Jordan & Israel Itinerary

Arrive to the airport early for a less stressful travel day, drink lots of water en-flight, stretch when you can, walk the airport during layovers, review study materials, rest, and get excited!

Few places in the world inspire the imagination of archaeologists, artists, and travelers like the city of Petra, the Nabatean capital of the first century and a possible location where Paul spent time in Arabia (Galatians 1:17). We will spend a FULL day here to explore the rock formations, architecture, and raw beauty of this wilderness wonder. After some initial morning teaching and orientation at some of the most historical areas, you will be free to explore the many trails, camel rides, and bedouin tea and lunch experiences that await! Dinner and our final night at Petra Guesthouse.

Today we continue from Petra to another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the desert valley of Wadi Rum. Sometimes called the “Valley of the Moon” for its dramatic landscape, we will explore this region on a 2 hour jeep tour, perhaps even having some tea with the local bedouin. From there we shift perspectives and head to the shores of the Red Sea for a snorkeling excursion and an entirely different view of the world! Dinner and overnight in Aqaba, Jordan.

This morning we will cross into Israel, visiting Timna Valley Park, where we see more geological wonders, ancient copper mines, and ancient rock drawings. A highlight near Timna for our Biblical study is a full size replica of the Biblical Tabernacle, constructed to match Biblical descriptions. After our study and exploration we will continue north, stopping along the way at the gaping geological wonder of Maktesh Ramon, which served as the border between two Biblical wildernesses. We continue along the Dead Sea to Jericho Oasis for dinner and overnight.

Today we will descend to the oldest part of Jerusalem, the City of David, where we will walk through Hezekiah’s Tunnel and the Pool of Siloam. We will then make our way through first-century roads and (dry) tunnels to the Southern Steps Excavations, at the base of the Temple Mount. After some time for lunch in the Old City of Jerusalem, we will explore the Rabbis’ Tunnels, excavations that extend the entire Western Wall of the Temple Mount, and finish at the the Pools of Bethesda, where Jesus healed a lame man. Dinner and overnight in Jericho.

Today we spend the day traveling along the Dead Sea in the paths of a variety of people who struggled to meet God in this Judean Wilderness. We will visit Ein Gedi, an oasis of waterfalls in the desert where David hid from Saul, and the fortress of Masada, where Zealots died in rebellion against the Romans. We will continue to Qumran, to learn more about the Dead Sea Scrolls. We will end our day with a unique float in the Dead Sea. Dinner and overnight in Jericho.

Today we return to Jerusalem focusing especially on the time period of Jesus life and his death, burial, and resurrection. We plan to visit many sites today including Betphage, where Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, before walking together down the Mount of Olives into Jerusalem. After some lunch and time in the Old City, we will continue to other sites in Jerusalem including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Israel Museum, and a chance to practice your own hand at an active archaeological site. Dinner and our final night in Jericho.

Today our journey continues north, to Galilee! On our way we will visit Caesarea Maritima, a major first-century Roman port city on the Mediterranean. Afterwards, we will ascend Mt. Carmel, where the famous contest by fire took place between God and Baal. Time permitting we will travel through the outskirts of Nazareth to overlook the Jezreel Valley the outskirts of Nazareth for some additional teaching. Dinner and the next three nights at Ein Gev Holiday Village along the shores of the Sea of Galilee.

Jesus called many of His disciples around the Sea of Galilee, and we begin our day in Capernaum, Jesus home-base for ministry. After we ascend Mt. Arbel for a beautiful panoramic view of the region, we will visit Magdala, where archaeologists excavated a first-century synagogue that Jesus may have visited. We will finish the day with a pleasant boat ride across the Sea of Galilee. Dinner and overnight at in Galilee.

Today we travel to the most northern part of Israel. We plan to visit sites such as Katzrin, a Talmudic site that helps us better understand village-life in Galilee, and Dan, where the Israelites worshiped false gods. We will conclude our days teaching at Caesarea Philippi, and the Gates of Hades. Dinner and our final night in Galilee.

As we enter our final day in the land of the Bible, we will make our way back to Jordan for our final teaching and on-site experience of this program, before you begin your journey home. After crossing the border, we will visit Pella (time permitting) on our way to Jerash, a large archaeological site of a thriving first-century Decapolis city. We will transfer together to the airport by 3:45 pm for the group flight departure scheduled for 6:45 pm.