Day 1, April 2 – Tuesday – DESTINATION ISRAEL
Meet in the departure hall Edmonton airport at 8am to check in on the West Jet flight to Toronto at 10:15am arriving at 3:53pm. Leave Toronto on the new Dreamliner, at 8:45pm on your overnight, direct EL AL nonstop flight, destination Israel, meals served on board.
Day 2, April 3 – Wednesday – WELCOME TO ISRAEL
Arrive in Israel at Ben Gurion International Airport at 2:30pm. Meet your guide, drive north through the Plain of Sharon, along the Mediterranean shore on the old coastal route which linked Egypt and Babylon. Stop at Caesarea the Roman capital boasting the largest port in the Mediterranean built by King Herod the Great. Here Pontius Pilate had his seat; Cornelius lived and was baptized (Acts 10); Paul embarked to Tarsus (Acts 9:30) and Philip preached (Acts 8:40). Visit the Crusader City and Roman Cities. View the summit of Mount Carmel at Muhraka the “burning place” where Elijah confronted the 450 prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:30). Continue to the hotel to get a good night’s rest. 1 night Bayview hotel ~ Haifa [Dinner]
Day 3, April 4 – Thursday – GALILEE
Drive along the Jezreel Valley to Megiddo one of King Solomon’s fortified city kingdoms (1 Kings 9:15; 10:26) with impressive 21 layers of destruction. From here the Books of Daniel and Revelation will come alive as you read about the final Battle of Armageddon, while viewing the fertile plains of the Jezreel. Proceed to Nazareth, the boyhood town of Jesus, visit Nazareth Village to relive village life from the time of Jesus. View the Church of the Annunciation and travel via Mt Precipice to the Sea of Galilee. Stop at Yardenit for Baptism in the Jordan River. Visit the ancient boat from the time of Jesus then end the day emulating the disciples and sail on the Sea of Galilee to the “other side.” 2 nights Kinar hotel ~ Sea of Galilee [Breakfast & dinner]
Day 4, April 5 – Friday – JESUS’ MINISTRY IN THE GALILEE
Visit Banias, one of the sources of the Jordan River, ancient “Caesarea Philippi”. Here Peter made the confession of faith in Christ (Matt; 16:16). Continue to the Mt. of Beatitudes where Jesus delivered “The Sermon On the Mount” (Matt.5). Weather permitting – walk down the mountain to Tabgha to visit the Church of the Feeding of the Multitude. Stop to visit the new excavations at Migdal (Magdala) on the Sea of Galilee. Proceed to Capernaum centre of Jesus’ Ministry in the Galilee and the site of many of his miracles (Mark 2:4; Matt.8:5; 14-7; 9; 1-7; 17: 18). [Breakfast & dinner]
Day 5, April 6 – Saturday – GALILEE – JERUSALEM
Travel south to Beit Shean where the body of King Saul and his sons were placed on the walls by the Philistines (1 Samuel 31:10) later known in Jesus’ day as Scythopolis, capital of Decapolis. View the extensive excavated ruins of the Roman / Byzantine / Omayyad cities. Follow the pilgrimage route that Jesus & the Galileans took through the homeland of Prophet Elisha down the Jordan Valley, where the desert now blooms with flowers and vegetation of every description (Isaiah 35:1-2). Stop at Qasr El Yahud, on the Jordan River where John Baptised Jesus (Matt. 3:13-17). View St George Monastery and Wadi Kelt. Drive through the Jordan Valley, where the desert now blooms with flowers and vegetation of every description (Isaiah 35:1-2). Then ascend through the Judean Desert Wilderness to the Holy City – golden Jerusalem as the Galileans did stopping on Mt Scopus to recite a Psalm of Ascent and enjoy the first view of the Holy City. Travel to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity the birthplace of Jesus. 5 nights Prima Kings hotel ~ Jerusalem [Breakfast & dinner]
Day 6, April 7 – Sunday – JERUSALEM
Drive to the top of Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of Jerusalem. Stroll down the Mountain to the Garden of Gethsemane the Church of All Nations. Continue along the Kidron (the Valley of Jehoshaphat), past the Tombs of Absalom, Zechariah and James en route to Mt Zion. Visit the Upper Room (Room of the Last Super), King David’s Tomb and the adjacent Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, built on the site of High Priest Caiaphas’ home, where Peter denied Jesus 3 times. Enter the Old City walk through Zion Gate, the Armenian and the Jewish Quarter. Visit the ancient street the “Cardo”. Walk through the “Suk” the colourful bazaars, alleyways and market places to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. End the day at the Garden Tomb with time for contemplation and communion. [Breakfast & dinner]
Day 7, April 8 – Monday – JERUSALEM
Start the day at Yad Vashem – national memorial and Museum of the Shoah (Holocaust), pay tribute to the six million victims of the Shoah in Europe during the Second World War. Visit the new Museum, the Children’s Memorial and walk along the Avenue of the Righteous Amongst the Nations commemorating those who risked their own lives to save Jewish souls. Continue to the Israel Museum – visit the Shrine of the Book home of the Dead Sea Scrolls the oldest Bible manuscripts and the Model of ancient Jerusalem describing the city from the time of Jesus. Continue to King David’s City including: ruins of King David’s city, the Canaanite tunnel and the Pools of Siloam. Visit the South Western Wall of the Temple Mount and the very steps that Jesus used. Stop at the Western Wall (Kotel) to visit the only site Jews were allowed to pray at. Then take a journey back in time through the Western Wall Tunnels along the Western wall of the Temple Mt. Continue to the Pools of Bethesda at St. Anne’s Church. Exit the city at St Stephen’s the Lions Gate. [Breakfast & dinner]
Day 8, April 9 – Tuesday – MASADA – DEAD SEA
Drive through the Judean desert to the lowest point on earth the Dead Sea (over 1300 feet below sea level). Visit Qumran, home of the Cult of the Judean Desert, where a shepherd boy discovered the Dead Sea Scrolls (1947) in a nearby cave. Continue south view Ein Gedi an Oasis in the desert en route to Masada. Ascend by cable car to the summit of King Herod the Great’s desert fortress, later the last stronghold of the Jewish Zealots in the revolt against Rome (73 ace). Travel north along the Dead Sea en route to Jerusalem stop to float on the Dead Sea– you cannot sink! [Breakfast & dinner]
Day 9, April 10 – Wednesday – JERUSALEM
Spend a day of leisure in this fascinating city. With time to re-visit the Old City for shopping in the bazaars. Options to consider Walk the ramparts and the rooftops of the Old City or walk through the new city for shopping along Jaffa Road and Ben Yehuda Street. Visit one of the many Museums that Jerusalem has to offer or simply relax at the hotel. Enjoy a farewell dinner in the hotel. [Breakfast & dinner]
Day 10, April 11 – Thursday – CANADA
After a leisurely breakfast transfer to Ben Gurion airport for your return flight to Canada. Leave Tel Aviv at 1:15pm flying nonstop to Toronto arriving at 6pm, meals served on board. Continue on your West Jet flight to Edmonton at 8pm arriving at 10:15pm.
OR TAKE AN OPTIONAL 4 DAY / 4 NIGHT UNIQUE JORDAN EXTENSION RETURNING APRIL 14, 2019
Cost per person $1399 based on 2 people in a room, minimum 15 participants. The Single supplement is $279. Not included: Exit Tax for Israel & Jordan US$95 paid at border crossing; Visa for Jordan free 2 nights in Jordan [subject to change]; Gratuity: guides, drivers, horses, camel herders & jeeps US$75 per person Mark yes on the Application
Day 10, April 11 – Thursday – MACHAERUS – UM RASSAS – PETRA
Travel through the Judean desert to the Allenby border crossing, cross into Jordan and meet your guide. The route will take you through the mountains of Moab of Ruth and Naomi fame. Stop at Madaba visit the famous ancient Byzantine Mosaic map of the world. Continue to visit the desert fortress at Mukawir (Machaerus) where Herod Antipas held then killed John the Baptist. Continue south along the Kingsway stop to visit Um A Rassas and to enjoy the spectacular mosaics. Time permitting visit Little Petra en route to Petra. 1 night Guest House hotel ~ Petra [Breakfast & dinner]
Day 11, April 12 – Friday – PETRA
Enjoy a full day in Petra the Red Rock one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, visiting the spectacular Nabatean necropolis. Start with an easy horseback ride; continue on foot through the “Siq” a narrow immense colourful gorge, which ends at the famous treasury. Visit the many ancient temples, tombs, and the roman theatre. 4pm Travel south to Wadi Rum. Experience the Biblical Exodus in the stark Wadi Rum desert of Lawrence of Arabia fame. 1 night: Sun City Tent Camp ~ Wadi Rum [Breakfast & dinner]
Day 12, April 13 – Saturday – WADI RUM
Explore this fascinating unique sand and sand stone desert travelling by jeep through the magnificent stark terrain then take a camel convoy through the desert. Travel south to the Arava crossing to cross back into Israel. Transfer to Eilat airport for a group flight to Sde Dov airport Tel Aviv. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel in Tel Aviv. 1 night Grand Beach hotel ~ Tel Aviv
Day 13, April 14 – Sunday – RETURN TO CANADA
After a leisurely breakfast transfer to Ben Gurion airport for your return flight to Canada. Leave Tel Aviv at 1:15pm flying on the direct nonstop EL AL flight to Toronto arriving at 6pm, meals served on board. Continue on your West Jet flight to Edmonton at 8pm arriving at 10:15pm.
HOTELS AS LISTED OR SIMILAR
PLEASE NOTE THE ITINERARY IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND MAY VARY IN THE ORDER YOU VISIT
WANT A SMARTPHONE OR SIM CARD IN ISRAEL ORDER ONLINE HERE