Israel Tourism Consultants

15 Day Tour

Day 1 - MONDAY
Departure from North America or other International gateway to Cairo, Egypt. The Land of the Pharaohs.

Optional pre-arrival extra night in Cairo: With jet-lag and fatigue a possible downside to long flights, we recommend arriving in Cairo one day before your tour starts (Monday arrival instead of Tuesday). This will help you rest, relax, and better adjust to the new time zone, which will help you start fresh when your tour begins. To help you take advantage of an optional extra day in Cairo, we include private transfers from Cairo International airport to your hotel, one night stay at The Ramses Hilton including meals (breakfast and dinner) for $110.00 per person in double room, and $160.00 in single room or select the Barceló Cairo Pyramids including meals (breakfast and dinner) for $80.00 per person in double room, and $120.00 in single room (Oct 01, 2013 to Apr 30, 2014 add $10.00 per person per night). When booking the tour, please advice us whether you would like to book the optional pre-arrival extra day in Cairo, and one of our agents will be happy to confirm the extra day.

Day 2 - TUESDAY
Egypt
Welcome to Egypt, upon arrival into Cairo International Airport you will clear immigration and customs formalities, and met outside customs by our representative for private transfer to your hotel in Cairo for evening at leisure and overnight.

Included:
Transfer from Cairo International Airport to your Hotel in Cairo
Dinner
Your choice of 5 Star Deluxe or 4 Star First Class hotel accommodations

Optional Evening Activity: Pyramids Sound & Light show $ 57.00 Per Person should be reserved before travel.

Day 3 – WEDNESDAY
Pyramid/Sphinx /Enter Inside the Great Pyramid/Camel Ride/Solar Boat/Egyptian Museum/Old and New Cairo/Coptic Cairo/Synagogue of Ben Ezra
After your buffet breakfast meet your Egyptologist guide to start our Where it all Began Tour, and visit one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient World, the three Pyramids of Giza. The oldest and largest of the three is the Cheops Pyramid built 3rd dynasty about 2690 B.C. Next is the Pyramids of Chefren and visit the majestic Great Sphinx, which is the largest single block sculpture located at the foot of the grand Pyramid Chefren. In the area of the Pyramids making for a great picture take an opportunity to ride a camel with the Pyramids in the background. Continue to visit the famous Egyptian Museum, here we shall provide you with a brief, but colorful insight into the five thousand years history of Egypt's fascinating land. Afterwards we visit Old Cairo, and the City’s cultural landmarks that span three millennium of Egyptian history. We begin with Coptic Church, where you will visit the Hanging Church, dating to the late 4th and early 5th century. This basilica was named "Al-Mu'allaqah" because it was built atop the south gate of the Fortress of Babylon. Continue to the Church of St. Sergius, a 5th century Coptic Church. This basilica is built on the cave in which the Holy Family stayed and is regarded by visitors as a source of blessing. As we stroll along, we'll come to the recently restored Synagogue of Ben Ezra - the oldest Jewish synagogue in Egypt built in 882 AC. Next, we'll explore the spices and silks in the medieval bazaar of Khan el-Khalili, one of the biggest bazaars in the Middle East and North Africa’s most famous bazaar. Lunch will be served during the tour at a local restaurant. Return to your hotel in Cairo.
Overnight-  including Full Buffet Breakfast and Dinner.

Included:
Breakfast
Licensed Tour Guide, entrance fees, and attractions
Lunch
Dinner
Your choice of 5 Star Deluxe or 4 Star First Class hotel accommodations

Optional Evening Activity: Nile Cruise Dinner with Show $ 75.00 per person, please reserve before departure. Includes pick-up and drop-off transfers from your hotel.

Day 4 – THURSDAY
Sinai Desert/Morah by the Red Sea/Elim/Rephdsim/Land of Goshen/Mt. Sinai
After breakfast departure by private air-conditioned mini coach or bus to St. Catherine via the tunnel underneath the Suez Cannel to the west branch of the Red Sea, following what is thought to be the route of the Biblical Exodus (Genesis16-18). Our drive through the Sinai Peninsula and the biblical Land of Goshen to the Mount Sinai area (233 miles) takes about 6 hours. Marah by the Red Sea the desert springs along the shore of the Red Sea where the children of Israel found the water bitter. Continue to Alim visit the desert oasis continue to Wadi Feiran (Rephidim), the desert valley where the children of Israel fought against Amalekites. Then to Mount Serbal, the possible site where Moses held his arms up for victory we continue inland heading towards the granite mountain of Mt. Sinai and Wadi El Raha where according to traditions is the area where the Israelites camped and the golden calf was forged (Exodus 32). We will arrive to the hotel near Mt Sinai and St Catherine’s Monastery.
Overnight in St. Catherine at New Morgan Land Hotel-  including Full Buffet Breakfast and Dinner.

Included:
Breakfast
Licensed Tour Guide, entrance fees, and attractions
Dinner
Your choice of 5 Star Deluxe or 4 Star First Class hotel accommodations

The options for hotel accommodation in the remote area of Mt. Sinai are very limited. The hotel used in our Where it all Began Tour is the best available in the area, however not equivalent in standard to other hotels we use along this tour.

Optional night activity: Climb Mt. Sinai. For those who wish to climb Mt. Sinai, please bring warm clothing for the ascent. Ride a camel 2/3 of the way up the Mount. Your tour guide can arrange this at the location for $ 25.00 per person. Climbing Mt. Sinai begins at 2:00 A.M. and return around 9:00 - 9:30 A.M.

Day 5 – FRIDAY
Mt. Sinai to the Red Sea/Mountains of Edom/St Catherine Monastery/Taba Border/Eilat ( Israel) cross to Jordan/Aqaba/Petra
At day break, those who desire and are physically capable, will climb-up Mt. Sinai Jabal Musa (6,900 ft) climb to the summit (750 steps) walking the Footsteps of Moses and enjoy a time of praise and incredible views of the Sinai wilderness, we read from the Book of Genesis God revealed himself to Moses in the Burning Bush and where he received the Ten Commandments. Descending the mountain we return to the hotel to rejoin the rest of the group for Breakfast. Touring the St. Catherine Monastery with its History, constructed at the foot of Mt. Sinai the oldest working Christian Monastery. St. Catherine Monastery was built in (527 and 565 AC) by the Roman Emperor Justinian, and where it’s believed God appeared to Moses in the form of a burning bush. The Greek Orthodox Church building is the oldest continuously used church building in the world. Lunch box will be provided before departure from Mt Sinai to Taba border. Leaving Mt. Sinai area toward the eastern shores of Sinai Peninsula and on the Red Sea north to Taba Border, (Egypt Israel crossing border) After crossing meet our Israeli representative and welcome to Israel. We will take short city tour in Eilat Israel’s southernmost town on the Red Sea. We'll arrive at the Arava Border (Israel Jordan southern border). Cross to Jordan and meet with our Jordanian tour guide, Welcome to Jordan, visit the city and port of Aqaba along the King’ Highway to Wadi Musa then to the ancient city of Petra.
Overnight hotel in Petra-  including Full Buffet Breakfast and Dinner.

Included:
Breakfast
Licensed Tour Guide, entrance fees, and attractions
Lunch box provided by your hotel in Mt. Sinai
Dinner
Your choice of 5 Star Deluxe or 4 Star First Class hotel accommodations

Day 6 – SATURDAY
Full day Visiting the Nabatean City of Petra, Amman
Exploring the Nabatean Treasure City of Petra. A short drive from our hotel lays the entrance to one of the world’s greatest archaeological sites – the 2,000-year old city of Petra, known as the red rock city. It was the ancient capital of the Nabateans from the 3rd century BC to the 2nd century AC. Carved by the Nabataeans out of solid rock, Petra was forgotten for hundreds of years until it was rediscovered in 1812. At the entrance to Petra travelers are offered the option to ride a horse for 800m - from the visitor center to the entrance of the dramatic “Siq” (canyon). From the entrance to the Siq there is a 1,250 meters walk to the 1st monument “The treasury”. Throughout most of the day we will explore Petra’s incredible structures; the treasury, the field of tombs, the obelisks and the altar, and much more. In the late afternoon we will drive north to Amman – Jordan’s capital and largest city.
Overnight in Amman Hotel-  including Full Buffet Breakfast and Dinner.

Included:
Breakfast
Licensed Tour Guide, entrance fees, and attractions
Dinner
Your choice of 5 Star Deluxe or 4 Star First Class hotel accommodations

Border Crossing not Included: Crossing Israel Border tax currently US $28.00 and Jordan exit Boarder to Israel currently - US $14.00 (taxes subject to change without notice).

Day 7 – SUNDAY
Crossing to Israel - Into the Promised Land
Madaba/Mt. Nebo/Cross to Israel/Jericho/Tel Aviv
After breakfast we head to the biblical town of Madaba. The town is best known for its Byzantine and mosaics and for its Greek Orthodox Church of St. George. Here we'll view the earliest original map of the Holy Land. We continue to the biblical Mt. Nebo from which Moses viewed the Promise Land. Mt. Nebo, believed to be the site of the tomb of Moses, commands a spectacular view across the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. We'll drive by Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John the Baptist is purported to have baptized Jesus and cross to Israel via the Allenby Bridge. As we enter into Israel we remember Joshua as he led the children of Israel on this exact path - into the Promised Land. We continue to drive by Jericho and to the Mediterranean Sea to visit the 4,000 years old Port City of Jaffa, and explore the old town of Jaffa and its restored structures, this is the port allowed cedars from Lebanon to arrive for the construction of King Solomon’s Temple. This is also the town where Simon the Tanner lived, and it was here that the Apostle performed a miracle. Finally we arrive in Tel Aviv - Israel’s largest and most modern city. Check in at our hotel and dinner. Free time to rest, relax and enjoy your first evening in Israel. Our Tel Aviv hotel is conveniently located near the shore of the Mediterranean Sea and close to the city center and attractions.
Overnight in Tel Aviv-  including Full Buffet Breakfast and Dinner.

Included:
Breakfast
Licensed Tour Guide, entrance fees, and attractions
Dinner
Your choice of 5 Star Deluxe or 4 Star First Class hotel accommodations

Day 8 – MONDAY
From Tel Aviv/Jaffa to the Sea of Galilee, Mediterranean coast and the Valley of Armageddon
Caesarea / Mt. Carmel / Megiddo / Nazareth/ Sea of Galilee / Tiberias
In the morning visit to the Old Town Jaffa, walk through the narrow passages of Old Jaffa, believed to be the oldest port city in the world, see St. Peter Church and take a spectacular view of Tel Aviv Shoreline from Jaffa Hilltop. St. Peter came to Jaffa (Joppa) from Lydda to raise Tabitha (Dorcas) from The dead (Acts 9: 36. 42 ). While in Jaffa, the apostle stayed at the house of Simon the Tanner. The Church of St. Peter marks the traditional site of Peter’s vision of the Great Sheet. Depart Tel Aviv and drive north along the coastal plain to Caesarea Maritime (Acts 9.30 Acts 10 24-48) which was the center of early Christians, and capital of Judea under the Romans. Visit the excavations of this ancient city, the Roman theatre and aqueduct, here where Paul made his defense before Festus and King Agrippa prior to his final journey to Rome (Acts 25 & 26). We'll stop at Mount Carmel (Muchraka), where Elijah issued his challenge to the False Prophets. We continue and enjoy a breath taking panoramic view of Haifa Bay and the Western Galilee region. Continue to Megiddo (1 Kings 4.28, 9, 15, 2 Kings 23, 29 & Revel. 16.16), identified as the site of Armageddon (Revelation 16), see the remain from Solomon’s days, view the site where the Battle of Armageddon will be fought. Visit the archaeological excavations at Megiddo, including the well preserved water supply system. Continue along the Jezerel Valley to visit the town of Nazareth (Luke 1.26, 4.16-29, Matthew 2.23) we will take a beautiful view from the top of Mt. Precipice, also known as Mount of Precipitation, or Mount of the Leap of the Lord. It's believed to be the site of the rejection of Jesus, described on (Luke 4:29-30), continue to the Church of Annunciation if time permits, we drive to Cana of Galilee where Jesus performed his first public miracle, the turning of water into wine at the wedding feast (John 2.1-11), and the Lower Galilee region to the beautiful Sea of Galilee to the town of Tiberias. The hotels situated right on town’s center and the shores of the Sea of Galilee make it possible to walk along the shores of the Sea of Galilee and explore the town of Tiberias.
Overnight Sea of Galilee-  including Full Buffet Breakfast and Dinner.

Included:
Breakfast
Licensed Tour Guide, entrance fees, and attractions
Dinner
Your choice of 5 Star Deluxe or 4 Star First Class hotel accommodations

Day 9 - TUESDAY
Sea of Galilee, the Upper Galilee and the Golan Heights
Sail on the Sea of Galilee / Jesus Boat /Golan Heights / Upper Galilee / Caesarea Philippi / Yardenit
We begin by boarding a wooden boat and sail on as the disciples did 2000 years ago. We'll dock at Kibbutz Nof Ginosar and visit the “Ancient Jesus Boat" the remains of a 2,000 years old boat that was discovered in 1986. This boat was used at the time of Jesus and his disciples. We will drive to the beautiful Golan Heights. Visit Banias- ancient Ceasarea Philippi (Matt. 16. 13 and Mark 7.27) where Jesus said “On this rock I will build my Church.” Continue to the Hula Valley and the Upper Galilee, returning to the Sea of Galilee with visit to Yardenit- the baptismal site on the Jordan River.
Overnight Sea of Galilee–  including Full Buffet Breakfast and Dinner.

Included:
Breakfast
Licensed Tour Guide, entrance fees, and attractions
Dinner
Your choice of 5 Star Deluxe or 4 Star First Class hotel accommodations

Day 10 – WEDNESDAY
Jesus early Ministry along the Sea of Galilee, Jordan River
Mount of Beatitudes / Tabgha / Capernaum / Beit She'an / Dead Sea
Today will visit early Jesus Ministry around the Sea of Galilee, visiting Mount of Beatitudes (Matt, 5, 6, 7, 8) where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount, see the famous Chapel, constructed in 1939 by the noted architect Antonio Barluzzi and enjoy the view. Visit Tabgha- the site of the Feeding of the 5,000 and Primacy of Peter (Matt, 13, Mark, 33, 45, & John 21), Church of Multiplication with its 4th Century Mosaic floor, Capernaum (Matt, 4.13, 13.54,17.24,Luke 7, Marl 1.2, John 4.46.54) where is believed to have been Jesus' home and the center of his ministry, here we can stand in what is left of the synagogue in which Jesus ministered, and where he preformed many miracles, and it's in Capernaum where Peter’s mother-in-law lived and was healed. Through the Valley of Beit She'an to the ancient city of Beit She'an (Mark 5.20, 7.31), view the archeological site. It was here that after defeating Saul and his sons on Mount Gilboa, the Philistines hanged their bodies on the walls of Beth Shean, continue through the Jordan Valley past the city of Jericho and arrive to the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth. Check in at the hotel located at the shores of the Dead Sea, enjoy optional spa treatments and a massage, float on the salty water of the Dead Sea or enjoy a swim in your hotel pool.
Overnight Dead Sea-  including Full Buffet Breakfast and Dinner.

Included:
Breakfast
Licensed Tour Guide, entrance fees, and attractions
Dinner
Your choice of 5 Star Deluxe or 4 Star First Class hotel accommodations

Day 11 – THURSDAY
Dead Sea, Masada, Ein Gedi, Qumran, Judean Desert, Jerusalem
Today will visit the 1500 feet mountaintop fortress of Masada famous for being the last stronghold of the Jewish rebellion against the Romans. We will ascend to Masada by cable car and discover the first century Synagogue, King Herod’s Bathhouse and other sites atop of Masada, descend and continue to the oasis of Ein Gedi, where David hid in a cave when running from Saul (Samuel 23), it was here that David composed several of his Psalms, next visit to Qumran where a cache of ancient biblical texts the Dead Sea Scroll were discovered in 1947. Continue to the Golden City of Jerusalem, and proceed to a panoramic view of Jerusalem from Mt. Scopus, and take time for prayer. Continue to the hotel conveniently located within walking distance from the Old City Jerusalem.
Overnight Jerusalem- including Full Buffet Breakfast and Dinner.

Included:
Breakfast
Licensed Tour Guide, entrance fees, and attractions
Dinner
Your choice of 5 Star Deluxe or 4 Star First Class hotel accommodations

Day 12 - Friday
Old Jerusalem, Temple Mount in Jesus times, Mount of Olives/Kidron Valley/Garden of Gethsemane/Western Wall tunnels (Kotel Tunnels)/Pool of Bethesda/Church of Holy Sepulcher/Via Dolorosa/Christian Quarter
From the top of Mount of Olives where the Lord ascended into heaven (acts 1) we will have a view across the Kidron Valley to the Eastern Gate where the prince of Peace will enter (Ezekiel 44). We pass by Pater Noster Church and visit Dominus Flevit where "The Lord wept" as he beheld the Holy City. Through Palm Sunday Road proceed down to the Gethsemane where you will see 2,000 year old Olive trees that date back to the time of Christ. Then we continue our Holy Land travel tour to the Western Wall- The holiest site in Judaism and one of the original walls that retained the Temple. We will visit the Western Wall Tunnels running along the base of the Western Wall will lead us through the Second Temple era and reveal the amazing construction of the Temple Mount, water supply and Roman street where our Lord was led to judgment. Continue to St. Anne Church and the Pool of Bethesda. We will walk the stations of the Cross- the Via Dolorosa to visit Judgment Hall of Pilate all the way to Church of the Holy Sepulcher (Matt, 27, 33.57, 28.10). In the afternoon you will enjoy time to shop the colorful bazaars (markets). We'll join the prayer at the Western Wall, return to the Hotel for Shabbat Dinner.
Overnight Jerusalem–  including Full Buffet Breakfast and Dinner.

Included:
Breakfast
Licensed Tour Guide, entrance fees, and attractions
Dinner
Your choice of 5 Star Deluxe or 4 Star First Class hotel accommodations

Day 13 - Saturday
Jerusalem Old and New City
Mt. Zion / Upper Room / King David Tomb/ Jewish Quarter / Ein Kerem / Bethlehem / Church of the Nativty / Shepherd’s Field / Garden Tomb
Drive to Mt. Zion, visit the Upper room (Luke 22), Lord’s Supper, visit King David Tomb, and walk through the Jewish Quarter. Drive through the New City pass the Israel Parliament (Knesset) and continue to Ein Karem, the Birthplace of John the Baptist (Luke 1.39-80), visit Church then Continue to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity (Luke 2: 1-7). Visit the Shepherd’s Field (Luke 2:8-20), where an angel appeared to announce the birth of Jesus. In the afternoon visit the Garden Tomb, to celebrate the resurrection with a time for prayer (Luke 23). Enjoy a evening farewell Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight Jerusalem- including Full Buffet Breakfast and Dinner.

Included:
Breakfast
Licensed Tour Guide, entrance fees, and attractions
Dinner
Your choice of 5 Star Deluxe or 4 Star First Class hotel accommodations

Day 14 - SUNDAY
Enjoy free day in Jerusalem later in the day transfer to Ben Gurion airport according to your flight schedule
After Breakfast, and by 12 noon, Check out from your hotel and store your luggage at the hotel storage room to enjoy free day in Jerusalem. Passengers booked 4 Stars First class hotels ,in Jerusalem the Grand Court hotel within walking distance to the Old City. Passengers booked 5 stars Deluxe hotels, in Jerusalem The Leonardo Plaza hotel within walking distance from the Old City and the center of West Jerusalem.
You can visit again the Holy sites and the colorful bazaars, Ben Yehuda street with shopping stores, restaurant and coffee shops, Mahaneh Yehuda market, with authentic Jerusalem Restaurants, and food markets. Explore on your own the newly renovated ISRAEL MUSEUM and SHRINE OF THE BOOK.
Transfer from the lobby of your hotel to Ben Gurion International Airport 4 hours Prior to flight departure.

Included:
Breakfast
Transfer from your hotel in Jerusalem to Ben Gurion International Airport

Day 15

If your flight departs in the morning you will arrive back in the US the same day of your departure.
If your flight departs in the night you will arrive back to the US the following day of your departure.

The above program can be extended and tailor-made for Groups.

Where it all Began Optional Add-ons

Where it all Began Optional Pre Arrival Tours