TRAILING ON THE FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS 2016!
Day 1: Nairobi – Cairo
Meet at the Jomo Kenyatta Airport for our flight to start our journey together to the land of the Pharaohs’ as well as the Holy Land. Say “Kwaheri” to Kenya as we take on the clouds to Cairo – Egypt. Arrival transfer to the hotels and Overnight at Grand Pyramids, Cairo.
Day 2 : Cairo
Visit Egyptian museum where the treasures of Pharaoh Tut Ank Amon are displayed. Egypt is where Abraham took refuge when there was drought in Canaan (Genesis 12:10),
- Joseph prospered after being sold by his brothers (Genesis 37:12),
- The people of Israel were enslaved for 400 yrs.
Moses was born (Exodus 2:1). The Lord Jesus Christ took refuge from the threat of King Herod (Mathew 2:13). Visit the Pyramids, the Sphinx and then on to the old Cairo where you will visit the hanging church (AL MUALLAQA). This was built in the 4th century over southern gate of the fortress of Babylon. Dedicated to Virgin Mary, its treasures includes a 14 the century wall painting of the Nativity, Church of St.Sergius (ABU SERGA) A 5th century basilica built over crypt where the Holy Family is believed to have stayed during their flight into Egypt, Church of St.Mercurius (ABU SEFEIN) – boasts a unique collection of Coptic art including the 175 icons that depict scenes from the old and new testaments, wall paintings, etching and stained glass. Meals and Overnight at Grand Pyramids, Cairo.
Day 3 : Cairo – Mt. Sinai – St. Catherine
Depart Cairo via the Suez Canal on the Red Sea that separates Asia and Africa. Proceed on to the Sinai desert, past Sharm el Sheikh. Then continue to the Wilderness of Sin where the miracle of Manna and Quails took place and view the seventy-two palm trees. Next stop is in Rephidim where the Israelites fought the Amalekites. During this battle, whenever Moses put his arms down, the Israelites lost and whenever he put his arms up, the Israelites were winning. (Aaron and Hur held Moses’ arms up as he started getting tired.) After all that proceed to the Springs of Moses where Moses hit the rock and twelve water springs appeared. Here, there are remnants of the springs and a group of Bedouins still lives there. Dinner and overnight at Morgan Land Hotel, St Catherine
Day 4 : Mt. Sinai – Taba Heights
Early morning climb to the summit of Mt. Sinai. Descend for breakfast. Visit St. Catherine Monastery (closed on Fridays and Sundays and Greek Orthodox special holidays). Checkout and will visit sites in St. Catherine, which is the place where Moses climbed up the mountain to receive the Ten Commandments. In the same area, there is the famous Greek Orthodox Monastery, which is built around the Burning Bush and the well where Moses met his wife Zebura (daughter of Jethro, the priest of Median). Visit the place where the Israelites camped when Moses went to receive the Ten Commandments. Afterwards drive to Taba border. Overnight at Taba Hilton Hotel, Taba
Day 5: Dead Sea – Bethlehem
Proceed on to visit the Dead-Sea, time for a swim and floating. This is the lowest point on earth after which you will visit Qumran caves where the Dead-Sea scrolls where found. We walk through the Oasis of Ein Gedi, known since the days of King David. Ein Gedi, where four springs with fresh water meet the desert sun, is a place to enjoy the rich and unique flora and fauna that such an oasis can offer. Continue to visit Jericho the Oldest city in the word. View the Mt. of Temptation , remains of the walls of the old Jericho and Zaccheus tree (Luke 18:35-42). Proceed on to Jerusalem to see it at night from Mount Olives. Overnight at Paradise Hotel, Bethlehem
Day 6: Gethsemane – Mt. Zion – Jerusalem
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for the day at 7:30 for the Garden of Gethsemane , and also visit the “Wailing Wall”, the last remnants of the Temple in Jerusalem. If the current situation allows it, visit the Temple Mount . Continue in the footsteps of Jesus along the Stations of the Via Dolorosa, Jesus’ “Way of Suffering”, and onto the Church of the Holy Sepultures, where Jesus was crucified and buried. Continue to the Via Dolorosa, that passes through the Old City’s oriental “Suq” (Bazaar). Here you will see the panorama of Jerusalem and also will visit the Ascension Chapel where Jesus ascended into Heaven. Visit the Church of Pater Noster to witness the “Lord’s Prayer’ written in several languages . Other highlights; Church of All Nations, Church of Nativity and the Shepherd’s Fields, Cross the Kidron Valley to Mt. Zion. Visit the room of the Last Supper. Overnight at Paradise Hotel, Bethlehem
Day 7: Kibbutz Visit
Breakfast at the hotel At 6:30 am check out of the hotel and proceed to visit Qumran Continue to visit Kibbutz Ein Yahav , there will be full lesson on both agricultures and organic agricultures of the greenhouse which grow 40 species of tomatoes , 20 species of peppers and more products Continue to visit the official AloeVera farm. The tour includes learning about water supply, community life and the plan for the development of the Central Arava , as well as a breathtaking view of the area and the border of Peace with Jordan. During the tour we will learn about the Aloe Vera plant, and about the natural products of Ein Yahav where 39 products are produced from the Aloe Vera plant whose unique qualities are preserved in the production process. Afterwards drive to visit Kibbutz Ginosar – the biggest and oldest banana plantations in Israel , which in the last decades, show impressive agriculture results , both for Israel and worldwide. Overnight at Paradise Hotel, Bethlehem
Day 8: Sea of Galilee – Capernaum – Mt of Beatitudes – River Jordan
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for the day at 7:30 am to visit the places where Jesus preached around the Sea of Galilee: Capernaum, with Peter’s House and the famous Synagogue, enjoy the view from Mt. of the Beatitudes, where the “Sermon on the Mount” was given, and the reconstructed church in Tabgha, where tradition puts the miracle of the Bread and The Fish. Sail on the Galilee sea in a boat similar to the boat used by Jesus and his disciples. Continue to the Baptismal Site of Yardenit on the Holy River Jordan and nearby Cana, site of the first miracle. Overnight at Rimonim Hotel, Nazareth
Day 9: Jaffa – Caesarea – Mt. Camel
Breakfast at the hotel Departure for the day at 07:00 AM to visit the old city of Jaffa, one of the ancient gateways to the Holy Land: Through its port the Cedar trees for Salomon’s Temple were brought, the prophet Jonas tried to flee God, but most important: It was in Jaffa where Christianity began to be spread among the nations. Here St. Peter lived in the house of Simon the Tanner and had the “Vision of the Flesh”, and here he made his first miracle by healing the little girl. Today Jaffa’s renovated alley-ways attract many artists, who have their galleries there. Drive to Caesarea , the magnificent port-city built by King Herod the Great. From here St. Peter went to Rome and started with his first miracles. In Caesarea’s well-preserved theater an inscription of the procurator Pontius Pilate was found. We continue to Haifa the Mt. Carmel, Stella Mary’s. And after noon drive to visit Moshav Zeppori where one can learn about the dairy farming, poultry farming , and crops and marketing the aquarium’s plants, Then proceed to Nazareth , and visit there the basilica and the Grotto of the Annunciation– the old Synagogue and Mary’s Well. Transfer to hotel for dinner and overnight at Rimonim Hotel, Nazareth
Day 10: Tel Aviv – Nairobi
Transfer to the airport in Tel Aviv for your flight back to Nairobi.