Special Tours & Desert Experience 9 Days/ 8 Nights

Itineraries

This day will be spent in Bethlehem; participants will have the opportunity to meet with locals by visiting two different groups or institutions. Then you will have a huge opportunity to see the most wonderful and historical places; Shepherds’ Field, Herodion, a man made mountain built by Herod the Great, Solomon’s Pools, three huge water reservoirs that were the main water supply for Jerusalem 2000 years ago. In the evening, drive towards the Wilderness to enjoy dinner and an unforgettable evening under the stars. Spend the night in tents.

In the early morning enjoy watching the colorful desert sun rise. After breakfast, we will do a special tour in the wilderness guided by local Bedouins, including a visit to Mar Saba with an introduction to the Monastic life in the Wilderness.

Early check into your hotel in Bethlehem and enjoy the rest of the day as free time.

Back to your Hotel (if out). You will enjoy a traditional dinner whilst watching and listening to cultural musical show.

You will visit Wadi Qelt, also known as the valley of the Shadow of Death. You will have the opportunity to experience “the living water” and tohike next to the water aqueducts that Herod the Great built to water supply his winter palace in Jericho. We will also go through the old Jericho Road that Jesus talked about in his parable about the Good Samaritan to reach St. George monastery and to the cave where Prophet Elijah was hiding when he was fed by the ravens. Now we will visit the oldest city in the World –Jericho. We will see the mount of Temptation and the sycamore tree and Hisham’s palace, an amazing Umayyad Palace north of Jericho. After lunch, we will be getting ready to visit Qumran where the Dead Sea scrolls were found. The second half of the day will be spent at the Dead Sea to experience the lowest surface on earth. Dinner and overnight stay in your hotel

You will start your day in Jerusalem by visiting Al Aqsa and Dome of the Rock, the Western Wall and southern wall excavations. Then we will drive to Mount Zion, upper room, the Tomb of Kind David and the Church of St. Peter in the house of Caiaphas. After lunch we will go through Herod’s gate continuing to Antonia Fortress where Jesus was condemned to death. Then to Via Dolorosa to see the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. You will have the chance to walk through the old narrow streets of the Old city straight to Jaffa gate. Back to Bethlehem.

Dinner and over night in your hotel in Bethlehem.

You will start your day by visiting the Sea of Galilee, then a boat ride, Mount of Beatitudes, Tabgha, where Jesus multiplied the loaves and the fish, Mensa Christi (Peter’s Primacy), Capernaum, the town where Jesus lived after he left Nazareth. After lunch we will go to Jordan River. On our way back we will have a stop in Cana of Galilee where Jesus performed his first miracle. Back to the hotel for dinner and over night.