A trip designed especially for Pastors!

 

             

 

The Journey Begins ...  

Day 1: Tuesday, January 8th - Departure
Our journey begins as we depart on an overnight flight to Israel - the Land of the Bible. Sit back, relax and enjoy your flight. Get some rest; for tomorrow, you will walk where Jesus walked!

Day 2: Wednesday, January 9th - Arrival in Israel - Welcome Home
Today we arrive at Ben Gurion Airport, where you will be greeted by your guide and driver who will be with you for the remainder of you time in Israel. Your CHT representative will assist you with your luggage. Depending on time of arrival - Transfer to Tel Aviv - Enjoy an escorted tour to Old Jaffa the oldest port city in the world. See the amazing St. Peter Church and take a spectacular view of Tel Aviv's Shoreline from Jaffa's Hilltop. Peter came to Joppa from Lydda to raise Tabitha (Dorcas) from the dead (Acts 9:36-42). While in Jaffa, the apostle stayed at the house of Simon the Tanner. The Church of St. Peter marks the traditional site of Peter's vision of the great sheet.

Tel Aviv is Israel's largest and most modern city. Our Tel Aviv hotel is conveniently located near the shore of the Mediterranean Sea and close to the city center and attractions. After check in we will have a welcome dinner & orientation meeting .

Meals: Dinner.
Overnight: Tel Aviv, Dan Panorama Hotel.

Day 3: Thursday, January 10th - From Tel Aviv to the Galilee Tel Aviv / Coastal Plains / Caesarea / Mt. Carmel / Megiddo / Nazareth / Sea of Galilee / Tiberias
After an early breakfast we start our Holy Land journey heading north to the Sea of Galilee . We will have a relaxing drive along the beautiful coast of the Mediterranean Sea and stop at Caesarea Maritime (Acts 9.30 Acts 10 24-48), which was the center of early Christians. Here Cornelius the Centurion and his household were saved and baptized (Acts 10) and it was also here where Paul made his defense before Festus and King Agrippa prior to his final journey to Rome (Acts 25 & 26). Next, we will stop at Mount Carmel (Muchraka), where Elijah issued his challenge to the False Prophets. Then on to Megiddo (1 Kings 4.28, 9, 15, 2 Kings 23, 29 & Revel. 16.16), and the Valley of Armageddon (Revelation 16), to see the remains from Solomon's days, and view the site where the Battle of Armageddon will be fought. We continue along the Jezreel valley to visit the town of Nazareth (Luke 1.26, 4.16-29, Matthew 2.23). We will take in an unforgettable view from the top of Mt. Precipice and drive via Cana of Galilee (John 2.1-11) and the Lower Galilee region to the beautiful Sea of Galilee and the town of Tiberias . Check in and dinner at our hotel, located on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner.
Overnight: Sea of Galilee, Kibbutz Nof Ginnosar.

Day 4: Friday,January 11th - Discovering the Sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights Sail on the Sea of Galilee / "Jesus Boat" / Golan Heights / Upper Galilee / Caesarea Philippi / Yardenit
Today we will discover the tranquil Galilee region and the beautiful Golan Heights. After breakfast we will board a wooden boat and sail on of the Sea of Galilee as the disciples did 2,000 years ago. We will dock at Kibbutz Nof Geonsar and visit the “Ancient Jesus Boat” - the remains of a 2,000 year old boat that was discovered in 1986. This boat was used at the time of Jesus and his disciples. Next we will drive up to the beautiful Golan Heights and learn about the ancient Jewish settlements in this region. Visit Banias - ancient Caesarea Philippi (Matt. 16.13 and Mark 8.27), where Jesus said “on this rock I will build my Church”. We will drive through the Hula Valley and the Upper Galilee region back to the Sea of Galilee . We conclude this remarkable day in Yardenit, the baptismal site on the Jordan River . Return to our hotel for a little rest and then a very special Shabbat Dinner with Messianic recording artist Carolyn Hyde and her husband, Richard on their beautiful balcony overlooking the Sea of Galilee.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner.
Overnight: Sea of Galilee, Kibbutz Nof Ginnosar.

Day 5: Saturday, January 12th - Jesus’ Early Ministry along the Sea of Galilee and the River Jordan Mount of Beatitudes / Tabgha / Capernaum / /Beth Shean / Dead Sea
Today we will experience the area of Jesus' early ministry around the Sea of Galilee . After breakfast we will drive along the Sea of Galilee and enjoy the breathtaking view from the Mount of Beatitudes (Matt. 5,6,7,8), where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. Next, we will visit Tabgha - the site of the Feeding of the 5,000 and Primacy of Peter (Matt. 13, Mark .33-45, & John 21). Here we will visit the Church of Multiplication with its 4th century mosaic floor. Continue on to the 2,000 year old remains of Capernaum (Matt. 4.13 13.54, 17.24, Luke 7, Mark 1.2, John 4.46-54). Here we can stand in what is left of the synagogue in which Jesus ministered. It was from this city that Jesus did most of his Galilean ministry, where He performed many miracles, and where Peter's mother-in-law lived and was healed. From here we will drive south along the Beth Shean valley and the ancient city of Beth Shean (Mark 5.20, 7.31), for an overview of this remarkable archeological site. It was here that after defeating Saul and his sons on Mount Gilboa , the Philistines hanged their bodies on the walls of Beth Shean (1 Samuel 31). We will drive through the Jordanian Valley past the city of Jericho and arrive at the lowest place on earth - the Dead Sea . We will check in at our hotel, located on the shores of the Dead Sea. Before dinner we will enjoy relaxing free time at our Dead Sea hotel. Take this opportunity to enjoy optional spa treatments and a massage, float in the salty water of the Dead Sea, or even take a dip in the beautiful pools of our hotel.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner.
Overnight: Isrotel Dead Sea , Dead Sea Resort & Spa

Day 6: Sunday, January 13th - Exploring the Dead Sea and the Judean Desert Dead Sea / Masada/ Ein Gedi / Qumran / Jerusalem
Today we will explore the Dead Sea and the Judean desert region and its Biblical and historical sites. After breakfast we will drive along the shores of the Dead Sea to visit one of the most spectacular sites in Israel the 1,500 feet mountain top fortress of Masada . Built by King Herod, Masada is famous for being the last stronghold of the Jewish rebellion against the Romans. We will ascend to Masada by cable car and discover the 1st century Synagogue, Herod's Bathhouse and many other sites. We will continue along the shores of the Dead Sea for a look out on the oasis of Ein Gedi , where David hid in a cave when running from Saul (1 Samuel 23). It was here that David composed several of his Psalms. Next, we will visit Qumran and walk through the ruins of this ancient Essene community. In this spot, an amazing cache of ancient biblical texts were discovered in 1947 - commonly called the Dead Sea Scrolls . From here we will ascend to Jerusalem, the holy city of Zion. Upon arriving in Jerusalem, experience a breathtaking panoramic view of Jerusalem from Mt. Scopus and take personal time for prayer as we enter God's eternal city. Continue to our centrally located hotel for check in and dinner. Our hotel is conveniently located walking distance from old city Jerusalem. Free time to rest, relax and enjoy your first evening in Jerusalem.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner.
Overnight: Jerusalem, Dan Panorama Hotel .

Day 7: Monday, January 14th - Touching the Stones of Your Heritage: Jerusalem Old City - Mount of Olives / Kidron Valley/ / Garden of Gethsemane/ Western Wall Tunnels / Pool of Bethesda/ Church of the Holy Sepulcher/ Via Delarosa / Christian Quarter
Today we walk where Jesus walked. Following an early breakfast we will begin our first full day of touring Jerusalem and head to the top of the Mount of Olives to stand where the Lord ascended into heaven. (Acts 1). From the Mount of Olives we take in a breathtaking view of the city across the Kidron Valley to the Eastern Gate where the Prince of Peace will enter (Ezekiel 44). We will pass by Pater Noster Church and visit Dominus Flevit where “the Lord wept” as he beheld the Holy City. We will take the Palm Sunday Road down to the Garden of Gethsemane where we will see 2,000 year old olive trees that date back to the time of Christ. We will enter the Old City ; our first stop will be the Western Wall (“Wailing Wall”) - the holiest site in Judaism and one of the original ancient walls that retained the platform where the Accent Holy Temple stood. Next will be fortunate to enter one of the most important excavations in Israel the famous Western Wall Tunnels . The tunnels, running along the base of the Western Wall will lead us through the Second Temple era and reveal the amazing construction of the Temple Mount: giant stones, water supply and a Roman street where our Lord was led to judgment. Continue to St. Anne Church and the Pool of Bethesda . We will walk along the Stations of the Cross - the Via Dolorosa , to visit the Judgment Hall of Pilate all the way to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher (Matt. 27. 33-57, 28.10). We return to our hotel for dinner.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner.
Overnight: Jerusalem, Dan Panorama Hotel.

Day 8: Tuesday, January 15th - City of Zion - Past, Present and Future: Jerusalem Old and New City/ Mt. Zion/ Upper Room/ Tomb of King David/ Jewish Quarter/ Knesset / Ein Karem / Bethlehem/ Church of the Nativity/ Shepherd’s Field/ Garden Tomb Ein Karem / Bethlehem/ Church of the Nativity/ Shepherd's Field/ Garden Tomb
After breakfast drive to Mt. Zion and worship in the Upper Room (Luke 22) - the traditional site where Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper and where later Thomas cried, "My Lord and my God”. Visit the Tomb of King David and walk through the historic Jewish Quarter . We will drive through the new city of Jerusalem and pass by the Knesset - Israel's parliament. Drive to Ein Karem - the birthplace of John the Baptist (Luke 1.39-80) and visit the Church of St. John the Baptist . Continue to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity (Luke 2: 1-7). We venture out to the Shepherd's Field, referenced in Luke 2:8-20, where an angel appeared to announce the birth of Jesus. In the late afternoon we visit the Garden Tomb , where we will celebrate the Resurrection with a time of prayer (Luke 23). We will end the day by driving back to our hotel for our great farewell dinner. We will share food with our new friends and be inspired by all the memories from our journey - memories that will last a lifetime.

After dinner we transfer to Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport. Your departure transfer is fully escorted by your tour guide.

Day 09: Wednesday, January 16th - Arrival back in the U.S.
Arrive this morning back in the U.S.A. and start planning your congregational trip to the Israel with Christian Holy Land Tours llc

800 247 7235 | www.christianholylandtours.com

 

              

**Subject to change!