Holy Land Plus – Christian 9 Day Package Tour in Israel and Petra

Once you have arrived and collected your bags at Ben Gurion Airport, and make your way to your hotel where you can shower, settle in, and unwind. You are free to explore  the streets and enjoy the sights and sounds of Israel you are about to discover on your 9 day tour. Or you can spend the rest of the day relaxing in the hotel. Get ready for a sensational tour! It begins tomorrow!

Overnight stay in Jerusalem

From the lookout point on the Mount of Olives, you can see the Old City and Temple Mount, the site of the Jewish Temple before its destruction. If you look directly below, you can see the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations tucked in the Kidron Valley. You then head for the Old City, and enter through the Zion Gate, passing through the Armenian Quarter on the way to the Jewish Quarter, where you can explore the Byzantine-era Cardo and main street, and then a stop at the Western Wall –  a place of faith and hope for thousands of years.

Afterwards, you walk through the Via Dolorosa, making your way along the traditional pilgrim route to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, site of Jesus’ crucifixion and his empty tomb from where he was resurrected.

Before leaving the Old City, you can soak in the exciting sights and smells of the lively market, and then depart through the Jaffa Gate for a short tour of the New City. Included is a visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial museum, where you will see authentic artifacts, original documents, photos, and video testimonials of Holocaust survivors.

Overnight stay in Jerusalem

Today our church tour begins on the Mount of Olives, rich in foliage and a fitting site for the Chapel of Ascension, the commemoration site of Jesus’ ascension. You will also visit the Church of the Pater Noster, which stands right next to the ruins of the fourth-century Byzantine Church of Eleona. You continue to the church of Dominus Flevit, just outside the Old City walls, where you will learn about its fascinating history and artifacts. The Church of All Nations and adjacent Garden of Gethsemane, a beautiful, yet agonizing part of Christian history offers another glimpse of the past. You can also easily see the nearby Pool of Bethesda.

Thereafter, you make your way into the Old City, with a stop at the Church of St. Anne and the Convent of the Sisters of Zion. Proceed through the via Dolorosa, the same path Jesus walked on the way to His crucifixion.

Overnight stay in Jerusalem

Today, the tour sweeps you across the magical expanse of the Judean Desert, back through time to the ancient city of Jericho, where the walls came tumbling down and where the sycamore tree of Zaccheus still stands. Following a tour of Jericho, you pass the Mount of Temptation and continue to Qasr al-Yahud, the baptismal site of Jesus.

And then, Bethlehem, with a stop at Manger Square and a visit to the Church of Nativity, the site of the birthplace of Jesus. You proceed to the Church of St. Catherine alongside, and visit its cluster of underground caves holding ancient tombs and shrines. From there, you proceed to Shepherds’ Field Chapel and then back to the hotel.

Overnight stay in Jerusalem

After morning pick-up from Jerusalem, our experienced tour guide takes you south towards the sandy plains of the Judean Desert, and onwards, to sea level. At sea level, you stop to view the wide-open desert vista, while the ancient city of Jericho lies in the distance. Then onwards, even lower, to the lowest place on earth – the Dead Sea! Look out for the Inn of the Good Samaritan on the way!

You continue to the Dead Sea, following the salty shoreline towards Masada, where King Herod built his fortress, and the last Jewish outpost during the Roman era. Ascend to the top of the mountain in the cable car, and after touring the ruins, you head back to the Dead Sea, passing the lush desert oasis of Ein Gedi on the way, as well as Qumran, site of the discovery of the 2,000 year old Dead Sea scrolls.

The rest of the day is spent at the Dead Sea, relaxing on the beach and in its waters, so dense with salt that it keeps you afloat! Spread Dead Sea mud on your skin, which is a natural mask, and soak up the brilliant desert sun.

Overnight stay in Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv is bustling with so many exciting corners to explore, so be sure to fill your day!

The sprawl of beaches is always a popular place to relax, with beach front walks, a wide choice of restaurants, and a bit of sun.

There is no shortage of modern malls and markets, such as the Carmel Market or Jaffa’s flea market.

Or take a trip through history and stroll through old, revamped neighborhoods, such as neve Tzedek, where art and cuisine abound. Visit art galleries and museums, enjoy the quaint sidewalk cafes, and marvel in the historical city Bauhaus architecture.

Visit the old Jaffa port and watch the sun set on the Mediterranean.

Be in touch with us, and we will gladly offer suggestions and help plan your day.

Overnight stay in Tel Aviv

where you will visit the Church of Annunciation and the Church of St. Joseph. You continue on to the famous Sea of Galilee, the waters where Jesus walked! Along the way, you pass the ancient village of Cana, where Jesus turned water into wine, and in the distance, you can make out the Mount of Beatitudes .

At Capernaum on the shore of the Galilee, you tour the Church of the Multiplication in Tabgha, and then, keeping along the shoreline, you make your way past the historical city of Tiberius. The Golan Heights across the water makes for a beautiful backdrop. The tour ends at the Yardenit baptism site on the Jordan River, before heading back for dinner and a good night’s sleep.

Overnight stay in Tel Aviv

Take a short flight from Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv (Terminal 1) to Ramon Airport near Eilat.

The Petra tour begins at the Arava Border Crossing where our representatives will meet you and assist with visa application and entry into Jordan. On the Jordanian side of the border, you will be met by our tour guide and begin the two-hour drive to Petra. The scenery along the way is spectacular.

Petra is an ancient archeological city dating back 2,300 years and was carved out of natural red rock by its inhabitants, the Nabataeans. The intricately carved temples and tombs show the incredible skill and resourcefulness of the Nabateans. Some structures, such as the Treasury and 40-meter high Deir Monastery tower high above you.

The road back from Petra will take you to some magnificent observation points overlooking the Wadi Rum or “Valley of the Moon,” a granite and sandstone desert valley. If time allows, there will be a brief tour of Aqaba, Jordan’s only coastal city and port.

Departure is from Ramon Airport Eilat to Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv.

Overnight stay in Tel Aviv

Use your time to pack and organize your bags. Hotel check out is at 11am. If you have an evening flight, you may leave your luggage at the hotel. Then head into the city for shopping and lunch; revisit a place you particularly enjoyed or simply walk around, breathing in the Jerusalem air and soaking in the atmosphere. We are always available to advise and help plan your last day on the Holy Land.
Depart for the airport filled with special, lasting memories of a meaningful and enjoyable experience.