Overview

 

Join Pastor David. B. Zellmer on an incredible tour of the Holy Land. In April 2023, we will be traveling to many parts of Israel and Jordan to visit the ancient historical sites we read about in the Bible. Don't miss this life-changing experience to grow your faith as we visit Jerusalem, the Sea of Galilee, and many more as we follow the footsteps of Jesus and his disciples so many years ago. "Jerusalem–built as a city that is bound firmly together. To it the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD." Psalm 122 3-4

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PRICING:

  • $3,890 per person based on double occupancy - space is limited
  • Land arrangements only:  $2,790 (if you wish to book your own flight)
  • Single room supplement: $890
  • Jordan Excursion: $790
  • Deposit: $300 per person with registration to secure space
  • Balance due on or before January 20, 2023
  • Register by mail?  Please enclose a copy of your passport and a deposit of $300.00 per person, made payable to: Elias Tours. Mail to: Elias Tours; 4941 Chalden Ln NE; Marietta, GA. 30066
  • Download the Registration Form

FLIGHT SCHEDULE:

Flight information will be available 3 months before the return date. Please continue to check the itinerary on the website for updated flight information.

* Flight times, flight numbers, equipment, gates, and seats are subject to change. For the most current information check the airline website.

April 14 - 23, 2023 Available on request Holy Land
Inclusions/Exclusions

What is included in the tour

  • Airfare from Sioux Falls, SD. - Other cities available
  • 8 nights in 4-star hotels (Double Occupancy)
  • Breakfast, and Dinner daily 
  • Entrance fee to all sites
  • All ground transportation in a private tour bus

What is NOT included in the tour

  • Gratuities for Guide and Driver
  • Personal Expenses
  • Lunch
  • TRAVEL INSURANCE: Travel Insurance is required and not included in the purchase price. For your convenience, we offer travel insurance through Travelex Insurance Services. For questions, quotes, or to purchase travel insurance, visit Travelex Insurance or call (800) 228-9792 and use the code 26-0057 for Elias Tours.
Itinerary

                                         

                                     DAILY ITINERARY
                                  First Lutheran
Church

                                   April 14 – 23, 2023

 

Day 1 April 14:  Departure from the USA

 Depart from Sioux Falls, SD. for your overnight flight to the Holy Land. Meals will be served on board.

Day 2 April 15: Arrival, Tel Aviv

We arrive at Ben Gurion airport and depart northward to our hotel in Tiberias for dinner and overnight                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Day 3 April 16: Mt. Carmel, Caesarea – Nazareth – Cana – Tiberias

After breakfast, we will travel by private motor coach along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea to Caesarea (included), where the Gentiles first heard the Good News from Peter and were baptized. We’ll see the Roman Amphitheatre and aqueduct. Visit Mount Carmel, Muhraqa the Place of Fire, and consider the contest between the Prophet Elijah and the false prophets of Baal (I Kings 18), discussing the reasons why the Prophet chose that place for the contest, and the lessons we learn from the story. Afterward, we will go to Nazareth where we visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, we will also visit the Church of St. Joseph. We end our day with a visit to Cana of Galilee where Jesus performed his first miracle,  Drive to Tiberias for dinner and overnight.                                                                                                     

Day 4 April 17: Caesarea Philippi – Golan Heights – Mt. Arbel – Valley of Doves – Sea of Galilee.                      We will start our day with a visit to Caesarea Philippi at the sources of the river Jordan where Peter confessed that Jesus is the Messiah, then we would return to the Sea of Galilee via the Golan Heights with a stop overlooking the Road to Damascus. On to Mount Arbel lookout overlooking the ancient road from Nazareth to Galilee with a possible hike on a part of Jesus Trail. We will then carry on to the Valley of the Doves and travel along the ancient road that leads from Nazareth to the Sea of Galilee along the Via Maris. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.

Day 5 April 18: Sea of Galilee – Magdala - Capernaum​ - Mount of Beatitudes​

We will start the day with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, followed by a visit to the Ancient Boar Museum that houses a 2000-year-old fishing boat found buried in mud on the shores of Galilee The boat provides a good example of how fishing boats looked like during the time of Jesus. Then we will visit Magdala, the hometown of Mary Magdalene, and see the 1st-century synagogue, which is the oldest synagogue discovered on the shores of Galilee with a stone-carved replica of the Temple and Menorah. We will then take a short drive to Capernaum, the biblical village and hometown of Jesus. Capernaum is closely associated with Jesus and His ministry as described in the Synoptic Gospels. There we will see the house of the mother-in-law of Peter and an ancient synagogue that dates back to the time of Jesus and where much of His teaching took place. St. Peter’s fish At noon, we will drive to Tabgha on the Sea of Galilee where Jesus fed the crowd of 5,000. We will then visit the site known as “Peter’s Primacy” where Jesus appeared to His disciples for the third time after His Resurrection. Later we will continue to the Mount of Beatitudes, the scene of Jesus’ great Sermon on the Mount. We will enjoy the view of the enchanting gardens and reflect on Jesus’ sermon. We will also have time for prayer and reflection (Worship Service) Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.                                                                                                                    

Day 6 April 19: Jordan Valley - Jacobs Well – Shepherds Field - Bethlehem

After breakfast, we will drive through the Jordan valley, on to Nablus, visit ancient Shechem saddled between Mt Ebal and Mt Gerizim, and visit the ruins of the city dating back to the time of Jacob and Joshua where we see the high place of the city and the city gates. Nearby we visit Jacobs well where Jesus encountered the Samaritan women. Drive to Bethlehem to visit Shepherd's Fields where the angels appeared to the shepherds announcing the birth of Our Lord. These fields are also the setting of the Book of Ruth. After lunch (on your own), we will travel to the Church of the Nativity and view the place where Our Lord was born. check-in at our hotel, dinner, and overnight in Jerusalem.                                                      

Day 7 April 20: Augusta Victoria Hospital, LWF - Mt. of Olives – Mt. Zion

We will start our day with Augusta Victoria to witness the work of the Lutheran World Federation in health and education. Later we will enjoy a panoramic view from the top of Mount of Olives then we continue to the Church of the Ascension and the Church of the Pater Noster, and down to Dominus Flevit and St. Magdalene Church. Pray at the Garden of Gethsemane and visit the Church of All Nations. In the afternoon, we visit. St. Peter in Galicantu where Jesus was denied by St. Peter. Then we will visit the Upper Room, the place of the Last Supper, and King David’s Tomb. Back to our hotel for dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.                                                               

Day 8 April 21: Wadi Qelt ’ST George Monastery” - Baptismal site - Jericho - Qumran - the Dead Sea - Massada                           This morning we depart Bethlehem, traveling along the Judean wilderness where Jesus fasted for 40 days, l along the ancient road passing the good Samaritan inn. Reaching Wadi Qelt we enjoy a view of St George’s Monastery nestled in the wilderness. Carry on along the ancient road reaching Jericho passing along Herod’s Winter Palace where the infamous King died in the year 4 BC and probably was the background setting for the parable of the prodigal son. Prior to visiting Jericho, we head to visit Bet Arabah where John baptized Jesus. The site is also known as the “Place of Crossing”. The Israelites. From Bethabara, we will drive to the city of Jericho. We will see Tel Jericho, the old town of Joshua, and see the excavations of the ancient city, view the Mount of Temptation will also be insight. We will then drive to Qumran and visit the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were accidentally found and the buildings that formed the public canter of the Essenes. Then we will proceed to the Dead Sea where we can enjoy a dip in the relaxing and healing waters of the Dead Sea. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 9 April 22: Temple Mt – Pool of Bethesda –  Via Dolorosa – Holy Sepulcher - Jerusalem

This morning after breakfast, We will walk the Via Dolorosa, the traditional path that Jesus walked from the Antonia Fortress to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher visiting Golgotha and the Empty Tomb. We will visit the Jewish Quarter and go to the Western Wall, a section of the Western retaining wall of the Temple Mount, and Judaism’s holiest site. visit the Temple Mount, where the Jewish temple stood until its destruction in 70 A.D, and see the Dome of the Rock, a possible location of the Holy of Holies. On to visit St Anne’s church and a visit to nearby Pools of Bethesda where the healing at the pool took place. dinner and overnight in Jerusalem                                                             

Day 10 April 23: Departure Tel Aviv to the US

  • Departure checks out and departs our hotel for our return home. We will arrive on the same day.

OPTIONAL POST-TOUR EXCURSION TO JORDAN

Day 10 April 23:   Jordan –  Mt. Nebo - Petra

After breakfast, we will depart to cross the border to Jordan. We visit Mt. Nebo, the place where prophet Mousa (Moses) gazed over the Promised Land before he died. We will visit an old monastery, overlook the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, and parts of the Holy Land. Then we continue to drive towards Petra for a traditional Bedouin Dinner & overnight.

Day 11 April 24: Full day Petra – Amman
After breakfast, we will visit the Site of Petra  2000 years old Nabatean city that was highlighted in the movie “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”. We will walk through the narrow passageway up to the treasury a massive royal tomb carved out of solid rock. Afternoon we have a transfer to Amman for dinner and overnight.

Day 12 April 25:  Amman – Jarash
After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit Jarash, north of the capital Amman. Inhabited since the Bronze Age, it’s known for the ruins of the walled Greco-Roman settlement of Gerasa (one of the cities of Decapolis). These include the 2nd-century Hadrian’s Arch, the Corinthian columns of the Temple of Artemis, and the huge Forum’s oval colonnade.
We then proceed to Amman, We will check into our hotel, have dinner, and overnight in Amman.
Day 13 April 26:  Arrive USA

This morning will have breakfast then transfer to the airport for your flight back to the
The USA.

 

NOTE: The schedule is subject to change, due to various factors, and at your Tour Leaders and Guide’s discretion.