$3,495, based on double occupancy
Single Room Supplement: $395

This tour price reflects special group rates. Deposits received after July 18, 2008, will likely incur additional charges due to supplier contract terms.

If you would like assistance with airline reservations from your home city to JFK Airport, please contact Paige Vogie, MTS TRAVEL, at paigev@mtstravel.com or call 800-418-2929, extension 81302. We suggest that these reservations be made approximately two months prior to departure.

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:

• Round-trip airfare from New York JFK International Airport
• Accommodations as listed in itinerary, or similar
• Breakfast and dinner daily
• Sightseeing & entrance fees to sites listed in itinerary
• English-speaking guides throughout
• Drivers and transportation in air-conditioned motorcoaches
• Hotel service charges and local taxes
• Border crossing taxes and assistance
• Visas for Jordan and Egypt
• Tips to guides, drivers and hotel staff ($130)
• Current airline taxes and fuel surcharges ($400)

Depart from New York’s JFK Airport late in the afternoon on an overnight flight to Cairo.

Wednesday, October 22  Cairo

Arrive at Cairo International Airport this morning. Where you will be met by your driver and guide. Visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, which contains 120,000 artifacts, including 30,000 pertaining to the Pharaohs. In Old Cairo, tour the Citadel, visiting the Alabaster and Sultan Hassan Mosques, which provide a good introduction to the Egypt of the Mameluk period 13th – 16th centuries AD). Shop in the Khan al Khalili Bazaar, built in 1382, before continuing to the Pyramid Park Intercontinental Hotel for dinner and overnight.

Thursday, October 23   Cairo

Visit Memphis, the capital of the old Kingdom, viewing the statue of Ramses II and the Alabaster Sphinx. Tour the world’s oldest pyramids at Sakkara (2666 BC) before continuing to the great pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Dinner and overnight in Cairo.

Friday, October 24  Cairo – Mount Sinai

This morning drive east into the Sinai Peninsula. After crossing the Suez Canal, admire the Red Sea, viewing the possible locations where the waters parted. Travel through and stop at Wadi Feiran, one of the Israelites camped. Before the day ends, arrive at Morgenland Village, your accommodations in the St. Catherine area. Here at the foothills of Mount Sinai, the Israelites rested and made the golden calf!

Saturday, October 25  Mount Sinai – Wadi Rum

Enjoy the amazing sunrise on Mt. Sinai. A day to remember! Early in the morning, the energetic may climb Mount Sinai to see the sunrise and get a panoramic view of the land Moses saw over 3,500 years ago (for a small fee, part of the climb may be made on camel). After descending, a buffet breakfast will satisfy your appetite, followed by a visit to St. Catherine’s Monastery (the oldest on earth) where monks have been witnesses to the Christian faith since the fifth century AD. Visit the Chapel of the Burning Bush and the Museum of the Skull. From St. Catherine’s drive to the Taba Border, cross into Israel and drive a short distance to the Arava Border. Cross into Jordan, through the land of Edom into Wadi Rum, the land of the Midianites, with its spectacular desert scenery and the background against which the film Lawrence of Arabia was shot. Explore this vast and beautiful desert in Jeeps. Enjoy a special dinner at a Bedouin camp, followed by songs around the campfire and overnight at the Bedouin Captain’s Camp.

Sunday, October 26  Wadi Rum – Petra

Drive north along the King’s Highway, traveling the same route the Israelites took after the king of Edom (Petra) denied them passage during the years of wilderness wandering. Pass the Biblical Mount Seir, and make a brief stop Wadi Musa. Tradition has it that here is found the very rock which Moses struck (Numbers: 20:7-11). Continue on to Petra, entering on narrow, winding gorge over one kilometer in length. Visit the Great Treasury (Al-Khazneh Farun), the Roman Theatre, the Royal Tombs, as well as hundreds of monuments, tricliniums, and obelisks, all carved from the multi-shaded, rose red sandstone. Petra is thought to be the Biblical Selah. Dinner and overnight at the King’s Way Inn.

Monday, October 27  Petra – Amman

Continue along the King’s Highway, passing the Crusader Castle of Kerak and driving through Wadi Mujeb, the “Grand Canyon” of Jordan, to Madaba. Visit St. George’s Church with its mosaic floor depicting a map of the Holy Land as 6th century Christian pilgrims knew it. Continue to Mt. Nebo and view the Holy Land as Moses viewed it before the Israelite tribes crossed into the Promised Land. Stop at Bethany-Beyond-the- Jordan, where it is believed John the Baptist preached and baptized Jesus. Drive to Amman for your overnight stay at the Belle Vue Hotel.

Tuesday, October 28  Amman / Jerusalem

Depart Amman this morning, crossing the Allenby Bridge over the River Jordan into Israel. Drive into the Judean desert to Qumran to view Cave #4, which contained the greatest quantity of the Dead Sea scrolls. Enjoy a swim in the Dead Sea (weather permitting), where it is almost impossible to sink, because of the high salt density! Driving south along the Dead Sea, take the cable car to the top of Masada, Herod’s mountain bunker and the last stronghold of the Jewish revolt against Rome (66-73 AD). Drive to the Holy City of Jerusalem, ending the day with dinner and overnight at the Ambassador Hotel.

Wednesday, October 29  Jerusalem

Begin the day in Jerusalem with a visit to the Upper Room, the proposed location of the Last Supper. From the top of the Mount of Olives, behold the majestic Holy City of Jerusalem lying before you. After viewing the Golden Gate, follow the traditional Palm Sunday route to the church known as Dominus Flevit (“the Lord weeps”). Continue downhill to Gethsemane, and visit the Church of All Nations. Enter the Old City through the Dung Gate to pray at the Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest site. See the Pools of Bethesda and St. Anne’s Church, with its excellent acoustics. Follow the Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross) the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Thursday, October 30  Jerusalem – The Galilee

Drive north to the Sea of Galilee for a boat ride on the lake. Disembark at Capernaum, the town used as a base by Christ during his ministry. See the remains of the fourth-century synagogue and the nearby house of St. Peter. Ascend the Mt. of Beatitudes, and listen to Jesus’ teachings. Stop at nearby Tabgha to visit the Church of the Loaves and Fishes and the Church of St. Peter’s Primacy at the northwestern shore of the lake, Christian memories. If time permits, continue to Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus. Visit the Church of the Annunciation and enjoy a view of Mt. Tabor from Mount Precipice. Share a farewell dinner before transferring to Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, for your late-night departure.

Friday, October 31  Arrive New York

Arrive at JFK Airport in New York early this morning. Shalom/Salaam!

Your Hosts: Rev. Ted & Rev. Nancy Elsenheimer

Pastor Nancy previously served as Minister of Evangelism in Cleveland, OH working with new and renewing congregations. She has also been Associate Conference minister in Michigan Conference UCC. She holds the following degrees: