Discover Israel – 11 Days

You will depart for your overnight flight to Israel.

After arrival to Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv, this morning, you’ll meet your guide and driver who will be with you for the duration of your tour.

Drive through Tel Aviv, founded 100 years ago on the sand dunes by the sea north of Jaffa. Time permitting, you’ll drive to the port city of Jaffa (Joppa) from where Jonah set sail on his way to Tarshish.

Dinner and overnight: Central Coastal area

Today you’ll drive north along the coastal plain to the ancient Crusader bastion of Caesarea. Walk through the ruins of Herod the Great’s royal palace and see the hippodrome used for horse and chariot races.

You’ll continue north to the Carmel Mountain Range and on to the port city of Haifa where you will enjoy a panoramic view of the world famous Bahai Gardens and Shrine.

Your day will continue in the Crusader town of Akko. Visit the Crusader Halls, Turkish bath house and the ancient port and oriental market.

After breakfast today, you’ll drive north to the border with Lebanon to explore the underwater grottoes at Rosh Hanikra. You’ll continue to the Tel Hazor National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the capital of Canaanite Galilee.

Your next stop will be to the ancient city of Safed, home of mysticism and Kaballah. Enjoy time wandering through the winding alleyways of the ancient city ad artists’ quarter.

Finally, you’ll arrive at the lovely Sea of Galilee, Israel’s only fresh water lake and main source of water.

Today you’ll explore the site of Megiddo/Armageddon and discover why the 5,000-year-old tel (archaeological mound) is viewed as the place for the “cataclysm of the end of days.” See the stables and gateway built by King Solomon, and walk through the underground water tunnel built to protect the city.

Next you’ll drive through the biblical Jezreel Valley, one of the most fertile areas in the country. Modern agricultural communities, called kibbutzim (plural of “kibbutz”), are scattered throughout this valley.

Continue on to the modern city of Nazareth – vastly larger than the ancient hamlet where Jesus spent his childhood. Here you’ll visit the Church of Annunciation and and Nazareth Village, a reconstruction of first century Nazareth.

Start your day with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee!

Next you’ll visit Capernaum, hometown of St. Peter and the center of Jesus’ Ministry in the Galilee. See the remains of the first century town and the synagogue where Jesus taught. See the Mount of Beatitudes, where the Sermon on the Mount was delivered.

Drive up to the Golan Heights (biblical Bashan) and enjoy a hike in the Banias Nature Reserve. Banias Spring emerges at the foot of Mount Hermon and flows through a canyon to the Banias Waterfall, the most impressive cascade in Israel.

Today you’ll see Belvoir Fortress, the best preserved Crusader fortress in Israel!

Continue to the fertile Jordan River Valley and southwards to the Gan Hashlosha National Park. Warm spring waters stay at 28 degrees Celsius year-round. Enjoy time exploring this beautiful park and swimming in the warm waters.

Head south through the center of the country to the Dead Sea, on the border with the Kingdom of Jordan. On the way you’ll pass by the modern city of Jericho and the Mount of Temptation, which you can see from the road.

Tonight you’ll arrive at Kfar HaNokdim Camel Ranch for a desert experience with camel rides, a Bedouin “hafla” (festive) dinner, and spend the night in large Bedouin tents (sleeping bags provided).

After a very early breakfast, you’ll arrive at Mount Massada and climb the rock via the Roman Ramp to the summit. Here you can see evidence of the last stand of the Jews against the Romans nearly 2,000 years ago.

The day continues with a hike along the Ein Gedi springs, a natural desert oasis. Stop for a “swim” in the mineral rich waters of the Dead Sea and experience the weightless sensation of floating on the salty water!

Finally, you’ll drive through the Judean Desert and ascend to the Holy City of Jerusalem. View Jerusalem from the Haas Promenade before arriving at your hotel.

Today you will enter Jerusalem through the old city walls and continue to the Jewish Quarter to tour the Southern Wall Excavations of the Temple Mount. Stop at the Western (“Wailing”) Wall, the holiest site of Judaism. See the modern Jewish Quarter, built directly over the ancient homes of the Jews who served in the temple.

You’ll continue to the Christian Quarter and walk along the Via Dolorosa, the path Jesus walked on the way to the Crucifixion, which culminates at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

This evening you’ll enjoy a night tour to the Time Elevator – where 3,000 years of history are presented in a fascinating interactive way. You’ll be led through the Roman Conquest, the birth of Christianity, and the emergence of Islam.

This morning you’ll get a chance to venture into the city’s underground tunnels, through which residents fled after Jerusalem was conquered. You’ll go down to the hidden spring where kings were coronated and walk through Hezekiah’s Tunnel.

Next, you’ll go to Mount Zion to visit the Tomb of King David and the Room of the Last Supper.

You’ll ascend the Mount of Olives for a wonderful panoramic view of the Old City of Jerusalem, then walk through the Garden of Gethsemane and visit the Church of All Nations.

After dinner at your hotel, enjoy some free time on Ben Yehuda Street.

On your final day in Israel, you’ll begin with a hike in the ancient agricultural settlement of Sataf before arriving at the biblical landscape reserve of Neot Kedumim, a detailed recreation of the physical setting of the Bible.

Visit Mini Israel and see the nation in miniature!

Finally, you’ll head to the picturesque village of Abu Gosh for a farewell dinner.

After dinner you’ll be transported to Ben Gurion Airport and depart on your flight home.