The Holy Land, Mount Nebo and Petra
Thirteen days from the coast and the Sea of Galilee across the Jordan to Jerash, Mount Nebo and Petra, then back through Eilat and Masada to Jerusalem.
Churches traveling with us now. Each group travels on its own dates and its own version of the route.
We start on the coast and spend three nights by the Sea of Galilee, then cross into Jordan in the north and travel south past Mount Nebo and the Dead Sea to Petra. We come back into Israel at Eilat and go north through the desert to Masada and up to Jerusalem.
Up the coast to Galilee, across the border into Jordan, south to Petra, and back through Eilat and Masada to Jerusalem.
From the Sea of Galilee north to Caesarea Philippi, and from Jerusalem to the airport for the flight home.
One night in Herzliya, three by the Sea of Galilee, one at the Dead Sea, one near Petra, one in Eilat and four in Jerusalem.
Days 2 to 5
Caesarea, Carmel and Nazareth, then three nights by the Sea of Galilee.
Caesarea, Nazareth, Capernaum, Caesarea Philippi
Day 6
Across the border to the Decapolis city of Jerash, the view from Mount Nebo, and a night at the Dead Sea.
Jerash, Mount Nebo, Dead Sea
Days 7 & 8
A full day in Petra and a night at a Bedouin camp, then back into Israel at the Red Sea.
Petra, Eilat
Days 9 to 12
Masada, Ein Gedi and Qumran on the way up, then four nights in Jerusalem.
Masada, Qumran, Jerusalem
The sites on our standard thirteen-day route, with the passages your group will read there.
Thirteen days, day by day. Every group’s version is built around its own dates, its own pace and the places that matter most to its people.
Passports. Israel and Jordan require a passport valid for at least six months. U.S. citizens need an approved ETA-IL before flying to Israel, and the Jordan visa is included.
Days 1 to 3
Day 1
Our journey begins as we depart the United States for our overnight flight to Israel.
Day 2
We arrive at Ben Gurion Airport, where our guide and driver meet the group, and transfer to our hotel by the Mediterranean.
Dinner and overnight in Herzliya.
Day 3
We pass through Jaffa, where Peter saw his vision on the roof of Simon the Tanner’s house, and follow the coast to Caesarea Maritima, where the Gentiles first heard the Gospel from Peter. On Mount Carmel we read of Elijah and the prophets of Baal, then cross the Jezreel Valley to Tel Megiddo. In Nazareth we visit Nazareth Village and climb the Mount of Precipice.
Dinner and overnight by the Sea of Galilee for three nights.
Days 4 & 5
Day 4
From Mount Arbel we look out over the Sea of Galilee, then visit Tabgha, the traditional site of the feeding of the five thousand, and Capernaum, the base of Jesus’ ministry and the site of Peter’s home. At Magdala we see the first-century synagogue, then the 2,000-year-old boat at Ginosar, before sailing on the Sea of Galilee ourselves.
A St. Peter’s fish dinner and overnight by the Sea of Galilee.
Day 5
North to Tel Dan and Caesarea Philippi, where Peter declared Jesus to be the Christ. On the way back we stop at Chorazin and the Mount of Beatitudes, and end the day at the Yardenit baptismal site on the Jordan River, with an opportunity to be baptized.
Dinner and overnight by the Sea of Galilee.
Days 6 to 8
Day 6
We cross into Jordan at the northern border and meet our Jordanian guide. At Jerash, the Decapolis city of Gerasa, we walk through Hadrian’s Arch to the Oval Forum, the theaters and the colonnaded street. From Mount Nebo we look out over the Promised Land as Moses did, then drive down to the Dead Sea to float at the lowest point on earth.
Dinner and overnight at the Dead Sea, Jordan.
Day 7
South to Petra, the rose-red city of the Nabateans. We walk through the Siq to the Treasury and on through the city to the Royal Tombs, the theater and the colonnaded street, with free time to climb to the Monastery.
Dinner and overnight at a Bedouin camp near Petra.
Day 8
We cross back into Israel near Eilat and visit a full-size model of the Tabernacle in the desert, built to the plan given to Moses. In the afternoon we take a boat ride on the Red Sea, and the rest of the day is free.
Dinner and overnight in Eilat.
Day 9
Day 9
North through the Arava to Masada, where we go up by cable car to Herod’s palace and the last stand of the Zealots against Rome. At Ein Gedi, where David hid from Saul, we walk to the waterfall, then see the caves at Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, before going up to Jerusalem.
Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem for four nights.
Days 10 to 13
Day 10
We begin at the Western Wall and walk the tunnels along the Temple Mount, then visit the Pool of Bethesda and St. Anne’s Church. We walk through the Jewish Quarter to the Upper Room, and at the Israel Museum see the model of first-century Jerusalem and the Shrine of the Book, home of the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 11
From the top of the Mount of Olives we look across to the Old City and the Eastern Gate. In the City of David we walk through Hezekiah’s Tunnel to the Pool of Siloam, then visit the Southern Steps, where the people went up to the Temple. In the afternoon we visit the Shepherds’ Field.
Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 12
We start in the Garden of Gethsemane among its ancient olive trees, then visit the House of Caiaphas and walk the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Outside the Damascus Gate we see Golgotha and end at the Garden Tomb, with communion and worship.
Farewell dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 13
After breakfast we transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for the flight home.
Tell us the window you have in mind and we will build the itinerary around it: the time you have, and the places that matter most to your people.
Every inclusion can be tailored to your group.
Not included unless added to your package: travel insurance, lunches, personal expenses, and the cost of meeting any national entry requirements, such as a passport or the ETA-IL.
Our group leader support team guides you every step of the way, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Eastern, at (877) 234-3002 or groups@christianexpedition.com.
Our 24/7 travel emergency team is there for travelers who are abroad and facing a travel-related emergency, at (877) 234-3002 ext. 9.
Start from our standard route, put Jordan at the end of the trip instead of the middle, or add Wadi Rum, and we shape the days, the pace and the sites around your people.
“Our church has absolutely enjoyed every aspect of planning travel with Christian Expedition! Their team makes the process of taking our church to see incredible locations from the Bible easy and stress free!”
Pastor Josh LuechtCalvary Chapel Palm City
“Trey and his team have done a fabulous job organizing, managing and overseeing our trips to Israel and Greece.”
Pastor Jim GallagherSenior Pastor, Calvary Chapel Vero Beach
U.S. citizens do not need a visa for Israel, but they do need an approved ETA-IL, an online travel authorization, before flying. For Jordan, the visa and border fees are included and arranged for the group at the crossing. Both countries require a passport valid for at least six months. Passport and entry requirements remain the responsibility of each traveler.
By land, with the group. We cross into Jordan at the northern Sheikh Hussein crossing after our days in Galilee, and back into Israel at the southern crossing near Eilat. Our Jordanian guide and driver meet the group at the border.
Yes. Some groups travel the full Israel route and add two or three days in Jordan at the end for Petra, Mount Nebo or Wadi Rum. Others go into Jordan in the middle of the trip, as on this page. Both work, and we will price whichever suits your group. See our Israel route for the Israel-only version.
Yes. Every expedition is built for one group, on that group’s dates. The thirteen-day route on this page is our standard, and groups often shorten the Jordan days, add Wadi Rum, or spend an extra day in Jerusalem.
A good deal, especially at Petra, Jerash, Masada and in the Old City of Jerusalem, on uneven stone paths and some steps. At Petra the walk through the Siq to the Treasury is about a mile each way. Comfortable shoes, a hat and water make each day easier, and our guides set the pace for the group.
Travel insurance, lunches, personal expenses, and the cost of meeting any national entry requirements, such as a passport or the ETA-IL. Anything not listed as included can be quoted for your group on request.
Tell us about your group and we will be in touch.