Day 1 – Nov. 17 – Sun – Meet and assist by Yael Adventures representative

Arrival to Ben Gurion Airport

We will depart the airport at 6:00 Am

We will have breakfast in Jaffa, visit the house of Simon the Tanner and St. Peter’s Church. Walk in the Old Port and the artist quarter. Back to the bus for a drive tour in the city of Tel Aviv.

We start our journey to Jerusalem.  Drive via the Valley of Elah, best known as the place described in the Bible where the Israelites were encamped when David fought Goliath (1 Sam. 17:2).

Lunch in Bethlehem

Arrival  to the hotel in Bethlehem

15:00 Check in at the hotel

Dinner & overnight

Day 2 – Nov. 18 – Mon – Visit Jericho, Mt Temptation, Dead Sea, and Bethlehem

We drive south from Jerusalem in the direction of the Dead Sea on the way we pass the Inn of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37) and continue on through the Biblical wilderness of the Judean Desert.

We pause at the mark which indicates that we have reached “sea level” and from there we continue on to Jericho 258 meters below sea level. This ancient city features in both the New and Old Testament. Joshua led his troops around the city walls until they fell (Joshua 6) and Jesus entered Jericho after his sojourn in the wilderness (Luke 19:1-10). When Jesus entered Jericho, The City of Palms, the tax collector Zachaeus climbed a sycamore tree to see him better and we stop to take a look at this ancient tree.

Jesus spent forty days and forty nights on the nearby Mount Temptation we will take a cable car ride to the Mountain , here the devil tried to turn Jesus away from God but Jesus responded “Man shall not live by bread alone.” (Mathew 4:1-4).

Then towards the shores of the Dead Sea.  Enjoy the opportunity to swim & float at the unique water of the Dead Sea

Visit Qumran, the caves where the Dead Sea scrolls were found, make a brief stop at a private beach and take the opportunity to float in the salty buoyant water, rich in minerals.

Drive to Bethlehem From Manger Square we enter through a small door into the Church of the Nativity. Within the church is the Grotto of the Nativity where a star marks the spot where Jesus was born; the Manger and an altar to the three Wise Men.

Dress code: Shoulders to be covered / No shorts allowed.

Bethlehem &Jericho are under Palestinian Authority Rule. In order to enter you need a valid passport.

At the border meeting your Palestinian guide will begin the tour.

Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem

Day 3 – Nov. 19 – Tue – JERUSALEM, CAESAREA, MT CARMEL, NAZARETH

After breakfast we will depart Jerusalem

We drive a long the Mediterranean cast.  Stop on the way for a view of Caesarea and the Aqueduct.

Proceed to Haifa and Mt. Carmel. Drive to Mt. Carmel to the Muchraqa, the place of sacrifice and the site where Prophet Elijah defeated the False Prophets of Ba’al.

Then on to Nazareth, the boyhood town of Jesus and home of Mary and Joseph and visit the Basilica of the Annunciation built over the grotto where Archangel Gabriel appeared to announce that she would bear a son, Jesus. We’ll visit also Joseph’s workshop.

 Dinner and overnight in Tiberias

Day 4 – Nov. 20 – Wed – HOLY SITES SORROUNDING SEA OF GALILEE / BAPTISM  SITE

Today we visit Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus delivered perhaps the most significant sermon ever preached – “The Sermon on the Mount”.  Here, we contemplate and reflect through prayer before continuing to Capernaum, the town where Peter lived and where Jesus based his Galilean ministry.  We visit the ruins of the town and gain an understanding of why Jesus focused his ministry here, where ancient Judaism flourished.  We will visit the Synagogue where Jesus healed and taught, and also Peter’s house.  We proceed to Tabgha, the site of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, we will also visit the Church of St. Peter’s Primacy, where Jesus appeared after the Resurrection.  We enjoy a relaxing boat ride on the lovely Sea of Galilee

Finish this day with a drive to the Yardenit Baptism Site, located on the banks of the Jordan River.

We conclude our day with dinner and overnight at the hotel in Tiberias.

Day 5 – Nov. 21 – Thu – Cana Wedding Church, Mount of Olives, Holy sites

After breakfast we will drive to Cana where Jesus performed His first Miracle, changing water into wine at the wedding feast – celebrate renewal of the vow

We drive to the top of the Mount of Olives  for magnificent view of Jerusalem from which Jesus ascended to heaven after his resurrection.  From the Mount, there is a magnificent view over all ancient and modern Jerusalem, the center of the biblical world.  We visit the holy shrines on the Mount (chapel of Ascension and Pater Noster church) and walk on down the “Palm Sunday Road” visiting the Chapel of Dominus Flevit (Jesus Wept) en route to the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations where Christ prayed on the night of his betrayal.  (Luke 22:40-46).

Time for prayers and reflection.

Dinner and overnight at hotel 

Day 6 – Nov. 22 – Fri – OLD CITY OF JERUSALEM VIA DOLOROSA, MOUNT ZION / WESTERN WALL

After breakfast , enter the Old City, where you will wind your way through the narrow streets to arrive at the Via Dolorosa.  After visiting these important and meaningful sites, walk to  Mt. Zion to visit the Upper Room and the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, which is built over the ruins of the Palace of Caiaphas, the High Priest before whom Jesus was brought for trial (Mark 14: 53-65).

We end our day at the Western Wall.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel

Day 7 – Nov. 23 – Sat – JERUSALEM – GARDEN TOMB

After breakfast  We close our memorable tour to the Holy Land with a visit to the Garden Tomb, for communion and reflection,

Proceed to the Knesset – Israel’s Parliament and view the giant Menorah.

We will have a group photo, and then enjoy our time in the market last minute shopping

Farewell Dinner at local restaurant and Jerusalem Pilgrim’s certificate

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight back home