Holy Land

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Holy Land

9 Day Land Tour

03/13/2025 - 03/23/2025

Price

  • $2495 per person based on double occupancy for cash or check payments.
  • $2580 per person credit card price
  • Single Supplement – $150 per night

Optional Petra Add-on

  • $650 per person based on double occupancy.
  • Single Supplement of $150 per night if traveling alone.
  • Tips not included
  • If paying with a credit card, there is an additional 3.5% fee.
  • Price includes 5 star, luxury hotel, visa, and local guide.
  • Exit tax is about $35 and will be added to your final payment invoice.

Tips

  • We collect pre-paid tips in advance of $100 per person for the Israeli guide and driver. You will need to tip hotel baggage porters if they take your luggage for you. We are often asked about tipping the LDS tour director. Tips for the LDS guide are greatly appreciated but not required.
  • Jordan Tips: Tips are not collected in advance for any tour extensions, such as Jordan or Egypt. We recommend $5 per day for the guide and $2-$3 per day for the driver on those tours.

Payment Schedule

  • $250 per person due at time of booking (deposit is non-refundable – it can be transferred to another new booking on the same tour date. We will attempt to find someone to take your spot if you cancel but we cannot guarantee it).
  • Final Payment: Final payment is due three months before the tour departure date.

Cancellation Policy

  • If you cancel: Deposit is non-refundable; however, it is transferable to another guest on a new booking, traveling on the same tour date. After final payment, the full amount is non-refundable. If you cancel and you can find someone to take your spot, we will refund the deposit. If we have a waiting list and can fill your spot, we will refund your deposit by placing someone in your spot.
  • If we cancel the tour due to pandemic or security issues: Deposit is non-refundable; however, it can be transferred to any other tour or kept as a future tour credit to be used at any time on one of our advertised tours (cannot be transferred to a cruise). The balance will be refunded or applied to a future tour as a credit. If we can
  • The only way to avoid trip cancellation penalties is to buy trip cancellation insurance. If you are interested in the insurance, we can help you purchase it.

 

Check Your Invoice Names: Please check to see that your names are spelled correctly. Your first and last names must appear as they appear on your passport for International travel and Driver’s License for domestic tours.

COVID: Israel is currently not requiring tests or vaccines to enter Israel.

PASSPORTS ARE REQUIRED and must be valid 6 months after the end of the tour.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to the nature of this tour you must be able to climb stairs and walk unassisted at a moderate pace. You will be walking 4-7 miles per day. 

Please note that minor changes to the itinerary may occur due to local conditions and to better accommodate our group.

Waitlist

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to travel in the Holy Lands with John Bytheway. This will be an awesome opportunity to discover the beauty, power and spirit of the Holy Lands with John as your tour director. You will love his personable, fun, teaching style and amazing insights. March is possibly the best month of year to travel to Israel (the temperature is usually very moderate for touring). Make the most of our tour with your optional Jordan/Petra extension.

You can add onto any of our Israel tours with a trip to Jordan/Petra or Egypt. Petra extensions are listed below in the itinerary.
We can help you create your own Egypt add on by giving you the contact we work with in Egypt.

Itinerary

Day 1 : Depart Home

March 13, 2025 (Thursday)

Depart for Israel. Overnight on the trans-Atlantic flight.

Day 2 : Arrive in Tel Aviv

March 14, 2025 (Friday)

Enjoy a relaxing evening, walk on the beach or swim in the Mediterranean as you recover from jet lag and prepare for our wonderful adventure. Dinner not included first night. Every other night, dinner is included. One lunch is included.

Day 3 : Tel Aviv - Jaffa - Caesarea - Mt. Carmel

March 15, 2025 (Saturday)

We will begin our vacation with a bus tour of Tel Aviv and then a visit of Old Jaffa (Joppa) and the Artist’s Quarters. Jaffa is where Peter received his vision leading to the expansion of missionary work to the Gentiles and is also the place that Jonah attempted to flee from the Lord’s presence aboard a ship bound for Tarshish. We will discuss the doctrinal implications of the two events. From Jaffa, we will travel along the Mediterranean coast to the Roman, New Testament capital, Caesarea. Once in Caesarea, we will see an ancient Roman theatre, hippodrome and study a couple of the Biblical events that happened here. From Caesarea, we will go to Nazareth stopping at Mt. Carmel on the way, where we will discuss the epic battle between Elijah and the wicked priests of Baal. We will overnight at our hotel in Nazareth.

Day 4 : Cana - Church of Annunciation - Nazareth Village - Mount Tabor or Nazareth Precipice - Megiddo

March 16, 2025 (Sunday)

Today we will spend most of the day discovering the early childhood world of Jesus. We will begin the morning with a visit to Nazareth Village, which will demonstrate life in a small, first century village such as Nazareth. From there, we will pass through and visit Cana, where the first recorded miracle of Christ took place in the turning of water to wine. Time permitting, we will visit the church of Annunciation (traditional Biblical home of Mary). We will then return to our hotel in Nazareth. Weather and time permitting, we will have dinner with our Bedouin, Sheikh bus driver.

Day 5 : Sea of Galilee - Magdala - Capernaum - Mount of Beatitudes - Caesarea Phillipi (Banias) - St. Peter's Fish Lunch

March 17, 2025 (Monday)

We will start the morning with a bus ride to the ancient and modern, northern-most border of Israel. We will start with a visit to Banias (Caesarea Phillipi in the New Testament), which is the site of Peter’s testimony of Savior (Thou art the son of the living God – Matthew 16) and one of the sources of the Jordan River as it emerges from the foothills of Mount Hermon. We will then go to the traditional Mount of Beatitudes, where we will find a quiet place to study the doctrines of that amazing sermon. Following lunch (included on this day), we will visit Capernaum, which was the center of Jesus’ Galilean ministry. In Capernaum, Christ performed many miracles and gave many profound teachings, including the Bread of Life sermon. We will see the remains of a synagogue from the time of Christ, which very well may have been built on top of the synagogue in which He taught. Time permitting we will visit the site of Magdala, which is believed to be the home town of Mary Magdalene and the site of a first century synagogue. Return to our hotel in Nazareth.

Day 6 : Bet She'an - Jordan Valley - Jericho Overlook (Wadi Qelt) - Jordan River (Bethabara) - Dead Sea Swim

March 18, 2025 (Tuesday)

We will check out this morning and head to Jerusalem, driving through the Jordan River Valley. We will begin our drive to the strategic site of Beth Shean. At these impressive ruins we will see the splendor of Roman life and Hellenistic culture. Bet She’an was one of the Decapolis/Pagan cities of the New Testament. After seeing these ruins, we will then drive through the Jordan Valley passing by Jericho and review some of the important scriptural events that took place on the road to Jericho from an overlook known as Wadi Qelt. We will stop at the traditional site where Christ was baptized and near where the Israelites crossed into Canaan. Before ascending into Jerusalem, we will float in the Dead Sea (optional). From here we will continue on to Jerusalem. We will check into our hotel in Jerusalem. Following dinner, we will visit an olive wood shop for those who are interested.

Day 7 : Mount of Olives - Gethsemane (private gardens) - Western Wall - Davidson Center Museum - Southern Temple Mount Steps - Church of the Holy Sepulchre/Old City - House of Caiaphas the High Priest/Gallicantu

March 19, 2025 (Wednesday)

This morning will begin with a visit to the Garden of Gethsemane where we will discuss the miraculous events that took place along this hillside and where you will be given a moment to ponder those events prior to sacrament service. Today we will tour the Old City in which we will see Mount Zion, visit the St. Anne’s Church with the Pools of Bethesda, and the Antonia Fortress/Ecce Homo. We will walk through the Jewish Quarter to the Western Wall, visit the Herodian Quarter. In the afternoon, we’ll have an optional tour by way of the via dolorosa ending at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Free time in the Old City for those who would prefer.

Day 8 : Old City - Garden Tomb & Golgotha - Bethlehem

March 20, 2025 (Thursday)

This morning we will head out to Bethlehem, where we will see the church of the Nativity as well as the Shepherd’s fields. Coming back from Bethlehem, we will go to the Garden Tomb, where we are also able to view the ancient Golgotha. Here we will be discuss and ponder the final moments of Christ’s mortal life and his glorious resurrection.

Day 9 : Masada - Wadi Qelt

March 21, 2025 (Friday)

We will then continue our day with a drive to Massada, passing by the scenic overlook Wadi Qelt, where we will study the parable of the Good Samaritan. Once we get to Massada, we will take a cable car to the top of Masada to see the ruins of the palace-fortress built by King Herod. We will discuss the history of the Zealot’s last stand against the Romans. From Massada, we will transfer to the Red Sea, where we will cross into Jordan. Those going home will go from Massada back to the airport in Tel Aviv.Transfer to airport around 7:00 PM for late night flight home. Flight should be scheduled for around midnight. For those continuing to Jordan/Petra, the bus will go south from Masada to the Red Sea. From there we will cross over into Jordan.

Day 10 : Arrive Home or Continue to Jordan

March 22, 2025 (Saturday)

Arrive home for those not going onto Jordan

Day 10 : Red Sea Snorkeling (optional on own) - Wadi Rum Jeep Tour

March 23, 2025 (Sunday)

The morning begins with a pickup ride through the Wadi Rum desert. The scenery is surreal and the site of many movies, ranging from Lawrence of Arabia to the most recent Star Wars moving. After returning from the desert, you will have free time to enjoy shopping, swimming, snorkeling or just relaxing on the beach. The hotel is right on the beach. Or you can also try out the world class snorkeling in the Red Sea. For about $30 you can grab a shuttle to the reef where snorkel gear is included (paid for at the hotel).

Day 11 : Petra

March 24, 2025 (Monday)

Today we will leave our amazing resort on the Red Sea around 9:00 AM to visit the amazing site of Petra.Petra is a historical and archaeological city in the Jordanian governorate of Ma’an that is famous for its rock-cut architecture and water conduit system. It was made famous from the Indiana Jones movie. Petra was established sometime around the 6th century BC as the capital city of the Nabataeans. It is a symbol of Jordan as well as its most visited tourist attraction. We will have about 4.5 to 5 hours on site in Petra before leaving for the airport in Amman. We will arrive to the airport around 9:00 PM. Schedule your flight to depart after 11:00 PM.

Day 12 : Arrive Home

March 25, 2025 (Tuesday)

Information

Space is limited so BOOK NOW!

INCLUDED
4-5 Star Hotels – Herods, Nazareth Legacy, Dan Jerusalem/Olive Tree
Local Guide & LDS Tour Director
Breakfast & Dinner (lunches not included)
First Class Coach/Bus
All entrance fees
Whisper Head Sets

 

NOT INCLUDED
Tips: Additional information in the pricing section below
International Airfare: We email the group about 4 months prior to the tour with the suggested flight schedule. We do not arrange group airfare since usually it is considerably more expensive to do so. We are flexible on flights and we will give you an arrival time for when you should arrive in Tel Aviv. Flights are usually around $1,500-$1,700 out of SLC.
Lunches, Personal Items, Phone, Internet, etc. 

Pricing

Price

  • $2495 per person based on double occupancy for cash or check payments.
  • $2580 per person credit card price
  • Single Supplement – $150 per night

Optional Petra Add-on

  • $650 per person based on double occupancy.
  • Single Supplement of $150 per night if traveling alone.
  • Tips not included
  • If paying with a credit card, there is an additional 3.5% fee.
  • Price includes 5 star, luxury hotel, visa, and local guide.
  • Exit tax is about $35 and will be added to your final payment invoice.

Tips

  • We collect pre-paid tips in advance of $100 per person for the Israeli guide and driver. You will need to tip hotel baggage porters if they take your luggage for you. We are often asked about tipping the LDS tour director. Tips for the LDS guide are greatly appreciated but not required.
  • Jordan Tips: Tips are not collected in advance for any tour extensions, such as Jordan or Egypt. We recommend $5 per day for the guide and $2-$3 per day for the driver on those tours.

Payment Schedule

  • $250 per person due at time of booking (deposit is non-refundable – it can be transferred to another new booking on the same tour date. We will attempt to find someone to take your spot if you cancel but we cannot guarantee it).
  • Final Payment: Final payment is due three months before the tour departure date.

Cancellation Policy

  • If you cancel: Deposit is non-refundable; however, it is transferable to another guest on a new booking, traveling on the same tour date. After final payment, the full amount is non-refundable. If you cancel and you can find someone to take your spot, we will refund the deposit. If we have a waiting list and can fill your spot, we will refund your deposit by placing someone in your spot.
  • If we cancel the tour due to pandemic or security issues: Deposit is non-refundable; however, it can be transferred to any other tour or kept as a future tour credit to be used at any time on one of our advertised tours (cannot be transferred to a cruise). The balance will be refunded or applied to a future tour as a credit. If we can
  • The only way to avoid trip cancellation penalties is to buy trip cancellation insurance. If you are interested in the insurance, we can help you purchase it.

 

Check Your Invoice Names: Please check to see that your names are spelled correctly. Your first and last names must appear as they appear on your passport for International travel and Driver’s License for domestic tours.

COVID: Israel is currently not requiring tests or vaccines to enter Israel.

PASSPORTS ARE REQUIRED and must be valid 6 months after the end of the tour.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to the nature of this tour you must be able to climb stairs and walk unassisted at a moderate pace. You will be walking 4-7 miles per day. 

Please note that minor changes to the itinerary may occur due to local conditions and to better accommodate our group.

Headliners

Waitlist
John was born and raised in Salt Lake City, and he served his mission in the Philippines. Following his mission he attended the University of Utah, and later graduated from BYU. John has taught the Book of Mormon at Brigham Young University, and the BYU Salt Lake Center since 1996. In 2003, he earned a Master’s Degree in Religious Education. He is the author of more than two dozen books and CDs many of which, he says, are effective non-prescription sleep-aids. He loves to golf, write, read, and play the banjo and guitar. John is a founding member of the local chapter of the Andy Griffith Show Re-run Watchers Club, and does a spot-on impersonation of Deputy Sheriff Barney Fife. John has served as a bishop, and is currently serving as a member of the Young Men’s General Advisory Council (formerly known as the General Board). John and Kim’s children have served missions in France, Iceland, Tahiti and West Virginia, and another son will soon be serving in Uruguay..
Reserve Your Spot Now

Holy Land - 9 Day Land Tour

headliner

*Reservation will be confirmed once deposit is received and you receive and email confirmation.Â