DAY
BY DAY ITINERARY
Day 1: June
16: Group fly’s from NYC to Amman Jordan.
Day 2: June 17:
You will arrive into Cairo where there will be a change of
planes. You will then continue your flight to Amman. Those
that came in early to do the Egypt Extension will join you
on the flight from Cairo to Amman. Everyone overnights in
Amman.
Day 3: June 18: Today
we will travel approximately 20 miles and cross to the Israeli
border and will head directly to Jerusalem. We will arrive
in the afternoon and take a city tour of Jerusalem. We will
spend the next five nights at the Olive Tree Hotel in Jerusalem.
Day 4: June 19:
Today we will focus on the New City visiting Yad Vashem, the
very moving tribute to the victims of the Holocaust, and the
Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea Scrolls are located.
Our day will end at the Western Wall. We will overnight in
Jerusalem.
Day 5: June 20:
We have two important highlights to share today; Bethlehem
and the Archeological dig at Beit Lehi. We will remember the
wondrous account of the Savior’s birth as told in Luke
and retold each Christmas, as we walk through the church of
the Nativity and sing Christmas Carols. We then head to the
excavations of Beit Lehi. Here we will have an opportunity
to explore an actual site under excavation and ponder the
beginning of the Book of Mormon.
Day 6: June 21:
Our attention today is drawn to the Old City of Jerusalem.
We will explore the foundations of the Temple Mount in the
Rabbinical Tunnel and climb the Temple Mount where both Solomon
and Herod’s temples once stood and where the magnificent
Dome of the Rock and Al Aksa Mosques now stand. This afternoon
will be free to shop in the many shops in the Old City and
for those that want adventure you can visit the City of David
located south of the Temple Mount and walk through Hezekiah’s
Tunnel. Please note: Hezekiah’s Tunnel is filled with
knee to waist high water. You should plan on wearing clothing
and shoes that can get wet and will not fall off of your feet
(NO flip flops).
Day 7: June 22:
Today we reach the spiritual pinnacle of our pilgrimage as
we retrace the footsteps of our Savior during the last hours
of his life and feel the deep appreciation these places create
for the sacrifice of the Son of God. We begin on Mt. Zion
at the traditional site of the Upper Room where the Last Supper
was shared with devoted apostles. From there we descend into
the Kidron Valley to visit Gethsemane, the garden of the Savior’s
deepest prayers. We visit St. Peter in Gallicantu, the possible
site of the cock’s crowing and the Palace of Caiaphus
where Jesus was tried. We then go on to the Sisters of Sion
Convent which was built on the site of the Antonia Fortress (the
probable site where Pilate questioned Jesus). We will pass
through the Damascus Gate to Golgotha and the Garden Tomb
where we will have time to ponder the Resurrection.
Day 8: June 23:
This morning we will visit Haifa then on the top of Mt. Carmel
to Mukrakah. We will also re-examine the story of Elijah’s
confrontation with the priests of Baal with its dramatic conclusion.
We will study the Old Testament with the Apostles Peter and
Paul as we discover Caesarea, located on the Mediterranean
coast. Here the Roman Centurion, Cornelius, became the first
gentile to convert to Christianity and Paul related his account
of his vision on the road to Damascus to King Agrippa. We
will also stop in Netanya where the Presidents of the LDS
Church are honored in a special memorial before ending our
day in Tiberius on the Sea of Galilee. We will stay overnight
in Tiberius.
Day 9: June 24:
This morning we will drive to Mt. Tabor where we will
discuss the Transfiguration of the Savior. Here Deborah and
Barak gathered their forces and defeated Sisera’s Iron
Chariots. Crossing the Jezreel Valley we will ascend to Nazareth
and visit the Nazareth Village where we will ponder the early
life of Jesus. We will pass Cana, where the Savior performed
his first miracle, turning water into wine, and then descend
to the Sea of Galilee visiting the Mount of Beatitudes and
Capernaum where so many wonderful events and teachings took
place. Tonight we will take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee
and retell the story of his walking on water and stilling
the storm.
Day 10: June 25:
Our journey today takes us to the far north regions
of Israel. We will pass the Canaanite city of Hazor on our
way to Tel Dan. Here Jeroboam erected a golden calf for the
Israelites to worship. The restored walls and gates give us
an excellent idea of the fortifications Joshua would have
faced as he conquered the land. We will visit Banias, known
as Caesarea Philippi in the days of Jesus. This is where the
Savior asked his disciples, “Whom do ye say that I am?”
We then continue on to the Golan Heights, which have been
fought over since Old Testament times. Our final stop of the
day is Bethsaida. Bethsaida is the home of Peter and Andrew
and the site of the miracle of the loaves and the fishes.
We will spend our final night in Tiberius at the Sheraton.
Day 11: June 26:
We leave Tiberius today with many memories and descend
through the Judean Wilderness, home of John the Baptist and
the place Jesus went to prepare for his ministry and where
he was tempted by the Devil. Passing along the shores of the
Dead Sea we will stop for a photo of the Qumran Caves where
the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Rising above the desert floor
is the fortress of Masada which we will visit via cable car.
We will then turn south for the Israel/Egypt border. Along
the way we will stop for a quick float in the Dead Sea. late this afternoon
we will cross into the Sinai region. We will check into
the Taba Heights Marriot beach front resort on the Red Sea,
where we will spend the next three nights.
Day 12: June 27:
Free Day to enjoy the resort. You will definitely need your
swim suit for this beautiful resort with its fantastic swimming
pool and private beach right on the RED SEA. It might be a
good idea to take a nap today to prepare you for your climb
up to Mt Sinai. Late tonight we climb Mt. Sinai by camel arriving
at the summit before the sun rises. Please be sure to dress
warmly (wear knit hat, gloves and scarf) and bring a flashlight
with fresh batteries.
Day 13: June 28:
Witness one of the most beautiful sunrises you will see anywhere
in the world. After descending from Mt. Sinai we will return
to our 5 star luxury resort hotel on the Red Sea.
Day 14: June 29:
Early morning departure to Jordan and Petra. We will overnight
in Petra at the Marriott.
Day 15: June 30:
This morning we travel down the narrow canyon entrance
to Petra, emerging at the breathtaking view of the Treasury.
We will have time in the cool hours of the morning to explore
this wonderland of carved stone - The Rose-Red City. Our bus
ride will then take us to Amman and the airport where we will
board a plane to Cairo.
Day 16: July 1: Both
groups fly back to the US. The flight will arrive into the
JFK airport in New York at approximately 3:30 p.m.
Optional Egypt Pre-Tour Itinerary
Day 1: June 14: Group
fly’s NYC to Cairo
Day 2: June 15:
You will arrive today before noon. After clearing customs
you will spend the afternoon touring the Pyramids and Sphinx.
You will then transfer to your 5 star Intercontinental City
Stars Hotel.
Day 3: June 16: This
morning you will fly to Luxor. You will spend a fantastic
day visiting the Valley of the Kings, the Karnak Temple and
the Luxor Temple. This evening you will fly back to Cairo
and return to your Intercontinental Hotel.
Day 4: June 17:
This morning will be spent visiting the Cairo Museum and the
treasures of King Tut. You will also visit the Citadel and
the Hanging Church. Late this afternoon you will fly to Amman.
Those that did not do the Egypt Extension will be on your
plane to Amman. The whole group joins together and overnights
in Amman.
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