Israel Biblical Study Trip Sample Itinerary
Travel the Text offers unique study trips rather than traditional tours. Study trips are distinctly different from tours, offering in-depth teaching and study at carefully selected locations, including valuable well-known destinations and many impactful sites off the beaten path. Study trips dramatically and forever impact the way participants read, interpret, teach, and live from the Biblical Text as the land itself becomes your teacher. The below itinerary is provided as an example of the rhythm and regions we visit.
Your specific itinerary will be unique based on time of year and other factors as we seek to optimize each group experience in a unique way. We visit all major sites in addition to many sites and experiences off the beaten path that few other tours include, for an incredible 12 days and 11 nights of study and pilgrimage through the land of the Bible.
Depart from your home airport, drink lots of water en-route (helps with jetlag), review study materials, rest, and get excited!
Arrive to Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) near Tel Aviv. Your group will be met by Geoff Carroll and we will load the motor coach that will be your transportation for the duration of your study trip. Depending on your flight arrival time, we may have time for a couple of sites in the sunshine on our way to your first hotel in Bethlehem.
Geoff teaching at Beth Shemesh
Machpelah, Herodian structure
Today our study takes us to the region of the Shephelah. We will study the battles for this territory as we travel area sites such as the lands of Sampson at Beth Shemesh, underground tunnels at Maresha, see an ancient siege ramp at Tel Lachish, the last stronghold before the Assyrian attack on Jerusalem, and visit the Valley of Elah where David slew Goliath. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.
Today we head south to experience the Wilderness of Tzin where the Israelites wandered. This site offers an incredible (optional) hike out of the valley after our study. We will then continue to sites such as Tel Arad, a strategic wilderness fort, and study an ancient style of vineyard. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.
Walking through Hezekiah’s Tunnel
We begin our day following the ancient route Abraham took to Mt. Moriah for a panoramic view of Jerusalem at the Promenade. We will study the history of Jerusalem at the City of David, explore the ancient waterway known as Hezekiah's Tunnel (optional), and study at the Shiloach (Siloam) Pool, and the Kidron and Hinnom Valley. We will finish our day learning at the Israel Museum. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.
Excavated staircase at Herodian now open to explore.
We visit the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem to start our day, before continuing to Herodian, a fortress built by Herod the Great. We will then head toward Galilee, stopping along the way at a sheep fold, the ancient city of Ephraim, and Jacob’s Well. We will stay the next several nights in a tranquil location offering stunning panoramic views of the Sea of Galilee. Dinner and overnight in Galilee.
Jesus called many of His disciples around the Sea of Galilee, and we begin our day at Mt. Arbel for a beautiful panoramic view of the region. We will focus on the northern shore, stopping at places like Migdal, the home of Mary Magdalene, Tabgha, where Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James, and John, and Capernaum, Jesus’ home-base for His ministry. We will also enjoy a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee. Dinner and overnight in Galilee.
Wooden boat gliding across the Sea of Galilee
Today our focus is in the Upper Galilee. We will visit sites such as a first-century synagogue at Gamla, Dan, where beautiful springs turned people toward false gods, and Caesarea Philippi (Gates of Hades). Dinner and overnight in Galilee.
Mitzpe Hashalom group lodging in Galilee
Jesus preached that the Kingdom of Heaven was near, and sent His disciples into a world that did not want it. Our focus today will take us to Herod’s impressive coastal city of Caesarea Maritima. We will continue our study at Megiddo also known as Armageddon and Mt. Carmel where Elijah and the prophets of Baal held a contest by fire. Then. Dinner and our final night in Galilee.
After Jesus prepared His disciples, it was time to return to Jerusalem. On our way we will visit Nazareth Ridge, and Beth Shean one of the richest and most powerful cities in the time of Jesus. we will continue toward Jerusalem and study along the way on the Road to Jericho. Dinner and overnight at Jericho Oasis.
Group walking through Bet She’an
Group photo time at the desert oasis, Ein Gedi
Today we will study in the region of the Dead Sea, traveling to En Gedi, an oasis of waterfalls in the desert where David hid from Saul, Qumran, linked to the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the fortress of Masada, where Zealots died in rebellion against the Romans. We will end our day with a float in the Dead Sea. Dinner and overnight at Jericho Oasis.
Jesus makes His way up to Jerusalem where He will be put to death. We begin our day studying the ancient Temple area in Jerusalem and travel to places such as the Pools of Bethesda, where Jesus healed a crippled man, Bethpage, where Jesus talked about mountain-moving faith, the Mt. of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane, and the Old City of Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight at Jericho Oasis.
Church of the Holy Sepulchre
We begin our day on the banks of the Jordan River, the traditional location of Jesus’ baptism. We continue on to more sites in Jerusalem including some of the most prized: the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the traditional place of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, the Western Wall and the Southern Steps. We will finish strong with a cultural “last supper” and time of reflection together before transferring to the airport for evening departure.