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

You will be welcomed at the Tel Aviv Airport by our representative and transferred to your hotel in Jerusalem, where you will enjoy dinner before retiring for the night.

In Bethlehem, visit the cave revered as Jesus’ birthplace (Luke 2:1-7) and the Church of the Nativity. Gaze out over the Shepherds’ Field, where angels first proclaimed the Good News. Time permitting, visit local hotels in Bethlehem for a site inspection. Travel to Jericho to view the ruins of the city conquered by Joshua (Joshua 6:1, 2, 20). In the distance, you can also see the traditional site of the Temptation of Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11). Visit the baptismal site of Qasr el Yahud, where tradition says Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist.

Ascend by cable car to Masada, Herod’s legendary mountaintop fortress, which became the last desperate stronghold of the Jewish Zealots against the Romans. Visit Qumran, the site of the Dead Sea Scrolls discovery, to learn about the mysterious community of the Essenes who once lived on the shores of the Dead Sea. You can still look down on the remains of the Roman camps and the siege ramp below. Visit the Dead Sea, the lowest spot on earth.

Worship as you sail across the Sea of Galilee. Visit Capernaum, the center of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee, and visit the synagogue built on the site where Jesus taught (Matthew 4:13, 23). On the Mount of Beatitudes, contemplate the text of the “Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew 5-7). Explore the Church of the Loaves and Fish at Tabgha, the traditional site of the feeding of the 5,000 (Luke 9:10-17). In Magdala, once home to Mary Magdalene, visit a recently discovered first-century synagogue. Time permitting, visit a hotel in the Galilee region for a site inspection.

Begin your day with a group picture taken from the Mount of Olives, where Jesus ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9-12). Walk the Palm Sunday Road, pray in the Garden of Gethsemane, and envision the scenes of the night before Jesus’ crucifixion (Matthew 26:36-44). Continue to Mount Zion to visit the House of the High Priest Caiaphas, where Jesus was questioned the night of His betrayal (Matthew 26:57). Meditate on the events of the Last Supper as you visit the traditional location of the Upper Room (Mark 14:12-26). After lunch, wander through the excavations of the City of David. Explore Hezekiah’s Tunnel, an impressive engineering feat excavated from both ends that met in the middle! (Note: Those who are claustrophobic may want to meet the group at the other end of the tunnel!) Visit the Pool of Siloam, recently uncovered at the foot of the city.

This morning, enjoy a walking tour of the Old City of Jerusalem along the Cardo, once the main street of the city. Remember how Jesus healed on the Sabbath when you visit the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-18). At Herod’s Antonia Fortress (Luke 23:1), see where Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate. Walk the Via Dolorosa (“the Way of the Cross”) and remember the Lord’s sacrificial love at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Share communion together at the Garden Tomb in celebration of His Resurrection.

Return to the USA.