Holy Land Study Excavation - Itinerary
Excavate at an active dig site, working alongside other volunteers and archaeologists as you literally uncover history. The cultural and historical understanding of the Holy Land is ever increasing thanks to the work done at sites such as this. Spend these nights at Kibbutz Nof Ginosar, located on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee. The 1st century “Jesus boat,” which was discovered in 1986 partially buried in the muddy shores of the Sea of Galilee, has been painstakingly preserved and is on display at the kibbutz.
Appreciate the work done at other excavation sites, such as Tel Dan, which marked the northern limit of Israel; Bet She’an, Israel’s largest active archaeological dig site and one of the cities of the decapolis; and Masada, where Jewish defenders made the last stand of the Judean revolt against the Romans. Also experience sites of Christian importance: Jesus’ birthplace of Bethlehem, boyhood hometown of Nazareth, and sites around the Sea of Galilee where he taught, ministered, and healed. In Jerusalem, explore the Old City and follow the Via Dolorosa, and rejoice at an inspiring communion service near the Garden Tomb.
The sequence of touring and days may be altered to adjust to religious holidays, special closings of sites, air schedule changes, etc. Hotels listed subject to availability. Meal inclusions may vary by departure.
DAY 1, USA/TEL AVIV
Departure from the USA on our transatlantic jet to Tel Aviv. Dinner will be served aboard. (meals aloft)
DAY 2,TEL AVIV/TIBERIAS
Arrive in Tel Aviv and transfer to Tiberias and the Kibbutz Nof Ginosar for dinner and overnight. (meals aloft,D)
DAYS 3-7, EXCAVATION AT TEL BETHSAIDA (B,L,D daily)
DAY 8, CAESAREA PHILIPPI/TEL DAN/SEA OF GALILEE/CAPERNAUM/GADARA
After a visit to the Mount of Beatitudes, we travel north to the foothills of Mt. Hermon and Banias (Caesarea Philippi), where Jesus said, “I will build my church...” We travel northward to Old Testament Dan, which marked the northern limit of the land of Israel. Here we see a mud-brick gate from the Bronze Age - the time of Abraham, the cultic high place attributed to kings Jeroboam and Ahab, and a recently uncovered inscription mentioning King David. We return via Hazor to Tabgha, the traditional site of the multiplication of loaves and fishes and Magdala, home of Mary Magdalene. After a memorable boatride on the Sea of Galilee (stopping halfway across for an inspirational service), we visit the ruins of ancient Capernaum where the greater part of Jesus’ ministry of teaching and healing took place. We see the ancient synagogue and the excavations of Peter’s house. Proceeding around the Sea of Galilee, we stop at a baptismal site on the River Jordan before returning to Tiberias for overnight. (B,L,D)
DAY 9, NAZARETH/BET SHE'AN/JERICHO/QUMRAN/DEAD SEA
Today we visit Nazareth, site of the boyhood of Jesus, for a visit to Mary’s Well and the Baptist Church. Then we travel to Bet She'an, Israel's largest active archaeological dig site, and see the second-century Roman theater. It is one of the largest and best preserved ancient theaters in the Middle East. We continue south past Old Testament Jericho, the old Canaanite city brought down by Joshua, and see the Mount of Temptation. Then to Qumran and the possible settlement of the first-century sect known as the Essenes, the authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls. From here we travel on to our destination for the evening, the Kibbutz Ein Gedi along the northern shore of the Dead Sea, for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
DAY 10, MASADA/TEL ARAD/VALLEY OF ELAH
We begin this morning at Masada, where we will ascend by way of cable car to the top of this wilderness mountain, to the fortress built by King Herod. Here we survey the ruins of the fortifications, waterworks, synagogue, temples and palaces. We then travel to Tel Arad, a Canaanite city and Israelite citadel in the Negev of strategic importance due to its location along ancient roads. From here we travel through Beersheba, which was the southernmost city in Israel in biblical times, and the Valley of Elah, where David defeated Goliath, before continuing to Jerusalem and the Ariel Hotel for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
DAY 11, MT. OF OLIVES/GETHSEMANE/OLD CITY/BETHLEHEM
We travel past the Hebrew University as we go to the Mount of Olives to visit the Chapel of the Ascension. We walk down the traditional "Palm Sunday Walk" where Christ made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, stopping at several churches and gardens and continuing to the Garden of Gethsemane with its ancient olive trees and the Church of All Nations. We enter the Old City to follow the Via Dolorosa, seeing Pilate's Judgment Hall, where Christ was imprisoned. We visit the Pool of Bethesda and then exit the Old City through St. Stephen's Gate. We also visit Caiaphas' palace, where Jesus was first brought before the high priest. This afternoon, we travel to Bethlehem (political situation permitting) and the Church of the Nativity, built over the site of the birth of Christ. We drive by the Field of Shepherds, where the angel announced the birth of Jesus to shepherds, and then return to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
DAY 12, MOUNT ZION/OLD CITY/DEAD SEA SCROLLS MUSEUM/GARDEN TOMB
We visit Mount Zion, including the Room of the Last Supper and the tomb of King David. In the Jewish Quarter we see the Herodian Mansions built in the first century for the Second Temple's high priests, and the Cardo, Jerusalem's main thoroughfare during Roman and Byzantine times. We visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and then have some time to shop in the Old City. At the Temple area on Mount Moriah we visit the Western Wall. We then visit the Davidson Center, part of the Archaeological Park located at the foot of the southern wall of the Temple Mount. The Center presents the 5,000-year-old history of Jerusalem through archaeological exhibits and audio-visual presentations. Especially noteworthy is the virtual reality reconstruction of the Temple Mount allowing visitors to enjoy a "real-time" tour of the area. We travel to the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament building and then visit the Israeli Museum and Shrine of the Book (which houses the original Dead Sea Scrolls). Then we end our day at Gordon's Calvary and the Garden Tomb where in an inspiring service we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. (B,L,D)
DAY 13, MEGIDDO/CAESAREA/TEL AVIV
We depart Jerusalem and travel to Megiddo, the Biblical Armageddon, where we see the ruins, Ahab’s stables, the Tower and the famous water system. We then tour the coastal city ruins of Caesarea, ancient capital of Roman Palestine, where Paul was imprisoned, and see the theater, aqueduct, and Crusader fortress. We continue to Tel Aviv and check in to the Grand Beach Hotel where we have dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
DAY 14, TEL AVIV/USA
Today is at leisure for relaxing and spending time on the beach. This evening we transfer to the airport and board our return flight to the States. (B,L, meals aloft)
DAY 15, USA
We arrive in the USA early this morning and continue back to Kansas City. (meals aloft)
