The Negev, Galilee and Jerusalem
Ten days from Caesarea and Jaffa through Beersheba and the Negev to the Dead Sea, then Galilee and Nazareth, and Jerusalem and Bethlehem.
Churches traveling with us now. Each group travels on its own dates and its own version of the route.
A night near Tel Aviv, south through the Negev to two nights at the Dead Sea, up the Jordan Valley to two nights in Galilee, and two in Jerusalem.
From Tel Aviv south through the Negev, north up the Jordan Valley to Galilee, and on to Jerusalem.
One night near Tel Aviv, two at the Dead Sea, two by the Sea of Galilee and two in Jerusalem.
Days 2 & 3
Caesarea, Jaffa, Beersheba, the Ramon Crater and the Tabernacle at Timna.
Caesarea, Jaffa, Beersheba, Timna
Day 4
Masada, Ein Gedi and Qumran.
Masada, Ein Gedi, Qumran
Days 5 to 7
Baptisms, the boat, Capernaum, Caesarea Philippi and Nazareth.
Jericho, Galilee, Nazareth
Days 8 & 9
The Temple Mount, Gethsemane, Bethlehem and the Garden Tomb.
Jerusalem, Bethlehem
The sites on this ten-day route, from Beersheba to the Garden Tomb.
Ten 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.
Israel ETA-IL. U.S. citizens need an approved Israel ETA-IL before travel; entry is refused without one. Passports must be valid for at least six months.
Days 1 to 4
Day 1
Our journey begins as we depart the United States for our overnight flight to Tel Aviv.
Day 2
We land at Ben Gurion, meet our Christian Expedition tour director and drive up the coast to Caesarea Maritima, Herod’s harbor city, where Peter preached to Cornelius and Paul was held for two years.
Dinner and overnight near Tel Aviv.
Day 3
In Jaffa, where Jonah ran from the Lord and Peter saw the sheet let down from heaven. South to Beersheba, the city of Abraham, and across the Negev to the Ramon Crater, the wilderness of Israel’s wandering. In the afternoon at Timna we walk through a life-size model of the Tabernacle.
Dinner and overnight at the Dead Sea for two nights.
Day 4
Masada at sunrise, Ein Gedi, where David hid from Saul and wrote Psalm 63, and Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. We float in the Dead Sea before dinner.
Dinner and overnight at the Dead Sea.
Days 5 to 7
Day 5
At Tel Jericho we look up to the Mount of Temptation. In Beit Shean we walk a Roman city built over the walls where Saul’s body was hung (1 Samuel 31). There is time for baptisms in the spring-fed pools of Gan HaShlosha, then we climb Mount Arbel for the view over the Sea of Galilee.
Dinner and overnight by the Sea of Galilee for two nights.
Day 6
A boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, then Capernaum, Jesus’ home for his ministry (Matthew 4:13), the Mount of Beatitudes and the first-century synagogue at Magdala. In the afternoon at Caesarea Philippi, where Peter said “Thou art the Christ” (Mark 8:29).
Dinner and overnight by the Sea of Galilee.
Day 7
In Nazareth, Jesus’ boyhood town, we visit Nazareth Village and its first-century farm, with lunch. From Megiddo we look over the Valley of Armageddon (Revelation 16:16), then drive up to Jerusalem, stopping at Yad Vashem and the Israel Museum’s model of the city in Jesus’ day.
Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem for two nights.
Days 8 to 10
Day 8
An early start on the Temple Mount, then the Pool of Bethesda (John 5). From the Mount of Olives we walk down to the Garden of Gethsemane, and follow the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 9
In Bethlehem we visit the Church of the Nativity and the Shepherds’ Fields (Luke 2), then return to the Garden Tomb for worship and communion. After a farewell dinner we transfer to Ben Gurion for the overnight flight home.
Farewell dinner, then the flight home.
Day 10
We arrive 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, drinks at dinner, personal expenses, and the cost of meeting any national entry requirements.
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 this route, add Jordan after Jerusalem, or trade the Negev for more time in Jerusalem, 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, but every traveler needs an approved Israel ETA-IL, applied for online before departure; entry to Israel is refused without one. Passports must be valid for at least six months after the date you leave Israel. Passport and entry requirements remain the responsibility of each traveler.
We follow the situation every day with our partners in Israel and the advice of the U.S. State Department, and we tell the group leader straight away if anything changes. Our Israel Latest Update page has the current picture.
Yes. The route stops at the Jordan River, and your group leader can baptize anyone who wishes. Robes and towels can be hired there.
Yes. Every expedition is built for one group, on that group’s dates. The ten-day route on this page is our standard, and groups often add Jordan, or a third night in Jerusalem.
A good deal, on uneven ancient stone and some climbs, such as Mount Arbel. Masada has a cable car. Our guides set the pace for the group.
Travel insurance, lunches, drinks at dinner, personal expenses, and the cost of meeting any national entry requirements. Anything not listed as included can be quoted for your group on request.
Churches, ministries, schools and radio stations plan their expeditions with Christian Expedition.
Tell us about your group and we will be in touch.