Holy Land Christian Tour, 5 Days

Tour Route 

Day 1: Jerusalem - Old and New  

This one day tour starts with a view of Jerusalem as seen from atop Mount Olives, looking down at the Old City and the Temple Mount. Mount Olives is also one of the oldest Jewish burial sites, over three hundred years old. We then descend and make our way along the Kidron Valley, offering a view of the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations, where according to sources Jesus and his followers prayed the night before his crucifixion. 

Along the Kidron Valley road we will get a view of the monumental burial tombs situated at the Mount’s feet. We then proceed into the Old City entering from Mount Zion, past the Armenian Quarter walking along the ancient Byzantine Cardo dating back to the Roman era, with our final stop being the Western Wall (the Kotel). 

Leading to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre are the Stations of the Cross (Via Dolorosa) which we explore along the way to the church, the site of the crucifixion. Before leaving the Old City we’ll enjoy a brief strolls in the bazaars located in the Christian and Muslim Quarters. Finish the tour with a short walking into the New City and a visit to Yad VaShem, the Holocaust museum.

Day 2: Bethlehem & Jericho

We’ll start our tour, leaving Jerusalem for its neighboring city Bethlehem, hometown of King David and birthplace of Jesus. Our first stop will be Manger Square, home to one of the world’s oldest churches, The Church of the Nativity. Below the Church we find the grotto and the exact location of Jesus’s birth. 

We continue to visit the adjacent Church of St. Catherine, and head on down to the Milk Grotto where Mary nursed Jesus as a newborn. Before leaving Bethlehem we’ll also get a view of the Shepherd’s Fields and the church on site. We then descent to the Judea Desert via the Inn of the Good Samaritan and make a short stop at sea level on our way to Jericho, the world’s oldest city.

Our first stop at Jericho will be Tel Essultan, where excavations revealed ancient findings, among those crumbled Canaanite walls, providing insight to the conquest of Jericho by Joshua. We then stop at the Sycamore tree which Zacchaeus climbed on to get a better view of Jesus as he walked by. Then we'll stop for an overview of Mount Temptation. The tour ends with a visit the mound of Ancient Jericho where 25 ancient cities were uncovered.

Notes:

• A valid passport is required on the day tour.
• This tour is subject to Palestinian authority regulations.
• Palestinian guide meets tour only at border post.
• Change of vehicle may be required for entry to Palestinian Authority territory. 

Day 3: In The Footsteps of Jesus 

We’ll start our tour on Mount Olives, visiting the site of the Ascension and the Church of Patre Nostre, built by Constantine the Great, constructed on top of the site of a 4th century basilica to mark the Ascension of Jesus Christ. The church houses dozens and dozens of panels, each rendering the Lord’s Prayer in 123 different languages. After a mesmerizing overview of Old and New Jerusalem including the Temple Mount, we begin our descent, stopping by the Dominus Flevit Church where Jesus cried and mourned as he foresaw the destruction of Jerusalem. 

We then continue to the Mount’s foot touring the Church of All Nations in the Garden of Gethsemane, the site of Jesus’s capture by the Romans. Before ascending to the Old City and entering through the Lion's Gate, we take a look back at the Kidron Valley and the three thousand years old Jewish cemetery on Mount Olives, with the monumental burial sites located at its base. 

We then enter the Old City through the Lion’s Gate, making way towards the Church of St. Anne, home to the Virgin Mary and then move on to the Pools of Bethseda depicted in the Gospel of St. John. Our final stop will be the Convent of the Sisters of Zion located at the end of the Via Dolorosa. Underneath the convent we’ll see evidence reflected in ancient stone pavements, engraved with markings used by the Roman soldiers for playing games.

Notes:

• The price does not include church's donation. (USD 1 per church). 

Day 4: Nazareth, Tiberias & Sea of Galilee 

The tour will begin its journey traveling north alongside Israel’s scenic coastal highway, providing a magnificent view of the Mediterranean Sea and the Plain of Armageddon whilst making way to Nazareth. Arriving in Nazareth we visit the Church of Annunciation, a significant remnant of the Byzantine era where it is said according to Catholic sources, The Annunciation was held. Next to the Church of Annunciation lies the Church of St. Joseph, the proclaimed site of residence of the Holy family and the carpenter’s workshop. 

Leaving Nazareth we will head towards the Mount of Beatitudes where traditions states Jesus delivered his most famous sermon also known as The Sermon on the Mount. We then stop at Tabgha to visit the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish, residing on top of two previously existing churches. 

Moving on we’ll stop by the ruins to explore the City of Christ and the ancient synagogue residing within it. We then head towards the baptismal site on the Jordan River - the Yardenit, where you could participate in an optional baptismal service. The tour then ends, making way to central Israel whilst providing a panoramic view of Mount Tabor, the site of The Transfiguration of Jesus.

Day 5: Massada and the Dead Sea

We’ll begin our tour descending to the Judean Desert via the Inn of the Good Samaritan, on site we will tour the Inn and its adjacent museum. The Good Samaritan Museum is the only mosaic museum in the country and has on display a vast range of unique artifacts unearthed in excavations across Judea, Samaria and Gaza.

Moving forward we arrive at Masada and then ascent by cable car to tour the remains of the Herodian Fortress, built by King Herod two thousand years ago.Touring the sites, we’ll revisit its history and heritage, relating to the up rise of the Jewish Zealots against their Roman overlords.

We then leave Massada and head towards The Dead Sea, one of the most toured sites in Israel by tourists and locals alike. On shore you could enjoy a mud bath bearing many therapeutic. Dipping in the sea itself is also highly recommended, experiencing the Dead Sea’s unique attributes, allowing for extreme ease of floating and effortless swimming. On our way back we’ll get a view of the Ein Gedi oasis, the Qumran caves where the famous Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered and the ancient city of Jericho, the oldest city in existence with settlements dating back to 9000 BCE.

Additional Information

The tour includes:

• Four nights at three stars hotel in Jerusalem / Tel Aviv: 
  Olympia Hotel Tel Aviv / Park Plaza Jerusalem Hotel
• Luxury hotels are available for additional fee of $70 p/p per night.
• Breakfast.
• Five daily tours with a professional tour guide.
• Hotel pick-up and drop-off.
• Transport by air-conditioned vehicle/bus.
• Entrance fees.

The tour does not include: 

• Food and drinks 

Notes:

• The order of the days and sleeping arrangements might be changed.
• Single Supplement: $50 per night.
• High Season Supplement: $50 per person per night.
• A moderate dress code is required to enter the holy places. Knees and shoulder must be covered.
• Recommended hats, bathing suits, towels.
• Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
• Confirmation will be received 24 hours post booking.