Jordan River

Visit the city of Jericho, the most ancient city in the world, the city in the Bible where Joshua and his troops caused the city walls to fall in the Battle of Jericho. See the ancient sycamore tree that features in the Biblical story in the Book of Luke, where Zacchaeus climbs a sycamore tree to see Jesus over the crowds that had come out to greet him as he entered Jericho. Tour Elisha’s Spring, which supplied the city with fresh water over the course of thousands of years. Marvel at the spring, without which people would not have been able to survive in this harsh environment. Travel 2 km from Jericho to the archaeological mound of Tel Jericho, the site of the original Jericho settlement, where archaeologists have uncovered 23 layers from previous settlements in Jericho dating back to 9000 BC. See one of the most fascinating finds, a Neolithic watchtower dated c. 8000 BC. Continue the tour to the Mount of Temptation, where the devil tried to tempt Jesus to forsake God. Go up to the top of the mount by cable car and take in the stunning views, and see the Greek Orthodox Monastery seeming to defy gravity by clinging to the cliffs. Make a stop at Qasr el Yahud, a site on the Jordan River where John baptized Jesus, where the Jordan River has been made accessible to visitors who want to be baptized here., and which may also be where the Israelites crossed the Jordan into the Promised Land. End off a perfect day with a stop to the Dead Sea, to float in the water that is 8.5 times saltier than the ocean; lather skin with mineral-rich Dead Sea mud, and soak up the sun on the beach.

Embark on a comprehensive full-day tour of the West Bank of the Jordan River to discover the rich history behind the region. Depart Tel Aviv at 6:30 AM and then arrive on the West Bank after one hour and meet your guide. Beginning with the ancient baptism site of Qasr el Yahud on the banks of the Jordan River at around 8:00 AM, you'll be able to visit the marble steps leading into the river, said to be the very place where Jesus was baptized. At 8:45, move onto the city of Jericho itself, the oldest city in the world, where you will visit the ruins of ancient Jericho and view the nearby Mount of Temptation in the adjacent hills. Then continue to Ramallah at 10:15 and walk the streets of this modern city and see life in the big city on the West Bank. The tour will head to Manara Square, the thriving commercial district, and visit Yasser Arafat's tomb. Stop for lunch at around 1:00 PM before continuing onto a tour of Bethlehem at around 2:30 PM. In Bethlehem visit to the Nativity Church, and end with a visit to the Separation Wall. Return to your hotel in Tel Aviv at around 6 PM.

Start your day with pickup from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. Visit Nazareth and the impressive Basilica of Annunciation for a tour of the church and the old city of Nazaret. Continue towards the Sea of Galilee and pass Cana, the site of Jesus’s first miracle of turning water into wine. Visit ancient Capernaum, located at the foot of the Mount of Beatitudes and see the Church of Multiplications. Finally, visit Yardenit Baptismal site at the southern tip of the Sea of Galilee, one of the possible sites of Jesus’ baptism. Explore this vibrant site that welcomes hundreds of thousands of pilgrims yearly who flock to the waters of the Jordan river. Return to Tel Aviv or Jerusalem with a suite of unforgettable memories and wonderful impressions.

The tour departs from Tel Aviv in the early morning and travels north along coastal roads with stunning views across the Mediterranean Sea. Pass by the cities of Hertzilya and Natanya before turning inland to travel through the Plain of Armageddon as mentioned in the Book of Revelations. As you continue through the landscapes, keep a look out for Megiddo, the site of an ancient Biblical city, before arriving at the southernmost point of the Sea of Galilee. Enjoy a pit stop to stretch your legs and admire the view that stretches out from Kinneret against the backdrop of Golan Heights. Cross the Jordan River next, at the foot of Golan Heights, and pass through Hamat Gadar as you begin the ascent. Journey through the luscious green countryside until you reach the Shalom Observatory, where you can admire another stunning view of the Sea of Galilee. Travel on to Katzrin where excavations have uncovered a village from the Mishnah and Talmud periods, and learn about the archaeological findings that include a synagogue, houses, and an oil press. As you explore Katzrin, also known as the Capital of the Golan, learn about how since the Middle Bronze Age the location has been occupied by the Romans, Mamluks, Ottomans, and even the French. Visit the Golan Antiquities Museum next, and admire an array of findings from Golan Heights and the archaeological site in Katzrin. Learn about the displays within the museum thanks to informative audiovisual presentations as well as insightful information about Gamla, the historic Second Temple era Jewish city which has also been excavated nearby. Continue onto Mount Bental to see what remains of Syrian fortifications, bunkers, and trenches that were captured by the Israeli’s in the Six Day War of 1967. From here, see how close Syria is as you look down on the city of Kuneitra which has been protected by Canadian UN forces since 1974.

Enjoy a full-day exploring some of the most significant holy sites in Israel on a full-day excursion by coach from Jerusalem. The 12-hour tour sets out from the city early in the morning and drives along the scenic coast via Tel Aviv and the plain of Armageddon to Nazareth. Arrive in Nazareth and visit St. Joseph’s Church and the Church of the Annunciation. The largest Roman Catholic church in the Middle East, the Church of the Annunciation is, according to tradition, the scene of the annunciation of the Virgin Mary. The architect Giovanni Muzio built the striking new basilica in the 1960s. Continue onwards via Kfar Kana to view the Mount of Beatitudes and Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish at Tabgha. Set on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee, you will stop to view the sea, and continue to the nearby ruins of the ancient synagogue of Capernaum. Visit Tiberias on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, considered one of the 4 Holy Cities of Judaism, along with Jerusalem, Hebron and Safed. Drive to the Jordan River at Yardenit, where guest are invited to receive an optional baptismal service. You will return to Jerusalem via a scenic route that takes in views of Mt. Tabor, the site of the transfiguration.

After pickup from hotels in Tel Aviv, Herzliya, Netanya, and Bat Yam, your tour begins with an air-conditioned drive to Nazareth. Hear tales of the city, known as the childhood home of Jesus, and its important role in the Christian faith. See the Church of the Annunciation, where the Angel Gabriel visited the Virgin Mary in Christian scripture, and the Church of St Joseph, believed to stand on the site of Joseph’s carpentry workshop. Continue through the village of Kafer Kana, identified as the site where Jesus transformed water into wine, and arrive at the Sea of Galilee, Israel’s largest freshwater lake. Pass the Church of the Multiplication, and explore Capernaum on the shores of the sea. View the ruins of the synagogue that stood where Jesus taught and see the modern church that sits over St. Peter’s house, where Jesus is believed to have stayed.  Pass through the waterfront city of Tiberias and arrive in Yardenit, a sacred baptism site on the Jordan River. Admire this idyllic spot and enjoy beautiful views of Mt. Tabor, known to Christians as the Mount of Transfiguration, before your tour ends back in Tel Aviv.

After pick–up from Jerusalem at 7:45 AM, head to Bethlehem to explore the city before it becomes bustling with other groups. Discover the birthplace of Jesus and the Church of the Nativity, and the streets of the Old City with a knowledgeable guide. Descending through the Judean Desert, arrive into Jericho and ascend the Mount of Temptation via cable car ($16 entrance fees not included). Finally, enjoy a guided tour at the monastery.

Depart from your hotel in central Jerusalem and travel to Nazareth by air-conditioned bus. Listen to stories about the city, known as the birthplace of Mary and the childhood home of Jesus, and learn about its important place in Christianity. Upon arrival, visit some of Nazareth’s key religious sites. Discover the Church of the Annunciation, where the Angel Gabriel visited the Virgin Mary. See the Church of St Joseph, believed to stand on the site of Joseph’s carpentry workshop. Continue through the village of Kafer Kana, the site where Jesus performed the miracle of turning water into wine, and arrive at the Sea of Galilee. Pass the Church of the Multiplication and explore Capernaum, before continuting to the ruined synagogue where Jesus taught. See the modern church built over St Peter’s house, and pass through Tiberias to arrive at the Yardenit baptism site on the Jordan River. On the return journey, enjoy beautiful views of Mount Tabor, before your tour ends back at your hotel.

Take a day to explore the city of Jericho. Learn the historical significance of this ancient city and its biblical role. Climb the Mount of Temptation by cable car and witness stunning views. Visit the Jordan River and see where Jesus was baptized before ending the day bathing in the Dead Sea. Find yourself amongst a biblical story in the city of Jericho. Learn how the city walls fell in the Battle of Jericho and visit the ancient sycamore tree that Luke climbed for a chance to see Jesus over the crowd. Admire Elisha's Spring, the fresh-water source that has nourished the city for thousands of years. Explore the original Jericho settlement that dates back to 9000 BC and see up-close a Neolithic watchtower. Continue with a cable car ride up the Mount of Temptation, biblically known as the place where the Devil tried to tempt Jesus to forsake God. Admire the Greek Orthodox monastery there, which seems to defy gravity on the precarious cliffs. Arrive at the Jordan River, said to the be the location where John baptized Jesus. Learn of the thousands of visitors seeking baptism in the same place and how it may be where the Israelites crossed into the Promise Land. End a perfect day relaxing at the Dead Sea. Float in the water that has 8.5 times more salt than the ocean. Lather your skin with mineral-rich mud and soak up the sun on the beach before heading back to Jerusalem.

Your first stop on this day of holy discovery is in Nazareth where you will witness the beautiful Church of Annunciation, built on the site where the angel Gabriel appeared before Mary. Adjoining it is the Church of St. Joseph, recalling the carpentry where Jesus and Joseph worked. As your group leaves Nazareth for Kinneret, the Sea of Galilee, you will pass Cana, the site of the first wonder performed by Jesus where he turned water into wine. On the sea front, at the foot of Mount Beatitude, you will have the opportunity to visit both Capernaum, home of Peter, and the Benedictine Church commemorating the miracle of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish. Whilst you continue along the shores of the Sea of Galilee, you will recall how Jesus calmed the stormy waters and walked on them at this very site. With the vista of the Golan Heights in the background, you will travel through modern Tiberia, a city built on the ruins of a former ancient city that was built two thousand years ago in honour of Emperor Tiberius. On the Southern end of the Sea of Galilee, at Yardenit, there may be an opportunity for those so desiring to be baptized in the waters of the Jordan River. On your return journey you will take in the breathtaking views of Mount Tabor, the site of Transfiguration, before arriving back to your starting destination.