DAY 1, Jerusalem
Arriving at the Ben Gurion airport, you will be welcomed by our guide, and drive to Jerusalem. We shall dedicate the first part of the day to visit and join the holy prayer and participate in the Hutba at the Al Aqsa Mosque. We will have a guided tour of the Haram esh-Sharif, learning about its historical & The Dome of the Rock, “whose precincts we did bless” – Al Qur’an el Kareem, Sura 17, verse 1. From here we continue along the colorful “Suq” (bazaar) to the Church of the Resurrection of Jesus, where the Khalif Omar met the Bishop Sophronius and prayed outside the church and commemorating that event. Walk through the Jewish Quarter to see some of the archaeological excavations made there, such as the Roman Cardo, and then, if open to visitors visit King David’s tomb – a place for Muslims, Jews and Christians. We end the day at the famous Western (“Wailing”) Wall, where we can see Jews from all over the world, in their different dresses, coming to pray near the last remnants of their temple. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem or Bethlehem.
DAY 2, Jerusalem
Breakfast at hotel, we start the day at the different Mosques on top of the Mt. of Olives. From here there’s a panoramic view over Jerusalem’s Old City, with the magnificent Dome of the Rock in its center. Then we walk/drive down to the marble-memorial of Mujir-e-Din al Hanbaly, a medieval philosopher, located just above the Tomb of Sitt Mariam (Mary) in the Garden of Gethsemane. Then we drive out of the city to visit Maqam e-Nebi Samuel, Tomb of the Prophet Samuel, which is holy for all 3 main monotheistic religions. There is a wide view towards the Holy City, Jerusalem, and towards the Mediterranean Sea from this historic place. We end the day with a short hike in the Masrek Nature Reserve, visiting the Tomb of Salman el Farsi, who was the personal Barber of the Prophet Mohammed, peace shall be upon him Due to the holiness of the site, the goats were kept off it, enabling some giant pine-trees to grow there. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem or Bethlehem.
DAY 3, Jericho/Dead Sea/Bethlehem
Breakfast at hotel, we will visit the site of Nabi Moussa, where a medieval tradition places the tomb of Nabi Moussa (Moses). Until the time of the British mandate in Palestine this place was famous for “Ziyarat Nabi Moussa” that was held here during the spring, and included a colorful march from Jerusalem to this site, and a week of prayers and other festive activities. Drive to Jericho, where you will visit the magnificent “Hisham’s Palace” – one of the most well preserved monuments of the Early Muslim Era in Palestine. This palace is mainly famous for its colorful and realistic mosaics that beautify the floor in the Palace’s “Diwan”. After, drive to Bethlehem and see the Church of the city. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem or Bethlehem.
DAY 4. Tel Aviv / Jaffa
Breakfast at hotel, Today we leave Jerusalem and drive to tour the old city of Jaffa, one of the ancient gateways to the Holy Land: Through its port the Cedar trees for Salomon’s Temple (Bait el Muqqades) were brought, the prophet Jonas tried to flee God, and it was in Jaffa where Allah’s word began to be spread among the nations through Nabi Butrus. Today Jaffa’s renovated alley-ways attract many artists, who have their galleries there. We now drive through the modern city Tel Aviv, to Maqam Sidna Ali, located on a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The mosque was originally a 13th century Mameluk construction built in honor of one of Saladin’s Lieutenants who fought bravely against the Crusaders and died in a battle on the hill on which the mosque now stands. His shrine is now housed within the building. Afternoon in leisure enjoining from Israel’s economic and cultural center of Tel Aviv. Dinner and overnight in Tel Aviv.
DAY 5, Departure
Breakfast at hotel, Transfer to the Ben Gurion airport for departure, we leave this land today with memories never to be forgotten.
Please note: You can change the program and add days, tours, and sites throughout Palestine and Israel, its also possible to change the trip according to departure and can be combined with Jordan and Egypt.