Daily Itinerary
Faithwalking The Promised Land Together
Israel/Petra | April 12-24, 2024
Hosted by Dr. Kevin and Erin McCallon
Friday, April 12
Depart Bush International Airport, Houston for Tel Aviv, Israel
Saturday, April 13
Arrive Tel Aviv and be greeted by our tour guide and bus driver for the next 10 days. Time permitting, we will visit the harbor town of Jaffa, one of the oldest seaports in world. This is also the home of Simon the Tanner and the port where Jonah fled from God. Overnight Netanya
Sunday, April 14
Caesarea by the Sea / Mt. Carmel / Megiddo / Nazareth
After breakfast, we will visit Caesarea by the Sea, an incredible fortress built by King Herod the Great on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Here, Pontius Pilate had his base; Cornelius lived and was baptized; Paul embarked to Tarsus and Philip preached. We then travel north to Mt. Carmel, the site where the prophet Elijah fought the 400 false prophets of Baal. We turn inland and proceed to Megiddo, one of King Solomon’s walled fortified cities, with ruins of 30 levels of civilization. From here, the Books of Daniel and Revelation will come alive as we read about the final Battle of Armageddon while overlooking the Jezreel Valley. Continue to Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus. Overnight Sea of Galilee area
Monday, April 15
Mt of Beatitudes / Capernaum / Tabgha / Sea of Galilee / Jesus Boat
Today begins at the Mt. of Beatitudes with a powerful time of worship where Jesus delivered perhaps one of the most famous sermons ever preached – “The Sermon On The Mount”. Afterwards, we drive to Tabgha, the site of the miracle of the multiplication of loaves and fishes. On to Capernaum, the center of Jesus’ Galilean ministry and the site of many of his miracles and the remains of Peter’s house and the synagogue site where Jesus taught and worshipped. The day ends with an amazing time of praise and worship aboard a wooden boat on the Sea of Galilee followed by a visit to the Jesus Boat Museum to see a 2,000-year-old boat discovered in 1986. Overnight Sea of Galilee area
Tuesday, April 16
Caesarea Philippi / Tel Dan / Golan Heights / Magdala
Today we drive north to Tel Dan and see a 5,000 year old gate that Abraham walked through. Continue on to Caesarea Philippi and stand in the pagan Roman worship center where Peter made his famous profession, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” As we drive through the Golan Heights, we will stop at Mount Bental to see the Syrian border and the road taken by the Apostle Paul on the road to Damascus. We visit Magdala, the home of Mary Magdelene and see the ruins of a 1st century synagogue where Jesus was known to have taught many times. Overnight Sea of Galilee area
Wednesday, April 17
Beit Shean / Mt. Nebo
Today begins with a walk through Beit Shean, one of the most extensive archaeological sites in Israel with some of the best-preserved ruins in the Middle East. This is also the site where the body of King Saul and his sons were nailed to the walls by the Philistines. We will cross the border and ascend to Mt. Nebo and stand where God showed Moses the Promise Land. Overnight Petra, Jordan
Thursday, April 18
Tour of Petra / Timna Park Tabernacle / Dead Sea
Begin the day touring one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, Petra and marvel at the ancient city of the Nabaateans that was known to be inhabited by the Edomites – the descendants of Esau. View the tombs, temples and monuments cut directly into the red rock and enjoy an opportunity to ride camels or horses. After lunch, we drive north along the possible route of the Israelites in the wilderness and stop at Timna Park to visit the fascinating replica of the Biblical Tabernacle. Built after much research, the replica is a complete, accurate and authentic reconstruction of the appearance and dimensions of the Tabernacle as described in the Bible. Overnight Dead Sea Area
Friday, April 19
Dead Sea Swim / Ein Gedi / Masada
We begin the day with a “therapeutic float” in the Dead Sea, the lowest place on planet earth. After a relaxing morning, we drive to the tranquil oasis of Ein Gedi, where David hid from King Saul and his 3,000 men. Later, we travel by cable car to the summit of Masada, one of the magnificent fortresses built by King Herod the Great. Overnight Dead Sea Area
Saturday, April 20
Qumran / Jericho / Jordan River Baptism / Old Jericho Road / Mt Scopus
This morning, we will visit Qumran where a young shepherd boy discovered the Dead Sea Scrolls (the oldest biblical known texts) in 1947. We will have the opportunity to celebrate our faith in Jesus Christ with baptisms in the Jordan River at Qasr al Yahud, the traditional site of Jesus’s baptism. After lunch in Jericho, the oldest city in the world, we will see the remains of the walls that came tumbling down. Later, as we travel towards Jerusalem, we will enjoy an overlook of the Old Jericho Road, the setting of the Good Samaritan parable and a reflections site for Psalms 23. Once in the Holy City, we will enjoy a panoramic view from Mt Scopus overlook. Overnight Jerusalem
Sunday, April 21
Southern Steps / City of David / Pools of Siloam / Hezekiah’s Tunnel / Cardo Maximus – Jewish Quarter / Israel Museum
We begin today reflecting on Jesus’ ministry in Jerusalem as we sit on the Southern Steps of the temple. This southern side of the temple was the main entrance for the common folk, including Jesus and parts of the giant stairs have been unearthed along with many purification pools. From here Jesus entered the temple and drove out the vendors and money changers and this is also likely to be the site of the Day of Pentecost. We also visit the excavations of the City of David and see David’s palace where he looked from his rooftop and saw Bathsheba. We go underground thru Hezekiah’s Tunnel and end with a visit to the Pools of Siloam where Jesus healed a blind man. We return to the Old city and walk along the Roman/Byzantine Street called the Cardo Maximus (ancient main street Jerusalem) and have lunch in the Jewish Quarter of the old city. Afterwards, we visit the Israel Museum, the home of a model of Jerusalem as it appeared in Jesus’ time and the Shrine of the Book, The Dead Sea Scrolls, which are the oldest manuscripts of the Bible ever found. Overnight Jerusalem
Monday, April 22
Temple Mount / Western Wall / Church of St. Peter’s Gallicantu / Upper Room Bethlehem / Valley of Elah
After breakfast we will visit the Temple Mount which is built atop Mt Moriah where Abraham was commanded to sacrifice Isaac. We will stop at the Western Wall, the last remnant of the original retaining wall which surrounded the second temple, to pray. Continue to Mt Zion to visit the traditional site of the Upper Room (Room of the Last Supper), and the Church of St. Peter’s in Gallicantu, built on top of the High Priest Caiphas’ house where Jesus was likely held the night before his death. After lunch, we leave the city and drive to Elah Valley, the site of the famous David and Goliath showdown. We spend the rest of the afternoon in Bethlehem visiting the Church of the Nativity and the Shepherd’s Fields. Overnight Jerusalem
Tuesday, April 23
Mt of Olives / Palm Sunday Road / Garden of Gethsemane / St Anne Church / Pool of Bethesda / Via Dolorosa / Church of Holy Sepulcher / Garden Tomb
Today we begin at the Mt. of Olives for a panoramic view of Jerusalem and trace the footsteps of Jesus down the Palm Sunday Road to the Garden of Gethsemane. We pass through the Lion’s gate to visit the Pools of Bethesda, where Jesus healed the crippled man. St. Anne’s Church offers a time to sing praises to God and enjoy the incredible acoustics of the church. We pass through the colorful bazaars, alleyways and market places as we walk and remember the suffering of our Lord along the Via Dolorosa as make our way to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. We finish our amazing time in Jerusalem with a visit to the Garden Tomb for a communion service. Overnight Jerusalem
Wednesday, April 24
Depart Tel Aviv, Israel