Travel

Finally Your Trip to Israel and Jordan

April 14-26, 2017

Isn’t this your year to visit the Holy Land? Come and travel with Scot and Maurine Proctor on an unforgettable journey that will make the scriptures come alive.

This is a unique tour you may not have seen offered before because in addition to seeing all the inspirational and historic sites you would want to see on a visit to the Holy Land, we are taking you to some places we find fun and unforgettable–places that most tour groups don’t get to go. After so much time in the Holy Land, we found some things we think are “not-to-be-missed” that most miss. And please consider adding the exciting Egypt Pre-Tour to your adventure. Egypt is one of the most unique places on earth (you may ask our agent about the Egypt pre-tour–estimated cost $1869 per person).

Exciting items included in this Ultimate Holy Land Tour:

*Staying in a Bedouin Camp designed for tourists & eating under remarkable stars at Petra
*Hiking deep into Petra, now considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World
*Four-wheeling in Wadi Rum (the breathtakingly beautiful desert of Lawrence of Arabia)
*Seeing and touring a life-sized replica of the Ancient Tabernacle in the desert
*Hiking Masada for sunrise (Gondola available for those who can’t or don’t want to)
*Archaeological sifting of Temple Mount (You may make an amazing real discovery)
*An evening with an Israeli antiquities dealer who will talk about his family’s traditions
*A visit to Nazareth Village to see what 1^st century Nazareth looked like.
*And much, much more!

Israel is truly the Lord’s visual aid and visiting will open your eyes to the scriptures in completely new ways.

For information call or write Sarah Wangsgard at Morris Murdock Travel at 801-483-6473. Click to Email Sarah

Here is the Day-by-Day Itinerary

In ancient times Amman, Jordan was one of the cities of the Decapolis known as Philadelphia.

April 14-15 – Day 1 & 2 – Fri/Sat  Trans-Atlantic flight to Amman, Jordan. Arrive at our lovely hotel and receive a welcome and attend out group orientation. Get a good night’s rest tonight!

We get to see some amazing things in Petra. You have free time here after a guided orientation for an hour–some of our participants will explore anywhere from 6 – 10 miles of this ancient city.

April 16 – Day 3 – Sun – EASTER SUNDAY  – Traveling south from Amman we pass Mt. Nebo where, like Moses, we get a sweeping view across the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea to the Promised Land. Then we spend the day in Petra, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, where the Nabataeans carved magnificent buildings out of red sandstone, (You’ve seen it in the Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade movie). We will walk through an immense crack in the stone along a pathway that will take you to Petra’s most impressive monument—the Treasury. You walk along the Street of Facades, see the Royal Tombs and more. We will talk about how the ancient prophets anticipated the coming of the Messiah. That night we dine and stay in the 7 Wonders Bedouin Camp where red cliffs soar and the stars shine. We eat and dance around the fire and feel a little like both Nephi and the Children of Israel. This is really unforgettable. (Here you may get a lesson in nighttime photography.)

The Martian was filmed here as was Lawrence of Arabia. This is one of the most stunning landscapes on planet earth. You will love it–up front and personal!

April 17- Day 4 – Mon – Drive to Wadi Rum, associated with Lawrence of Arabia, where we will four-wheel out into the desert to see one of the most impressive desert landscapes in the world. The scenery here is almost beyond imagination! We then cross the border into Israel at Eilat and begin our journey north towards the Dead Sea. Here we stop at the ancient Timna Valley copper mines, which Nephi would have known, and see and tour the impressive Tabernacle in the Wilderness, which is a replica of the center of worship for Moses and the Children of Israel. Later this afternoon we float in the Dead Sea and demonstrate how you can do perfect water ballet without sinking! Stay that evening at the base of impressive Masada.

Hiking Masada to be at the top for sunrise is exhilarating! The view from the top is reward enough–but there’s more!

April 18 – Day 5 – Tue – Sunrise hike up Masada. (It’s easy, but a Gondola is also available.) There’s nothing like seeing that sunrise over the Dead Sea. Masada was one of Herod’s grand palaces, but also the last stand of the Jewish resistance when they were overrun by the Romans in 73 AD. We visit Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, then drive through the wilderness of Judea to Jesus’s baptismal site on the Jordan River then past Jericho and the Mt. of Temptation. This afternoon we are reminded how the Romans lived during Jesus’ time as we visit Beit Shean, an impressive Roman city, which was one of the Decapolis where Christ’s apostles preached. Stay tonight by the Sea of Galilee at the unforgettable resort, Ein Gev.

This is a place where you can be assured you are walking where Jesus once walked. We go on a trail that was once the path from the Galilee to Nazareth, one Jesus walked many, many times.

April 19- Day 6 – Wed – Today we walk where Jesus walked in the Valley of the Doves, followed by a visit to the Mt. of Beatitudes where He gave his Sermon on the Mount and you will be able to see how he could address so many people at once. This is always a highlight of the tour. Then it is on to Banias, a place of natural beauty and a cascading waterfall. We come to the origins of the Jordan River. This is also the site of Caesarea Philippi, where Peter declared that Christ was the “Son of the living God.” We will also see Mt. Hermon, a candidate for the Mt. of Transfiguration. Stay at Ein Gev

Everyone loves to sail on the Sea of Galilee. Today we truly sail where Jesus walked.

April 20 – Day 7 – Thur – In first light we sail today where Jesus walked on the Sea of Galilee. We stop by the Boat Museum, to see a boat that was discovered from the time of Jesus. We next visit the newly excavated ruins of Magdahla where Mary Magdalene called home. Then it is on to the town where Peter lived and where Jesus ministered for three years, Capernaum. Here Christ performed so many miracles and taught in the synagogue. You can close your eyes and almost be in the scene at the healing of the daughter of Jairus. At St. Peter’s Primacy on the Galilee we remember both the miracle of the loaves and the fishes and also the resurrected Jesus preparing fish on the seashore for his hungry apostles. We will eat St. Peter’s fish today. Late this afternoon, we will go to the top of the Mt. Arbell, overlooking the Galilee for the best view in the region, a place so beautiful we made it the cover of one of our books. Stay at Ein Gev

You will meet some amazing people at Nazareth Village who are dressed in first century garb and who talk to us about things in Jesus’ day. You’ll love this place.

April 21 – Day 8 – Fri – We are on to Nazareth today, first to Mt. Precipice overlooking the Jezreel Valley. When the people of Nazareth rejected the Savior, this is where they tried to kill him. Below is also the scene of the last battle of Armageddon and to the east Mt. Tabor, another candidate for the Mt of Transfiguration. Then it is on to one of our favorite stops, Nazareth Village where you see what Nazareth would have looked like in the time of Christ, including villagers and shepherds who are dressed up as in the period to enhance the scene. Next, we go to Caesarea Maritima, which was once a grand Roman city with a beautiful aqueduct that is still standing. It is also the site of Paul’s trial before King Agrippa. Tonight we visit Jerusalem’s Western Wall and see how the Jews celebrate Shabbat. We stay tonight (for four nights) in Jerusalem. Stay at Olive Tree Hotel.

We even visit a cave in Bethlehem’s hills–a cave that has been used as a fold for animals. Here you will get the sense of how it really was at the birth of Jesus.

April 22 – Day 9 – Sat –Shabbat Shalom. Today we attend sacrament meeting at the unforgettable BYU Jerusalem Center. We will arrive early to see the magnificent views from the center. Following this, we will head to a wonderful lunch in Bethlehem’s Tent Restaurant. Then we see Shepherd’s Fields, where we celebrate Christmas once again. Next we visit the Church of the Nativity, which has been standing since 330 AD over a cave where many believe Christ was born. Tonight, when Shabbat is over, we visit Jimmy’s Olive wood shop to look for treasures. Stay at Olive Tree Hotel

You will see a model of Jerusalem at the time of Christ. We will study this together and get you oriented to this holy city.

April 23 – Day 10 – Sun – Arise early because we are going to the Temple Mount, a sacred place to Jews, Muslims and Christians, a place some believe is the very origin of creation. We will see the Dome of the Rock, Al Aqsa mosque and more. Then we go to the Pool of Bethesda, where Christ healed a paralytic man and to St. Anne’s Church where the acoustics make us all sound like angels when we sing. We will stop at Pilate’s Judgment Hall, Chapel of Flagellation and show you where Antonia’s Fortress was that housed the Roman soldiers who scourged Christ. We then follow the Via Dolorosa (the way of the Cross) to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the site believed by many Christians to be where Christ was crucified and resurrected. This afternoon we visit Yad Vashem, the vivid Holocaust museum, followed by a visit to the Dead Sea Scrolls Museum, and the Second Temple Model of Jerusalem. This gives you a picture of what Jerusalem once looked like and helps you understand today’s layout. Stay at Olive Tree Hotel.

Our tour participants in 2016 actually found 4 ancient coins in our sifting together. This was so exciting!

April 24 – Day 11 –Mon – Antiquities Day! This is a favorite since you will do things you would never get to do. We begin on Mt. Scopus, just below the BYU Jerusalem Center, working with archaeologists to sift some layers of material that came from the Temple Mount looking for shards, pottery, coins etc. You will feel like an explorer and a treasure hunter all at once. Next we go to the City of David, the most ancient area of Jerusalem. We will walk through Hezekiah’s tunnel, one of the most outstanding engineering feats of the ancient world. Then we head to the Archaeological Park that is part of the temple complex where you will learn about the temple Jesus knew and walked on the very steps he walked on that once led into the temple. Finally, Joseph Zanbil, an antiquities dealer will teach us about the antiquities of Israel—how he has found them and what they are. This afternoon you’ll have free time to explore the Old City on your own. Stay at Olive Tree Hotel

A visit to the Garden Tomb is a highlight of the trip. This is why you came to the Holy Land.

April 25 – Day 12 –Tue – Our last day in the Holy Land is the highlight of the tour. We start at the top of the Mt. of Olives and then walk down the route Jesus may have come on his last week. We have a special meeting in the Garden of Gethsemane and see olive trees that are at least one thousand years old.  Then we visit the Orson Hyde gardens and talk about the dedication of Israel for the gathering of the Jews. Next, we visit the Upper Room, believed to have been built on the site of the Last Supper, then move to the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, built on Caiaphas’s palace where Jesus was tried. Our tour is capped with a visit to the Garden Tomb where we will remember that “He is not here for he has risen.” . Here will have a testimony meeting. We end with our final feast together and go on to the airport.

April 26 – Day 13 – wed – Trans-Atlantic flight and arrive home. 

The cost of the Holy Land portion of the trip is $2,569.

Trip Rate of includes:

• Meeting & assistance on arrival at Amman and departure at Ben-Gurion Airport by Amiel Tours representative, and local Jordan representative.
• Travel Document package (lanyard & name tags, baggage tags, draw sting back pack & document holder)
• Porterage at airport and hotels
• Headset rental for tour
• 10 overnights at the above mentioned hotels
• 10 full days sightseeing as per your program
• English-speaking guides (including the Proctors) throughout the entire tour
• Luxury air-conditioned coach
• Tips to native driver, Israeli guide, hotel and restaurant staffs
• Departure tax Israel-Jordan per person
• Credit card processing fee ($75.00—Remember, if you pay by check, you will pay $75 less)
• Meal arrangement: Half Board including full Israeli buffet breakfast and dinners at hotels daily, and farewell dinner on departure day and St Peters Fish dinner at separate restaurant
• Entrance fees to the following sites and museums: Petra, Jeep in Wadi Rum (2 hours), Timna Park includes tabernacle, Masada by foot (No cable car included–please inform if you want to use the cable car up–we all take it down), Qumran, Beit Shean, Banias, Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, ancient boat museum, Mt. Arbel, Nazareth Village, Caesarea, Israel Museum, Yad Vashem, City of David include Archeological experience, Davidson center. All relevant churches in Galilee and Jerusalem.

Our rate excludes: Expenses of a personal nature; meals and drinks other than mentioned above; Visa to Jordan if group stay 1 night only 60$ per person; R/T Airfare (Block pricing may be obtained from SLC) and travel insurance.

Call or email Sarah Wangsgard Morris Murdock Travel for more information on this trip or to book your $500 deposit per person today. Places will go quickly.

Tel:(801) 483-6473
Email Sarah

We hope you can join us!