Itinerary
Wednesday, Sept 13 Amman
Arrive in Amman, Jordan, settle in to your hotel, and gather to enjoy the first of many meals together. With a population of more than 2 million, Amman is the political and cultural centre of Jordan. It is also one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
Thursday, Sept 14 Amman
Tour the ancient Citadel of Amman (Biblical Rammah) and the Roman city of Jerash. Then meet with MCC workers at the MCC Jordan office to learn about their important work in the Near East.
Friday, Sept 15 Petra
Ascend the heights of Mount Nebo, where Moses surveyed the Promised Land that he could not enter. See Herod the Great’s mountaintop fortress of Machaerus, likely where John the Baptist was killed. Stop at the Byzantine Church that contains the oldest map of Palestine, dating to the 6th century. Follow the ancient Kings Highway south into the biblical land of Moab—home of Ruth from the Old Testament. Learn about the Israelites’ trek through this region on their way to the Promised Land, as well as the story of Balaam and his talking donkey. Stop for the night in Petra (called Seir in the Bible).
Saturday, Sept 16 Dead Sea
Take in the grandeur of Petra, an ancient trade centre and burial grounds of the Nabataean people during New Testament times. See amazing temple-like tombs chiselled from rose-coloured sandstone at this world-famous site. Then travel to the Dead Sea and if time allows, relax as you float in its buoyant salty waters.
Sunday, Sept 17 Dead Sea
Explore the Jordan River valley, site of many pivotal biblical events. See where the Israelites crossed into the Promised Land and remember that God miraculously parted the waters for his chosen people. View the traditional spot where Elijah was taken up to heaven in a fiery chariot. See where John the Baptist preached in the wilderness and where the heavens opened as Jesus was baptized.
Monday, Sept 18 Tiberias, Israel
Cross from Jordan into Israel on the Allenby Bridge. Journey up Mount Carmel, where Elijah met the prophets of Baal, and take in views of the splendid Jezreel Valley. Then tour Nazareth Village, a living history museum of a first-century hamlet. Learn more about the life and teachings of Jesus as we see what his childhood hometown might have looked like and go on a guided parable walk. Enter a replica of a first-century synagogue. Explore nearby ancient Sepphoris, where Jesus may have been employed as a young man. At the Church of the Annunciation, remember Mary’s visit from the angel Gabriel foretelling the birth of the Christ child. Time permitting, stop at Magdala and meet with a Priest.
Tuesday, Sept 19 Tiberias
Journey to Caesarea, where Peter shared the gospel with the centurion Cornelius. See the aqueduct built by Herod. Survey the landscape of Jesus’ ministry from a boat on the Sea of Galilee. Recall episodes from Jesus’ life on Earth as you visit the Mount of Beatitudes, Capernaum, and the Church of the Loaves & Fishes. Enjoy a St. Peter’s fish lunch.
Wednesday, Sept 20 Jerusalem
Stop at Harod Spring, where at God’s direction, Gideon chose soldiers by seeing how they drank water from the spring. Go to the foot of Mount Gilboa, where Saul fell in battle, and to ancient Jezreel—where King Ahab seized Naboth’s vineyard. After passing through the Jordan Valley to ancient Jericho, ride a cable car up the Mount of Temptation. Along the steep road to Jerusalem through the desert, remember the unfortunate man who was helped by the Good Samaritan in the famous parable.
Thursday, Sept 21 Jerusalem
Travel to Bethlehem for a look at the Church of the Nativity and Shepherds’ Field. At the Israel Museum, an extensive model will give you a bird’s eye view of ancient Jerusalem. Also, see the Shrine of the Book. See the Pool of Siloam at the edge of the Old City of David, which was rediscovered and excavated in 2004. Step into a medieval building with an Upper Room commemorating the Last Supper.
Friday, Sept 22 Jerusalem
Head down to the desert for a visit to Masada, the magnificent site of Herod’s palaces and of the last stand of the Jews who rebelled against Rome (AD 66-73). At Qumran, survey the ruins of the first-century radical Jewish community in the desert that produced the Dead Sea Scrolls found in caves nearby. Later, learn from MCC workers in Jerusalem.
Saturday, Sept 23 Jerusalem
From the Mount of Olives—where Jesus often retreated—get a panoramic view of Jerusalem. Pray in the Garden of Gethsemane. Pause at the Western Wall (also known as the Wailing Wall) in the Old City. Walk along the Via Dolorosa, and visit the Tower of David Museum to see the Kishle—the possible location of the Praetorium where Jesus faced Pilate. Take part in communion in the Garden Tomb. Reminisce about your tour over a farewell dinner together.
Sunday, Sept 24
Travel home with rich new insights about your faith and the Bible.
Check the pricing page for what is included and excluded in the tour fare.
For further information, please contact us. We would be happy to be of assistance.
