“Encountering the Land of the Bible” (Hiking Options)

with the Dalles

Ripon, CA and other GBC Pastors

March 29- April 10, 2025

(Program #250301, Taught by Dr. Smith).

 

Day One. Saturday, March 29, 2025

Depart 18:40 from SEA for Amman, Jordan (through Istanbul). Overnight: In flight.

Day Two. Sunday, March 30, 2025

Arrive 23:30 PM to Amman Airport and transfer to the hotel at the Dead Sea for a goodnight’s rest. Overnight: Crowne Plaza Resort, Dead Sea. D (boxed)

Day Three. Monday, March 31, 2025 The Promised Messiah

Sleep in this morning! After lunch, (13:00) we will have a short three-hour field trip to Tal al-Hammam and the nearby place of the Baptism of Jesus (Qasr al-Yahud). We return to our luxury resort for dinner and overnight. Overnight: Crowne Plaza Resort, Dead Sea. B,L,D

Day Four. Tuesday, April 1, 2025 Four Conflicts in the Background of the Gospels

With an early wake-up to cross the bridge into Israel, after breakfast, we will depart and 06:30 and make our way to the bridge for transfer from Jordan to Israel. Highlighting four example sites, we will focus today on four “key conflicts” in the background of Jesus’ public ministry the Gospel writer thinks the reader will already understand. Sites: Caesarea Maritima, Mt. Carmel, Nazareth, Zippori. Overnight: By the Sea of Galilee. B,D

Day Five. Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Using all four gospel accounts, we will investigate the evidence on the background, education and theology of the first disciples Jesus chose. Sites: Mt. Arbel, Magdala, Ancient Boat exhibit, boat ride, Mt. of Beatitudes, Capernaum. Overnight: By the Sea of Galilee. B,D

Day Six. Thursday, April 3, 2025

Based on the five sermons in the Gospel according to Matthew, our focus will be on the common teaching style of the ancient rabbis, comparing them to the way Jesus taught. Sites: Gamla Hike and Gamla, Quneitra overlook into Syria (if possible), Qatzrin Village, Mizpe Nokaib Overlook, Susita (time permitting). Overnight: By the Sea of Galilee. B,D

Day Seven. Friday, April 4, 2025

Today, we will address the issues of the Perean Ministry as well as the ministry of John the Baptist, with selections from Luke 10-19 (the “special section” of that Gospel). Sites: 07:15 departure for Beth Shean, Jordan Valley, View of Jericho, Qumran, Ein Gedi with hike to waterfall. Overnight: Near the Dead Sea. B,D

Day Eight. Saturday, April 5, 2025

Grab your box lunch before leaving the hotel at the Dead Sea. This morning, we will take the cable car up to Masada, exiting with a hike down the Roman Ramp. On to Tel Arad for a look at a high place operating during the time of Solomon’s Temple. After lunch, we will make our way to the Shephelah for a look at Lachish, Eleutheropolis, and a hike at Qhirbet Qeiyafa for a stunning view over the valley of Elah before traveling up to Jerusalem. Overnight: Jerusalem. B,D

Day Nine. Sunday, April 6, 2025

Depart Jerusalem to Neve Daniel and Derekh Ha-Avot for a look at the watchtowers, terraces, shepherd and vineyards near Migdal Eder. On to Bethlehem, where we will visit the Nativity Church, visit a shop for olive wood, and hike at the Herodion Fortress. Overnight: Jerusalem. B,D

Day Ten. Monday, April 7, 2025

Begin our day on the Mount of Olives (Emek Tsurim) for an overview of Jesus’ “Passion Week” chronology, then on to Mount of Olives overlook and Gethsemane, lunch in the Old City Jewish Quarter, walk to the Western Wall and South Wall excavations. Overnight: Jerusalem. B,D

Day Eleven. Tuesday, April 8, 2025

The arrest, trial and conviction of Jesus will be our subject as we journey through the “salvation geography” of Jerusalem following the Gospel According to John. Sites: Temple Mount, Pools of Bethesda, Via Dolorosa, Holy Sepulchre, Garden Tomb. Overnight: Jerusalem. B,D

Day Twelve. Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Free Morning. Transfer from hotel at Dead Sea via Allenby Bridge. Overnight: Crowne Plaza Resort, Dead Sea. B,D

Day Thirteen. Thursday, April 10, 2025

06:30 Depart the resort for our flight from Amman to the USA (SEA).

 

TOUR CONDITIONS

Your Study Program includes hotels, Israeli buffet breakfast 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 July 1, 2024 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 30 passengers.

FULL TOUR PRICE will be announced and will include air from the US, and group transfers.

NOT INCLUDED are any expenses required for COVID compliance, personal items such as laundry; drinks or coffee with dinners; lunches, tips for personal favors; excess baggage and forwarding of baggage; transfers other than with the group; optional (but highly recommended) travel insurance.

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 $1300 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 $2400 per person is due six (6) months prior to departure. Deposits received within six (6) months of departure require a total initial payment of $2800. Final payment (your balance) 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. Insurance purchased within two weeks of deposit provides the best value, and may cover pre-existing conditions.  CFAR (cancel for any reason) insurance is available from several companies, but can be quite expensive. Read all insurance policies carefully and choose the most prudent one for your situation. CTSP does not sell or recommend insurance policies or companies.

ITINERARY LENGTH: Flight itineraries 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$180 double occupancy, or US$320 for single rooms (includes single supplement).

AIRLINE ARRANGEMENTS from the USA will be 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.

YOUR LUGGAGE is restricted in size and shape by the airline, and is limited to one checked piece (max 50 pounds), one carryon, 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 operator assumes 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.