Journey to the Holy Land

Cost (not including airfare):

$4125.00 per person (double occupancy)

Single Supplement: $1340

Includes:

- Group Airport transfers to/from our accommodations

- Transportation by private deluxe motorcoach (water included onboard)

- Comfortable hotels in excellent locations

- All meals (as indicated in itinerary)

- Expert English-speaking guide

- Entrance fees and speaker fees

- Tips/Gratuities for guide, driver, and hotel staff

- Whisper sound system (to clearly hear the guide's presentation while touring sites)

- Boat Ride Excursion

Does not Include:

-Airfare*

- Incidentals/personal expenses

- Some beverages

- Any passport/visa fees not already indicated in itinerary

- Travel insurance**

- All other services/gratuities not mentioned as included

Optional Jordan Extension:

$1500 per person (double occupancy)

Single Supplement: $425

Extension Includes:

- Transfer including Exit Tax from Israel to Jordan

- Jordan Tourist Visa

- Accommodations and meals (as indicated in the itinerary)

- Deluxe A/C coach with water provided

- Petra Horse Riding and Jeep Excursion

- Entrance fees

- Professional English-speaking guides

Does not Include:

- Tips for guide(s) and driver(s)

- 1 dinner and some beverages

- Incidentals/personal expenses

Trip Notes:

*We can book your airfare for you or you are welcome to book your own. We would like to work with you on your arrival and departure times so that we can best arrange for transfers to and from the airport. All flights arrive & depart from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport.

**Travel Insurance is highly recommended. As a way to help protect your trip experience, Sunlight Tours offers travel insurance options through our trusted travel partner, Yonder. Free quotes and special group rates are available. Please contact us with any questions.

Non-refundable deposit required for this trip: $500

Other payments due: Final payment is due by November 25, 2024. Airfare payments (not included in trip price) due upon booking.

Cash/Check/Credit Cards accepted.

*meals provided listed in ( )

Day 1: Tuesday, February 25

[Depart from Richmond Airport]

Day 2: Wednesday, February 26

[Arrival in Israel ] Arrive in Tel Aviv around 4 pm on Monday afternoon. Be met by our guide at Ben Gurion Airport after customs and baggage claim. Proceed to hotel to check in. Herod’s Hotel in Tel Aviv (D)

Day 3: Thursday, February 27

[Along the Mediterranean Coastline and on to Galilee] This morning we begin with a walking tour of Jaffa. We then depart Tel Aviv heading north along the coast to Caesarea and its Roman antiquities. We continue on to Cana in the Galilee. Stop at Nazareth to view the Basilica of the Annunciation and Church of St. Joseph. Mount of Beatitudes Guesthouse. (B, L, D)

Day 4: Friday, February 28

[The Hills of Galilee and the Cradle of Christianity] After breakfast, board a boat and enjoy a boat ride around the Sea of Galilee. Travel to the Mount of Beatitudes where we celebrate Holy Communion. Lunch at Mount of Beatitudes. Drive to Tabgha and see the traditional site of the "Feeding of the Multitudes". Visit the Church of Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes and Capernaum. Visit Magdala, hometown of Mary Magdalene. Mount of Beatitudes Guesthouse (B, L, D)

Day 5: Saturday, March 1

[Beauty and History] Travel to Caesarea Phillipi, one of the sources of the Jordan River.  Appreciate the beauty of this enchanting spot located in a Nature Reserve at the foot of Mt. Hermon, believed by some denominations to be the site of Jesus’ transfiguration. Mount of Beatitudes Guesthouse (B, L, D)

Day 6: Sunday, March 2

[Bethlehem Tour] Megiddo, Shepherd’s Field, Manger Square and Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. After our journey from up north visiting Megiddo along the way, we spend the rest of the day in and around Bethlehem. We will visit the one of the oldest Christian churches in the world, the Church of the Nativity. We also stop at the area of the caves where the shepherds were visited by the angels. St. George’s Hotel in Jerusalem (B, L, D)

Day 7: Monday, March 3

[In and Around Jerusalem] We begin this day on the Mount of Olives where we follow the Palm Sunday road and end in the Garden of Gethsemane, Next, we go on to the Garden Tomb and then to Mt. Zion.  We also see King David’s tomb, the Room of the Last Supper, the Dormition Abbey, and St. Peter in Gallicantu Church. A visit with Sheikh Ehab. St. George’s Hotel in Jerusalem (B, L, D)

Day 8: Tuesday, March 4

[Kings and Rebels in the Desert of Judah] This morning, we drive east through the Judean Desert to the caves of Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. We also visit the Jericho and Masada, Herod’s fortress of majestic beauty overlooking the Dead Sea. We finish our day with a float in the Dead Sea.St. George’s Hotel in Jerusalem (B, L, D)

Day 9: Wednesday March 5

[Living Stones that Work for Peace] Morning visit Daoud Nasser at Tent of Nations. We will hear about his work to promote peace while working to keep his land. We will share lunch with Daoud. In the afternoon, we will visit Wi’am, the Palestinian conflict resolution center to learn about its work, political socio-economic situation, and how there can be hope for a future of justice, peace and reconciliation. We finish our day at Banksy’s Walled Off Hotel in Bethlehem. St. George’s Hotel in Jerusalem (B, L, D)

Day 10: Thursday, March 6

[Old City Jerusalem] We begin the day with a visit to Al Aqsa Mosque. We then walk to the Western Wall, the Christian Quarter, walk along the Via Dolorosa and the Stations of the Cross to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.  Lunch in the Old City. Worship in the Garden Tomb. Have a conversation with a Jewish Scholar. St. George Hotel’s in Jerusalem (B, L, D)

Day 11: Friday, March 7

[Western Jerusalem] Today, we visit Yad Vashem, the Holocaust museum. We will also visit Ein Karem, where Mary visited her sister Elizabeth before the birth of Jesus. We will also visit the City of David and Hezekiah’s Tunnels, to see what lies under the current city of Jerusalem that can give us clues to its history. St. George’s Hotel in Jerusalem (B, L, D)

Day 12: Saturday, March 8

[Working for Hope] Today we visit the traditional site of Jacob’s Well in Nablus. It is also the site where Jesus encountered the Samaritan woman. We will visit Tomorrow’s Youth Organization in Nablus. TYO provides support for families in the area through early childhood education, after-school tutoring, entrepreneurship training and mental health services. St. George’s Hotel in Jerusalem (B, L, D)

Day 13: Sunday, March 9

[Jordan River, Nablus] Worship at Christmas Lutheran in Bethlehem at 10:30 am. Visit Qasar El Yahud, the place the Israelites crossed the Jordan River on their way to the Holy Land and where John the Baptist baptized Jesus. Farewell dinner. St. George’s Hotel in Jerusalem (B, L, D)

Day 14: Monday, March 10

[Return home]

Flight out for those going home
Transfer to the Jordan border for those going on the extension

All dates and times are subject to change, but we will do our best to make sure you see it all!

*meals provided listed in ( )

Day 1 Monday, March 10: Arrival at Allenby border and cross into Jordan. Visit Madaba "The City of Mosaics" and the city of Christianity, with very impressive Greek Orthodox ruins and churches and dozens of beautiful Mosaics. The Mosaic of the ancient map that shows the Middle East is the most important and the most beautiful. It is located in St. George Church. After Madaba drive onwards to Mt. Nebo, where Moses overlooked the Holy Land. Here we will have the chance to look through Moses’ eyes. We then continue to the ancient Roman city of Jerash. Jerash is known as one of the most well preserved Old Roman cities with impressive colonnaded streets, vaulted terrace, and the ruins of two theatres. Overnight in Amman. (B, L, D)

Day 2 Tuesday, March 11: This morning we leave Amman and drive to Petra. The afternoon will be spent in Petra visiting many of the wonderful sites waiting for you there. Petra is called the lost city in the middle of nowhere with its huge facades carved into the rocks that will take our breath away around each corner. Petra has been featured in Hollywood blockbusters such as “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” and “Transformers 2.” Overnight in Petra. (B, L, D)

Day 3 Wednesday, March 12: This morning, our journey takes us to the Wadi Rum, which is an amazing desert with other-worldly landforms and scenery. Our day includes a jeep ride to see up close the unique features of this natural ecosystem. We will check in to our camp in the Wadi Rum for the night. Plenty of time to watch the sunset over the landforms of the valley. Overnight at Aicha Luxury Camp (B, L, D)

Day 4 Thursday, March 13: This morning, after a late check out, you will depart the camp to head to Amman. In Amman, we will tour the Citadel, a museum dedicated to the rich and long history of the city of Amman. After dinner, the group will be taken to the Amman Airport to wait for the late-night flight home, arriving back in the US on March 14. (B, L)