Day 1 Wed June 7, 2023 Depart Canada
Depart Regina. Meals with be served onboard
Overnight en route
Day 2 Thu June 8, 2023 Arrival Tel Aviv – Jerusalem
Upon arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport you will be met by Smile and your local Sunworld representative. Ascend up to Jerusalem as pilgrims have done for centuries for your first view of the Holy City. Transfer to hotel in Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.
Overnight in Jerusalem at Caesar Hotel or similar
Day 3 Fri June 9, 2023 Jerusalem
After breakfast, start the day exploring the exciting new excavations at the City of David including a walkthrough the 3400BCE Hezekiah’s Tunnel and the Pool of Siloam (John 9) to Warren’s Shaft. Enter the Old City Walls of Jerusalem to visit the Davidson Center where the original Southern Steps that led to the Temple, are located. Pray at the Western Wall and explore the Jewish Quarter of the Old City. Continue to the Christian Quarter to walk along the “Way of the Cross” with stops at the Pools of Bethesda (John 5) and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. End the day with a tour of the Garden Tomb (Gordon’s Calvary). (I Corinthians 15, Luke 24, Mark 16).
Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem
Day 4 Sat June 10 , 2023 Judean Wildereness - Bethlehem
After breakfast travel to the Judean Wilderness to visit one of King Herod’s fortresses – the Herodium. Enjoy views of Wadi Kelt on the way to visit Jericho. In the afternoon travel to Bethlehem, Yeshua’s birth place, and visit the traditional Shepherd’s fields and Church of Nativity. Stop at Mt. Olives for a view of the Garden of Gethsemane
Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 5 Sun June 11 2023, Jerusalem
This morning ascend Temple Mount, today the site of the Islamic Dome of the Rock and the al-Aqsa Mosque. (Security permitting). Travel to Government Hill to visit the Israel Museum, where the Scroll of the Book and the Model of First century Jerusalem are located. Free afternoon with options to visit the many museums and sites Jerusalem has to offer. Optional Temple Mount 2 hour sifting project.
Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 6 Mon June 12 2023, Judean Lowlands - Dead Sea
Today we leave Jerusalem and travel to the Judean lowlands – Land of the Philistines to visit Tel Lachish, Elah Valley/Khirbet Qeiyafa , site of the Battle of David and Goliath and Tel Beth Shemesh We then ascend to the lowest area in the World the Dead Sea to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere and salt mineral waters of the Dead Sea.
Dinner and overnight in the Dead Sea / David Resort Hotel or similar
Day 7 Tue June 13 2023, The Dead Sea - Massada
Today we ascend by cable car to Masada, Herod’s amazing wilderness palace and site of a dramatic standoff against the Romans. Continue for a visit to the Oasis of EinGedi where David Hid from King Saul I Sam 24). We will have time to enjoy a “float” in the famous Salt mineral waters of the Dead Sea and hotel spa facilities.
Dinner and overnight in the Dead Sea
Day 8 Wed June 14 2023, Shiloh - Jordan Valley
Today we travel north along the Jordan Valley with a stop at Kaser El Yehud . We will ascend up to Samaria to visit Tel Shiloh, where the Ark of the Covenant once stood. Return to the Jordan Valley to visit the reconstructed ancient Roman Decapolis city of Beth Shean Scythopolis. End the day in the Sea of Galilee area. Time permitting evening sailing on the Sea of Galilee on a wooden boat with music and worship. Dinner and overnight in the Galilee Tiberias, Emily’s Boutique or similar
Day 9 Thu Jun 15 2023, Coastal Plain - Mt Carmel - Jezreel Valley
Today we travel to the Coastal Plain, The “Way of the Sea’ to Caesarea, where Peter preached to Cornelius (Acts 10) and Paul gave his defense before Roman governors (Acts 24-26). Continue to Mt. Carmel to visit the Muhraqa, to visualize the story of Elijah and the Prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18). Enjoy a beautiful view of the Valley of Jezreel (Naboth’s Vinyard I Kings 21). Visit the ancient city of Meggido, which gave its name to Armageddon. (Revelation 16).
Return to the Sea of Galilee area for dinner and overnight.
Day 10 Fri Jun 16 2023, Nazareth - Sea of Galilee
Travel through the Galilee to Mt. Precipice for a view of the town of Nazareth, childhood home of Jesus. Continue to Visit Tel Hannathon. Ascend Mt. Arbel with its amazing view over the Sea of Galilee, and challenging descent down to the Valley of the Doves. Continue down to the Sea of Galilee to visit Capernaum, a Jewish fishing town which became Jesus’ ministry base.
Dinner and overnight in the Sea of Galilee area.
Day 11 Sat Jun 17 2023, Upper Galilee
Today travel up to the Upper Galilee to visit Tel Hazor, Tel Dan, one of the two alternative sites of worship built by King Jeroboam, where there is a view into Lebanon. Tour Caesarea Philippi (Matt 16:13) at Banias National Park, including a short hike to the Falls. Time permitting visit Magdala, probable hometown of Mary Magdalene with its first century synagogue. Dinner and overnight in the Sea of Galilee area.
Day 12 Sun Jun 18 2023, Departure - Digging Extension
After Breakfast transfer to the airport for the flight back home – Group 1
Transfer to Kibbutz Ayelet HaShahar for Archaeological digging excavation – Group 2
Day 13 Mon June 7– July 8, 2023 Departure for digging excavation
Transfer to the airport for the flight home.
* Itinerary, flight schedule and rates are subject to change
