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8 Day Christian Pilgrimage
Highlights: Jerusalem, Dead Sea, Tiberias, Tel Aviv
Trip start: Tel Aviv
Trip end: Tel Aviv
Price Range From $2,999 per person (2012 pricing based on 4 travellers) *
* USD per person based on 2-4 people, double occupancy. Custom designed personal tour. Prices subject to change.

National Geographic Adventure Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth '98.33 Client Satisfaction Rating'

Winner National Geographic 'Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth'
2008 & 2009

Trip Summary
Map of Itinerary
Expand [+]

Sacred, mystical and literally timeless – for many, no other holiday will ever compare to a pilgrimage to the birthplace of Christianity, Israel. Less tour and more life changing experience, this spiritual private guided voyage will take you through the timeless ancient wonders of Jerusalem, Dead Sea, Tiberias and Tel Aviv in comfort, safety and style. Behold Bethlehem, the New City of Jerusalem, Western Wall, Temple Mount, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, David’s Citadel, Mount Sodom, Qumran (where the Dead Sea Scrolls where found), the River Jordan (Baptism site), Masada, the Sea of Galilee, Beit Shean, Nazareth (the Church of the Annunciation and Mary’s Well), Golan Heights, Capernaum, Tabgha (famous for the miracle of fish and bread performed by Jesus), the Grottoes of Rosh Hanikra and Caesarea. Every step you take and every site you see in Israel has an epic past – all which will be told to you by your exclusive private guide. Featuring private guide, driver and stylish hotels this customizable tour is your passport to all the treasures of Israel.

Day Activities Hotel
Day 1
Jerusalem
  • Transfer - Private - Tel Aviv - Jerusalem [1 hr] - Vehicle/Driver
  • Dinner (not included)
Dan Boutique Jerusalem (B)
Day 2
Jerusalem
  • Jerusalem: Private - New City and Bethlehem Tour - Vehicle/Driver
  • Lunch (not included)
  • Private Guide/Vehicle - Vehicle/Driver
Dan Boutique Jerusalem (B)
Day 3
Jerusalem
  • Private - Old City Tour - Vehicle/Driver
  • Lunch (not included)
  • Private Guide/Vehicle - Vehicle/Driver
Dan Boutique Jerusalem (B)
Day 4
Dead Sea
  • Private - Qasr al Yahud, Ein Gedi, Masada - Vehicle/Driver
  • Lunch (not included)
  • Dead Sea: Private Guide/Vehicle - Vehicle/Driver
Isrotel Dead Sea (B)
Day 5
Tiberias
  • Private - Qumran, Beit Shean, Nazareth - Vehicle/Driver
  • Tiberias: Private Guide/Vehicle - Vehicle/Driver
Leonardo Plaza Hotel (B)
Day 6
Tiberias
  • Private - Golan Heights/Sea of Galilee - Vehicle/Driver
  • Private Guide/Vehicle - Vehicle/Driver
Leonardo Plaza Hotel (B)
Day 7
Tel Aviv
  • Private - Rosh Hanikra, Acre, Haifa, Caesarea, Tel Aviv - Vehicle/Driver
The Savoy Tel Aviv (B)
Day 8
Tel Aviv
  • Tel Aviv: Transfer - Airport - Vehicle/Driver
Depart (B)
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, 1/2d = Half Day, Al = All Inclusive

Trip Options
All of our itineraries may be customized as you wish, add extra days, change a hotel, see different sights. Contact one of our expert consultants for your free, no-obligation vacation plan. Note: Upgrade to King David, Inbal or David Citadel in Jerusalem.

Itinerary

Day 1 Jerusalem

Jerusalem for Christians, Jews and Muslims, is one of the most revered cities on earth. Attractions range from religious emblems and relics of antiquity to modern items of interest. Religious tours are available from West Jerusalem and include Mount Zion and the Tomb of David. Other sites are the Tomb of Judges; Yad Vashem, the memorial to the six million Jews who died in the Holocaust; and Mea Shearim (‘the hundred gates’). Visitors in East Jerusalem may follow the Way of the Cross, enter the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and see the Wailing Wall, the Dome of the Rock and the Jaffa and Damascus gates. The Israel Museum in Jerusalem houses the Dead Sea Scrolls and is worth visiting.

A private vehicle with driver will provide a transfer between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

Stylish Dan Boutique Hotel Jerusalem is located opposite Mt Zion and the Old City of Jerusalem, within easy reach of many tourist attractions, both ancient and new. A short walk away is the charming German Colony, with its lively cafes and restaurants and, in the other direction, is the picturesque Yemin Moshe neighborhood, and an array of fashionable cultural and entertainment venues. The guest rooms boast stunning views of Jerusalem's cityscape, whilst most studio suites, suitable for families, face westwards, towards the leafy residential streets of the German Colony. Superior rooms offer spectacular views of the Old City and Mount Zion.

Overnight at Dan Boutique Jerusalem.


Jerusalem
Jerusalem
Dan Boutique Jerusalem
Dan Boutique Jerusalem
Day 2 Jerusalem

This tour visits the many highlights and monuments in two very important Israeli cities, Jerusalem and Bethlehem.  Visit the Israel Museum with its renowned Shrine of the Book monument containing pieces of the Dead Sea Scrolls and a cityscape model of ancient Jerusalem. Pass by the Knesset building, home of the Israeli Parliament before touring Yad Vashem, a memorial built to commemorate victims of the Holocaust. In the afternoon carry on to Bethlehem and visit sites such as the Milk Grotto and the birthplace of Christianity, the Church or the Nativity.

Overnight at Dan Boutique Jerusalem.


Church of Nativity in Bethlehem
Church of Nativity in Bethlehem
Day 3 Jerusalem

This tour begins with visits to the Western Wall, followed by a visit to the famed Temple Mount and Dome of the Rock. Next, make a stop at Al Aksa Mosque before continuing on, walking through the meandering streets towards the reconstructed Cardo, a shopping arcade which once existed during ancient times. Follow the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, for a short photo stop. Enjoy some shopping at the most atmospheric market of the Old city, offering variety handicrafts, clothes, foods, spices and local delicacies. End the tour at David’s Citadel and Museum, located near the Jaffa Gate.

Overnight at Dan Boutique Jerusalem.


Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Day 4 Dead Sea

The Dead Sea is an inland lake lying 400m (1320ft) below sea level in the lower part of the Jordan Valley, it has more minerals and salt than any other body of water in the world and is renowned for its rejuvenating and health-giving properties. Other interesting sights around the Dead Sea include Mount Sodom, a 13km- (8 mile-) long mountain range made up of pure salt which has many caves with extraordinary hanging salt formations, and Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls, written by Essene scribes, were discovered in ancient pottery jars. Masada (Mezada) - is on the left bank of the Dead Sea on a clifftop, where the once luxurious palace of King Herod still stands (and site of the famous seige). It can be reached by cable car or a winding footpath and there is a breathtaking view of the Dead Sea and the pink mountains of Moab from here.

This tour begins with a visit to Qasr al-Yahud, recognized as one of the sites where Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist. This area has the remains of several churches, dating as far back as the 5th Century. Next, visit the Ein Gedi region to marvel at the diverse local ecology, including the picturesque natural springs and rock formations, as well as the unique blend of tropical, desert and Mediterranean plant-life. This tour concludes with a visit to Masada, which boasts unbelievable panoramic views of the desert and the Dead Sea.

Deep below sea level, at the lowest point on the face of the earth and by the shore of a unique natural phenomenon, Isrotel Dead Sea Hotel & SPa awaits you. Isrotel Dead Sea Hotel & Spa is a green oasis of health, tranquility, indulgence and spa, located in Israel, within dramatic views of desert mountains and elevated cliffs. Here too, the Isrotel chain tradition of excellence and hospitality is evident – professional spa treatments, healthy mineral mud baths, Yoga workshops, sweet water swimming pools, Dead Sea Water swimming pools, spacious rooms and the highest level of service – allowing a peaceful holiday, spa and leisure ambience, relaxation and health for your body and soul.

Overnight at Isrotel Dead Sea.


Dead Sea
Dead Sea
Old Fortress in Masada near the Dead Sea
Old Fortress in Masada near the Dead Sea
Isrotel Dead Sea
Isrotel Dead Sea
Day 5 Tiberias

Tiberias is a city on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, Lower Galilee, Israel. Established in 20 CE, it was named in honour of the emperor Tiberius. Since the sixteenth century, Tiberias has been considered one of Judaism's Four Holy Cities, along with Jerusalem, Hebron and Safed. In the 2nd-10th centuries, Tiberias was the largest Jewish city in the Galilee, and the political and religious hub of the Jews of Palestine. According to Christian tradition, Jesus performed several miracles in the Tiberias district, making it an important pilgrimage site for devout Christians. Tiberias has historically been known for its hot springs, believed to cure skin and other ailments, for thousands of years.

This tour begins with a visit to Qumran, the site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were hidden and found. From here, head north to Jericho, considered one of the oldest cities in the world.  After a brief visit, the tour continues along through the Valley of Jordan to Beit Shean. Here, visit the excavation site of this beautiful, ancient Roman City. Then, proceed to Nazareth to visit the Church of the Annunciation & Mary’s Well.  Finally it is on to Safed, the city of the Kabala, for a walk through the mystic alleys and the artists’ colony.

The Leonardo Plaza Hotel Tiberias welcomes you in a fantastic location right in the heart of Tiberias, overlooking the famous Sea of Genezareth. Guests can profit from the hotel's amazing location, facing the beautiful promenade which is situated next to the breathtaking shores of the Sea of Genezareth. An attractive shopping mall is available in the direct vicinity of the hotel. The hotel offers 258 beautifully decorated rooms with balconies and superior facilities as well as exciting leisure activities with a modern health club and various spa facilities (fitness centre, sauna, jacuzzi and massage treatments). For culinary well being two exclusive restaurants with a fantastic international menu are at your disposal. The children's club with numerous leisure activities and a huge playground ensures a perfect vacation for families travelling with children.

Overnight at Leonardo Plaza Hotel.


Tiberias
Tiberias
Qumran Cave
Qumran Cave
Leonardo Plaza Hotel
Leonardo Plaza Hotel
Day 6 Tiberias

Sit back and relax, for a drive to the famous Golan Heights, where you will have the opportunity to visit a former Syrian fortification, as well as the Druze villages. Using the Banias, the source of the Jordan River, as a guide, your drive will continue to the city of Capernaum, located on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.  Here you will visit the ruins of an ancient synagogue and St. Peter's house.  From here you will go to Tabgha, the site famous for the miracle of fish and bread performed by Jesus.  Your finally visit is at the city of Tiberias, where you will tour briefly the old city center of Jewish learning, before being returned to your hotel for the evening.  

Overnight at Leonardo Plaza Hotel.


Capernaum Synagogue Ruins
Capernaum Synagogue Ruins
Day 7 Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv is an exciting city offering commerce, culture, nightlife and sandy beaches. The Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra draws audiences from all over the world. The Museum of the Diaspora is internationally famous. The bustling Carmel Market is a popular place to visit. In 1950, Jaffa was united with Tel Aviv; situated a mile from the city, this is one of the oldest ports in the world. It has archaeological finds reaching back to the third century BC, a beach, lively nightlife in Old Jaffa and a flea market.

From Galilee, your private vehicle will pick you up and drive you to Rosh Hanikra, where on arrival you will view the spectacular Grottos by way of a cable car. You will next visit the seaport city of Acre, with monuments and sites dating back to the Crusader period. After, you will continue to Haifa, before ascending Mount Carmel for some spectacular panoramic viewing of the Haifa Bay and the Baha’i Temple. Your next stop is at the ancient city of Caesarea, which boasts ancient ruins and monuments of the once Roman occupied area. You will also visit the Crusader stronghold to view more archaeological treasures before heading toward Tel Aviv.

The Savoy Tel Aviv, located at the heart of the city and just a short walk from the beach, combines striking elegance with advanced facilities designed for business travelers. A unique sense of style is reflected in the interior finish, conveying a welcoming luxury and inspired simplicity. Offering the highest level of standards and service, yet with personal attention and an intimate atmosphere, The Savoy Tel Aviv is a place you’ll want to return to, time and time again.  Comprising 55 state-of-the-art guest rooms with a stunning artwork feature, a modern lobby and gourmet breakfast, The Savoy Tel Aviv provides an experience of elegance and convenience close to the main business and leisure destinations of the city. 

Overnight at The Savoy Tel Aviv.


Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv
Grottos of Rosh Hanikra
Grottos of Rosh Hanikra
The Savoy
The Savoy
Day 8 Tel Aviv

A private vehicle will provide a transfer between Tel Aviv and the airport.

Depart from Tel Aviv international airport - end of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart.



Trip Includes
Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services

Trip Excludes
Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance

Trip Terms & Conditions

  • Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $250). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. We accept payment via credit card, certified check, wire transfer or money order.
  • Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
  • Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
  • Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
  • Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of deposit. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to 100% of program price.
  • Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.kensingtontours.com/terms-and-conditions
  • Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.