Day 1     Wednesday, May 17 

Today, we board our flight from Australia and the USA for the land of the Bible, Israel! 

• The USA passengers will depart EWR Newark -Liberty International Airport, New Jersey on El Al Airlines Flight # 28 at 1:30 p.m. (All passengers should arrive in Newark airport no later than 10 a.m.- three- and one-half hours prior to departure giving yourselves time to transfer terminals by air-train. Terminal information will be provided.)

 

Day 2     Thursday, May 18

• The Australian group will arrive Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv at 7 a.m. on May 18 via El Al Israeli airlines from Sydney via Bangkok.

The USA passengers will arrive Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv at 6:55 a.m. from Newark, NJ on El Al airline. 

(All will clear Immigration and Customs, then gather in the public area of terminal and travel from the airport together).

 

After deplaning, all passengers will follow instructions to proceed to Immigration. Then, they will proceed to the Baggage Claim beltway to retrieve luggage, double checking that all luggage is in their possession. Continue to the Exit and the Epic Tours staff will greet you in the public arrival area and lead the group to the coach. This process could take an hour or more, depending on long/short lines. 

 

Boarding the deluxe motor coach, we journey to Jaffa, a municipality in the south of Tel Aviv, Israel. It has one of the world’s oldest ports. Once known as the “Bride of the Sea” because of its location along the Mediterranean; it’s been in constant use for several thousand years. Jaffa is a natural harbor that has held great military and monetary significance since its inception, with a broad view of the coastline that allowed for easy departure and defense. The Egyptians even controlled the area for quite some time.

 

The Bible speaks of Jaffa many times, first in Joshua 19:46. It was the port used by Solomon to build the Temple (2 Chronicles 2:16) and where Jonah left for Tarshish (Jonah 1:3). In the New Testament, Tabitha (Dorcas) was brought back to life by Peter in Joppa (Acts 9:36). Soon after, God gave Peter the vision of the unclean animals and commanded him to preach the Gospel to Gentiles and Jews alike (Acts 11:4-17).

 

 We will lunch in the Jaffa area, then travel around the city of Tel Aviv to the hotel. Check-in time begins at 3 p.m. 

 

Arriving at the hotel in Netanya in the late afternoon, the group will be checked in by the Epic Tours staff. Passengers will be given stickers with their name and room number. Place it on your checked bag that the porters have unloaded from the coach and lined up on the sidewalk. 

 

Go to your assigned room and relax! Your bag will be delivered to your door shortly. You will spend one night in this hotel. Get some rest from your journey and prepare for dinner around 6:30-7 p.m. Tables are reserved with the Epic Tours cards in full view. You are on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea! Open your Bible and let your mind drink in the Biblical history you are about to personally experience. You are in the Holy Land! There will be an opportunity to meet, get acquainted, pray, reflect and anticipate the next day. Sisters Marquez and Jena will provide a brief WORD in the evening after dinner. 

Epic Tours staff will brief the group about the times for wake-up call, breakfast and departure. We rest from the long journey and prepare for your first full day of touring.

Overnight in Netanya

 

Day 3     Friday, May 19   Caesarea/Mt. Carmel/Tel-Megiddo/Nazareth Village/Mt. Precipice/Tiberias

We awake in the Holy Land to a sumptuous Israeli breakfast buffet, then board the deluxe motor coach heading north on the Coastal Road to view the stately, ancient ruins of Caesarea, visiting the Roman amphitheater where Paul stood trial. It was here that the Holy Spirit first fell on the Gentiles as Cornelius, the first Gentile of the Church-age, met Peter. http://www.bible-history.com/archaeology/israel/3-caesarea-ancient-bb.html Next, we drive up the Mediterranean Coast to Mount Carmel, Elijah’s Cave, the place where the Prophet Elijah defeated the false prophets of Baal and where God answered by fire.  Continuing we drive through the Valley of Jezreel (Google: Valley of Jezreel for information) - the prophetic future site of the battle of Armageddon. Driving toward Nazareth, we stop to visit an extraordinary site called Nazareth Village, where we step back in time to see a day in the life of the first century Jews who lived in Nazareth. We will visit Mt. Precipice which is located south of Nazareth, on the cliffs of Mt Kedumim (397M), overlooking the Yizrael Valley and Mount Tabor. This is considered by some to be the place where angry Jewish worshippers drove Jesus away from the Synagogue, attempted to throw him of the cliffs, and he disappeared before their 

eyes "in the midst of them”. Descending from the Nazareth hill country, arrive the Galilee. Check in to the hotel and prepare for dinner.

Overnight: The Galilee 

 

 

Day 4     Saturday, May 20 Explore The Galilee- Lake Kineret/ Mr. Arbel/Magdala/Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, Capernaum/Mount of the Beatitudes/Tabgha/Bethseda/Kursi (Pig Jump)

After another great Israeli breakfast, we start our day by stepping aboard a Galilee boat for a calm cruise on the sea to enjoy an incredible worship service with the Word by Sister Marques (or her designate). It is a life changing experience. For many pilgrims to the Holy Land, this is one of the most memorable. Later, we disembark at Ginosar for a short trip to Capernaum, the hometown of Jesus during his ministry. We visit the home of the Apostle Peter where Jesus healed his mother-in-law. Visit Tabgha where Jesus multiplied the fishes and loaves. We lunch on the shores of the Sea of Galilee and enjoy a special Feast of St. Peter’s Fish. A short bus ride takes us to the Mount of Beatitudes where we hear the words of Jesus by one of the group ministers on the mount where the greatest sermon ever was preached. We proceed to our baptismal site located on the Jordan River, Yardenit, for those who wish to be baptized or renew baptism in the river Jordan. After baptism, we return to the hotel where another Israeli buffet is presented with an amazing variety of food for our dinner.

Overnight: The Galilee

 

 

Day 5     Sunday, May 21 Jordan Valley, Beit Shean, Qumran, Ein Gedi, Masada, the Dead Sea, then to Jerusalem

After breakfast, we travel to Beit Shean  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beit_She%27an to visit one of the best preserved Roman Amphitheaters in Israel. Extensive excavations have uncovered eighteen layers of civilizations. Ancient Beit Shean is also where King Saul’s body was retrieved by the brave men of Jabesh Gilead. We travel south to Jericho, the “City of Palms” spreading out on the west side of the Jordan River at 825 feet below sea level. The Bible site of Tell es-Sultan is in the distance and it is the city that Joshua destroyed.  In Jesus’ day a new center had been constructed on the wadi banks by the Hasmonean rulers and Herod the Great. Continuing south, we see Qumran, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qumran where the famous Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered by a little shepherd boy and Ein Gedi where David fled from Saul. Continuing south through the wilderness of Judea, we will ascend by cable car to Masada, the fortress built by King Herod the Great. Step back in time to 66 CE when a group of Jewish rebels overcame the Roman garrison of Masada http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/masada-desert-fortress and settled on the top of Masada until 73 CE when the Roman governor laid siege. The view of the Roman camps can still be seen from atop Masada, as well as a spectacular view of the country of Jordan and the Dead Sea. Visit the remains of Herod’s Palace, the Apartments, Baths, Storehouses and Cisterns. It was here the Jewish Zealots made their last stand against the Roman Legions from 70-73 AD. Descend from Masada with a stunning view of the Dead Sea. We continue north along the shore of the Dead Sea. For those who want to experience floating in the Dead Sea, the coach will stop at an appropriate place. Changing facilities are available. Then, we  leave the lowest point on earth which is 1360 feet below sea level. Ending our day, journey up the wilderness of Judea where Jesus spent 40 days after his baptism by John, near Jericho, to arrive in Jerusalem, hopefully before sunset, and to feast our souls and eyes on the most sacred spot on earth. Jerusalem, Jerusalem, lift your voice and sing, Hosanna to our King! 

Dinner and Overnight: Jerusalem 

 

Day 6    Monday, May 22 Jerusalem/Temple Mount/Hulda Gates/ Western Wall

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerusalem) If permitted to enter, we begin our day at one of the most incredible sites in all of Judaism: The Temple Mount. It is here where Temple era came to an abrupt halt as it was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.  Leaving the Temple Mount, we begin a tour of the old city of Jerusalem. We visit St. Ann’s Church and hear the marvelous acoustics as we sing. Nearby, we visit the Pool of Bethesda where the angel stirred the waters for healing. Following the path from Pilate’s Judgement Hall through the old city, we experience the sights and sounds of old Jerusalem as we journey toward the Western Wall. We walk the Via Dolorosa in the footsteps of Jesus. the route that he took between his condemnation by Pilate and his crucifixion and burial.  Just below the Temple Mount, on the western side we will pray at the Western Wall (Kotel) which is the closest wall to where the Holy of Holies was located when the Temple was in use during the 1st Century. In the afternoon, we journey to Bethlehem where we eat lunch at a local restaurant with a Bedouin flavor, enjoyed by all who have visited! We visit the Church of the Nativity and Shepherds Fields where the angels sang on the night of His birth. Great shopping opportunities in Bethlehem! Return to the hotel for dinner.

Overnight: Jerusalem 

 

Day 7    Tuesday, May 23 Jerusalem, Mount of Olives, Communion in the Garden of Gethsemane, Temple Institute, Western Wall

We begin our day with the incredible view of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. Continuing, we visit the Church of All Nations and pray in the Garden of Gethsemane with a grand view of the Eastern Gate and the Kidron Valley. Here, we read the Scriptures of Jesus’ prayer and take time for personal reflection where we literally walk where Jesus walked. After lunch and by appointment, we visit the Temple Institute. The Temple Institute's goal is to see Israel rebuild the Holy Temple on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem, in accord with the Biblical commandment. Over the past six months the Temple Institute has greatly expanded its efforts to raise a red heifer in Israel whose ashes can be used to achieve the highest level of biblical purity which will enable kohanim and ordinary Jews to enter into the areas on the Temple Mount where the inner Temple courtyards and the Temple Sanctuary are located, a prerequisite for the renewal of the Divine service in the Holy Temple.

 

More details cannot currently be disclosed for operational reasons. Suffice it to say that the current efforts are international in scope. They hope to be able to share more information in the near future as progress is made. Judith Abrahams is a master weaver who was commissioned by the Temple Institute to weave the me'il techelet - all blue tunic of the Kohen Gadol (High Priest), which can be seen at the Institute's Jerusalem exhibition. Judith now sets her sights on weaving the Parochet, the massive curtain which separated the Temple Sanctuary (Kodesh) from the Kodesh HaKodeshim (the Holy of Holies) "And all the skilled (chochmat lev) women spun with their own hands, and brought what they had spun, in blue, purple, and crimson yarns, and in fine linen. And all the women who excelled in that skill spun the goats’ hair." Exodus 35:25-26)

 

The Temple Institute's Holy Temple Museum includes a highly advanced, state-of-the-art presentation of the Temple-ready sacred vessels created by the Institute, garments of the High Priest, oil-paintings depicting aspects of the Divine service of the Holy Temple and a model of the Holy Temple Complex. Visitors will also be able to see a scaled-down stone altar, made in accordance with Torah law, transportable and completely ready for use on the Temple Mount. (https://templeinstitute.org/holy-temple-museum). Return to the hotel for dinner

Overnight: Jerusalem

  

 

Day 8     Wednesday, May 24 City of David and Mt. Zion

By 9 in the morning, we arrive at the City of David, at the Gihon Spring, where we learn of how the original city of Jerusalem was established by King David, overtaking from the Jebusites. Next, we’ll visit Hezekiah’s Tunnel: A 1750-foot tunnel carved during the reign of Hezekiah to bring water from one side of the city to the other, Hezekiah’s Tunnel together with the 6th c. tunnel of Euphalios in Greece is considered the greatest works of water engineering technology in the pre-Classical period. The Pool of Siloam is a rock-cut pool on the southern slope of the City of David, the original site of Jerusalem, located outside the walls of the Old City to the southeast. The pool was fed by the waters of the Gihon Spring, carried there by two aqueducts. We continue to the traditional site of the Tomb of King David.

 

A short walk through the Jewish Quarter and through the Roman Cardo we have lunch in the Jewish Quarter. We visit the Room of the Last Supper, also known as the site of the Upper Room. Continuing to the House of Caiaphas, we see the pit where Jesus spent the night and the patio where Peter denied the Lord. The Roman steps that Jesus walked from the Last Supper to the Garden of Gethsemane are there, as well as an incredible view of the Kidron Valley and the Garden of Gethsemane. Traveling to the Israeli Museum in the afternoon, we will visit the 2nd Temple model of Jerusalem and the Dead Sea scrolls (discovered in the caves of Qumran) among other antiquities. On the way, the  Knesset Menorah which is a bronze Menorah weighing 4 tons, can be seen. The Menorah was presented to the Knesset as a gift from the Parliament of the United Kingdom on April 15, 1956 in honor of the eighth anniversary of Israeli independence. We end our day on the 12th floor of the Clal Building, at the Epic Tours Jerusalem office and Prayer Room overlooking the city of Jerusalem - a spectacular view and an awesome spiritual experience as we contemplate our journey in the Holy Land. A worship service will be led by Sister Marquez and Sister Jena. Return to the hotel for dinner.

Overnight: Jerusalem

 

Day 9   Thursday, May 25 Jerusalem, The City of Our King

After breakfast, we journey to the Garden Tomb where we view the Hill of the Skull, Calvary, then walk into the empty tomb. A communion service provides an opportunity to reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice and His victory over death. Ministers from your group will lead the service. In the afternoon, we visit the Mahane Yehuda Market known as Jerusalem’s Shuk. Then, to Ben Yahuda Street to enjoy the sights of Jerusalem. Great shopping opportunities for souvenirs are on the pedestrian mall. Enjoy a cappuccino in the open-air cafes or just sit and enjoy the street musicians and sounds of Jerusalem. Return to the hotel for dinner.                             \

Overnight: Jerusalem

 

Day 10   Friday, May 26 Jerusalem Western Wall

Following breakfast, we visit the Western Wall Tunnel which will take you underground. A large portion of the Western Wall is inaccessible, otherwise. You will see stones, models and actual structures which provide clues as to how the Second Temple was constructed. In addition, these artifacts help explain the history of this area through the eyes of all the great empires that once ruled Jerusalem. After the tunnel tour, the group goes to pray again at the Western Wall! This retaining wall built by King Herod is the most sacred place on earth to the Jewish people. It remains to mark the place where the Second Temple was destroyed in 70 AD, as foretold by Jesus. “Not one stone shall be left upon another.”

 

Leaving the Western Wall, we will walk through the Dung Gate from temple days to the stairway leading to the top of the wall around old Jerusalem. Overlooking the old city, your ministerial leaders will conduct a service and a great prayer meeting. Women Ministering to Women are now Women on the Wall! Praying for the peace of Jerusalem and every burden and need you brought to the City of God. At sundown, Jewish worshipers converge on the Western Wall to pray as Shabbat begins. The ram’s horn (siren) will be heard all over Jerusalem about 40 minutes before sundown giving everyone time to return to their home for Shabbat dinner. Most of Jerusalem comes to a standstill at the beginning of Shabbat. Return to the hotel for dinner.                                     Overnight: Jerusalem 

 

Day 11   Saturday, May 27   Checkout of hotel, visit Yad Vashem, Farewell Dinner, Arrive airport

After a casual breakfast, and the morning to pack up, the group will check out of the hotel around noon.  Then, we travel to the Yad Vashem, the holocaust memorial as we journey toward Tel Aviv airport to arrive by 6:45 p.m. A farewell dinner is the final gathering of the group from the USA and Australia. For each, an evening check-in is a minimum of three hours prior to departure. Time is allowed for several security checkpoints of documents and luggage x rays BEFORE proceeding to the airline counter for check in. In my opinion, Ben Gurion International Airport is the safest airport in the world.

 

The group will travel to the airport together, then say their goodbyes as each navigate the security lines and finally to their respective airline counter. 

 

The Australian group will arrive at the El Al counter and check in three hours prior to departure at 10:45 p.m. on Saturday, May 27. 

 

The USA group will proceed through security checks and arrive their airline counter three hours prior to departure shortly after midnight, 1:00 a.m May 28 on El Al flight # 25. Arrival in Newark, NJ airport at 5:45 a.m same day, May 28.

 

After clearing Immigration, passengers will collect their baggage and clear Customs in the US, Then, passengers who are transferring to another airline will re-check their bags just outside the Customs Exit door. Please!! When making your return reservation to your final destination, allow at least an hour to clear, then take the air-train to your departure terminal for a two-hour period prior to departure time.