Passports

In order to participate in the Light of Messiah Israel Tour, you must have a passport that is valid for six months AFTER the date of return to USA. We will ask you for your passport number after you register.

There are currently no Covid-19 vaccination or testing requirements for entry into Israel.

Cancellations and Refunds

• All cancellations will incur a 200.00 administration fee

• After June 5, 2024, 100% of tour cost is non-refundable and non-transferrable

We highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance to cover you in case you are unable to go for any reason. (See below).

Travel Insurance

We require that you purchase travel medical insurance to cover you for any possible emergency while in Israel. We recommend UHC Safetrip.

While not required, we recommend that you purchase trip insurance that covers you for cancellation, lost luggage, delays and other conditions. If you would like help choosing a policy, contact our friend Lisa Mann at lisa@jabeztravel.net, and she would be happy to assist you.

Questions

If you have questions about the tour or would like more information, please call the Light of Messiah office at (770) 642-4706, or email our tour coordinator Anna Beth at annabeth@lightofmessiah.org.

Sample Itinerary

DAY 1 // Meet the team in Tel Aviv, take a relaxed walk on the beach, watch the sunset and get oriented!

Arrive in Israel anytime before or on October 5th, and meet us at our hotel.

DAY 2 // Caesarea / Mount Carmel / Jezreel Valley / Arbel / Tiberias

Grab a coffee and hit the ground running! First stop: Caesarea by the Sea, named after Augustus Caesar, who imposed the tax that brought Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. Here we will visit a beautiful example of the Roman Amphitheater, where the group can experience the acoustics of a structure built in the days of Christ. This was the home of Cornelius, the first gentile to receive the Gospel! Continue North to Mount Carmel where Elijah issued his challenge to the false prophets of Baal. Overlook the Valley of Megiddo where a great future battle will occur prior to the return of Jesus. The road winds down to Tiberias and the beautiful Sea of Galilee.

DAY 2 // Boat Ride on Sea of Galilee / Capernaum / Nazareth / Magdala

Today we rise early and board our boat for a cruise on the Sea of Galilee. This is where much of the Galilean Ministry took place. Here were the homes of the disciples James, Simon, John and Andrew. Near here Jesus gave Beatitudes and taught in the synagogue on many occasions, performing many miracles. Visit Capernaum, home of Peter, Andrew, and Matthew. Then on to Nazareth Village, an amazing working replica of a first century village - just like it would have looked when Jesus lived in Nazareth! Finish up the day seeing Magdala, a magnificent, still-unfolding archaeological discovery: hometown of Mary Magdalene.

DAY 3 // Golan Heights / Caesarea Phillipi / Tel Dan / Mt. Bental / Valley Of Tears

We take the road through the Golan Heights where we will learn the strategic and political significance of this area. We see Mount Hermon, the “eyes of Israel” into Syria. We will visit Caesarea Phillipi at Banias, the place where Jesus taught his disciples about the “keys to the Kingdom.” We will explore Tel Dan, a beautiful nature reserve and a water source leading to the Jordan River. Dan was the northernmost city in the ancient kingdom of Israel. It is very well-excavated and included the sacrificial altar King Jeroboam had set up as an alternative to worshiping in Jerusalem.

DAY 4 // Beit She’an / Sachne / Shiloh / Jerusalem

We start our day at the city of Beit She’an, one of the earliest and most important cities in Israel from the time of the Canaanites. It was here the Philistines impaled King Saul’s body to the city wall. We walk on a Roman road though its magnificent excavations. We’ll eat falafel for lunch and cool off in the gorgeous natural springs of Sachne (Gan HaShlosha). Heading South, we stop at Shiloh, the home of the Tabernacle for over 400 years before it was moved to Jerusalem. The home of Eli and Samuel the prophet. Then onto the “City of Gold” for our first night in Jerusalem!!

DAY 5 // Mount of Olives / Garden of Gethsemane / Bethlehem / Rabbi’s Tunnel

This morning we start the day at Mt of Olives for an introduction to Jerusalem. Ascend the mountains of Jerusalem from Scopus to Mt of Olives for an outstanding breathtaking view of the city across the Kidron Valley to the Eastern Gate; see Chapel of Ascension, Pater Noster and Dominus Flavit. Walk down Palm Sunday Road and pray in the Garden of Gethsemane. We cross Mount Moriah viewing the Tombs of Absalom and Zechariah. We head to Bethlehem to see the Shepherd’s fields where the birth of Jesus was announced, and the Church of the Nativity built over His birthplace. We will meet locals, hear their stories and learn more about the current political situation. We will walk the graffiti-art-covered wall dividing the West Bank from Israel and pray for peace. Returning to Jerusalem, we will visit the famous Rabbi’s Tunnel, running along the base of the Western Wall (Due to the enormous demand, and limited access to this fascinating site, our visit may take place at any time of day or night during our stay in Jerusalem).

DAY 6 // Ein Gedi / Masada / Dead Sea

We begin the day heading south to visit Ein Gedi, an oasis in the barren desert near the Dead Sea. Picture David running from Saul and hiding in these caves. Marvel at the wildlife and jump in a refreshing waterfall. Then on to the mighty fortress of Masada: last stronghold and stand of the zealots against Rome. Masada is a symbol of courage and perseverance for the Jewish People, where 960 Jewish defenders organized their last resistance to the Roman conquerors and took their own lives rather than surrender into slavery. End the day floating in the Dead Sea - the saltiest body of water, and the lowest geographical point on earth!

DAY 7 // Old City / Via Dolorosa / Church of the Holy Sepulchre / Praetorium / Pool of Bethesda

Enter the Old City through the Jaffa Gate. Continue through the picturesque market streets past the Citadel of David and exit through the Jaffa Gate, passing the Stations of the Cross along the Via Dolorosa, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Visit the Praetorium, site of the public trial of Christ, and his condemnation, and view its ancient remains in the Fortress of Antonia, seat of the Roman Procurator. Visit the Pool of Bethesda where Jesus healed a crippled man on the Sabbath.

DAY 8 // Western Wall / Temple Mount / Southern Steps of Ancient Temple / City of David / Hezekiah’s Tunnel

We will spend the day in Jerusalem, waking up very early to get in line tp get onto the Temple Mount: the most contested piece of real estate in the world! We will see the Al Aqsa Mosque as well as the Dome of the Rock. We will view the Eastern Gate from above and the Mount of Olives from the site of the ancient Temple. After descending the Temple Mount we will visit the Southern Steps which led up to the Temple Mount in Jesus’ day. There we will study God’s word and pray where Neil Armstrong said, that though he had walked on the moon it “did not compare” to standing on steps where we know Jesus’ feet once stood. We will see the City of David: excavations from the time of David that are widely believed to be remains of his palace. Those who dare will venture through Hezekiah’s Tunnel - over a football field long, chiseled into solid rock in the 8th century BCE.

DAY 9 // Garden Tomb / Israel Museum / Dead Sea Scrolls/ Yad V’shem / Jaffa / Depart for US late night

We begin the day in the new part of Jerusalem, visiting the Israel Museum where there is a scale model of the city of Jerusalem from New Testament Times, including the Second Temple. Also at the Museum visit the Dead Sea Scrolls, housed in a specially prepared building. Drive to Yad V’shem, the largest Holocaust memorial in the world: a remembrance of 6 million Jews murdered by the Nazis. In the afternoon we will travel to the old port city of Jaffa and share a farewell dinner together. Time allowing, we will stroll around Jaffa and learn about the little town from which Jonah ran from God, and Peter left to spread the Gospel to the gentiles. We will then continue to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv for those taking overnight flights to the back to the USA. Shalom!