Israel Expedition

1. Day01

   Monday, February 1

   Depart the U.S.

   The day has arrived and we depart the U.S. on an overnight journey to Israel.

   Meals in flight. Overnight in flight.

   

2. Day02

   Tuesday, February 2

   Arrive in Israel

   Today we arrive in Israel at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport. Time permitting, we’ll visit the ancient town of Jaffa, where Peter had his vision on the rooftop of the house of Simon the Tanner. We continue to our hotel where we enjoy a welcome dinner together.

   Dinner included. Overnight Tel Aviv area. Herods or similar.

   

3. Day03

   Wednesday, February 3

   Caesarea Maritima, Mount Carmel, Megiddo

   We travel to Caesarea Maritima (included), where we will have a brief visit to this magnificent city with Roman, Byzantine, and Crusader ruins. Here we will elaborate on the story of the baptism of Cornelius, the first gentile convert into Christianity, and on the travels of Paul, those events that led Caesarea Maritima to become a springboard of the Gospel’s spread to the West. We continue to Mount Carmel (included) and consider the contest between the Prophet Elijah and the false prophets of Baal, discussing the reasons why the prophet chose that place for the contest, and the lessons we learn from the story. We travel to Megiddo (included), a strategic city overlooking the gathering place for the world’s end-time armies (Armageddon).

   Breakfast and dinner included. Overnight Sea of Galilee area. Ron Beach or similar.

   

4. Day04

   Thursday, February 4

   Boat Museum, Boat Ride, Magdala, Mount of Beatitudes, Peter’s Primacy, Capernaum, Yardenit

   After a buffet breakfast we will visit the ancient boat museum containing a recently discovered 2000-year old fishing boat (included). Later, we’ll sail on the Sea of Galilee aboard a replica of this historic boat (included). We visit Magdala (included), the hometown of Mary Magdalene, which also boasts the remains of a First Century synagogue. We’ll proceed to the Mt. of Beatitudes and discuss the Sermon on the Mount. We continue to Tabgha, where Jesus appeared to his disciples for the third time after his resurrection. Visit Capernaum (included), Jesus’ Galilean ministry base. Our final stop for the day will be at the Jordan River, where we will have the opportunity to be baptized in the same river as was Jesus, subject to confirmation.

   Breakfast and dinner included. Overnight Sea of Galilee area. Ron Beach or similar.

   

5. Day05

   Friday, February 5

   Tel Dan, Caesarea Philippi, Golan Heights

   After a buffet breakfast we visit Tel Dan (included); we walk to the head of the springs that form the main source of the River Jordan. We visit the high place of the city, featuring the Israelite four-horned altar dating back to the time of King Jeroboam I and King Ahab, and the high place where the golden calf was placed. We visit the city gates which are considered the best example of Old Testament city gates, and the 1800 BC gate known as the Abraham Gate. Next, visit Caesarea Philippi (included), where Peter made his famous confession of Christ. We visit the high place to include the grotto marking the gates of Hades, Herod’s Palace and the Roman bridge. As we traverse the rugged terrain of the Golan Heights, we’ll be treated to panoramic views of the landscape, including Paul’s legendary route to Damascus. This region is marked by its tumultuous history and recent conflict between Israel and Syria.

   Breakfast and dinner included. Overnight Sea of Galilee area. Ron Beach or similar.

6. Day06

   Saturday, February 6

   Beit Shean, Gideon’s Spring, Jericho, Jerusalem

   After a buffet breakfast we depart the Sea of Galilee region and begin our journey south along the Jordan Valley. We visit Beit Shean (included), also known as Scythopolis in the Roman period, where we explore the impressive remains of this Decapolis city and reflect on its layered biblical and classical history. We continue to Gideon’s Spring (included), where Gideon selected 300 men for battle, considering the faith and obedience that marked this decisive moment in Israel’s history. Next we travel to Jericho and visit Tel Jericho (included), the first city captured by Joshua in the conquest of the Promised Land. We will see the traditional site of the sycamore tree, recalling Zacchaeus’ encounter with Jesus. We then make our way to Jerusalem for check-in. Note: due to the Sabbath, check-in will be later than usual: approximately 2.5 hours after sunset.

   Breakfast and dinner included. Overnight Jerusalem. Dan Panorama DLX or similar.

   

7. Day07

   Sunday, February 7

   Jerusalem: Worship & Day at Leisure

   After a buffet breakfast, we gather together for a Sunday worship service in our hotel’s conference room (included), a meaningful time of rest and reflection in the Holy City. The remainder of the day is yours to spend in Jerusalem at your own pace.

   Breakfast and dinner included. Overnight Jerusalem. Dan Panorama DLX or similar.

   

8. Day08

   Monday, February 8

   Mount of Olives, Israel Museum, City of David, Davidson Center

   We begin our day with an orientation over the Holy City from the Mount of Olives, identifying key locations within the Old City and connecting them with biblical events and the promises concerning Christ’s return. We walk down the Palm Sunday Procession Road, stopping at Dominus Flevit, recalling Jesus’ lament over Jerusalem. We continue to the Israel Museum (included), where we view the detailed Second Temple model of Jerusalem and visit the Shrine of the Book, home to the Dead Sea Scrolls. We also explore the archaeological wing, paying special attention to artifacts that illuminate the biblical narrative. In the afternoon we visit the City of David (included), exploring Hezekiah’s Tunnel and the Pool of Siloam. We follow the recently opened Pilgrimage Road, tracing the path worshippers once walked toward the Temple. We conclude the day at the Southern Wall Excavations and Davidson Center (included), walking on the very stones from the Second Temple period and gathering at the Teaching Steps where rabbis instructed their disciples.

   Breakfast and dinner included. Overnight Jerusalem. Dan Panorama DLX or similar.

   

9. Day09

   Tuesday, February 9

   Masada, Ein Gedi, Qumran, Dead Sea

   We drive to Masada (included), ascending by cable car to the mountaintop fortress built by King Herod the Great. Here we explore the remains of this UNESCO World Heritage Site and recount the dramatic stand of the Jewish Zealots against Rome in AD 73/74. We continue to Ein Gedi (included), the desert oasis where David spared King Saul’s life. As we overlook this wilderness refuge, we reflect on the psalms and the themes of mercy and trust forged in hardship. Next we visit Qumran (included), where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947. We will see the caves and the remains of the Essene community who preserved these ancient manuscripts, deepening our understanding of the world of the Bible. We then continue to the Dead Sea, where we’ll have time to float in its mineral-rich waters (included), before returning to Jerusalem.

   Breakfast and dinner included. Overnight Jerusalem. Dan Panorama DLX or similar.

   

10. Day10

    Wednesday, February 10

    Temple Mount, St. Anne’s Church, Jewish Quarter, Temple Institute, Western Wall

    After a buffet breakfast, we ascend the Temple Mount, the site where the Jewish Temples once stood, reflecting on its profound biblical and historical significance. We proceed to the Pool of Bethesda and St. Anne’s Church (included), remembering the healing ministry of Jesus in this sacred setting. Continuing into the Jewish Quarter, we visit the Temple Institute (included), where preparations and educational efforts related to the Temple are presented. We conclude our day at the Western Wall, the holiest site in Judaism.

    Breakfast and dinner included. Overnight Jerusalem. Dan Panorama DLX or similar.

    

11. Day11

    Thursday, February 11

    Gethsemane, St. Peter in Gallicantu, Via Dolorosa, Garden Tomb

    We visit the Garden of Gethsemane, reflecting on Jesus’ agony and surrender on the night of His arrest. We visit St. Peter in Gallicantu (included), the traditional site of the house of Caiaphas, recalling Peter’s denial and the events surrounding Jesus’ trial. We then walk the Via Dolorosa, tracing the traditional path that Jesus took to the cross. Our journey culminates at the Garden Tomb (donation included), where we gather in worship and remembrance at the place traditionally associated with Jesus’ burial and resurrection. Your flight home may depart late tonight or the following day.

    Breakfast and dinner included. If the following day and an overnight is required, overnight Jerusalem. Dan Panorama DLX or similar.

    

12. Day12

    Friday, February 12

    Return home

    Your flight home may depart either the previous night or today. If today and time allows, breakfast is included this morning. Either way, later today we will arrive back at home.

    Breakfast included if flight time permits.

More from our travelers →

• How much walking is there?Expect about 2 to 3 miles of walking on a typical touring day, with uneven stone streets and steps in Jerusalem’s Old City, the walk through Hezekiah’s Tunnel in the City of David, and some climbing at Tel Dan and Caesarea Philippi. Arrival, flight and departure days have very little walking, and we travel between cities by motor coach.
• Traveling alone?You can have a room to yourself, with a single supplement of $1,475, or share a room. If you would like to share, we will do our best to match you with a traveler of the same gender and a similar age. If no match is found, the single supplement applies.
• What will I spend beyond the price?Lunches, drinks beyond the basics with meals, porterage at airports, Israel’s ETA travel authorization (about $8), travel insurance if you choose it, a 3% fee if you pay by card, and your own shopping. A typical lunch costs about $15 to $20. Tips are at your discretion: as a guide, $8 to $10 per person per day for your guide and $6 to $8 for your driver. We recommend paying for most things by credit card: cards are accepted almost everywhere you will go, and credit card purchases usually come with protection that cash does not. We suggest bringing a couple hundred U.S. dollars in cash for emergencies and small purchases. When a card machine or ATM asks whether to pay in dollars or in the local currency (shekels in Israel), choose the local currency; it is almost always cheaper.
• What if I need to cancel?Cancel in writing. Up to November 3, 2026 (90 days before departure), everything you have paid is returned except $200. After that date, the $450 deposit and any costs we cannot recover are kept. Travel insurance may cover a cancellation, depending on the reason.
• Who is going?This expedition is organized for Calvary Chapel Panama City Beach and led by Pastor Cristian Toth.

More answers in our Traveler Support Center, or call us at (877) 234-3002.

• Panama City Beach (ECP)Included
• I plan to book my own flights−$1,300