Biblical Archeology Israel Tour
Day 1 – Arrival at Ben-Gurion Airport
Transfer to our hotel in Jerusalem. Meet the rest of the group and our tour guide who will give a short preview of the program for the tour. Enjoy a good night’s sleep after your long journey.
Day 2 – Old Jerusalem – the Holy City
After a delicious Israeli breakfast, we start our tour with a visit to the Mount of Olives for a stunning view of the old city and a visit to the Gardens of Gethsemane. We continue into the old city where we will visit the Pools of Bethesda and walk along Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. A very short walk takes us into the Arab bazaar and to the Garden Tomb. From there it is a short coach ride through modern Jerusalem to the world famous Israel Museum.
Overnight in our hotel in Jerusalem.
Day 3 – Bethlehem and more of the old city
We begin with the ancient core of Jerusalem in the archeological site of the City of David and Hezekiah’s Tunnel. A visit to the Davidson archeological garden, the Western Wall, the Jewish Quarter in the Old City, including the Cardo – the main Roman thoroughfare. Mount Zion is our next place of interest with the room of the last supper and King David’s tomb.
Just south of Jerusalem lies the small town of Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus. We will visit the Church of Nativity.
Overnight in our hotel in Jerusalem.
Day 4 – The Dead Sea
From the hills of Jerusalem to the lowest place in the world, and in a surprisingly short time. A spectacular tour of Masada with its mountaintop fortress.
Visit the caves of Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Stop for a float on the salty waters of the Dead Sea.
Overnight in our hotel in Jerusalem.
Day 5 – a free day in Jerusalem
After a leisurely breakfast take a walk around the city of Jerusalem taking in the sights of your choice. The tour guide will be happy to offer some tips as to how to enjoy your free day.
Day 6 – Samaria and more
We leave Jerusalem and head north along the Patriarchs’ way through the Samarian hills, rich in ancient biblical history. A visit to ancient Shiloh, the first Capital of the Israelite kingdom and the site of the tabernacle. From Shiloh to Mount Gerizim for a beautiful overlook on Shchem valley where Joshua blessed the people at the ceremony of the covenant and is now a center for the Samaritan sect. We’ll visit their neighborhood and hear their story at the Samaritan Museum.
Further north to Beit Shean, with its well preserved Roman ruins.
Overnight in the North
Day 7 – Galilee
Nazareth where we will visit the Church of the Annunciation, Mary’s well, and Nazareth Village, to see life as it was experienced 2,000 years ago.
A short ride to Cana, where the famous miracle of the wine took place.
From Cana to the Northern shores of the Sea of Galilee.
Capernaum – Jesus’s town, the site of many of his miracles as well as the site of a large ancient synagogue.
Tabha – the Church of the multiplication, site of the miracle of the bread and the fish.
Mount of Beatitudes – where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount.
Overnight in the North
Day 8 – Sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights
We start our day at Banias or to use the Roman name, Caesarea Philippi, where Jesus proclaimed to Peter that he will give him the Keys of Heaven. Next stop is Tel Dan, the capital of the northernmost Israelite tribe and with many fascinating archeological findings from the biblical era. From Ancient biblical times to the modern era and a visit to the famous Golan Height Winery.
We descend to the Sea of Galilee and visit the ancient boat attributed to the time of Jesus. We will enjoy a boat ride (in a less ancient boat).
The final stop of our tour of Northern Israel will be the Yardenit Baptismal site, a tranquil spot where the Sea of Galilee flows into the Jordan River, the river in which John baptized Jesus.
Overnight in the North
Day 9 – Towards central Israel
We start the day in Megiddo, one of Israel’s most famous biblical sites and the traditional site of Armageddon.
We continue north-west to the top of Mt Carmel where Elija defeated the prophets of Ba’al, after observing the wonderful view at the site, we’ll continue to the port city of Haifa and a visit to the world famous Ba’hai Gardens, one of the holiest sites of the Ba’hai religion and a beautiful gem located on Mount Carmel.
Due south to ancient Caesarea with its Roman amphitheater, port, Hippodrome, and aqueduct. Caesarea’s history is intertwined with Jewish, Christian and Moslem History.
Overnight in Jerusalem
Day 10 – Hebron and the Hills of Judea
Hebron, where the patriachs are buried in the famous cave, the first town ruled by King David, and a very complex present.
A short Journey to the foothills of Judea, into the Ella valley where David vanquished Goliath and to the Bet Guvrin National Park to take part in an *archeological excavation in the holy land and tour at its labyrinth of caves used many years ago and remnants from Biblical and Roman times
*Subject to the availability of archeological excavation program
Drop off and Farewells at Airport or Hotel.
Price Includes:
- Guaranteed Small Groups – 35 Participants Max
- 8 Days of touring
- 9 nights at 4-star hotel
- 9 Israeli buffet breakfast and 3 dinners (for nights spent in the northern hotel)
- Entrance fees for all places in the itinerary
- New Air-conditioned coach
- English speaking fully licensed expert tour guide
- (For Half board Only: 9 Israeli buffet breakfast and 9 Dinners)
Price does not include:
- Air Tickets
- Meals not mentioned in “price includes”
- Health and Travel insurance
- Tips for guide, coach driver, porters, hotel staff
- Anything not mentioned in “price includes”.
InclusiveJerusalem HotelsDan Butiq
Prima Kings
Eyal
Ibis JerusalemNorth HotelsKibbutz Ginosar
Kibbutz Lavi
Vered ha’Galil Ranch
Leonardo TiberuisTel Aviv HotelsPrima City
Prima Tel Aviv
Grand Beach HotelIsrael Office:
David Cohen – Groups and tour packages
Phone +972507229169
Email: david@a83046-tmp.s644.upress.link
USA Rep.
West coast -Mike Wingart
Phone: 713-883-7006
Email: mnweingart@gmail.com
East coast- Diane Curtis
Phone: 718-797-2400
Email: travelswithdiane@gmail.com
