Below is a sample itinerary for a 12-day trip to Israel with Elevation Journeys. This is a dynamic itinerary that could change based on availability, holidays (including Shabbat), and other factors that come along with travel in Israel. Your actual itinerary may be organized differently. All of our itineraries are carefully curated with your best interests, efficiency, and convenience in mind.
Day 0: Arrival Day in Tel Aviv
Upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport (TLV):
Your group will be greeted by a member of our team and transferred to your accommodation in Tel Aviv. You will have time to settle in, enjoy dinner, go to the beach, or rest as needed.
Overnight in Tel Aviv
Day 1: Tel Aviv
Morning: Free Time
We’ll give you a few extra hours to defeat the inevitable jet lag and enjoy a slow pace on your first morning in Tel Aviv. Breakfast will be included in your stay for your convenience. Feel free to take a walk along the beach, find a trendy coffee shop, or simply take the time you need to feel refreshed and ready for the day.
Afternoon: Walking Tour of Tel Aviv
Meet your first local guide for a walking tour of the first modern Hebrew city. You’ll get your bearings and learn about the city’s history, architecture, and significance.
Overnight in Tel Aviv
Day 2: Old City Jaffa
Morning: Lunch and Walking Tour of Old City Jaffa
Your group will enjoy lunch together before heading out to Jaffa Old City for a walking tour. You’ll see one of the most famous mosques in the area, learn about the modern history of the Old City, and see the famous clock tower, and visit the site where Peter brought Tabitha back to life (Acts 9:36-43). The old port of Jaffa is the same port where Jonah set out to avoid his calling to the people of Nineveh and consequently spent three nights in a “big fish.” (Book of Jonah)
Afternoon: Free Time in Tel Aviv-Jaffa
Enjoy extra time in the Old City of Jaffa. You can explore the open-air markets, wander the historic streets and alleyways, or spend time at a cafe. If you’re interested in art, don’t miss the Ilana Goor art museum while you’re here.
Or, head back to modern and bustling Tel Aviv. Try a new water sport, spend time at the beach, or simply take a little extra time to rest and recover from jet lag before dinner. If you’re interested, take time to visit the Tel Aviv Museum of Art or HaYarkon Park.
Overnight in Tel Aviv
Day 3: Valley of Elah
Morning: Valley of Elah
Spend the morning at the Valley of Elah, where David fought Goliath in 1 Samuel 17. You will begin at Tel Azeka for a view of the valley below. Take an easy-to-moderate hike down into the valley to see ruins, as well as the stream where David selected five stones for the battle.
Afternoon: Food Tour of Tel Aviv
Spend the afternoon sampling the best food Tel Aviv has to offer. The city has a vibrant food scene that boasts everything from ultra-traditional to ultra-modern to every cultural cuisine you can imagine. Sample it all on a food tour to get a taste of Israel.
Overnight in Tel Aviv
Day 4: Caesarea and Haifa
Morning: Caesarea National Park
After breakfast at your accommodation, your group will be driven north to Caesarea National Park to see the ancient Roman aqueducts, theater, hippodrome, and more.
Afternoon: Haifa
Enjoy the afternoon in Haifa, Israel’s third-largest city. Famous for its beautiful Baha’i Gardens, you can also choose to visit the German Colony, Stella Maris Monastery and Elijah’s Cave, Haifa City Museum, or walk along its Haifa Beach Promenade. Your group will then be transferred to Galilee and your accommodations for the evening.
Overnight in Galilee
Day 5: Nazareth
Day trip: Nazareth, Mount Precipice, Cana
You’ll spend the day exploring the town of Nazareth where Jesus grew up. You’ll see the sites where Mary lived when the angel came to her, as well as Joseph’s workshop. You will also visit Mount Precipice, where an angry mob tried to throw Jesus off a cliff (Luke 4:29-30). On the way to Galilee, you group will stop at Cana, where Jesus performed his first miracle (John 2).
Overnight in Galilee
Day 6: Galilee Region
Morning: Sailing on the Sea of Galilee and Yigal Allon Centre
Spend the morning on a boat on the Sea of Galilee, where many of Jesus’ followers fished, and where Jesus walked on water. Continue the morning with a visit to the Yigal Allon Centre, where you’ll see an authentic first century boat similar to the type that people of Jesus’ time would have used.
Afternoon: Lunch, Capernaum, Mount of Beatitudes, Magdala
While in the Galilee region, your group will see where Jesus fed the 5,000 and visit the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). You will also tour Capernaum, where Jesus lived after being run out of Nazareth and performed many miracles. You’ll end the day in Magdala, the hometown of Mary Magdalene and an active archaeological site.
Overnight in Galilee
Day 7: Jerusalem
Morning: Transit to Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives
After breakfast, your group will be transferred to the Holy City. You’ll take in the view of Jerusalem from the top of the Mount of Olives and visit the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus went to pray many times.
Afternoon: Lunch and Old City Jerusalem Walking Tour
After lunch, you’ll take a walking tour of the Old City of Jerusalem. See where Jesus carried his own cross, the Western Wall, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and more.
Overnight in Jerusalem
Day 8: Jerusalem Museum Day
Morning: Yad Vashem Holocaust Remembrance Center
After breakfast, your group will visit Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Center and Museum.
Afternoon: Lunch and Israel Museum
After lunch, you will have the opportunity to see the Dead Sea Scrolls and all the impressive and unique artifacts in the Israel Museum’s collections. When you’ve finished, you’ll be transferred to the airport to return home.
Overnight in Jerusalem
Day 9: West Bank Day Trip
Afternoon: Jericho and Baptismal Site
On a day trip into the West Bank, you’ll visit Qasr El-Yahud, where Jesus was baptized as well as the site where the Israelites crossed into the Promised Land. Next, your group will visit the oldest city in the world, Jericho. There, you will see where the “walls came tumbling down” (Joshua 6), as well as the site where Jesus befriended Zacchaeus.
Afternoon: Bethlehem
End your day in the town of Jesus’ birth. Your Palestinian Christian guide will show you the shepherd’s field, Jesus’ birthplace, and other sites associated with the birth and early life of Jesus.
Overnight in Jerusalem
Day 10: Qumran, Ein Gedi, Masada, and Dead Sea Day Trip
Morning: Qumran National Park, Ein Gedi, and Masada National Park
On a day trip from Jerusalem, you will have the opportunity to see Qumran National Park, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Next, you’ll come to the natural oasis of Ein Gedi Nature Reserve and admire the natural beauty, including a 120-foot waterfall. Round out the morning and take the cable car or hike up to Masada, an important site in Jewish history.
Afternoon: Lunch and Dead Sea Float
After lunch, your group can take time for a relaxing float in the Dead Sea and enjoy its many health benefits before returning to Jerusalem for dinner.
Overnight in Jerusalem
Day 11: Free Day in Jerusalem
Enjoy a free day in Jerusalem and surrounds. Take your time in the morning, explore the open-air markets, visit a museum, get a tattoo at the oldest tattoo shop in the world, or simply reflect on your time so far. If you would like suggestions for things to do or would like to add a specific excursion or activity here that is best experienced with a guide, please let us know.
Overnight in Jerusalem
Day 12: Free Time and Departure Day
Take your time on your last day in Israel. At the appropriate time, we will transfer you and your group to TLV for departure.
Transfer to Airport
If you prefer a longer trip, or if you would like to add on excursions to Jordan, Egypt, or both, please see our Itineraries Page for more options.
Click here to Contact Us with to start planning your faith-elevating trip to Israel and the Holy Land today.