Holy lands in Israel, Egypt and Jordan
Duration: 13 Days
Program only valid for private groups of 20 or more people
DAY 1 – ARRIVE IN CAIRO, EGYPT
Arrive at Cairo International Airport, meet with our representative and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day will remain free to explore this vibrant and fascinating city!
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DAY 2 – CAIRO
We begin today’s journey with a visit to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: the Pyramids of Giza. We see the Sphinx and take the opportunity to ride a camel. Explore Old Cairo and visit the Egyptian Museum, which houses the greatest collection of Pharaonic treasures. We also visit Coptic Cairo and the Hanging Church, the Church of St Sergius and the Synagogue of Ben Ezra.
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DAY 3 - CAIRO - SINAI
Take the routes of the Biblical Exodus and travel from Cairo to the Red Sea. Stop at Marah, the desert where the children of Israel found the water bitter. Visit the desert oasis of Elim and Wadi Feiran, where you will see Mount Serbal, the possible site where Moses held his arms up for victory. Overnight at St. Catherine. Optional night activity: climb Mt. Sinai and experience a stunning sunrise view.
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DAY 4 – ST. CATHERINE MONASTERY – TABA BORDER – EILAT – CROSS TO JORDAN – AQABA
Tour the beautiful Monastery of St. Catherine and learn about its exceptional history. It is the only continuously used church building in the world. Cross the Taba Border and enter into Israel. Take a short city tour in Eilat, Israel’s southernmost town located in the Red Sea. Cross the Arava Border, enter Jordan and travel to Aqaba for overnight.
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DAY 5 – AQABA – PETRA - AMMAN
This morning we drive along the King’s Highway to Wadi Musa before entering into Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. We explore Petra and see “The Treasury”, the field of tombs, the obelisks, the altar and more. Later, drive to Amman, the capital of Jordan, which is considered to be among the most liberal and westernized Arab cities.
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DAY 6 – AMMAN – MADABA - MOUNT NEBO – CROSS TO ISRAEL – TEL AVIV
Today’s journey begins with a visit to Madaba, a Jordanian town known for its Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics. See the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George where you will view the earliest original map of the Holy Land. Visit Mount Nebo, where Moses viewed the Promised Land. This is also believed to be the site of Moses’ tomb. Drive by Bethany by the Jordan River, which is believed to be the site of Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist. Cross the border and enter Israel. Drive to Tel Aviv on the Mediterranean coast.
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DAY 7 - TEL AVIV – COASTAL PLAINS – CAESAREA MARITIMA – MT. CARMEL – MEGGIDO – NAZARETH – SEA OF GALILEE – TIBERIAS
Enjoy a relaxing drive along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Visit Caesarea Maritima, the center of early Christianity. Stop at Mt. Carmel (Muhraka), where Elijah challenged the false prophets. See Tel Meggido and the Valley of Armageddon, the site where the Battle of Armageddon will be fought according to Revelation 16:16. Visit Jesus’ boyhood town of Nazareth and the Church of the Annunciation, the traditional location of angel Gabriel’s appearance to Mary. Take a view of Nazareth from Mt. Precipice, where it is believed to have been the site of the rejection of Jesus. Visit Cana of Galilee, where Jesus performed the miracle of turning water into wine at a wedding feast. Our drive will end at our hotel on the Sea of Galilee in Tiberias.
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DAY 8 – TIBERIAS – SAIL ON THE SEA OF GALILEE “JESUS BOAT” – GOLAN HEIGHTS – UPPER GALILEE – CAESAREA PHILIPPI - TIBERIAS
Board a wooden boat and sail on the Sea of Galilee before visiting the “Ancient Jesus Boat”, the remains of a 2,000-year old fishing boat that would have been the type used by Jesus’ Apostles. Visit the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount of Matthew 5:8. Drive up to the beautiful Golan Heights and visit the Banias Spring in ancient Caesarea Philippi. See Tabgha, where Jesus fed the 5,000 with only five loaves of bread and 2 fish. Here you will visit the Church of Multiplication and enjoy its remarkable 4th century Byzantine mosaic floor. End the day by visiting the 2,000-year old remains at Capernaum and stand in the synagogue, where Jesus ministered.
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DAY 9 – TIBERIAS – YARDENIT – DEAD SEA – FREE TIME TO FLOAT AND ENJOY THE DESERT
Today we visit the baptismal site of Yardenit, the site on River Jordan where it is believed that the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist took place. Those who visit the site today can be baptized in the River. Enjoy travelling in the Beth Shean, which is now protected as an Israel National Park. Drive through the Jordan River Valley. Relax and float in the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth. Overnight.
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DAY 10 – DEAD SEA – MASADA – EIN GEDI – QUMRAN – JERUSALEM
Climb by cable car to the mountaintop stronghold of Masada and explore the ancient site while learning about the Jewish rebellion against the Romans. Enjoy a view of the oasis of Ein Gedi, where David wrote many of his Psalms as he did from Saul. Visit the Essene community of Qumran, where the ancient biblical texts known as the “Dead Sea Scrolls” were found in 1947. Stand on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem and reflect on the Lord’s ascension into heaven. Pass by Pater Noster Church and visit Dominus Flevit. Take Palm Sunday Road and visit the Garden of Gethsemane. End the day with a visit to St. Peter of Galicantu – commemorating Christ’s prophesy that Peter would deny him three times “before the cock crows”. “Galli cantu” means cockcrow in Latin.
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DAY 11 – JERUSALEM
Explore the Old City of Jerusalem via the Dung Gate. Visit the Western Wall and surrounding Plaza in the Jewish quarter, including Robinson’s Arch. Visit the Davidson Center Museum and the Southern Temple Mount archaeological excavations. Continue to the new Friends of Zion Heritage Center which tells the stories of Christian Zionists who fought to reestablish the nation of Israel. Drive to Bethlehem, where you will visit the Church of the Nativity and Shepherd’s Field.
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DAY 12 – JERUSALEM OLD CITY – BETHLEHEM
Enter the Christian Quarter of the Old City via the Lion’s Gate and walk along the Via Dolorosa, also known as the Stations of the Cross, which is the route that Jesus walked from the prison to the crucifixion. Along the way you will visit: the Judgement Hall of Pilate, St. Anne’s Church and the Pool of Bethesda. Take time for reflection at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Walk through the historic Christian & Jewish quarters of the Old City and take a break for shopping at the bazaars. Visit Mount Zion, where the Tomb of David and the Upper Room of the Last Supper are located. Celebrate the resurrection with prayer and communion at the Garden Tomb. After returning to our hotel, we meet with the rest of the group for farewell dinner.
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DAY 13 – TEL AVIV DEPARTURE
Transfer to Tel Aviv airport for your departure flight back home.We hope you have enjoyed this magnificent journey of the biblical landmarks and recreational areas!
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