Are you an archaeology enthusiast? This tour takes you to the most important archaeological sites and artifacts of the Holy Land, one of the oldest inhabited regions on earth. Our professional guides will make sure your passion for archaeology is satisfied.
Day by day
Day 1
- Group flight arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport
- Visit Jaffa, the ancient port, and the House of Simon the Tanner
- Lodging and dinner: Grand Beach Hotel, Tel Aviv
Day 2
- Explore Caesarea Maritima, Herod's city, associated with Pontius Pilate, Peter, Paul and Philip (theater, praetorium, hippodrome and aqueduct)
- See where Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal on Mt Carmel
- In-depth visit to Tel Megiddo in the Valley of Armageddon
- Visit the newly discovered first-century ruins of Nazareth and the Church of the Annunciation
- Drive via Cana of Galilee
- Lodging and dinner: Ron Beach Hotel, Sea of Galilee
Day 3
- Sail on the Sea of Galilee and hear the music of Dani Carmel, a local Messianic musician
- Dock at Ginosar (Lake Gennesaret)
- See the 1st-century Galilee boat at Ginosar's Yigal Allon Museum
- Explore the archaeological remains of Capernaum, mentioned in the New Testament more than any other city
- Lookout over the road to Damascus and Mount Hermon
- Drive around the 'other side' of the Sea of Galilee
- Relax in the hot springs at Hamat Gader
- Lodging and dinner: Ron Beach Hotel, Sea of Galilee
Day 4
- Visit the Jordan River at Qasr el-Yahud, the most likely place where Jesus was baptized by John
- Visit Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were copied, and Cave 11
- Ein Gedi nature walk to the lower waterfall
- Experience Masada, Herod the Great's desert fortress
- Relax and swim at the Dead Sea for the rest of the afternoon
- Lodging and dinner: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem
Day 5
- See Herodian Jericho
- Mt Gerizim, where the Samaritans perform their sacrifices, with a lookout over Shechem; explore Nablus, which rises above the Valley of Shechem
- See Joseph's Tomb and Tel Shechem
- Explore the ruins of Samaria, capital of the kingdom of Israel under Omri and Ahab
- Visit ancient Shiloh, where the Tabernacle once stood
- Lodging and dinner: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem
Day 6
- Walk up to the Temple Mount to see the site of the former Temple and today's Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque
- Visit the Temple Institute
- Late lunch in the Jewish Quarter
- Visit the Jewish Quarter to see Hezekiah's Broad Wall and the Cardo
- Go underground to visit the 1st-century Herodian Quarter
- Visit the Western Wall Tunnels
- Visit the newest excavations in the City of David and wade through Hezekiah's Tunnel or walk the Canaanite tunnel
- Lodging and dinner: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem
Day 7
- Climb the artificial hill of Herodium to see Herod's fortress, tomb and the tunnels from the Jewish revolts
- Visit Hebron
- Travel to Beit Guvrin (ancient Maresha, home of the prophet Micah), take part in an archaeological dig and crawl through caves and tunnels
- Lookout from Tel Beth Shemesh, where the Philistines returned the Ark, over Zorah and Eshtaol, Samson's birthplace
- Lodging and dinner: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem
Day 8
- Leisurely morning of shopping on your own in the Old City
- 11:00: visit Gordon's Calvary and the Garden Tomb
- Israel Museum: the Shrine of the Book with the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Model of the Second Temple, and time on your own in the archaeology wing
- Drive through Ein Kerem, the traditional birthplace of John the Baptist
- Free afternoon in Jerusalem
- Lodging and dinner: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem
Day 9
- Explore Bethlehem (Shepherds' Fields)
- Drive to the Elah Valley, where David fought Goliath, and gather your own five smooth stones
- Walk along the Road to Emmaus in Abu Ghosh
- Farewell dinner in Abu Ghosh
- Transfer to the airport
Included
- Transfers to and from Ben Gurion International Airport, Tel Aviv
- Luggage and airport services on arrival and departure
- New air-conditioned tour bus and driver
- 4-star accommodations
- Free Wi-Fi on the bus
- Licensed Ministry of Tourism guide throughout
- Full buffet breakfast and dinner each day (soft drinks and alcohol not included), including a 5-star farewell dinner
- All park fees, scheduled activities and entertainment
- Headset whisper system
- Gratuities for hotel staff
- Traveler's kit (hat, map, 2 starter water bottles)
- Bus banners and name tags
- All visa and border fees (if needed)
Not included
- Airfare
- Lunches
- Personal expenses such as room telephone calls, minibar and room service
- Gratuities for guide and driver (recommended minimum: US$110)
- Traveler's insurance
Good to know
- All major debit and credit cards are accepted (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Amex).
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