RELIGIOUS LEADERS

After breakfast we will visit the Egyptian Museum which includes a collection of antiquities and the golden mask and treasures of Tut-Ank-Amon. In the afternoon we drive to Giza to visit the Great Pyramids, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world and the Sphinx Valley Temple. We are free to ride a camel and to pay a little amount to the owner. Dinner at the hotel. Evening is optional for enjoyment of Sound & Light show by the Pyramids. (B, D)

Depart today for biblical Mt. Sinai, where Moses received the Ten Commandments. We travel through Sinai Desert situated between the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba. At the southern end of the peninsula is a mass of granite mountains, some of which are 8,000 feet above sea level. The chief peak is Jebel Musa, “Mountain of Moses” or Mt. Sinai. Proceed to our hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

Without breakfast (breakfast after the sightseeing), we depart very early this morning at 00:30am to climb up Mt. Sinai (Moses Mountain) to visit the place where he received the Ten commandments. This is a three (3) hours journey by foot. In every 30minutes walk, there is coffee shop where we will rest a bit and continue again. We will also visit the burning bush. Today we will see St. Catharine’s mountain which was named after a 4th century martyr whose bones were supposed to be carried here by angels after her death. The heartiest will climb to the top to welcome the sunrise. Depart later this morning to the city of Petra, in Jordan, via the Red Sea. Lost to the world for centuries, Petra the “Rose-Red City Half as Old as Time”, lay hidden in the mountains of southern Jordan. It had been a stronghold and capital for the Nabateans until 106 A.D. when it fell to Rome. Dinner and overnight at hotel. (B, D)

After breakfast we will visit the Roman Theatre and Nymphaeum that reflect the historic legacy of the city and the enchanting Citadel, which has stood since the ancient times of the Ammonites. This is the place where David sent Uriah the Hittite to the front lines of the battle. The massive fortifications, where David brought about Uriah's death so that he could marry his widow Bathsheba are still standing. We continue to visit Tall Mar Elias, the hometown of the Prophet Nahum and Prophet Elijah, where tradition has, Elijah ascended to heaven. We will proceed to visit Wadi Musa (The Valley of Moses) where Moses struck the rock for water to his followers at the site of Ain Musa to drink (Numbers 20:10- 11). We will visit burial site of Aaron, the brother of Moses and Miriam at Mount Hor, now called Jabal Harun in Arabic (Mount Aaron). Tour Guide will show us the direction of the kingdom of Moab (the descendants of Ruth) and Edom, (the descendants of Esau). We will then depart to our hotel. Dinner and overnight at hotel. (B, D)

After breakfast we will start to see some of the most important events in the lives of Isaac’s twin sons, Jacob and Esau, which took place in ancient Jordan. We will visit the modern day Pella (ancient ‘Penuel’, meaning ‘the face of God’) which was so named by Jacob after he wrestled there all night with God in the form of a man or angel (Genesis 32:24-30). We will continue to The City of As-Salt, northwest of Jordan’s capital, Amman, to see the house, tomb and shrine of Job, the wealthy, righteous man from the Land of Uz (The site is covered with Mosque so we can only see but not visit). As-Salt is also the location of the tomb/shrine of Jethro, who was the father-in-law of Moses. Dinner and overnight at hotel. (B, D)

After breakfast, we begin our exploration of what both the Nabateans and Romans left for us to witness. The most adventurous will be invited to hike up to the spiritual “High Place”, site of the sacrificial alter and offering a spectacular view of the ancient city and environs. In the afternoon we depart Amman for Tiberias, Israel by Motor coach. Even though Moses never entered “The Promised Land”, our journey will carry on from where he ended. Cross the border into Israel and drive along the Jordan Valley through Beit She’an to the Sea of Galilee and to our hotel in Tiberias. (B, D)

6:30 am – 17:00 pm

After early breakfast we depart to Jordan Valley. We pass through Magdala, home of Mary Magdalene. we ascend to visit Mount of Beatitudes, the Sanctuary of the Sermon on the Mount; it was here that Jesus chose His 12 disciples. We visit Tabgha, the site of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish. We also visit the Church of the Primacy where Jesus delegated the Primacy of the Church to Peter. We visit the village of Capernaum, referred to in the New Testament as a centre of Jesus' ministry after He left Nazareth. We visit the Ancient Synagogue and Peter's house where Jesus healed his mother-in- law. As a sign of having an inner feeling of how Jesus sailed around Galilee, we take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee to Tiberias. We finally visit the Baptismal site of River Jordan where it flows out to the Sea of Galilee. It is the River where John the Baptist baptized Jesus. Dinner and overnight at hotel. (B,D)

8:30 am – 17:00 pm

After breakfast we begin our program by visiting Nazareth, the childhood home of Jesus, where He studied and worked, forging the theories that would shape the years to come. We have the privilege to visit the Basilica of the Annunciation where Angel Gabriel announced the birth of Jesus to Virgin Mary; and continue to walk to St. Joseph's carpentry workshop. We visit the village of Cana, which has not changed much outwardly since the times when Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding celebration. We visit Mount Carmel, venerated as a sacred spot since ancient times, it was originally a sanctuary of Baal whose prophets Elijah defeated. Dinner and overnight at hotel. (B,D.)

8:30 am – 17:00 pm

After breakfast we descend to visit the Mt. of Ascension; Garden of Gethsemane; and also visit the Church of All Nations. We visit the Pool of Bethesda and the Church of St. Anne. we walk along the 14 Stations of the Cross (Via Dolorosa) - the route Jesus took to Crucifixion. We continue to visit Jericho, believed to be the most ancient city in the world; it is the site of Joshua's first dramatic conquest when the city walls collapsed at the sound of his trumpets [Joshua 4:5-6]. We will board a Cable Car to Mount of Temptation. We will visit Elisha's spring and also See Zacchaeus Tree (Sycamore Tree). We will end our visit at Dead Sea. Dinner and overnight at hotel. (B,D.)

8:30 am – 17:00 pm

After breakfast, we go through Dung Gate to visit the Western (Wailing) Wall (30min of Prayers). We continue to see Dome of the Rock at Mount Moriah (where Isaac was to be sacrificed by Abraham). Then continue to visit Mount Zion where the traditional tomb of King David is found. We also visit the Room of the Last Supper (Upper Room). Visit the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, where Peter denied Jesus (the possible house of Caiaphas). In the afternoon, we will board our bus to Bethlehem to visit Nativity where CHRIST was born. We continue to the Shepherds’ Field (where the Shepherds saw the Star). We visit Boaz field, where Naomi and Ruth settled. Dinner and overnight at hotel. (B,D.)

8:30 am – 17:00 pm

After breakfast, we visit Ein Karem where John the Baptist was born; and also visit Ella Valley where David fought and killed Goliath. We continue to Jaffa (Joppa) in Tel Aviv to visit the site where the whale vomited Jonah. We visit the house of Simon the Tanner as well as the place where Tabitha lived. See a bit of Tel Aviv and arrive in Jerusalem for our hotel. Dinner and overnight at hotel. (B,D.)

After breakfast, is our free day for personal devotion, shopping, packing, etc. In the evening will be Dinner Night and presentation of Awards designed by the group leader. overnight at hotel. (B,D.)

Last day to say lovely bye with little tears to our old friends and newly created ones. We will not forget to say, see you next year.

Today we transfer to the airport. Our guide will assist us with check-in procedures. We arrive home today with wonderful memories of a visit to the Land of the Bible!