An 11 days Bar-Mitzvah tour in Israel is perhaps the most extensive tour program for celebrating the festive family event. From the Golan Heights to the Dead Sea, and from Caesarea to Jerusalem, this tour will include so many attractions, activities. Such a tour is sure to generate lifetime memorable experiences, to be remembered long after the tour is over.
11 Days Bar-Mitzvah Tour to Israel
Day 1 – Explore Caesarea
WELCOME TO ISRAEL!. Upon arrival we head first for a few days in the north. Our first stop could be Caesarea or Atlit Detainee Camp. If time and wind permits we could set a more extreme activity such as Caesarea Bakai flight, or Paragliding. Passing by Haifa we view Bahai Gardens in Haifa before checking in and setting dinner.
Overnight: Western Galilee
Day 2 – The Jewish Heritage in the Galilee
The day begins with collecting food for the need at LEKET. This charitable organization provides fresh vegetables for those in need. We continue to Sepphoris, an important Jewish center in Talmudic times. At nearby Beth Shearim we explore the burial caves of the biggest Jewish cemetery in the Galilee in antiquity, including the burial of the famed R. Yehudah “the Prince”.
Overnight: Western Galilee
Day 3 – Discover the Galilee
This day begins with touring Akko, a central city since Canaanite times and former capital of the Crusaders. We stroll among the antiquities and local market, and visit the British era prison where Jewish underground members were arrested and some executed, as well as the mediavel Templars Tunnel. We then continue to Rosh Hanikra Grottoes, where we take a cable car into the caves carved in the soft chalk rock, all at the very border between Israel and Lebanon. After lunch we head up into the upper Galilee. In Peki’in we will visit the synagogue of a Jewish community whose ancestry traces back to Roman times!. In nearby Bar’am, we will visit a Talmudic era synagogue which is one of the best surviving examples of synagogues from antiquity.
Overnight: Eastern Galilee
Day 4 – Kayak on the Jordan
This rather spiritual morning is devoted to Safed, former center for Kabbalah philosophy and now a known Jewish artists colony. We will stroll in its alleys and visit som of the local synagogue. Nearby, we could also visit the famous tomb of the Rashbi. We then descend to the sources of the Jordan River and possibly hike the Ayun Stream or Banias hike and water fall, and visit Tel Hai where we learn about Trumpeldor and Jewish Pioneering heroism in the early 20th century. After a lunch break we could enjoy a refreshing Kayaks experience along the Jordan River, and in the afternoon tour the Hula Lake Park seeking some of the plentiful migrating birds common to the site. Alternatively we can go swimming in the Hidden Waterfall join an ATV by the Sea of Galilee, or get our feet wet walking the Majrasa.
Overnight: Eastern Galilee
Day 5 – Explore the Golan Heights
This day is devoted to explore the Golan Heights. We ascend to top of Mt. Bental, where one can view both to the Golan heights as well as into Syria, and also explore an unmanned IDF bunker. Nearby we can watch a movie about the OZ 77 unit in 1973 war, climb on some tanks at the 7th Brigade Tank Monument, and even go on an ATV tour against the Syrian Border. For lunch we go to Katsrin where we can also visit the ‘Golan Magic’ Visitor center, as well as a local winery and / or brewery, and possibly got for a chocolate workshop experience at De Karina Chocolatiere. On the way back we could visit “Kol Shofar“, a workshop for making a shofar out of rams horns.
Overnight: Eastern Galilee
Day 6 – Greet Jerusalem “שהחיינו”
Starting to head to Jerusalem, we stop at ancient Jewish sites like Capernaum , Tiberias, and Hamat Tiberias. At Kinneret Farm we learn about the first Jewish pioneers and poets who also invented the “Kibbutz” farms concept, and nearby we can kanoo on the Jordan river. After lunch we can explore the Roman city of Beit She’an, the nearby mysterious ancient synagogue at Beth Alpha, and possibly go for a swim at the Sachne or Nahal Hakibutsim. Towards sunset we get to Jerusalem, and great it with a “Sheheyanu” from the Mount of Olives Viewpoint.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Day 7 – Unfolding Biblical Jerusalem
We begin exploring Jerusalem at the Biblical site City of David. Watching a 3d movie at the visitors center we continue into the city’s ancient water systems and possibly walk along the pitch dark 1700 feet from along “Hezekiah’s Tunnel“. Reaching Pool of Siloam, we enter the Herodian Drainage Channel, which takes straight to the face of the Western wall. After a lunch break we continue to explore the Jewish Quarter at sites like the Karaite Synagogue, the “Burnt House“, or a tour of the Hurvah Synagogue. In the evening you could go to the Tower of David Night Spectacle or the City of David Night time Show.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Day 8 – Party at the Western Wall
This special day begins with Bar-Mitzvah ceremony at the Western Wall, followed by a tour of the Western Wall tunnels and Chain of Generations exhibition and/or the Virtual Tour of the Second Temple. After branch we head to Gush-Ezion for some unique fan activity in the shape of Live Shooting and Zip-line. We could also visit the rehabilitation farm for teenagers in danger in Sde Bar and crawl in caves in search for the tomb of king Herod at Herodium.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Day 9 – Float on the Dead Sea
A day devoted to the region of the Dead Sea begins with a drive to Masada, with an optional stop for a Camel Ride on the way. At Masada we admire the site which witnessed a great drama 2000 years ago. We could also conduct a Bar-Mitzvah ceremony on Masada. We then continue to a nearby hotel for a lunch + spa break at the Dead Sea, or drive to Kibbutz Ein Gedi for kibbutz style lunch and a short walk amidst the Ein-Gedi Botanical Gardens. We end the day with a hike to a waterfall in Ein-Gedi Nature Reserve, and on the way back we stop for a view of the caves where the famous Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered (Qumran), learn how Biblical Tsitsit was made at the unique Tekhelet Factory, and possibly have a camel ride.
Overnight: Jerusalem
Day 10 – Uncover the Secrets of the Shephela
Checking out, we move to Tel-Aviv for the last day, yet on the way visit sites like Battle site of David and Goliath, and crawl in Bar Kokhba caves carved by revolting Jews some 2000 years ago. After a lunch break we drive along the historical 1948 ““Burma Road”, and visit the contemporaneous Secret Bullet Factory (“Machon Ayalon”). If time permits, we also visit the noble institution Israel Guide Dog Training Center for Blind, Plant a tree, or the popular Palmach Museum near Tel-Aviv.
Overnight: Tel-Aviv
Day 11 – Fun in Tel-Aviv
The last day is devoted to exploring Tel-Aviv and its heritage sites. We start with a visit to Independence Hall, where the state of Israel was declared. We continue to Jaffa and learn about its rich history and scenic views. For lunch we can proceed to the Flea Market, and continue to Carmel Market and Nahalat Binyamin Arts and Crafts Fair, ending at Rabin Assassination site. Here, in 1995 the Israeli prime-minister was shot dead by opossition to the contemporary peace process with the Palestinians. Time permiting, we could end the day with an adernalin rush experience of an extreme jet fighter flight flight simulator (“The Squadron”)!
