Description

ITINERARY

 DAY 1: EGYPT

Depart Nairobi from JKIA for Egypt.

Arrival in the Land of the Pharaohs. At Cairo International airport you will be welcomed and assisted through immigration and customs by our representative, then escorted to your hotel. After freshening up visit the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. We also visit an Oriental perfumery. Then proceed to Kardassa the largest market for textile shopping, offering cotton and linen products. Return to the hotel.

Overnight: Grand Pyramids Hotel or similar standard.

Meal plan: Dinner

DAY 2:    EGYPT

After breakfast check our of the hotel and depart on a morning visit to the Old Cairo to visit The hanging church (AL MUALLAQA) – was built in the 4^th 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 175 icons that depict scenes from the old and new testaments, wall paintings, etching and stained glass,  and Ben Ezra Synagogue.

Transfer to Nuweiba/Taba (approx 6 hrs) Arrive Nuweiba/Taba, check in the hotel. Rest of the evening at leisure

Overnight: El – Aria Beach Nuweiba or similar standard

Meal plan: Breakfast/Dinner

 Welcome to ISRAEL…. …Land of the Bible….Land of the faith…. the Holy Land, revered throughout recorded history as the cradle of monotheistic religion. For a person of faith whose beliefs are rooted in the Bible there is no place on earth like the Holy Land -Israel

ISRAEL

DAY 3:  TABA-YOTVATA-DEAD SEA-JERUSALEM/BETHLEHEM

Early morning arrival in Taba and cross over to Israel. Cross through the border- check and immigration. Meet and assistance by our representative in Israel. Proceed to Kibbutz Yotvata which is the biggest kibbutz in Israel where the milk, cheeses produced by goats they breed there. In addition to their experience in deserted organic agriculture. We will take a trip over there to know how the ecological vegetables are growing. The time it takes the tour there is between 3 and 4 hours with explaining.  We drive down to the Dead Sea, the deepest place on earth. 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. We walk to the waterfall and back to the bus. Then we go to Jerusalem to see it at night from Mount Olives. Check into our hotel in Bethlehem.

Overnight:  Bethlehem – Angel Hotel or similar standard

Meal plan: Breakfast/Dinner

DAY 4:  JERUSALEM

Beginning our day at 7:30 in the   Garden of Gethsemane, we continue in the footsteps of Jesus along the Stations of the Via Dolorosa, Jesus’ “Way of Suffering”, and unto the Church of the Holy Sepulture, where Jesus was crucified and buried.  Then continue to the Via Dolorosa that passes through the Old City’s oriental “Suq” (Bazaar). We shall also we visit the “Wailing Wall”, the last remnants of the Temple in Jerusalem. If the current situation allows it, we will try to visit the Temple Mount as well. Return to our hotel at 17:00.

Overnight: Bethlehem – Angel Hotel or similar standard

Meal plan: Breakfast/Dinner

DAY 5:  BETHLEHEM-EIN KAREM

In the morning we visit the Church of the Nativity, where we can really touch the very place where Jesus was born. Built by St. Helena already in the 4th century, it has been an active church and never destroyed ever since! Here St. Hieronymus wrote the first Latin translation of the Bible – the “Volgata”. We shall also visit the “Milk Grotto” and, the “Shepherds Fields” in Beth-Sahour.  After lunch-stop, we drive to visit Ein Karem, the place where John the Baptist was born. We will visit the “St. John in the Mountains” church, built on the place where the house of St. John was standing. We will also visit the Church of Visitation, where St. Mary visited Elisabeth, and continue to visit the new city Jerusalem.

Over night: Bethlehem – Angel Hotel or similar standard.

Meal plan: Breakfast/Dinner

DAY 6: ISRAEL

After Breakfast we check out form our hotel and drive to visit 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. We then drive to Caesarea Maritima, 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 Tell Megiddo, one of Israel’s most ancient cities, where we can find traces of fortifications left by the Canaanites, King Solomon, King Ahab, and more, as well as a very sophisticated water system, some claim was built by the king Solomon. This strategic place has always been the scenery of war, and according to John’s Revelation, it is here where the last battle shall take place – the battle of Armageddon. Time permitting we continue to Haifa to visit Mt. Carmel and Stela Maris. Then drive to visit Nazareth visiting the basilica and the Grotto of the Annunciation- the old Synagogue and Mary’s well.

Overnight: Nazareth – St. Gabriel Hotel or similar standard

Meal plan: Breakfast/Dinner

DAY 7:  ISRAEL

At 7:30 we drive to visit the places where Jesus acted around the Sea of Galilee: Capernaum, with Peters 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. After lunch-stop we shall take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee in a boat similar to the boat used by Jesus and his disciples. Visit the Baptismal Site on the Holy River Jordan. Return back to visit Cana on Galilee and then to the hotel

Overnight: Nazareth – St. Gabriel Hotel or similar standard

Meal plan: Breakfast/Dinner

DAY 8:  EGYPT

Early  (at 6:30) in the morning we depart our hotel and drive to visit Ein Hashofet for 2 hours It’s members work in both agriculture and industry, and Their agricultural branches include poultry, dairy and beef cattle, field crops and avocado orchards..

And continue to visit Qumran.  Then we drive to Taba and cross the border to Egypt and continue to St. Catherine.

**Order of visits is subject to change. Some of the days are very full and opening hours of sites are limited so we may not be able to accomplish all visits.

Arrive St, Catharine check in hotel .Have an early dinner and retire early to be ready for the early morning climb.

Overnight: St Catherine – St. Catherine Hotel or similar standard

Meal plan: Breakfast/Dinner

DAY 9:  EGYPT

At 0200 hrs start the climb of Mountain of St, Catharine. Return to hotel for rest and breakfast. Checkout and we 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). We will also visit the place where the Israelites camped when Moses went to receive the Ten Commandments. There will be an optional Walking tour around the mountain in the valley of Arbien.Then we cross the famous Suez Canal that separates Asia and Africa. Heading 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 live there. We will then continue to the Wilderness of Sin where the miracle of Manna and Quails took place and there we will view the seventy-two palm trees. Our 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.).

Continue to Cairo and check in the hotel.

Overnight: Cairo Grand Pyramids Hotel or similar standard

Meal plan: Breakfast/Dinner

DAY 10:  EGYPT //DEP

Breakfast in the hotel. Rest of day at leisure. At 1700hrs transfer to airport for your final departure

Meal plan: Breakfast/Lunch

Depart Cairo. Arrive Nairobi early the following day. You will be met and transferred to a central place within the city.

END OF SERVICES

COST

Per person sharing – KES. 165,000 based on half board

Included in the rates:           

• Return air fare with taxes
• Meet & Assist upon arrival & departure in Egypt and Israel
• Daily touring as per the itinerary
• Meal: Halfboard
• Accommodation for 9 nights at the mentioned hotels or similar 5*in Cairo and 4*Deluxe in Israel
• Professional English speaking guide.
• Transportation in luxury air conditioned motor-coach as per the itinerary
• Entrance fees to all sites mentioned in the itinerary
• Portages
• Israel and Egypt visas ( Egypt double entry)
• Pilgrim certificate, map, hat and back pack
• Israel exit tax at Taba boarder
• Return airport transfer from a central place in Nairobi (optional)

Not included in rates  

• Any item of Personal Nature
• Drinks
• Meals not indicated on the itinerary
• Tips for driver guides and hotel staff

Traveler insurance & personal expenses (available on request