Joel Kramer Israel Study Tour
March 21-April 2, 2026
Joel Kramer Israel Study Tour
March 21-April 2, 2026
Cost
$5,595 per person
(land-basis only)
OR
$6,995 with airfare
(round-trip from Chicago)
Itinerary
Jerusalem
Bethlehem
Galilee
Hezekiah's Tunnel
& much more
Registration
Registrations & all payments
are processed
by our partner
Pilgrim Tours
Cost
$5,595 per person
(land-basis only)
OR
$6,995 with airfare
(roundtrip from Chicago)
Itinerary
Jerusalem
Bethlehem
Galilee
City of David
& much more!
Registration
Registrations &
all payments
are processed
by our partner:
Pilgrim Tours
Cost
$5,595 per person
land-basis only
OR
$6,995 with airfare -
round trip from Chicago
Itinerary
Jerusalem
Bethlehem
Galilee
& much more!
Registration
Registrations & all payments
are processed
by our partner
Pilgrim Tours
Tour Leader and Teacher -- Joel Kramer
Tour Leader and Teacher
- Joel Kramer -
Having lived in Jerusalem for almost ten years and earned a Masters Degree in Archaeology from the University of the Holy Land, Joel is a highly sought after tour leader and teacher. A pastor for a number of years before moving his family to Israel, Joel powerfully weaves together his understanding of Biblical archaeology and his belief in the truth of the Bible.
While he has participated in numerous digs with world-renowned archaeologists at sites such as The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and The Mount Zion Dig in Jerusalem, Joel is best known for his teaching related to the archaeology of Jericho. In 2010 he produced a film, Jericho Unearthed, which explains how the archaeology there, though disputed by some, lines up perfectly with the Biblical account of Joshua's conquest of Jericho.
Joel teaches passionately about archaeology and how it relates to the Bible; however, his teaching style isn't, "believe me because I say so." Instead he offers direct source material: archaeology reports, published books and journal articles, aerial photographs, linguistic references, historical records, ancient texts and the Bible. His desire is deeper than just to convince you of the validity and profoundness of the Bible. He wants to equip you to convince others!
Joel's unique specialty is his understanding of archaeological and Biblical locations in the West Bank. Numerous significant sites are found there, but many tours to Israel miss out on these important places. A few examples are Tel Balata (ancient Shechem) where Abraham first entered the land of Canaan, which Jacob later made his home; and, where onecan still stand, looking up at Mount Gerazim and Mount Ebal, and imagine hearing the Israelites echoing blessings and curses back to each other. Another site, Mamre, commemorates where the announcement was made to Abraham and Sarah that Isaac, the long-promised son, was finally going to be born. Still today, Jacob's Well offers refreshing water as it did for Jesus and the Samaritan woman.
After touring and learning with Joel, you will have a powerful perspective that unites Biblical truth with clear evidence. At the end of your time with Joel, reading your Bible will be a rich, new experience!
Having lived in Jerusalem for almost ten years and earned a Masters Degree in Archaeology from the University of the Holy Land, Joel is a highly sought after tour leader and teacher. A pastor for a number of years before moving his family to Israel, Joel powerfully weaves together his understanding of Biblical archaeology and his belief in the truth of the Bible.
While he has participated in numerous digs with world-renowned archaeologists at sites such as The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and The Mount Zion Dig in Jerusalem, Joel is best known for his teaching related to the archaeology of Jericho. In 2010 he produced a film, Jericho Unearthed, which explains how the archaeology there, though disputed by some, lines up perfectly with the Biblical account of Joshua's conquest of Jericho.
Joel teaches passionately about archaeology and how it relates to the Bible; however, his teaching style isn't, "believe me because I say so." Instead he offers direct source material: archaeology reports, published books and journal articles, aerial photographs, linguistic references,
Having lived in Jerusalem for almost ten years and earned a Masters Degree in Archaeology from the University of the Holy Land, Joel is a highly sought after tour leader and teacher. A pastor for a number of years before moving his family to Israel, Joel powerfully weaves together his understanding of Biblical archaeology and his belief in the truth of the Bible.
While he has participated in numerous digs with world-renowned archaeologists at sites such as The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and The Mount Zion Dig in Jerusalem, Joel is best known for his teaching related to the archaeology of Jericho. In 2010 he produced a film, Jericho Unearthed, which explains how the archaeology there, though disputed by some, lines up perfectly with the Biblical account of Joshua's conquest of Jericho.
Joel teaches passionately about archaeology and how it relates to the Bible; however, his teaching style isn't, "believe me because I say so." Instead he offers direct source material: archaeology reports, published books and journal articles, aerial photographs, linguistic references, historical records, ancient texts and the Bible. His desire is deeper than just to convince you of the validity and profoundness of the Bible. He wants to equip you to convince others!
Joel's unique specialty is his understanding of archaeological and Biblical locations in the West Bank. Numerous significant sites are found there, but many tours to Israel miss out on these important places. A few examples are Tel Balata (ancient Shechem) where Abraham first entered the land of Canaan, which Jacob later made his home; and, where onecan still stand, looking up at Mount Gerazim and Mount Ebal, and imagine hearing the Israelites echoing blessings and curses back to each other. Another site, Mamre, commemorates where the announcement was made to Abraham and Sarah that Isaac, the long-promised son, was finally going to be born. Still today, Jacob's Well offers refreshing water as it did for Jesus and the Samaritan woman.
After touring and learning with Joel, you will have a powerful perspective that unites Biblical truth with clear evidence. At the end of your time with Joel, reading your Bible will be a rich, new experience!
historical records, ancient texts, and the Bible. His desire is deeper than just to convince you of the validity and profoundness of the Bible. He wants to equip you to convince others!
Joel's unique specialty is his understanding of archaeological and Biblical locations in the West Bank. Numerous significant sites are found there, but many tours to Israel miss out on these important places. A few examples are Tel Balata (ancient Shechem) where Abraham first entered the land of Canaan, which Jacob later made his home; and where one can still stand, looking up at Mount Gerazim and Mount Ebal, and imagine hearing the Israelites echoing blessings and curses back to each other. Another site, Mamre, commemorates where the announcement was made to Abraham and Sarah that Isaac, the long-promised son, was finally going to be born. Still today, Jacob's Well offers refreshing water as it did for Jesus and the Samaritan woman.
After touring and learning with Joel, you will have a powerful perspective that unites Biblical truth with clear evidence. At the end of your time with Joel, reading your Bible will be a rich, new experience!
Tour Cost:
$5,595 per person (land only)
$6,995 per person (round trip airfare from Chicago)
Total Cost:
- $5,595 land cost only (you are responsible for your airfare) or $6,995 with roundtrip air from Chicago arranged through Pilgrim Tours, including current air taxes and fuel surcharges. (taxes and fuel charges are subject to change)
- $300/person registration fee (applies toward the total cost)
- price is based on a minimum of 20 passengers
- price is based on double occupancy for hotel accommodations
Cost Includes:
- Joel teaching each day
- local guide
- all lodging
- breakfast and dinner each day (in hotels)
- all transportation during tour days
- all entrance fees and any incidental site fees
- baggage handling at hotels (one piece of luggage)
- whisper headset
- tips to driver, guide, and hotel staff
Cost does not include:
- lunches or any personal items (gifts, snacks, personal travel, etc.)
- mini-bar/alcohol/other beverages
- optional travel insurance (available at registration if you desire to purchase) Link for information about the travel insurance: https://www.pilgrimtours.com/company/insurance.htm
- hotel costs incurred for early arrival/late departure
- transportation for personal excursions
- airfare - if registering for land cost only
- travel from/to the airport in Israel - if registering for land cost only
Additional Costs:
- If you wish to have a private, single room, there is an additional single supplement cost of $1,500.
Payment Deadlines
- Immediately: (spots fill quickly!)
a registration deposit of $300/person to secure a spot on the study trip (registration cutoff Nov. 29, 2025) - January 17, 2026:
final payment due for March 21-April 2, 2026 tour
Cancellation Deadlines/Fees
- 151+ days prior to tour: $100 per service fee
- 150-61 days prior to tour: deposit amount lost
- 60-46 days prior to tour: 45% of tour cost
- 45-31 days prior to tour: 65% of tour cost
- 30-8 days prior to tour: 85% of tour cost
- 7 days or less prior to tour: 100% of tour cost
-
- all cancellations must be received in writing
- airline penalties vary by carrier and are not part of the percentages listed above
- travel insurance is non-refundable
- refunds will be issued minus the applicable cancellation fees and and any non-refundable services purchased
Trip Itinerary
DAY 1: ARRIVE / MEET-UP
- make your way from Ben Gurion airport to the hotel
- supper (apx. 6pm) / group orientation meeting (apx. 7pm)
DAY 2: THE COASTAL PLAINS & THE JEZREEL VALLEY
- Joppa - Considered a pivotal city in God's message going out to the Gentiles; Jonah attempted to flee from there when told to go to Nineveh, and years later the Lord prepared Peter to go to from Joppa to the household of the Roman centurion, Cornelius.
- Caesarea Maritima - built by Herod the Great, the Roman headquarters in Judea, site of a massive temple to Caesar Augustus from whom the city derives its name, where Holy Spirit was first poured out on gentiles (Cornelius and his family), where Paul was imprisoned before being sent to Rome, an important place in the development of the early church.
- Tel Megiddo - a Biblical city that guarded the main coastal travel route; the gathering place for the final Battle of Armageddon
DAY 3: SEA OF GALILEE
- Nazareth - (Church of the Annunciation) where the angel Gabriel announced the birth of the Messiah to the virgin Mary, town where Jesus grew up, significant archaeological remains
- Mount Arbel / Mount Tabor (driving by)
- Capernaum - the headquarters of Jesus' Galilean ministry, where Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law
- Boat Ride on the Sea of Galilee - much of Jesus' ministry took place on the northern portion of the Sea of Galilee
DAY 4: NORTHERN GALILEE
- Hazor - the head of all the Canaanite kingdoms, the key city for Joshua's northern conquest, burned by Joshua, one of the key cities built up by King Solomon
- Tel Dan - the northernmost city in ancient Israel, capital city of the tribal territory of Dan
- Caesarea Philippi / Banias - cult site for the worship of the god Pan, location of Peter's confession of Christ, one of the springs that feeds the headwaters of the Jordan River
- Golan Heights - northernmost area of Israel
DAY 5: JORDAN RIFT VALLEY
- Beth She'an - the place where Saul and his sons were hung on the city wall by the Philistines, the only Greek Decapolis city on the west side of the Jordan River
- Masada - fortress used by Herod the Great, site of one of the last stands against the Romans in the First Jewish Revolt
- Qumran/Dead Sea Scroll Cave (hike) - area where the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered in a series of 11 caves, Cave #1 is where the initial discovery was made
DAY 6: JERUSALEM
- Hezekiah's Broad Wall - built by Hezekiah to expand Jerusalem in order to take in refugees from the 10 northern tribes fleeing from the Assyrian army, the wall was breached by the Babylonians in 586 BC
- Western Wall - a Jewish holy site, the foundation wall on the western side of the platform (the Temple Mount) on which the Jewish temple stood
- Southern Archaeology Park - within this park are the original steps that led to the temple entrance as it stood in Jesus' time, piled up stones thrown down from the temple in the 70 AD destruction of Jerusalem
- City of David: the site of Melchizedek's city of Salem which David conquered from the Jebusites and made the capital of Israel
- David's Palace - David's residence, a monumental building
- Hezekiah's Tunnel (walking through) - the water tunnel built by Hezekiah to prepare for the Assyrian invasion
- David's Tomb - the site where King David was buried
- Ben Hinnom Valley / Gehenna - the lowest valley in Jerusalem, the place that represents Judah's sin of child sacrifice, the location where Judas hanged himself after betraying Jesus
DAY 7: BENJAMIN / JUDEA
- Ein Gedi (hike) - a wilderness hideout where David and his men hid from Saul
- Jericho - first city the Israelites conquered after crossing the Jordan River into the Promised Land
- Dead Sea - float in the incredibly salty water of the Dead Sea
DAY 8: EPHRAIM / SAMARIA
- Jacob's Well - site where Jesus conversed with the Samaritan woman in John's Gospel
- Shechem - a Biblical city which is the location of many Old Testament stories including Abraham, Jacob, Joshua, Rehoboam, in between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal where the Israelites renewed the covenant
- Samaria - the final capital of the northern kingdom of Israel before it was destroyed by the Assyrians, later built up by Herod the Great
- Bethel - second-most mentioned city in Israel after Jerusalem, associated with Jacob's staircase/ladder dream
- Ai - the second city that the Israelites attacked after Jericho
- Burj Beitin - where Abraham pitched his tent and worshiped God
DAY 9: JUDAH
- Bethlehem - (The Church of the Nativity) the birthplace of Jesus
- Mamre - the campsite where the Lord appeared to Abraham and Sarah and promised that Isaac was to be born
- Hebron/Machpella - where the Biblical patriarchs and matriarchs are buried (Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, Leah), location from which David ruled over the southern kingdom of Judah for seven-and-a-half years
DAY 10: JESUS DAY
- Mount Moriah/Temple Mount (7am) - where Abraham was to sacrifice Isaac, where Solomon and Zerubbabel built temples, Jesus' teaching platform
- Mount of Olives - location where Jesus ascended into heaven and to which He will return
- Garden of Gethsemane - site where Jesus prayed before his crucifixion and where he was betrayed by Judas
- Herod's Palace Complex - the monumental palace Herod built for himself in Jerusalem
- Gabbatha - the location of Jesus' trial under Pontius Pilate
- Golgotha - site of Jesus' crucifixion
- Tomb of Jesus - where Jesus was buried and resurrected
- Church of the Apostles - location of the Last Supper and Pentecost
DAY 11: WESTERN FOOTHILS
- Tel Gezer - city that the Pharaoh of Egypt conquered and gave to King Solomon as a wedding present, very interesting Canaanite high place
- Azehkah/Elah Valley - area of the battle between David and Goliath
- Lachish - the second most important city in Judah after Jerusalem, conquered by Joshua, Sennacherib and Nebuchadnezzar
- Farewell Dinner - our last time together as a group to recap and reflect about the tour
DAY 12: TRAVEL / ARRIVE HOME
- Transfer to Tel Aviv airport for flight home. (Because of the time difference, you may arrive home on the same date that you depart Israel.)
*The tour will follow this itinerary as much as possible. However, at times, circumstances beyond control may require changes (ex: weather conditions, transportation delays/issues, site closures, medical emergencies, political events, local holidays, etc.).