Special Educational and Devotional Trips
hosted by Brent & Angie MacDonald
 in association with Lion Tracks Ministries

DTI Bible Lands 2013

Bible teacher and researcher Brent MacDonald, together with his wife Angie, currently host a public trip to the Bible Lands every second year. DTI Bible Lands is designed to take you on a journey through the best of the Bible Lands as a once in a lifetime experience. Unlike typical tourist and church trips, with myriads of traditional sites and tourist traps, this trip is focused on authentic locations and archaeological sites.  This unparallelled experience, from an evangelical and scholarly perspective, is filled with learning from beginning to end -- some college participants have even been given course credit for what they have learned.  Since no two trips are alike, it's no wonder many have come more than once.

While we initially offered Turkey & Israel in our 2013 trip, due to insufficient demand we have removed Turkey and added an extended visit to Upper and Lower Egypt, along with extra time in Israel.  This trip is intentionally very limited in size and will be similar to our 2007 trip for group mobility (see photo below).


Our group at Giza during the 2007 trip

Our 2011 trip Coffee Table Book preview is here
Our 2009 trip Coffee Table Book preview is here


2013 Trip Details
More specifics and links will be posted in upcoming weeks.

2013 Printable Registration Form

DTI Bible Lands 2013
Trip of a lifetime to Egypt, Sinai and Israel (16 day trip)

Trip Date: February 17 - March 4, 2013

Bible Content & Timeline: Old Testament (Life of Abraham & Joseph, Egyptian Captivity & Exodus; Conquests of Joshua, Battle of Jericho, Solomon, Divided Kingdom and much more Old Testament); New Testament (Joseph, Mary & Jesus in Egypt, life of Jesus, crucifixion and resurrection, the Apostles)

Hotels: Mostly 5 star hotels and resorts (especially in Egypt, which makes for fully safe dining!), a few 4+ star hotels (especially where there are no 5 stars available, e.g. Mt. Sinai).

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner (Supper) included.  Meals are typically amazing buffets.  Excludes beverages.

Sites: Includes governmental or private entrance fees to all specified sites.

Learning: Bible teacher and long time explorer Brent MacDonald provides Biblical insight, instruction, and materials troughout.  Additionally we have top-notch professional local guides who will provide insight into the local customs, cultures, geography and history (all in English, of course). 

Transportation: Includes all airfares (trans-Atlantic and Egyptian in-country) plus in-country tour bus transportation and boating on the Sea of Galilee and sailing on the Nile River.  Does not include any donkeys, horses, camels, or other four-footed transporation, as such experiences are optional (and highly encouraged).

Pricing: We did it again!  We have this 16 day trip priced at almost $300 under our last trip, even while retaining a relatively expensive in-country flight (in Egypt).  Our trip of a lifetime is far under equivalent excursions, if you can find one (we've found shorter and less detailed trips costing well over $1400 more!).  We are a non-profit focused on making this trip affordable Christian education for everyone.  Tour cost: $3449. [All fine print is here]  Registration deposit is $500 4.

 

Our group on the Temple Mount, Jerusalem, during our 2011 trip

Itinerary

 NEW!  All items marked new have not been included in the last two trips.

Egypt (Upper Egypt, Lower Egypt, Delta)

  • Day 1 - Depart from NY, USA (JFK) for Cairo, Egypt

  • Day 2 - Arrive Cairo, transfer to Giza.  Stay at Le Meridien Pyramids

  • Day 3 - Giza Pyramids (including entering queen's pyramid NEW!) & Sphinx, Memphis and Saqqara (Step Pyramid & Causeway NEW! and butcher's tomb NEW!, Mastaba of Ti, Teti Pyramid), Dashur Pyramids (Red/Bent/Queen's). NEW!  Stay at Le Meridien Pyramids  [Leave large luggage at Hotel, only take carry-ons to Luxor]

  • Day 4 - Early morning flight to Luxor NEW!.  Karnak Temple NEW!, (optional Luxor Museum in afternoon or free time), Felucca sail on Nile at Sunset NEW!, Luxor Temple at night. NEW! Stay at Sonesta St George, Luxor

  • Day 5 - Valley of the Kings NEW!, Valley of the workers NEW!, Temple of Hatshepsut NEW!, Colossae of Memnon. NEW! Stay at Sonesta St George, Luxor

  • Day 6 - Drive to visit Dendera Temple Complex NEW!.  Return to Luxor, evening flight to Cairo.  Stay at Le Meridien Pyramids [See large luggage again!]

  • Day 7 - Depart Cairo for Delta (Land of Goshen) - (Bubastis, Pithom [Tel el-Retabeh] if time allows, Succoth [Tell el-Maskhuta], Fortress of Tjaru or Tharo [Tell-Huba] NEW!), stay at Lake Timsah on Suez Canal [Mercure Ismailia Forsan Island

Sinai 

Israel (From the southern tip to the northern border!)

Now Booking. Phone or email for more details or to reserve your spot on this once in a lifetime adventure. As always, our pricing is far under prices of similar trips offered elsewhere (if you can even find one).  Don't miss out as space is very limited!  Since we find smaller groups to be much more mobile, this trip is specially planned to be smaller than our last two trips!

 

Temple of Hatshepsut, Upper Egypt

Luxor Temple, Upper Egypt

Our group at the Mount of Olives, Jerusalem, during our 2009 trip

End Notes ("Fine Print")

1. We have far less fine print than the last trip too!  Simple is always better.

2. The itinerary is subject to change either prior to departure, or on location, due to site conditions, weather, or otherwise.  We will always do as much as we can to make your trip safe and incredible!

3. Includes:  Hotel taxes and service charges, plus  porterage of 1 large bag per person at our hotels. Does not include: personal spending money for souvenirs, airport departure/government taxes and fuel surcharges (est. total $485), visa to Egypt (paid on arrival approximately $20 US), border tax entering Israel (paid on arrival approximately $25 US), tips to guides, drivers, and hotel restaurant staff (combined $12/day total), optional camel/donkey/cart rides, optional lunches, snacks and bottled water, and travel from your home to and from NY.  To make things easier for you, we normally collect the tip money in advance and disburse it on your behalf throughout the trip (... and if you are feeling blessed/grateful/generous at any time throughout the trip you can always tip more if you wish).  Rate is based on double occupancy.  Single supplement is available at extra charge (but we will do our best to pair you with another traveller to save this cost, if you wish).

4. Your deposit is refundable up to 120 days before departure excluding a $150 administrative fee. This administrative fee became common practice of our travel company three years ago (... whom we work very hard to make our unique trips possible!). Full non-refundable payment of the balance is required 75 days before departure (December 3, 2012). While not required, we suggest, and many people use, travel medical and trip cancellation insurance: see InsureMyTrip.com for lots of options.



Trip host Brent MacDonald considering the crossing of the Red Sea on the shore (Egypt 2009)


Trip host Brent MacDonald at Succoth in the Land of Goshen (Egypt 2007)

 

This is an unbeatable value and experience.


Wondering what to expect on a trip like ours?
Listen to what other had to say about our last few trips...


On the Sea of Galilee, I could feel the presence of God in every heart on that boat, and Petra was just indescribable.  It was an incredible experience, and everything we did was awesome!  Amanda F, USA


I feel like I've traveled the world on just this one trip! Anna B, USA


Trip of a lifetime for us.  Well organized, guides were wonderful.  It really makes the Bible come alive... To see where Jesus walked was worth the trip.  Shelley & David L, Canada


Awesome Trip, packed with so much!  Book (created by Brent for each pariticipant) is and will be a great reference to the terrific places we have been.  Particularly enjoyed the Sea of Galilee.  Felt very safe with group too.  Peggy & Gary B, Canada


Outstanding trip! What an experience to walk in Moses' and Jesus' footsteps. Dave P, USA


Thanks for the amazing trip - it is so exciting to stand and see the places we've heard about all our lives. Thanks for the research you've done and how you made the places of the Bible come alive! Debbie M, Canada

Again, just an awesome experience!  I learned so much more the second time.  Loved Jordan - it was very pleasant as well as a wealth of Biblical history.  Debbie M., Canada


Thank you so much for leading us through the experience of a lifetime. I cannot read the Bible ever again in the same way. Billy P., USA


What an amazing opportunity! I cannot think of a better way to learn. These two weeks have been a grand example of discipleship, unlike what we typically see in America. C. Johnson, USA


"I'm glad I was your guide today... I would have never seen this!" Comment from our licenced, long-time, guide in Israel upon having seen an amazing excavation of a Biblical site that most trips never get to see.


Bible stories became even more alive. I trust that I will be a better teacher because of it. Keep on learning and passing it on to others. I hope to return again... Mark F., USA


"Can I video tape your teaching at the sites we will be at tomorrow? I'm working on my masters thesis, on the Hebrews in Egypt, and I've never seen these archaeological sites before." Comment from our licensed, long-time, guide in Egypt after hearing specifics of what historical Old Testament sites we would be visiting after leaving Cairo.


The Old Testament has come to life in a new way. Cindy L., USA


Thank you so much for making the most memorable trip of my life possible. Sue F., USA


My personal highlights are what I call my "wow" moments - the times I kind of stood back and said "look where I am, look what I'm doing." They are...

  1. Mt. Sinai - particularly seeing the sunrise from the top

  2. Petra - specifically singing in the Urn tomb after reading the passage from Isaiah - it felt like we were answering God's call we'd just read
  3. Petra - galloping [on a horse] across the plains - quite a location for my first gallop!
  4. Sodom - at one point I looked and I could just SEE that this was what was left - also the scope of the site made an impression
  5. Tel Dan - singing along with the group that was before us felt like reclaiming lost ground for the true God
  6. Megiddo [Armageddon] - Welcome to the end of the world. Enough said.
  7. Mediterranean Sea - I love the ocean, so just being near salt water on that scale was great for me
  8. Caiaphas' palace - singing in what might have been Jesus' cell
  9. Church of the Holy Sepulchre - singing outside the tomb we looked at
  10. Masada was also a highlight for me - it got missed because it didn't have a "moment." The history of it is just so cool.

A lot of the ["wow"] moments that stuck with me have to do with singing. They were amazing sites before we started singing, I just think the singing woke me up to pay attention to where I was.

It's hard to think of what to tell people to expect. They should definitely plan to spend a lot more [on souvenirs] than they think they will, unless they have iron wills. Other than that, I found myself very well prepared by what you had emailed me.

The entire trip was just so great!   J. Mahar, Canada


J. Mahar getting ready to go up Mount Sinai by camel (2007)

 


 

The Temple Mount in Jerusalem (from the Mount of Olives)

 

Flash presentation previewing some sights to be seen - prepared for 2007 trip (4.4 MB)

 

 
Reasons to come ...

#1. Incredible opportunity to see multiple countries and a multitude of authentic Bible sites and artifacts. Other trips to modern Israel, without the context of all of ancient Israel and the Egyptian captivity, fail to create a true historical Biblical perspective.

#2. Incredible price! This price is virtually unheard of... as a Christian educational based non-profit we're not in this to make money as so many other trips do.

#3. This trip will change how you understand and view Bible-times events and places.

#4. It will help you to be a better Bible teacher or student of the Word!

#5. You'll regret not coming! The number one comment we've heard at many Bible sites are people saying they wished had done this years before. In fact, many decide to come again!



DON’T MISS OUT!

RESERVE YOUR SPOT FOR OUR NEXT TRIP NOW

Previous trip offerings include:

See the itinerary at the top of this page for details on our current trip.