Israel is located in the Levant area of the Fertile Crescent region. The country is at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea, bounded by Lebanon to the north, Syria to the northeast, Jordan and the West Bank to the east, and Egypt and the Gaza Strip to the southwest. Travel to the Jordan River, where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, and experience the Golden City of Jerusalem, walk the Stations of the Cross on the Via Dolorsa, stand at the Mount of Olives, where its written Jesus ascended in to heaven.
Day 01 Arrive Tel Aviv
Arrival at Ben Gurion airport. Meet your guide and transfer to the Tel Aviv for overnight.
Day 02 Tel Aviv – Kibbutz (By Road) (69kms/ 56min appx.)
After Breakfast, proceed to Tel-Aviv; Israel’s cultural and commercial capital. Visit the open air Carmel market. See the colorful stalls with fresh produce, condiments, herbs, spices, baked goods & various paraphernalia. Drive via Rothschild Blvd where the Bauhaus architecture predominates the landscape. Depart Tel Aviv and drive along the coastal road to Caesarea, built by King Herod and once the capital of Judea. Visit the amphitheater and see the huge aqua-duct and hippodrome; see the excavations of the Crusader city. Drive via Haifa, Israel’s largest port city and view the world famous Bahai Gardens. On to Akko the ancient crusader port and visit the Knights Templar subterranean halls.Lecture by a kibbutz member on life at this unique community living according to the Communism manifest. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 03 Kibbutz
After Breakfast, proceed to the Sea of Galilee for a tranquil boat ride. Continue to Capernaum, home of Peter and center of Jesus preaching and visit the 2nd century synagogue. On to Tabgha, site of the miracle of Multiplication of Bread & Fishes and visit the church of Multiplication with its unique mosaic floor. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Continue to Mt Beatitudes, site of the Sermon on the Mount. End the day visit to a winery and a taste of Israeli wine. Tonight, enjoy a home cooked meal in an Arab village (Druz or Moslem or Christian) and learn of their culture & heritage.Overnight at Hotel.
Day 04 Kibbutz – Nazareth – Jerusalem (By Road) (308 kms/ 4hrs appx.)
After Breakfast, proceed to Nazareth where Mary was told by the Angel Gabriel that she would conceive a son and boyhood home of Jesus. Visit the Church of Annunciation. On to visit a re-enactment of a Galilean village as it was 2,000 years ago. Drive to Canna & visit Sindyanna (closed on Sunday). This is a non-profit organization led by a team of Arab and Jewish women working to create social change from the ground up. Producing outstanding olive oil and other premium food products, while enhancing Arab-Jewish cooperation, creating economic opportunities for Arab women, and assisting local growers and producers.Drive south, passing via the old city of Jericho, to Bethlehem. See the Manger Square and visit the Church of Nativity. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 05 Jerusalem
After Breakfast, proceed to Jerusalem Old City – Ascend to Mt Olives for a panoramic view of Jerusalem & Bethlehem. See the church of Dominus Flevit (the Lord Wept), built in a shape of a tear drop and walk thru the Garden of Gethsemane. Cross the Kidron Valley and enter the Old City. See the Temple Mt and visit the Western Wall. Enter the restored Jewish Qtr and walk along the Cardo, the ancient main street of Jerusalem during the time of Jesus. Pass thru St. Stephens Gate and reach the Crusader church of St Anne. Visit the Pool of Bethesda, and follow the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Evening – Sound & Light show at the David Citadel. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 06 Jerusalem
After Breakfast, proceed to Jerusalem New City – Drive to the Jewish orthodox quarter of Mea Shearim and learn of the extremely religious’ way of life, and culture. Continue via the Knesset and see the symbol of the Menorah, on past the Supreme Court, and reach the Israel museum that houses the Dead Sea scrolls, which were discovered by a shepherd in the Qumran caves. Arrive to Yad Vashem, Israel’s memorial to the Holocaust victims. Walk along the Avenue of the Righteous, visit the museum & the Children’s Pavilion (closed on Sat).
Drive south of Jerusalem to the village of Neve Shalom (Oasis of Peace), where Jews, Moslems and Christians live together. Tour of the Village and learn of this unique community where the 3 major religions live and educate their children. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 07 Jerusalem – Mitzpe Ramon
After Breakfast, proceed to the lowest spot on earth – 400 meters to the Dead-Sea. Visit Ein Gedi, the desert oasis, and walk in this unique national park learning of the flora & fauna that grow in this harsh region. Drive to Massada, built as a winter castle by King Herod and the last stronghold of the Jewish zealots against the Romans and who committed suicide in 73AD rather than becoming enslaved to the Romans. Ascend by cable-car and visit the storage area, bath-houses & ancient synagogue. Descend the mountain and enjoy a swim in the mineral rich therapeutic water of the Dead. Drive south to Mitzpe Ramon for dinner & overnight in the Negev Desert by the Ramon Crater.
Night time – enjoy star gazing using in the desert – a combination of spectacular astronomical telescope observations (according to what is visible that night) accompanied by explanations and facts about our universe.
Day 08 Mitzpe Ramon – Tel Aviv (195 kms/ 2 hrs 15 min) Depart Tel Aviv.
Early morning Jeep ride in the Ramon Crater THROUGH THE SPICE ROUTE . The crater thought to have been created when a meteorite struck the earth. And see the unique geological formations of the Machtesh. Visit the Bedouin village of Aricha and learn of the desert nomads life & customs.Departure transfer to onward destination.
*********END OF THE TOUR***********
|
City |
Nights | 5* Hotels |
| Tel Aviv | 01 | Dan Hotel Tel Aviv |
| Kibbutz | 02 | Herods Herzliya |
| Jerusalem | 03 | Dan Jerusalem |
| Mitzpe Ramon | 01 | HI – Mitzpe Ramon Hostel |
- Accommodation as per the program.
- Meals as per the program.
- Entrance fees.
- Local English speaking guide.
- All transfers, sightseeing, excursions.
- All taxes
- Personal Expenses.
- Camera / Video Camera Fees.
- Medical Aid.
- Tips.
- Travel Insurance.
- Visa (If any).
– Accommodation in good hotels.
– Check-in / out time is 12 noon at most of the hotels.
– Extension to other places is also possible with a minimal extra cost.
– Additional nights are available at each place with minimal supplement.
– A visa is required and must be obtained prior to your departure from your Country.
– If quoted hotel is not available, we will provide one of a similar category and standard.
– Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.
– In case the government changes presently applicable taxes, increase in airlines prices, fuel surcharge our rates will need to be adjusted accordingly.
– In Asia, there is no relevance between the distance and time of travelling, as it depends upon the condition of the roads and congestion of the traffic.
– While every effort will be made to maintain the itinerary, in view of local strikes etc that are beyond our control all schedule and itineraries are subject to last moment changes.
– Clients must be fully insured, as the company cannot accept liability for loss or damage to client’s property, medical emergencies or any other loss suffered by them whilst on tour.
– In Case of issuing Domestic or International air tickets, SGV is not responsible for any refund if the flight is delayed or cancelled, as it is the responsibility of airline.