14 day Itinerary to Israel and Eqypt including 4 day Cruise to Luxor

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Day 1 – Sat. - EN ROUTE

Depart the USA. to Tel Aviv, Israel. Enjoy a hot dinner served aboard the airplane.

Day 2 – Sun. - Arrive TEL AVIV

Upon arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport, our representative will meet the group by the luggage carousel and assist us on the way out through customs. You will then be transferred to your Mediterranean Sea side hotel for Dinner and overnight.

Day 3 – Mon. - To the GALILEE

We will wake up to the first day of the Holy Land. After a rich, Israeli breakfast, we will leave the hotel and drive north along the famous highway, biblically known as the 'way of the sea'.

We will arrive at Caesarea, where we will explore the ruins of the Roman and the Crusader City. We will see the reconstructed Roman city, the walls from the times of the Crusaders and the prison where St. Paul was held in captivity before being sent to Rome. This was also the place where the first gentile was converted to Christianity.

As we leave the beautiful walls and moat, we will pass the remains of the Roman horse racing theater the Hippodrome. We will stop at the amazing remains of the Roman Aqueduct, which has been beautifully preserved under the sand dunes for 2000 years.

We will continue to Mount Carmel and visit the Mukhraka the site where the Prophet Elijah debated the 450 prophets of Baal. From here there is a breathtaking view over the whole Valley of Jezreel, better known as the Valley of Armageddon.

After a complimentary Falafel lunch at a Druze village, we continue to the famous "Tel Megiddo", the archaeological mound, which inspired James Michener's book, "The Source". Here we can see the remains of King Solomon's Stables, an altar from the time of Abraham (4000 years old), and the magnificent water tunnel. We continue across the Valley to view Mount Tabor the site of the 'Transfiguration'. We arrive in azareth where we visit the azareth Village.

Continue to Tiberias. On the way we pass Cana of Galilee, the village where Jesus performed his first miracle - the miracle at the wedding. Arrival at our hotel on the shores of the beautiful Sea of Galilee for dinner and overnight. In the evening we stroll the streets of Tiberias.

Day 4 – Tue. - GALILEE

Wake up to a beautiful morning in the area where Jesus spent three years of his ministry. Today we will dedicate our time to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. After breakfast, we will drive north through the Golan Heights to Caesarea Philipi and the Banias, one of the water resources of the Jordan River.

Continue back to the Sea of Galilee to visit Capernaum, 'the Town of Jesus', walk along the ruins of this Biblical Village, and see the Synagogue where Jesus preached and the house of Peter's mother-in-law. Drive up to the Mount of the Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. Visit the beautiful mosaic floor at Tabgha - the site of the miracle of the multiplication. We will visit a 2000 years old fisherman boat – The Jesus Boat and sail in a boat across the Sea of Galilee, and then have the famous St. Peter's fish for lunch in a restaurant on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.

We finish the day with a Baptismal service at Yardenit for whoever chooses to do it. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.

Day 5 – Wed. - GALILEE to JERUSALEM

Today, after breakfast, we will drive south to Beit Sheaan, the largest Archeological site in Israel. We will explore the ancient Roman City with the Amphitheater and reconstructed streets. We continue to Gideon Springs, where Joshua chose the 300 men to fight the Midienites and the Amalekites.

We will drive south along the Jordan Valley to visit Jericho (visiting Jericho depends on the security conditions) and to view Mount of Temptation. We will also visit with the local the Palestinian. Afterwards we start ascending to Jerusalem. At the entrance to the Holy City we will celebrate with a traditional blessing, while overlooking the walls of the City of the Lord. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 6 – Thu. - JERUSALEM and BETHLEHEM

Today will be one of spiritual uplifting. We will begin the morning after breakfast, with a magnificent view of the Old City from the Mount of Olives.

We will drive down to the Kidron Valley and enter the Garden of Gethsemane, the Church of All ations where we can view the Basilica of Agony and we will have a short Communion Service at the Garden Tomb.

In this area are the oldest Olive trees in the Holy Land, dating back to ancient times - a living witness to Jesus' arrest by the Romans.

We continue along the Kidron Valley, viewing the Tomb of Zachariah as well as the Tomb of Absalom - King David's son.

We will enter the Old City via the Dung Gate, then proceed to the Wailing Wall - the remnant of Solomon's Temple and the holiest Jewish site - and touch its ancient stones.

If possible, we will ascend the Temple Mount, where we will view the Dome of the Rock.

We will continue to the famous Tunnels from the Hasmonai era and out to the Via Dolorosa and the Arab Market - the Shuk, with its hundreds of stores selling many types of artifacts. We will also visit the Holy Sepulchre - the largest Church in Jerusalem.

On to the Jewish Quarter, where we will see the renovated Cardo and its excavations. In the evening we will walk and shop in the famous pedestrian street Ben Yehuda Street. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem

Day 7 – Fri. - Jerusalem

We will start the morning, after breakfast, by visiting Yad Vashem - the Holocaust Memorial. Then we continue to the Israel Museum and the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea Scrolls can be seen.

The afternoon will be dedicated to visiting the birth place of Jesus – Bethlehem (should conditions allow it). We will visit the Church of Nativity and the Shepherds Fields. Back to Jerusalem and on to eot Kedumim – the biblical gardens, for a special Farewell Biblical Dinner. Overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 8 – Sat. – JERUSALEM to the DEAD SEA

Today, after breakfast, we will drive through the Qumran Caves area, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found and on to the lowest place on earth - the Dead Sea. 1300 feet below sea level, the Dead Sea is the saltiest body of water in the world.

Our hotel is by the Dead Sea shores, where we will swim, or to be more exact float on this amazing sea. A non-swimmers paradise. Dinner and Overnight at our hotel in the Dead Sea.

Day 9 – Sun. – DEAD SEA - MASADA

After breakfast we will visit Masada - the site of the Zealots last stand against the Romans, which was originally built as a magnificent palace for Herod the Great. At this great fortress we will visit the bathhouse, the storage rooms, the mosaics and the Byzantine Church. After descending by walking along the Ramp built by the Romans, we will drive to a Bedouin camp and enjoy a special visit with Middle Eastern hospitality.

Continue to Arad and on to Beer Sheva, the "Capital" of the Negev. This is the city where Abraham dug the seven water wells. We will view Tel Arad, the Canaanite city conquered by Joshua. Return to the Dead Sea for dinner and overnight.

Day 10 – Mon. – DEAD SEA to ST. CATHERINE in SINAI, EGYPT

After breakfast, drive south to the resort city of Eilat on the shores of the Red Sea and on to the border with Egypt. After passport control and border crossing formalities, board a bus and drive south along the Red Sea Shores and to St. Catherine Monastery located at the foot of Mt. Sinai. Visit the monastery and see the traditional “Burning Bush”. Check in to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 11 – Tue. – MT. SINAI to CAIRO

Early morning, before sunrise, climb about 3000 steps to the top of Mt. Sinai, which is the traditional place where God gave the Torah to the Israelites. Viewing the sunrise from top of this tallest mountain is an inspiring experience. On the mountain top there are two ancient buildings, a church and a mosque and the view of the Sinai Desert is breathtaking.

Descend the mountain for breakfast at the hotel and drive trough the Sinai Desert to the Suez Canal. Cross the canal and continue west to Cairo. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Cairo.

Day 12 – Wed. - CAIRO

Drive along one of the River ile canals in a picturesque area to Memphis, the capital of the Old Kingdom.

View the colossal reclining statue of Ramses II, the Alabaster Sphinx and the ruins of the Temple of Ptah, where the Apis Bulls were worshipped.

Proceed to the Necropolis of Sakkara to view the Step Pyramid of Zoser, the Scrapeum, the Tomb of Ptah-Hotep and the chamber of Ounas with its’ richly inscribed walls.

We continue with a visit to one of the seven wonders of the ancient world - the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx.

The great Cheops Pyramid - 479 feet high, Khefren Pyramid at 470 feet high and Mycerinus Pyramid at 217 feet high. All towering over the silent and cryptic denizen of the desert - the wondrous Sphinx.

In the evening take a short cruise on the River ile with dinner and entertainment aboard the ship. Return to Cairo hotel for overnight.

Day 13 – Thu. - CAIRO

In the morning, visit the Egyptian Museum, filled with thousands of Pharaonic artifacts, including the fabulous treasures of Tutankhamen.

Drive through central Cairo around the bustling squares.

Cross Abuel-Ela Bridge to Zamalek on Gezira Island, the location of the famous sporting club, Cairo Tower and the new Opera House.

We will tour the Citadel, the medieval fortress of Salah El Din and the location of the beautiful Alabaster Mosque of Mohammed Ali.

On to the Sultan Hassan Mosque, built between 1356 and 1360, one of the largest in the world.

Directly opposite to it is the Mosque of Rifai, where members of the ex-Iranian royal family are entombed, including the Shah of Iran.

Roam through the ancient twisting passages of the Khan El Khalil - Cairo's famous bazaar, filled with small shops and factories, selling all kinds of crafts and goods.

If you do not take the Nile Cruise, late transfer to the airport for your flight back home. Other travelers will stay overnight in Cairo.

Day 14 – Fri. – BACK HOME

NILE CRUISE EXTENSION FOR MINIMUM 10 PEOPLE
3 Nights / 4 Days, Aswan - Luxor

Day 14 – Fri. - Embarkation before Lunch at Noon

13:00 Lunch on board
14:00 Visit the Temple of Philae & You’ll then take a felucca (boat) ride past Elephantine Island, on which lies the frontier fortress of Egypt. The island takes its name from the dark granite rocks at its southern end, which resemble a herd of elephants bathing on the river. Also view the mausoleum of Agha Khan, which perched on a hill affording panoramic views
18:00 Return to Boat.
20:00 Dinner on board
21:00 A Chance to go see the spectacular sound & Light Show at the Temple of Philae (optional)
Overnight in Aswan

Day 15 – Sat.

05:30 Sail to Kom Ombo
08:00 Breakfast on board
09:00 Visit the Temple shared by two gods Sobek and Haeroris in Kom Ombo, built during the Greco-Roman period. The temple is noted for its twin deities, Sobek and Horus.
10:30 Sail to Edfu
13:00 Lunch on board
15:00 Visit Horus temple in Edfu. Built nearly 2,000 years ago, this amazingly well-preserved temple is a perfect example of the architecture of its era
17:30 Sail to Esna
17:30 Afternoon Tea
20:00 Dinner on board
21:30 Egyptian Galabeya Party
Overnight in Esna

Day 16 – Sun.

04:30 Sail to Luxor
07:00 Breakfast on board
08:00 Your tour director/Egyptologist leads you to the secluded Valley of the Kings, a series of tombs hidden in the Theban Hills. This “Place of Truth,” as the ancient Egyptians called it, is the location of the tombs of Pharaohs Turankhamun and Ramses. You’ll enter the tombs for a tour. Then visit and tour the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, devoted to one of the few female pharaohs. Also view the 64-foot-high Colossi of Memnon.
13:30 Lunch on board
17:00 Afternoon Tea
19:30 Dinner on board
21:30 Belly Dance Show
Overnight in Luxor

Day 17 – Mon.

07:00 Breakfast on board
08:30 Disembarkation - Explore the painstakingly excavated Temples of Karnak and Luxor, once connected by an avenue of sphinxes. Your tour director/Egyptologist takes you inside the temples for guided tours. Late evening transfer to Cairo to connect with your flight back to the USA Arrive back home