What's Included

  • All Inclusive Pricing
  • First Class Hotels
  • Breakfast and Dinner Daily
  • Deluxe A/C Motor Coaches
  • Fuel Surcharges and Gov't Taxes
  • Entrance and Program Fees
  • Live Audio Headsets
  • Guided Tours
  • International Airfare from NY
  • Overseas Airport Transfers
  • Study Guide
  • Hotel Gratuities

Additional Baggage and Optional fees may apply.


Daily Itinerary

Day 1 FEBRUARY 13 - DEPART THE USA

Begin your journey to the land of antiquities as you depart from the United States on an overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2 FEBRUARY 14 - Arrive in Cairo

Upon arrival in Cairo, you will be met and assisted through customs by our representatives. Transfer to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 3 FEBRUARY 15 - Memphis and Giza

Your sightseeing begins with a visit to Memphis, the first capital of ancient Egypt, which was destroyed by Emperor Theodosis. The stones and blocks were used by the Islamic conquerors to build their mosques and palaces. Continue to the Step Pyramid of Saqqara, designed by the innovative architect Imhotep and the forerunner of the pyramids. The tomb of King Zoser is over 200 feet high and resembles a giant set of stairs. Continue to Giza and the Great Pyramids of Khufu, Chephren, and Menkaure, guarded by the colossal Sphinx monument, which is symbolic of Egypt throughout the ages.

Day 4 FEBRUARY 16 - Cairo

This morning, your guide will escort you on a tour of 7,000 years of Egyptian history with a visit to the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, which includes the world-famous golden treasures from King Tutankhamun‘s tomb. Tour the Citadel of Saladin, built in 1183 AD, and visit the Hanging Church in old Cairo, which is named for its location above a gatehouse of Babylon Fortress, the Roman fortress in Coptic Cairo (Old Cairo). Later, enjoy a ride on the Nile aboard a traditional Egyptian Felucca.

Day 5 FEBRUARY 17 - Jordan

This morning, transfer to the airport in Cairo and fly to Amman. Visit Mount Nebo, where Moses caught a glimpse of the Promised Land (Deut. 34). On a clear day, you can see all the way across the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea to the rooftops of Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Continue to Madaba, the City of Mosaics, to visit the Church of Saint George with its sixth-century, Byzantine, mosaic map showing Jerusalem and other holy sites.

Day 6 FEBRUARY 18 - Petra

Travel south for a visit to the city of Petra. Its entrance passes through a long, narrow gorge known as the Siq and can only be accessed by carriage, horseback or on foot. Once inside the city, marvel at the intricate detail of a city that was cut into the cliff sides of rose-colored rock.

Day 7 FEBRUARY 19 - Israel

Explore Jerash, one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world. Stroll through the oval piazza and wander along colonnaded streets etched by the wheels of ancient chariots. Stand in the grand theatre where an onstage whisper can be heard in the top row. Cross the Sheik Hussein border crossing into Israel. In Magdala, once home to Mary Magdalene, visit a recently discovered first-century synagogue.

Day 8 FEBRUARY 20 - Galilee

Worship as you sail across the Sea of Galilee. Visit Capernaum, the center of Jesus’ ministry in the Galilee, and visit the synagogue built on the site where Jesus taught (Matthew 4:13, 23). On the Mount of Beatitudes, contemplate 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). See the Chapel of the Primacy, where Peter professed his devotion three times to the risen Christ (John 21). Recall Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist at the Jordan River.

Day 9 FEBRUARY 21 - Cana, Nazareth, Tel Megiddo & Caesarea

Visit the Franciscan Wedding Chapel in Cana, the site of Jesus’ first miracle, before continuing on to Nazareth, Jesus’ boyhood home (Matthew 2:23). Look out over Tel Megiddo (Armageddon) to view one of the most important archaeological sites in Israel. Today’s last stop is Caesarea, a center of the early Christians where an angel visited Cornelius, the first Gentile believer (Acts 10), and where Paul was imprisoned for two years before appealing to Caesar.

Day 10 FEBRUARY 22 - Bethlehem

In Bethlehem, visit the cave revered as Jesus’ birthplace and see the Church of the Nativity constructed over the site (Matthew 1:18-25). Gaze out over Shepherds’ Field before returning to Jerusalem. Explore the poignant exhibits of Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust Memorial.

Day 11 FEBRUARY 23 - Jerusalem

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 and 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 on 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).

Day 12 FEBRUARY 24 - Jerusalem

FEBRUARY 24 - Jerusalem Explore ancient Jerusalem at the Teaching Steps and the Western Wall. View the Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus performed the Sabbath miracle (John 5:1-18). Sing a hymn in the Church of St. Anne and experience its rich acoustics. Visit Herod’s Antonia Fortress, where Jesus appeared before Pontius Pilate (Luke 23:1), and follow in Christ’s steps on the Via Dolorosa (“the Way of the Cross”). At the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, take time to reflect on His sacrificial love. Visit the Garden Tomb for a time of reflection and communion.

Day 13 FEBRUARY 25 - Return to the USA

Return to the USA

Enhance Your Journey

Pre- Tour NILE CRUISE Starting from $1798

FEBRUARY 8 - DEPART THE USA
Begin your journey to the land of antiquities as you depart from the
United States on an overnight transatlantic flight.

FEBRUARY 9 - ARRIVE IN CAIRO
Upon arrival in Cairo, you will be met and assisted through customs by
our representatives. Transfer to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

FEBRUARY 10 – LUXOR & KARNAK
This morning, fly from Cairo to Luxor, ancient Thebes, which served as
the Egyptian capital during the New Kingdom and time of Moses. Visit
the magnificent Temple of Luxor with its avenue of sphinx statues and
mighty monumental columns. Continue to the Karnak Temple, which
took over 2,000 years to build and is the largest religious building ever
constructed, and see the famed Hypostyle Hall, the Obelisks of Queen
Hatshepsut and Tuthmosis III, the temple of Amon, the Granite Scarabeus
and the Sacred Lake. Board your Nile cruise ship and enjoy dinner.

FEBRUARY 11 – VALLEYS OF THE KINGS & QUEENS & ESNA
This morning, enjoy the sunrise over the Nile River before your visit to
the Valley of the Kings. Tombs were constructed here for the kings and
powerful nobles of Egypt for nearly 500 years. The valley stands on the
west bank of the Nile, across from Thebes (modern Luxor), within the
heart of the Theban Necropolis. See the Colossi of Memnon, made of
sandstone brought from Gabal El Silselah. Each colossus, including
the pedestal and the crown, is about 21-meters tall and represents
King Amenhotep III. See the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, one of only
a handful of female rulers in Ancient Egypt. Her reign was the longest
of all the female pharaohs. Sail to Esna, enjoying afternoon tea before
visiting the Temple of Khnum. Dinner & overnight onboard.

FEBRUARY 12 – EDFU & KOM OMBO
Visit the Edfu Temple on the west bank of the Nile. Dating to the Ptolemaic
period, the temple was dedicated to the worship of the god Horus
represented as a falcon. It is one of the most beautiful Egyptian temples,
distinguished by its huge splendid structure blending Pharaonic and
Greek architecture. Enjoy lunch onboard as you sail to Kom Ombo to visit
the Kom Ombo Temple. Built on a hillside, this temple was constructed
in the Ptolemaic Roman era for the worship of the gods, Haroeris and
Sobek. It is noted for the relief engravings on its walls, which show ancient
surgical tools, bone saws, and dentistry tools. Nearby, view the three
mummified crocodiles in Hathor’s chapel.

FEBRUARY 13 – ASWAN
Set sail on a smaller boat across the Nile to visit the temples at Philae,
including the Temple of Isis, one of the greatest Temples in Egypt, occupying
a quarter of the island. Next, visit the High Dam, one of the most
outstanding architectural achievements of the twentieth century. It was
constructed to replace the old Aswan dam built in 1902. The 3600-meter-
long dam was constructed to protect Egypt from floods and provide
its citizens with irrigation and electricity. View the Unfinished Obelisk
made of red granite brought from the quarries of Aswan. After exploring
Aswan, fly to Cairo to check into your hotel for dinner and overnight.

FEBRUARY 14 - CAIRO
Enjoy a Free Day in Cairo or optionally travel to Alexandria and view the
many Greco-Roman remains in this historic port city on the Mediterranean.
Tomorrow, join your fellow travelers for Cairo sightseeing on Day
3 of the Basic Tour.
 

 

Departure Dates

  1. Tuesday, February 13, 2024
    From $4898
Tour: TH24 Code: R