Holy Tour & Spiritual Retreat

ISRAEL & JORDAN

www.heartfelthope.org.au

Heartfelt Hope

Mission Travel www.missiontravel.com.au

April/May 2019

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Quick Overview

Why are we going?

To learn more about the Bible, the life of Jesus and to understand the culture where Jesus

lived and walked. This is a unique opportunity to have a spiritual, educational retreat to

deepen your faith.

Location: Israel & Jordan

Date: May 2017 - 23days

Tues 30th April - Wed 22nd May

16 days in Israel & 5 days in Jordan plus 2 days travel time

Recommendation: Individuals over 18yrs of age

Total: $9,750 all inclusive (per person twin share) **

Flights ex SYD Australia, breakfast & dinners, 3 star hotels, tips, entrance

fees, guide, bus travel & tips (* an estimated cost) (*single supplement extra)

Fitness Level: Medium

Most days will include walking for between 1-3 hours at a relaxed pace

Application & Deposit Deadline: Fri 26th October 2018

Late enrolments may be available subject to flight availability. This may

incur a slight price change.

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Where will we be going?

We will be travelling throughout Jordan and Israel, visiting many famous sites found in the

Bible as well as some of the lesser known ones. The tour has been designed to begin in the

Old Testament (following the exiled Israelites into the Promised Land) with the promise of a

Messiah before retracing the steps and life of Jesus. Therefore we will begin the tour in

Jordan, visiting Mt Nebo, Petra, Wadi Rum and staying in a Bedouin tent like the Israelites

of the Old Testament.

From here we will cross into the Promised Land, visiting many of the towns, sites of the

Bible as well as regions where Jesus walked, talked and ministered. As we travel we will be

learning about the Bible, creating a sensory understanding of the Jewish culture, Biblical

times and the life of Christ. Bethlehem, Nazareth, Jericho, Masada, the Sea of Galilee, Mt

Beatitudes, Mount of Olives, Jerusalem, Garden Tomb, and the Dead Sea are just some of

the places we will visit.

Our guide will be a national born Christian from the area. Our tour leaders will be Ben &

Helen Betz, pastors and missionaries with Heartfelt Hope who have a passion for teaching

and running retreats. This combination will create a rich learning background as part of the

tour. There will also be an opportunity to attend a local Sabbath service.

As part of the tour package, we have also scheduled in some rest days, we have a few

events just for fun and there will be a chance to do some shopping.

*(To see the full itinerary please read page 8.)

What will we do?

You will be part of a small team (no more than 16 people) travelling on a faith journey.

With our deluxe air conditioned coach we will travel to various destinations to then

explore on foot everything from historical ruins to vibrant towns, underground caverns to

mountain tops, dry deserts to cool waterfalls. This will give you an opportunity to create a

sensory understanding of Scripture and the life of Jesus. You will be able to:

Walk where Jesus walked. Step into the Sea of Galilee and the cool streams of Tel Dan.

Touch the rock hewn city of Petra, the wailing wall and the vibrant fabrics in the markets of

Old Jerusalem.

Smell the plants, flowers, breeze and trees surrounding the ancient buildings and historical

sites of many Biblical places.

Taste the food of the local people & culture. (*Share in the symbolism of a Jewish Shabbat)

See & explore the heights of Masada to the Dead Sea below, from Bethlehem to Jerusalem.

Pray beside the river Jordan and in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Sing at Calvary and at the Garden Tomb. This is a faith journey of a life time.

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How much does it cost?

The cost is $9,750* per person, which includes airfares ex Sydney flying Emirates, visa fees,

all accommodation (twin share) in 3 star hotels for the twenty two days of touring, all

breakfast & dinner meals, water, transport by air conditioned coach, various activities, all

local travel expenses, all entrance fees, tips, having a local tour guide and some special

outings.

Please note: This price does not include drinks, lunches, laundry, local travel on free days,

travel insurance, flight extensions or split offs or the cost of a single person supplement.

While we will make every endeavour keep to the price as quoted, airfares, currency

exchange, hotel prices and the global money market can change overnight. Therefore the

cost per person is essentially not final until the last payment is made in late January. The

final payment price will therefore be confirmed by email just before payment is due.

You will need to bring enough money to cover lunch meals, drinks, souvenirs and anything

you plan to do on your rest day/free day. This might include local transport fees or entrance

fees.

Who is organising this tour and pilgrimage?

This HOPE tour has been organised by Pastors Ben & Helen Betz as part of Heartfelt Hope.

Heartfelt Hope is registered NGO and charity with offices in Australia and Uganda. However,

they have also been invited to work, visit and encourage communities in other countries.

Heartfelt Hope has a focus on faith, health and education.

HOPE tours are travel tours which open up peoples eyes to the world in which we live. This

particular tour is to inspire and enrich peoples faith journey in Jesus Christ and

understanding of Biblical history.

* This tour has also been arranged in partnership with Mission Travel.

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What do I need to know about being there?

1. Accommodation: Is 3 star Hotels or Kibbutz's. Each night you will have a beautiful

room with an en-suite. The one exception will be three nights in Petra and Wadi Rum

in a Bedouin tent and where you will have a simple room and a shared bathroom.

2. Coach: The bus is air-conditioned, comfortable and roomy. Please note: it does not

have a toilet on board. If you need to go urgently please let the leader or guide know

and we will always stop for you.

3. Currency: In Jordan the currency is Dinar and in Israel the Shekel. In most situations

you will be able to use a local ATM with your key card and have the machine spit out

local currency. Sometimes this is a lot easier than exchanging money. The $US may be

used in some places and exchanged but generally the local currency is preferred.

4. Electricity: The local power supply and power points are based on 220 volts, the same

as Europe. This means you may need an adaptor for some electrical devices and you

will need a European power plug.

5. Food: The food in most places will be of a high standard. The hotels and restaurants

are used to catering for groups and the Middle East in general is known for careful

food preparation. If you have a weak stomach stick to cooked foods or foods which

have a skin on and can be peeled and avoid food from small street stalls.

6. Footwear: Wear comfortable shoes which are not too tight and will allow you to do

lots of walking on both gravel paths, open fields and town streets.

7. Holy Sites: There will be many occasions when we are entering religious holy sites,

therefore we need to dress modestly. This means no singlet tops and no short shorts

for both men and women. Rather knee length shorts/skirts or T-shirts/collared shirts

are best. If you want to wear a singlet top, please carry an over shirt with you.

8. Itinerary: We will endeavour to stick to our schedule as closely as possible but there

may be times when we have to amend our itinerary. We will always seek to do what is

best in the overall interest and wellbeing of everyone on tour.

9. Laundry: The first week of the tour we are moving around, so there will be no

opportunity for washing clothes. Please pack with this in mind. There will be time to

get washing done in Nazareth (3 nights), Tiberias (3 nights) and Jerusalem (6 nights).

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10. Photos: Take lots of photos but be careful about taking photos of other people. Some

people may get angry to find you taking photos of them without permission.

11. Phone: International calls can be expensive and often it is cheaper to acquire a local

SIM card to put in your phone rather than use international roaming. Another option

is to use wifi for Skype of Face Time calls which are free when you call home.

12. Safety: Always stay with the group. If you go to the bathroom or a shop please tell

someone. On your rest/free days we suggest you travel in pairs or as a small group.

13. Sickness: Please make sure you bring enough prescribed medications with you to

cover the full duration of the trip and any other regular medication you take as

medication can very from country to country. Bringing a script from home can also be

helpful if a problem arises. If you are feeling sick please tell your team leaders

immediately.

14. Sun Protection: It is important everyone has a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen on them

at all times. In some of the places of the ruins, you are out in the open with no shade.

15. Teeth: We recommend using bottled water to brush your teeth.

16. Time: Please make sure you have an accurate watch and you are at the bus on time

after each stop. Running late could alter our schedule for the whole day.

17. Toilets: There will be plenty of places to use a rest room or bathroom. Should you

need to go urgently please simply let your leaders or tour guide know. In some places

the toilet will be free but in other places it is a small fee. Therefore it is helpful to

have some coins on hand at all times.

18. Vaccines: It is highly recommended you have Hep A & Hep B vaccines and Typhoid

vaccine completed 4-6 weeks prior to departure time. Please see your GP in January

to organise a schedule for vaccines if needed.

19. Valuables: We recommend leaving valuables and expensive jewellery at home. What

you do bring , please keep on you at all times or keep stored in the hotel safe.

20. Wifi: Most the hotels and restaurants have wifi. Some will allow you free access for a

short time and after that you may have to pay for extra time for browsing the net.

21. Water: Avoid water or drinks which aren’t in a sealed bottle or have not been boiled.

Hot drinks and drinks in sealed containers are best. Whilst there is a high water

standard there it can take a while getting used to other tap water so it is best

avoided. It is important to stay hydrated and to keep up your fluids especially when

we are in the desert or have been walking.

22. Weather: The weather can get as low as 10* at night and as high as 30* in the desert,

with averages expected around 25*. Mostly you will need light clothes for warm

weather but the plane trip will be cool as will some nights so bring some jackets and

long sleeves.

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Checklist of things to bring:

□ Valid Passport (no less than 6 months expirer from exit)

□ Airline Ticket (Take your copy with you. We will also take a copy)

□ Travel Itinerary

□ Travel Insurance Details and Contact Number

□ 2 Photocopies of passport, birth certificates & marriage certificates, one set to

take with you and the other left in Australia with a family member.

□ A money belt

□ Luggage

□ A small “day” backpack or bag

□ Light, cotton clothing including some long sleeved garments

□ A couple of warmer items for cool nights (jumper or jacket)

□ Cotton underwear (nylon underwear is best avoided in the heat!!!)

□ Good strong walking shoes as well as thongs and crocs/sandals

□ Chose socks which are not tight and improve circulation for both the plane and

for walking

□ Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen

□ Swimmers & travel towel

□ Some laundry powder and a few pegs may be helpful to wash smalls to dry if

you want to avoid laundry fees

□ Toiletries and any personal medication you may need while away

□ Basic personal first aid, panadol, bandaids, antiseptic cream & sani-gel

□ Earplugs!

□ Multi vitamins and some small favourite snacks

□ Insect Repellent. (We recommend high quality “natural” repellents for use.

Ego’s Moove Natural is one we recommend.)

□ Bible, this is essential.

With clothing remember cotton and loose is best. Also remember dark or black

shirts attract the heat which may not be helpful when it is really hot. You are

allowed 30 kgs of baggage plus another 5 kgs hand luggage, but we encourage you

to pack lighter otherwise you are pulling a heavy suitcase every where AND there

will be no room for souvenirs on the return journey. ☺

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Sun 28th

April Mon 29

th

April Tues 30

th

April Wed 1st

May

Thurs 2nd May

Fri 3rd May

Sat 4th May

Depart Sydney

Arrive Jordan

Lunch

City Tour Acc: Larsa

Hotel

Madaba

Mt Nebo, Machaerus

Acc: Mujib Chalets

Wadi Mujib

Shobak Castle

Acc: Seven Wonders

Full Day

Petra

Acc: Seven Wonders

Sun 5th May

Mon 6th May

Tues 7th May

Wed 8th May

Thurs 9th May

Fri 10th May

Sat 11th May

Full Tour

Wadi Rum

SACRED SPACE

Acc:

Captains Desert

Cross to Israel

Desert Timna

Tabernacle

Tel Arad

Acc:

Kibbutz

Ein Gedi

Masada

Qumran

Dead Sea

Ein Gedi Springs

Acc: Kibbutz

Ein Gedi

Mt Scopus

Herodion, Bethlehem Shepherds

Field, Church of

the Nativity.

Acc: Bethlehem

Jaffa

Caesarea Maritima

Mt Carmel SACRED SPACE

Acc: Nazareth

Mary’s Well Mary’s Spring

Basilica Mt Precipice

Cana

Acc: Nazareth

Mt Tabor,

Tel Meggido

Sepphoris

Acc: Nazareth

Sun 12th May

Mon 13th May

Tues 14th

May

Wed 15th May

Thurs 16th May

Fri 17th May

Sat 18th May

Sea Galilee

Boat Ride

Tabgha, Capernaum

Mt Beati-tudes

Acc: Ginosar

Tel Dan

Caesarea Philippi

SACRED SPACE

Banias

Korazim

Acc:

Ginosar

FREE DAY

Acc: Ginosar Village

Beit Shean

Wailing Wall

Burnt house Tower of

David

Acc: Holy

Land Hotel, Jerusalem

Neot Kedumim Davidson

Centre City of David

Hezekiah Tunnels

Acc: Holy

Land Hotel, Jerusalem

Passion of Christ

Upper Room

House of Ciaphias St Anne

Zion Sisters

Via Dolorosa

Holy Sepulchre

Awe & Wonder

Mt Olives

Gethsemane Garden

tomb

Baptismal

Site- Jordan River

Sun 19th May

Mon 20th May

Tues 21st May

Wed 22nd May

Thurs 23rd May

Fri 24th May

Sat 25th May

Prayer & Praise

Rest Reflect

Mission Spot

Church Service

International Prayer Centre

Acc: Holy Land Hotel, Jerusalem

FREE DAY

Acc: Holy Land Hotel, Jerusalem

Sheikh Hussein Border

Cross into

Jordan

Depart Jordan

FLY OUT

Arrive Sydney