What Is It Like to Travel with Taylor Halverson?
Ask the travelers who have gone with Taylor Halverson and Exodus Tours what the trip was like, and the same answers come back again and again. The logistics were seamless — hotels, transport, entrance fees, tips, all handled, nothing left for them to worry about. They learned more than they thought possible. They laughed more than they expected. They felt the Spirit in places they had only read about. Many call it the trip of a lifetime. And nearly all of them say the same thing at the end: they came home changed. Scripture reads differently now. Jesus is no longer someone they only read about.
Walking where Jesus walked
The Israel pilgrimage is the heart of what Taylor offers. Travelers describe visiting the places where the Savior was born, lived, was baptized, taught, healed, blessed, atoned, died, and rose again, and they come home saying scripture reads differently now.
“Can’t imagine a tour to Israel with any other guide being better! We came away with greatly increased knowledge about the history and people, both past and current, core memories, and most importantly, a tangible experience and increased relationship with the Savior from walking where He walked.”— M. Olander, Israel
The days move through Galilee, the Jordan, the wilderness, and Jerusalem: the Sea of Galilee and the Mount of the Beatitudes, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Western Wall, the City of David, Masada, Magdala, Nazareth, and the view over Jerusalem from the BYU Jerusalem Center. Travelers describe the Old and New Testaments coming together in one place.
“Because of his careful planning, we were able to see more places and experience more than most tours. The best tour I have ever had the privilege to participate in!”— Paige Larsen, Israel
You learn from a real scholar
Taylor has taught the weekly Come Follow Me lessons for years, and those lessons have been watched more than 50 million times, alongside 700,000 downloads of the ScripturePlus app. He now teaches through his own Scripture Insights channel and at insights.taylorhalverson.com.
He holds two doctorates: one in Judaism and Christianity in Antiquity, and one in the science of how people learn. He also holds a master’s in Biblical Studies from Yale, and has written 54 books. He blends his training and skills into every itinerary he designs, so that the experience is not simply about making new memories but about transformation.
“It was the equivalent to a fast-tracked master’s degree in the Holy Land.”— Sara Baker, Israel and Jordan
That scholarship extends to the people he hires. When Taylor is not personally leading a departure, the guide is someone he has travelled with and vetted himself.
“All logistics were well planned out and he only uses guides he’s familiar with. Taylor and his family are world travelers, and his tours are created from experiences that he vets from his own travels.”— Tate Hansen, Israel
Church history sites, with the same depth
Taylor leads Church history tours with the same care. Travelers walk the Sacred Grove, climb the Hill Cumorah at sunset, and stand in the rooms at Nauvoo, Carthage, and Liberty where revelation and sacrifice took place, learning how each site connects to the Doctrine and Covenants.
“It felt more like a pilgrimage as we visited each of the sites in the order of the restoration of the gospel. During the bus rides Taylor and his associates provided background information on the upcoming sites and how best to understand and appreciate the historical and spiritual events that took place there.”— Dennis Draleau, LDS Church History
“From beginning to end, everything was thoughtfully planned, organized, and seamless. Walking where the early Saints walked gave us a greater appreciation for their faith, sacrifices, and courage.”— Trisha Mickelson, LDS Church History
You arrive prepared
Your journey begins before you fly. You get access to more than 600 videos Taylor has gathered and organized over three decades of leading trips — arranged by the sites you will visit, so that when you stand on each one you already know what happened there, which scriptures were written or fulfilled on that ground, and why it deepens your understanding of Jesus Christ and His gospel. Included with your tour.
“We were able to learn and prepare before each site to understand what was happening, how it tied into the Old Testament, the New Testament and modern scripture and revelation.”— Missy Riffle, LDS Church History
You will laugh along the way
These trips are joyful. Taylor’s humor runs through every day, and travelers mention the laughter as often as the learning. The days are full, and they are genuinely fun.
Start with a scholar and leave with a friend
Groups usually run thirty to forty travelers, and on some departures a full bus could be fifty to fifty-six people. However large the group, it knits together fast. Taylor learns everyone’s name within a day or two, takes time to testify, and looks after each person.
“What we didn’t consider prior to the trip was how much we would bond with all 34 people who attended. It’s like EFY for adults. Taylor is so knowledgeable, and he takes the time to testify and to get to know everyone in the group.”— Jeron Stokes, LDS Church History
“I was already impressed with Taylor, having seen him on the Come Follow Me podcast, so I had very high expectations but this experience far exceeded those expectations. It felt like our group of 38 was one big happy family.”— linda bain, LDS Church History
That care shows most clearly when something goes wrong.
“Having Taylor as our guide was like having our personal good shepherd. We loved that no question was ignored and that he was always ready to go the second mile. My husband got quite ill suddenly and he made sure we had excellent care.”— Betty Winchell, Israel
Taylor is often joined by trusted friends and fellow teachers. Every guide who teaches for Exodus Tours is a master teacher — experienced, engaging, and genuinely interested in the people they travel with. Travelers arrive as strangers and go home having gained friends they keep for years.
“You start off your tour with a scholar and end with a friend.”— Becky Kuan, Israel
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Why Exodus Tours
You bring your bags and your plane tickets. Taylor and his team handle everything else.
Tours include upscale hotels and comfortable transportation, whisper headsets so you catch every word at every site, local guides Taylor knows and trusts personally, entrance fees, all tips, and airport transfers — plus the 600-video preparation library before you leave home.
The planning shows in the pace of the days, and in the things that do not happen to you.
“My sister-in-law went with a different group the week after and spent up to 13 hours on a bus. We were only on the bus for up to a couple of hours at a time.”— Raymond Morris, LDS Church History
“Taylor’s connections in Israel and Jordan made our time much more efficient. We never stood in lines.”— Neal Harris, Israel and Jordan
“We were taken shopping only once, as opposed to other tour operators where so much of the tour is spent shopping and waiting for two bus loads of people to make up their minds. The best part was that we were on one bus with one group.”— Diane Whittaker, Israel and India
Many travelers marvel at how much they experienced for what they paid.
“The trip was worth twice the cost which was very reasonable to begin with. Exceptional!! Are 7 stars an option?”— Scott and Geri Conlin, LDS Church History
Beyond Israel and Church history
Taylor leads cultural and historical immersion tours worldwide — educational cruises and land-based journeys through Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Central America, and private custom family journeys built around what your family wants to see.
“We have enjoyed a trip to Egypt and one to India and Nepal using Exodus Tours. It is the best company we have ever used. Everything was managed seamlessly and we didn’t have to worry about anything from airport to airport.”— Sharron Poole, Egypt and India/Nepal
“All we had to do was show up in the mornings at the given time, and he took care of the rest. He had all of our transportation, tickets, gratuities, taxis all ordered and paid for.”— Kym Ney, Northern Europe cruise
“Taylor customized our shore excursions and itinerary to make our Alaskan cruise the most memorable trip of our lifetime. He made traveling stress free.”— Susan Vallette, custom Alaska cruise
These are full, active days
You will walk several miles and climb your share of stairs. Travelers agree the richness of it is worth every step — and they say so plainly, which is part of why they are worth trusting.
“This is not a relaxing vacation. In order to see everything, we were constantly on the go.”— Jackie Duerden, Israel
“If you want a leisurely tour, this may not be for you. If you want full days of being immersed in all things Israel by a knowledgeable and engaging tour guide, then I would certainly consider Taylor Halverson’s Exodus tours.”— Roger Platt, Israel
You come home changed
The most common thing travelers say is also the simplest. Above all, they remember how they felt. They also felt safe — including those who arrived nervous, and those who came alone.
“We felt exceptionally safe at all times! The hotels were excellent and the food was great. My goal was to feel the Holy Land and have a spiritual experience. I did! My husband rated the trip a 10 out of 10. He never gives a 10. I would go again in a heartbeat!!!”— Jill Goodrich, Israel, November 2025
“I felt safe traveling by myself.”— Diana Hubner, Israel
“We felt very safe. Don’t hesitate, you will not regret it.”— Jackie Duerden, Israel
People come home with a stronger testimony, a deeper love for Jesus, memories they treasure, and friendships that last. Many begin planning their next trip before this one has even ended.
Come see for yourself
Browse upcoming pilgrimages to Israel and the Holy Land, Church history tours, and destinations around the world — or reach out to plan a private family journey.
Israel & the Holy LandChurch History ToursPrivate & Family Tours
Frequently asked questions
What is an Israel pilgrimage with Taylor Halverson like?
You travel through Galilee, the Jordan, the wilderness, and Jerusalem, standing in the places where Jesus taught, healed, atoned, and rose again, with a biblical scholar teaching at every site. Travelers consistently describe it as the trip of a lifetime.
What kinds of tours does Taylor Halverson lead?
Taylor leads cultural and historical immersion tours worldwide. Israel and the Holy Land are the heart of it, along with LDS Church history sites across New York, Ohio, Missouri and Illinois. He also leads educational cruises and land-based journeys through Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Central America — and has guided travelers to Egypt, Jordan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Alaska and the U.S. national parks. Private, custom family journeys go wherever your family wants to go. The destination changes; the method does not. You arrive knowing why the place matters, and you come home understanding it.
What is included in the tour price?
Upscale hotels, comfortable transportation, whisper headsets, local guides, entrance fees, all tips, and airport transfers, along with more than 600 preparation videos before you leave home. You arrange your own flights.
Are the tours physically demanding?
Yes, in the best way. Expect full days with several miles of walking and many stairs. A little preparation beforehand makes them manageable for a wide range of ages.
Is it safe to travel to Israel with Exodus Tours?
Travelers consistently report feeling very safe. Taylor plans routes carefully, works with local guides he knows and trusts, and looks after every guest personally.
Will I feel welcome traveling on my own or as a family?
Yes. Groups usually run thirty to forty travelers, and on some departures a full bus could be fifty to fifty-six people. However large the group, it knits together fast — solo travelers, couples, and multi-generational families all thrive on these trips.
Exodus Tours offers scholar-led Latter-day Saint and private tours designed and led by Taylor Halverson, Ph.D., a biblical scholar and world civilizations expert who has guided travelers to Israel and around the world for decades.