Your pilgrimage begins as you depart the USA on an overnight flight.

You will be welcomed at the Tel Aviv airport by our representative. Check into your Galilee hotel for dinner and overnight.

With your Bible in hand, cross the waters of the Sea of Galilee aboard a Kinnereth Sailing Company boat. Along the way, you will enjoy a special onboard worship service. You’ll arrive in Capernaum, where Jesus chose to center his ministry. Afterward, walk a portion of the Jesus Trail in the Valley of the Winds and Doves along the route Jesus took from Galilee to Nazareth. Travel to the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus preached to the people (Matt. 5-7). You’ll visit nearby Peter’s Primacy and Tabgha, where you will see the famous 4th-century mosaic of the fish and the loaves. Visit Kibbutz Nof Ginosar and learn about the “ancient boat”, a rare and excellent example of the kind of boat in which Jesus would have sailed. Visit, near the base of towering Mount Arbel, the ruins of the ancient city of Magdala and the first-century synagogue there.

Journey to Caesarea by the Sea and stand in the place where it is believed Paul addressed King Agrippa and Festus (Acts 25, 26). This port city reveals many extensive remains of the theater and other sites, including a Roman aqueduct along the Mediterranean shore. Look out over the Valley of Jezreel from the heights of Mount Carmel, where Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18). Visit the Franciscan Wedding Chapel in Cana, the site of Jesus’ first miracle, before continuing on to Nazareth, Jesus’ boyhood home (Matthew 2:23). Visit Sepphoris, the cosmopolitan Roman capital of Galilee until Herod Antipas built Tiberias. It is heralded as the traditional birthplace of Mary. Look out over Tel Megiddo (Armageddon) to view one of the most important archaeological sites in Israel.

At the ruins of Tel Dan, see the altar built by King Jeroboam I (I Kings 12:25 -30) and learn about where the “House of David” fragment from the First Temple Period was discovered. Continue to Caesarea Philippi, where Peter told the Lord, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God!” (Matt. 16:16). A scenic drive along the Golan Heights will give you some beautiful views of Syria and Jordan as well as Israel. Stop at Bethsaida, where Jesus chose five of His disciples. Walk the streets of Bethsaida, one of the “cities of woe” mentioned by Jesus in Matthew 11 and where Jesus chose five of His disciples (Matt. 4:18 -21; John 1: 39 -51).

Bid the Galilee farewell as you travel south along the Jordan River. Visit the baptismal site at Qasr el Yehud, where many believe that Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist (John 1). A baptism renewal service will be held there. Continue to Jericho, the oldest known inhabited city in the world. Visit the ruins of the ancient city, which was conquered by Joshua (Josh. 6: 1, 2, 20) and see parts of the ancient city walls that have been uncovered. From Jericho, see the traditional site of the Temptation of Jesus (Matt. 4: 1-11). Enjoy a dip in the salt and mineral-laden waters of the Dead Sea. Finish the day looking out over Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives.

Walk the Temple Mount (conditions permitting), once the site of the Temple of Solomon (II Chronicles 3) and home to the Dome of the Rock. The Southern Wall Excavations of the Temple Mount, including the Teaching Steps and the Western Wall, are a must-see. Enter the Old City and walk along the Cardo, the ancient main street. Wander through the excavations of the City of David. Walk the steps to the Pool of Siloam, recently uncovered at the foot of the City. Explore Hezekiah’s Tunnel, an amazing engineering feat that was dug from either end and met in the middle! Stand on the steps of the Pool of Siloam, where Jesus healed the blind man (John 9).

In Bethlehem, gaze out over Shepherds’ Field and visit the cave revered as Jesus’ birthplace (Luke 2:1- 20). Visit the Church of the Nativity, built above the cave and considered the world’s oldest functioning church (Luke 2). Afterward, visit the Nissan Brothers woodworking shop and store. Visit Bethlehem Bible College and enjoy a small tour there.

Today, you have free time to explore on your own, or you may choose to visit Masada and the Dead Sea (additional charge). Ascend by cable car to Masada, Herod’s legendary mountaintop fortress, which became the last desperate stronghold of the Jewish Zealots against the Romans. You can still look down on the remains of the Roman camps and the siege ramp below.

Visit Bethany, the home of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. Here, Jesus visited on several occasions and raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11). Stop at the Valley of Elah, where David defeated Goliath (I Samuel 17. Walk the ruins of Emmaus, where Jesus appeared to two travelers on the evening of the resurrection (Luke 24). Proceed to Beersheba, meaning well of swearing, the place where Abraham and the Philistine king, Abimelech, made a covenant (Gen. 21: 22, 31). Conditions permitting, continue to the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron. Abraham paid 400 shekels to purchase the cave as a place of burial for his wife, Sarah (Genesis 23).

View the Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus performed the Sabbath miracle (John 5: 1-31). Sing a hymn in the Church of St. Anne, known for its amazing acoustics. Visit Herod’s Antonia Fortress, where Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate (Luke 23: 1 -11). Walk the Via Dolorosa, “the Way of the Cross,” and stand in reverence at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Complete your day with reflection at the Garden Tomb.

Return to the USA or Continue on your Egypt Extension