10 Day Evangelical Tour

Day 1: You will arrive at the Ben Gurion International Airport and your Elijah Tours host will meet you. Your host will help with transport to the hotel and assist you in getting settled for the night.

Day 2: Old City Jerusalem / Mount of Olives / Kidron Valley / Garden of Gethsemane / The Garden Tomb
After breakfast, we will head to the Mount of Olives to enjoy a delightful panoramic view of the Old City of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount. As we walk down the Mount of Olives, we will visit the Church of Dominus Flevit (Luke 19: 41-44), Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26: 36-58), and the Basilica of the Agony. We will also enjoy seeing the ancient trees on the Mount of Olives. Next, we will drive through Kidron Valley, through the Lion’s Gate, and into the Old City. Here we will visit St. Anne’s Church and the Pool of Bethesda. Next, we will literally walk in Jesus’ footsteps as we travel along the Via Dolorosa to experience the 14 Stations of the Cross. We will then experience the exotic bazaar and head to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Next, we will head to the renovated Jewish Quarter and the Roman Cardo. Then we are off to the Temple Institute where we will learn about Solomon’s Temple. Finally, we will head to the Western Wall, which is the holiest Jewish site. We will then retire to our hotel for a relaxing evening.

Day 3: Old City Jerusalem / Mount Zion
We will enjoy a delightful breakfast of local favorites and then head to David’s City. This is the oldest area in Jerusalem. We will put on water shoes and walk through Hezekiah’s water tunnel. Next, we will then walk along the Western Wall and the Temple Mount in the Rabbinic Tunnels. Next, we are off to Mount Zion to visit King David’s Tomb and the Room of the Last Supper. Finally, we will get a snap shot of Jerusalem’s history at the Tower of David Museum. We will then settle into our hotel for the night.

Day 4: Abu Gosh / Emmaus (Latrun) / Beersheba / Kfar Anokdim

We will enjoy a wonderful breakfast and then head to Ein Karem where John the Baptist was born. Next, we will travel to Beit Shemesh and the Elah Valley, which is where David battled Goliath. We will then drive via Emmaus (Latrun) (Luke 23: 39-44) to Abu Ghosh. Abu Ghosh was called Kiryat Ye’arim in the Bible, which is the place where King David got the Holy Shrine and brought it back to Jerusalem. We will then head to Beersheba, the city of Abraham, to visit Abraham’s Well. This is where Abraham and Avimelech swore not to fight each other anymore. Next, we will drive through the Silots’ Valley, North-East of Arad, to Kfar Anokdim. Here we will enjoy a delicious tent style Bedouin feast, much like Abraham enjoyed.

Day 5: Ein Gedi / Qumran
After a delicious breakfast we will take a drive along the shores of the Dead Sea which will lead us to the Ein Gedi. This is a magnificent oasis where David sought refuge from King Saul (Samuel I, 23: 29 and Samuel I, 24: 1). We will then take a walking tour to Nahal David to enjoy the magnificent waterfalls. We will then head by bus to Qumran and the city of the Essens, which is where the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered. We then have the option of taking a swim in the salty healing waters of the Dead Sea. Finally, we will head through the Jordan Valley and settle in a hotel in Tiberias for the night.

Day 6: Galilee
After a delightful breakfast in Tiberias, we will head to the Sea of Galilee (Jesus calmed the storm and walked on water) for a journey by boat to Ginnosar. Here we will see an ancient boat from Jesus’ time, which was found close to the Sea of Galilee. We will then drive to the Mount of Beatitudes (Matthew 5: 7) to visit the heptagonal church which was built by an Italian architect named Berluzzi. Next, we will proceed to Tabgha to visit of the Church of the Loaves and the Fish (Matthew 14: 14-34). We will then drive the Northern shoreline of the Sea of Galilee while traveling to Capernaum. This is the place where Jesus lived in Peter’s house. Jesus performed many miracles and healings here (Matthew 4: 13, Matthew 8: 14-15). Next, we will travel through Golan Heights and into Banyas. We will see the ancient Caesarea Philippi (Matthew 16: 13-20), which is one of the primary sources into the Jordan River. Finally, we will head to the Yardenit Baptismal site at the southern end of the Sea of Galilee. Here you will be able to be baptized in the Sea of Galilee or renew your baptismal vows if you would like to. We will then head back to the hotel to settle in for the night.

Day 7: Banyas / Druze Villages / Tel Dan
After enjoying a delicious breakfast, we will drive to the Golan Heights. Here we will climb Mount Bental to enjoy a magnificent view of Golan Height, Mount Hermon, and Syria. We will then travel through the Druze villages to Banyas. Here you will experience the ancient Caesarea Philippi (Matthew 16: 13-20), which is one of the primary sources of the Jordan River. We will then head to Tel Dan, which is the capital city of the Dan tribe (Judges 18: 27) and home to the Dan Springs. This is where Dan was ordered the “Judge of the Sons of Israel” (Blessing of Jacob – Genesis 49: 14). We will then head to the hotel to relax for the night.

Day 8: Mount Tabor / Gideon Springs / Mount Gilboa / Yardenit
We will enjoy a magnificent breakfast and then drive to Mount Tabor. Here we will visit the site of Transfiguration and the Catholic Church (Matthew 17: 1-8). We will then go to the rooftop of the church to enjoy the stunning view of Lower Galilee and the Plain of Jezreel. We will then head to the village of Nain, which is where Jesus resurrected the son of the widow (Luke 7: 11-17). Next, we will drive on to Gideon Springs, which is where Gideon gathered the sons of Israel to fight the Medianates (Judges 7: 1).We will then go up to Mount Gilboa, which is where King Saul and his sons were killed by the Philistines (Samuel II, 1: 21). Finally, we will visit the Yardenit Baptismal site on the way back to the hotel where we will settle in for the night.

Day 9: Nazareth / Megiddo / Muhraka
After we enjoy a delightful local breakfast, we will travel through Cana into Nazareth to visit the Church of Annunciation (Luke 26: 28). We will then travel through the Jezreel Plain and into Megiddo (which is also called Armageddon). This is believed to be the place where the last battle of mankind is supposed to occur (the Apocalypse of St. John). We will then visit the Museum, the Gates from King Solomon’s time, the old Canaanite temples, and the water tunnel from King Ahab’s time. Next, we will head to Mount Carmel to visit the Monastery of the Muhraka, which is where Elijah fought with the Baal priests. We will also be able to enjoy the magnificent view of the Jezreel Plain from the rooftop of the Monastery. Finally, we will head back to the hotel to pack up and settle in for the night.

Day 10: Departure flight from Ben Gurion International Airport

After a delicious breakfast, you will be transported to Ben Gurion International Airport to begin the journey home. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to guide you on this magnificent 10 day Catholic Pilgrimage. We look forward to serving you again the next time you visit the Holy Land!