Tour of Israel plus Jordan
13 Days |12 Nights
Protestant – Evangelical
Multi-Country Tours
- DAY 1
Arrival Tel Aviv
Our life-changing journey begins as we arrive at Ben Gurion International Airport. We will be met by our representative. After boarding our bus, we will transfer to the hotel for overnight
- DAY 2
Caesarea, Mt. Carmel, Megiddo
After breakfast, we travel by private motor coach along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea to Caesarea, where Gentiles first heard the Good News from Peter and were baptized. We’ll see the Roman Amphitheatre and aqueduct, and then journey on to Mt. Carmel, where Elijah challenged King Ahab and the prophets of Baal. Next, we travel through the Jezreel Valley to Megiddo Armageddon Battlefield, where archaeologists have unearthed 20 levels of civilization. We drive through the area of Cana and Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus, where we visit the Nazareth Village—a wonderful recreation of Biblical times with costumed guides
- DAY 3
Caesarea Philippi, Capernaum, Baptism
Following breakfast, our morning travels take us to two valuable northern sites. Dan is where the children of Israel fell to the depths of alternative sacrifice and Caesarea Philippi, the site of Peter’s Confession and pagan worship. We pass the possible site of the multiplication of loaves and fishes in Bethsaida and the Mount of the Beatitudes. Returning to Tiberias for a St. Peter’s Fish Lunch on own (other selections available), we then visit the ancient Fisherman Boat followed by a relaxing cruise on the Sea of Galilee. In Capernaum we view the excavations of the seaside village and Peter’s home. Finally, we have an opportunity to be baptized at the Jordan River Baptismal site before we return to our hotel
- DAY 4
Magdala – Beth Shean, Border Crossing – Petra
Our adventure continues to Magdala, home town of Mary Magdalene. The recent excavation of the First Century Synagogue and well-preserved village makes Magdala one of the most interesting Biblical sites in Israel. Next, we travel southward to Beit Shean/Scythopolis, the most magnificent archeological site in Israel, located at the strategic juncture of the Jezreel and Jordan valleys. Like Jericho, it has been almost continuously occupied throughout history. After defeating Saul and his sons on Mt. Gilboa, the Philistines hanged their bodies on the walls of Beit Shean. During the time of Jesus, Scythopolis was one of the chief cities of the Decapolis—a league of ten cities sharing Greek culture and government. We will cross the border to Jordan and turn southward toward the amazing mountain fortress of Petra, known to be inhabited by the Edomites—the descendants of Esau.
- DAY 5
Petra Full Day Sightseeing
This morning begins with a tour with a walk through the “Siq,” an immense crack in the Nubian sandstone, to the city of Petra carved out of the rose red rock. The Treasury, El Khazneh, is one of the most elegant remains of antiquity. Beyond El Khazneh we are surrounded on both sides by hundreds of Petra’s carved and built structures. After the guided part of the tour you will have the afternoon to explore—perhaps you will want to hike up the 822 steps carved out of the mountain to the Monastery building – its large, intricately carved façade and views looking out over the surrounding valleys are stunning. Other things to see include the pillars of the Hadrian Gate and the Cardo beyond it – a long street that was once the ancient city’s main thoroughfare. Our hotel this evening remains in Petra so you can explore at your own leisure.
- DAY 6
Mt. Nebo, Madaba
Departing Petra, we travel northward on the King’s Highway where to the west we view the hills bordering the Dead Sea. This is the area of the hilltop palace/fortress of Machaerus, where John the Baptist was beheaded. Enjoy our stop at Mt. Nebo, believed to be the site of the tomb of Moses, which commands spectacular views across the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. A short drive takes us to the town of Madaba, the biblical Medeba, 30 kilometers south of Amman. Madaba is best known for its Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics and at the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George we view the earliest surviving mosaic map of the Holy land. We will drive down the mountains to the Dead Sea where we will check into our hotel for the night.
- DAY 7
Jerash, Pompeii of the East – Amman
This morning we travel to Jerash, one of the best preserved and most complete provincial Roman cities. Jerash, Gerasa of Roman Times, was one of the cities of the Decapolis, a confederation of 10 Graeco-Roman cities dating from the 1st century BC situated in Jordan, Syria and Israel. Known as the Pompeii of the East for its extraordinary state of preservation, the ruins indicate human occupations at this location for more than 2,500 years. From here we return to our hotel on the Dead Sea.
- DAY 8
Border Crossing, Jericho, Jerusalem
We cross the Jordan River into Israel and then stop in the ancient city of Jericho famed as the oldest in the world. To the east of Jericho along the Jordan River Valley (Qaser El Yehud) is the Israeli side of Bethany Beyond the Jordan. In this area Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, Elijah and Elisha crossed the Jordan, as well as where the children of Israel, led by Joshua, entered the promised Land. We drive to Jerusalem with the remainder of the afternoon/evening free. You may wish to take a time of prayer and thanks for the special blessings ahead, a prayer for the people of this land, and then enjoy a good night’s rest.
- DAY 9
Masada, Ein Gedi Qumran
Our day begins with a cable car ride to the mount top fortress of Masada. Here our guide will treat us to the history of the famous zealot stand. Afterwards we proceed to Ein Gedi, “Spring of the Goat,” an oasis on the western shore of the Dead Sea. This is where King David hid from Saul, and where God defeated the enemies of the Israelites by praise and worship led by King Jehoshaphat. Next, we visit Qumran Caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered.
- DAY 10
: Around Jerusalem
On our way into the city we will visit the Wailing Wall the most religious site in the world for the Jewish people. Adjacent to the Western Wall, we explore the Southern Wall Excavations. The most exciting findings here are: the walls of the city from the First Temple period, the steps leading up to the Temple, the original street from the time of the Second Temple period. Then we walk tunnels beneath the Western Wall. At that level you are walking under Jerusalem at the level of the city from Jesus Christ’s time. The tunnel and exhibit give a clear understanding of the amazing construction of the Temple Mount, giant stones, water supply and Roman street where our Lord was led to judgment. We move on to the Judgment Hall of Pilate, hear of those who conspired against Him and are reminded of His brutal beating and humiliation. From here we will also be able to see the Pool of Bethesda, Stephen’s Gate and St. Ann’s Church. A visit to Bethlehem and those sites surrounding the birth of Christ including the Church of the Nativity and the Shepherd’s Field is not to be missed.
- DAY 11
Jesus’ Steps, Last Days, Way of Suffering, Garden Tomb
Today we walk where Jesus walked; beginning the day with a panoramic view of the city, Mount Moriah and the Dome of the Rock from atop the Mount of Olives and then the Garden of Gethsemane. Passing by the Protestant Cemetery, we visit the “Upper Room” just outside the Zion Gate where the disciple whom Jesus loved laid his head on His breast and where later Thomas cried, “my Lord & my God.” While walking along the Via Dolorosa, we are reminded of His way of suffering along with a visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. The climax of the day is the area of Golgotha (place of the skull) and the Garden Tomb, where we celebrate the resurrection with communion and a time of praise.
- DAY 12
Israel Museum, House of Caiaphas, Yad Vashem
An interesting and educational time awaits us today at the Israeli Museum. Walk through collections of century’s old Israeli artifacts including the Dead Sea Scrolls, and then a guided walk through an accurately detailed model of Biblical Jerusalem. This model will help put into perspective all that you have seen over the previous days touring. Next, we visit the House of Caiaphas where Jesus was beaten and spit upon. See a pit where he may have been held for the evening and the ancient hillside steps he walked as he was taken to be condemned. We conclude the day with a visit to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum, for a needed reminder of what the Jews have suffered as a people.
- DAY 13
Departure
Transfer to Tel-Aviv Airport for Departure
YOUR JOURNEY
CLOTHING
We strongly advise that you pack clothes according to the season in which you visit Israel. For summers, pack light weight clothing, preferably short-sleeved or sleeveless shirts with shorts, and sandals. For winter tours, pack a coat and a raincoat with shoes that fully cover your feet, an umbrella, gloves, a scarf, and other warm items. Beach shoes and a bathing suit are a plus if your trip includes a visit to Eilat or the Dead Sea. Even in summer, pack a sweater or jacket for the chilly nights in the mountains and desert
In Jordan, For winter tours, wearing layers is advisable, as it means you can react flexibly to changing temperatures (day/night, inside/outside), pack a coat and raincoat with boots that fully cover your feet or sturdy shoes, warm socks, an umbrella, gloves, a scar. For summer, pack lightweight, preferably long-sleeved clothing with pants or long skirt and sandals and a jacket for the cold nights in the mountains and desert even in the summer. Beach shoes and swimwear are a plus if your trip includes a visit to Aqaba or the Dead Sea. In Jordan You do NOT need to cover your hair, nor should you do it, unless you want to, the only place where you should cover your hair, arms and legs is when you are entering an Islamic religious site such as a mosque.
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES
Pack your personal appliances as you would for any international trip.
Note that the power grid in Israel offers single-phase 220 Volts at 50 Hertz. Most sockets in the walls there have three pin holes, butbringing an adaptor plug will solve that problem. If you or somebody in your group intends to use shavers, traveling irons, or any other small appliances, it would be wise to pack a transformer as well
Note that the power grid in Jordan offers single-phase 220 Volts at 50 Hertz. Most sockets in the walls there have three pin holes, butbringing an adaptor plug will solve that problem. IF you or somebody in your group intends to use shavers, traveling irons or any other small appliances it would be wise to pack a transformer as well
PASSPORTS & VISAS
All visitors to Israel must carry a passport that does not expire for at least six months after they intend to depart from the country. Visitors to Israel must check if they need a prearranged tourist visa depending on their nationality. Use this list >>
All visitors to Jordan must carry a passport that does not expire for at least six months after they intend to depart from the country. Visitors to Jordan must check if they need a prearranged tourist visa depending on their nationality.
CURRENCY
The Israeli currency is the New Israeli Shekel. On arrival in Israel, use your bank-card to withdraw some Shekels from the ATM in the arrival-halls at Ben Gurion or change a small amount of dollars at a bank or your hotel. There are ATM machines all over Israel and credit cards are widely accepted.
The currency of Jordan is the Jordanian Dinar – JOD or JD. It is also called “leerah” in the spoken language; you can hear it every day at the market. 1 dinar is divided into 100 Qirsh (also called Piaster’s) or 1000 fils. Although the fils no longer exists as physical coin but you still see it on the price tags in shops. The exchange rate of the Jordanian Dinar to the US dollar is fixed at USD 1 = JD 0.708 upon arrival to Jordan, use your bank-card to with draw some Jordanian dinar from the ATM or change a small amount of dollars. There are ATM machines all over Jordan and credit cards are widely accepted.
INCLUDED WITH EVERY LUXURY SMALL GROUP JOURNEY
- Your preferred choice of accommodation: Deluxe, First Class, Superior Class Hotels Kibbutz and religious guest houses.
- Breakfast & dinner buffets daily at hotel
- Porterage service at hotels
- Meet and assist at border and crossing points
- Carefree travel with arrangement that include border taxes and visas
- Professional and Licensed guides that speak your language
- Entrance fees
- Transportation in a modern, comfortable WI-FI equipped coaches
- Maps & Hats
- Daily bottles of water
- Israel Ministry of tourism certificates
- Headsets during the tour in Israel
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CONTACT US
Give us a call or drop us a line
SEND A MESSAGE
You can contact us also by:
Overseas Travel Bureau O.T.B (ltd)
Your Partner in the Holy land
Phone: +972 (0) 2 6287090 [email protected]
44 Ragheb Al Nashashibi St. – P.O.BOX 24091 Jerusalem, Israel
CONTACT US
Give us a call or drop us a line
SEND A MESSAGE
You can contact us also by:
Overseas Travel Beureu (O.T.B)
Your partner in the Holy land
Phone: +972 (0) 2 6287090 | [email protected]
44 Raghed Nashashibi St.-P.O.Box 51013 Jerusalem, Israel