Israel Adventure Tour – Private

Depart USA

Arrive in Tel Aviv (Herods or similar)

We will depart this first morning to Caesarea Maritima stopping by Jaffa on the way. Here we will see the ancient port from which Jonah set sail. In Caesarea, we will see examples of Herod's architecture, discuss the first gentile baptism, see the port where Paul was held prior to being sent to Rome. From there, we will go to Mount Carmel, where Elijah battled the priests of Baal. Time permitting, we will stop at Mount Arbel. Mount Arbel is a candidate for the Mountain upon which Christ gave his disciples the sermon on the mount. This is also part of the road that the Savior would walk as he went from Nazareth to Galilee. We will finish the day at Magdala and see a first century synagogue, likely a synagogue in which Christ taught and the likely hometown of Mary Magdalene. Hotel on Sea of Galilee (B,D)

We will wake up early to drive the northern border of Israel (ancient and modern). Our first stop is the nature reserve of Tel Dan. Here we will hike through the reserve to an ancient Canaanite altar. Jeroboam set up golden calves for worship here when the kingdom of Israel divided. We will then go to Banias/Caesarea Phillipi, which is where Christ promised Peter the Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. We will hike from here to beautiful waterfalls where the bus will pick up the group. If we are able to arrange it, we will then raft down the upper Jordan River. We will finish the day with a visit to Capernaum, where Christ performed many healings and a Boat Ride on Sea of Galilee. Hotel on Sea of Galilee.

This morning we will visit Nazareth Village, where we will see what life would have been like in a small Galilean village during the time of Christ. We will visit what is believed to be ancient Cana and discuss Christ's first miracle. We will visit Megiddo, the location of many ancient battles and where prophesy indicates Armageddon will commence. Time permitting, we will visit Gan Hashlosha national park for a swim in the hot springs. Sea of Galilee Hotel.

Today we will go from the Galilee to Jerusalem. On the way, we will stop at the amazing Greco-Roman city of Beth Shean. Here we will see the world of the gentiles during the first century. Then we will stop at the Jordan River, in the general area where the ancient Israelites would have crossed over into Canaan and where Jesus would have been baptized. We will float in the Dead Sea and hike Ein Gedi before going up to Jerusalem. Time permitting, we will stop at Wadi Qelt, for a scenic Judean wilderness overlood in Jericho. (Olive Tree)

Today we will spend in Jerusalem, visiting the Pools of Bethesda, walking through the Old City to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (believed by many to be the place of crucifixion). We will visit the Western Wall and the Davidson Center Museum, where we can walk up the southern temple mount steps. We will conclude the day at the City of David and Hezekiah's Tunnel. If possible, we will do an underground hike from the pools of Siloam to the temple mount, following the path many would have taken on the feast of Tabernacles. (Olive Tree)

We will begin the morning in Bethlehem, where we will see the grotto-cave where it is believed Christ was born (Church of the Nativity - assuming the line isn't super long). We will then go to the Shepherd's Fields. In the afternoon, we will return to Jerusalem to see sites we may have missed on Thursday including possibly the House of Caiphas, the High Priest and the Last Supper Room. We will end the day at the Garden tomb and Golgotha. (Olive Tree)

Our last day in Israel will begin at the Garden of Gethsemane, where we will ponder the events that took place there. We will then go to the Jerusalem Center for Church Services. In the afternoon, we will go to Ein Gedi, where David discovered Saul in a cave and we will hike to the waterfalls. Those going to Jordan will transfer to the Red Sea border crossing. The others will transfer to the airport. Plan on arriving to the airport around 7:00 PM.

Arrive Home or Continue to Jordan/Petra

If going to Jordan, you will spend today at your amazing resort on the Red Sea. In the morning, you will take a pickup ride through the Wadi Rum desert. Free time in the afternoon to enjoy at the resort or snorkel in the Red Sea.

Today we will leave the resort. We will spend the day in Petra (about 5 hours) before transferring to the airport around 8:00 PM for our flights home.