our hotel is Wadi el Raha which in Arabic means "rest" and according to tradition this is the area where the Israelites camped and the golden calf was forged (Exodus 32).
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Overnight Sinai: El Raha Hotel –
Optional Night Activity: Climb Mt. Sinai ($25 pp)
For those who wish to climb Mt. Sinai, please bring warm clothing for the ascent.
Day 5: Friday - From Mt. Sinai to the Red Sea and the Mountains of Edom
Climb Mt. Sinai / Eilat /Cross to Jordan / Aqaba / Petra
At day break, those who desire and are physically capable will depart for a memorable early morning walk up Jebel Musa – Mt. Sinai (about 6,900-ft). You may choose to ride a camel part way, stopping at one of the stations to take in the scenery along the climb to the summit (750 steps) for a sunrise to remember. At the summit of Mt. Sinai there is a small chapel to the Holy Trinity. This chapel was rebuilt in 1934 on the ruins of a 4th-5th century church. The interior of the chapel is decorated with frescoes from the life of Moses. We will enjoy a time of praise and unforgettable, breathtaking views of the Sinai wilderness. As we read from the book of Genesis we remember that this is the place where Moses met the Lord in the burning bush and where he received the Ten Commandments. Depart down the mountain for breakfast. After a late breakfast we will pass by 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 structure in the world. Leaving the Mt. Sinai area, we will drive to the Red Sea on our way north to Eilat – Israel’s southernmost town. While gazing across the Gulf of Aqaba, we can imagine the miracle of the parting of the sea. After crossing the Taba border (Israel/Egypt Border) you will be met and assisted by our representative. We will take a short city tour in Eilat and will cross to Jordan. Meet with our Jordanian tour guide and drive via the king’s highway to Wadi Musa – the Jordanian village located at the entrance to the ancient city of Petra. Check in and enjoy dinner in our hotel conveniently located just minutes from the entrance to the world famous site.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Overnight Petra: » Petra Panorama or » Golden Tulip Kings Way
Day 6: Saturday - Exploring the Nabatean Treasure City of Petra
Petra / Amman
A short drive from our hotel lies the entrance to one of the world’s greatest archaeological sites – the 2,000-year old city of Petra, known as the red rock city. It was the ancient capital of the Nabateans from the 3rd century BC to the 2nd century AC. Carved by the Nabataeans out of solid rock, Petra was forgotten for hundreds of years, until it was rediscovered in 1812. At the entrance to Petra travelers are offered the option to ride a horse for 800m - from the visitors centre to the entrance of the dramatic “Siq” ( canyon). From the entrance to the Siq there is a 1,250m walk until reaching the 1st monument “The treasury”. Throughout most of the day we will explore Petra’s incredible structures: The treasury, the field of tombs, the obelisks and the altar, and much more. In the late afternoon we will drive north to Amman - Jordan’s capital and largest city. Check in and dinner at our hotel.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Overnight Amman: » Golden Tulip Grand Palace
Day 7: Sunday - Into the Promised Land
Madaba/ Mt. Nebo / Cross to Israel / Jericho / Tel Aviv
After breakfast we head to the biblical town of Madaba. Madaba is best known for its Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics and its Greek Orthodox Church of St. George. Here we will view the earliest original map of the Holy Land. We continue to the biblical Mt. Nebo from where Moses viewed the Promise Land. Mt. Nebo, believed to be the site of the tomb of Moses, commands a spectacular view across the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. We will drive by Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John the Baptist is purported to have baptized Jesus and cross to Israel via the Allenby Bridge. As we enter into Israel we remember Joshua as he led the children of Israel on this exact path - into the Promised Land. We will drive by Jericho and to the Mediterranean Sea and finally arrive in Tel Aviv - Israel’s largest and most modern city. Check in at our hotel and dinner. After dinner we will meet in the hotel conference room for orientation. Free time to rest, relax and enjoy your first evening in Israel. Our Tel Aviv hotel is conveniently located nearby the shore of the Mediterranean Sea and close to the city center and attractions.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Overnight: » Tal Hotel
Day 8: Monday - From Tel Aviv to the Galilee
Tel Aviv / Coastal Plains / Caesarea / Mt. Carmel / Megiddo / Nazareth / Sea of Galilee / Tiberia
After an early breakfast we start our Holy Land journey heading north to the Sea of Galilee. We will have a relaxing drive along the beautiful coast of the Mediterranean Sea and stop at Caesarea Maritime (Acts 9.30 Acts 10 24-48), which was the center of early Christians. Here Cornelius the Centurion and his household were saved and baptized (Acts 10), and it was also here where Paul made his defense before Festus and King Agrippa prior to his final journey to Rome (Acts 25 & 26). Next, we will stop at Mount Carmel (Muchraka), where Elijah issued his challenge to the False Prophets. From here, we will have a breathtaking panoramic view of Haifa Bay and the Western Galilee region. Then on to Megiddo (1 Kings 4.28, 9,15, 2 Kings 23,29 & Revel. 16.16), and the Valley of Armageddon (Revelation 16), to see the remains from Solomon's days, and view the site where the Battle of Armageddon will be fought. We continue along the Jezerel valley to visit the town of Nazareth (Luke 1.26, 4.16-29, Matthew 2.23). We will take an unforgettable view from the top of Mt. of Precipice and drive via Cana of Galilee (John 2.1-11) and the Lower Galilee region to the beautiful Sea of Galilee and the town of Tiberia. Check in and dinner at our hotel, located on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Overnight: » Royal Plaza Sea of Galilee
Day 9: Tuesday - Discovering the Sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights
Sail on the Sea of Galilee / "Jesus Boat" /Golan Heights / Upper Galilee /Caesarea Philippi /Yardenit
Today we will discover the Galilee region and the Golan Heights. After breakfast we will board a wooden boat sail on of the Sea of Galilee as the disciples did 2,000 years ago. We will dock in Kibbutz Nof Geonsar and visit the “Ancient Jesus Boat” - a remains of a 2000 years old boat that was discovered in 1986. This boat was used at the time of Jesus and his disciples. Next we will drive up to the beautiful Golan Heights and learn about the ancient Jewish settlements in this region. Visit Banias - ancient Caesarea Philippi (Matt. 16.13 and Mark 8.27), where Jesus said “on this rock I will built my Church”. We will drive through the Hula Valley and the Upper Galilee region back to the Sea of Galilee. We conclude this remarkable day with a visit to Yardenit - the baptismal site on the Jordan River. Return to our hotel for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Overnight: » Royal Plaza Sea of Galilee
Day 10: Wednesday - Jesus’ Early Ministry along the Sea of Galilee and the River Jordan
Mount of Beatitudes / Tabgha / Capernaum / /Beth Shean / Dead Sea
Today we will experience the area of Jesus’ early ministry around the Sea of Galilee. After breakfast we will drive along the Sea of Galilee and enjoy the breathtaking view from the Mount of Beatitudes (Matt. 5,6,7,8), where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. Next, we will visit Tabgha - the site of the Feeding of the 5,000 & Primacy of Peter (Matt. 13, Mark .33-45, & John 21). Here we will visit the Church of Multiplication with its 4th century mosaic floor. Continue on to the 2,000 year old remains of Capernaum (Matt. 4.13 13.54, 17.24, Luke 7, Mark 1.2, John 4.46-54). Here we can stand in what is left of the synagogue in which Jesus ministered. It was from this city that Jesus did most of his Galilean ministry, where he performed many miracles, and where Peter's mother-in-law lived and was healed. From here we will drive south along the Beth Shean valley and the ancient city of Beth Shean (Mark 5.20, 7.31), for an overview of this remarkable archeological site. It was here that after defeating Saul and his sons on Mount Gilboa, the Philistines hanged their bodies on the walls of Beth Shean (1 Samuel 31). We will drive through the Jordanian Valley pass the city of Jericho and arrive at the lowest place on earth - the Dead Sea. We will check in at our hotel, located on the shores of the Dead Sea. Before dinner we will enjoy a relaxing free time at our Dead Sea hotel. Take the time to enjoy optional spa treatments and massage or float in the salty water of the Dead Sea, or even a dip in the beautiful indoor pools of our hotel.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Overnight: » Moriah Classic Dead Sea
Day 11: Thursday - Exploring the Dead Sea and the Judean Desert
Dead Sea / Masada/ Ein Gedi / Qumran / Jerusalem
Today we will explore the Dead Sea and the Judean desert region and its biblical and historical sites. After breakfast we will drive along the shores of the Dead Sea to visit one of the most spectacular sites in Israel – the 1500 feet mountaintop fortress of Masada. Built by King Herod, Masada is famous for being the last stronghold of the Jewish rebellion against the Romans. We will ascend to Masada by cable car and discover the 1st century Synagogue, Herod’s Bathhouse and many other sites. We will continue along the shores of the Dead Sea for a lookout on the oasis of Ein Gedi, where David hid in a cave when running from Saul (1 Samuel 23). It was here that David composed several of the Psalms. Next we will visit Qumran and walk through the ruins of this ancient Essene community. In this spot, an amazing cache of ancient biblical texts were discovered in 1947 - commonly called the Dead Sea Scrolls. From here we will ascend to Jerusalem - the holy city of Zion. Upon arriving in Jerusalem, experience a breathtaking panoramic view of Jerusalem from Mt. Scopus and take personal time for prayer as we enter God’s eternal city. Continue to our centrally located hotel for check in and dinner. Our hotel is conveniently located in walking distance from old city Jerusalem. Free time to rest, relax and enjoy your first evening in Jerusalem.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Overnigh Jerusalem: » Grand Court Hotel
Day 12: Friday - Touching the Stones of Your Heritage: Jerusalem Old City
Mount of Olives / Kidron Valley/ / Garden of Gethsemane/ Western Wall Tunnels / Pool of Bethesda/ Church of the Holy Sepulcher/ Via Delarosa / Christian Quarter
Today we walk where Jesus walked. Following an early breakfast we will begin our first day of touring Jerusalem and head to the top of the Mount of Olives to stand where the Lord ascended into heaven (Acts 1). From the Mount of Olives we take in a breathtaking view of the city across the Kidron Valley to the Eastern Gate where the Prince of Peace will enter (Ezekiel 44). We will pass by Pater Noster Church and visit Dominus Flevit where “the Lord wept” as he beheld the Holy City, knowing that it would be destroyed ”without one stone standing on another” (Luke 19). We’ll take the Palm Sunday Road down to the Garden of Gethsemane where we will see 2000 years old olive trees that date back to the time of Christ. We will enter the Old City; our first stop will be the Western Wall (“Wailing Wall”) - the holiest site in Judaism and one of the original ancient walls that retained the Temple. In front of the Western Wall, an incredible labyrinth of tunnels, arches, and passageways remained untouched for centuries. We will be privileged to enter the most important excavations in Israel - the famous Western Wall Tunnels. The tunnels, running along the base of the Western Wall will lead us through the Second Temple era. The tunnel and exhibit give a clear understanding of the amazing construction of the Temple Mount , giant stones, water supply and Roman street where our Lord was led to judgment. Continue to St. Anne Church and pray by the Pool of Bethesda. We will start our walk along the Stations of the Cross – the Via Delarosa, to visit the Judgment Hall of Pilate all the way to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher (Matt. 27. 33-57, 28.10). In the afternoon we will enjoy free time to rest and shop at the colorful old city bazaars and the Christian Quarter Market. As Jerusalem prepares for the beginning of the Shabbat we will join in prayer at the Western Wall. What a profound, inspirational experience it is to pray among thousands of Israelis as they are blessing the entrance of the Shabbat right here, where the temple once stood. - We return to our hotel for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Overnigh Jerusalem: » Grand Court Hotel
Day 13: Saturday - City of Zion - Past, Present and Future: Jerusalem Old & New City
Mt. Zion/ Upper Room/ Tomb of King David/ Jewish Quarter/ Knesset / Ein Karem / Bethlehem/ Church of the Nativity/ Shepherd’s Field/ Garden Tomb
After breakfast we will drive to Mt. Zion and worship in the Upper Room (Luke 22) - the traditional site where Jesus instituted the Lord’s supper and where later Thomas cried, "My Lord and my God”. Visit the Tomb of King David and walk through the historic Jewish Quarter. We will drive through the new city of Jerusalem and pass by the Knesset - Israel’s parliament. Drive to Ein Karem - the birthplace of John the Baptist (Luke 1.39 -80) and visit the Church of St. John the Baptist. Continue to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity (Luke 2: 1-7). We venture out to the Shepherd’s Field, referenced in Luke 2:8-20, where an angel appeared to announce the birth of Jesus. In the late afternoon we visit the Garden Tomb, where we will celebrate the resurrection with a time of prayer (Luke 23). We will end the day by driving back to our hotel for our great farewell dinner. We will share food with our new friends and be inspired by all the memories from our journey- memories that will last a lifetime.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Overnigh Jerusalem: » Grand Court Hotel
Day 14: Sunday - Departure
Today we will take a transfer back to the Tel Aviv airport for our flight home.
Or, enjoy a free day in Jerusalem and take an evening/night flight
Important notes:
* If your flight departs on Sunday morning you will be back in the U.S. on the same day (Sunday).
However, you can choose to fly on Sunday evening/night and spend a free day in Jerusalem. In that case, you will arrive back in the U.S. the following day (Monday).
* Your transfer back from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv airport is included in this tour. You are required to be at the Tel Aviv airport 3 hours before flight departure. Therefore, your transfer driver will wait for you at the lobby of the Jerusalem hotel 4 hours prior to your scheduled flight departure. (It is a 1 hour drive between Jerusalem and the Tel Aviv airport).
* Remember to bring your Bible and notepad, as we study the Scriptures at each site identified in the Bible |
