CHRIST COMMUNITY CHURCH
Welcome Home Tour
October 27- November 11
Israel
2023
Tel Aviv
This itinerary is an estimation, details and locations are subject to change.
October 27: We'll begin with an outbound flight from the U.S. Get some rest on the flight because tomorrow we begin our adventure in the land where Jesus walked.
Jaffa
Caesarea Maritima
Caesarea Phillippi
October 29: Our visit in Tel Aviv continues with a history lesson at Independence Hall before heading to Be'ersheva, learning about David and Goliath in the Elah Valley and Samson's story at Beit Shemesh.
October 30: We head into the Wilderness of Zin to discover the world of Abraham and walk among the Nabataean ruins at Tel Avdat and get a glimpse of the beautiful Ramon Crater, Israel's "Grand Canyon" in the Negev Desert.
Mt. Carmel
Chorazin
Tel Dan
Boat Ride on the Sea
October 31: Today we will hike the Makhtesh Ramon Crater in the morning before diving into the Red Sea with an afternoon of optional snorkeling available.
November 1: Have your passport ready because today we will journey into Jordan to explore the ancient city of Petra, carved into the sandstone cliffs. With local Bedouins hawking their wares, camels available to ride, and Nabatean and Greco-Roman architecture it will make for a memorable day trip.
November 2: The tragic but heroic story of the Masada fortress will take your breath away in equal proportion to the view atop this mountaintop fortress alongside the Dead Sea. We will also explore Ancient Arad and stop for lunch and camel rides to get a taste of Bedouin hospitality.
Dead Sea
Beit She'an
November 3: We will continue along the western shore of the Dead Sea traversing the Ein Gedi oasis in the Judean Desert, then continue to explore archaeological marvels like the Dead Sea Scroll discoveries of Qumran, the extensive ruins of Beit She'an and a quick stop in Jericho before our Shabbat rest.
Tel Hazor
Masada
Wilderness of Zin
November 4: We will begin our time in the Galilee region along the Mediterranean Sea with a look at Caesarea Maritima. It will be a busy day rising to the heights of Mt Carmel with views of the Jezreel Valley, plus a visit to the Magdala Synagogue and Nazareth Village.
November 5: In the upper Galilee area we will visit the Golan Heights and survey the borders of Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan. The day will also include Tel Hazor, Tel Dan, and Banias Falls as well as a comparative religion lesson at Caesarea Philippi.
November 6: With a visit to Capernaum , serious reflection at Chorazin, and a lesson at the Mount of Beatitudes we will be off to the Jesus boat and our discipleship cruise on the Jordan River.
Mt. of Olives
Capernaum
Temple Mount
November 7: We will begin in Samaria and finish our tale of two cities day with pomp and circumstance as we approach Jerusalem. Stops along the way include Mt Gerazim and Tel Shiloh.
November 8: Along with a historical look at the ancient cities of Decapolis and an awe-inspiring view from the Mt of Olives our first day in the old city will also focus on the more recent history of the Holocaust with our visit to Yad Vashem.
Yad Vashem
Shrine of the Book
Western Wall
David's Tomb
November 9: Another history-laden day in Jerusalem features a 3D model of the city, some ancient texts at the Shrine of the Book, and ancient relics at the Israel Museum, plus an overview of the City of David, and remember your flashlight and water shoes for the trek through Hezekiah's tunnel.
November 10: Of course, we can't leave Jerusalem without visiting the Western Wall and the Temple Mount, walking down the Via Dolorosa, sitting by the Pool of Bethesda, and praying in the Garden of Gethsemane at the foot of the Mount of Olives.
November 11: After a Shabbat morning worship service with our friends at Narkis, and a visit to the Southern Wall excavations and the Southern Steps, the House of Caiaphas, the empty Garden Tomb, and thoughts on the road to Emmaus we will bid farewell to Israel and prepare for our late-night journey either home or onward to Cairo for the optional Egypt extension.
November 12-17: The optional extension into Egypt will take us to sites in Cairo and ruins in Luxor including the Giza Pyramids, Djoser Pyramid, the Sphinx, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Karnak, and a Felucca boat ride on the Nile River.
Pool of Bethesda
Garden Tomb
Egypt
Pyramids
**Egypt extension is optional and requires additional costs and registration fees and information.
REGISTRATION, CONDITIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES
COST – Total package with roundtrip, commercial airlines airfare from San Diego International Airport estimated price $5,150 ~ this price is per person for those sharing double rooms (the single room supplement details below) and based on a minimum of 40 paying participants.
RESERVATIONS – A $400.00 deposit per person is due upon registration no later than October 1, 2022, of which $200.00 is non-refundable after January 1, 2023. The second payment of $800.00 is due February 1, 2023. The balance is due by 08/1/23.
AIR TRANSPORTATION – Round-trip group fare on regularly scheduled commercial flights from the U.S. After tickets are issued, they are non-refundable. This will happen immediately after the final balance is paid.
TAXES and FUEL SURCHARGES - Airport taxes and fuel surcharges are only estimated until the time of final ticketing – these taxes can potentially increase.
TRAVEL INSURANCE - Both trip cancellation and travel health insurance are highly recommended but NOT included.
CANCELLATION FEES – A $350.00 fee will be deducted for any cancellation less than 1 month prior to the touring dates. Cancellations less than 2 weeks prior to the touring dates will result in a full loss of all non-refundable costs. In the event the participant can replace their seat on the tour, all monies will be fully refunded. Optional Travel Protection plans are recommended but not provided. Airfare cancellations are according to agreements with each particular carrier.
PASSPORT must be valid for 6 months beyond the date of re-entry into the U.S. Visas are issued upon arrival at the airport in Israel at no cost.
VACCINATIONS & IMMUNIZATIONS are not currently required for Israel but updates will be relayed as conditions change.
HOTELS – 14 nights in Israel - Four-star first-class hotels and kibbutz hotels are based on sharing twin-bedded rooms with private baths. Single rooms (limited number) are available at an additional cost of $1,350.00* for the entire trip. Every effort will be made to match single travelers with a suitable roommate, but if none is available, the single supplement applies.
LUGGAGE - 1 suitcase according to regulation weight, usually 50 lbs. and 1 regulation-sized carry-on will be handled for you upon arrival in Israel, transferred between hotels, and back to the airport. Keep in mind that luggage space in Israeli tour buses is built according to smaller European standards. Confirm with airline restrictions prior to packing.
DRIVER or GUIDE GRATUITIES – Motorcoach drivers are selected for their reliability, safety record, congeniality, and concern for our passengers’ welfare. Gratuities for the driver or guide are NOT included in the tour pricing. Gratuities are at the discretion of each participant and should be handled individually. Customary per-day gratuities are $3.00 for the driver and $5.00 for the guide.
Tap Here to: Register and Pay Online
