Listed below are most of the locations we will be visiting on our Bible Lands Tour. We have included references to our Christian publications so that you can look up this information in advance. This reference list does not include everything we have published on the locations we will be visiting, but will help get you started on preparing:
ISRAEL
ISRAEL (Ancient Land): si 270-278; it-1 332-336; it-2 469-470
JERUSALEM (Ancient): it-2 40-41, 951
JOPPA: it-2 104
CAPERNAUM: it-1 410-412
SEA OF GALILEE: it-1 885
NAZARETH: it-2 476
EGYPT
PYRAMIDS AT GIZA: Khufu (Cheops) at Giza: it-1 158, 692
CAIRO MUSEUM: w06 7/15
TURKEY
EPHESUS: it-1 734-735
PERGAMUM: it-2 607-608
SARDIS: it-2 864
SMYRNA: it-2 982
The theme of the trip through Israel will be: "See the Good Land." Close to the Promised Land, Moses implored Jehovah in the words of Deuteronomy 3:25, “Let me pass over, please, and see the good land that is across the Jordan.” Our "See the Good Land" Bible tour will help you to draw a number of practical lessons from the experiences of the ancient Israelites as well as the travels and ministry of Jesus and the apostle Paul. Motivating lessons drawn from the Bible in connection with the Promised Land will be highlighted and featured in the "See the Good Land" tour through Israel.
The theme of the trip through Egypt will be: "The Seed of the Woman." Egypt was the mightiest nation on earth 3,500 years ago. You will see how despite Egypt's efforts to keep the nation of Israel in bondage, Jehovah freed Israel and through that nation preserved the seed line foretold at Genesis 3:15.
The theme of the trip through Turkey will be: "How Did They Maintain Their Heart Devotion?" Despite Satan's all-out efforts to attack and destroy the faith of first-century Christians they maintained their integrity. How? And what lessons can we learn from them? You will learn the answers to these questions and more as you visit the cities of Ephesus, Pergamum and others."
ISRAEL
Jerusalem
Throughout the Bible there are more than 800 references to the city of Jerusalem. Most of the source information regarding the ancient city of Jerusalem come from the Bible and Jewish historian Josephus.
Masada
According to Josephus, a first-century Jewish Roman historian, Herod the Great fortified Masada between 37 and 31 BCE as a refuge for himself in the event of a revolt. In 66 CE, Jewish extremists overcame a Roman garrison at Masada. In response, the Romans began a two to three month siege of Masada and completed a rampart in the spring of 73. When the Romans entered the fortress they discovered that its 960 inhabitants had committed mass suicide rather than face certain capture by their enemies.
Sea of Galilee
Surrounded by hills in northern Palestine lies the freshwater inland lake called the Sea of Galilee. It was on and around this lake that many outstanding events of Jesus’ ministry took place.
Capernaum
A city of major importance in Jesus’ earthly ministry, located on the north west shores of the Sea of Galilee. Capernaum, came to be known as Jesus’ ‘own city’ even though he traveled much of the time. (Mt 9:1; Mr 2:1) It was at Capernaum that Jesus called Matthew to be his disciple. (Mt 9:9)
EGYPT
You will see the Step Pyramid at Sakkara which existed in Jacob's day. In addition, you will see the massive Pyramids at Giza and the Sphinx. Cairo Museum: In the city of Cairo you will visit this famous museum which houses many impressive and unique treasures including many of King Tutankhamen's personal items that were buried with him and found in 1922 by archeologist Howard Carter..
TURKEY
There is so much to see in Turkey that it is often referred to as the Other Holy Land. Ephesus: A visit to this city is a must see for any Bible student. The apostle Paul visited Ephesus on his second and third missionary tours. Paul accomplished much in Ephesus and many became worshipers of Jehovah as a result! (Acts 18:19-21; Acts 19:10-17) Pergamum: Is where pagan religion was greatly stressed including the worship of political rulers. In addition, you see other ancient cities and sites in Turkey.
Day 1 Friday Oct 19:
Travelers from the Americas depart for Israel
Day 2 Saturday Oct 20:
All travelers arrival Ben Gurion [TLV] airport; Meet BCT guides and agent at airport and at hotel, Checking into Hotel; free time Tel Aviv; guests arrange own supper.
Day 3 Sunday Oct 21:
Breakfast in hotel. Travel by coach to Tel Aviv to tour Bethel and Joppa (see Simon the Tanner's house and the ancient Port). Get own lunch in Joppa, local cuisine as a group; after lunch tour the wonderful Biblical Landscape Reserve (Neot Kedumim); home of the 'seven varieties' Deut 8:8. Coach back to TelAviv hotel for group dinner (included)
Day 4 Monday Oct 22:
Breakfast in hotel, check out. Visit newly un-earthed Caesarea & amazing Megiddo (lunch at or near Nazareth). Nazareth Village– experience a memorable re-creation of Nazareth of 2000 years ago. Group dinner (included) at new Nazareth hotel.
Day 5 Tuesday Oct 23:
Breakfast in kibbutz, check out. Tour of the Sea of Galilee area: Mount of Beatitudes for a re-enactment of the Sermon, Capernaum to see the ancient synagogue and ruins of Peter's house, and ancient fishing centre by Tabgha. Optional Galilee Fish lunch at Tiberias. Coach to Jerusalem hotel via one of the historic baptism sites; followed by a memorable 'sunset' dinner event (included, with wine & camel ride) at 'Abraham's Tent'.
Day 5 Wednesday Oct 24:
Breakfast in hotel. Leave with coach with equipment needed (if you choose the 'wet' tunnel instead of the 'dry' one) for wading through Hezekiah's tunnel at the City of David. Visit to Gihon, Hezekiah's tunnel, Warren's Shaft, Pool of Siloam (new site recently found). Shop with genuine ancient coins found in Pool of Siloam. Herod's Steps, recently found. Guided Bible Tour of Israel Museum (we have own local theocratic guide), Shrine of The Book and the huge outdoor model of ancient Jerusalem, showing the possible route of Jesus on Nisan 14. Visit to Temple Mount including new excavations at the astonishing Western Wall 'Tunnel'. Coach back to hotel; guests arrange own supper (the hotel has easy transport a short distance into the ancient city of Jerusalem.)
Day 7 Thursday Oct 25:
Breakfast in hotel. Enjoy city walk, seeing the Wailing Wall, Wohl Museum & [AD 70] Burnt House, 'Upper Room' Senaculum. Get own small lunch; Mount of Olives, walk down to Gethsemane. Guided tour of Garden Tomb site.
Day 9 Friday Oct 26:
Breakfast in classy Jerusalem hotel. Leave with coach for Bethany (with re-enactment of Lazarus resurrection) and incredible Masada, using the cable car. Enjoy an optional Dead Sea float and lunch by the Dead Sea (lunch not included). See the Qumran caves as we pass. Visit to the amazing ancient Jericho archeological site. Farewells to coach driver & Israeli guide. Coach back to hotel for inclusive group dinner party.
Day 9 Saturday Oct 27:
Breakfast in hotel. Free day in city; Your BCT guide will give you a list of other great local places for you to see. (self-guided)
Day 10 Sunday Oct 28:
Breakfast in hotel. Israel-Only guests depart for home. Egypt & Turkey guests depart for Eilat Egypt. Travel to Mt. Sinai (from Eilat) stay overnight in hotel.
Day 11 Monday, October 29:
Climb Mt. Sinai, afterward drive to Eilat and stay overnight in hotel.
Day 12 Tuesday, October 30:
Fly to Cairo, check into hotel.
Day 13 Wednesday, October 31:
Visit Memphis, Sakkara, Pyramids and Cairo Museum, then take overnight train to Aswan.
Day 14 Thursday, November 1:
Nile cruise , see some local sites including the Temple of Philae then board the boat for lunch and settle into your cabin. Visit Botanical Gardens on Kitchener's Island.
Day 15 Friday, November 2:
Nile cruise, visit temples of Sobek and Horus and other sites.
Day 16 Saturday, November 3:
Nile cruise (last day on boat), travel by bus to the Valley of the Kings and the Temples at Luxor and Karnak. Return over-night to Cairo aboard the train.
Day 17 Sunday, November 4:
Breakfast hotel. Israel & Egypt group depart for home destination. Egypt & Turkey group Travel to airport for flight to Smyrna (Izmir, Turkey). Transfer to hotel in Kusadasi.
Day 18 Monday, November 5:
Visit Ephesus. Most of the ruins of Ephesus are as they were in the first-century C.E. Walking the streets of Ephesus is like walking back in time some 2,000 years ago.
Day 19 Tuesday, November 6:
Visit Smyrna and Sardis. Stay overnight in hotel two nights in Izmir.
Day 20 Wednesday, November 7:
Visit Pergamum. This is where pagan religion was greatly stressed including the worship of political rulers.
Day 21 Thursday, November 8:
Depart Izmir for home destinations.
- Transportation each day for touring and sightseeing
- Entrance fees for scheduled touring sites
- Breakfast each day plus dinners and lunches as noted in itinerary
- Rooming in a 3 star or higher hotel
- Full Packages include airfare from NY/Cairo/Izmir/NY and also include Hotel/Airport Shuttle
- Prices include several tour guides: one local guide for each country which is required by the local laws and no less than two Witness guides in Israel, Egypt, and in Turkey. The Witness guides will be Brother Timothy E. Martin for Israel, Egypt, and Turkey along with Brother Derek House for Israel. Brother Martin will be volunteering his own time to conduct these tours. Your tours through the Bible Lands will be biblically accurate and of the greatest encouragement to you!
- Tour Watchtower Branch Office in Tel Aviv, Israel.
- Tour the ancient sites of Ephesus, Sardis, Smyrna, Thyatira, Pergamum and the Asclepion in Turkey
- Nile River Cruise also included
Tour Notes: A deposit of $350 per person is required at the time you make your reservation to ensure your space on the tour. Refunds are possible only to those who purchase travel insurance, provided cancellation conditions are met. Payment in full is due 90 days before the trip departure date.
Download the Bible Lands Tours Handbook
