Itinerary*
Day 1 - U.S.A. / TEL AVIV
Your spiritual journey begins as you depart on a transatlantic overnight flight. Meals and refreshments will be served aloft.
Day 2: ARRIVE TEL AVIV / JERUSALEM
Upon arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, you will be welcomed by a George's International Tours representative who will be with you throughout your stay in Israel. Drive to Jerusalem, your home for the next five nights. After checking-in at the hotel, there will be time to refresh and relax. [D]
Day 3 - JERUSALEM: Mt. Of Olives, Gethsemane, Kedron Valley
"Ye men of Galilee, why stand Ye gazing up into Heaven?" Famous time-hallowed places come to life as you ascend to the top of the Mt. of Olives as Jesus did and enjoy the spectacular view of the "Golden City". Visit the Church of Pater Noster where Jesus taught the Lord's Prayer to His disciples, the Chapel of Ascension, commemorating the Ascension of Our Lord into heaven. Walk to the Chapel of Dominus Flevit where Jesus wept over Jerusalem and foretold its complete destruction. Visit the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations which commemorates the Agony in the Garden. Drive through the Kedron Valley to see the Tombs of Absalom, Zacharia, James, and the Gihon Fountain. Enter the Old City where everyday life and customs have remained much the same over centuries. Walk through the narrow winding and cobble stoned streets of this historic capital. Sing a hymn in the Church of St. Anne and view the Pool of Bethesda. Visit the Chapel of Flagellation, Lithostrotos and the Arch of the "Ecce Homo". Follow Our Lord on the Way of the Cross to visit Golgotha and the Tomb of the Risen Savior. Worship at the Garden Tomb. [B,D]
Day 4 - JERUSALEM: Bethlehem, New City
"Glory to God in the Highest" Drive to Haas Promenade and enjoy a panoramic view of the Old and New City. Proceed a few miles south to Bethlehem, birthplace of Jesus and the cradle of Christianity. Visit the Church of the Nativity, which dominates the Manger Square. See the Manger, the Shepherds' Fields and the Fields of Boaz. Stop at one of the Diamond Centers for a demonstration of the prestigious diamond processing industry of Israel. Visit the New City, including the Temple Model to see a scale model of Jerusalem as it was during the time of Jesus. By way of the Knesset (Israel's Parliament), drive to the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are displayed, Hadassah Medical Center to see the famous Chagall stained glass windows depicting the 12 Tribes of Israel, and Yad Vashem - the Holocaust museum and memorial. [B,D]
Day 5 - JERUSALEM: Old City, Mt. Zion
"Take eat: this is my body" Continue sightseeing the Old City, including the Temple Area with the Dome of the Rock, el Aqsa Mosque, and the Wailing Wall - the only part of the Herodian Temple still standing and the most sacred place in the world for Jews. Stand in the Upper Room, where Jesus ate the Last Supper with His disciples. Then survey the Dormition Abbey, St. Peter in Gallicantu where Peter denied Jesus three times, and King David's Tomb. This afternoon will be free to discover this fascinating city on your own. [B,D]
Day 6 - JERUSALEM / JERICHO: Bethany, Masada, Dead Sea, Qumran, Jericho
"Man shall not live by bread alone" Drive around the Walls of the Old City to Bethany where Our Lord would come to recuperate in the home of His loving friends, Mary, Martha and Lazarus before setting out once more on His arduous task. Continue through the Judean Wilderness and along the Dead Sea (the lowest spot on earth) to Masada. An exciting ascent by cable car will take you to this last stronghold of the Jewish Zealots in their war against the Romans in 73 A.D. Proceed to the Oasis of Ein Gedi, famous for its spring and waterfalls. Swim in the salty, mineral laden and unsinkable waters of the Dead Sea. Next, to Qumran to see the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls, the were discovered. Onto ancient Jericho to visit the ruins of the ancient city which was conquered by Joshua. From the top of the
ancient "tel." you'll have an excellent view of Elisha's Fountain and the Mt. of Temptation. Overnight in Jericho. [B,D]
Day 7 - JERICHO / PETRA: Mt. Nebo, Madaba, Machaerus, Karak
Drive to the Allenby Bridge and cross into the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Travel south along the Desert Road to Mount Nebo where Moses viewed the promised land. If you have a clear day, you may even capture a glimpse of Jerusalem's sky line. Continue to Madaba, a Byzantine center of master mosaics, to see the oldest surviving map of the Holy Land. Pass through Machaerus, site of the Fortress of Herod the Great. It was here that John the Baptist was imprisoned and later beheaded at the wish of Salome. En route, motor through the village of Karak, an ancient walled city steeped in history. It is also known as Mons Realis because a castle was built here by a Crusader King. The highlight of your day will be the descent into Petra, one of the most magnificent sites in the Middle East. [B,D]
Day 8 - PETRA / AMMAN: Ancient City of Petra
Take a horse-ride through the Siq to the ancient city of Petra, discovered in 1912. The valley is enclosed by sandstone cliffs veined with shades of red, purple and pale yellow. This Rose-Red city was founded by the Nabatean Arabs as their capital city. You'll be awed as you view the masterpieces of the Treasury, the Monastery, the Triumphal Arch and the Roman Amphitheater. The remains of Petra bear eloquent testimony to its former power, wealth and architecture. Motor on to Amman, the capital of Jordan, and a bustling commercial and cultural center, which, like Rome, sprawls over seven hills and was built by the Romans according to a traditional city plan. [B,D]
Day 9 - AMMAN: Jerash, Amman City Tour
This morning, drive north to Jerash, which was founded by the soldiers of Alexander the Great in 300 B.C. Jerash now stands as the most complete and best preserved ruins of a provincial Greco-Roman city in the world. Along a 2-mile stretch you'll see the oval shaped forum encircled by 56 graceful Roman columns, Hadrian's Arch, the Temples of Artemis and Zeus, and the massive Roman theater. In the afternoon, drive around the capital of Jordan to visit the 2nd Century Roman Amphitheater in the center of the town, the Roman Ruins of Citadel Hill and the Jordan Archaeological Museum. Time to bargain in the bazaar and catch a whiff of cinnamon, cloves, thyme and other exotic spices. [B,D]
Day 10 - AMMAN / JERUSALEM
Following breakfast, bid farewell to Jordan as we return to the Allenby Bridge to cross back into Israel. Motor over the winding mountain roads and via Good Samaritan Inn back to Jerusalem. The remainder of the day is free for personal activities. This evening a special "Farewell Jerusalem" dinner will be arranged at a typical Middle Eastern Restaurant. [B,D]
Day 11 - JERUSALEM / TIBERIAS: Shekem, Megiddo, Jordan River
"Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased" Leave Jerusalem for Tiberias by way of the Biblical sites of Beroth, Bethel, Shilo and Lebona. At Nablus (Shekem) visit Jacob's Well and view Mt. Ebal and Mt. Gerazim. Continue driving via the ancient caravan routes and the Valley of Jezreel to Megiddo, the Armageddon of the Book of Revelations where it is said the last battle between good and evil will occur. Travel to the Jordan River to renew your baptismal vows and then on to Tiberias, home for the next two nights. [B,D]
Day 12 - TIBERIAS: The Lake Sites, Golan Heights, Kursi
"Blessed are the peacemakers" Enjoy a relaxing boat ride on the Sea of Galilee from Tiberias to Kibbutz Nof Ginossaur. Take a look at the perfectly intact 2000 year old boat recently uncovered on its shores. Next, to Capernaum, home of Our Lord during His ministry. After visiting the Synagogue where He taught drive on to Tabgha, site of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. Motor up to the Mt. of the Beatitudes to visit the site of the Sermon the Mount where Jesus preached to the people. Drive through the Hula Valley and past Hazor, a Canaanite city rebuilt by King Solomon to command the Golan Heights. Ascend the Golan Heights and cross the Hatzbani River to Dan and Banias (ancient Caesarea Philippi) at the foot of Mount Hermon. Descend to visit Kursi, from where Jesus drove the swine into the lake. [B,D]
Day 13 - TIBERIAS / NETANYA: Cana, Nazareth, Mt. Carmel, Caesarea
"There was a certain man in Caesarea" Following breakfast drive to Cana of Galilee where Jesus performed the first miracle, turning water into wine at the wedding feast. Next, to Nazareth to visit the Church of the Annunciation, Joseph's Workshop and Mary's Well. Proceed to the sparkling port city of Haifa, home of the Prophets Elijah and Elisha, for a scenic view of the sea and the port. Visit the Bahai Shrine and its colorful Persian Gardens. Continue along the Mediterranean coast to ancient Caesarea, a center of the early Christians where Paul was imprisoned before being taken to Rome for trial. Visit the Roman Theater, Crusader's Moat, Byzantine Churches, and the Aqueduct. Travel through the Valley of Sharon to Netanya. This evening, relax, sit back and enjoy the splendid sunset view of the Mediterranean coastline. [B,D]
Day 14 - NETANYA / USA
Today your Holy Land journey comes to an end. You will be filled with memories of an unforgettable journey as you board your return flight to the U.S.A. [B]
*Please note that this is only a sample itinerary. Actual trip itinerary may vary slightly in length and in activities. For specific information please contact:
Tekton Ministries
Pilgrimage Office
910 Oakwood Trail
Indianapolis, IN. 46260
toll free (866) 905-3787
