Grand Holy Land – 11 Day Tour

Enjoy the convenience of a well-planned, dynamic Holy Land tour that will take you to a wide-range of important historical, religious and archaeological sites all around Israel.

With this Holy Land tour package, there’s no need to worry about planning, booking flights and hotels or managing your time—just pack your bags and enjoy the ride.

Highlights

Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Dead Sea, Masada, Caesarea, Megiddo, Haifa Acre, Tiberias, Capernaum, Banias, Timna, Petra Mitzpe Ramon, Sde Boker and Tel Aviv           

Itinerary

Sunday

Ben Gurion Airport and Tel Aviv

Upon your arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport, a tour representative will meet you and accompany you on the transfer to your hotel in Tel Aviv.

Monday

Caesarea, Megiddo, Haifa and Acre
Highlights: Roman ruins, Crusader fortifications, view of Bahai Gardens

The first day of your tour will take you up the Mediterranean coastline of Israel, with stops at some of the most impressive archaeological excavations. 

Your day starts with a scenic drive up the coastal plain to Caesarea, the capital of Judea under the Romans and home to a bevy of impressive ruins from many periods, including a complex of Crusader fortifications and a Roman theatre and aqueduct.

Continuing inland to the north, your next stop is Meggido, the biblical site of Armageddon. Here you’ll tour the various excavations of the ancient city, including the well-preserved water supply system.

From Megiddo, you’ll return to the coast and drive to Haifa for a panoramic view of the Bahai Gardens and Haifa Bay before you conclude your Tour in Acre.

Here, you will tour the ancient city and harbor of the coastal city that has been continuously inhabited since 15^th century BC and was a vibrant center of life during the First Crusade.

From Acre, you’ll drive to your hotel in Kubbutz Lavi.

Tuesday

Tiberias, Capernaum and Banias
Highlights: Church of the Multiplication, Mount of Beatitudes, Banias Springs

In the New Testament, the shores of the Sea of Galilee are renown as the site of some of Jesus’ greatest miracles and sermons

After a short tour of the Israeli city of Tiberias, you’ll take a peaceful boat ride to the Capernaum, the ancient fishing village Jesus used as the center of his ministry. Visit the remains of the synagogue where Jesus taught and healed people.

Just down the road, you’ll visit the authentically restored Church of the Multiplication in Tabgha, the traditional site where Jesus fed 5,000 people with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. The church is particularly famous for its beautiful mosaic floors.

Afterwards, you’ll venture inland to the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus gave his famous Sermon of the mount before you conclude your day with a drive to the Banias Springs and waterfalls for a tour of the Golan Heights.

Wednesday

Beit Shean and Nazareth
Hghlights: Roman ruins, Yardenit, Sea of Galilee, Basilica of the Annunciation, Church of St. Joseph

Get ready for a busy third day as you embark on your final day in the beautiful north of Israel, beginning with a scenic drive to Nazareth via Cana of Galilee, the site of Jesus’ first public miracle.

Nazareth, Jesus’ childhood home, is a center for Christian pilgrimage, where you’ll visit the Basilica of the Annunciation and Church of St. Joseph.

The last stop of your tour will be the archaeologically rich ancient city of Beit Shean, home to some of the most impressive Roman ruins in Israel, as well as other remnants dating back to the ancient Egyptian dynasties and even earlier.

From Beit Shean, you’ll drive 2 hours through the Jordan Valley to your hotel in Jerusalem.

Thursday

Jerusalem—Old City
Highlights: Via Dolorosa, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Temple Mount, Roman Cardo, Church of All Nations, Garden Tomb, Room of the Last Supper

On the fourth day of your tour, you’ll finally delve into the one of the holiest and most majestic spots in the world—the Old City of Jerusalem.

Your morning opens with a drive to the Mount of Olives, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Jerusalem, visit the Church of All Nations and walk to nearby Mt. Zion, site of King David’s tomb and the Room of the Last Supper.

Afterwards, you’ll enter the walls of the Old City, home to the ruins of the Cardo, the authentic shops of the bazaar and some of Judaism and Christianity’s holiest sites. Relive history as you walk in Jesus’ final steps along the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and ascend the Temple mount, site of the ancient Temple of Solomon.

Finally, wrap up your day with a stroll through the Oriental bazaar of the Old City and a visit to the Garden Tomb, the site where some believe Jesus was buried and resurrected.

Friday

Jerusalem—New City and Bethlehem
Highlights: Church of Visitation, Yad Vashem, Israel Museum, Shrine of the Book, Dead Sea Scrolls, Church of the Nativity

Get ready for one of the most eclectic days of your tour, starting with a trip to West Jerusalem’s Ein Kerem neighborhood and the Church of Visitation.

Next, you’ll visit Yad Vashem, Israel’s national memorial to the Holocaust, for an emotional tour through one of the events that shaped history.

The West Jerusalem portion of your tour will wind down at the Israel Museum’s Shrine of the Book, where you can see some of the most important original ancient texts in the world, including the 2,000-year-old Dead Sea Scrolls and the Aleppo Codex.

Finally, you’ll drive 15km south to Bethlehem and conclude your day with a visit to the Church of the Nativity, traditionally considered to mark the birthplace of Jesus.

Saturday

Dead Sea and Masada
Highlights: Qumran, Herod’s Palace, beach

Travel south to explore the archaeological and natural treasures of the Dead Sea region, starting in Qumran.

It was here archaeologists first unearthed the Dead Sea scrolls you saw at the Israel Museum. Touring the excavations, you’ll be able to get an idea of how the writers of the texts lived and see the room where experts think they may have written them.

From Qumran, your tour will take you on a scenic drive along the shores of the Dead Sea, the lowest place on Earth, to the foot of Masada, site of the last Jewish stronghold to fall to the Roman Empire.

After you’ve ascended Masada by cable car, you can explore the food storehouse, sophisticated water system and Herod’s Palace.

Time and weather permitting, your tour bus will take you to the banks of the Dead Sea, where you can bathe and float in its salty, therapeutic waters before returning to your hotel in Jerusalem.

Sunday

Timna and Eilat
Highlights: Solomon’s Pillars, underwater observatory

Travel through the arid, yet beautiful lands of the Negev Desert to Timna National Park.

Here you’ll get to explore copper mines dating back over 7,000 years, see the famous formation of Solomon’s Pillars and marvel at the never ending expanse of multicolored rock formations that characterize this natural treasure.

From Timna, continue to Eilat, Israel’s southernmost city, located on the coast of the Read Sea, for a visit to Eilat’s underwater observatory. Built into the coral reef, it is one of the largest sea aquariums in the world.

Finally, after a long day, you’ll head to your seaside hotel for a well-deserved night of sleep.

Monday

At leisure in Eilat or trip to Petra and Aqaba (additional charge)
Highlights: El Khazneh (“the Treasury), the Royal Tombs, Roman Theatre, the Street of Facades, Qasr al-Bint

For those who need a day to relax and re-energize, enjoy a day soaking in the sun on beaches of Eilat or sampling some of its many first-class restaurants.

However, if feel like you haven’t seen enough yet, sign up for a one-day adventure to Jordan and see one of the most magnificent sights the world has to offer…

Petra, the ancient Nabatean capital carved into the red rocks of Jebel al-Madbah.

Once you’ve crossed the border, you’ll drive through the desert highways of Jordan to Petra, and your driver will drop you off about 700 meter before the main entrance and the Siq, a 1.2 km narrow, winding canyon that leads to the ancient city.

Petra, voted in 2007 as one of the new wonders of the world, is 45 sq. km and known for its massive structures, such as the iconic El Khazneh (“the Treasury), the Royal Tombs, the 7,000-seat Roman Theatre, the Street of Facades, Qasr al-Bint (the palace of Pharaoh’s daughter), as well as the many smaller monuments that dot the city.

There will be many guides offering rides around Petra on horseback, camel, donkey or in a horse-drawn carriage, which you may prefer depending on what level of activity you are looking for, but be aware that they do charge money and everything is subject to negotiation.

Make sure to read our guide to Petra to learn more about touring the Rose City.

After you’ve finished your tour, have lunch at one of the many restaurants around Petra and Wadi Musa before departing for a short visit to the Jordanian port city of Aqaba.

Your tour will transfer you back to the border at approximately 18:00 to return to your hotel in Eilat.

Tuesday

Mitzpe Ramon, Sde Boker and Tel Aviv
Highlights: Makhtesh Ramon (Ramon Crater), Ben Gurion’s Tomb, Bedouin experience, air force museum

On the final day of your guided tour, you’ll make your way back From Eilat to Tel Aviv with stops along the way to show you what Israel’s Negev Desert has to offer.

Your first stop will be in Mitzpe Ramon, where you’ll get the chance to see one of the most impressive natural wonders in the Middle East—Makhtesh Ramon, the largest erosion crater in the world.

Farther north, your tour will take you Sde Boker, the former home of David Ben Gurion, Israel’s first prime minister. From his tomb, you’ll have a magnificent view of the beautiful Zin Valley.

While you’re still in the desert, you can go for a camel ride and visit an authentic Bedouin tent, where you’ll get to learn firsthand about Bedouin hospitality and enjoy a light lunch.

Your last stop is Hatzerim air force base, where you’ll take a tour of Israel’s air force museum and learn about the history of one of Israel’s greatest sources of pride.

Finally, you’ll return to Tel Aviv for one last evening in Israel.

Wednesday

Tel Aviv and Ben Gurion Airport

Bid farewell to the Israel as you enjoy the ride from your hotel in Jerusalem to Ben Gurion International Airport for your flight home.

Additional Tour Information

What’s included

Transfer on arrival and departure (Ben Gurion International Airport), 10 nights accommodation on half board basis, 8 touring days with English-speaking guide, entrance fees to sites on itinerary, light lunch at Bedouin tent (day 10)

What to bring and wear

Comfortable walking shoes, modest dress (no shorts or sleeveless shirts) and head covering for holy sites, sunscreen

Departure

Year-round

Special notes

Tour only available in English, border fees not included, some nationalities are required to apply for a visa in advance to travel to Jordan