2027 Spring Jordan & Israel Holy Lands with Brad Wilcox

Today we depart from our various home cities to Amman, Jordan.

Meals: In-flight

Today we arrive in Amman, Jordan. Upon arrival at Queen Alia International Airport, we will meet our local representatives and transfer to our comfortable hotel. This evening, we will enjoy dinner together and rest after our travels.

Today we will start our exploring by visiting the ancient city of Jerash, which boast of an unbroken chain of human occupation dating back more than 6,500 years. Jerash lies on a plain surrounded by hilly wooded areas and fertile basins. This afternoon we will return to the modern city of Amman to see the Citadel and King Abdullah Mosque during our city highlight tour. Tonight, after dinner we’ll have our welcome dinner to get to know each other better.

Today we get to explore the City known in the Old and New Testament times as Philadelphia. Traveling south we visit the mosaic city of Madaba, where the oldest map of the Holy Land exists on the floor of St. George’s Church. We then journey to Mt. Nebo, the site where the Prophet Moses looked over the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea before sending the Children of Israel across without him. Here you view 4th and 6th century Byzantine churches with wonderful mosaics. We then continue our journey to Petra and enjoy dinner tonight at our hotel.

The red-rose city of Petra is a unique destination. More than 2000 years ago the area was settled by the Nabataeans who carved magnificent buildings in the sandstone. We begin our adventure with a walk through the Siq, an immense crack in the stone, to see at the end Petra’s most impressive monument: the Treasury. You walk along the Street of Facades, see the Royal Tombs, and Qasr al Bint. After lunch we will drive 1.5 hours to the dramatic Wadi Rum, one of the most impressing desert landscapes in the world and view the spectacular rock formations, canyons, and Nabatean rock inscriptions. This landscape is reminiscent of Lehi’s family’s journey through this area. Night at AQABA, a beautiful vacation town on the Red Sea.

This morning, we crossed the Israeli border to the beautiful city of Eilat. We now journey North to Tel Aviv with may special stops along the way that most pilgrims don’t get to see. The first is the Timna Mines and Park. These ancient mines were a source of silver and copper dating back to ancient times. There is some indication that Lehi and his sons may have been metalworkers and visited this site. Here we also visit a marvelous full-sized model Tabernacle based on the one revealed to Moses in the wilderness. After traveling north near Beersheba, we will visit Joppa, the site of Jonah’s departure, running away from his mission and the site of Peter’s vision which opened missionary work to the Gentiles. We will arrive to our hotel in Netanya, a beautiful resting point on the Mediterranean Sea.

“And on the morrow, they entered Caesarea. Cornelius thy prayer is heard.” Enter Caesarea, remains of a city founded by Herod, residence of Pontius Pilate and a prison for Paul. Sit in the well-preserved amphitheater overlooking the blue sea and hear the story of Paul’s conversion of the Centurion. The scenery begins to change to the beautiful green pastures and high rolling hills of the Jezreel Valley as we approach Mt Carmel where the prophet Elijah and the priests of Baal contested their faith. Not far away is Megiddo, the tragic site of ancient bloody battles where nations were won and lost. Upon these same tragic fields, the great and terrible last battle of Armageddon will be fought. As we make our way towards the Sea of Galilee, we will visit Nazareth and the historic re-creation Nazareth Village, a living presentation of the life and times of Jesus of Nazareth. We will stop for an overview at Mt. Precipice above Nazareth then as we make our way towards the Sea of Galilee, drive through the village of Cana, where the Savior turned water into wine. Overnight Sea of Galilee hotel.

We will begin our day with a short devotional in the Valley of the Doves, walking where Jesus walked. We then travel to the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount is always a highlight to visitors. We will read the words of the greatest teacher of all time as He taught the greatest sermon of all time This afternoon, we will sail upon the Sea of Galilee to view the area of Jesus Christ’s early ministry. As the wind carries your boat, note the halo of mountains that surrounds its shores. The St. Peter’s fish lunch today is included and not only tastes fabulous but makes a great memory. We will also visit Capernaum, where Jesus lived and recruited his first followers among the fishermen. The well-preserved city will amaze you as you sit in the synagogue and imagine Jesus’ teaching and performing miracles in this important place. Next, we will also visit the Magdala Synagogue dating back to the Savior’s Day, where a newly discovered stone portrays the symbols of the ancient temple. If time permits, we will visit Tabgha, site of the miracle of the loaves and fishes. There is a beautiful Byzantine mosaic in the floor commemorating this miracle. Overnight Sea of Galilee hotel.

This morning we will travel north to visit Chorazin, a site dating back to the Savior’s Day with a black basalt Synagogue that looks similar to the one in Capernaum of the first century. We will visit Tel Dan National Park, which combines a lush nature reserve with a biblical archaeological experience. Beside a massive rock cliff, a place of great natural beauty, Banias is the site of ancient Caesarea Philippi, where Peter bore testimony of the Savior and Jesus said, “Thou art Peter and upon this rock, I will build my church”. As we make our way back south towards the Sea of Galilee we will stop at Mount Bental to not only admire the view but to orient ourselves to the geography and history of the area. As we make our way back south towards the Sea of Galilee you will observe some of the rich farmland that has made Israel one of the leading agriculture leaders of the world. Overnight Sea of Galilee hotel.

Mount Tabor that is traditionally known as the site of the transfiguration of the Savior, it is also the site where the ancient First Presidency received their endowment. You will enjoy the “thrill-ride” as you take the taxi ride up the mountain, but once at the summit, you will feel the peace and calm of the surrounding valley. We then travel to the ancient tel of Bet She’an, where 6,000 years of civilization seem to unfold among the ruins. It is believed to be the very Bet She’an of the Old Testament where the former King of Israel, Saul, was fastened to the city wall without his head by the conquering Philistines. As we leave the fertile valleys of the Galilee, we enter the strange and barren desert of the Dead Sea. Once the Biblical Lands of Moab and Edom, the Dead Sea basin has been a refuge to prophets, zealots, and outcasts throughout time. While at the Dead Sea, you cannot miss the opportunity to enjoy a dip in the buoyant waters and a bath. Overnight in the Dead Sea.

Early this morning, we ascend by cable car to the spectacular cliff-top fortress of Masada, where a community of 960 Jews preferred death at their own hands to the indignity of surrender to the overwhelming Roman forces. North lays Ein Gedi, the oasis where David hid from King Saul. Buried in the beige limestone bluffs, the ruins of Qumran still tell the story of the Essenes, a reclusive Jewish sect that buried the now famous Dead Sea Scrolls. Bethabara is a biblical location on the Jordan River where John the Baptist preached and baptized Jesus the site where the Savior was baptized by John the Baptist This evening we will journey to the beloved city of Jerusalem.

We will begin our day with a tour of the tunnels beneath the Western Wall. The Western Wall is the most important site in all Jewish civilization because these rough massive stones are all that is left of the great Second Temple. Revered and honored, the Jews wait and hope for the day they will rebuild their third and final temple upon these sacred remnants. Today at the Western Wall we will see Jewish families rejoicing in the Bar Mitzvah celebration of their youth.

Above the wall is Mount Moriah where the Islamic shrine, the Dome of the Rock, is located. Entering the oldest quarter of Jerusalem, follow the winding alleys and crowded streets to the Pools of Bethesda and learn about their importance. We will discover the ancient city beneath the modern streets where the old paving stones are carved with Roman games at Antonia Fortress. Today we will visit Hezekiah’s “Broad Wall” of ancient Jerusalem that was near to where Lehi and his family lived. We will also walk in the old quarter of Jerusalem to the site believed to be the Room of the Last Supper. Devoid of gilded statues or ornate chapels, the quiet simplicity and elegance of this room helps one to focus on the words of Christ and the poignant last moments with his beloved disciples.

Our last stop will be at the House of Caiaphas, which owns the dark and sad dungeon that once imprisoned the Savior. To experience the cold dismal cells and feel the sorrow and grieving of such a place, brings understanding and gratitude to our hearts.

Today we explore some of Jerusalem’s most remarkable cultural and historical sites. We begin at the Israel Museum, home to a treasure trove of artifacts from the Holy Land. Our first stop within the museum the Holy Land Model, a meticulously crafted scale replica of Jerusalem at the time of Christ. This model brings the ancient city to life, allowing us to visualize the layout of the streets, the design of the Second Temple, and the grandeur of Jerusalem in its historical context. We then see the Shrine of the Book, a striking building designed to echo the shape of the ancient pottery jars in which the Dead Sea Scrolls lay hidden for thousands of years. Our journey continues at the Davidson Center Archaeological Park, at the base of the Temple Mount, where we walk the Southern Steps of the Second Temple. The original steps located here were certainly walked on by the Savior himself many times.

From there, we explore the City of David, home to one of Jerusalem’s most impressive ancient engineering feats: Hezekiah’s Tunnel. In the 8th century B.C.E., King Hezekiah diverted the city’s water supply to protect it from the advancing Assyrian army. The 1,750-foot tunnel, carved deep into the bedrock, still channels water today—and we have the opportunity to walk through this remarkable tunnel, experiencing firsthand the ingenuity of ancient Jerusalem.

Later this afternoon, enjoy free time to return to the Old City. Revisit favorite sites, wander the winding streets, or shop for treasures and souvenirs to take home.

Shabbat Shalom! – This is the official Jewish greeting on the Sabbath. We begin this sacred day with sacrament services at the BYU Jerusalem Center. Then we visit the Garden Tomb. Here we will see Golgotha, to talk about the Savior’s crucifixion, and then the tomb, where the body of Christ was interred and from which He arose on that Easter Sunday so long ago. This afternoon we travel south toward Bethlehem. Music, bells, and churches appropriately adorn the little town of Bethlehem for it was here that the Light of the World was given life. Tradition holds that the small humble inn with just a stable for lodging was located where the Church of the Nativity now stands. Near sunset we will gather on the Shepherd Field where Shepherds still tend their flocks on the fields overlooking Bethlehem just as they did over 2,000 years ago when the angel appeared bringing them glad tidings of great joy. We will sing the beloved Christmas hymns and listen to the wondrous story – a moment not to be forgotten.

This morning we begin at the Mount of Olives, where a sweeping overlook offers a breathtaking panoramic view of Jerusalem—a city layered with millennia of history, faith, and culture. After lunch we will visit the Garden of Gethsemane. Here we’ll talk about and have private time to contemplate the amazing sacrifice that was made for each of us. Afterwards we will visit the Orson Hyde Memorial Garden, for another view of the Old City and a review of some of the interesting LDS history related to this land.

Tonight, we will have a farewell dinner together and then prepare to leave the land we have grown to love on our evening flight home. After clearing immigration and customs, you will transfer to the connecting gate back to the USA.

Arrive USA. Welcome Home!