Zion Gate

Experience the captivating wonders of Jerusalem on a remarkable private walking tour. Listen to your guide as you visit and learn about some of the city's most historically significant landmarks. Begin your adventure as your knowledgeable guide awaits you in the lobby of your centrally located hotel, ensuring a convenient start to your exploration of this remarkable city. Embark on a journey that encompasses the essence of Jerusalem, offering a comprehensive view of its iconic landmarks and a glimpse into its rich history. Traverse the ancient streets as your guide paints a vivid picture of Jerusalem's past, sharing concise yet fascinating narratives that bring the city to life. Uncover hidden gems and intriguing secrets within the Old City, starting with your entrance through the Zion Gate, passing the enigmatic Armenian Quarter, and making your way to the captivating Jewish Quarter and the ancient Byzantine Cardo. A highlight of your tour awaits at the world-renowned Western Wall, an awe-inspiring segment of the Temple Mount's western retaining wall. Erected by the legendary Herod the Great during his ambitious Temple expansion in 20 BCE, this monumental wall serves as an open-air sanctuary, with heartfelt prayers discreetly placed in the crevices between its imposing stones. Continuing your expedition, you will follow in the footsteps of Jesus along the Via Dolorosa, known as the Way of the Cross. This sacred route traces the path from His condemnation to the site of His crucifixion, attracting countless pilgrims who choose to retrace His steps and pause at significant stations along the way. Concluding this memorable journey, you will arrive at the revered Church of the Holy Sepulcher, a site of immense spiritual significance for Christians worldwide. This hallowed sanctuary stands upon the very location where Jesus was crucified, buried, and triumphantly rose from the dead, offering a profound experience of faith and reverence. Your tour culminates near the iconic Jaffa Gate, a gateway to further exploration and discovery within the enchanting city of Jerusalem. Take the opportunity to continue your leisurely stroll, absorbing the vibrant atmosphere and immersing yourself in the captivating blend of ancient traditions and modern allure. Embark on an unforgettable private walking tour of Jerusalem, where every step reveals a captivating tale, and the city's enduring beauty leaves an indelible mark on your soul.

Your tour begins on the  Mount Scopus where you have a panoramic view across the holy city of Jerusalem. From this elevated point you will have the ancient Jewish cemetery beneath you and, beyond that, the Old City with the shining Dome of the Rock on Temple Mount. As you look down on the Old City, it is easy to imagine the Second Temple which once stood on Temple Mount and the bustling ancient city as it would have been almost 2000 years ago. Then you will take the winding road down to the Kidron Valley, with a view of the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations. In the Valley you can see the ancient burial tombs of Absalom and Jehoshapat, BeneiHezir, and the tomb of Zechariah. You enter the Old City through the Zion Gate into the Armenian Quarter and continue on to the Byzantine Cardo. Today, after extensive excavations, specialty stores are open here where Crusader stores once stood. Going through the Jewish Quarter, you will reach the most holy site in the Jewish faith, the Western Wall. Here Jews from around the world come to pray and put prayer notes between the Wall's stones. This 2,000 year old wall was part of the outer supporting walls of the holy Second Temple which was destroyed in AD70. Continue on to the Via Dolorosa or the Way of Sorrows. Along the way you will pause at several Stations of the Cross and finally you will reach the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The basilica is constructed on the site where Jesus is believed to have been crucified and within the church is his burial tomb. The Byzantine church has been renovated, rebuilt, and expanded over the years; today it is a vast and ornate place of worship. To end your tour, take a walk through the busy markets of the Old City where you can buy unique souvenirs from the City of Gold.

Discover Jerusalem's most important historical sites on this packed full-day tour. Start with a breathtaking view of Jerusalem from the Temple Mount area, after which you drive along the Kidron Valley towards the Zion Gate. Get magnificent views from the Mount of Olives and the Jewish cemetery. At its base are the ancient burial tombs Yad Avshalom, Beni Hazir and that perhaps of Zechariah. Alongside are the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations. On Mount Zion, stop at the amazing Tomb of David. Enter the Old City through the Zion Gate on your way to the Cardo, and stop at the four beautifully restored seventeenth and early eighteenth century Sephardi synagogues. Continue to the excavated fifteen hundred-year-old Byzantine Cardo.  As you wander through the Jewish Quarter, marvel at the excavated and exposed foundation of the 2700-year-old wall of biblical Jerusalem built by King Hezekiah. Descend a few meters and find yourself in a two-thousand-year-old complex of homes with their original mosaic floors and mikveh. A brief stop at the Western Wall (Kotel) allows you to place a note between its stones. Leave the Old City through the Dung gate and visit the remarkable excavations of the three thousand year old City of David.

Day1 Arrival – Welcome to Israel Welcome to Israel for your Holy Land Tour. The driver will take you to your hotel. Day2 Jerusalem Old and New. Starting in Jerusalem's Old City at Mount Scopus, historically a Jewish cemetery and a Christian place of worship due to its connection to Jesus and Mary. The view reveals the Old City and the Dome of the Rock, built on the site of Herod's Temple, later destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. Exploring the Old City leads to the Zion Gate, the ancient Byzantine Cardo, and the Western Wall, a holy site for Jewish prayers since 70 BC. Continuing to the Via Dolorosa and the Holy Sepulchre Church, a Crusader-restored site marking Jesus's crucifixion and burial. The journey culminates in the New City at Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum, offering insight into the tragic experiences of Jews during World War II. Day3 Bethlehem and Jericho From Jerusalem, you will travel southbound to the Dead Sea passing the Inn of the Good Samaritan. Notice the sign indicating the point of ‘sea level’ as you proceed with the trip towards Jericho at 258 meters below sea level, a city of historical importance stated often in the New and Old Testaments. Jesus entered the city while the tax collector climbed up a sycamore tree so that he could get a better view of Jesus. You can view this ancient tree, as it still exists. Not far from here is Mount Temptation where Jesus spent forty days and forty nights. You’ll return back in the direction of Jerusalem past the Judean Mountains to Bethlehem. You will enter the Church of the Nativity through a small door. Situated below it is the grotto where the birth of Jesus took place. Inside the church, there is a fourteen-point star marking the spot where Jesus was born as well as an altar commemorating the three wise men. Finally, we reach Shepherd’s Field in Bethlehem. Day4 Masada and the Dead Sea Reach the Dead Sea, known for its high salt content, continuing to Masada. Instead of the ancient Snake Path, take the cable car to Herod's mountain fortress. Witness the site of a Roman siege ending in a tragic Jewish mass suicide. Return to the Dead Sea. Conclude at the Dead Sea, a therapeutic wonder due to its salt-rich waters, offering a unique floating experience known worldwide for its mineral-rich properties. Day5 Nazareth Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River Yardenit Baptismal site As we enter Nazareth we take a visit to the Church of the Annunciation. Next to this church is the Church of Saint Joseph. Departing from Nazareth we arrive at the Sea of Galilee. Approaching the Mount of Beatitudes we come to Capernaum. We will visit the Church of the Multiplication. Then we will come to the baptismal site of the Jordan River Day6 Departure.