SUNDAY – DEPART USA

Day 1 – MONDAY – ARRIVAL IN TEL AVIV / JAFFA

Upon arrival, make your way to your hotel in Tel Aviv.

Enjoy a short guided tour of Jaffa, with a focus on the Maine Friendship House. Time permitting, enjoy the beach.
Welcome Dinner.

Overnight: Tel Aviv

Day 2 – TUESDAY – NORTH COAST & LOWER GALILEE

After breakfast, we travel to northwest Israel. Our first stop is Caesarea Maritima (9:00–11:00), one of the most impressive ancient man-made port cities on the Mediterranean and a key location where Peter and Paul interacted with Roman political leaders.

After lunch, we continue to the Nazareth area, where Jesus lived as a child and youth. We stop at Nazareth Ridge (Mount Precipice), then conclude the day at the lookout point on Mount Arbel, soaking in panoramic views of the Sea of Galilee while identifying sites associated with Jesus’ ministry.

Dinner and overnight in the Galilee.

Day 3 – WEDNESDAY – GALILEE: MINISTRY OF JESUS

Today we focus on Jesus’ Galilean ministry, walking in the landscapes where much of His teaching and miracles occurred.

We begin at Magdala, hometown of Mary Magdalene, where a first-century synagogue was recently discovered. We then visit the Beit Yigal Allon Museum at Kibbutz Ginosar.

Optional: Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee.

Lunch features a traditional St. Peter’s fish meal.

In the afternoon, we visit Capernaum, Jesus’ home after leaving Nazareth, followed by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Twelve Apostles, where we discuss His activities in the surrounding region.

We conclude the day at Yardenit, the baptism site on the Jordan River.

Dinner and overnight in the Galilee.

Day 4 – THURSDAY – JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM

We depart for Jerusalem via the Jordan Valley. Our first stop is Qumran (10:00), home of the Dead Sea Scroll community.

Next, we stop in Jericho for shopping and lunch at Jimmy’s (11:30), followed by a breathtaking overlook of the Jordan Valley from Mitzpe Yericho / Dead Sea Balcony (13:30).

We ascend to Jerusalem for worship at the Garden Tomb (15:00).

Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 5 – FRIDAY – CITY OF DAVID, RAMPART WALK & SHABBAT MEAL

We begin on Mount Zion, visiting the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu (8:30), traditionally associated with Jesus’ trial and Peter’s denial.

We then walk through Hezekiah’s Tunnel, visit the Pool of Siloam, and walk the ancient Pilgrimage Road of the City of David (9:30), recalling Jesus’ healing of the blind man.

After lunch, we walk the Southwest Ramparts of the Old City, overlooking the Hinnom Valley—an important and sobering location in ancient Israel’s history and later Christian imagery.

Alternative option: Participate in the Temple Mount Sifting Project.

In the evening, we enjoy a Shabbat Meal with Jewish families in their homes.

Overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 6 – SATURDAY – BYU JERUSALEM CENTER & SERVICE

We begin the Sabbath with worship at the BYU Jerusalem Center (9:00–12:00).

In the afternoon, we attend a local service in Jerusalem (TBA).

Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 7 – SUNDAY – OLD CITY OF JERUSALEM

With breakfast boxes in hand, we begin at 6:30 AM with a special walk through the Kidron Valley, with the Temple Mount on our right and the Mount of Olives on our left.

We visit:

• Church of the Holy Sepulchre (7:30)

• Dome of the Rock Lookout (8:30)

• Western Wall Lookout (9:00)

• Western Wall (9:30)

• Temple Mount / Haram esh-Sharif (10:30)

After lunch in the Jewish Quarter (12:00), we visit the Davidson Center, exploring excavations along the southern Temple Mount.

Return to the hotel or enjoy time for shopping.

Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 8 – MONDAY – MOUNT OF OLIVES & INTERFAITH DIALOGUE

Few groups spend an entire day on the Mount of Olives, making this one of the most powerful days of the tour.

We discuss traditions and prophecies related to final judgment and resurrection while tracing Jesus’ final footsteps during the last week of His life.

Sites include:

• Bethphage

• Mount of Olives Lookout

• Dominus Flevit

• Church of All Nations (Gethsemane – Catholic tradition)

• Mary’s Tomb and Grotto (Orthodox tradition)

Lunch at Orson Hyde Park.

We conclude with a special Interfaith Dialogue Session or podcast/YouTube recording (schedule permitting). Additional shopping time if available.

Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 9 – TUESDAY – BETHLEHEM, HAAS PROMENADE & ISRAEL MUSEUM

After breakfast, we travel to Bethlehem (8:00–12:00) with local guide Ismail Kanan.

Activities include:

• Lunch at Beit Sahour Grotto

• Singing in a small grotto

• Discussion of Jesus’ birth at Shepherds’ Field

• Visit to the Church of the Nativity, including St. Jerome’s Room and the Chapel of the Holy Innocents (private areas)

Return to Jerusalem via Haas Promenade (12:30).

In the afternoon, visit the Israel Museum (1:00–5:00), including the Shrine of the Book (Dead Sea Scrolls) and the model of First-Century Jerusalem.

Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 10 – WEDNESDAY – SHEPHELAH (JUDEAN FOOTHILLS) & MASADA

A highlight day focused on the Old Testament.

We visit:

• Beth Shemesh (Samson narrative)

• Azekah and the Valley of Elah (David and Goliath)

• Tel Lachish

• Judean Foothills (Shephelah)

• Negev Desert landscapes

We end the day at Masada, followed by swimming in the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth.

Dinner and overnight near the Dead Sea (David Resort Hotel or similar).

Day 11 – THURSDAY – DEPARTURE OR OPTIONAL JORDAN EXTENSION

Transfers to Tel Aviv Airport from the Dead Sea (not included).

OPTIONAL JORDAN EXTENSION

Day 1 – THURSDAY – NEGEV DESERT TO AQABA

Early departure to a camel ranch and Dimona.
Optional: Timna Park (closes at 3:00 PM).

Travel south to Eilat for border crossing into Jordan at Aqaba/Rabin.

End the day at the Red Sea beach.

Dinner and overnight in Aqaba.

Day 2 – FRIDAY – WADI RUM & PETRA

Explore Wadi Rum, associated with Lawrence of Arabia, including a Jeep tour and Bedouin lunch.

Continue to Little Petra, then end the day at Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Dinner and overnight in Petra.

Day 3 – SATURDAY – PETRA & MADABA

Full day exploring Petra.

Continue to Madaba, with a stop for ice cream.

Dinner and overnight in Madaba.

Day 4 – SUNDAY – MADABA MAP, MOUNT NEBO & RABBATH-AMMON

Visit the Madaba Map, then travel to Mount Nebo, where Moses viewed the Promised Land.

Continue to Rabbath-Ammon (ancient Philadelphia).

Dinner and overnight near Jerash.

Day 5 – MONDAY – JERASH, UMM QAIS & RETURN TO ISRAEL

Visit Jerash, then continue to Umm Qais (ancient Gadara).

Travel to the Jordan River and cross into Israel via Sheikh Hussein Crossing, ending in Tel Aviv.