EGYPT & JORDAN:

April 12-23, 2025

“Moses and the Exodus”

(Program #240402, Taught by Dr. Smith, Passover Study Program on Moses, the Exodus and the Law).

One unlikely voice cries out from the fifteenth century BCE that reaches our ears today…

He was a poor man raised in a palace; a son of Jacob educated in the house of a Pharaoh. Our program will carefully place that man into his frame of history, and offer both Egyptian context and Hebrew content from out of the pages of the Biblical text. We will follow the prince as he becomes the pastor, and the prophet of the Living God – in a journey that has captured the hearts of Jews and Christians for thousands of years.

This is a trek through the wilderness from Egypt to Sinai to Mt. Nebo, embracing each enriching stage of the life of Moses.

FOLLOWING MOSES

Day One: Saturday, April 12, 2025. Depart from the USA.

Depart the USA for Egypt. Overnight with appropriate meals: In flight.

Day Two: Sunday, April 13, 2025. Arrival Day.

Arrive Cairo International Airport and be met by CTSP staff and our Egyptian guide. Step out onto the ancient soil of Egypt, one of the great kingdoms of the ancient world. Transfer to your hotel for dinner and a good night’s sleep. D

Day Three: Monday, April 14, 2025. Theme: (Stage One) Fitting the Story of Moses into the history of ancient Egypt. Today we will look across the centuries at the Egyptian Dynasties to prepare us for the characters we will “meet” from history in monuments and hieroglyphs. 

7:30 Breakfast. 8:30 Meeting in the hotel in our lecture hall. We begin our program with some “set up” lectures to sketch the long history of the Egyptian Dynastic Kingdom, and place Moses life into the 18th Dynasty. After our time together, we will have lunch and a field trip to visit Cairo Museum for the afternoon. Dinner and Overnight: Cairo. BLD

Day Four: Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Pharaohs of Egypt. Theme: (Stage Two) The Flight of Moses … Confronting Power on Display. Monumental architecture reflected big egos and even bigger dreams of long ago. In this day we will seek to understand the attitudes and beliefs of ancient Egyptians about cults, afterlife, power and human dignity. At the same time, we will contrast these monuments with the quiet power of a burning bush and the call of Moses by the God of his fathers.

7:30 Breakfast. 8:30 One hour meeting to set up the field studies for our time at the Pyramids of Giza: Monuments for Khufu, Khafra and Menkaura. We will also visit the Sphinx, and for a little Egyptian “color” we will drop in on a Papyrus shop and perhaps the market at Khan el Khalili. Dinner and Overnight: Cairo. BLD

Day Five: Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Theme: (Stage Three) The Journey to the Mountain of the Law. The only way to the land of Promise was through a harsh desert, where Israel’s faith was forged in a furnace of sand and rock. Today we will pick out the early key lessons of Exodus and Numbers as Moses, the Israelites and the Egyptians all learned from God.

6:30 Breakfast. 7:30 We will depart the city of Cairo and cross the Suez Canal, entering the Sinai Peninsula to investigate what we know of the path of Israel through Elim, Rephidim and Marah. In time, we will make our way to Saint Catherine’s Monastery and Jebel Musa in the heart of the Sinai. Dinner and Overnight: St. Catherine’s Monastery area. BLD

Day Six: Thursday, April 17, 2027. Meeting God at the Mountain of the Law. Theme: (Stage Four) Understanding the content, structure and principles found in the Law. How can Scriptures that were not written to me, but rather for my benefit, help me? Today, we will explain the major divisions of the Law and set out a way to dissect and apply the principles offered by a changeless God.

Awake in the early morning hours in order to climb (optional) Jebel Musa and observe a breathtaking sunrise atop the mountain. After a time to reflect on God’s Law, we will return to re-collect those who did not join for the hike, and look at the design of two of the three codes of Law: the Civil Code (Exodus/Numbers) and the Criminal Code (Leviticus). When we descend the mountain, we will visit St. Catherine’s monastery, one of the oldest libraries of the world!  Afterwards, we will head to our hotel in Nuweiba on the Red Sea (1-¼ hour drive), for a time to eat and rest, and a talk on the modern believer’s use of the Torah Law. Dinner and Overnight: TIME Coral Resort, Nuweiba, Egypt. BLD

Day Seven: Friday, April 18, 2025. Moses after the Mountain. Theme: (Stage Five) Meeting God wasn’t the end of the journey; in many ways it was the beginning. Today, we will trace the journey of Israel across the Sinai after the encounter at the Holy Mountain, showing how God was faithful to an increasingly fickle people.

6:30 Breakfast. 7:30 We will depart for Taba, crossing by land along the Red Sea to Aqaba, Jordan. Once in the Hashemite Kingdom, we will meet our Jordanian guide and board the bus to continue the trek to Wadi Rum Mazayeen Camp for dinner & overnight: Mazayeen Camp. BLD

Day Eight: Saturday, April 19, 2025. Facing Failure to Enter the Promised Land. Theme: (Stage Six) Unable to access the land, Moses and the people are frustrated with the trek… and God.

Today, we will cease our movement from our long journey and STOP in the wilderness. We won’t sit still, but rather access deeper parts of the desert via open trucks and camels, coming close to the Saudi Arabian border in an austere wilderness to discuss the long night of the wanderings in the desert. We will be at the Wadi Rum Mazayeen Camp for dinner & overnight: Mazayeen Camp. BLD 

Day Nine: Sunday, April 20, 2025. Wadi Rum to Petra. Theme: (Stage Seven) Transjordan: The Ancient Caravan Routes and Moses Journey. Following an ancient path, we will leave Wadi Rum and head to the stunning, world-class remains at the “Rose Red” city of Petra. Along the way, we will be examining Moses’ strategy as he faced the Edomites and sons of the east, on his way to his view of the Promised Land. 

6:30 Breakfast. 7:30 Depart Wadi Rum Reserve for Petra, for a visit to this world-famous treasure of the ancient world. After our visit, we will go to our hotel for dinner and a good night’s rest. Overnight: Movenpick, Petra. BLD

Day Ten: Monday, April 21, 2025. Petra to Crowne Plaza. Theme: Moses in Transjordan. Traveling parallel to the ancient Israelites, we will recall the major lessons they learned traversing Transjordan and her kingdoms.

6:30 Breakfast. 7:30 Depart our hotel near Petra to make our way north along the Aravah wilderness to our beautiful Dead Sea Hotel. We will use our bus time to follow the trek in Numbers into and through Transjordan, highlighting the major events in Moses’ life from the Bible record. The balance of our day will be spent at the resort, enjoying the facilities. Overnight: Crowne Plaza, Dead Sea Resort. BLD 

Day Eleven: Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Dead Sea to Mt. Nebo, on to Amman

10:30 Depart for Mt. Nebo, to carefully consider the final days from the life of Moses at the mountain where he died. Overnight: Amman. BLD.

Day Twelve: Depart Amman to USA, April 23, 2025.

Every effort will be made to visit all places as specified on the itinerary, but conditions on the ground may necessitate changes. CTSP reserves the right to make such changes without notice during the program. Changes seldom happen, but they can be deemed necessary by our staff.

STUDY PROGRAM CONDITIONS:

TOUR PRICE for April 12-23, 2025 study program to Israel is priced at $5299.00 Air from east coast gateway (TBD) is included, as well as group transfers, hotels, breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, all tips for group services, full sightseeing, the services of an English-speaking local guide, and all entrance fees to sites as listed in the program. All taxes and surcharges in effect as of April 1, 2023 are included. If additional surcharges or taxes are imposed by the airlines or governments, any additional amounts will be the responsibility of the passenger. This price is based on a minimum of 20 passengers.

LAND ONLY PRICING IS $3999.00 and INCLUDES all of the above except air tickets and transfers.

NOT INCLUDED are any expenses required for COVID compliance, personal items such as laundry; drinks or coffee with dinners; tips for personal favors; excess baggage and forwarding of baggage; transfers other than with the group; travel insurance. NOTE: As of the time of posting the trip, Egypt and Jordan are not requiring proof of vaccination for COVID.

YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS are based on First Class (4*) hotels using double occupancy in a twin bedded room with private bath. There is a supplemental charge of $749.00 if you prefer a single room. Individuals enrolling without a roommate may request to be matched with a roommate. In the event that a roommate is not available, individuals will be required to pay the single supplement charge. All single rooms are subject to availability and may be smaller than normal twin rooms.

PAYMENT: A nonrefundable deposit of $400 per person, is required to secure your place on the program. A second payment of $2000 per person is due six (6) months prior to departure. Deposits received within six (6) months of departure require a total initial payment of $2400. Final payment is due to CTSP three (3) months prior to departure. Thereafter, a late payment fee of $100 per person per month will be assessed.

CANCELLATION FEES*:

90+ days prior…..  non-refundable deposit

66-90 days prior….. 50% plus non-refundable deposit

0-65 days prior…..  No refund

*If your cancellation results in a roommate needing a single supplement, that amount will be charged to you in addition to the above fees.
*All refund claims must be in writing to CTSP. There is no refund for any services not used.

TRIP INSURANCE is strongly recommended on all international journeys. Insurance policies purchased within two weeks of CTSP receiving original deposit provide the best value, and may cover pre-existing conditions (read the inclusion statements from your provider very carefully). See www.SquareMouth.com to help you compare various companies to make an informed purchase of insurance.

ITINERARY LENGTH: Flight times are subject to change without advance notice. CTSP is not responsible for changes and delays in airline schedules and does not reimburse passengers for expenses resulting from delays. Because airlines often change flight times and dates at the last minute, CTSP strongly recommends that if passengers are purchasing any connecting tickets they should be able to be changed without heavy fees or penalties. If airline(s) change flight schedules, CTSP reserves the right to lengthen or shorten the itinerary accordingly, and whenever possible, you will be notified in writing. If changes necessitate extra overnights, you will be charged (per person, per night) US$190 double occupancy, or US$290 for single rooms (includes single supplement).

AIRLINE ARRANGEMENTS from the east coast gateway (TBD) are included in the Full Tour price. Air Transportation will be economy class aboard regularly scheduled carriers utilizing non-refundable, non-transferable, non-amendable tickets. Once your ticket has been written, it cannot be transferred, rewritten, or refunded. CTSP recommends that all passengers who need special services or specific seating requests purchase “land only” and then purchase their own flights.

YOUR LUGGAGE is restricted in size and shape by the airline, and is limited to one checked piece (generally about maximum of 50 pounds), one carry-on, plus a smaller personal piece. You should check with the airline for the specific restrictions.

STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITY

CTSP agrees to provide the itinerary described for this trip, and it represents the entire agreement between the passenger and CTSP. No changes or deviations are effective unless approved in writing and signed by an authorized officer of CTSP. Except as stated herein, no person is authorized to cancel, modify, or vary the study program arrangements (during the course) or to make any representation of warranty concerning the program.

All prices, itineraries, and schedules are subject to regulations and changes thereof by acts of Government, International Agreement and Airline tariff adjustments, rules and regulations.

CTSP reserves the right to change or withdraw the program, in whole or in part, at any time. In the event of a change, the sole exclusive obligation of CTSP will be to refund pro rata any recoverable payment received, based on recovered funds. In the event of rescheduling of the program due to unforeseen circumstances, the cancellation and refund clause will apply. CTSP reserves the right to refuse or to revoke travel to anyone who is, in the sole judgment of CTSP, incapable of or detrimental to group travel.

Except for the willful negligence of its direct employees, CTSP assumes no liability or responsibility for any injuries, inconveniences, illness, irregularity or incidental damages occasioned by circumstances beyond the control of CTSP, or by any person or reason whatsoever, including, but not limited to events such as strikes, revolts, wars, natural disaster, closures of airports or hotels, default or omission of any common or private carrier or the default, negligence, or omission of any by any third party providing services or facilities related to or included in this program. 

The commercial carriers are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time the passengers are not on-board commercial carriers. The passenger contracts, in use by all commercial carriers involved, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the commercial carriers and the passenger or purchaser of this program and/or passage and program operators assume no liability or responsibility in connection therewith.

ENROLLMENT in and payment of the deposit for the tour constitutes your acceptance of the Program Conditions and Statement of Responsibility.