Israel 11 Day Tour with Underground Jerusalem and Judean Desert

Arrival at Tel Aviv International Airport. A Noah Tours representative will meet you after passport control and accompany you to your transfer to your hotel.

After breakfast drive through Jaffa, an ancient port city and the oldest part of Tel Aviv. Continue on to the ancient city of Caesarea that was built by King Herod the Great while driving along the beautiful Mediterranean coast. We will then proceed to Haifa, passing by Mt. Carmel to see the famous Bahai Gardens. From Haifa, we will drive to Nazareth and the Church of Annunciation. Pass by Cana, where the miracle of Jesus turning water into wine took place.  End the day with an overnight in Tiberias/Galilee Sea.

Start the day with an exciting boat ride on the Galilee Sea. Continue to visit Biblical Magdala and its most recent excavations and discoveries. See the Ancient Synagogue, mentioned in the Bible, from the Period of Jesus. Ascend up to Mt. Beatitudes, where Jesus gave the “Sermon on the Mount”.  Continue the day in Capernaum, known as “The Town of Jesus”, visit the synagogue and Peter’s house. Take a lunch break with a delicious St. Peters fish lunch. Next, we will visit Tabgha, the place where the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes took place. You will also have the amazing opportunity to see the famous mosaic under the altar of the ancient church of Tabgha. Proceed to the Golan Heights and have an overview from above. End the day at your hotel in the Galilee Sea for your overnight.

Begin the morning by driving along the Jordan River to Yardenit Baptismal Site. Visit Qumran and see the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Travel on to Masada where you will take a cable car up to the fortress. The history of the famous Jewish fortification will unfold before your eyes; the palaces built by King Herod, the synagogue and bathhouses used by the Jews. Descend Masada by cable car and drive to the Dead Sea for some relaxation and a dip in the water. Overnight in Jerusalem.

Check out from our hotel. Start our journey to Jerusalem ascending via the Judean Desert. Go up to the Mt. of Olives, a cemetery that once was covered in olive groves, where you will have a magnificent panoramic view of Jerusalem. A visit to Israel’s official memorial to the Holocaust, Yad Vashem, located on Mt. Herzl. Depart for Bethlehem to see the Church of Nativity located at Manger Square. Overview of the Judean Desert and Shepherd's Field. Finish the day back in Jerusalem continue the day with an exciting tour of the Mahane Yehuda Marketplace (Shuk) and experience life as an Israeli. Return to the hotel in Jerusalem for your overnight.

The morning will begin with the Garden of Gethsemane, the place where Jesus prayed and his disciples slept the night before his crucifixion. Make your way to Mt. Zion where you will visit David’s Tomb and the site of the Last Supper, also known as the “Upper Room”. We continue to the Christian Quarter where you will enter the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where Jesus was crucified. From there, walk where Jesus walked and make your way down Via Dolorosa (Stations of the Cross). The day will continue with a trip to The Cardo, what used to be a main street in the Old City during the time when Judea was under Roman rule. Go down to the Western Wall and spend some time in reflection and/or prayer. End the day in your Hotel.

Today will begin with a short city tour in New Jerusalem, we will pass by the Israeli parliament “Knesset”, and if time permits, stop by the famous menorah. We will visit the Israel Museum, Israel’s national museum, where you will see the Dead Sea Scrolls as well as a model of the Second Temple. Overnight in Jerusalem. 

Explore the city on a walking tour and discover the city of David and its fascinating archaeological excavations. Visit the Archaeological Park Davidson Center and enrich yourself with the ancient history of the Temple. Proceed to explore the Southern Wall excavations and learn about the Robinson Arch, the ritual bath and get a glimpse of the era before the destruction of the Second Temple. Overnight in Jerusalem. 

Explore the Judean Desert on board a jeep. Pass by the remains of Horkania one king Herods the great desert hideaways palace. We will continue to the stunning view of Mar Saba Monastery situated above the Kidron stream that is coming from Jerusalem one of the most magnificent views in the Judean desert.  On our way back we will explore the mountains above Jericho and view Wadi Qelt Nature Reserve. Return to Jerusalem for your overnight.

Enjoy your free day to explore the beautiful city and its rich and intriguing culture on your own. Do not miss the opportunity to visit the interesting museums and the magnificent sites of the city. Overnight in Jerusalem.

Transfer to Tel Aviv airport for your departure flight. Until next time!