Day One
Sunday – Bruchim Ha’baim!, VIP Arrival and Hotel Transfer
Welcome to Israel
Welcome home! A representative of the tour company will meet you as you disembark from the plane and streamline your visa and customs processing. You will be brought to a waiting VIP van which will bring you to your hotel.
Sleep Jerusalem Hotel
Day Two
Monday – Jerusalem Old City
The Kotel – Western Wall
If Jerusalem is the heart of the Jewish People then the Temple Mount and its western retaining wall are its soul. After the Temple’s destruction 2,000 years ago, the Western Wall or Kotel is one of its last remaining walls. Although we only see a fraction of it exposed, it spans over a quarter of a mile and once stood 20 stories high! Although made of limestone, local tradition holds that it is made up of the tears and prayers of 2,000 years of Jews yearning for “Next year in Jerusalem.” According to Jewish thought the Temple Mount is the holiest place on earth and the entryway to the spiritual world.
City of David
Just outside of the Old City we will explore the ancient city where King David held his capital. Ir David, or the “City of David” as it is known in English, is the actual location of the biblical city of Jerusalem captured by King David over 3,000 years ago. Highlights include entering the secret tunnel leading to the Gihon Spring, walking through Hezekiah’s water tunnel, the Pilgrims Ascent from the Shiloach Pool up to “Wall Street” the ancient financial district and shopping area.
Southern Wall Excavations
At the Southwest corner of the Temple Mount lies the excavated ruins of the Second Temple Period, downtown Jerusalem from 2,000 years ago! From here we will be able to recreate in our mind’s eye the sights and sounds of a bustling marketplace filled with priests and prophets,, rabbis and pilgrims. The archeological gardens are littered with the treasures of the Jewel in the Crown of Jerusalem…the Holy Temple.
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Day Three
Tuesday – Shomron
Shiloh
In the center of the hill country of Ephraim was discovered the first capital of Israel, from over 3,000 years ago! Walking through the excavations of Tel Shiloh is like walking through a time machine back to the period of the Shoftim when Eli HaCohen was Cohen Gadol and the Navi Shmuel was just a lad. Here the Mishkan stood for 369 years as the spiritual center of Am Yisrael and the resting place of the shekhina. One can almost smell the Ketoret as we stand at the entrance to the Mishkan where the righteous Chana taught us the proper way to daven.
Blacksmith Apprentice Workshop
It says in the Torah that Hashem refined the nation in the Iron Crucible of Egypt, melting the metal and removing its impurities. After a bit of time with Yossi you’ll really understand what that truly means. We will melt Iron in his workshop and craft it into jewelry, where we will make our own souvenirs with the iron of Eretz Yisroel. A constant reminder of the pasuk in Dvarim that tells us “For Hashem your G-d is bringing you into a good land…a land whose stones are iron.”
כִּי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, מְבִיאֲךָ אֶל-אֶרֶץ טוֹבָה. אֶרֶץ אֲשֶׁר אֲבָנֶיהָ בַרְזֶל
ATVs in Nachal Shiloh
Every four amot in Eretz Yisrael is a mitzvah, and what quicker way to rack up the mitzvot than on all terrain vehicles? We will take ATVs through Nachal Shiloh which is unsurpassed in beauty, especially in the winter season when the nachal flows and everything is green. As we pass the vineyards we will recall the words of the Navi Yirmiyahu
עוֹד אֶבְנֵךְ וְנִבְנֵית, בְּתוּלַת יִשְׂרָאֵל: עוֹד תַּעְדִּי תֻפַּיִךְ, וְיָצָאת בִּמְחוֹל מְשַׂחֲקִים. עוֹד תִּטְּעִי כְרָמִים
בְּהָרֵי שֹׁמְרוֹן; נָטְעוּ נֹטְעִים, וְחִלֵּלוּ
“I will yet rebuild you and you will be rebuilt maiden of Israel: and you will adorn yourself with drums and go forth in the dance of the joyous. You will again plant vineyards in the mountains of Samaria, the planters will plant and redeem their fruit.”
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Day Four
Wednesday – Beit Shemesh
Biblical Museum of Natural History
Many people don’t think of animals when they think of the Tanach, but in fact the Tanach is full of descriptions of animals, whether in regard to kashrut, or metaphors and symbolism. Part zoo, part museum, we will come face to face with many of the animals of the Tanach, and get to hold them as well.
Elah Fortress – King David’s Fortress
Discovered in 2007 the remains of this 3,000 year old fortress were found which overlook the Elah Valley. This strategic fortress protected the Judean interior and archeological surveys have uncovered 2,300 ft casemate walls with stones weighing up to 8 tons! This is where David (not yet king) defeated the giant Goliath in battle in one of the most famous battles in world history.
Bar Kochva Tunnels
Almost 1,900 years ago the soldiers of Bar Kochva fought a guerrilla war against the Roman Empire. The ruins of a town from that period were discovered here with escape tunnels running underneath the ruins that we will explore on our hands and knees. This is not for the claustrophobic! You must bring flashlights and clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty.
Dig For a Day
At Beit Guvrin/Maresha, the land of 5,000 caves, we will take part in a modern archaeological excavation. Maresha was the hometown of the prophet Michah and has a 3,000 year history, as well as having been conquered and destroyed numerous times. Dig For a Day is a unique opportunity to get your hands dirty with the past by participating in an active archaeological dig searching for lost treasure and exploring underground caves that haven’t been seen for 2,100 years.
Sleep Jerusalem Hotel
Day Five
Thursday – Bar Mitzvah!
Shacharit at the Kotel – Professional Photographer
Let’s start our trip to Israel the right way with Vitamin T – Tefillah!. We will meet a professional photographer at the Kotel where we will have a meaningful shacharit and leining, followed by family pictures and lunch.
Seudat Bar Mitzvah at Luciano
Pantry Packers
The root of the Hebrew word ahava is hav which means giving, thus to love is to give. This is our chance to give to those less fortunate than us. Pantry Packers is part of an initiative of feeding the hungry in Israel regardless of religion, ethnicity, or nationality. Besides wholesale supermarkets, soup kitchens, meals- on-wheels etc. at their warehouse in Jerusalem, volunteers pack boxes of dried goods to be shipped all over the country. Nothing is more rewarding than giving back and giving tzedakah to those in need.
Sleep Jerusalem Hotel
Day Six
Friday – Jerusalem Old City
Ramparts Walk
We will walk from the Jaffa Gate on top of the old city’s walls recounting the words of King David;
סֹ֣בּוּ צִ֖יוֹן וְהַקִּיפ֑וּהָ סִ֜פְר֗וּ מִגְדָּלֶֽיהָ שִׁ֚יתוּ לִבְּכֶ֨ם לְֽחֵילָ֗ה פַּסְּג֥וּ אַרְמְנוֹתֶ֑יהָ לְמַ֥עַן תְּ֜סַפְּר֗וּ לְד֣וֹר אַֽחֲרֽוֹן
“Walk about Zion and encompass her, count her towers. Mark well in your hearts her ramparts, raise up her palaces, that you may tell it to subsequent generations.”
Tower of David
Immerse yourself in the rich history of Jerusalem at the Tower of David Museum. Located within the ancient citadel, this captivating museum offers a journey through time, exploring the city’s diverse cultural heritage. From interactive exhibits to panoramic views of Jerusalem’s skyline, discover the layers of civilization that have shaped this remarkable city for thousands of years.
Kotel Tunnels
The Kotel Plaza today has an exposed section of 57 meters out of 488 meters! Underneath the Muslim Quarter of today is the excavated sections of the Western Wall which were once open to the sky. Although the average stone in the wall is only 2-3 tons, we will see the largest stone that weighed a whopping 570 tons, making it one of the largest hewn stones in the world.
Jewish Quarter
The Jewish Quarter has had a Jewish presence almost continuously for 2,700 years! Home to nearly 3,300 residents, it combines history, religion, and archeology as well as shops and restaurants, yeshivas and synagogues. Although there is a modern neighborhood on top of these ancient ruins, the stones come to life and whisper the prophecy of Zachariah that “there will once again sit old men and women in the squares of Jerusalem, and the streets will be filled with playing children.”
Evening Recommendation – Shabbat at the Western Wall
Friday night is a special time to be in Jerusalem. As the day ends a new day begins – Shabbat. The Kotel in Jerusalem becomes a unifying place for the Jews as holiness of time and place intertwine. Soldiers and Hassids, tourists and locals, dance arm in arm to welcome the Jewish Sabbath with song and joy. This celebration has no parallel in the world and should not be missed.
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Day Seven
Saturday – Shabbat Shalom!
Shabbat Rest
Take a day to recover from a hectic week of travel and touring. As the Holy City takes a rest let’s take this opportunity to visit one of Jerusalem’s hundreds of synagogues, stroll through one of the many parks Jerusalem has to offer, or just rest up and re-JEW-venate as we recharge for next week. We got a lot of ground to cover motzei Shabbos!
Sleep Jerusalem Hotel
Day Eight
Sunday – Galilee
Caesarea
This picturesque 2,000 year old port city was a dream of King Herod. The Caesarea port was an unparalleled feat of engineering and instrumental in solidifying trade agreements with the Roman Empire. It was at the time, one of the largest cities in the Roman Empire and the capital of Rome in Israel. We will visit the excavated hippodrome, theater and bathhouse. Once a symbol of Roman power, today Caesarea is a testament to the eventual victory of the Jews over Rome.
Kfar Kedem Mishnaic Village – Donkey Ride & Lunch
Let’s go back in time 2,000 years to a simpler time before modern conveniences such as packaged sliced bread and cars and trucks. In this reconstructed Mishnaic era village we will get to glimpse, if only for a few hours, what life was like for our ancestors in the Land of Israel. We will learn about ancient agriculture, ride donkeys, and even bake our own fresh pita bread. The experience includes a delicious rustic lunch served outdoors.
Rosh Hanikra Grottoes & Cable Car
On Israel’s northern border with Lebanon sits one of the most magnificent natural phenomenon in Israel. We will take cable cars down to grottoes that were carved into the mountainside over thousands of years by the beating waves of the Mediterranean Sea. From the cliff sides we will get one of the most picturesque views of the Mediterranean coast that you can imagine.
Sleep Hotel North
Day Nine
Monday – Galilee
Tzfat Old City & Artist Quarter
In Judaism’s most mystical book, the Zohar, Tzfat is described as having the purest air in all of Israel and that’s not only because Tzfat is almost 3,000 feet in elevation. Of Judaism’s four Holy Cities, Tzfat is the one described as mystical and connected to the element of air, that which is intangible… hidden. It is for this reason that 500 years ago Tzfat attracted mystics and rabbis and built breathtaking synagogues which we will explore. In recent years Tzfat’s beauty has attracted artists from all over who have opened their galleries to the public, making Tzfat a highlight of any trip to Israel.
Meiron
We will visit the hometown and burial place of the RaShBI or Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, the 2nd century Tanna and Talmud of Rabbi Akiva, as well as his son Rabbi Alazar. The air is vibrant with the fires of the Zohar and for months one can smell the remains of the fires of Lag Ba’omer where nearly a quarter of a million jews from all walks of life come to celebrate the life and legacy of RaShBI.
Lebanese Border Jeep Ride and Soldier Visit
Situated next to biblical Kadesh the hometown of Barak Ben Avinoam and the burial site of Yael and Devorah, sits Kibbutz Malkiyah named for the family of Cohanim who lived here 2,500 years ago. This rocky region of the upper Galilee has been a border from time immemorial and has seen many battles and wars throughout history. As it was then too now, it is on the frontlines standing strong against Hezbollah. We will ride along the border fence in a jeep going beyond where civilians may travel to meet the modern heroes of Israel. We will meet soldiers standing guard, get a VIP entrance into an army base and climb in and around tanks, while saying thank you to the soldiers.
Banias Waterfall National Park
In the third century before the common era, here at one of the most important crossroads of the ancient world was built a temple to the Greek god Pan and his nymphs, Zeus, and Augustus Caesar when its name was changed to Caesarea Philippi. This cultic site sat at headwaters of the Banias river, one of the three sources of the Jordan river. We will stroll along the spring’s pleasant water, culminating at the largest and most impressive waterfall in all of Israel.
Sleep Hotel North
Day Ten
Tuesday – Golan Heights
Slingshot IDF Bunker Challenge
Capt. Yaakov Selavan will take us on an exciting field adventure in the footsteps of the 188th brigades holding back the advancing Syrian army during the 1973 Yom Kippur War. We will descend into the darkness of Tel Saki and work together to turn our fears into strengths as we connect the experiences of IDF soldiers to our own Jewish identity.
De Karina Chocolate Factory & Workshop
Karina & Gyora Chepelinski made aliyah in 2003 and brought with them a three generations old trade. The Chocolatiers have made the Golan Heights bloom with their family chocolate recipes. We will tour this one of a kind boutique chocolate factory, situated in picturesque Kibbutz Ein Zivan less than a mile from the Syria/Israel border. Besides seeing the factory floor, and tasting the delicious treats, we will get our hands dirty making our own truffles in a one of a kind workshop.
Har Bental Viewpoint and IDF Bunkers
We will drive up a dormant volcano to a height of 1,260 feet above sea level to take in a breathtaking 360 degree view of the Golan Heights. From this former Israeli defensive position we can look down into Syria and on a clear day even see the approaches to Damascus only 45 miles away. We can also climb through the decommissioned bunker and trenches of the IDF.
Tiberias & Sea of Galilee
Resting on the Lake Kinneret and one of the four Holy Cities of Judaism, Tiberias is a 2,000 year old city both home to a vibrant Jewish community and the resting place of great rabbis. Besides the stunning views of the Golan Heights and upper Galilee, we will learn about Rabbi Akiva and Maimonides as Jewish history comes alive beneath our feet.
Decks Restaurant – Dinner
No trip to Tiberias is complete without dinner at the most popular steakhouse in the Middle East. Sitting on a veranda along the shores of the Kinneret, the combination of stunning views and wide variety of smoked and barbecued meats create an unparalleled dining experience. Get there for sunset to see the reflection of the setting sun along the Golan Heights.
Sleep Hotel North
Day Eleven
Wednesday – Jordan Valley
Sde Eliyahu Bio Bee Kibbutz Tour
Ever wonder what it’s like to live on a kibbutz? At Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu we will tour not only one of the last vestiges of authentic kibbutz life in Israel, but also a world leader in organic farming and biological pest control. We will learn about owls, bees, worms, and donkeys as well as various other trailblazing techniques that this kibbutz is using to try to make the world a better and cleaner place. We will finish the tour with lunch in the cheder ochel or communal dining room for a kibbutz lunch!
Gan Hashlosha Swim
Gan Hashlosha or the Sachne as the locals call it, was listed by Time magazine as one of the most beautiful places in Israel and one of the top 20 exotic places in the world. This natural thermal spring has a year-round water temperature of 82 degrees! These pools are a welcome relief to the temperature outside, whether it be hot or cold, and swimming in this paradise is enjoyable year round.
Kasr Al Yahud – Jordan River
Just across from Yericho on the lush banks of Israel’s longest river, the Yarden, we will take in the most amazing biblical view. It was here that nearly 3,400 years ago the B’nai Yisroel crossed over from the Midbar into Eretz Yisrael finally coming home after 40 years in the desert. The Yarden is no longer split, yet it’s only a few dozen feet to the other side as well as the modern border between Israel & Jordan. One can envision Eliyahu HaNavi’s transcendental ascent from this world. Due to security coordination with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Kasr al Yahud was only opened to the public in 2011.
Sleep Jerusalem Hotel
Day Twelve
Thursday – Dead Sea
Masada
Masada stands as a powerful reminder of Jewish resilience and strength. Built by King Herod in 30 BCE atop a rugged desert plateau, its cliffs and towering walls made it a near impenetrable stronghold above the Dead Sea. Decades later, it became the final refuge for Jewish rebels fighting against the Roman Empire. Their last stand has come to symbolize unwavering courage, with Masada forever embodying the pledge that “Masada shall not fall again,” a promise of endurance and defiance that echoes through generations.
Ein Gedi National Park
We will visit this desert oasis where King David hid from his enemy Saul as recounted in the Bible in the Book of Samuel. Here we can do easy to difficult hikes through the beautiful Judean Desert, periodically stopping to dip in the cold water springs, and cool off under the waterfalls. It’s not uncommon while hiking in this nature reserve to see wild ibex drinking from the stream, hyraxes climbing the trees, or eagles soaring overhead.
Dead Sea Float
Have you ever wondered what it feels like to be weightless? Here in the lowest place on earth we have the saltiest lake in the world. The water is so dense that it’s impossible to sink. The waters of the Dead Sea have been known throughout antiquity to have healing qualities, and a day at the Dead Sea has the power to rejuvenate the skin. The hypersalinity and high mineral content have been shown to be therapeutic for arthritis, psoriasis, eczema, and much much more.
Mitzpe Yericho
Meaning literally, “a viewpoint to Jericho” Mitzpe Yericho is a small west bank settlement sitting on a cliff. It is perched more than a thousand feet above one of the oldest cities in the world and the entrance to the Land of Israel from the East. Over 500 families live in this small desert town, but thousands come here to see its amazing views and abandoned Israeli Army bunker.
Sleep Jerusalem Hotel
Day Thirteen
Friday – Hevron
Caliber 3 Anti-Terrorism Training
Established in 2003 by Colonel Sharon Gat, Caliber 3 has since become the leading counter terror and security training academy in Israel. The training includes a simulation of a terror attack in a Jerusalem marketplace, a demonstration with attack dogs, and a live fire sniper tournament. This activity is the closest one can come to being part of an elite counterterrorism team but still remain a civilian.
Hevron
3,800 years ago Avraham Avinu made the first land acquisition in Eretz Yisrael for Am Yisrael. Mearat HaMachpela has been a site of pilgrimage and prayer for the children of Avraham and Sara, and the city of Hevron is waiting with open arms.
Kever Rachel
Chazal tell us that Rachel was buried on the road by Beit Lechem so that those Jews going into exile would be consoled by the hope that her prayers guarantee our return. In the place where Binyamin was born and Rachel died, David Hamelech and the seeds of Moshaich will sprout. There is a special segula at Kever Rachel to daven for the Geula Shleima.
Sleep Jerusalem Hotel
Day Fourteen
Saturday – Shabbat shalom, Motzei Shabbos VIP Departure and Airport Transfer
Shabbat Rest
Take a day to recover from a hectic week of travel and touring. As the Holy City takes a rest let’s take this opportunity to visit one of Jerusalem’s hundreds of synagogues, stroll through one of the many parks Jerualem has to offer, or just rest up and re-JEW-venate as we recharge for next week. We got a lot of ground to cover motzei Shabbos!
VIP Transfer and Departure
In Israel we don’t say goodbye we say l’hitraot…that means “see you later” A representative of our company will bring you to Ben Gurion Airport and streamline your flight check-in and departure. Looking forward to next time!
