Embark on a transformative 8-day journey through the Holy Land, exploring the sacred sites of Israel through the lens of the Latter-day Saints’ perspective. Led by a private expert guide, you will unfold holy destinations and immerse in the stories of biblical Kings, prophets and saints. The below itinerary combines a variety of exciting destinations and engaging activities, ensuring an unforgettable tour experience for all ages and participants.
Shalom and welcome to Israel! After passport control and baggage claim, check in to your chosen hotel in Tel-Aviv to settle in and refresh. Depending on your time of arrival, possibly join your guide for a tour of Old Jaffa. Stroll through its charming cobblestone streets and explore its art galleries and boutique shops. Learn about Jaffa’s role in the Bible, especially the vision of Peter in the House of Simon the Tanner (Acts 9). Conclude your day with a delightful dinner at one of Tel-Aviv’s excellent dining options.
Start the day with a visit to Israel’s Independence Hall in the heart of bustling Tel-Aviv. This historical landmark is where Ben-Gurion declared Israel’s Independence in 1948, a pivotal moment in Jewish History. Next, as you head north, is the Roman-era metropolis of Caesarea Maritima. Founded some 2,000 years ago by King Herod, Caesarea was a major city in the Roman and Byzantine periods. Walk through the grand theatre, and visit Herod’s Palace, where the Apostle Paul was imprisoned (Acts 24-25). Continue to the city’s harbor and learn about the conversion of the Roman Centurion Cornelius by Saint Peter (Acts 9). Enjoy a lunch break at a local restaurant, then journey on to Muhraka atop Mount Carmel. Maintained by Carmelite monks, this site commemorates Elijah’s triumph over the prophets of Ba’al (1 Kings 18). In addition to its religious significance, the site also offers sweeping vistas of northern Israel.
Begin your day with a visit to Capernaum, “the Town of Jesus” (Matthew 9:1). Explore the ruins of the ancient synagogue and St. Peter’s house, where Jesus performed miracles. Above, reach the Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered the “Sermon on the Mount”. Nearby, at Tabgha, discover the site of the feeding of the 5,000 and the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish (Luke 9). At Kibbutz Ginosar visit a 2,000-year-old boat that was abandoned, perhaps after Jesus walked on water (Mark 6). After lunch, enjoy a tranquil boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. In the afternoon, explore Magdala, the hometown of Mary Magdalene and its first-century synagogue, where Jesus likely preached. Alternatively, conclude the day with a baptism ceremony in the Jordan River for the younger members of the group.
Embarking on a journey across the Galilee, your first destination is Cana, renowned as the site where Jesus turned water into wine during a wedding (John 2). Just a short distance away lies Nazareth, a city deeply intertwined with Jesus’ early life. Begin your visit at the Basilica of the Annunciation, believed to be the place where the angel Gabriel announced Mary’s miraculous pregnancy. You can also venture beneath the St. Joseph Church, where remains of the Holy family’s house are said to have been found. Following a lunch break, continue your journey across the Jezreel Valley, reaching Megiddo archaeological Park. Megiddo is often associated with Armageddon (Rev. 16:16) and was a prominent city in Solomon’s kingdom (1 Kings 9:15). Take the opportunity to explore well-preserved ruins, including gates from the biblical era, stables, and a water tunnel.
Touring Jerusalem as a Mormon is a deeply spiritual and enriching experience. Start at the Mount of Olives for a stunning panoramic view of Jerusalem. Proceed to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed before his arrest, and the adjacent Orson Hyde Park. Continue your pilgrimage to Mount Zion where you can visit the Room of the Last Supper where Jesus predicted his crucifixion. Enter the Jewish Quarter for a light lunch break, overlooking the biblical-era walls that resonate the narrative of Nephi sneaking into the city (1 Nephi 1:104). Head on the Western Wall, a remnant of the Second Temple, and join the Via Dolorosa, the historic route that marks by Catholic tradition the path Jesus walked to his crucifixion. Conclude the day at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which commemorates the place of Jesus’ crucifixion, burial, and resurrection.
Saturday / Sabbath will start with morning prayers at the Brigham Young University Jerusalem Center campus on Mount Scopus. Next, a Palestinian guide will lead you onto a tour of Bethlehem. Your first stop will be Church of the Nativity, maintaining a centuries-old tradition of the birthplace of Jesus. Reach the Grotto of the Nativity and admire the medieval art and architecture. Next, make your way to the Shepherd’s field, associate with the angel’s announcement to the shepherds. Following a lunch break, visit the tent-shaped chapel and the adjacent caves once used as dens for livestock. If time permits, conclude the day visiting to Jericho, famed for its biblical-era conquest with divine assistance. Visit the biblical site, and view Mount of Temptations, where tradition holds that Jesus resisted the temptations of the devil.
Depart Jerusalem and traverse the picturesque landscapes of the Judean Desert, passing by Jericho and the Baptism site. Next to the Dead Sea, your guide will point to the caves where the famous Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Possibly visit Qumran, a mysterious archaeological site that may have been the headquarters of the group behind the Scrolls. Next, drive through the Ein-Gedi Nature Reserve and observe its unique wildlife. Reach Masada and enjoy its visitor center and the comfortable cable car ride to the top. Here, embark on an immersive archeological expedition, tracing King Herod’s grand palaces and the ingenious water system. Along its western flank you’ll encounter the Roman ramp and the synagogue where the poignant decision of the last Jewish defenders may have been made. After a lunch break, conclude the day with the unique sensation of floating in the hyper-saline waters of the Dead Sea.
Start the day at the City of David, the historical nucleus of Jerusalem. Review archeological finds relating to David’s palace, and hike down to the Gihon Spring, the vital water source of Jerusalem in Biblical times. Reach the Pool of Siloam, where Jesus healed a blind man (John 9), and hike up an ancient drainage channel. Next, the guide will lead you to the Southern Steps, where Jesus walked on his way to the Second Temple. After a lunch break continue to the Garden Tomb. A local guide will lead you through the site and reflect on the death and resurrection of Jesus. The peaceful surroundings of the garden are also ideal to end the day with prayer and contemplation.
