Israel Biblical Study Trip Sample Itinerary
Travel the Text offers unique study trips rather than traditional tours. Study trips are distinctly different from tours, offering in-depth teaching and study at carefully selected locations, including valuable well-known destinations and many impactful sites off the beaten path. Study trips dramatically and forever impact the way participants read, interpret, teach, and live from the Biblical Text as the land itself becomes your teacher. Though subject to change, the planned itinerary for this trip is below, and allows a thorough 12 days and 11 nights in the land of the Bible.
Depart from your home airport, drink lots of water en-route (helps with jetlag), review study materials, rest, and get excited!
Arrive to Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) near Tel Aviv. Your group will be met by Geoff Carroll and we will load the motor coach that will be your transportation for the duration of your study trip. Dinner and overnight at a Jerusalem area hotel.
Geoff teaching at Beth Shemesh
Machpelah, Herodian structure
We begin our study at one of the most impressive sites in the land – Machpelah. This intact first-century structure marks the land where Abraham purchased a burial cave for Sarah. From there we will learn about the battles for the Shephelah as we travel area sites including the lands of Sampson at Beth Shemesh, the Valley of Elah where David slew Goliath, and Lachish, the last stronghold before the Assyrian attack on Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight at a Jerusalem area hotel.
Today we head south to experience the Wilderness of Tzin in the region where the Israelites wandered. This site offers an incredible (optional) hike out of the valley after our study. We will then continue to Tel Arad, a strategic wilderness fort and also visit an ancient style of vineyard. Dinner and overnight at Manger Square Hotel in Bethlehem.
Walking through Hezekiah’s Tunnel
We begin our day following the ancient route Abraham took to Mt. Moriah for a panoramic view of Jerusalem at the Promenade. We will study the history of Jerusalem at the City of David, explore the ancient waterway known as Hezekiah's Tunnel (optional), and study at the Shiloach (Siloam) Pool, and the Kidron and Hinnom Valley. We will finish our day learning at the Israel Museum. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.
Excavated staircase at Herodian now open to explore.
We visit the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem to start our day, before continuing to Herodian, a fortress built by Herod the Great. We will then head toward Galilee, stopping along the way at a sheep fold, the ancient city of Ephraim, and Jacob’s Well. We will stay the next several nights in a tranquil location offering stunning panoramic views of the Sea of Galilee. Dinner and overnight at Mitzpe Hashalom (Peace Vista) in Galilee.
Jesus called many of His disciples around the Sea of Galilee, and we begin our day at Mt. Arbel for a beautiful panoramic view of the region. We will focus on the northern shore, stopping at places like Migdal, the home of Mary Magdalene, Tabgha, where Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James, and John, and Capernaum, Jesus’ home-base for His ministry. We will also enjoy a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee. Dinner and overnight in Galilee.
Wooden boat gliding across the Sea of Galilee
Today our focus is in the Upper Galilee. We will visit sites such as a first-century synagogue at Gamla, Dan, where beautiful springs turned people toward false gods, and Caesarea Philippi (Gates of Hades). Dinner and overnight in Galilee.
Mitzpe Hashalom group lodging in Galilee
Jesus preached that the Kingdom of Heaven was near, and sent His disciples into a world that did not want it. Our focus today will take us to places like Megiddo also known as Armageddon and Mt. Carmel where Elijah and the prophets of Baal held a contest by fire. Then to Herod’s impressive coastal city of Caesarea Maritima. Dinner and our final night in Galilee.
After Jesus prepared His disciples, it was time to return to Jerusalem. On our way we will visit Nazareth Ridge, Beth Shan one of the richest and most powerful cities in the time of Jesus, (time-permitting) Mt. Scopus for a panoramic view of Jerusalem, and the Road to Jericho. Dinner and overnight in the Judean wilderness at the Jericho Oasis Resort Hotel.
Group walking through Bet She’an
Group photo time at the desert oasis, Ein Gedi
Today we travel to En Gedi, an oasis of waterfalls in the desert where David hid from Saul, Qumran, linked to the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the fortress of Masada, where Zealots died in rebellion against the Romans. We will end our day with a float in the Dead Sea. Dinner and overnight in Jericho.
Jesus makes His way up to Jerusalem where He will be put to death. We will begin our day early on the Temple Mount, and travel to places such as the Pools of Bethesda, where Jesus healed a crippled man, Bethpage, where Jesus talked about mountain-moving faith, the Mt. of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane, and the Old City. Dinner and overnight in Jericho.
Church of the Holy Sepulchre
We begin our day on the banks of the Jordan River, the traditional location of Jesus’ baptism. We continue on to visit Bethany, where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, the Hidden Gate, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the traditional place of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, the Western Wall and the Southern Steps. We will finish strong with a cultural “last supper” before heading to the airport for evening departure.