Private Bible Land Tour
For independent travelers who want to understand and appreciate the Holy Land, a private tour offers the depth, flexibility, and personal attention that make the journey meaningful. Even if you don’t have time for the eight full touring days included in our 11-Day Journey to the Holy Land, spending several days with an experienced Bible Land guide will transform how you see the country and understand the biblical text.
For a meaningful introduction to the Holy Land, I recommend at least four privately guided days: two in northern Israel and two in Jerusalem. I also strongly recommend allowing one additional day in Jerusalem. I can build another full guided day for you, or you may explore independently by joining local tours and visiting some of the city’s museums at your own pace. I’d also be happy to guide you throughout the day.
We can arrange a visit to Bethlehem with a local guide, as well as a day trip to Jordan with a return to Jerusalem. If your schedule allows, I recommend adding further touring days in the Hula Valley and Golan Heights, at Masada and the Dead Sea, or in the Shephelah. Almost any day from our group itineraries can become a private day tour, and we can combine several days into a journey designed around your interests, schedule, and pace.
Transportation & Pricing
For most private tours, I recommend renting your own car, with one member of your party driving, and hiring me for guiding services only. This is usually the simplest and most economical option. If you prefer, I can arrange a suitable touring vehicle and serve as both your guide and driver for an additional charge.
Private guiding is $600 per day for up to nine hours. Transportation, entrance fees, parking, and meals are not included. We quote touring vehicles and itineraries requiring overnight accommodation for the guide separately.
Choose Your Private Tour Days
Drive north along the Mediterranean coast to Caesarea Maritima National Park, the Roman capital of Judea and the setting of major events in the Book of Acts. Continue to Mt. Carmel, where Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal. Enjoy lunch at a Druze restaurant on Mt. Carmel. Tour Tel Megiddo National Park and learn about the Canaanite period and the Kingdom of Israel. Look out over the Valley of Armageddon (Jezreel Valley) as you gain insights into biblical prophecy. Continue to the Mount of Precipice, overlooking Nazareth, Jesus’ hometown, where tradition places the attempt to throw him from the cliff (Luke 4:29).
Start the day at Tabgha (Ein Sheva), where Jesus called the first disciples and appeared to them for the third time after the resurrection (John 21). Continue to Capernaum, Jesus’ town, and visit the famous synagogue and Peter’s home. Enjoy lunch at a fish restaurant on the shores of the lake. Visit the Boat Museum, home to a first-century fishing boat discovered in the Sea of Galilee. Continue to Magdala, the town of Mary Magdalene, where a first-century synagogue and fishing town have been uncovered. End the day with an optional sunset cruise on the Sea of Galilee in a small electric boat for an additional fee. You can also include an optional visit to the Yardenit Baptismal Site, with an opportunity for baptism in the Jordan River.
Start the day at Tel Hazor National Park, one of the most important biblical cities in northern Israel and “the head of all those kingdoms” (Joshua 11:10). Hike at Tel Dan National Park, the headwaters of the Jordan, overlooking the Israeli-Lebanese border, and explore its fascinating ruins. Continue to Caesarea Philippi (Banias) National Park, where Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” (Matthew 16:13). Enjoy lunch at a Lebanese restaurant in Banias. Drive to the Golan Heights, look over the road to Damascus, and learn about the ongoing Israeli-Arab war. Travel around the Sea of Galilee and end the day at Kursi, the site where Jesus cast demons into a herd of pigs.
Start the day on the Mount of Olives with visits to the Chapel of the Ascension and the Church of the Pater Noster (Eleona), followed by a magnificent view of the Old City from the summit. Follow Jesus down the biblical Ascent of the Mount of Olives (2 Samuel 15:30), today’s Palm Sunday Road. Visit the Church of All Nations in Gethsemane, where, according to tradition, Jesus prayed before his betrayal and arrest. Continue to the Old City and visit the Pools of Bethesda, where Jesus healed the paralyzed man (John 5), and St. Anne’s Church, known for its remarkable acoustics. Walk the Via Dolorosa, reflecting on Jesus’ suffering. Enjoy lunch on your own in the Christian Quarter. Visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, exit the Old City through Damascus Gate, and conclude the day at the Garden Tomb.
Start the day at the Temple Mount, the holiest place for the Jewish people and the focus of Jesus’ activity in Jerusalem. Continue to the Western Wall and the Jerusalem Archaeological Park, including the first-century Southern Steps. Enjoy lunch on your own in the Jewish Quarter. Tour the Jewish Quarter of the Old City and learn about its history and archaeology. Visit the Priestly Quarter, the excavated homes of Jerusalem’s first-century high-priestly families. Conclude the day at the Upper Room, the traditional site of the Last Supper.
Depart Jerusalem early for Masada National Park and tour Herod’s fortress, the last stronghold of the Jewish revolt against Rome. Continue to Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, the largest oasis along the Dead Sea’s western shore, for a nature hike through its abundant wildlife and biblical landscape. Enjoy lunch at the kibbutz restaurant at Qumran. Tour Qumran National Park and learn about the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls. End the day at Beth Abara National Park (Qaser El Yahud), where Jesus was baptized, with an opportunity for baptism in the Jordan River, before returning to Jerusalem.
Depart Jerusalem or Tel Aviv and begin at Tel Beth Shemesh, the biblical city associated with the return of the Ark of the Covenant from the Philistines (1 Samuel 6). Continue to Khirbet Qeiyafa, a recently excavated fortified city dating to the time of King David and identified by its excavators with biblical Sha’arayim. Look out over the Valley of Elah and learn about David’s battle with Goliath (1 Samuel 17). Continue to Tel Lachish, the second most important city in the Kingdom of Judah, conquered by Sennacherib in 701 BC. Enjoy a sandwich lunch at Tel Lachish. Visit the Roman amphitheater at Beit Guvrin National Park before returning to Jerusalem or Tel Aviv.
