Israel Perspectives & Peoples Cultural Discovery Tour
An Immersive Holy Land Adventure
- Available: December, February, November
- Activity: Level 2
- Accommodations: Luxury Hotels, Comfortable Hotels
-
Group Size:
4-15 Guests
Min Age: 13
Highlights
- Behold vestiges of religious history, from the Dead Sea Scrolls to the crucifixion site
- Spend three full days exploring the fascinating must-see cultural sites of Jerusalem and hike 5 miles of the Jesus Trail
- Rest and relax in modern, luxurious comfort in boutique hotels and a kibbutz resort
Itinerary
Arrive in Tel Aviv
Day 1
Welcome to Israel! Upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, transfer to your hotel in Tel Aviv. After a rest you may want to stroll along the promenade or Rothschild Boulevard. Dinner tonight is on your own, as our guests will arrive well into the evening.
Accommodation: Lily & Bloom-Tel Aviv
Tour Tel Aviv & Jaffa
Day 2
Start the day with a breakfast trip briefing and then take a stroll through White City, a UNESCO-listed district recognized for its Bauhaus and art deco architecture. On Rothschild Boulevard, visit the Independence Hall, which illustrates the role the city played in the establishment of the modern state. Walk through nearby Neveh Zedek, one of the city's oldest neighborhoods now enjoying a revival with new galleries and restaurants. Then explore the ancient port town of Jaffa, now a thriving artists' colony with many galleries, studios, and shops, and an unusual antique market. Enjoy a festive welcome dinner tonight.
Accommodation: Lily & Bloom-Tel Aviv
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Take a Scenic Drive to Caesarea Maritima, Haifa, & Acre
Day 3
Drive up the scenic coast to Caesarea Maritima, ancient capital of the Roman province and now a national park, to see impressive remains of the Roman and Crusader periods. Continue to Haifa, where there are lovely views of Bahai Gardens, and then on to Acre (Akko), an ancient Phoenician and Crusader seaport designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tour the Citadel of Acre's stunning halls and buildings of the Knights Hospitaller and Templar, and walk through the covered bazaar. End the day with a wine tasting at the hotel's cave bar.
Accommodation: Scots Hotel-Tiberias
Transportation: 1-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Journey to Golan Heights & Descend to Banias
Day 4
Drive up to Golan Heights and gaze into Lebanon and Syria to the lush Tel Dan Reserve - Dan was once the northernmost city in the ancient Kingdom of Israel - and its ruins. Continue up to Nimrod Crusader Castle, built by the Arabs and occupied by the Crusaders for its strategic position. After lunch, hike down to Banias to see the archaeological remains of this sacred place that span Pagan, Jewish, Christian Byzantine, Muslim, and Crusader eras (weather permitting).
Accommodation: Scots Hotel-Tiberias
Activity: 1 hour/2 miles hiking
Transportation: 1.5-hour private transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hike Around Mount Arbel & the Sea of Galilee
Day 5
Lace up your boots for today's hike along the portion of the Jesus Trail that descends from Mount Arbel to the Sea of Galilee. Enjoy stunning views and learn about the area's rich history: It is here that early Christianity evolved; Jesus delivered his famous Sermon on the Mount at the Mount of Beatitudes. At Nof Ginosar, visit a 2,000-year-old boat that was found preserved in the sea's muddy shores, and see the famous ruins at Capernaum, where Jesus lived and taught at the synagogue.
Accommodation: Scots Hotel-Tiberias
Activity: 1.5 hours/3 miles hiking with 820' elevation loss
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel to Nazareth & Jericho
Day 6
Journey west to Nazareth - the childhood home of Jesus - to see the Church of the Annunciation and the nearby remains of the major Byzantine church and Mary's Well. Then continue down the Jordan Rift Valley to Jericho, the world's oldest continuously inhabited city; excavations here reveal over 10,000 years of human settlement. Lunch in Jericho before we continue to Ein Gedi. On arrival at Ein Gedi, have time to enjoy the kibbutz and its beautiful surroundings.
Accommodation: Ein Gedi Hotel-Kibbutz Ein Gedi
Transportation: 2.5-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel to Jerusalem via Masada & Qumran
Day 7
Rise early this morning to explore the ancient fortress of Masada, the last stronghold of the Rome-opposed Jewish Zealots. See Herod's palaces, baths, and other ruins that reveal the dramatic events that took place here in the Judean Desert 2,000 years ago. Continue to Qumran, on the Dead Sea's northern shore. Now a national park, Qumran was once the home of the Essenes, a secluded desert sect that produced the Dead Sea Scrolls. In 1947, a young Bedouin shepherd discovered manuscript fragments in clay jars hidden for centuries in the caves. Enjoy a swim in the Dead Sea before driving to Jerusalem through the Judean Wilderness.
Accommodation: King Solomon Hotel
Activity: 1 hour/2.5 miles hiking with 1,150' elevation gain & loss
Transportation: 1.5-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Step Back in Time in Old Jerusalem
Day 8
Enjoy a dramatic view of Jerusalem from the Mt of Olives, then walk down to the Garden of Gethsemane. Follow your guide through Dung Gate and into the Old City for an enjoyable tour of the Four Quarters. Get your first view of the Temple Mount, known by Muslims as the Haram el Sharif, and observe worshippers at the Western (Wailing) Wall. There is also an option to take the underground tunnel tour. Next, visit the Davidson Centre to learn how daily life revolved around the Temple in ancient times. Then walk along the Way of the Cross, through the markets within the Christian and Muslim Quarters. The Via Dolorosa ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where you can observe intense devotion and prayer, by many different denominations, at the site of the Crucifixion and the Tomb of Christ. In the afternoon stroll through the Armenian and Jewish Quarters via the Cardo and out through the Zion Gate. Your action-packed day in Jerusalem will also include stops at the Tomb of King David and the Upper Room.
Accommodation: King Solomon Hotel
Activity: 1-2 hours/2-3 miles walking
Meals: Breakfast
Sightsee in the New City of Jerusalem
Day 9
Today's sightseeing begins with a visit to Yad Vashem - the Jewish people's powerful memorial to the six million lives lost to the Holocaust. Next, drive past the Knesset, Israel's parliament, en route to the Israel Museum, where you'll see a fascinating model of Jerusalem as it was during the time of the Second Temple and the Shrine of the Book, home of the Dead Sea scrolls. You may also take time to visit the rest of the Israel Museum collection. Enjoy lunch at the lively Mahne Yahuda food market. In the late afternoon, you are free to revisit the Old City and stroll through its historic quarters before gathering for a farewell dinner this evening to say goodbye to your Israeli guide.
Accommodation: King Solomon Hotel
Transportation: 1-hour private transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Bethlehem & Herodium
Day 10
Travel to Bethlehem and walk through Manger Square to the Church of Nativity, where many believe Jesus was born. Lunch in a Palestinian Christian family's home in Bethlehem. Stop at the Banksy-inspired Walled Off Hotel to see the separation wall with its political graffiti and the exhibit on the occupation.
Accommodation: King Solomon Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Depart from Jerusalem
Day 11
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your homeward-bound flight.
Meals: Breakfast
Dates & Prices
- 2023
- 2024
- Go Private
- Go Custom
- Inclusions
2023
Scheduled Dates
The earlier you book, the more choice of available dates you’ll have and once you book, your price is guaranteed.
- $7,395 price per person dbl occ+$2,100 single supplementAvailable
- $7,395 price per person dbl occ+$2,100 single supplementAvailable
2024
Scheduled Dates
The earlier you book, the more choice of available dates you’ll have and once you book, your price is guaranteed.
- $7,495 price per person dbl occ+$1,950 single supplementAvailable
- $7,495 price per person dbl occ+$1,950 single supplementAvailable
Go Private
Go Private
Gather your favorite travel companions to share an MT Sobek adventure on an easy-to-book Private departure.
Call or email us to get the ball rolling.
*Private trips require a 25% non-refundable deposit.
Private Trip Pricing:
2023 Pricing
4 to 5 guests from $7,695 per person double occupancy
6 to 7 guests from $7,595 per person double occupancy
8 to 9 guests from $7,495 per person double occupancy
10 guests from $7,395 per person double occupancy
2024 Pricing
8 to 9 guests from $7,695 per person double occupancy
10 guests from $7,495 per person double occupancy
Additional Costs:
Private pricing excludes potential additional costs such as internal airfare, single supplement, or any park fees that may be required for the trip.
*Private trips require a 25% non-refundable deposit.
Take Over One of These Dates
- Dec 08 - 18, 2023
- Feb 15 - 25, 2024
- Dec 05 - 15, 2024
Make Your Own Dates in These Months
-
December, February, November
Go Custom
Create Your Very Own Adventure
Dreaming of an adventure designed exclusively for you? With insider access and decades of experience, our travel experts create custom tailored adventures that are perfect for families, couples, and large groups. MT Sobek's custom adventures are designed to our exacting standards and led by our award-winning adventure guides.
When to start planning? Earlier is always better when designing a custom trip. More time allows for better availability of preferred accommodations, guides and your desired activities. Ideally, start the conversation with us at least 6 months before you want to travel. If you are looking for a custom trip that departs within three months, chances are greatly diminished in securing requested accommodations and the best guides.
*Custom trips require a 25% non-refundable deposit once an itinerary is agreed upon.
Start PlanningInclusions
Price Includes
- Expertise and services of our experienced adventure guides
- All accommodations as noted in the itinerary
- All breakfasts, almost all lunches and dinners as noted in the itinerary
- Snacks and water between meals
- Additional regional guides and experts on many trips
- Comprehensive Trip Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at historic sites, museums, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the itinerary
- Special events and other select attractions as mentioned in the itinerary
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Equipment and experienced guides for activities as described in the itinerary
- Park and other entry fees (unless otherwise noted)
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the itinerary
- Select transfers as mentioned in the itinerary
- Baggage transfers and porterage
Price Does Not Include
- International airfare, airport taxes, and excess baggage fees
- Alcoholic beverages (MT Sobek provides wine at select events)
- Gratuities for MT Sobek guides and guide-drivers
- Travel Protection Program
- Personal expenses
Need help picking your next adventure? Call us to answer your questions.
Your Guides
The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.

Rom Amit
Born in Israel, Rom completed three years of army service before following his passion to see the world. Through his extensive travels, he developed a deep appreciation for people, sharing ideas, human nature and history, which led him to becoming a tour guide. In his spare time, Rom loves hiking, diving, kitesurfing, and is a huge fan of street art and food.
Activity Level
This trip is rated activity level 2. You will be touring cities, towns, ruins and archaeological sites. Walks and hikes are easy and range from 2-3 miles. Daily drives range from 30 minutes to 2.5 hours.
Learn more about activity levels here.
Activity Snapshot
Day 4
1 hour/2 miles hiking
Day 5
1.5 hours/3 miles hiking with 820' elevation loss
Day 7
1 hour/2.5 miles hiking with 1,150' elevation gain & loss
Day 8
1-2 hours/2-3 miles walking
Accommodations
Elegant modern hotels with high-quality service. Includes three nights at the legendary Scots Hotel in Tiberias.
Weather
Daytime temperatures will range from the mid-60's to low 80's and nighttime temperatures will range from the low 40's to mid-50's.
FAQs
Are arrival and departure transfers included?
Yes, we provide individual or small group transfers from the Tel Aviv airport on Day 1 and Day 11.
Do I need a visa for Israel?
No. US citizens do not need a visa for Israel, but must hold a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date they depart Israel.
Can I travel to Israel if I have an Iran visa in my passport?
No, you will need to get a second passport for your trip to Israel. Please contact the U.S. Department of State - Passport Services Office for information about applying.
Can I do an extension to Jordan?
Yes, please contact your Adventure Coordinator!
How do I get to Tel Aviv?
A number of US and European airlines (including United, Delta, Swiss, Lufthansa, Alitalia) as well as Turkish Airlines and El Al Airlines fly to Tel Aviv.
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Guest Reviews
"I have taken 12 trips with MT Sobek. Each has left a positive imprint on me-widening my view of the world and its peoples."
Jane B.
MT Sobek Guest
"Great introduction for first time travelers to Israel; good food, accommodations and an outstanding guide!"
William R.
MT Sobek Guest, Israel Perspectives and Peoples Cultural Discovery