Day 1

Washington/Cairo

Today we embark on our journey from Washington D.C. for air flight to Cairo via Zurich.

Day 2

Cairo

We arrive in the early evening then transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 3

Cairo/Aswan/Nile

Morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Aswan, where you will be transferred to your luxury Nile Cruise vessel.

Afternoon is free at leisure.

Dinner and overnight on board.

Day 4

Nile

This morning, the pace is relaxed as you tour the Aswan High Dam, the pride of modern Egypt.

Then on to the Temple of Philae, saved from the rising waters of the Nile. Visit the Great Temples of Isis and of Hathor, and continue to the Granite Quarries to see the unfinished Obelisk.

Sail to Kom-Ombo to visit the only temple dedicated to two contrasting Gods: Sobek, the crocodile-headed God of the underworld, and Haroeris, the winged God of the sky.

Continue sailing to Edfu and enjoy some evening entertainment.

Overnight on board.

Day 5

Nile

Morning visit to the Temple of Edfu, dedicated to the God Horus, the principle of the Resurrection. He is depicted in his role as avenger of his father, Osiris, murdered by his brother Seth. It is one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt.

Continue sailing to Esna, to the temple dedicated to one of the most ancient Egyptian Gods, Khaum, who created man on his potter’s wheel. It is chiefly interesting for its mysterious astronomical ceilings and the well-preserved bas-reliefs.

Overnight on board.

Day 6

Nile

Today sail to Luxor to visit the vast burial city called the Necropolis of Thebes on the West Bank of the Nile.

Your visit will take you to the Colossi of Mennon, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir El-Baharim, the Valley of the Kings, and nearby Valley of the Queens.

Flight transfer from Luxor to Cairo.

Dinner and overnight in Cairo.

Day 7

Cairo

Today we will visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities to view the unique collection of Pharaonic art and the renowned treasures of King Tutankhamen.

Tour the Citadel of Saladin, built in 1183 CE, the Alabaster Mosque of Mohammed Ali, then visit the church where Mary hid Jesus from Herod.

Continue to Giza and the Great Pyramids of Cheops, Chefren, and Mykerinos and their guardian Sphinx.

Dinner and overnight in Cairo.

Day 8

Sinai/Beersheba

Today we will depart for Israel across the Suez Canal and Sinai. This is the beautiful land where Moses led the children of Israel out of bondage.

We will meet our Israeli host at the border and proceed to our hotel for dinner and overnight at Beersheba.

Day 9

Dimona/Tiberias

Today we start our day in Dimona, home of the Hebrews.

We will visit them for the day and then we will continue on to Tiberias to start our touring tomorrow around the Sea of Galilee.

Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.

Day 10

Tiberias/Boat Ride

We cross the Sea of Galilee by boat to Capernaum, home of St. Peter, and visit the ruins of the ancient synagogue.

Then on to Tabgha, the site of the multiplication of loaves and fishes, and the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount.

Our last stop will be the baptismal site at the Jordan River (Yardenit) for anyone who wants to be baptized.

Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.

Day 11

Jerusalem

We begin our drive south along the Jordan River past the Roman theater at Beit She’an to visit Jericho, the oldest city in the world.

We will see the Mount of Temptations Where Satan tempted Jesus after his 40-day fast, and Elisha’s fountain where the prophet purified the waters. Legend has it that barren women who drink these waters will be made fruitful.

This evening we enter the holy city of Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.

Day 12

Jerusalem

We start our day on the top of the Mount of Olives, where the Lord ascended into Heaven.

We will see olive trees that date back to the time of Christ and enjoy the magnificent view of the Old City of Jerusalem.

We will continue on to the Church of all Nations and the Garden of Gethsemane, visiting the upper room where Jesus celebrated the Last Supper.

We proceed past the Shrine of the Book, containing the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the Knesset, Israel’s Parliament, on our way to Yad Va’shem, museum of the Holocaust. We will also visit Israel’s Martin Luther King Memorial, the only one outside the U.S.

In the Afternoon, we go to Bethlehem for a visit to the Church of the Nativity and Shepherd’s Field, and visit an olive wood factory with time for shopping.

Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 13

Jerusalem

We depart for a full day of sightseeing in Jerusalem, visiting some of the holiest sites in the Old and New Testaments.

We start with the Western (Wailing) Wall, the holiest site visited by Jews today.

We walk up to the Temple Mount for a look at the Pool of Bethesda where Jesus healed the invalid.

Then we walk the Via Dolorosa, the way of the cross, through the picturesque bazaars of the Old City and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where we will visit the Ethiopian Coptic Church for a special blessing by the Pastor. After a visit to Cavalry and the Garden Tomb, we will have a very special time for devotions.

Enjoy a farewell dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 14

Departure

Early this morning, be prepared to transfer to the airport for the return flight to Washington.

For more information regarding tour costs and extensions, contact Gil Travel by email or phone 800.223.3855.

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