With Your Hosts:
JESSE C. LONG, JR., PhD
PROFESSOR of OLD TESTAMENT and BIBLICAL ARCHAEOLOGY SMITH COLLEGE of BIBLICAL STUDIES, LCU
With graduate degrees in Old Testament and biblical archaeology, Jesse serves LCU as Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Archaeology in the Smith College of Biblical Studies. Serving also as Co-director of the Archaeological Expedition to Khirbat Iskandar, Jordan, he has taught Bible and archaeology for over thirty years. One of his greatest pleasures is talking about archaeology and how it brings to life the story of God working in history.
JOANN D. LONG, PhD
PROFESSOR of NURSING DEPARTMENT of NURSING, LCU
Serving as Professor of Nursing at LCU, JoAnn has traveled extensively in the Middle East, first joining her husband Jesse “in the field” in Jordan in 1982. Often asked to present to women’s groups about biblical themes, she is a wonderful teacher who has a passion for all things spiritual.
“Seeing with one’s own eyes the land in which the biblical narrative is set is truly a faith-deepening experience. The stunning sights are equally matched by the expert and winsome instruction provided by Dr. Jesse Long along the way. The Longs are remarkably hospitable guides, and their careful planning makes the trip flow so very smoothly. I can’t recommend this trip enough!”
— Dr. Jeff Cary
Dean, Smith College of Biblical Studies, LCU
TRIP PRICE: $5,400.00
Price includes:
- Deposit ($1,000) - this holds your spot
- Round-trip transportation from Dallas (DFW Ariport)
- Lodging in four-star hotels (based on double occupancy, $1,200 additional cost for a single room)
- Two meals a day (breakfast and dinner)
- Entrance fees, sightseeing, and local guides
- Medical insurance with Gallagher Charitable
- Tips
Price does not include:
- Expenses for passports, trip-cancellation insurance, the noon meal, and incidental personal expenses (e.g., water, snacks, etc.; although bottles of water are often sold at a reduced price by bus drivers).
Deadlines and Dates
- December 3, 2023 @ 8pm CST - Online video call with all that have completed a form
- December 4, 2023 - "Interest and Deposit" Form Deadline
- January 21, 2024 @ 8pm CST - Online video call with all that have completed the "I'm Interested" Form
- February 1, 2024 - "I'm Ready to Register for the Trip" Form Deadline
- February 1, 2024 - Final payment and balance due
- April 1, 2024 - Medical Release and disclosures completed
- April 21, 2024 @ 8pm CST - Final online video call with participants
Day 1: DEPART DALLAS FOR CAIRO
Day 2: ARRIVE IN CAIRO (overnight in Cairo)
Day 3: Pyramids of Giza, Sphinx, Grand Egyptian Museum, Civilization Museum, Meeting at Cairo Church of Christ (overnight in Cairo)
Day 4: Saqqara, Memphis (as time allows) afternoon flight to Tel Aviv, Jaffa (as time allows; overnight in Hadera)
Day 5: Caesarea Maritima, Mt. Carmel, Megiddo, Nazareth Village (overnight in Tiberias)
Day 6: Hazor, Dan, Capernaum, Yigal Allon Museum (Galilee Boat), Boat Ride on Sea of Galilee, Yardenit Baptism Site (overnight in Tiberias)
Day 7: Jezreel (drive by), Beth Shean, Jericho, Qumran, Bethlehem (overnight in Jerusalem)
Day 8: Mt. of Olives, Gethsemane, Grotto of Gethsemane, Israel Museum/Model of Jerusalem/Shrine of the Book, Bethlehem (overnight in Jerusalem)
Day 9: Western Wall, Rabbinic Tunnel, Bethesda, Via Dolorosa, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Garden Tomb (overnight in Jerusalem
Day 10: Jewish Quarter, Whol Museum/Burnt Room, Broad Wall, Cardo, Davidson Archaeological Park, City of David, Hezekiah’s Tunnel, Pool of Siloam (overnight in Jerusalem)
Day 11: Arad, Lachish, Elah Valley, Qeiyafa (overnight in Jerusalem)
Day 12: Arad, Masada, Dead Sea (overnight in Ein Bokek)
Day 13: Cross King Hussein Bridge, Mt. Nebo, Madaba (overnight in Petra)
Day 14: Petra (overnight in Amman)
Day 15: Depart for Dallas (from Amman)
The schedule may be rearranged while on the ground in Israel/Jordan to respond to local holidays/customs and to make the most efficient use of our time.
For additional terms from Inspirational Tours, contact Israel@LCU.edu or 806.720.7230.
First come, first served. If space is available, registration will be accepted after March 19. If the trip is full, you will be placed on a waiting list. If you are placed on a waiting list and do not make it, your deposit will be refunded.
A deposit of $1,000.00 per person, payable via check or credit card, is required at the time of registration. No registration will be processed without a deposit. Full and final payment is due 90 days before departure. Registrations received within 90 days of departure require payment in full. If there is any outstanding balance by the Final Payment due date, all travel services will be subject to automatic cancellation, and cancellation fees will apply.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
In the event you must cancel your reservation, all cancellations must be received in writing, either via:
- E-MAIL (Israel@LCU.edu)
- U.S. MAIL – LCU, Attn: University Advancement,
5601 19th St., Lubbock, TX 79407-2099
The date of the cancellation request is the date used for purposes of any assessed cancellation fees.
Refunds are available in the event you must cancel your reservation. The more notice you give prior to departure, the larger your refund.
- Up to 180 days prior to departure: full refund less $1,000.00 deposit
- 179-90 days prior to departure: 50% of trip cost
- 89 or fewer days prior to departure: no refund
Travel Insurance
LCU requires participants in university trips to have medical insurance for travel. Medical insurance with emergency medical evacuation is included in the cost of the trip. The university STRONGLY RECOMMENDS that participants purchase trip-cancellation insurance. For information on benefits offered by IMG (International Medical Group) and contact information, send a request to Israel@LCU.edu.
The tour host (Lubbock Christian University) serves only as agent for the passenger in regards to travel, by any means, and assumes no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or irregularity which may be occasioned either by acts or defects in any vehicle or for any reason whatsoever, or through the acts or default of any company or person in conveying the passenger or in carrying out the arrangements of the tour. LCU can accept no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, quarantine, pandemic restrictions, or other causes. All such losses and expenses will have to be borne by the passenger as tour rates provide for arrangements only for the time slated.
While the conditions of the tour need to be made clear, it will be our goal to do all we can to provide a quality tour that is safe, biblically informed, and spiritually uplifting. Two weeks with a wonderful group of Christians studying biblical archaeology and history together will be an experience you would not want to miss. We hope to hear from you soon.
Physical Requirements
The trip requires the ability to walk significant distances, sometimes on an incline, and to stand for periods of time. While the group typically progresses at a moderate pace and travelers do not have to participate in every sightseeing activity, participants should carefully consider whether they are physically fit to engage in this trip. To help determine physical readiness for the trip, all participants must complete a basic health questionnaire, and it must be signed by your physician.