Biblical Israel Tour in the Footsteps of Jesus

Day 1: USA to Israel

We begin our journey as we depart Des Moines for our flight to Israel. Shalom! 

Day 2: Israel  

• We are greeted at the airport by our guide and board our bus to drive to Tel Aviv.
• See the ancient port of Jaffa where Jonah boarded ship and where Peter had his vision, and where we will enjoy lunch.  
• Time permitting, visit Caesarea before retiring to our hotel in Netanya, on the Mediterranean Sea for a much-needed night’s sleep!

Dinner and overnight, Netanya

Day 3: Ceasarea, Mt Carmel/Nazareth/Cana/Galilee  

• Visit the ancient Roman seaport of Caesarea where Paul was imprisoned before going to Rome, (if we do not go the afternoon before).  
• Ascend Mt. Carmel where Elijah fought with the prophets of Ba’al, overlooking the Valley of Armageddon.
• Experience Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus and have lunch
• See the view from Mount of Precipice where the people of Nazareth tried to throw Jesus off the cliff.  
• Continue to Cana where Jesus turned the water into wine, and where we can renew our marriage vows.  

Dinner and overnight, Galilee 

Day 4: Tel Dan/Ceasarea Philippi/Golan Heights

• Delve into Tel Dan, the northern kingdom, where Jeroboam built his false altar, and where we will see the spectacular mud-brick gate Abraham would have passed through. 

• See Caesarea Philippi where Peter declared Jesus was the Christ.   At the borders of Syria and Lebanon we will spend time in prayer for Israel, Syria and the Middle East.  

• Meet with the representation of Christian Israel Defense Forces Officers Forum for an inside look at the IDF

Dinner and overnight, Galilee

 Day 5: Galilee Region

• See the Jesus boat and set sail on the Sea of Galilee with our boat captain, Daniel Carmel
• Visit sites around the Sea of Galilee including Capernaum where the remnants of St. Peter’s home are located; 

And Tabgha where Jesus multiplied the loaves and fish, and Mensa Peter (John 21), where Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?”   

• Enjoy a St. Peter’s fish lunch 
• Visit the newly excavated town of Magdala, home of Mary Magdalene and view remains of the Second Templer period synagogue where Jesus most definitely preached. 
• Be  baptized at the Jordan river.

Dinner and overnight, Galilee

Day 6: Shiloh/ Jericho/Jerusalem

• Visit biblical Shiloh, which once housed the ark of the covenant
• Travel south and  arrive in Jericho, the lowest city on earth.
• View  Zacchaeus tree and the Mount of Temptation and Achor.  
• Lunch in Jericho
• Experience  the Judean wilderness, and the amazing view of St. George’s Monastery in Wadi Qelt.  
• Meet “Abraham” at Eretz Beresheet and enjoy biblical hospitality and  a short camel ride
• Ascend to Jerusalem; the  City of the Great King, where our first stop will be at the scenic view for a traditional Pilgrim’s Blessing.  
• Check in at our Jerusalem hotel where we will be staying for the rest of the trip.

Dinner and overnight, Jerusalem

Day 7: Mt. Olives, Palm Sunday Walk, Garden of Gethsemene, Mt. Zion, Peter in Galicantu and the Upper Room 

• Ascend the Mount of Olives to marvel at the spectacular view of the Holy City of Jerusalem.  
• Walk to the Chapel of the Lord’s prayer, and to the chapel of the Ascension.  
• Along the Palm Sunday Road, visit the Church of Dominus Flevit, also known as Tear Drop Church, where Jesus wept over Jerusalem. 
• See the beautiful Church of All Nations and the Garden of Gethsemane.
• Private prayer time in the Garden of Gethsemene where Jesus endured his agony and was arrested.
• Cross the  Kidron Valley to Mt. Zion, just outside the City walls, to St Peter in Gallicantu, the home of the High Priest where Jesus was imprisoned, and where Peter denied the Lord.  
• Visit the Upper Room where Jesus had the Last Supper and where the Holy Spirit descended
• Dinner and another wonderful evening in Jerusalem.

Dinner and overnight, Jerusalem

Day 8: Temple Mount/Via Dolorosa

• • Begin early at the Temple Mount to see the place Abraham would have sacrificed Isaac, where Jesus ministered, and where the ancient Jewish temples stood. 
  • Walk to the Pool of Bethesda, St Anne’s Church (the birthplace of Mary) and then the Chapel of Flagellation, and the Ecce Homo.  
  • Enjoy lunch in the Old City and time to shop
  • Visit the ancient  City of David and the Pool of Siloam and walk the Pilgrims Path  

• Tour the Davidson Museum and Southern Steps.  

• End the day at the Western Wall where you may wish to place your prayers on slips of paper to leave between the temple wall stones. 

Dinner and overnight, Jerusalem

Day 9: Judean Desert/Masada/Dead Sea

• Depart early and descend from Jerusalem past the Inn of the Good Samaritan to the Judean Desert toward the Dead Sea.
• Continue  to the Qumran Caves where the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered.  
• Ascend to spectacular Masada, where Harod built his magnificent fortress and where the Jewish Zealots took their last stand during the time of the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem by the Romans.  
• Drive to a resort on the Dead Sea to dip in the waters and lunch
• Visit Ein Gedi,, where David and his men lived during the war with King Saul.

Dinner and overnight, Jerusalem

Day 10: Jerusalem/Bethlehem

• Tour Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum

• Visit the Israel Museum to view the Second Temple model of Jerusalem

• Experience a meaningful Communion service at the Garden Tomb  

• Cross into the West Bank and into Bethlehem, where God became flesh.  

• Visit Shepherds field and the Church of the Nativity.   

• Say goodbye to your guide and friends at a farewell dinner before heading to the airport.  

Day 11: Home

We arrive home, with full hearts and say “next year in Jerusalem!”

Schedule subject to change.