9 Days Ministry Leaders Tour with The Friends of Israel - FOI26JAN25
DAY 1 - Sunday
NewArk to Tel Aviv
Please arrive to airport at NewArk airport on Sun, Jan 26, 2025 around 5:00pm. Depart Newark at 9:00pm with El AL
Arrive Tel Aviv on Mon, Jan 27 at 2:20pm (Duration 10 hours 20 minutes)
DAY 2 - Monday
Arrival In Tel Aviv
Meet and assist by IBMT Tours representative upon arrival to Ben Gurion airport. Transfer by bus to your hotel in Tel Aviv.
Dinner & Overnight Dan Panorama Hotel, Tel Aviv
Tel: 972 3-519-0190
DAY 3 - Tuesday
Mediterranean Coast, Mt. Carmel, Jezreel Valley
7:45 AM: Depart from the hotel after breakfast.
8:30 AM – 10:30 AM: Explore Caesarea Maritima with its ancient Roman ruins by the sea.
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM: Visit Mt. Carmel for scenic views and biblical history.
12:30 PM – 3:00 PM: Tour Megiddo, an archaeological site with a rich past, and have lunch.
3:30 PM – 4:45 PM: Immerse in the daily life of ancient Nazareth at Nazareth Village.
5:00 PM: Travel to Ein Gev Kibbutz on the Sea of Galilee for dinner and an overnight stay.
Kibbutz Contact: +972 4-665-9800.
Day 4 - Wednesday
Golan Heights
8:00 AM: Depart from the hotel after breakfast.
8:30 AM – 10:30 AM: Hike Gamla, a historic site and nature reserve.
11:15 AM – 11:45 AM: Visit the Valley of Tears, site of a major battle during the Yom Kippur War.
12:15 PM: Lunch in Majdal Shams, a Druze village.
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Explore Caesarea Philippi, an ancient Roman city with religious significance.
3:15 PM – 4:30 PM: Walk through Tel Dan Nature Reserve, home to biblical ruins and lush landscapes.
5:30 PM: Return to Ein Gev Kibbutz on the Sea of Galilee for dinner and a possible talk by Yoel Ben Nesher.
Kibbutz Contact: +972 4-665-9800.
Day 5 - Thursday
Sea of Galilee Region
8:00 AM: Depart from the hotel after breakfast.
8:30 AM – 10:30 AM: Hike the cliffs of Mount Arbel with stunning views of the Galilee.
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM: Explore the Magdala Excavations, an ancient fishing town.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Enjoy lunch by the Sea of Galilee.
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM: Take a Galilee Boat Ride and visit the Ancient Boat Museum.
3:15 PM – 4:00 PM: Visit the ruins of Capernaum, the town of Jesus.
4:15 PM – 4:45 PM: Reflect at the serene Mount of Beatitudes, site of the Sermon on the Mount.
5:00 PM: Return to the hotel for dinner.
Day 6 - Friday
Jordan Valley
8:00 AM: Depart from the hotel after breakfast.
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM: Visit Harod Spring, where Gideon chose his warriors.
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Explore the ancient ruins of Beit She’an, a well-preserved Roman city.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Lunch break.
2:30 PM – 3:45 PM: Tour Jericho, the world’s oldest city, with time for shopping.
3:45 PM – 5:00 PM: Visit Qasr El Yahud, a significant baptismal site along the Jordan River.
5:00 PM: Enjoy a relaxing Dead Sea swim, known for its therapeutic waters.
Evening: Dinner and overnight at ENJOY Dead Sea Hotel.
Hotel Contact: +1-888-697-3791.
Day 7 - Saturday
Negev
8:00 AM: Depart from the hotel after breakfast.
8:30 AM – 11:00 AM: Explore the ancient fortress of Masada (optional early hike).
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Lunch at Masada.
12:30 PM – 2:00 PM: Hike through the lush Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, home to waterfalls and wildlife.
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM: Visit the Qumran caves, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered.
Evening: Travel to Jerusalem for an overnight stay at the Olive Tree Hotel.
Hotel Contact: +972 2-541-0410.
Day 8 - Sunday
Jerusalem
8:00 AM: Begin your day at the City of David, exploring Hezekiah’s Tunnel and the Pool of Siloam.
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM: Visit the Davidson Center to learn about the archaeological history of Jerusalem.
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Reflect at the Western Wall, a sacred site for prayer and pilgrimage.
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM: Tour the Temple Mount, home to key religious landmarks.
2:30 PM – 4:30 PM: Explore the Jewish Quarter and stroll along the ancient Cardo.
Evening: Dinner and overnight at the Olive Tree Hotel, Jerusalem.
Hotel Contact: +972 2-541-0410.
Day 9 - Monday
Jerusalem & Bethlehem
8:00 AM: Start at Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust memorial and museum.
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Visit the Shrine of the Book and the Model of Jerusalem at the Israel Museum.
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM: Tour the Knesset, Israel’s parliament building.
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM: Head to Bethlehem to explore the serene Shepherds’ Fields.
8:20 PM: Evening tour of the Western Wall Tunnels.
Overnight at the Olive Tree Hotel, Jerusalem.
Hotel Contact: +972 2-541-0410.
Day 10 - Tuesday
Jerusalem
8:00 AM: Begin the day with a visit to the Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of Jerusalem.
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Reflect in the peaceful Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed.
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM: Visit Saint Anne’s Church and the nearby Pool of Bethesda, known for its healing waters.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: End the spiritual journey at the Garden Tomb, believed by some to be the site of Jesus' resurrection.
Evening: Dinner and late checkout from the Olive Tree Hotel, Jerusalem.
Hotel Contact: +972 2-541-0410.
Day 11 - Wednesday
Return to USA
10:00 PM (Feb 4): Transfer from your hotel in Jerusalem to Ben Gurion Airport for your departure.
1:00 AM (Feb 5): Depart Tel Aviv on El Al Airlines flight to Newark, USA.
6:00 AM (Feb 5): Arrive in Newark, completing your 12-hour flight.
Includes
• Roundtrip air from Newark
• All departure taxes
• Meet & Greet at Ben Gurion airport by IBMT Tours representative.
• Transfer on Arrival & Departure
• 8 Days touring with Air-Conditioned vehicle
• 9 Nights Hotel accommodation as indicated.
• Sightseeing with English speaking guide as per your itinerary
• Daily breakfast at hotel
• Daily dinners at hotel
• IBMT hydration packs with bottled water on tour
• Deluxe Touring Motor Coach
• All entrance fees as per itinerary
• Guide/Driver Tips
• Porterage fees and taxes
• Pre trip curriculum
Does Not Include
• Any expense of personal nature
• Travel insurance (highly recommended and can be purchased by IBMT Tours)
• Drinks with meals