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Israel Trip 2025

The official registration for a 12-day trip to Israel I am leading from March 11th through March 22nd of 2025 is OPEN and space is limited.

You can visit the official tour page HERE and register HERE and it is available for anyone and everyone. You do not have to attend The Harbor to be a part of this trip. The full itinerary is provided below.

The cost of the trip is $4,370 per person (based on double occupancy, plus airfare). 

The initial deposit is $500 per person, with the full balance due 100 days prior to departure (November 29th, 2024). The minimum age requirement for each traveler is 12 years old at the start of the tour, and you can add your passport details later if you don’t have them. 

On this tour, we will be led by an expert Israeli tour guide who will provide outstanding teaching along the way. I’ll be doing some inspirational teaching and Bible study at some of my favorite sites, and we will once again be providing live worship as Chris Taylor plans on joining us from The Harbor.

Adding live worship and teaching at strategic places on the tour was life-changing for our last group. For instance, at the empty tomb, we will be able to celebrate communion together while also spending some time in worship of the risen Lord. We’ll stop on the boat on the Sea of Galilee and worship the One who calms the wind and the waves. We’ll spend time in reflection and worship in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus was crushed under the weight of His task. We’ll spend time in Ein Gedi, where many of David’s Psalms were inspired, and sing praises to our Good Shepherd.

On this trip, we’ve added a couple of new locations. We’ve also added a Sabbath/rest day. We’ve learned that the amount of information and inspiration you receive on a trip like this can become overwhelming. Not only is it physically demanding, but it is mentally and spiritually draining as well. Because of that, we are adding a rest day on Day 7 of the trip (Day 4 of the actual touring). On this day, all participants will be free to rest, relax, reflect, enjoy the hotel and surrounding area, or plan their own excursions.

This will be my fourth time going to the Holy Land, and each trip has been a faith-building experience for me. In fact, I know a trip to the Holy Land will be faith-changing for you! The Bible will explode to life in a whole new way. Words cannot express how amazing it has been to experience Israel firsthand, and now I’m inviting you to go back with me.

Through Faith Based Expeditions (FBE), we will travel the Holy Land, getting 9 full days of sightseeing, Bible study, and worship.  We will encounter the power and presence of Jesus as we travel His homeland recalling His ministry, and His miracles, in Galilee and in Jerusalem.  We will experience the lives and the land of those who have built the powerful foundation of faith that we stand upon today.  (Full itinerary HERE or below)

The cost of the trip is $4,370 per person (based on double occupancy, plus airfare). FBE will work hand in hand with each registrant to make sure they get the right flights and times for their trip.  Anyone traveling from the same airport can work together to select certain flights as well. In doing the trip this way, people are able to save money by using airline miles or credit card points for their flight and shopping around for the best rates that fit their budget.

The initial deposit is $500 per person, with the full balance due 100 days prior to departure (November 29th, 2024). ($400 of the deposit is non-refundable. Please read the full terms and conditions for the trip cancelation HERE.)

The cost of the trip is also based on 40 registrations and a minimum of 20 registered individuals are required for the trip. (20-24 registrations $5,155 per person, 25-29 registrations $4,860 per person, 30-34 registrations $4,665 per person, 35-39 registrations $4,525 per person. Again, please read all terms and conditions for individuals rooming alone and cancelation policies)

FBE will also work hand in hand with all registrants throughout the process to make sure that each person has all the information they need for the trip.

The tour price includes: 

  • 4 and 4+ Star hotel accommodations.
  • Meeting at the Ben Gurion Airport on arrival and departure
  • Ground transfer from Ben Gurion Airport to the group’s Tel Aviv hotel upon arrival
  • Ground transfer from the Jerusalem Hotel to the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv at the end of the tour
  • All transfers on sightseeing days
  • Gratuity for driver, guide, and hotel staff
  • Luxury air-conditioned motor coach
  • Entrance fees for sites indicated in the Itinerary
  • Daily buffet breakfast and dinner in hotels as indicated in the itinerary
  • 8 Lunches as indicated in the itinerary
  • Bottled water on board the bus during the touring days
  • Porterage at hotels
  • Group Farewell Dinner
  • Headsets for each passenger to listen to the guide while touring

Tour price does NOT include:

  • Domestic or International airfare
  • Hotel cost for any passenger arriving prior to March 12th, 2025
  • Hotel cost for any passenger staying after 11:00 AM on March 22nd, 2025
  • Lunch and gratuity for lunch on Day 7
  • Any additional cost imposed by our suppliers or Government VAT tax increase
  • Optional Travel Protection Insurance
  • Optional Sites NOT included in itinerary that have entrance fees
  • All beverages including alcoholic beverages (excluding bottled water on board the bus)
  • Personal incidentals charged to hotel room
  • Single Supplement Fee of $1,895 per person for individuals requesting to room alone or if a roommate cannot be assigned
  • Items of personal nature.

Itinerary

DAY 1: Tuesday, March 11th, 2025 – DEPART FOR TEL AVIV, ISRAEL

The group departs for Tel Aviv, Israel.  Dinner is served on the overnight flight from the US.

DAY 2: Wednesday, March 12th, 2025 – ARRIVAL IN TEL AVIV, ISRAEL

Our flight arrives at Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) where we are greeted by our guide and assisted with arrival procedures. Dinner and overnight beside the beautiful Mediterranean Sea. The group will have a “Meet and Greet” following dinner around 7:30 PM in a hotel meeting room which will include a brief teaching, some important information for the tour, and a time of worship.

Dinner provided

DAY 3: Thursday, March 13th, 2025 – CAESAREA MARITIMA / MT. CARMEL / NAZARETH VILLAGE / MT. PRECIPICE / TIBERIAS (SEA OF GALILEE)

Today we depart for the Galilee enjoying stops at the extensive ruins of Caesarea Maritima, an ancient port city, built by King Herod and later becoming the seat of government of the Roman governors, and where Peter proclaimed the Good News to the Roman centurion (Acts 9 & 25). We continue to Mt. Carmel, where Elijah prayed, and God defeated 450 prophets of Baal with fire from heaven (1 Kings 18). We then drive to Nazareth Village – a recreated village offering a detailed explanation of what life was like during the time of Jesus.  We take a short ride to Mount Precipice, the traditional site believed to be where an angry mob attempted to throw Jesus off the cliff after his bold proclamation in the Nazareth synagogue.  We will continue to Tiberias and the Sea of Galilee area for dinner and overnight.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner are provided

DAY 4: Friday, MARCH 14th, 2025 – MT. TABOR / PETER’S PRIMACY / CAPERNAUM / BOAT RIDE ON THE SEA OF GALILEE

We begin our special time in the Galilee, rich in memories of the life of Jesus, with a drive to Mt. Tabor, where the early church fathers believed that the Transfiguration of Jesus occurred. Returning to the Galilee, we visit Peter’s Primacy – located on the shores of the Sea of Galilee and best known for where Christ appeared to His disciples after His resurrection and where He commands Peter to “feed and tend” His flock. We enjoy a time of teaching and prayer at this lovely site.  We take a short bus ride to Capernaum (Mark 1: 31-­38), the base of Jesus’ early ministry, the home of Peter, and the site of many healings. We end our day aboard a replica “Jesus Boat”, a fishing boat of the kind used by the disciples of Jesus, for our ride on the Sea of Galilee. We return to the hotel for dinner and overnight in Tiberias.  

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner are provided

DAY 5: Saturday, March 15th, 2025 – CAESAREA PHILIPPI / TEL DAN / BETHSAIDA / MT. OF BEATITUDES

After breakfast, we travel north into the Golan Heights to visit Caesarea Philippi – where Jesus asked His disciples “Who do men say that I am?” (Mark 8: 27-30, Matt. 16:13).  Continuing north, we enjoy a short hike through the beautiful nature reserve of Tel Dan where the remnants of the Bronze-Canaanite Era can be found. This area later became the northernmost city of the Kingdom of Israel belonging to the Tribe of Dan (1st Kings 12:28-29). We will see a Canaanite era gate as well as an impressive ritual site, most likely built by King Jeroboam, as well as the Israelite Gate from the time of the Judges.  We return to the Sea of Galilee area for a visit to Bethsaida, the home of Philip, Andrew, and Peter for a time of teaching.  We then drive to the Mt. of Beatitudes where we enjoy the beautiful view of the Sea of Galilee as we reflect on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. (Matt. 5: 1-15). We return to the hotel for dinner and overnight in Tiberias.  

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner are provided 

DAY 6: Sunday, March 16th, 2025 – MT. ARBEL / MAGDALA / BETHANY BEYOND THE JORDAN / DEAD SEA AREA

Departing the Galilee today, we make an early morning stop at Mt. Arbel enjoying a short hike for an incredible panoramic view of the Sea of Galilee.  We descend again to the Galilee to visit Magdala, prominently mentioned in the Bible as the hometown of Mary Magdalene. We then depart the Sea of Galilee driving south through the Judean desert to Bethany Beyond the Jordan.  This area is believed to be the location where John the Baptist baptized Jesus.  We enjoy a time of teaching and baptisms. (Must wear a swimsuit or appropriate clothing for baptism. Robes/towels can be rented for a small fee).   We continue driving south along the Dead Sea to our hotel for the night.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner are provided 

DAY 7: Monday, March 17th, 2025 – SABBATH DAY OF REST / FREE DAY / FLOAT IN THE DEAD SEA

Today is a day of Sabbath rest with no planned touring.  We can enjoy a time floating in the Dead Sea, swimming in the hotel pool, and other hotel amenities. Today, lunch is on your own. Dinner and overnight on the Dead Sea.

Breakfast and Dinner are provided (Lunch on your own)

DAY 8: Tuesday, March 18th, 2025 – EIN GEDI / MASADA (OPTIONAL VISIT) / VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH (WADI GELT) / JERUSALEM

Following breakfast, we check out of the hotel and head to Jerusalem. We will drive to Ein Gedi for a time of teaching.  Ein Gedi is a beautiful oasis in the desert where David hid from Saul and perhaps wrote some of his Psalms. After the teaching in Ein Gedi, there will be an optional tour for those who want to visit Masada. The group remaining at Ein Gedi will continue to explore the site.  The bus will return to Ein Gedi to pick up the group there and then head back to Masada to meet the group there.  We leave the Dead Sea area for a stop at Wadi Gelt considered to be the setting for “The Valley of the Shadow of Death. (Psalm 23:4). We begin our ascent to the holy city of Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner are provided
DAY 9: Wednesday, March 19th, 2025 – CITY OF DAVID (INCLUDING HEZEKIAH’S TUNNEL) / POOL OF SILOAM / SOUTHERN STEPS / WESTERN WALL / POOLS OF BETHESDA

We begin our day with a visit to the City of David where we visit the archeological remains of David’s period and that of the Kings of Judah (2 Samuel 5: 8-10). We will have the opportunity to walk through Hezekiah’s Tunnel, the 2,700-year-old tunnel dug during the reign of King Hezekiah (2 Chron. 32:30) and remaining today as one of the wonders of early engineering.
The tunnel ends at the Pool of Siloam where Jesus healed the blind man. *A flashlight and good water shoes will be helpful should you choose to walk through Hezekiah’s tunnel.  We drive to the Old City entering the Dung Gate for a visit to the Southern Steps – the very steps where Jesus would have taught!  We walk to the holiest site of the Jewish people, the Western (Wailing) Wall of Herod’s Temple. Beyond the wall lies the 35-acre Temple area purchased by King David (2 Samuel. 24:18-25). On this site now stands the Dome of the Rock (the third holiest shrine in all Islam) and the El-Aksa Mosque. We will enjoy walking through the Old City of Jerusalem along the Via Dolorosa to the Pools of Bethesda where Jesus healed a paralytic (John 5:1-15).  Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner are provided

DAY 10: Thursday, March 20th, 2025 – MT. OF OLIVES / PALM SUNDAY ROAD / DOMINUS FLEVIT / GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE / THE PAVEMENT / CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHER (OPTIONAL VISIT)

We begin our day on the beautiful Mt. of Olives to behold the breathtaking view of the Holy City. Our pilgrimage will proceed down the Palm Sunday Road with a stop at Dominus Flevit Church marking the place where Jesus paused and wept over Jerusalem. (Luke 19:41 – 44) We visit the public area of the Garden of Gethsemane with its ancient olive grove, and the Church of All Nations, where tradition holds that Jesus prayed on the night of His betrayal (Matt. 26:36, John 18:1). We will visit the private area of the Garden of Gethsemane for a time of worship and meditation. Entering the Old City of Jerusalem through the Zion Gate we walk along the ancient road making stops at the Pavement, where Jesus stood while being tried by Pilate, Ecce Homo Arch “behold the man”, and the ancient Cardo. At this time, there will be an optional visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the traditional site of Jesus’ crucifixion and burial. Those who do not want to visit the church can have free time to wander and/or shop in the Old City or return to the hotel for a free afternoon.  If one decides to remain in Old City, then one must get their own transfer back to the hotel. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner are provided

DAY 11: Friday, March 21st, 2025 – BETHLEHEM / SHEPHERD’S FIELD / GARDEN TOMB

We begin our day with a short drive to Bethlehem to visit the Church of Nativity – the birthplace of our Lord, and Shepherd’s Field, where we will venture into ancient caves.  Returning to Jerusalem, we visit the Garden Tomb for a time of quiet reflection, worship, and communion. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner are provided

DAY 12: Saturday, March 22nd, 2025 – DEPART FOR USA

Following breakfast, we check out of the hotel by 11:00 AM and depart for the airport for the return flight to the USA.       
Breakfast is provided