Educational Tour for Christian Adults & Youth

This is a tour for Church, school, or community groups.

Deepen the faith and first hand understanding of Christian Adults and Youth, by giving them personal experiences at the holy sites that have made the Land of Israel so meaningful to so many people for thousands of years.

DAY 1: Ben Gurion Airport / Tel Aviv
Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, where you will be met by your Israel Pilgrim Tours driver and guide.

Drive to the port city of Jaffa (Joppa) from where Jonah set sail. See where Peter had a vision of unclean food to portray the need for unity for both Jew and Gentile.

Text: “I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to me. When I observed it intently and considered, I saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ But I said, ‘Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.’ But the voice answered me again from heaven, ‘What God has cleansed you must not call common.’” Acts 11:5-9

Drive through modern Tel Aviv. Dinner and overnight / Tel Aviv

DAY 2: Caesarea - Mt. Carmel - Jezreel Valley - Megiddo / Armageddon - Nazareth - Cana
Visit Caesarea Maritima, Herod the Great's masterpiece city on the Mediterranean coast, and the main location from which Pontius Pilate reigned during the time of Jesus. Walk through the ruins of his palace, Roman theatre, hippodrome. Walk the streets where Peter gave the Gospel to Cornelius, the first Gentile Christian (Acts 10) and baptized him and his family. Walk the city where Paul was imprisoned and made his passionate plea before King Agrippa before being sent to Rome for his trial before Caesar.

Text: “King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.” Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.” Acts 26:27-29

Dinner and overnight / Tiberius

DAY 3: Sea of Galilee - First Century Boat - Mount of Beatitudes – Capernaum – Tabgha – Bethsaida - Boat Ride
Explore sites around the lovely scenic Sea of Galilee, with its extensive archaeological evidence and rich traditions relating to the early part of the Christian era. See the First Century Boat from the time of Jesus that was discovered in 1986 and has been preserved and is now on display. Have a Bible Study outside the ancient synagogue of Capernaum where Jesus taught. Capernaum was the center of Jesus' ministry in the Galilee. Finish the tour of Capernaum with a visit to St. Peter's house.

Text: “Then He went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbaths. And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority.” Luke 4:31

Visit the traditional site of Jesus’ miracle of the multiplication of loaves and fishes. Stand on the Mount of Beatitudes, where the Sermon on the Mount was delivered, and reflect on the words of Jesus. From the Mount of Beatitudes ride to where the Jordan River meets the Sea of Galilee where pilgrims from around the world visit the site on the Jordan River where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. Drive to the Golan Heights.
For lunch or dinner be sure to eat the famous St. Peter’s Fish (most likely the fish caught by fisherman during the times of Jesus).

Dinner and overnight / Tiberius

DAY 4: Upper Galilee - Tel Dan - Caesarea Phillipi - Golan Heights - Tiberius
Walk or hike trails with rushing gorgeous rivers. The most important river, the Dan, is fed by the snow and rain of Mount Hermon, Israel’s highest mountain. Explore the ancient remnants of the Canaanite city of Laish, which was captured by the Tribe of Dan during the period of the Judges. On the hilltop are a reconstructed Israelite-period city gate and the archway of the Canaanite gate, probably the earliest arch ever discovered. It is here Peter states that Jesus is “...the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.” Caesarea Philippi was a city dedicated to the pagan shepherd god known as Pan. Walk the trail making Peter’s astounding declaration come alive in the setting of Caesarea among the beauty of rivers, waterfalls and ancient ruins.

Text: “When Jesus came into Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, ‘Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?’ And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.’ He saith unto them, ‘But whom say ye that I am?’ And Simon Peter answered and said, ‘Thou art the Messiah, the Son of the living God’....’Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.’” Matthew 16:13-18

Come to the heights of the Golan. Here, see the Biblical lands of Bashan. In biblical times, this area was known for its cattle and oak trees. As stated in Amos 4:1-2 “Hear this word, you cows of Bashan..." Visit Mt. Hermon, a probable site for Jesus’ transfiguration.

Text: “Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them.... While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” Matthew 17:1-6

Dinner and overnight / Tiberius

DAY 5: Beit Shean – Jordan River Valley – Dead Sea – Negev
Visit the ancient city of Beit Shean, capital of the Roman Decapolis, and walk along its colonnaded main streets with its magnificent bathhouses, theatre and ruined temples. Then it’s south through the Jordan River Valley to the Dead Sea, passing on the way the modern city of Jericho and the Mount of Temptation which we can see from the road.

Text: Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” Matthew 1: 1-10

"Swim" in the salty, mineral rich waters of the Dead Sea, and then continue into the Negev Desert to Mamshit Camel Ranch. Live the life of Abraham: go for a camel ride, enjoy a Bedouin "hafla" dinner and sleep overnight in a traditional Bedouin tent.

DAY 6: Ein Gedi – Qumran
Drive through the Judean Desert along The Dead Sea, place of refuge in ancient times, and site of mineral cures today. We ascend the rock of Masada – site of the last stand of the Jews against the Romans 2,000 years ago- by cable car, walking through palaces built by Herod the Great. Visit the beautiful Biblical Ein Gedi Nature Reserve where King David fled Saul and wrote some of the most beautiful Psalms. Lastly, travel to the caves of Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Here we and learn about the significance of these ancient documents.

Text: "Then Saul went on one side of the mountain, and David and his men on the other side of the mountain. So David made haste to get away from Saul, for Saul and his men were encircling David and his men to take them....Then David went up from there and dwelt in strongholds at En Gedi". 1 Samuel 23:25-29

Dinner and overnight / Jerusalem

DAY 7: Jerusalem – Mt. of Olives – Southern Wall Excavations – Western Wall – Cardo – Via Dolorosa – Church of the Holy Sepulcher
Stand on the Mount of Olives and see where Jesus wept over Jerusalem. Reflect in the Garden of Gethsemane. Here Jesus prayed to the Father before He was arrested:

Text: Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.” He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”  Matthew 26: 42

From the Mount of Olives walk down to the Eastern Gate, where Jesus made his Triumphal Entry on Palm Sunday. Walk along the walls of Jerusalem to see the Southern Excavations and walk on the stairs where Jesus taught. Finally walk towards the Western Wall through the ruins of the markets, roads, and residential areas of the Temple precinct built by Herod the Great in the first century B.C. The Western Wall is the holiest site in Judaism. Hundreds of thousands of people come to this site every year to pray and put written prayers into the cracks of the wall. Spend time praying at the Western Wall, and see young and old praying and sometimes singing and even dancing. These remnants of the Temple complex were built first by Solomon and then again by King Herod. It was destroyed in 70 A.D. by the Romans.

Text: “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth
quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the
Saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.” Matthew 27:52

Follow the steps of Jesus from His trial to His death and resurrection. Stop at the fourteen Stations of the Cross which commemorate several of Jesus’ last moments. The last of these stations leads you to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Take time alone or as a group to reflect on this monumental moment in history. This is the most important and breathtaking site in Jerusalem for Christians: Golgotha (Calvary), tomb and place of the resurrection of Jesus. The first Christian community held liturgical celebrations here until 66 AD. The emperor Hadrian built a pagan shrine over the spot in 135 AD. Finally, Constantine built a Church on the site in the 300s after his mother Queen Helena came on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. If you have a keen eye, you can find the Crusader graffiti on the doors and walls of the Church! Protestants have a similar site not far away known as the Garden Tomb. It is a quiet and contemplative site which is built around a 1st century tomb and garden. It is a nice alternative or complement to the ornate Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
Dinner and overnight / Jerusalem

DAY 8: Bethlehem – Church of the Nativity – City of David – Hezekiah’s Tunnel
Come to the town of Jesus’ birth, Bethlehem. Begin at the Shepherd’s Field, just east of the center of Bethlehem. It is the traditional spot where the Angel of the Lord appeared to announce the birth of Jesus.

Text: “Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:8-11

After seeing where Jesus and King David were born, see the ancient ruins of David’s original city. It is the very beginning of the story of Jerusalem. Walk down to Warren’s Shaft and see where many believe David’s men crawled up to initially take the city of Jerusalem from the Jebusites!

Text: “David took the stronghold of Zion (that is, the City of David). Now David said, 'Whoever attacks the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain.’ And Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, and became chief. Then David dwelt in the stronghold; therefore they called it the City of David. And he built the city around it... So David went on and became great, and the Lord of hosts was with him.” 1 Chronicles 11:5

The adventurous types can continue down the shaft and walk through several inches of water through the famous Hezekiah’s shaft. Bring a flashlight, sandals and a bit of courage for this amazing 30 minute hike through history beneath the city of Jerusalem. Hezekiah’s tunnel was built during Hezekiah’s reign in order to bring water to the ever growing Jerusalem population.

Text: "As for the other events of Hezekiah’s reign, all his achievements and how he made the pool and the tunnel by which he brought water into the city..." 2 Kings 20:20

Dinner and overnight / Jerusalem

DAY 9: Yad Vashem - Ein Karem - Elah Valley - Tel Mareshah - Beit Guvrin National Park
Begin the final day of your trip at Yad Vashem, the national memorial to the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust. Walk among the unique historical displays and learn about the environment of the Holocaust in Europe. Make sure to spend some time in the Garden of the Righteous Gentiles, a commemorative garden to honor non-Jews who risked their lives to protect Jewish communities during the Holocaust. Then we drive through the village of Ein Karem, where John the Baptist was born. Travel to the Valley of Elah where the main Biblical battles between the Israelites and Philistines took place. After visiting the famous battlefield of David and
Goliath go to Tel Mareshah/Beit Guvrin National Park, where you can crawl through fantastic caves which were used for refuge over thousands of years. We will then have an opportunity to actually participate in an ongoing archaeological excavation.
Dinner and overnight / Jerusalem

DAY 10: Transfer to Ben Gurion airport, for your flight home.