"JOURNEY TO THE CITY OF THE GREAT KING"
Matthew 5:35 & Psalms 48:2
ISRAEL TOUR

Hosted by: Pastor Tammy Daniels

2023 ISRAEL TOUR | Saturday, October 7 – Saturday, October 21, 2023

15 REWARDING DAYS

All Inclusive pricing starting at $6,500* from New York. Plus a bonus trip to the Jordan!

This itinerary is subject to change in sequence of days, local conditions and preferences of the tour leader. 

October 7 – Depart the USA
Today, we depart from the USA to Tel Aviv, Israel. Meals served in flight.

October 8 – Arrive in Tel Aviv
Arrive at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv. Travel to Mount Carmel, where Elijah prayed down fire from heaven and destroyed the prophets of Baal. Transfer to Pilgerhaus for Reception on the Terrace.

Mount Carmel

Sea of Galilee

October 9 – Mount of Beatitudes, Chorazim, Boat Ride, Magdala, Ancient Boat, Jordan River Yardenit (Baptism)
Look out over the Mount of Beatitudes, which could have been the area where the Lord delivered the Sermon on the Mount. Visit the remains of Chorazim, one of the three cities cursed by the Lord when He listed it as a “city of woe.” After our boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, visit Magdala, the hometown of Mary Magdalene. See the remains of a 2,000-year-old sailing vessel that was discovered and preserved at Kibbutz Nof Ginosar. This rare find is the type of boat that Jesus and the disciples would have used. At the Yardenit Baptismal site, situated where the Jordan River flows out of the Sea of Galilee on its south side, enjoy the peace and tranquility of the natural surroundings and participate in a baptismal service in the river in which Christ was baptized by John the Baptist.

 

October 10 – Gamla, Caesarea Philippi, Mount Hermon, Katzim Village, Kursi
Travel north to visit Gamla, known as the “Masada of the North,” where Jews held out against the Roman armies in 67 AD, and where many perished when the Romans ultimately overran the almost impregnable fortress/city. Journey to Caesarea Philippi, where Peter proclaimed, “You are the Christ”. Visit Mount Hermon, possible site of the transfiguration and home to Nimrod’s Fortress, which graces the slopes of Israel’s highest mountain. The fortress overlooks the forested dales and magnificent landscape of the area. Walk the streets of ancient Katzrin and see the remains of a 6th Century synagogue. You will also see why the Golan Heights are so important to the security of the nation of Israel. End the day at Kursi, where the demoniac was delivered from his torture when he met the Savior. He then became an evangelist, telling his friends in the cities of the Decapolis what great things God had done for him and how He had mercy on Him.

 

Caesarea Phillippi

Caesarea Maritima - Theatre

October 11 – Megiddo, Caesarea Maritima, Mount Carmel, Nazareth Synagogue, Mount Precipice, Tabgha
This morning, travel west to stop at Megiddo (biblical Armageddon), where 20 different cities lie superimposed upon each other. Continue along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea to Caesarea, a center of the early Christians, where you will visit the Roman Aqueduct and Theatre. As we turn our motor coach inland, we will drive up to the top of Mount Carmel, where Elijah prayed down fire from heaven and destroyed the prophets of Baal. Stop in Nazareth to visit the site of the synagogue that was there when Jesus preached His sermon to the locals, and go to Mount Precipice, which could have been the site where the locals attempted to throw Him off the cliff after the sermon was completed. Upon your return to the Sea of Galilee, visit Tabgha, which commemorates the feeding of the 5,000 with the five loaves and two small fish before returning to our hotel.

 

October 12 – Capernaum, Peter’s Primacy, Bethsaida, Mount Arbel
This morning, we visit Capernaum, where our Lord headquartered His Galilean ministry. Stand in the ruins of the synagogue built on the remains of the one where Jesus taught. See other excavations, including where Peter’s house is thought to have been located. Stop at the Chapel of the Primacy, where the Lord asked Peter if He loved Him, and Peter confessed his devotion to Christ 3 times. Walk through the remains of Bethsaida, another city that was cursed by our Lord and was the dividing line between the Jewish and Greco/ Roman sections of the Sea of Galilee. Mount Arbel will close out the day, which overlooks the valley of the wind and the road that was traveled between Nazareth and Capernaum.

Capernaum

Jacob's Well

October 13 – Shiloh, Jacob’s Well, Mount Gerizim, Tomb of Samuel – Hannah, Jerusalem
We say our goodbyes to Galilee and begin our journey south. Entering the ancient area of Samaria, we stop in Shiloh, which housed the ark of the covenant prior to its resting place in the Temple in Jerusalem. Also located in this region is Jacob’s Well, where the Lord had His encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well, and Mount Gerizim, the mountain of blessing opposite Mount Ebal, the mountain of cursing. Continue south, arriving at Ramah, where the Tomb of Samuel, the prophet, is honored and the location of the mikvah of Hannah, the mother of Samuel. Finally, look out over the capital city of Jerusalem from Mount Scopus. Atop this strategic hill, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem stands where Roman Legions and Crusaders once camped. We can check into the hotel for dinner and a good night’s sleep.

October 14 – Mount of Olives, Bethlehem,Shopping, Shepherds’ Field, Orphanage, Church of Nativity
Stand on the Mount of Olives as Jesus did and enjoy a remarkable view of the “Golden City” of Jerusalem. Forty days after His resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven from the Mount of Olives. Enter Bethlehem and go to an area overlooking Shepherds’ Field, where angels spread the Good News, and a cave reminiscent of the type used to house sheep, revered as Jesus’ birthplace located in the Church of the Nativity. Spend some time at an orphanage in Bethlehem as well as a time of shopping before returning to our Jerusalem hotel for dinner and overnight.

Mount of Olives

Temple Mount - Tunnel

October 15 – City of David, Hezekiah’s Tunnel, Pool of Siloam, Pilgrim’s Road, Nehemiah’s Wall, Southern Steps, Temple Mount, Western Wall
See the 3,000-year-old remains of what was the City of David on the southern slope of the city of Jerusalem. This leads down to Hezekiah’s Tunnel, built by King Hezekiah to provide water to the city in times of siege. Water from the Spring of Gihon is still flowing in this tunnel today. Hezekiah’s Tunnel was an amazing engineering feat that was dug from both ends and met in the middle (Note: Those who are claustrophobic may want to meet the group at the other end of the tunnel.) In this same area, the Pool of Siloam was located – the site of the healing of the man born blind, as referenced in John 9. Recently uncovered Pilgrim’s Road will allow you to walk the pavement leading up to the Temple Mount that hundreds of thousands of Jewish pilgrims traveled on Passover, Pentecost, and Succot. Next, you will visit a portion of Nehemiah’s Wall, the wall that God instructed Nehemiah to build to protect the citizens of Jerusalem. We can walk on the 2,000-year-old Southern Steps that lead into the southern entrance of the Temple platform compound. Many ancient Mikvahs are located at the foot of the steps. See the Temple Mount, once the site of the Temple of Solomon. Finally, visit the Western Wall and pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

October 16 – Garden of Gethsemane, Pater Noster Church, Chapel of the Ascension, Jewish Quarter, Rabbi’s Tunnel, Antonia’s Fortress
Visit the Garden of Gethsemane and reflect on the events that took place on the night before the crucifixion. It was in this area where Jesus went to pray after the Last Supper and was arrested. The Church of All Nations is home to a rock known as the rock of agony, which commemorates that event. Visit the Church of the Pater Noster, standing next to the ruins of the 4th-century Byzantine Church of Eleona. It celebrates the teaching of the Lord’s Prayer to the disciples. Stop at the Chapel of the Ascension to remember the commission of Christ to His followers prior to His ascension into Heaven. Walk through the Jewish Quarter of the Old City, viewing modern shops located in these ancient constructed archways. Enter the Rabbi’s Tunnel and see retaining stones used by Herod to build up the Temple Mount platform, which are over 400 tons in weight! Finally, visit Antonia’s Fortress, which housed the Roman 10th legion and is one of the possible sites where the Lord stood trial with Pilate prior to the crucifixion.

Garden of Gethsemane

Yad Vashem

October 17 – Caiaphas’ House, Upper Room, Church of St. Anne – Pool of Bethesda, Sifting Project, Yad Vashem
Beneath the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, you can walk through some of the ancient rooms of the house belonging to Caiaphas, the High Priest. Many believe that Jesus was held overnight here before His crucifixion. Stand in the Upper Room, revered as the place of the Last Supper. Lift your voice in song in the acoustically beautiful Church of St. Anne. View the Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus performed the Sabbath miracle. You will also have the opportunity to find ancient treasure from dirt taken from the Temple Mount at the Sifting Project. Explore the poignant exhibits of Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust Memorial.

October 18 – Masada, Ein Gedi, Qumran, Sapir Park, Mount Sodom, Timna, Red Sea, Eilat
Enjoy a visit to intriguing Masada, the spectacular mountaintop fortress built by Herod that later became the final tragic stronghold of the Jewish rebellion against the Romans in 73AD. Ride the cable car to the top to explore the fortress and look down upon the remains of the Roman camps and siege ramp below. Visit Ein Gedi, the refuge where David and his men hid from King Saul prior to David becoming King. We will visit Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, and then continue south to Sappir Park and see prophecy being fulfilled, as stated in Isaiah 35. On the southernmost area of the Dead Sea, see an entire mountain of salt known as Mount Sodom, where it is believed that Sodom and Gomorrah once were located. On the way to Eilat, pass by Timna, where a replica of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness is currently standing, as well as the location of Solomon’s mines. Arrive at Eilat to enjoy check-in, dinner, and overnight.

Masada

Petra

October 19 – Jordan Border Crossing, Aqaba, Petra, Dead Sea Resort
Today, we leave Israel and cross the southern border into the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Aqaba is the Jordanian border city located on the shores of the Gulf of Aqaba, where we turn north and make our way to the rose red city of Petra. The entrance to the city of Petra passes through a long, narrow gorge known as the Siq and can only be accessed by carriage, horseback, or on foot. Once inside the city, marvel at the intricate detail of a city that was cut into the cliff sides of rose-colored rock. Travel the King’s Highway to your resort hotel at the Dead Sea for dinner and overnight.

 

October 20 – Baptismal Site, Mount Nebo, Dead Sea, Amman Airport
Enjoy a free morning to relax, swim in the Dead Sea or pack for your nighttime journey to the airport. This afternoon, visit the Baptismal Site of the Jordan River, which is believed to be the location where John the Baptist conducted the baptism of the Lord, where the children of Israel crossed into the promised land, and where Elijah crossed into Jordan prior to being taken into heaven. Continue to Mount Nebo, where Moses caught a glimpse of the Promised Land (Deut. 34). On a clear day, you can see all the way across the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea to the rooftops of Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Return to the hotel for dinner and a late-night transfer to the Amman Airport.

October 21 – Arrive in the United States
Arrive in the USA with a lifetime of memories to cherish.

Sea of Galilee