Day 1: Monday – Departure

Our journey starts today as we depart on our flight to Egypt – to the land of the Pharos.

Sit back, relax and enjoy your flight, and prepare yourself for a life-changing experience.

Meals included: Meals on Board

Overnight: On Board

Day 2:  Tuesday – “Ahlan Wa Sahlan” – Welcome to Egypt – the Land of Pharos

Upon arrival in Cairo and after passport control, you will be met by our Cairo representative. A private transfer is included from the airport to your hotel. Our hotel is conveniently located only 1.5 miles away from one of the Wonders of the Ancient World, the Great Pyramid of Giza. Check-in at the hotel, unpack and rest. In the evening we will meet our Egyptologist tour guide-escort and traveling companions for a welcome dinner and orientation meeting.

Arrival private transfer included: Complimentary by AIT

Meals included: Full Buffett Dinner

Lodging: Le Méridien Pyramids Hotel & Spa        » Click here for hotel info

Evening Activity: Optional Pyramids Sound & Light Show ($40 pp)

Pyramids Sound and Light show should be reserved before your departure and paid directly in Egypt

Day 3: Wednesday – Discovering Egypt’s Ancient Civilization

Pyramids / Sphinx / Enter Inside the Great Pyramid/ Camel Ride / Egyptian Museum / Old Cairo / Coptic Cairo

After breakfast, meet our Egyptologist tour guide and start our first touring day in Egypt.  Our first stop will be at the Pyramids of Giza. A visit to the 3 Giza Pyramids is on every world traveler’s must-see list. Cheops Pyramid, the largest of the three, was built in the 3rd dynasty about 2690 B.C. and is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. In front of the Pyramids of Chephren, we will find the the colossal statue of the Great Sphinx, which has stood guard over the pyramids for more than 4,500 years. The Sphinx carved from a single piece of stone; it is a lion with a Pharaoh’s head thought to be a portrait of the Pharaoh Chephren. We will have the privilege to get inside the Great Pyramid to discover the burial chamber. The burial chamber consists of an emptily Sarcophagus (7.3 ft by 3.75 ft) with smooth walls and a polished ceiling. The floor is made with blocks of pink granites which cover 50 sq meters. During our Pyramids visit you will have a chance to ride a camel around the pyramids (complimentary by AIT). This is your opportunity to have your postcard photo riding a camel with the pyramids on the background. Next, We will drive into Old Cairo to explore the City’s cultural landmarks that span three millennium of Egyptian history. Discover the greatest collection of Pharaonic treasures in the world at the famous Egyptian Museum.  See the unique collection of Pharaonic art, starting with the Old Kingdom Collection, on to the Middle and New Kingdom galleries and Greco-Roman periods and the famous Tut-Ankh-Amon treasures. Continue to Coptic Cairo, where we will visit the famous Suspended Church (Hanging Church), dating to the late 4th and early 5th century.  This basilica was named “Al-Mu’allaqah” because it was built atop the south gate of the Fortress of Babylon. Continue to the Church of St. Sergius, a 5th century Coptic Church.  This basilica is built on the cave in which the Holy Family stayed and is regarded by visitors as a source of blessing.  As we stroll along, we will come to the recently restored Synagogue of Ben Ezra, which marks the place where Moses was saved by the water girl of Pharaoh. This is the oldest Jewish synagogue in Egypt built in 882 AC. Return to our hotel for dinner.

» Learn more, click here to view the Giza Pyramids National Geographic video

Meals included: Full Buffett Breakfast and Dinner

Lodging: Le Méridien Pyramids Hotel & Spa        » Click here for hotel info

Evening Activity: Optional Nile Dinner Cruise with Show ($55 pp including transfers)

Nile Dinner Cruise should be reserved before your departure and paid directly in Egypt

Day 4:  Thursday – Into the Wilderness / Tracing  the Route of the Exodus

Sinai Desert / Marah by the Red Sea / Elim / Rephidim / Mt. Sinai / Dinner in a Bedouin Tent

After Breakfast we will travel east heading towards the wilderness of the Sinai Peninsula and the Land of Goshen tracing the Route of the Biblical Exodus (Genesis16-18). We will drive via the tunnel underneath the Suez Cannel to the west branch of the Red Sea. Our first stop will be Marah by the Red Sea, the desert springs along the shore of the Red Sea, where the children of Israel found the waters bitter. Continue to Elim and visit the desert oasis and the possible sites where the 12 wells and 70 Palm Trees were found during the children of Israel’s journey to the Promised Land. We then travel  along the western Sinai coast to Wadi Feiran (Rephidim), the desert valley where the Children of Israel fought against the Amalekites. From here we can see Mount Serbal, the possible site where Moses held his arms up for victory. We head inland heading towards the granite mountains of Mt. Sinai and Wadi el Raha.  Raha in Arabic means “rest” and according to tradition this is the area where the Israelites camped and the golden calf was forged (Exodus 32). In the afternoon we will arrive at our hotel near Mt. Sinai and St. Catherine’s Monastery. This evening we will enjoy an authentic Bedouin dinner in a Bedouin tent.

Please note: the options for accommodation in the remote area of Mt. Sinai are very limited. Although not equivalent in quality to the other hotels we use along this tour, the hotel we use is the best in the area.

Meals included: Full Buffett Breakfast and Dinner

Lodging: Mt. Sinai, Morgen Land Village Hotel    » Click here for hotel info

Night Activity: Optional Climb to Mt. Sinai. For those who wish to climb Mt. Sinai, please bring warm clothing and comfortable walking shoes for the ascent. Optional Camel ride is available up to 1/3 of the Mt. and can be arranged at the spot with your tour guide for $25 per person

Day 5:  Friday – From Mt. Sinai to the Red Sea and the Mountains of Edom

Climb Mt. Sinai / St. Catherine Monastery / Taba Border / Eilat /Cross to Jordan / Aqaba

At day break, those who desire and are physically capable, will depart for a memorable early ascent to Jebel Musa – Mt. Sinai (about 6,900-ft) walking in the footsteps of Moses and the devoted pilgrims who tread this route centuries earlier. You may choose to ride a camel part way, stopping at one of the stations to take in the scenery along the climb to the summit (750 steps). We should reach the summit just before dawn in time to witness its incredible sunrise and splendid views. We will enjoy a time of praise and unforgettable, breathtaking views of the Sinai wilderness.  As we read from the Book of Genesis we remember that this is the place where Moses met the Lord in the Burning Bush and where he received the Ten Commandments. Descending the mountain we return to the hotel to rejoin the rest of our group for breakfast. We spend the later part of the morning touring the beautiful and unique Monastery of St. Catherine, taking in its fascinating and interesting

sights and exceptional history. St. Catherine’s Monastery was constructed by the Roman Emperor Justinian (527 and 565 AD). It is built around what was thought to be Moses’ Burning Bush. The Greek Orthodox church building is the oldest continuously used church building in the world. Leaving the Mt. Sinai area we will head towards the eastern shores of the Sinai Peninsula and on the Red Sea on our way north to the Taba Border (Egypt / Israel border). After crossing, meet our Eilat representative and welcome to Israel. We will take a short city tour in Eilat – Israel’s southernmost town on the Red Sea. Arive at the Arava Border (Israel / Jordan southern border).Cross to Jordan and meet with our Jordanian tour guide – Welcome to Jordan. A short drive from the border (15 minutes) lays the resort city of Aqaba on the Red Sea. We will check in at our 5 star resort hotel for dinner and overnight. Free evening to enjoy the hotel’s facilities or just rest, relax and enjoy the Red Sea and the tranquil town of Aqaba.

Meals included: Full Buffett Breakfast and Dinner

Lodging: Aqaba, Mövenpick Resort » Click here for hotel info

Day 6:  Saturday – Exploring the Nabatean Treasure City of Petra

Full Day in Petra / Arrive in Amman, Jordan’s capital

After breakfast we will drive along the king’s highway to Wadi Musa – the Jordanian village located at the entrance to the ancient city of Petra – one of the world’s greatest archaeological sites and today’s one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The 2,000-year old ancient city of Petra. Known as the red rock city,  Petra was the ancient capital of the Nabateans from the 3rd century BC to the 2nd century AC. Carved by the Nabataeans out of solid rock, Petra was forgotten for hundreds of years until it was rediscovered in 1812.  At the entrance to Petra travelers are offered the option to ride a horse for 800m – from the visitors centre to the entrance of the dramatic “Siq” ( canyon).  From the entrance to the Siq there is a 1,250 meter walk to the 1st monument “The treasury”. Throughout most of the day we will explore Petra’s incredible structures: the treasury, the field of tombs, the obelisks and the altar, and much more.  In the late afternoon we will drive north to Amman – Jordan’s capital and largest city. Check in and dinner at our hotel.

Meals included: Full Buffett Breakfast and Dinner

Lodging: Amman, Le Méridien Amman » Click here for hotel info

Day 7: Sunday – Crossing to Israel – Into the Promised Land

Madaba/ Mt. Nebo / Cross to Israel / Jericho / Old Jaffa / Tel Aviv

After breakfast we head to the biblical town of Madaba. Madaba is best known for its Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics and for its Greek Orthodox Church of St. George.  Here we will view the earliest original map of the Holy Land.  We continue to the biblical Mt. Nebo from which Moses viewed the Promise Land. Mt. Nebo, believed to be the site of the tomb of Moses, commands a spectacular view across the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. We will drive by Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John the Baptist is purported to have baptized Jesus and cross to Israel via the Allenby Bridge (Jordan/ Israel Central border) to meet our Israeli tour guide. As we enter into Israel we remember Joshua as he led the Children of Israel on this exact path – into the Promised Land.

Passing by Jericho we will drive westward all the way to the Mediterranean Sea and arrive in Tel Aviv – Israel’s largest and most modern city. Check in at the Dan Panorama hotel, conveniently located in the heart of Tel Aviv, on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea, 10 minutes walking distance from famous Old Town Jaffa and the artistic neighborhood of Neve Tzedek. Free time to rest and relax at your hotel room or stroll the Tel Aviv sidewalk and enjoy your first evening in Israel.

After dinner, enjoy a free escorted night tour to Old Jaffa with your expert tour guide:

For those who would like to explore Old Town Jaffa at night, meet with your tour guide after dinner. After a short walk on the famous Tel Aviv sidewalk we will arrive in Jaffa and walk through the narrow passages of Old Jaffa, believed to be the oldest port city in the world. See the amazing St. Peter Church at night and take a spectacular view of Tel Aviv Shoreline from Jaffa’s Hilltop. Peter came to Joppa from Lydda to raise Tabitha (Dorcas) from the dead (Acts 9:36-42). While in Jaffa, the apostle stayed at the house of Simon the Tanner. The Church of St. Peter marks the traditional site of Peter’s vision of the great sheet.

Meals included: Full Buffett Breakfast and Dinner

Lodging: Tel Aviv, Herods Hotel       » Click here for hotel info

Evening Activity: Free escorted tour to Old Jaffa after dinner

Day 8: Monday – From Tel Aviv to the Sea Galilee via the Mediterranean coast & the Valley of Armageddon

Tel Aviv / Coastal Plains / Caesarea / Mt. Carmel / Megiddo / Nazareth / Sea of Galilee / Tiberia

After an early breakfast we start our Holy Land tour heading north to the Sea of Galilee.  We will have a relaxing drive along the beautiful coast of the Mediterranean Sea and stop at Caesarea Maritime (Acts 9.30 Acts 10 24-48), which was the center of early Christians. Here Cornelius the Centurion and his household were saved and baptized (Acts 10), and it was also here where Paul made his defense before Festus and King Agrippa prior to his final journey to Rome (Acts 25 & 26). Next, we will stop at Mount Carmel (Muchraka), where Elijah issued his challenge to the False Prophets. Then on to Megiddo (1 Kings 4.28, 9,15, 2 Kings 23,29 & Revel. 16.16), and the Valley of Armageddon (Revelation 16), to see the remains from Solomon’s days, and view the site where the Battle of Armageddon will be fought. We continue along the Jezerel valley to visit the town of Nazareth (Luke 1.26, 4.16-29, Matthew 2.23). We will take in an unforgettable view of the city of Nazareth from the top of Mt. Precipice, also known as Mount of Precipitation, or Mount of the Leap of the Lord. It is believed to be the site of the rejection of Jesus, described on Luke 4:29-30. (* If time permits we will also visit the Church of the Annunciation). we drive to Cana of Galilee, where Jesus performed his first public miracle – the turning of water into wine at a wedding feast (John 2.1-11). We will end our first day of touring Israel by driving through the Lower Galilee region to the beautiful Sea of Galilee and the town of Tiberia. Our centrally located hotel is situated right on the town’s center and on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Check in and dinner at our hotel. Enjoy a free evening to walk along the shores of the Sea of Galilee and explore the town of Tiberia.

Meals included: Full Buffett Breakfast and Dinner

Lodging: Sea of Galilee, Leonardo Plaza Tiberia (Former Sheraton  Tiberia)  » Click here for hotel info

Day 9: Tuesday – Discovering the Sea of Galilee, the Upper Galilee and the Golan Heights

Sail on the Sea of Galilee / “Jesus Boat” /Golan Heights / Upper Galilee / Caesarea Philippi / Yardenit

Today we will discover the tranquil Galilee region and the beautiful Golan Heights.  After breakfast we will board a wooden boat and sail on of the Sea of Galilee as the disciples did 2,000 years ago. We will dock at Kibbutz Nof Geonsar and visit the “Ancient Jesus Boat” – the remains of a 2,000 year old boat that was discovered in 1986.  This boat was used at the time of Jesus and his disciples. Next, we will drive up to the beautiful Golan Heights and learn about the ancient Jewish settlements in this region. We will visit Banias – ancient Caesarea Philippi (Matt. 16.13 and Mark 8.27), where Jesus said “on this rock I will built my Church”.  We will drive through the natural Hula Valley and the Upper Galilee region back to the Sea of Galilee.  We conclude this remarkable day with a visit to Yardenit – the wonderful baptismal site on the Jordan River.  Return to our hotel for dinner.

Meals included: Full Buffett Breakfast and Dinner

Lodging: Sea of Galilee, Leonardo Plaza Tiberia (Former Sheraton  Tiberia)  » Click here for hotel info

Optional: Baptism in the Jordan River

Day 10: Wednesday – Jesus’ Early Ministry along the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River

Mount of Beatitudes / Tabgha / Capernaum / Beth Shean / Dead Sea / Free time to float & enjoy the resort

Today we will experience the area of Jesus’ early ministry around the Sea of Galilee. After breakfast we will drive along the shores of the Sea of Galilee and visit the Mount of Beatitudes (Matt. 5,6,7,8), where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. We will visit the famous chapel, constructed in 1939 by the noted architect Antonio Barluzzi and enjoy the breathtaking view. We will continue to Tabgha – the site of the Feeding of the 5,000 and Primacy of Peter (Matt. 13, Mark .33-45, & John 21). Here we will visit the Church of Multiplication with its 4th century mosaic floor.  Continue on to the 2,000 year old remains of Capernaum (Matt. 4.13 13.54, 17.24, Luke 7, Mark 1.2, John 4.46-54). Here we can stand in what is left of the synagogue in which Jesus ministered. It was from this city that Jesus did most of his Galilean ministry, where he performed many miracles, and where Peter’s mother-in-law lived and was healed. From here we will drive south along the Beth Shean valley and the ancient city of Beth Shean (Mark 5.20, 7.31) for an overview of this remarkable archeological site. It was here that after defeating Saul and his sons on Mount Gilboa, the Philistines hanged their bodies on the walls of Beth Shean (1 Samuel 31). We will drive through the Jordanian Valley pass the city of Jericho and arrive at the lowest place on earth – the Dead Sea. We will check in at our hotel, located on the shores of the Dead Sea.  After check in and before dinner we will enjoy relaxing free time at our wonderful Dead Sea resort hotel, conveniently located on the shores of the Dead Sea. Walk to the beach and float in the salty water of the Dead Sea and take a dip in the beautiful swimming pool of our resort hotel. You can also take this opportunity to enjoy the Dead Sea famous mud and mineral treatments at our hotel’s spa.

Meals included: Full Buffett Breakfast and Dinner

Lodging: Daniel Dead Sea Resort and Spa    » Click here for hotel info

Optional: Mud, mineral and Spa treatments at the 5 star Daniel resort & spa hotel

Day 11: Thursday – Exploring the Dead Sea and the Judean Desert / Arrive in Jerusalem

Dead Sea / Masada/ Ein Gedi / Qumran / Jerusalem / Mount of Olives / Garden of Gethsemane

Today we will explore the Dead Sea and the Judean desert region and its biblical and historical sites.  After breakfast we will drive along the shores of the Dead Sea to visit one of the most spectacular sites in Israel –

the 1,500 feet mountaintop fortress of Masada. Built by King Herod, Masada is famous for being the last stronghold of the Jewish rebellion against the Romans. We will ascend to Masada by cable car and discover the 1st century Synagogue, Herod’s Bathhouse and many other sites. We will continue along the shores of the Dead Sea for a look out on the oasis of Ein Gedi, where David hid in a cave when running from Saul (1 Samuel 23). It was here that David composed several of his Psalms. Next, we will visit Qumran and walk through the ruins of this ancient Essene community. In this spot, an amazing cache of ancient biblical texts were discovered in 1947 – commonly called the Dead Sea Scrolls. From here we will ascend to Jerusalem – the holy city of Zion. Upon arriving in Jerusalem we will head to the top of the Mount of Olives to stand where the Lord ascended into heaven (Acts 1). From the Mount of Olives we take in a breathtaking panoramic view of the city across the Kidron Valley to the Eastern Gate where the Prince of Peace will enter (Ezekiel 44). We will pass by Pater Noster Church and visit Dominus Flevit where “the Lord wept” as he beheld the Holy City. We will take the Palm Sunday Road down to the Garden of Gethsemane where we will see 2,000 year old olive trees that date back to the time of Christ. We will end our day and continue to our centrally located hotel for check in and dinner.  Our hotel is conveniently located walking distance from the old city Jerusalem as well as from the city center. Free time to rest, relax and enjoy your first evening in Jerusalem.

Meals included: Full Buffett Breakfast and Dinner

Lodging: Jerusalem, Leonardo Plaza (Former Sheraton  Plaza Jerusalem) » Click here for hotel info

Day 12: Friday – The Stones of Your Heritage: Temple Mount in Jesus times, Jerusalem Old & New City

“Yad Vashem” Holocaust Museum/ Temple Mount Archeological Excavations / Southern Wall / Southern Steps / Davidson Center / Western Wall /Jewish Quarter/ Mt. Zion/ Upper Room/ Tomb of King David

Today we walk where Jesus walked.  Following breakfas we will head to the new city and Mt. Herzl area for an emotional visit of the newly renovated Holocaust Museum – “Yad Vashem”. We will return to the Old City and enter the Old City via the Dung Gate and visit the Southern Temple Mount archeological excavations. Here we will visit the “Southern Steps” –  the archaeological reconstruction of the Temple Steps where Jesus walked so often. From here Jesus entered the Temple Mount and drove out the vendors and money changers who were exploiting the people. We will visit the unearthed southern end of the western wall, the paved street and the Robinson’s arch. At the Davidson Center museum we will view a fascinating documentary of the excavation and a 10 minutes film describing a visit of a pilgrim to the second temple – to better understand what the Temple was like in Jesus times. We will continue our old city exploration and walk through the historic Jewish Quarter all the way to Mt. Zion. Here we will visit the Tomb of King David and worship in the Upper Room (Luke 22) – the traditional site where Jesus instituted the Lord’s supper and where later Thomas cried, “My Lord and my God”.  In the late afternoon we will return to the Western Wall plaza and visit the Western Wall (“Wailing Wall”) – the holiest site in Judaism and one of the original ancient walls that retained the Temple. We will have some free time to experience this holy site, to pray at the wall and to sense the importance of this site to the Jewish and Christian people just before the entrance of the Shabbat. Return to our hotel for a festive Shabbat dinner.

Meals included: Full Buffett Breakfast and Dinner

Lodging: Jerusalem, Leonardo Plaza (Former Sheraton  Plaza Jerusalem) » Click here for hotel info

Day 13: Saturday –   City of Zion – Past, Present and Future: Jerusalem Old City and Bethlehem

Lions’ Gate / Via Delarosa /St. Anne Church / Pool of Bethesda/Judgment Hall of Pilate /Church of the Holy Sepulcher/ Christian Quarter/ Knesset / Bethlehem/ Church of the Nativity/ Shepherd’s Field/ Garden Tomb

Following breakfast, we will enter to Old City via the Lions’ Gate. The Lions’ Gate, located in the eastern wall of the Old City is the entrance marks the beginning of the last walk of Jesus from prison to the crucifixion – the Via Delarosa. We will start our walk along the Stations of the Cross to visit  the St. Anne Church and the Pool of Bethesda. Continue to the Judgment Hall of Pilate all the way to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher (Matt. 27. 33-57, 28.10). After lunch time we will enjoy some free time to rest and shop at the colorful Christian Quarter bazaars. We will drive through the new city of Jerusalem and pass by the Knesset – Israel’s parliament and continue to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity (Luke 2: 1-7). We venture out to the Shepherd’s Field, referenced in Luke 2:8-20, where an angel appeared to announce the birth of Jesus. We will end our touring day visiting the Garden Tomb, where we will celebrate the resurrection with a time of prayer (Luke 23). We will end the day by driving back to our hotel for our great farewell dinner. We will share food with our new friends and be inspired by all the memories from our journey – memories that will last a lifetime.

Meals included: Full Buffett Breakfast and Dinner

Lodging: Jerusalem, Leonardo Plaza (Former Sheraton  Plaza Jerusalem) » Click here for hotel info

Day 14: Sunday – Enjoy a free day in Jerusalem / Saying Goodbye / Transfer back to the Airport & Departure

After breakfast and by 12 noon, check out from your hotel and store your luggage at the hotel storage room to enjoy a free day in Jerusalem. Take this opportunity to experience the special atmosphere of Jerusalem. Our hotel is conveniently located within a walking distance from the Old City as well as the city center. You might choose to return to the Old City to walk again through the biblical sites and the colorful bazaars, or head to the city center and walk along the Ben Yehuda Street to experience the authentic Jerusalem restaurants and shops. Our knowledgeable staff will be more than happy to suggest some other sites for you to explore on your own, such as the newly renovated Israel museum and the shrine of the book and much more. After dinner (not included) the group will meet at the hotel lobby for our evening departure transfer back to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport (40-60 minutes drive). Your departure transfer is fully escorted by your tour guide.

Meals included: Full Buffett Breakfast

Departure transfer included: Complimentary by AIT (* for night flights departures only)

* please note: departure transfer from your Jerusalem hotel to the airport at the end of the tour will be provided for travelers flying on night flights only – Continental, U.S Airways, ELAL and Delta.

Day 15: Monday – Arrival

Arrive this morning back in the U.S.A and start planning your next trip to the Holy Land……..

Important notes:

* If you need to arrive back in the U.S on Sunday, you will have to take a Sunday morning flight out of Tel Aviv.

» If your flight departs from Tel Aviv on Sunday morning you will be back in the U.S. on the same day (Sunday).

» If your flight departs on Sunday evening/night, you will arrive back in the U.S. the following day (Monday).

Transfers

» Arrival transfer in Cairo is always included if your flight arrives on Tuesday (anytime)

» Return transfer is included for Sunday night flight departures only. If your flight departs on Sunday morning departure transfer will not be included. Please check with us for departure transfer information and rates.

» It is a 40-60 minutes drive from Jerusalem back to Tel Aviv airport