Day 1, Oct 13: Departure from the USA

Depart from Seattle for your overnight flight to the Holy Land. Meals will be served on board.

Day 2, Oct 14: Arrival – Tel Aviv - Galilee

We arrive at Ben Gurion airport and depart northward to our hotel in Tiberias for dinner and overnight.

Day 3, Oct 15 : Mt. Carmel – Nazareth – Mt. Tabor (the Transfiguration) – Tiberias

After breakfast, we travel by private motor coach, We visit Mount Carmel, Muhraqa (the Place of Fire), and consider the contest between the Prophet Elijah and the false prophets of Baal (I Kings 18), Then to we will visit Mount Tabor the site of the Transfiguration. Afterward, we go to Nazareth where we visit the Basilica of the Annunciation and the Church of St. Joseph. We end our day with a visit to Cana of Galilee where Jesus performed his first miracle. Drive to Tiberias for dinner and overnight.

Day 4, Oct 16: Caesarea Philippi – Golan Heights – Mt. Arbel – Valley of Doves – Sea of Galilee

We start our day with a visit to Caesarea Philippi, at the source of the river Jordan, where Peter confessed that Jesus is the Messiah. Then we return to the Sea of Galilee via the Golan Heights with a stop overlooking the Road to Damascus. On to Mount Arbel, where we overlook the ancient road from Nazareth to Galilee with a possible hike on part of the Jesus Trail. We then carry on to the Valley of the Doves and travel along the ancient road that leads from Nazareth to the Sea of Galilee along the Via Maris. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.

Day 5, Oct 17: Sea of Galilee – Magdala – Capernaum – Mount of Beatitudes

We start the day with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, Then we visit Magdala, the hometown of Mary Magdalene, and see the 1st-century synagogue, the oldest synagogue discovered on the shores of Galilee, with a stone-carved replica of the Temple and Menorah. We then take a short drive to Capernaum, the biblical village and hometown of Jesus. Capernaum is closely associated with Jesus and His ministry as described in the Synoptic Gospels. There we see the house of the mother-in-law of Peter and an ancient synagogue that dates back to the time of Jesus and where much of His teaching took place. After a lunch of St. Peter’s fish, we drive to Tabgha on the Sea of Galilee where Jesus fed the crowd of 5,000. We then visit the site known as “Peter’s Primacy” where Jesus appeared to His disciples for the third time after His Resurrection. Later we continue to the Mount of Beatitudes, the scene of Jesus’ great Sermon on the Mount. We enjoy the view of the enchanting gardens and reflect on Jesus’ sermon. We also have time for prayer and reflection. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.

Day 6, Oct 18: Jordan Valley – Jacob’s Well – Shepherds Field – Bethlehem (ELCJHL)

After breakfast, we drive through the Jordan Valley and on to Nablus, where we visit the ancient city of Shechem saddled between Mt. Ebal and Mt. Gerizim. There, we see ruins dating back to the time of Jacob and Joshua, including the “high place” of the city and the city gates. Nearby, we visit Jacob’s Well where Jesus encountered the Samaritan woman. We drive to Bethlehem to visit Shepherd's Fields, where the angels appeared to the shepherds announcing the birth of Our Lord. These fields are also the setting of the Book of Ruth. After lunch, we travel to the Church of the Nativity and view the place where Our Lord was born. Walk through Bethlehem seeing the wall and the museum We check in at our hotel, and enjoy dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.

Day 7, Oct 19: Augusta Victoria Hospital – LWF – Mt. of Olives – Living Stones (ELCJHL) Bishop Azar

We start our day at Dar Alkalemih University Meeting with Rev. Mitri Rehab then to Augusta Victoria Hospital to witness the work of the Lutheran World Federation in health and education. Later, we enjoy a panoramic view from the top of Mount of Olives, and then we continue to the Church of the Ascension and the Church of the Pater Noster. We continue down to Dominus Flevit and St. Mary Magdalene Church. We pray at the Garden of Gethsemane and visit the Church of All Nations. In the afternoon, we visit St. Peter in Gallicantu, where Jesus was denied by St. Peter. Then we visit the Upper Room, the place of the Last Supper, and King David’s Tomb. Back to our hotel for dinner and conversation with Palestinian Christian families and Bishop Azar.(ELCJHL). Overnight in Bethlehem.

Day 8, Oct 20: Masada – St. George Monastery – Baptismal Site – Jericho – Dead Sea

This morning we depart Bethlehem, traveling through the Judean wilderness where Jesus fasted for 40 days, and along the ancient road passing the Good Samaritan inn. Upon reaching Wadi Qelt, we enjoy a view of St. George’s Monastery nestled in the wilderness. We carry on along the ancient road toward Jericho, passing by Herod’s Winter Palace, where the infamous King died in the year 4 BC, and which was likely the background setting for the parable of the prodigal son. we will depart for Masada where we will visit the fortress built by King Herod the Great and made famous by the Zealots in 73 AD with the standoff against the Romans. In the fortress, we will see the archaeological remains inscribed on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. On the way to Jericho, we head to Bet Arabah where John baptized Jesus. The site is also known as the “Place of Crossing” of the Israelites. From Bet Arabah, we drive to the city of Jericho. We see Tel Jericho, the old town of Joshua, to see the excavations of the ancient city and the Mount of Temptation. We then drive to Qumran and visit the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were accidentally found, and the buildings that formed the public center of the Essenes. Then we proceed to the Dead Sea where we can enjoy a dip in the relaxing and healing waters. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.

Day 9, Oct 21: Temple Mount – Pools of Bethesda – Via Dolorosa – Holy Sepulcher – Jerusalem - ELCJHL

This morning after breakfast, we walked the Via Dolorosa, the traditional path that Jesus walked from the Antonia Fortress to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Meet with Rev. Gabi and Megan Alabouni (ELCA) There, we visit Golgotha and the Empty Tomb. We then visit the Jewish Quarter and go to the Western Wall, a section of the Western retaining wall of the Temple Mount, Judaism’s holiest site. We then visited St Anne’s church and the nearby Pools of Bethesda, where the healing at the pool took place. Free time in the old city. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.

Day 10, Oct 22: Departure Tel Aviv to the US Or Take an Excursion to Egypt

After Breakfast, Depart from the airport for your flight back home to the US

OPTIONAL Excursion TO EGYPT :

Day 10, October 22: Bethlehem – Taba border – Sinai

After breakfast and check-out. Arrive Taba border. Meeting with an assistant. Transfer to St. Catherine.
Check-in at the hotel. Dinner and overnight in St. Catherine Monastery.

Day 11, October 23: Mt. Moses – St. Catherine – Cairo

Early morning, climb Moses Mountain (Optional) It was this mountain where Moses received the Ten
Commandments. Descend for breakfast at the hotel. Check-out. Visit St. Catherine’s monastery. Drive to Cairo. Check-in at the hotel. Dinner and overnight in Cairo.

Day 12, October 24: Cairo

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit the Great Pyramids and Sphinx at the Giza plateau. On to visit Memphis and the step pyramid of Sakkara which is the first pyramid ever built. Dinner and overnight in Cairo.

Day 13, October 25th: Cairo

After breakfast. Visit the Grand Museum which includes the ancient Egyptian treasures. On to visit Old Cairo churches including the Hanging church, St. Sergio where the holy family lodged, and Ben Ezra synagogue. Dinner and overnight in Cairo.

Day 14, October 26: Cairo - Departure

Departure after breakfast Back home, You will arrive back to the US in teh same day.

NOTE: The schedule is subject to change due to various factors and your Tour Leader and Guide’s discretion.