There is no better way to connect and renew your faith than to join a departure of “In the Footsteps of Jesus” pilgrimage tour to the Holy Land offering spiritual inspiration following Biblical history. Explore ancient landmarks while visiting the most celebrated places in Israel. Visit places you have only read about in the Bible.
*Children under the age of 5 years old are not accepted on this tour
Included:
– Sharing transfers on arrival and departure (from/to Ben Gurion Airport)
– Assistance at the airport upon arrival
– 10 nights accommodation on half board basis
(Due to availability, the second night in Jordan might take place in Amman instead of Petra)
– 9 touring days as per itinerary, with English speaking guide
– Entrance fees to the sites visited as per itinerary
NOT included:
– Airfare
– Departure taxes, fuel surcharges and airport improvement fees
– Border taxes and shuttles Israel & Jordan side approx. US $75 per person, paid on the spot and subject to change.
– Visa to Jordan.
– Porterage at airports and hotels
– Assistance at the airport upon arrival
– Meals and beverages not mentioned
– Early check in/late check out
– Optional tours
– Insurance though not included is strongly
– Gratuities of a purely personal nature such as laundry and valet service
– Tipping to guide, driver and hotel staff as well as horse handlers in Petra.
E. & O.E.
For information or reservations please contact Janice Snider.
Day 1 Sunday Ben Gurion Airport / Tel Aviv
Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Tel Aviv. D
Day 2 Monday Caesarea / Muhraka / Megiddo / Acre / Galilee
Aqueduct in Caesarea
Drive along the coastal plain to Caesarea located halfway between Tel Aviv and Haifa once the Roman capital of the region to view the excavations of the Crusader-era city, the picturesque and well-preserved aqueduct and amphitheatre that has been restored to its former glory and is now used as a concert venue. Proceed to Muhraka, the site of confrontation between Elijah and the Prophets of Baal and enjoy the spectacular view of the Jezreel Valley and the lower Galilee. Southeast of Haifa is the ancient city of Megiddo identified as the site of Armageddon where you will learn the impressive history of this battlefield as you visit the archaeological excavations revealing the remains of 20 + cities built on top of each other as well as the well-preserved water supply system. Continue onto Acre to visit the remarkable underground Crusader City and crypt. This ancient city possesses a long history intertwined with various cultures. Walk through the old city recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site to visit the local market and harbour. Overnight in a hotel on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. B/D
Day 3 Tuesday Tiberias / Capernaum / Banias / Galilee
After a short tour of Tiberias situated on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee named after the Roman Emperor, enjoy a 45-minute boat ride on the tranquil waters of the Sea of Galilee. Also known as the Kinneret, it is the lowest freshwater lake on earth and the second-lowest lake in the world. It is a place of Biblical interest since Jesus taught the crowds by the shore (Mark 4:1-34) and preached while standing in a boat on the Sea of Galilee. At Kibbutz Nof Ginossar we stop to visit the Yigal Allon Center housing the 2000-year-old “Jesus Boat” discovered by two fishermen brothers. The boat was buried in mud near the shore of the Sea of Galilee. At the ancient fishing village of Capernaum on the northern shore we see the remains of the 2nd-century synagogue and the octagonal Church of St. Peter. A short drive takes us to Tabgha, the site of the Miracle of Fish and Loaves where we visit the Church of Multiplication with its 4th-century mosaic floor. In a serene setting, we find the Mount of Beatitudes, the place where Jesus delivered the memorable Sermon on the Mount. From here we drive to the Banias Springs and tour the strategic Golan Heights. Overnight in a hotel on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. B/D
Day 4 Wednesday Cana / Nazareth / Beit She’an Jerusalem
Baptised Site of Jesus Christ, Jordan
Our day begins in Cana where Jesus performed His first Miracle turning Water into Wine at a marriage feast when there was no more wine. A short drive takes us to Nazareth, the hometown of Jesus and one of the most important Christian sites in the Holy Land. Here we visit the Church of the Annunciation, Joseph’s Workshop and Mary’s Well. We are now on our way to the Baptismal site of Yardenit on the Jordan River frequented by Christian pilgrims. Special white robes must be worn during Baptism. These can be rented or purchased on site – not included. NOTE – bathing suits must be worn underneath. If required, we can assist in providing a clergy to perform the Baptism. There is no resident clergy – (costs not included). Moving on we come to Beit She’an, once known as Scythopolis which played an important role in the history of the region. We stop to visit the newly excavated Roman city and amphitheatre. Driving along the Jordan Valley we arrive in the Holy city of Jerusalem. Overnight at your hotel. B/D
Day 5 Thursday Jerusalem (Old City)
This morning enjoy the magnificent view of the city from the Mount of Olives site of many Biblical events and named for the olive groves that once adorned its ridges before heading to the Church of All Nations located next to the Garden of Gethsemane believed to be built over the rock on which Jesus prayed in agony on the night before He was crucified. See the Tomb of King David. Men and women enter separately. One must enter with a head covering. The Room of the Last Supper also known as the Cenacle on the upper floor of the same building. Enter the walled city and walk through the Roman Cardo, an ancient street starting at the Damascus Gate in the north and running southwards to the Zion Gate lined with a row of columns on each side. Visit the Jewish and Christian Quarters, two of the four traditional quarters of the Old City. Moving on we come to the Western Wall****, an ancient limestone wall in the Old City also known as the Wailing Wall or the Kotel. The venerated Temple Mount is next. Take a solemn walk along the Via Dolorosa, the Way of Sorrow that is believed Jesus followed on the way to His Crucifixion. Pass the Oriental Bazaar with its colourful alleyways filled with vendors on our way to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre found in the Christian Quarter built on the traditional site of Jesus’ crucifixion and burial. Drive to the Garden Tomb just outside the old city walls which were unearthed in 1867 where we pause for a few serene moments of reflection. Overnight in Jerusalem. B/D
Day 6 Friday Jerusalem (New City) / Bethlehem*
Drive to the ancient village of Ein Karem in West Jerusalem were a few steps from the main road we will visit the Church of Visitation where according to tradition Mary recited the Magnificat, her song of praise known as the Canticle of Mary, one of the most ancient of Marian hymns. Afterwards, we head to Yad Vashem located on the western slope of Mount Herzl also known as the Mount of Remembrance, Israel’s official memorial documenting the story of the victims of the Holocaust. Situated on a hill in Givat Ram is the Israel Museum, the largest cultural institution in Israel. Here you will find the Shrine of the Book where the priceless Dead Sea Scroll fragments are housed and the Miniature Model of Jerusalem as it was during the Second Temple period. About 6 km. south of Jerusalem, we come to Bethlehem*, the birthplace of Jesus where we stop at Shepherds’ Field where an angel announced the birth of Jesus. Walk through Manger Square in the center of the city where it was said Jesus was born. Visit the Church of Nativity which holds religious significance for Christians as the birthplace of Jesus. It is considered to be the oldest church in the Christian world. To stop looters in past centuries, one has to stoop low to enter the church. its interior is minimal with no pews. Return to Jerusalem. Overnight in Jerusalem. B/D
Day 7 Saturday Jerusalem/Qumran / Masada / Dead Sea / Jerusalem
Dead Sea
Driving through the Judean Hills we come to Qumran, an archaeological site in the West Bank where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in 1947 in caves by a young shepherd looking for stray goats. Continuing along the shores of the Dead Sea we arrive at Masada, the isolated mountain fortress of King Herod and the last stronghold of the Jews after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD who chose to commit mass suicide rather than be enslaved by the Romans. To reach the top we ascend Masada by cable car for a tour visiting the remains of the walls, the palaces, synagogue and bathhouse. Descend by cable car and continue to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth where you have an opportunity of using the spa facilities of the hotel (at additional cost) or floating in the buoyant waters and cover yourself with the mineral-rich mud believed to possess therapeutic effects (weather permitting). Overnight in Jerusalem. B/D
Day 8 Sunday Jerusalem/Sheikh Hussein Bridge/Jerash/Amman***
Jerash ruins Jordan
This morning we leave Jerusalem and drive to the Sheikh Hussein Bridge to complete border procedures to enter the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. From here we proceed to Jerash, a city of the Decapolis some 45 km. north of Amman in the fertile heights of the Gilad. Visit the ancient Roman city with its colonnaded street and the Temple of Artemis located at the top of a small hill in addition to other highlights. Following our visit, we head to Amman for a panoramic city tour of the Jordanian capital. Overnight in Amman. B/D
Day 9 Monday Amman/Petra
Red rock city Petra
After an early breakfast, we leave the hotel and travel south on the road to Wadi Musa, the modern-day village of Petra, the astonishing rose-red city built by the Nabateans (an early Arabic tribe). In 2007 Petra was named as one of the new 7 Wonders of the World. Petra was the ancient capital of the Nabataeans from the 3rd century B.C. to the 2nd century A.D. Your visit begins with either a walk or ride on horseback (cost not included) for about 700m to the entrance of the Siq which is about 1.2 km long (walking distance). Petra is famous for its huge monuments such as the treasury, royal tombs, the court, Roman theatre, Roman street, Qasr al-Bint (Palace of Pharaoh’s daughter) and many other smaller fascinating monuments. Return to Wadi Musa village for overnight in Petra. B/D
Day 10 Tuesday Petra/Madaba/Mount Nebo/Allenby Bridge/Tel Aviv
The Moses Memorial at Mount Nebo
This morning we drive 240 km. to Madaba known as “the city of mosaics” to see the ancient mosaic map of the Holy Land which is found in the Church of Saint George. You will also have a chance to visit some of the ruins of historical sites in Madaba. From here we continue another 10 km. or so to Mount Nebo from where Moses viewed the Promised Land. Enjoy the panoramic view which includes the Jordan Valley, Jericho and the Dead Sea. At the top of the mountain see the serpentine cross sculpture known as the “Brazen Serpentine” created by Italian artist Giovanni Fantoni. Also, view the remains of the Byzantine Church with a mosaic floor. Continue to the border and complete border formalities before continuing to Tel Aviv. Overnight in Tel Aviv. B/D
Day 11 Wednesday Tel Aviv / Ben Gurion Airport
Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for departure. Today marks the end of your journey. B
* Visit subject to the security conditions.
** Program sequence is subject to change without advance notice.
*Site under the Palestinian Authority Jurisdiction – visit subject to situation
**Visit subject to weather conditions
***The sequence of the tour, border crossing point used, hotels used and sites visited may be amended due to circumstances
****Men must cover their head while in the prayer area and women must cover their shoulders and wear long pants or a knee-length skirt. If you forget to bring a covering, guards will provide you with a piece of fabric for that purpose before you enter. The prayer area is separated by gender. If you want to be super respectful follow Jewish custom by never turning your back on the wall. You will see many people walking away from the wall backwards because it is simply disrespectful to turn away.
B = breakfast L= lunch D = dinner