Optional Egypt Pre-Tour Excursion

For travelers wishing to begin their journey in the land of the Exodus, Bible Passages offers an optional six-night pre-tour excursion through Egypt and the Sinai Peninsula, concluding with the border crossing into Israel on Day 1 of the main tour below.

Pre-Tour Day 1 — Wednesday, October 13 — Arrive Cairo

Arrive in Cairo and begin a journey that traces the Exodus story from the land of Israel's bondage toward the land of promise. Overnight in Cairo.

Pre-Tour Day 2 — Thursday, October 14 — Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & the Grand Egyptian Museum

Visit the Giza Pyramids and the Great Sphinx, among the last surviving wonders of the ancient world and a striking reminder of the empire that once enslaved the Israelites (Exodus 1:8-14). Tour the Grand Egyptian Museum's remarkable collection of antiquities before an afternoon flight to Luxor. Overnight in Luxor.

Pre-Tour Day 3 — Friday, October 15 — Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut & Karnak

Explore the Valley of the Kings, burial site of Egypt's New Kingdom pharaohs, and the Temple of Hatshepsut, before passing the twin Colossi of Memnon. Visit the vast temple complex of Karnak, one of the largest religious sites ever constructed, and close the day with a relaxing ride on the Nile River. Overnight in Luxor.

Pre-Tour Day 4 — Saturday, October 16 — Valley of the Queens, Ramesses Temple & Flight to Cairo

Begin with an optional sunrise hot air balloon ride over the Theban hills. Visit the Valley of the Queens and the Ramesses Temple, then explore the Luxor Museum's collection of artifacts from the ancient capital before an afternoon flight back to Cairo. Overnight in Cairo.

Pre-Tour Day 5 — Sunday, October 17 — Suez Canal, Ayun Musa & Wadi Feiran

Cross the Suez Canal into the Sinai Peninsula, following the traditional route of Israel's exodus from Egypt (Exodus 14). Stop at Ayun Musa (the Wells of Moses) and travel through Wadi Feiran toward Mount Sinai. Overnight at St. Catherine's, with an optional midnight climb of the mountain traditionally associated with Moses receiving the Law (Exodus 19-20).

Pre-Tour Day 6 — Monday, October 18 — St. Catherine's Monastery

Tour St. Catherine's Monastery, built at the traditional site of the burning bush where God called Moses (Exodus 3:1-6). Visit the Chapel of the Burning Bush, the Well of Moses, and the monastery's renowned icon and manuscript collection, along with its fortified walls, charnel house, and surrounding desert views. Depart for Taba. Overnight in Taba.

Pre-Tour Day 7 — Tuesday, October 19 — Border Crossing & Join The Main Group

Cross the border into Israel at Taba and travel north through the Negev, visiting Timna Park, Hazeva, and Mount Sodom, traditionally associated with the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19), before arriving at the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth. Overnight at Ein Bokek.

Israel Main Tour Itinerary

Day 1 — Tuesday, October 19 — Arrive in Tel Aviv & Transfer to Ein Bokek

For those joining us for Israel only, plan to arrive in Tel Aviv in time to catch an evening transfer to Ein Bokek to meet the pre-tour group arriving at the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth. Overnight at Ein Bokek.

Day 2 — Wednesday, October 20 — Masada, Qumran & Jericho

Ascend Masada, Herod's mountaintop fortress and the site of the Jewish rebels' last stand against Rome. Visit Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, and the traditional baptismal site of Jesus along the Jordan River (Matthew 3:13-17). Continue to Jericho, one of the oldest cities on earth, where Israel's shout brought down the walls (Joshua 6:20). Overnight in Jerusalem (Sephardic/Spanish House).

Day 3 — Thursday, October 21 — Free Morning; Israel Museum & Yad Vashem

Enjoy a free morning to rest or explore Jerusalem independently. In the afternoon, visit the Israel Museum, home to the Dead Sea Scrolls and a large-scale model of first-century Jerusalem, followed by Yad Vashem, Israel's memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. Overnight in Jerusalem (Sephardic/Spanish House).

Day 4 — Friday, October 22 — Shephelah, Ophel & the City of David

Travel to the Shephelah to visit Beth Shemesh, where the Ark of the Covenant returned after its capture by the Philistines (1 Samuel 6:12), and the Elah Valley, site of David's victory over Goliath (1 Samuel 17). Return to Jerusalem for the Ophel Archaeological Park and the City of David, the oldest part of ancient Jerusalem. Overnight in Jerusalem (Sephardic/Spanish House).

Day 5 — Saturday, October 23 — Garden Tomb, Mount of Olives & the Holy Sepulcher

Visit the Garden Tomb, a peaceful setting proposed as a possible site of Jesus' burial and resurrection. Walk the Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed before His arrest (Matthew 26:36-46), then follow the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the traditional site of the crucifixion and burial of Jesus. Conclude at the Tower of David Museum, tracing Jerusalem's history through the ages. Overnight in Jerusalem (Sephardic/Spanish House).

Day 6 — Sunday, October 24 — Shiloh, Mount Gerizim & Nazareth

Visit Shiloh, home of the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant for over three centuries (Joshua 18:1). Continue to Mount Gerizim, one of the two mountains of blessing and cursing from Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 11:29), and Mount Precipice, traditionally linked to the crowd's rejection of Jesus in His hometown synagogue (Luke 4:16-30). Worship at the Nazareth Church of Christ before descending into the Galilee. Overnight in Magdala.

Day 7 — Monday, October 25 — Sunrise Boat Ride, Capernaum & Bethsaida

Begin with a sunrise boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, recalling Jesus calming the storm and walking on the water (Mark 4:35-41; Matthew 14:22-33). Visit Capernaum, Jesus' ministry headquarters (Matthew 4:13), Chorazin, one of the cities Jesus rebuked for its unbelief (Matthew 11:21), and Bethsaida, hometown of the apostles Peter, Andrew, and Philip (Mark 8:22; John 1:44). Overnight in Magdala.

Day 8 — Tuesday, October 26 — Mount Arbel, Dan & Caesarea Philippi

Climb Mount Arbel for sweeping views of the Sea of Galilee. Visit the Dan Nature Reserve, the northernmost city of ancient Israel, where Jeroboam set up a golden calf and led Israel into idolatry (1 Kings 12:28-30). Continue to Caesarea Philippi, where Peter confessed Jesus as the Christ (Matthew 16:13-20). Overnight in Magdala.

Day 9 — Wednesday, October 27 — Beit Shearim & Caesarea Maritima

Visit Beit Shearim, a major Jewish burial site from the Roman period, then travel to Caesarea Maritima, Herod's grand Roman port city, where Peter baptized the Gentile centurion Cornelius (Acts 10) and Paul stood trial before Roman governors (Acts 23:23-35). Overnight near Tel Aviv/the airport.

Day 10 — Thursday, October 28 — Depart

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight home, carrying with you the memories of a journey through the land of promise and redemption.