Israel Study Tour 2012

Seeking to organize a group tour for your ministry, university or bible study group?  If you are interested in a biblically oriented  program, this itinerary is very comprehensive.

You will feel God's glory as you walk the land, learning from expert guides and scholars, meeting the people and touching the ancient stones of our history. Experience the culture by celebrating Sabbath hospitality, visiting communities, enjoying the sites and smells of today.

Day 1: Arrive Israel
Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport where you will be met by our Israeli guide who will accompany you during your entire stay in Israel.

We will enjoy a tour of the ancient city of Jaffa. 

Overnight and dinner Tel-Aviv

Day 2: Caesarea, Megiddo & Nazareth
After breakfast, we travel along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea to Caesarea, 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, the Armageddon Battlefield, where archaeologists have unearthed 20 levels of civilization. We take some time to visit Cana and Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus, where we visit the Nazareth Village - a wonderful recreation of Biblical times with costumed guides.

Drive to Tiberias

Overnight and dinner Tiberias

Day 3: Capernaum, Dan, Caesarea Philippi & Mount of Beatitudes
Following breakfast, drive to Caesarea Philippi which is also the site of Peter's Confession. At Capernaum we will visit the ruins of an ancient synagogue and Peter's home. Then we travel on to the site of the multiplication of loaves and fishes and the Mount of the Beatitudes overlooking the Sea. After viewing the ancient Jesus Boat, we end the day with a relaxing Boat Ride on the Sea of Galilee.

Overnight and dinner Tiberias - visit with kibbutz members 

Day 4: Jordan River Baptism Site, Beth Shean
We begin our day with a tour through the kibbutz and then visit to the Jordan River Baptismal site (Yardenit) and  then to Gideons Springs. Next we travel southward to Beit-Shean, the most magnificent archeological site in Israel, located at the strategic juncture of the Jezreel and Jordan valleys. Your guide will point out the agricultural restoration of the "Land of Milk and Honey," the Kibbutz system and Israel's intricate irrigation development. We pass ancient Jericho, view from a distance this city famed as the oldest in the world, and stop at the Mt. of Temptations. We will stop at Bethany, the site of the tomb of Lazarus before continuing into Jerusalem.

Overnight and dinner Jerusalem

Day 5: Jesus' Steps, the Last Days
Today we walk where Jesus walked; beginning the day with a panoramic view of the city, Mount Moriah and the Dome of the Rock from atop the Mount of Olives and then the Garden of Gethsemane. Next we visit the House of Cailphas. On our way into the city we will visit the Wailing Wall and then the fascinating Kotel Tunnels leading us through the Second Temple era. We move on to the Judgment Hall of Pilate. From here we will also be able to see the Pool of Bethesda, Stephen's Gate and St. Anne's Church.

Overnight and dinner Jerusalem

Day 6: Around Jerusalem, Bible Times, Holocaust Museum
Passing by the Protestant Cemetery, we visit the "Upper Room" just outside the Zion Gate and onto the House of Caiaphus, the high priest. Next visit  the Israeli Museum. Walk through collections of centuries old Israeli artifacts including the Dead Sea Scrolls, and a then a guided walk through an accurately detailed model of Biblical Jerusalem will help to prepare you for what you will experience in the following days. We conclude the day with a visit to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum. Time for shopping before a special "seder" and evening of learning with a rabbi from the the Center for  Jewish Christian Understanding and Cooperation where you will learn and read from ancient texts. 

Overnight and dinner Jerusalem

Day 7: Masada, Ein Gedi, Qumran, dead sea swim Drive to the Dead Sea - the lowest place on earth. Our day begins with a cable car ride to the mountain top fortress of Masada. Afterwards we proceed to Ein Gedi, "an oasis on the western shore of the Dead Sea. Here we will take some time to hike along the spring before our next visit to the Qumran Caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. We will end the day with an opportunity to float on the Dead sea.

Overnight and dinner Jerusalem - Sabbath hospitality dinner with invited guest speaker

Day 8: Way of Suffering, Garden Tomb, Pentecost, Hezekiah's Tunnel
While walking along the Via Dolorosa, we are reminded of His way of suffering. Our guide will explain the differing opinions on the route that Christ was led. The actual place of crucifixion and burial is a very interesting study.  This afternoon we visit the Southern Wall Excavations followed by a  visit to the ancient Hezekiah's Tunnel (City of David). A highlight today will be a water walk through the incredible Hezekiah's Tunnel to the pool of Siloam. Before returning to our hotel, our guide will take us to an overview of the city from the hillside overlooking Jerusalem and the Gehenna Valley. This meaningful teaching time will bring together the many things that you have seen to date.

 Overnight and dinner Jerusalem

Day 9 : Outside the walls of Jerusalem

On our last day touring, we will visit serve Israel by performing a local Jerusalem service project in the morning. We will then continue to the area of Golgotha (place of the skull) and the Garden Tomb, where we celebrate the resurrection with communion and a time of praise.The afternoon will be dedicated to a visit Bethlehem.

Overnight and dinner Jerusalem

Day 10: Day at Travel Home
Day at Leisure.

Departure transfer to airport

The program includes the following:

 9 nights accommodation at first class tourist hotels:

 Includes:

•  Daily breakfast and dinners at hotels
•  Porterage at hotels and airport
•  Airport assistance on arrival and departure
•  Transportation in a luxury air conditioned motorcoach subject to group size
•  English speaking fully licensed guide throughout
•  All entrance fees to places of interest as per the program.

The rates do not include the following:

•   Flights (we can arrange group flights for you) 
•   Lunches en route
•   Travel insurance
•   Tips to guide, driver and hotel staff and personal expenses
  

Remarks

Itinerary can be revised to suit your needs and objectives. (Pricing may be affected)

Sabbath hospitality/learning to be arranged depending on the dates of arrival.

Please note that this pricing is based on current rates of exchange. Should there be a major drop in the Dollar exchange rate, then hotels or suppliers may increase rates. Should this happen, our rates would need to be amended accordingly although we will do all possible to avoid this.

For your group quote - please contact us today