Full Day Private Christian Tour in Jerusalem with Tour Guide
Description
We visit the places where Jesus walked, taught and prayed in the last week of His life. These are not just historic sites, but places of pilgrimage. We follow His route down the Mount of Olives and into the Old City of Jerusalem. We then follow the historic Via Dolorosa to the place of the crucifixion. This is a private tour with a tour guide.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Panoramic outlook on the Mount of Olives overlooking the Old City of Jerusalem We will see the Old City in all its glory including the Dome of the Rock the third holiest site in Islam and the iconic view of Jerusalem, the Dome of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where many believe Jesus was crucified and resurrected, and the Hurva Synagogue the largest Jewish synagogue in the Old City.
We then walk to the Church of the Ascension where it is believed that Jesus ascended to Heaven 40 days after the Resurrection.
We then walk to Paternoster Church, where Jesus taught the Lord's Prayer. We then proceed to walk down the Mount following the route that pilgrims take on Palm Sunday. Matthew 21:1; and Mark 11:1 describe the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem at the beginning of the last week of his life. On our left, we pass the oldest Jewish cemetery in the world (3,000 years) The tombs include those of Absalom, son of King David, prophets Haggai, Malachi & Zechariah& Israel’s Prime Minister Menachem Begin.
where Jesus wept over Jerusalem. In Matthew 24–25; Mark 13; Luke 21 Jesus foretells the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the world - 2 days before his Crucifixion. We see the beautiful architecture of the church.
We then get to the traditional site of the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed just before he was betrayed by Judas Iscariot (Matthew 26; Mark 14). Once a lavish olive grove, (Gethsemane means Oil Press in ancient Hebrew) it is now the site of The Church of All Nations, adorned with vaulted ceilings and stained-glass windows. The Church is also called the Church of the Agony as it commemorates the place where Jesus spent his last night before his betrayal.
We visit the Tomb of Mary the traditional site of Mary the Mother of God's tomb. Next to it is the Grotto which is believed the place where Jesus spent his last night.
We then walk up the hill to the Old City of Jerusalem and enter the Lion's Gate. It is the beginning of the Via Dolorosa the Way of the Cross. This is the traditional route that Jesus took following his conviction by Pontius Pilate to the site of the crucifixion. We will see the first 9 stations of the Cross which are: (1) The place where Jesus was condemned to death; (2) Jesus is made to bear his cross (Church of the Flagellation / Church of the Imposition of the Cross and Church of Ecce Homo); (3) Jesus falls for the first time; (4) Jesus meets his mother (Church of Our Lady of Sorrows); (5) Simon of Cyrene is made to bear the cross (Chapel of Simon of Cyrene); (6) Veronica wipes Jesus’ face; (7) Jesus falls for the second time; (8) The women of Jerusalem weep over Jesus; (9) Jesus falls for the third time; 1 hour Lunch in the Christian Quarter of the Old City
We enter the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. This is the site of Jesus's crucifixion and resurrection and the last 5 stations of the Cross: Jesus is stripped of his garments; Jesus is nailed to the cross; Jesus dies on the cross; Jesus is taken down from the cross; and Jesus is placed in the sepulcher.
We then walk to the Western Wall, the holiest site in Judaism and see the last remnant of the Holy Temple destroyed in the year 70 AD.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
I will pick you up at the place of your choosing.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(29)
This tour with Simon was everything we hoped for and more. We had the most fabulous and meaningful tour and experience. Simon provided us with thoughtful information, catered specifically to our interest and beliefs. We could tell his tours are carefully thought out and he took us chronologically through our itinerary so we really felt like we were immersed in the experience and in the order of what we were seeing and learning about. He gave us time to reflect and we didn’t feel rushed which allowed us to have a deeper experience. Simon was very open to answering all our questions and we loved where he took us for lunch. It ended up being one of our favourite meals. We have already been recommending Simon to our friends and family when they hopefully visit Israel soon. Thank you Simon for giving us a tour to remember for the rest of our lives. On a sidenote once you’re in Israel, you will discover that people are going about living their day-to-day life and any situations that may be happening don’t interfere with your fantastic time.
Simon is an exceptional Tour Guide who more than knows his stuff and makes the whole tour a wonderful all around experience. Thank you, Simon.
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave your review of our winery visit plus 'David & Goliath tour'. I do hope I get an opportunity to tour with you again in the future. Please send my best regards to Ruth!
Simon is a wonderful tour guide, he kept teenagers and parents entertained and paced the day beautifully.
Hi Rifki, I was so pleased to read how much you enjoyed our tour of Yodfat and Akko during Hanukkah. I really enjoyed my day with you and the family
We had the most phenomenal experience with Simon on our day exploration of Jerusalem. We had even made a special request in order to meet a Rabbi so that our two teen could have their Bat Mitzvah and Simon worked it into the schedule perfectly. Additionally, one member of our family is in a wheelchair, and Simon worked the tour of Jerusalem to be accessible in the most amazing way. He was kind, smart, and immensely knowledgeable about Jerusalem‘s history and beauty. If, and when we return to Israel, we will absolutely reach out to Simon again in order to explore another amazing city in Israel. The entire family, including two teenagers were thrilled to have Simon by our side.
Hi Deb, It was a pleasure to be the guide for you, your husband and your amazing daughters. I felt privileged to be able to share in the experience of marking their b'npt mitzvah at Robinson's Arch. I hope the memory of that fabulous day stays with you all for a very long time.
Simon was an excellent and enjoyable guide. He transported us from Jerusalem to the north with an overnight stay in Zichron Yaakov. Along the way we toured a goat cheese farm which was delightful. Best of all, he arranged for a stop outside of Zichron for a wine tasting at Bat Shlomo winery which was a magical experience. The location/setting, the tour,tasting and the staff were outstanding. Second day travels took us to Ein Hod artist colony and then to Tel Aviv. All along the way he was able to provide extensive knowledge about Israel and the areas we drove through. Highly recommend him.
Hi Patti, I was so pleased to read your feedback and delighted that you, your husband & daughter enjoyed our two days of touring together.
We spent two days with Simon. I wish it was more. Before our cruise, Simon asked what we were interested in seeing. We were in Israel before, and we discussed plans for the two days our cruise was there. Simon developed a plan and was accessible beforehand. He picked us up at the different ports and made sure we had a great time. I can’t wait to go back! Go Arsenal!
Captain Steve! So great to read your review. I really had a great couple of days with you guys, and hope all is well with you, back in North Carolina.
We booked a guided tour of the old city in Jerusalem with Simon and we had a wonderful experience. He was great with our children and was extremely friendly and knowledgeable. We could not recommend him higher - we really enjoyed the day!!!!
I was so pleased to read your review and to hear that the children enjoyed their day. Be in touch if you are ever passing this way in the future!
Simon could not have been a better tour guide for our family. He is incredibly knowledgeable of the history of each site - presented with a genuine fun nature, a sense of humour and lots of patience. You feel comfortable with Simon, you learn and you have fun. Guiding us did not seem like a job for Simon - he seemed to truly enjoy the time spent together.
Aaah.... you found my weak spot..... As I say to many visitors, how can I not enjoy my job when the whole of the Land of Israel is my 'office'! I'm delighted that you enjoyed our time together, as I did.
I knew August in the Old City with an 8 and 10 year-old wasn't going to be easy but our tour guide, Simon, not only made it possible but actually enjoyable. Simon came prepared for everything and anything- one part Indiana Jones, equal measure Mary Poppins. The kids are thirsty? Out pops cold water from his magical bag. The kids are restless? Out pops something to keep them busy, a choice of healthy snacks or playing chatty games with them-- all while effortlessly navigating the ancient terrain and teaching us about the unbelievable history of the area. Simon's knowledge of the sites we toured was entertaining and informative without feeling like you've crashed a Middle Eastern college lecture. How much do you want to learn? How deep do you want to dive? He's willing to customize the experience according to your wishes. It was so refreshing to have a private tour in (the King's) English. Our group ranged from 8 to 77 years-old and had both native (American) English speakers and English as a second language speakers. Absolutely everyone could understand and effortlessly converse with Simon. Thankfully he was able to speak for us with native Israeli museum staff, restaurant workers, guards, etc. and eliminate that travel stress. After we toured the Western Wall Tunnels, my husband commented that he wished we could have just toured with only Simon- not the tunnel tour guide they assigned us. I agreed wholeheartedly. It would have been more enjoyable, faster and we would have gotten more out of it than the (mandatory) 25+ group at that time slot. Simon was able to help us stay together, answer questions, and take us out the way we came for an easier, more interesting return to the car through the market. It's never enough time in Jerusalem-- or Israel for that matter!! However, we couldn't have fit another thing in our day. Our time was well planned and used well. Simon made a hectic, long day with cranky, hot kids possible. We always felt safe (no small feat in highway traffic), listened to, cared for and above all had such a good experience in the most difficult summer heat. I give Imagine Israel Tours my highest recommendations. Simon was a SPECTACULAR tour guide and couldn't have done anything more to make our experience flawless and enjoyable. We're already thinking about trying to schedule a different tour with Simon before we leave.
Thank you so, so much for such a fabulous & in-depth review, Melissa. It was my pleasure to be able to share my passion for Jerusalem with you and your family - especially your boys, who were so full of interest and wonder. I always feel privileged that I have the opportunity to meet lovely families like yours and spend time sharing my love of Israel. See you again soon??!!
Simon has an impressive thorough understanding of Israeli and Jewish history. He is a first class teacher, delivering his message with poise and humor. A real delight.
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave your review, Howard - it is very much appreciated. I do hope we get an opportunity to tour together again in the not too distant future
