Itinerary

Day 1: Departure from Nairobi

Depart for Tel Aviv, Israel as per your flight’s schedule.

Day 2: Arrive in Israel

Arrive in Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport where you will be met by our representative and be assisted through airport & customs formalities. Thereafter, you will travel northwards to your hotel for one night in the coastal area near Tel Aviv. You will then enjoy your dinner, and retire to your rooms in preparation for an early departure in the morning.

Day 3: Caesarea, Megiddo & Nazareth

After breakfast, you will travel along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea to Caesarea, where Gentiles first heard the Good News from Saint Peter and were baptized. You will see a Roman Amphitheatre, hippodrome, and other remains of this famous port city, as well as a film on history and an aqueduct before you journey through the Mt. Carmel range, where Elijah challenged King Ahab and the prophets of Baal. Next, you travel through the Jezreel Valley to Megiddo, the Armageddon Battlefield, where archaeologists have unearthed twenty levels of civilization. You will drive through the area of Cana and Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus, where you visit the Nazareth Village, a wonderful recreation of Biblical times with costumed guides. You will have dinner and overnight in the Tiberias area on the Sea of Galilee.

Day 4: Dan, Caesarea Philippi, Capernaum, Magdala, Sea of Galilee Boat Ride

After breakfast, you will travel to two valuable northern sites: Dan is where the children of Israel fell to the depths of alternative sacrifice, and Caesarea Philippi is the site of Peter’s Confession and pagan worship. You 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 (other selections available), you will then visit the ancient Galilee Boat followed by a relaxing cruise on the Sea of Galilee. A brief Scripture reading and devotional on board brings to life the experiences of Jesus and his disciples. In Capernaum you will view the excavations of the seaside village and Peter’s home, followed by a visit to Magdala, hometown 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.

 Day 5: Jordan River Baptism Site, Beit- Shean, Ein Gedi & Dead Sea

You begin your day with the opportunity to be baptized at the Jordan River Baptismal Site. Next, you will travel southward to Beit-Shean/Scythopolis, the most magnificent archaeological site in Israel, located at the strategic juncture of the Jezreel and Jordan Valleys. Like Jericho, Beit-Shean 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. Following the fertile Jordan Valley southward, our guide will point out the agricultural restoration of the “Land of Milk and Honey” and Israel’s intricate irrigation development. You will pass ancient Jericho and view from a distance this city famed as the oldest in the world. To the east of Jericho along the Jordan River Valley (Queser 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, and the children of Israel, led by Joshua, entered the Promised Land. Afterwards you proceed to Ein Gedi, “Spring of the Goat,” an oasis on the western shore of the Dead Sea. Because of its warm climate and abundant supply of water, the site developed a reputation for its fragrant plants and date palm groves. 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. Your lodging for the evening is at the Dead Sea – the lowest place on earth. Spend time in the special spa and enjoy a dip in the Dead Sea for a relaxing float before dinner.

Day 6: Masada, Dead Sea Scrolls, Abraham’s Tent

Your day begins with a cable car ride to the mountain top fortress of Masada. Here your guide will treat you to the history of the famous zealot stand. Next, you visit Qumran Caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. This afternoon you will take part in the Genesis Land Dinner in Abraham’s Tent, where we enjoy a trip back into the time of the Patriarchs, complete with costume, dramatic presentation, camel ride, and authentic food. Your lodging for the next three nights will be in Jerusalem.

Day 7: Around Jerusalem, Bible Times, Bethlehem

This morning you will visit the Wailing Wall and then the fascinating Rabbinical Tunnels leading us through the Second Temple era. The tunnel and exhibit give a clear understanding of the amazing construction of the Temple Mount, massive stones, water supply, and Roman street where our Lord was led to judgment. Before exiting the tunnel, you see the immense cornerstone rejected by the builders. You then 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 you will also be able to see the Pool of Bethesda, Stephen’s Gate and St. Ann’s Church. In the afternoon, you will visit the Southern Wall excavations. This southern side of The Temple was the main entrance for the common folk, whereas the Priests and Levites had their own entrance from the higher eastern side. Parts of the giant stairs, which led to the Temple Mount from the courtyard have been unearthed along with the purification pools. From here Jesus entered the Temple Mount and drove out the vendors and money exchangers who were exploiting the people. It is also likely that this is the place that Peter stood and preached and where thousands were saved and baptized on the Day of Pentecost. You will spend the remainder of the day surrounding the birth of Christ with an optional visit to Bethlehem or some free time in the Old City to shop.

Day 8: Jesus’ Steps, Last Days, Way of Suffering, Garden Tomb

Today you walk where Jesus walked. You will begin 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 walk through the Garden of Gethsemane. How many have wished to be whisked back in time to get a glimpse of our Lord or hear His voice if only for a moment? To walk between the ancient olive trees, read the scriptures of Jesus’ prayer and take time for personal reflection is important here. Passing by the Protestant Cemetery, you 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, you 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 you will celebrate the resurrection with communion and a time of praise.

Day 9: Israel – Nairobi

After breakfast, we bid Jerusalem good bye and leave for Tel Aviv where we will board our flight back to Nairobi.

This marks the end of our pilgrimage.