Sample Israel Tour Itinerary
(This itinerary can be adapted to suit your group’s preferences.)
Day 1 Flight to the Holy Land
Depart on your flight to Ben Gurion Airport, Israel
Day 2 Arrival in the Land of the Bible
Meet your scholar guide and embark on a brief tour before heading to the hotel for a rest. Drive through Plain of Sharon, past Antipatris/Aphek and Ebenezer. Overview the history of Land of Israel in route. Visit ancient Caesarea (Acts 10; 12; 25). Transfer to Hotel and relax close to the beach. In the evening, get together for an orientation talk on modern Israel followed by a discussion with a reserve Israeli soldier.
Day 3 Ancient Ways and Jesus (Yeshua) as the Way
Visit ancient Megiddo/Armageddon (1 Kings 9:15; Revelation 16:16). Travel through the Jezreel Valley and visit ancient Tzippori/Sepphoris (Matthew 6) where Yeshua and his father Joseph may have worked. At Nazareth Village (Matthew 2:23; Luke 1:26; 2:51; 4:15-30; John 1:46) a reenacted first-century village comes alive, plus we can talk with a local Arab Christian, “a living stone” (1 Peter 2:5) from Nazareth. From the Nazareth Ridge view Mt. Tabor, the meeting point of three of the tribes (Zebulun, Issachar, and Naphtali) and the traditional site of the Transfiguration (Mat 17:1-13). Overnight in Galilee.
Day 4 The Upper Galilee and the Golan Heights
Begin early in the day at the Mt. of Beatitudes (Matthew 5-7) and Korazim (Matt 11:23-24; 23:1-3) with Moses’ Seat; Pass Hatzor (Hazor) (Joshua 11:10-11; 1 Kings 9:15) and visit Tel Dan (Joshua 19: 47-48; 1 Kgs 12:20-33; 2 Kgs 10:29) and then Caesarea Philippi [Banyas today] (Matthew 16). After lunch we will have an overview of the Golan Heights (Kunietra overlook) and then continue down to Katzrin to hear more about the Golan Heights in ancient and modern times. Overnight in Galilee.
Day 5 Yeshua around the Sea of Galilee & the Jordan Valley
Begin our day with a a Boat Ride on Sea of Galilee and visiting the first-century boat at Nof Ginnosar. Visit Capernaum (Matt 4:13; 17: 24; Mk 2:1) and Tabgha-Heptapegon (John 21). Heading south down the Jordan River Valley, we will visit Beth Shean/Scythopolis (1 Sam 31) and the south Jordan River (Luke 4). Overnight in Jericho.
Day 6 The Dead Sea
Visit Qumran of the Dead Sea Scrolls and enjoy a totally unique Dead Sea swim at the lowest place on the face of the earth. Pass En Gedi (1 Sam 24) and visit the stirring site of Masada where the end of the First Jewish Revolt of 70 AD ended. In the late afternoon and evening relax back at the Hotel. Overnight in Jericho.
Day 7 Shabbat Worship and Free Day
Journey up to Jerusalem and get an overview from the Mt. of Olives (Luke 11; Acts 1) near Bethphage (Matthew 21) and Bethany (Matt. 21:17; 26:6; Mk. 11:1-18; Lk. 24:50; Jn. 1:28; Jn. 11:1-18; 12:1-8). Worship this morning in a Messianic Congregation and fellowship with some more “living stones” (1 Peter 2:5). Enjoy a free afternoon in the relaxing Sabbath atmosphere of Jerusalem. Overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 8 The Judean Hills and the Shephelah (“Lowlands”)
As we leave Jerusalem we will visit two miraculous works at Yad Hashmona Village, the only Messianic Jewish Moshav/Kibbutz in Israel which has a beautiful Biblical garden. Also there, recently built, is the Home for Bible Translators which brings Bible Translators from around the world to learn the Language and Geography of the Bible in the Land of the Bible, fulfilling Isaiah 2:3 that the “Word of the Lord will go out from Zion.” In the afternoon we will pass through the Sorek Valley where Samson lived and Beth Shemesh (1 Samuel 6-7) the place where the Ark of the Covenant returned from the Philistines. We’ll close with the dramatic Elah Valley (1 Samuel 17; 21:9) where David conquered Goliath. Finish the day with a visit to Bethlehem, the first city of David, and the place of Yeshua’s birth (Matthew 2; Luke 2). Overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 9 Jerusalem: The City of David to the Son of David
City of David (2 Sam 5) and Pool of Siloam (John 9); Davidson Museum and Southern Wall Excavations with the Teaching Stairs of the Elders/Pharisees (Matt 23) where Paul/Saul likely learned at the feet of Gamliel); Western Wall; Visit the Jewish Quarter with the Priestly Courtyard in Herodian Mansion (Luke 22:54-62). Overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 10 Restoration and Modern Israel
We will have time to visit the sobering Yad VaShem Holocaust Museum and then hear about modern Israel through a tour of the Knesset (Israel’s Parliament). After lunch we will visit the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26), and finish the day by celebrating the resurrection of Yeshua at the Garden Tomb. In the evening we’ll have a closing dinner as a Seder Meal and a time where we can share our experiences collectively. Overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 11 Extension or Return
Continue on your extension or enjoy a free day and return flight to your home country.