5-Day Christian Israel Tour
Day 1
Meet at the Jaffa Gate to start the walking tour (a vehicle is not needed for this day)
Jaffa Gate
- One of the old city's main historical entrances.
- One of the main symbols of Jerusalem today.
- The German Kaiser (monarch) broke it through in 1898 because he needed enough room to pull his horse and carriage inside.
Arab Shuk
- Authentic Middle Eastern Market Place
- Found in the Muslim and Christian Quarters
14 Stations of the Cross
- Also known as the Via Delarosa
Church of Holy Sepulcher (from the outside)
- Christian tradition considers this the site where Jesus was crucified
- Wars around the world have been fought over this building
- After a fascinating explanation, you will have the option to enter on your own before we continue the tour.
Lunch in the Jewish Quarter
Cardo
- The main shopping street during the Roman, Crusader, and Muslim Days (their version of 5th Avenue).
- Today it continues to be the main shopping street in the old city.
Broad Wall
- The wall is mentioned in the Book of Kings, Isaiah, and Nehemiah.
- One of the greatest archeological proofs of the Biblical events.
- It was built by King Hezekiah to stop the world’s most powerful army at the time, the Assyrians.
- For more on this site: check out this article I wrote: Hezekiah's Biblical Wall
Western Wall
- Some of the last remaining remnants of the second temple.
- Touch the stones, pray and put your written requests in the wall.
CITY OF DAVID
Some of the City of David sites can include:
- King David’s ancient Palace
- Homes from the First temple period
- Underground water tunnel mentioned in Tanach (the bible). This tunnel has a wet and dry option. For more on this site: check out this article I wrote: Hezekiah's Tunnel
- Shiloach Pool and Oleh HaRegal (pilgrimage) stairs
Day 2
Pick up at hotel
Garden Tomb and view of the Golgotha
- Garden of Joseph of Arimathea
Mount of Olives view of Jerusalem and Temple Mount
- We won’t enter the Temple Mount itself.
Pater Noster
- Ruins of one of the of the churches built by Helena who was the mother of Constantine, the Emperor who converted the Roman Empire to Christianity
- Location associated with the “lord’s prayer”
- Location where Jesus slept each night during the last week before Crucifixion
- Location where the New Testament relates Jesus taught his disciples the secrets of the end of days
Mosque of Ascension (a Christian site)
- Ancient place believed by most Christians to be associated with the ascension of Jesus 49 days after his death
- It was once a Church but was taken over by the Muslims several centuries ago and turned into a Mosque
Gethsemane
- After the last supper, Jesus came to pray here and was arrested
- We will see the ancient Olive trees
Upper Room of the Last Supper
- On Mount Zion
King David’s Tomb
- Historic complex that Jews and Christians were prohibited from visiting for hundreds of years!
- You will have the opportunity to say Psalms by the grave of the righteous man who authored most of it
Brand new suspension bridge over the biblical Ben-Hinnom Valley (Gehenna)
- At 202 meters (663 feet) it is the longest suspension bridge in Israel
- For more on this site: check out this article I wrote: Bridge
- Recommended readings: Joshua 15:8, Jeremiah 7:31-35, 2 Kings 23, Jeremiah 19
Israel Museum
- Greatest collection of Biblical Archeology in the world.
Machene Yehuda
- The Shuk"
- Authentic middle eastern food market place.
- Historical stalls with different types of specialities (I,e. the Cheese guy, Halva King (Israeli Pastry), Estrog Juice man, etc. Many these stands have been in the same families for generations and have their own unique stories.
Return to hotel
Day 3
Pick up at hotel
Beautiful Drive through the Judean Desert
- One of the world’s smallest deserts
- Option to add ATVING through the desert
- Option to add Camel Rides. Can also visit "Abraham's Tent"
Masada
- We will take the cable car up to Israel’s 2nd most visited site, famous for the Great Jewish Revolt which will climax with the destruction of the Second Temple.
- The last stand of the revolt took place here and with Masada’s fall came the Jewish Exile which continues to affect us to this day. Beautiful view of the Dead Sea from the top.
Swimming in the Dead Sea
- More like floating.
- Feel free to read a newspaper while floating on the water.
- One of the saltiest body of water on earth and rich in minerals, the water is great for the skin. The Dead Sea's therapeutic waters have been known since the Roman Times.
- Cleopatra had this sea seized for her. Dead Sea skin products are sold all over the world.
Qumran
- Dead Sea scrolls were found here.
- We will tour the remains of the breakaway Jewish Sect called the Yachad (Josephus calls them the Essenes) who lived a monastic life here.
Return to Hotel
Day 4
Pick up at hotel
Touring Bethlehem and Jericho
Return to hotel
Day 5
Pick up at hotel
Nazareth
Capernaum
- Including the Archeology and the house of Peter
- Town where Jesus preached from for the majority of his ministry
Multiplication of Loaves and Fish
- Also known as Tabqa
- New Testament says Jesus did a Miracle with fish and loaves
Mt of Beatitudes
- Sermon on the Mound
Jordan River
- Site where Joshua led the Children of Israel into the Holy Land after 40 years in the desert.
- Also, the place of Elijah ascended alive to the heavens.
- According to Christian tradition, Jesus was Baptized here by John
- This site is on the Jordanian border and we will be within a few feet of Jordanian Soldier
- For more on this site: check out this article I wrote: http://guidedtoursofisrael.org/2021/03/07/part-3-jordan-river/
Return to hotel
* The above is just a sample. Upon reservation of the dates, we will personalize each day to better fit your touring interests even if it ends up looking completely different than the above sample itinerary
Tour Package Options:
* This 5 day, Private Christian Israel tour includes your private Israel tour guide, your own personalized itinerary, and having us take care of your logistics. Admission, accommodations & car rental is extra (we can arrange these logistics for you upon request). You can bring as many participants as you would like. This option is $650 per day.
** This 5 day, Private Christian Israel tour includes your private Israel tour guide, private driver, vehicle, pickup/drop off at your door, personalized itinerary, and having us take care of your logistics. This option starts at $1095 per day (dependent on size of vehicle needed). Admission and accommodations is extra.