Description
Israel & Egypt Tour with Pastor Al Detter - November 2023
“Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.” Psalms 122:2
A journey to the Holy Land! We want to invite you on an unforgettable journey into the Holy Land which is filled with ancient biblical history, culture and spiritual blessings. Visit the places that witnessed the events of such decisive and enduring importance in the history of humanity.
This journey will provide you a deeper understanding of scriptures traveling through the lands of the Bible. You will get a closer look at the life of Jesus Christ and His mission of redemption. When you make this journey in the company of friends and others of like mind, you can look forward to an unforgettable experience.
Picture yourself sailing in a boat like the disciples on the Sea of Galilee (“And Jesus said to them, follow me and I will make you become fishers of men” Mark 1:17), floating in the Dead Sea, seeing our Lord Jesus’ birth place in Bethlehem, walking the streets of Jerusalem and having communion at the empty tomb where Jesus rose from the dead (“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay” Matthew 28:6). At the end of this tour two things will most certainly be changed, you, and your understanding of the Bible.
Join us on this life changing tour.
What's Included
Our tours are all-inclusive. Always.
Videos
Watch the experience
Itinerary
Day by Day
- 1
Thursday
Mt. of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane, Shepherd's Fields, Bethlehem"If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace." (Luke 19:42) Our drive this morning takes us past the Chapel of Ascension and Paternoster to the Mt. of Olives for an orientation view of Jerusalem and the opportunity of a group photograph overlooking Jerusalem. We then walk the traditional Passion walk. We descend to the church known as Dominus Flevit ("Our Lord weeps"). After viewing the Golden Gate, we walk downhill to Gethsemane, where we take time to meditate on the Gospel text and view the Church of All Nations. Enter the Old City and make our way to the Jerusalem Archeological Park where we see the Steps that entered the temple and the Southern Wall. It was here that Jesus would have taught the disciples. See a video that shows the temple as it was at Herod's (or Jesus') time. "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord". (Luke 2:10-11). This afternoon we drive south to one of the possible sites for Shepherds' Fields. We continue into Bethlehem itself, walking through the restored old town to the Church of the Nativity and visiting the manger and see the cave of St. Jerome. We drive back to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.
- 3
Saturday
Jerusalem, Old City“He has risen!” (Mark 16:6) After breakfast we transfer to the Old City where we find the Pools of Bethesda (John 5) and St. Anne’s Church. The church is perfectly preserved from the Crusader period – with remarkable acoustics. Continuing on we see Pilate’s Judgment Hall, the Chapel of Flagellation, Lithostrotos, and the Arch of Ecce Homo (Behold the Man). We then follow the Way of the Cross (Via Dolorosa) through the bazaars as far as the Holy Sepulcher. From there we walk from the Christian Quarter along the Arab Souks through the Cardo Maximo and past the Armenian Quarter. Continuing on to Mount Zion we visit the Upper Room and the Tomb of King David. We board our bus to the Garden Tomb where we will end our day with a special visit and the possibility of having a private communion on the grounds outside the city walls. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
- 4
Sunday
Jerusalem, USAThis morning we arrive back in the USA and transfer to our flight home with unforgettable memories to cherish always. Knowing we have walked in the footsteps of Jesus and the early Christians on such a memorable tour will bring new meaning to our Bible Reading.
- 7
Tuesday
Memphis, Sakkara, Pyramids & SphinxThis morning we drive to Memphis to see The Colossus of Ramses and alabaster Sphinx. When Memphis was the capital of Ancient Egypt, Saqqara served as its necropolis. There we’ll see a burial complex that goes back more than 3,000 years. The step pyramid at Saqqara was designed by Imhotep for King Djoser (c.2667-2648 BC). It is the oldest complete hewn-stone building complex known in history. We’ll also visit the newly opened Imhotep Museum which we’ll see before our lunch break. This afternoon we go to the Giza Plateau to explore the area around the ancient Pyramids, one of the wonders of the ancient world. We’ll even enjoy a camel ride and see the Sphinx up close and personal. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
- 8
Wednesday
Cairo Museum, St. Sergius, Old CairoThis morning we visit the Egyptian Museum with its priceless gems including the tomb of Tutankhamen and other world-famous relics. We will visit the Nile and take a felucca ride before our lunch break. This afternoon we tour Old Cairo, including the principal Coptic church in Cairo, Abu Serga (St Sergius). The crypt dates from the 6th century and is the traditional site where Joseph, Mary and the Christ child rested on their flight into Egypt. We tour Old Cairo, including the Coptic church of "Al-Mu'allaqah", dating from the early fourth century and the Mohamed Ali Mosque. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
- 9
Thursday
Cairo, Suez Canal, St. Catherine'sStarting early from Cairo, we board our bus and drive towards Sinai, crossing over the Suez Canal. We drive through Sinai Peninsula enjoying the desert landscape, retelling the story of the Exodus and the delivery of the Israelites from the Pharaoh of Egypt. From here we head straight to the towering red granite mountains of the high range where both St. Catherine’s monastery and Mt. Sinai are found. Check into our hotel for our evening meal and overnight.
- 10
Friday
St. Catherine's, Taba, AradThose wishing to climb Mount Sinai for the sunrise will meet and depart at 2AM. After walking down, we visit the historic monastery. We drive through Sinai to the Red Sea and turn north to the border of Israel, where we cross and stop at Eilat. Continue to our hotel in Arad where will have the remainder of the afternoon free to relax before dinner and overnight.
- 11
Saturday
Arad, Masada, Jericho, TiberiasTIBERIASThis morning we will drive to Masada. Here we ascend by cable car to the magnificent ruins of the fortress where, from 70 to 73 AD, Jewish defenders made their last stand in the Judean revolt against Rome. We see the remains of storehouses, cisterns and a sixth-century Byzantine church. Continuing alongside the Dead Sea, 1300 ft. below sea level -- the lowest spot on earth -- we stop at Ein Gedi. Here we will have time to walk to the water falls that David would have used while he was fleeing from Saul. This afternoon we proceed to Qumran and the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found.Time permitting we will have a stop at the Dead Sea for those wishing to "swim". Next we travel to Jericho, the world’s oldest city, where we view the lush green Jordan Valley, Elisha’s spring and Qarantal, the Mount of Temptation. Continue on to the River Jordan where we will have the opportunity to be baptized at Qasr el-Yahuda baptismal site before continuing on to our hotel in Tiberias for dinner and overnight
- 12
Sunday
Dan, Caesarea Philippi, Magdala"The Head of all those Kingdoms" (Joshua 11:10) The Sources of the Jordan. This morning our drive takes us to the northern limits of Jesus' travel as we cross the River Hatzbani to Dan. Here we combine a nature walk beside the Upper Jordan with views of the ancient ruins, topped by the Israelite high place that supported a golden calf (I Kings 12). Then a short drive to Banias (Caesarea Philippi), dedicated to Pan the Greek god of pastures, flocks and shepherds; here Peter made his great profession of faith, recognition of Christ Jesus (Matthew 16). Driving along the foot of Mount Hermon, we ascend onto the Golan Plateau for a magnificent view of upper Israel. On our return we will stop at Chorazin and then on to Magdala, one of the oldest synagogues dating back to the first century AD. Home of Mary Magdalena and was the fishing center where Peter would have brought his catch to be sold or processed. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
- 13
Monday
Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, Beit SheanThis morning we enjoy a relaxing boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, landing at Nof Ginosar where we will see the New Testament Boat found below the sea. Continue our morning tour with a visit to Capernaum, Tabgha and the Mount of Beatitudes. In the afternoon we follow the Rift Valley the Rift Valley running parallel to the Jordan, along the route Jesus most frequently traveled to Jerusalem. We visit Bet Shean at the foot of Mt. Gilboa, where King Saul was slain, see the evidences of Egyptian, Roman, and Byzantine occupations, and view the ancient tel, Roman Theater and church mosaics. Our last stop today will be at the Jordan River where we may have the opportunity to be baptized (provided a pastor is traveling on the tour), then return to the hotel in Tiberias for dinner and overnight.
- 14
Tuesday
Caesarea, Jerusalem, Tiberias, NazarethWe are going up to Jerusalem.” (Matt. 20:18). We drive west to Cana of Galilee where Jesus performed his first Miracle, turning water into wine (John 2). Here we will stop for those wishing to renew their wedding vows. We proceed to Nazareth and ascend the Mount of the Precipice at the brow of Nazareth overlooking the Valley of Jezreel, synonymous with Armageddon. We then drive through the valley to the mound of Megiddo, Har Megiddo in Hebrew, which gave its name to Armageddon. We then ascend Mt. Carmel, site of Elijah’s confrontation with the prophets of Baal. From there we drive towards the Mediterranean coast traveling south along the coastal highway to Caesarea by the Sea. We enter Caesarea Maritima to explore this Roman bridgehead to the east, which became the Christian springboard to the west. After the visit to this ancient harbor, we board our bus and we head up the historic Beth Horon road (Joshua 10:10) to the Benjamin Plateau, passing ancient Gibeon and continuing on to Jerusalem. Finally, atop Mt. Scopus, we behold majestic Jerusalem. Check in to our hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
- 15
Wednesday
Shrine of the Book, Yad Vashem, Temple Mount, Western Wall Tunnel, Mt. ZionThis morning we transfer to the Dung Gate, we ascend to the Dome of the Rock and the al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site of Islam, located on the traditional site of the ancient Temple Mount. It is believed that here is where the Temple once stood. Continue to the Western Wall Plaza where we will visit the Kotel Tunnel, taking us down to the foundation of the Second Temple. We will see a model that will demonstrate where we are in location to the Temple in the time of Christ. We exit the Old City at Mt Zion to the grounds of a church called Peter in Gallicantu, which affords the best view of early Jerusalem from the west. (Here, the Assumptions Fathers suggest, was the house where the High Priest Caiaphas interrogated Jesus.). This afternoon we will head to Yad Vashem and see the Museum of the Holocaust. Continue to Shrine of the Book and the model city of Jerusalem at the time of the Second Temple. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
From Pittsburgh