Don't Just Visit the World of the Bible
EXPERIENCE IT!
EGYPT, ISRAEL, Petra
CAIRO, LUXOR, GALILEE, JERUSALEM, PETRA Post-Tour
Escape the Ordinary Tour
with
Bruce Porter
January 24 - February 6, 2024
When is comes to gaining gospel knowledge, it is best have your spiritual feast along with a temporal one. History is not scripture but all scripture comes from history. See and experience the setting, the background, the culture, the religions and languages of the historicity of scripture.
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Discover the home of the Bible and visit the sites of both the Old and New Testaments, focusing on the Life of Christ. Every hill, every stone has a story to tell and a testimony to bare of the divinity of Scripture. You will never read the scriptures the same as your mind and memory will take you to Israel and our journeys again and again.
EGYPT
To ask: Why go to Egypt? is like asking: Why breathe? The Book of Abraham, inspired from Egyptian papyrus, contains three "facsimiles" that come directly from Egypt and represent the very foundation of the Egyptian religion and its relationship to the ordinances of Exaltation found in our modern Temples today. You'll never regret visiting Egypt's temple sites and learning about the Gospel connection to Ancient Egypt. You will learn more about our modern temples in Egypt than any other single place in the world.
This fantastic tour includes Cairo and the Pyramids, and the outdoor museum of Luxor. We will visit The Valley of the Kings, the Karnak and Luxor Temples. Three prophets lived in Egypt; Abraham, Joseph and Moses, and each left a record of scripture. All who are from the tribe of Joseph have a history here as the mother of Ephraim and Manasseh was the daughter of the High Priest of the ancient religious center of On. The oldest 'Cradle of Civilization' will reflect eternal principles of life after death and the exaltation of the righteous. The Abrahamic Covenant will be display on the ancient walls of the temples found here. The Gospel given to Adam the first man diffused through time and evident everywhere one goes in Egypt.
ISRAEL
In Israel this tour will include all of the important sites such as Jerusalem, the Garden Tomb, Mount of Olives, the Old City, Gethsemane, and the Upper Room. We will visit the Galilee and see the Mount of Beatitudes, Capernaum, the home of Christ, Nazareth and Cana. While in the Galilee we will have a boat ride on the Sea and visit a traditional Baptismal site and discuss the meaning of this most important ordinance. We will visit Bethlehem, and the shepherds fields and have a private meeting with William Kando, whose father acquired the Dead Sea Scrolls when they were discovered in 1947. In the Old City of Jerusalem we will stand on the Southern Steps of the Temple Mount that Christ and His apostles would walk when entering the Temple area. We will also stand on the road of the Triumphal Entry that help provoke the Jewish conspiracy against the Savior. We will see the main Gate in Hezekiah's Broad Wall that Laban and his Fifty protected when Nephi and his brother acquired the Brass Plates. We will visit the original Pools of Bethesda and the original stones of the "pavement" where the judgment of Crucifixion was issued by Pilot. It is easy to explain where we will go but the feelings, scriptural insights, and spiritual experiences cannot be described sufficient for the written word.
ITINERARY
Egypt Israel
January 24 -February 6, 2024
Day 1
Wednesday January 24,
Flight from USA to Egypt
A fun day of flying, Watch all the movies you can stand while your sitting.
Day 2
Thursday, January 25,
Upon arrival to the Cairo International Airport, Look for the agent that will be holding a sign with the Name "Bruce Porter". You will be met after you deplane and before passport control. The agent will assist you through visa and customs procedures, Your visa is pre-paid and will be placed in your passport by the agents there. From the airport everyone will transferred to our hotel. The Agent will already have you checked in and will distribute the room keys upon arrival at the hotel.
Day 3: Friday, January 26,
Cairo, Giza Plateau, Pyramids, Sphinx,
This morning we will visit the Pyramids of the Giza Plateau and the Sphinx. Here we will be able to have a camel ride and take a group picture from the overlook. This afternoon we will visit the ancient capital of the Delta region. It was at this sight that Abraham, Sarah and Lot lived. Here Joseph who was sold into Egypt, lived and was imprisoned, as well did his distant cousin Moses lived and learned in the palace halls of the Royal House. We will see the first pyramid ever constructed at Sakkara and discuss the purpose and meaning of all pyramids. We will make a short stop to see the area of the newly discovered prison that held Joseph. We will go into a tomb and see the Pyramid Texts carved on the walls of stone. We will then make our way to the airport for our flight to Luxor and overnight on the banks of the Nile.
Day 4: Saturday, January 27,
Luxor-- Valley of the Kings, Deir el-Bahari, Temple of Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon, and Luxor Temple.
This morning we will visit the Valley of the Kings where the pharaohs of the Middle Kingdom of Egypt were entombed. We will have the opportunity to visit some of the most beautifully decorated tombs in the valley and those who would like to pay a few dollars will be able to go through the famous tomb of King Tut-ankh- Amman. A visit to the Temple of Hatshepsut will follow the Valley of the Kings. Hatshepsut constructed her mortuary temple into the mountain and natural pyramid. We will walk up the three leveled temple to her final resting place. Along the way we will discuss some interesting LDS concepts in the Chapel of Anubis. In this area we will point out the place and tomb that the papyrus and 11 mummies were discovered that Joseph Smith purchased in Kirkland in 1835 that led to the Book of Abraham. On our way back to Luxor we will pass the Ramesseum and the Collosi of Memnon. This evening we will visit the Luxor Temple. Overnight in Luxor
Day 5: Sunday January 28,
Luxor—Luxor Temple -- Cairo
The city of Luxor is called the "Open Air Museum." This morning we will visit the Karnack Temple Here you will be able to walk through the corridors of this ancient temple and enter sacred chambers that only the Pharaoh and his high priest could pass. We will see the decorated walls that will have the remnants of the Gospel that the first Pharaoh taught the people as explained in the Book of Abraham. These monumental ruins are part of the largest temple complex in Egypt. We will stand in the Hypostyle Hall among the largest columns in the world. We will walk through this straight axis temple and their symbols of the creation, beginning with the 'primordial mound' of the Pylons and then move through the creation room, the Garden room the inner holy place and then to the Holy of Holies, ascending higher and higher as we go. At the entrance of the Holy of Holies we will see the depiction of the reality of the Atonement and what it meant to the ancient Egyptians and how it relates to the Latter-day Saints and modern Temples. This evening we will take the hour flight back to overnight in Cairo.
Day 6 Monday, January 29,
Cairo – Tel Aviv
Before we continue our leg to Amman and Jerusalem, we should have time to stop at the Kahili Bazaar and view the City of the Dead. We will catch an afternoon flight to Tel Aviv arriving in the evening to Tel Aviv and check into our hotel.
(Those not doing the Egypt portion of the trip will need to arrive to Tel Aviv on the evening of
Monday January 29 to meet up with the group arriving from Cairo)
Day 1/7: Tuesday, January 30,
Tel Aviv – Tiberius-- Galilee- Caesarea, Aqueduct, Mt Carmel-Mukhraqa, Megiddo, Nazareth, Tiberius
This morning we will make drive along the coast of the Mediterranean to Caesarea on the Sea. This is the place that Paul was imprisoned and preached before Festus. We will see the Roman Theatre and Hippodrome. On our way out of this beautiful city we will walk through the Crusader fortifications and then make a quick stop at the Roman aqueduct. Traveling on the Via Maris our next stop will be at Mt Carmel where Elijah tangled with the priests of Baal. We will stop for lunch at a great restaurant run by a Druze family, and then on to ruins of Megiddo. Here at this fortified city of Solomon and Ahab we can see 27 different layers of occupation and a early Bronze Age Canaanite Altar. In the afternoon we will climb the hills to Nazareth stopping at the Church of the Annunciation and if time permits, we will stop at Cana where the marriage feast and the first recorded miracle of changing water to wine took place. Tonight, we will stay in Tiberius.
Day 3/9: Thursday, February 1,
Mt. Tabor, Beit She'an, Jericho, Jimmy’s
Today we leave the Galilee with our first stop at Mt Tabor the site of the Transfiguration to discuss the Priesthood and keys. From there we will continue to Beit Sean and the Largest Roman city excavated in Israel and the place of the site where Saul and Jonathan hung on the city wall. We will make our way to Jericho for the evening stopping at the traditional site of the Mount of Temptation and visit Jimmy’s Olive Wood Shop. We will overnight in Jericho, touted to be the oldest city in the world.
Day 2/8: Wednesday, January 31,
Tiberius, Galilee- Mount of Beatitudes, Tabgha, Peter's Primacy, and Capernaum, Boat Ride and Yardenit.
Today we begin by visiting the Mount of Beatitudes and discussing the purpose of this first sermon and then on to Capernaum, the place where so many wonderful events, miracles and teachings of the Savior took place. This was the city that Christ called His home. Here He taught and lived with Peter's family. The original foundation of the synagogue where the Savior taught still exists with a 4th century synagogue standing on the same foundation. We will stop at the place of Peter's Primacy and the site of the Feeding of the Five Thousand. Following our lunch, we will have a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee and see how the early apostles would cast their nets into the sea. While on the boat we will discuss the miracles of walking on water and the calming of the sea that took place there. Before the day is through, we will stop at the Jordan River with a private place to discuss the Baptism of Christ at the hands of John the Baptist. Here we will discover the scriptural meaning of this most important ordinance. At the end of the day, we will return to our hotel and dinner in Tiberius.
Day 4/10: Friday, February 2,
Jericho - Masada - Dead Sea-Jerusalem
Today we will continue down the Jordan Rift Valley to Masada. We will walk on the top of this 13-acre plateau that was the last stand of the Jewish Zealots. On our way toward Jerusalem there will be with a short stop at the discovery site of the Dead Sea Scrolls, a village called Qumran where it is traditionally taught that John the Baptist may have lived. The oldest documents and manuscripts of the Old Testament were found here. We will have an opportunity to walk through the ruins of Qumran where the scribes prepared copies of the scriptures that would speak from the dust centuries later. If time permits, we will have an opportunity to take a dip in the Dead Sea. Tonight, we will stay in Jerusalem the City of Gold as we prepare to experience the sights/sites and feelings of the most important events concerning the salvation of humanity. Time and weather permitting we may be able to take a float in the Dead Sea for those who want to experience the unnatural properties of the lowest point on earth. Tonight, we will check into our hotel in Jerusalem.
Day 5/11, Saturday, February 3,
Jerusalem, Temple Mount, Pools of Bethesda, Ecce Homo. Walk through Old City, The Cardo, Hezekiah's Broad wall, Western Wall and Davidson Center, The Roman Road and Southern Steps.
This morning we will ascend to the place where the Temples of both Solomon and Herod once stood. We will see the Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa Mosque. Here we will discuss the rebuilding of the temple and the threshing floor purchased by King David. We will visit the original Pools of Bethesda, and the pavement, or judgment hall where Pilate condemned Christ. We will have lunch on our own at the Jewish Quarter. We will make our way to the Western Wall and the Davidson Center to walk on the Southern Steps to explore the excavations south of the Temple Mount. Here we will walk on the sidewalks and stairs that Christ and His Apostles trod as they entered the Temple area. We will discuss the Triumphal Entry as we stand on the very stones that the Savior walked into the city that day. If time permits, we will end the day with a walk-through Hezekiah’s Tunnel.
Day 6/12, Sunday, February 4,
Jerusalem, Model City and Shrine of the Book, Bethlehem Church of Nativity, Shepard's Fields
Today we begin by visiting the Shrine of the Book and the Model City of Jerusalem so that we can get a better understanding of the lay-out of the ancient city and see the display of the Dead Sea Scrolls. From there we will travel to Bethlehem to see the traditional site of the birth of Christ and a visit to the 'Shepherd's Fields" to get a better understanding of the events surrounding the Nativity. We may have time to go through Jaffa Gate and walk through the Old City or go to the Western Wall before returning to our hotel. Tonight, Bro Porter will take those who would like to walk through the Old City and visit a few friends and favorite spots. We will see the Roman Cardo and the Broad Wall of Hezekiah, the same wall that Laban was responsible to guard the night Nephi found him. We will overnight in Jerusalem,
Day 7/13 Monday, February 5,
Jerusalem, Jerusalem Center, Mt of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane (Private area), Upper Room, Saint Peter in Gallicantu, Lunch, Private are at the Garden Tomb, Free Time.
Today we begin by visiting the Jerusalem Center for Sacrament meeting. After our meetings we begin to retrace the footsteps of our Savior during the last few hours of his life beginning with a visit to the Mount of Olives and descend to the Garden of Gethsemane. We will have a private spot (Ambo) in the garden to contemplate the Atonement and discuss the mission of the Life of Christ. We will visit the traditional site of the Upper Room and the Last Supper and the house of Caiaphas. The highlight of the trip concludes at the site of Golgotha and the Garden Tomb where we will discuss the life, death, and resurrection of the Savior. Here also we will have a private area to share a few thoughts about these sacred events. We should be done a little early today for dinner giving us a little extra time to prepare for the flight home.
Tonight, we will stay in Jerusalem preparing for an early morning transfer to the airport for late night (11pm and after on Feb 5) and early mornings flights (leaving after midnight on Feb 6).
Day 8/14, Tuesday, February 6,
Morning flight from Tel Aviv to United States arriving Home that same evening.
Day 9/15, Wednesday February 7,
This morning we will Enter the World Heritage Site of Petra. Its about a mile and half into the ancient city through the narrow siq with the red sandstone cliffs towering almost three hundred feet above us. As be enter we will have a chance for a short ride on horseback as part of the experience. Our local guide will explain about the inhabitants of this ancient city as we view the carvings in the walls of the canyon. Once there we will see the Treasury and the other building facades and even the Roman Theater carved into the colorful sandstone. It's a down-hill walk into Petra which means its an up-hill walk out. we will meet at the entrance early afternoon and go to lunch and begin our bus ride to Amman. After a short stop for bathrooms, drinks and snacks we will continue to our beautiful Bristol Hotel in Amman for dinner and overnight.
Day 10/16, Thursday, February 8,
Leaving the hotel early we will travel to the Airport in Amman for our flights to the United States or European destinations.
Petra Post Tour
Day 8/14, Tuesday, February 6,
After breakfast we will travel by private coach to the Israeli / Jordan Border and go through Israeli customs and change buses. Once across the border our Jordanian agent to help us through passport, customs, and visa control. Our first stop will be Mt Nebo where Moses saw the Promised Land and was translated to later appear and restore the keys to Peter, James, and John. From there we will drive the short distance to Madaba for lunch and a visit to the ancient Church of St George that has the old mosaic floor with the oldest city map of Jerusalem and the Middle East. Driving through the plains of Moab where Ruth was from we will continue on to Petra with a stop at a rest house for snacks and drinks. Following the ancient 'Kings Highway" we enter the ancient Edom. We will arrive in Petra and check into our hotel next to the entrance of the Nabatean city for dinner and a good rest.
Egypt Israel Package Price: $3,199.00
Per person based on double occupancy
Single Occupancy $3,865.00
Israel Only Price:
$2,199.00
Per person based on double occupancy
Single Occupancy $2,849.00
Petra Add On:
$1,050.00
Per Person, Double Occupancy
Single Occupancy
$1,175.00
Price Includes
Educator Bruce H. Porter
Pickup and Transfers from Airports to Hotels to Airports
All Land Taxes and booking fees
All Accommodation at 4 - 5 * Hotels including Buffet Breakfasts and Dinners
Egyptian and Israeli Visas
All entry fees to all Ancient Archeological Sites and National Parks
Professional English speaking guides throughout the tour
Transportation by A/C Lux bus
Headsets for better listening
Economy class flight tickets from:
Cairo - Luxor - Cairo,
Cairo - Tel Aviv
Our personalized service throughout the tour
Price Does Not Include
Meals on arrival day and any Lunches during the tour.
Taxi Fares if Transfer is missed
Roundtrip International Airfare from US to Cairo and Return Airfare from Tel Aviv to the United States.
Personal Items
Trip Cancellation Insurance and Protection (Highly recommended)
Tips for Bus Driver and Local Guide, Hotels Porters and staff is $17.50 per day
Tips for the Egyptian agents and porters at Airport.
Lunches and Snacks
Optional extra days before or after scheduled tour
Options
Optional extra night in Egypt if you want to arrive early and rest up. Priced option will included meet and greet Visa, and transfer to hotel ($100pp)
You may want to fly to a city in Europe early for a rest or visit a day in London, Paris, Amsterdam or Rome for a day and then travel to Egypt for the appointed tour time.This extra cost will be a personal expense and not included in the tour price.
Payment Schedule
Because of the late date a deposit of $1,500.00 per person due at time of Registration. Final Payment is due by November 1, 2023
Cancellation Policy
Payments will be made to vendors in Egypt and Israel which will include; hotels, busses, guides and entry fees by November 15, 2023 and cannot be returned or any portion unless canceled before November 1, 2023. Travel Insurance is highly recommended. https://www.travelguard.com/
***PASSPORTS ARE REQUIRED***
All Passports must be valid through August 2024
IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to the nature of this tour you must be able to climb steps. and walk short distances. Average distance per day walking is aprox. 3 Miles
Please note that minor changes to the itinerary and schedule may occur due to local conditions and to better accommodate our group, traffic and time restraints.
The International Airfare is additional and not included the tour price.
For assistance in making air arraignments and purchase: You may call the airlines directly, travel agents, use air miles or discount sites like: Webjet.com, Priceline.com and others. Arrival time in Cairo should be no later than the afternoon or evening of Thursday January 25, 2024 Return and Departure arraignments from Tel Aviv should be no earlier than 11:00 PM (midnight) of February 5th, or early Morning of February 6th.
(Those not doing the Egypt portion of the trip will need to arrive to Tel Aviv on the evening of Monday January 29 to meet up with the group arriving from Cairo)
All Flight Schedules must be given to Suzanne Hoffman and include arrival information to Cairo or Tel Aviv and departure information from Tel Aviv or Amman if post-tour option of Petra is selected. Information needed is: Departure: Airline, Flight Number, Arrival Time to Cairo or Tel Aviv, and connecting point of origin. Return: Airline, Flight Number, Departure time.
Egypt/Israel Package $3199.00- Israel Only $2199.00- Petra Add-On $1050.00
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