14 Day Israel, Egypt & Jordan

Visiting the Holy Land is a life changing experience. You will never read the scriptures in quite the same way after walking in the footsteps of prophets, apostles, and the Savior. The men and women whose stories have inspired us since childhood come to life in a manner that is remarkable and penetrating. When Jesus walked to Emmaus with two of his disciples they later remarked, “Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” We feel confident you too will feel the power of the Bible’s familiar stories as you experience the sights and sounds of the land that gave to us our shared spiritual heritage. After visiting the lands of the scriptures you will always feel a certain unique homesickness for them and a longing to return.

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
This is a partial list, and subject to change as needed to accomplish everything we can in each area we visit. We will have local guides who will make sure we see the very best in the time we have.

Remember what Dr. Wilcox always says: “The itinerary is final when we get home!”

Day 1: Sat. November 6: Today we fly from our various USA cities to Amman, the capital of Jordan.

Day 2: Sun: November 7: We arrive in Jordan, the ancient land of Moab, home of Ruth. It was here that David sent Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband, to his death. We will head directly south to Petra, the Rose-Red City. Upon arrival we will check into our hotel in Petra.

Day 3: Mon. November 8: This morning we explore Petra, the newly voted “Wonder of the World.” We will walk down the narrow canyon to the breathtaking view of the Treasury, Petra’s most famous landmark. You will have time to visit this fascinating city carved from the cliffs of the canyon and experience some of the best ruins found anywhere in the world. After our tour we travel north to the border with Israel and then on to the Sea of Galilee. We check into our hotel for the next three nights.

Day 4: Tues. November 9: This morning we will also travel to Ein Harod, the spring where Gideon chose his three hundred men before routing the Midianites. Then it is on to the top of Mt Carmel where Elijah had his historic confrontation with the priests of Baal with its dramatic conclusion. We travel on to Nazareth, home of the Savior for thirty years of his life. Our day ends with a sweeping view of the Jezreel Valley from Nazareth dominated by Mt. Tabor where we will discuss the transfiguration of the Savior. Deborah and Barak gathered their forces at Mt Tabor and defeated Sisera’s iron chariots. We will also visit today the Arbel Cliff for a fantastic overview of the Sea of Galilee. Our day would not be complete without a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee where we can discuss Jesus walking on the water and stilling the storm.

Day 5: Wed. November 10: Our journey today takes us north of the Sea of Galilee. We begin by visiting Capernaum where so many wonderful events and teachings of the Savior took place. We then stop at the Mount of Beatitudes where we will ponder the great truths delivered by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. Driving to the far north of Israel we pass the Canaanite city of Hazor on our way to Tel Dan. Here Jeroboam erected a golden calf for the Israelites to worship, marking the beginning of a road that would end with the “lost ten tribes.” The restored walls and gates give us an excellent idea of the fortifications Joshua would have faced as he conquered the land. We will visit Banias, known as Caesarea Philippi in the days of Jesus where he asked his disciples, “Whom do ye say that I am?” Our day ends at Yardenit on the Jordan River where we will reflect on the healing of Naaman by the prophet Elisha.

Day 6: Thurs. November 11: This morning we turn west to the Mediterranean Sea. Our focus shifts now to the Apostles Peter and Paul as we discover Caesarea, Here the Roman centurion, Cornelius, became the first gentile convert to Christianity and Paul related his account of his vision on the road to Damascus to King Agrippa. We will visit the picturesque old Roman aqueduct and let you wade in the Mediterranean Sea. We conclude our visit to Caesarea at the Roman theatre, and hippodrome where chariot races were held. Time permitting we will stop in Netanya where the Presidents of the LDS Church and those who dedicated the Holy Land are honored in a special memorial. We then travel to the new city of Jerusalem and visit the Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea Scrolls are located, and the Model City, a reproduction of Jerusalem at the time of Jesus. The day will end at your hotel in Jerusalem.

Day 7: Fri. November 12:Today we drive a few miles to Bethlehem where we will remember the wondrous account of the Savior’s birth as recorded in Mathew and Luke and retold each Christmas. We will walk through the Church of the Nativity and sing Christmas Carols. We will then drive south for our unique visit at Beit Lehi to experience an archeological dig firsthand. We will stop at the Valley of Elah where David fought Goliath then continue on to the dig. Our visit to Beit Lehi includes beautiful early Christian mosaics, oil presses, a mikvah (a ritual bath) and the recently discovered columbary where doves were raised by the thousands for sacrifice at the Temple. There is also a New Testament period stable which will give you one of the best settings for the birth of the Savior. You can explore a remarkable site few get to visit. This is also the area where Samson roamed and fought his foes, the Philistines. Keep your eyes open for foxes which Samson used to burn the Philistine crops. We will then return to Jerusalem to overnight.

Day 8: Sat. November 13: In Israel, today is the Sabbath. We will start the day with the stunning view of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. We then visit the Jerusalem Center. Today we reach the spiritual pinnacle of our pilgrimage as we retrace the footsteps of our Savior during the last hours of his life and feel the deep appreciation these places create for the sacrifice of the Son of God. We begin on Mt. Zion at the traditional site of the Upper Room where the Last Supper was shared with devoted apostles. We visit St. Peter in Gallicantu, the possible site of the cock’s crowing and the Palace of Caiaphas where Jesus was tried. From there we descend into the Kidron Valley to visit Gethsemane, the Garden of the Savior’s deepest prayers. In the afternoon we will enter the Old City and continue the last hours of the Savior’s life. We will visit The Church of St Anne where the Pools of Bethesda were located. Here Jesus commanded the impotent man to take up his bed and walk. We visit the Convent of the Sisters of Sion, the location of the Antonia Fortress where Pilate tried the Savior. Our highlight day concludes at Golgotha and the Garden Tomb where we will have time to ponder the Resurrection and final triumph of Christ.

Day 9: Sun. November 14: Our attention today is drawn to the Old City of Jerusalem. We will explore the ruins located south of the Temple Mound where you can walk the sidewalks and stairs of Jesus’ time. We will climb the Temple Mount where both Solomon’s and Herod’s temples once stood and where the magnificent Dome of the Rock and Al Aksa Mosques now stand. We will stop at the Western Wall, the most sacred site for the Jewish faith. You can write a prayer on a piece of paper and place it into the cracks of the wall as millions have done before you. We will walk through Hezekiah’s Tunnel, built over 2500 years ago to secure the water supply of Jerusalem during the Assyrian siege. You will need a flashlight for the tunnel. At its end we find the Pool of Siloam where the man born blind washed as instructed by Jesus and came away seeing. This afternoon we drive through the Judean Wilderness to the Dead Sea. The Judean Wilderness was the home of John the Baptist and the place Jesus went to prepare for his ministry and where he was tempted of the Devil. Passing along the shores of the Dead Sea we will make a quick stop for a photo of the Qumran Caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. We will stop at Ein Gedi, the natural springs where David cut off the hem of Saul’s robe while hiding in a cave. You will reach your hotel located on the Dead Sea in time to enjoy an evening swim or should we say “float” in the Dead Sea.

Day 10: Mon. November 15: Rising above the desert floor is Herod the Great’s fortress of Masada which we will visit via cable car this morning. During the Jewish revolt in 70 C.E. Masada’s defenders committed suicide rather than be taken prisoner by the Romans. We will then travel through the wilderness arriving at Eilat, we cross the border with Egypt where we board our private plane for our flight to Luxor. We arrive at our cruise ship for dinner and the beginning of a once-in-a-lifetime cruise on the Nile River.

NILE CRUISE EXTENSION GROUP:
After crossing the border into Egypt’s Sinai, you will go directly to the airport and fly to Aswan where you will board your 5 star luxury cruise ship. The itinerary for the Nile Cruise Extension (Day 11 – Day 16) can be found under OPTIONAL NILE CRUISE EXTENSION.

Day 11: Tues. November 16: Red Sea – Taba Marriott – Cairo
Today we enjoy a well deserved rest at the resort. You can snorkel in the Red Sea which has beautiful coral reefs, sit on the beach, relax by the pools or take a nap. This afternoon you will drive through the Sinai Desert to Cairo where you will overnight in the 5 Star Intercontinental City Stars Hotel.

Day 12: Wed. November 17: Cairo – Pyramids
We will spend the day doing a city tour visiting the Pyramids, built over four thousand years ago and the only remaining wonder of the ancient world. Next to the Pyramids we find the Sphinx. We will visit the papyrus institute where we will learn about this ancient skill and where you can purchase a beautiful example of Egyptian hieroglyphics. This afternoon you will return to your 5 star hotel.

Day 13: Thurs. November 18: Cairo - Airport
Today is a free day to relax, shop and pack for your flight home. Later this evening you will transfer to the airport for your return flight home.

Day 14: Fri. November 19: Fly home
We arrive back in the United States filled with memories of these wonderful lands where the scriptures, the greatest books ever written, were created.

Nile Cruise Extension

We were able to negotiate a fantastic Nile Cruise Extension for less than ½ of what we have had to pay in the past. We highly recommend you take advantage of this opportunity to see and experience more of Egypt. The Nile Cruise Extension includes the following:

•	4 day 3 night Nile River cruise on a 5 star luxury cruise ship
•	All tours, buses, guides, entrance fees off of the ship
•	Two flights inside of Egypt

•	Taba to Aswan
•	Luxor to Cairo

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Partial list of what you will see and experience that is not included with the regular tour: Nile River Cruise, Aswan, Aswan Dam, Edifu, Philae Island, Kom Ombo, Esna, Luxor, Valley of the Kings (tombs of the Pharaoh’s), Karnack Temple, Luxor Temple, Cairo Museum, King Tut’s Treasures, The Citadel and a lot more

Day 10: Mon. November 15: Jerusalem – Taba – – 5 Star Luxury Cruise Ship
After crossing into taba in the early evening, you will fly from Taba to Luxor. You will immediately transfer to your luxury 5 star Nile cruise ship.

Day 11 & 12: Tue & Wed. November 16 & 17: 5 Star Luxury Nile Cruise
Luxor was one of the great capitals of ancient Egypt. We will enjoy a full day of touring, visiting the Valley of the Kings, Medinet Habu, a spectacular funeral temple built for Ramases III, the huge temple complex of Karnak and the beautiful temple of Luxor. We will then set sell up the Nile River toward Aswan. From your cruise ship you will visit Aswan, Aswan Dam, Edifu, Philae Island, Kom Ombo and Esna before arriving into Aswan.

Day 13: Thu. November 18: 5 Star Luxury Nile Cruise – Luxor – Cairo
This morning we will finish our cruise and any sites missed before heading to the airport this evening to fly to Cairo. Upon arrival we will check into our 5 star luxury hotel, Intercontinental City Stars.

Day 14: Fri. November 19: Cairo – Pyramids
We will spend the day touring the important sites around Cairo. Foremost are the Pyramids, built over four thousand years ago and the only remaining wonder of the ancient world. Next to the Pyramids we find the Sphinx. We will visit the papyrus institute where we will learn about this ancient skill and where you can purchase a beautiful example of Egyptian hieroglyphics. We will also visit the Alabaster Mosque and explore the world of the Muslim faith, before retuning to our 5 star hotel.

Day 15: Sat. November 20: Cairo
Today you will have some free time to relax, shop and pack for your flight home. Today will also be one of your highlight days as you visit the famous archeological museum in Cairo which houses the world’s greatest collection of Egyptian artifacts including King Tutankhamen’s treasures. Late this evening we transfer to the airport for your return flight home.

Day 16: Sun. November 21: US & home
We arrive back in the United States filled with memories of these wonderful lands where the scriptures, the greatest books ever written, were created. There will be some free time to explore the Old City and do some shopping before returning to your hotel.