The fixed date for the next 2 trips will be November 6-15, 2007 & March 4-13, 2008. These tours are for the person who is looking to not only gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Bible, but also to encounter an amazingly special spiritual experience that will inspire one's walk with Christ. Rev. Dr. John DeLancey, an ordained evangelical pastor, will be your personal tour leader. He has studied biblical archeology in Israel for one year and has led 10 previous trips to the Holyland. A life-changing trip awaits!
Added to the tour itinerary are "extras" (i.e. worship & devotional gatherings, optional walks and hikes for the more adventurous traveler, and evening "interactive" talks - reviewing the day's experiences as well as helping prepare for the following day) as Dr. DeLancey leads you to these experiences not often encounter on regular tours.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Depart North America
Tour members depart on our flight to Europe. After take-off enroute to the Holy Land, we will be served dinner.
Day 2: Arrive Tel Aviv
After a brief touchdown in Europe, we arrive in Tel Aviv where we are met by our agent who assists us through customs and security. We are then transferred to our hotel in Tel Aviv or Netanya and right on the beautiful Mediterranean Sea.
Day 3: Caesarea/Megiddo/Nazareth/Tiberias
Today we depart for Galilee, visiting the following biblical sites: Caesarea (Acts 9 and 25), Mt. Carmel (1 Kgs. 18), Megiddo (Armageddon; 1 Kgs. 9:15; Rev. 16:16), Nazareth (Luke 1 and 2), Cana (John 2) and Tiberias (John 6:23). Optional: Baptism in the River Jordan.
Day 4: Galilee/Upper Jordan/Golan Heights
There is nothing quite like watching a sunrise on the Sea of Galilee from your hotel. We begin our day with an inspiring boat ride on the Sea of Galilee in a wooden replica of the “Jesus Boat.” Today will include many biblical sites along the shore of the Sea of Galilee and in the Upper Jordan Valley: e.g. Capernaum (Matt. 4:13), Mount of Beatitudes (Matt. 5-7), Tabgha (Feeding of 5000; Mark 6), Church of Peter of Primacy (John 21), Magdala (Matt. 15:39; Luke 8:2); Caesarea Philippi (Paneas; Mark 8:27), view Mt. Hermon (Deut. 3:8), Border of Lebanon (Josh. 11:17), and Hazor (Josh. 11:10; 1 Kgs. 9:15). Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.
Day 5: Beth Shan/Jericho/Jerusalem
Today we go up to Jerusalem. The highway will take us to many of the following biblical sites: Mt. Tabor (Judges 4); Ein Harod (Judg. 7:1); Beth Shan (1 Sam. 31:10); and Jericho (Josh. 2–6; Mark 10:46; Luke 19:1). The road from Jericho to Jerusalem is an ascent of 4,000 feet in 13 miles. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 6: Mt. of Olives/Temple Mount/Via Dolorosa/Holy Sepulchre /Bethlehem
We begin our explorations with a drive to the beautiful Mt. of Olives to behold the breath-taking panorama of the Holy City. Our pilgrimage will proceed to The Church of Ascension, descend to Gethsemane with its ancient olive grove, and there visit the Church of Agony, where tradition holds that Jesus prayed. We will enter Jerusalem through the Dung Gate, and walk to the holiest site in the whole Jewish world, the Western Wall (Wailing Wall) of Herod’s temple. Beyond the wall lies the 35-acre temple area purchased by King David (2 Sam. 24:18–25).
On this site now stands the magnificent Dome of the Rock (the third holiest shrine in all Islam) and the El-Aksa Mosque. From the temple area, we make our way to St. Stephen’s Gate, St. Anne’s Crusader Church, Pools of Bethesda, the Sister of Zion Convent (to see the Pavement where Jesus stood as he was being tried by Pilate), Ecco Homo Arch, and then follow the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the ancient Cardo. (note: a scheduled walk through the “Western Wall Tunnel” will also be planned).
This afternoon we will pass by Rachel’s tomb on the outskirts of Bethlehem, and visit the Church of the Nativity and Shepherd’s Field. You will be fascinated by your visit to the Israel Museum and the model of Jerusalem (1 to 50 scale model of Herodian Jerusalem as it would have appeared in Jesus’ time). Here we will also see the Shrine of the Book where some of the Dead Sea Scrolls are displayed. A visit to Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust Museum concludes the day.
Day 7: Jericho/Qumran/Ein Gedi/Masada/Dead Sea/Jerusalem
Leaving Jerusalem, we will descend down to the Dead Sea and the wilderness of Judah. Our first stop will be Jericho, the ancient city where the wall came tumbling down. Our second stop will be Qumran and the possible settlement of the first century sect known as the Essenes, the authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Following the road south along the western shore of the Dead Sea, we will stop at Ein Gedi where David hid from King Saul, and everyone will have an opportunity to float in the Dead Sea, the lowest spot on the earth.
Continuing south, the next stop is Masada, where we will ascend high upon the wilderness mountain by way of the cable car to the fortress built by King Herod. Here we survey the ruins of the fortifications, waterworks, synagogue, temples and palaces. An optional walk down the snake path will be offered. We travel back to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.
Day 8: The Temple Mount/Southern Wall Excavations/City of David/ Garden Tomb
We begin the day by going up to the Temple Mount, the location of the Dome of the Rock today. We then enjoy a walk through the southern wall excavations where we will stand at the southern entrance to the Herodian Temple. Here, we will see the ancient boulders of the Temple and sit on the steps where Jesus no doubt taught. In the afternoon, we will also visit the City of David, the ancient part of the city that dates back to the Old Testament. After seeing the excavations, there will be an optional walk through Hezekiah’s Tunnel (II Chr. 29–32), a 1,720 foot tunnel that ends at the Pool of Siloam (John 9). Late in the afternoon we will visit the Garden Tomb with an optional communion service.
Day 9: Jerusalem
Day without a planned program. Time to collect your thoughts; indulge your whims. Revisit the places of most interest. Return for a last look within the walls of the Old City where bargaining is a must when you shop. There will be a number of options for you enjoy on this free day!
Day 10: Jerusalem/U.S.A.
For those not going on the optional extension, you will be transferred to the Ben Gurion Airport for an early evening flight back to the U.S. The close of an unforgettable tour, we bring with us lasting memories of the Old and New Testament, a renewal of our faith, and a greater understanding of the life and ministry of our Lord.
(Optional Extension to Sinai and Jordan)
Day 10: Jerusalem/Red Sea/Taba Border/Sinai
Our optional extension begins by traveling to the Red Sea. Traveling through the Aravah valley, we will arrive in Elat where we will enjoy the underwater observatory. From here, we will cross over into Egypt’s Sinai Desert at the Taba Border. After going through the border crossing, our Egyptian agency will accompany us further south through the towering granite mountains of the Sinai. As we enter this desolate mountainous region, we will pass by Solomon’s island fortress of Ezion-geber. Our route will take us to the interior of the Sinai, eventually reaching the area of St. Catherine’s Monastery, the traditional location of Mt. Sinai, where Moses received the 10 Commandments. We will have dinner and overnight here.
Day 11: Mt. Sinai Morning Climb/St. Catherine's/Aqaba/Petra
The highlight of our Sinai experience is the early morning climb to the top of Jebel Musa, the “Mountain of Moses” as it is called today. From the top, we enjoy a spectacular sunrise looking east towards Saudi Arabia. After our descent, and breakfast, we visit the monastery of St. Catherine’s. We then drive north to the tip of the Red Sea where we cross into the country of Jordan through the port city of Aqaba. From here, we head towards Petra, where we will have dinner and overnight.
Day 12: Petra/Dead Sea
Following an early breakfast, we enter Petra, this breath-taking “rose red city half as old as time.” This ancient Edomite and Nabatean capital is an amazing example of prophecy with its famed gorge, ancient streets, temples, dwelling places and tombs, carved in the solid rock. Then we arrive at El-Ji Post, and continue the one mile journey on horseback, or walk, passing through the famous Siq (the natural gorge) and arrive at the Treasury. Once inside the city, we visit some of the ancient remains such as the Nabatean Judgment Hall, Palace Tombs, the famous Urn Temple, and the Roman Amphitheater.
Those willing to climb may view Petra from the “High Place,” gaining a spectacular view of the city below. By mid-day, we exit the city. Traveling north along the New King’s Highway, we make our way to Medeba to see a 6th century A.D. mosaic of the Holyland region. Finally, we travel to Mt. Nebo, to stand where Moses stood to view the Promised Land. From here enjoy our hotel along the Dead Sea for dinner and overnight.
Day 13: Dead Sea/Allenby Bridge/Crossing Back Into Israel
We enjoy a leisurely morning of rest along the beautiful shores of the Dead Sea, enjoying a “float” in its mineral-rich waters, a mud bath, or simply a restful time at pool side. At noon, we return back into Israel, making our crossing at the Allenby Bridge. After border formalities, we travel westward through the Wilderness one more time, through Jerusalem, and eventually to the Shephelah (“Lowlands”) of Judah and to the Elah Valley where David defeated Goliath. We overnight in the Tel Aviv area.
Day 14: Tel Aviv/USA
We transfer to the airport in Tel Aviv for our early morning flight back to the U.S.
Notes:
Airfare is included in the tour price.
*Base price for 10 Day is $2,099.
*Base price for optional extension is $699.
Price does not include:
- Departure taxes,
- Tips,
- Visa,
- Optional travel insurance.
Also see tour packages in:
Middle East
Israel
Jordan
Egypt
Biblical Tours
Archeology/History
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