Walk through the Bible on a Holy Land Pilgrimage
The first morning on our Holy Land pilgrimage, we depart for the Galilee to visit Biblical sites at Caesarea Maritima, where Peter proclaimed the Good News to the Roman Centurion. We also see Megiddo and Mt. Carmel, where Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal. Then we continue on to Nazareth (Jesus’ childhood home), Cana (location of Jesus’ first miracle) and the Mt. of Precipitation. We then arrive in Tiberias near the Sea of Galilee. We begin the next day of the Holy Land pilgrimage at Tabgha (the traditional site of the feeding of the 5000) and the Church of the Primacy of St. Peter. We spend time reflecting and worshiping at the Mt. of Beatitudes and then head to Capernaum, Jesus’ base for His early ministry. Afterwards, we board a replica wooden “Jesus Boat” to set sail on the Sea of Galilee. In the afternoon, we make our way to the Jordan River and we return to Tiberias in the evening.
Experience the Holy City of Jerusalem
The following day of our Holy Land pilgrimage, we travel north to the Golan Heights for a beautiful view of northern Israel’s landscape. Then we head to Caesarea Philippi where Peter confessed, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:13-16). We embark on a short hike to Tel Dan to see the altar of Jeroboam before heading to Gideon Springs. Next on the Holy Land pilgrimage, we visit Beit Shean, one of the best preserved Decapolis Roman cities. This is where King Saul and his sons’ bodies were hung from the city walls after being defeated by the Philistines. Finally, we ascend to the majestic city of Jerusalem. After breakfast, we drive to Qumran, the settlement of the first century sect the Essenes, authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls. From here, the Holy Land pilgrimage heads to Ein Gedi where David hid from King Saul. We then travel south along the western shore of the Dead Sea toward Masada where we ascend by cable car up to King Herod’s astonishing fortress. Afterwards, we make a special stop at the Dead Sea for a short swim or float.
Walk the Palm Sunday Road
We begin today on the beautiful Mt. of Olives to behold the famous, breathtaking panorama of the Holy City. Our Holy Land pilgrimage proceeds down the Old Palm Sunday Road to the ancient olive grove at the Garden of Gethsemane. Then we visit the Church of the Agony (Church of All Nations) where Jesus prayed before his arrest. We enter Jerusalem and proceed to the Western (Wailing) Wall, the holiest site in Judaism. Beyond the wall lies the 35-acre temple area purchased by King David, called the Temple Mount. This area is the third holiest shrine in Islam, housing both the El-Aqsa Mosque and the magnificent Dome of the Rock. From the temple area, we make our way to St. Stephen’s Gate to walk the Via Dolorosa, including St. Anne’s Crusader Church, Pools of Bethesda, the Pavement (where Jesus stood while being tried by Pilate), Ecce Homo Arch, and the ancient Cardo. We continue the Holy Land pilgrimage to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Then we take a short walk to the original steps that Jesus climbed as he entered the Temple area. We end today in Bethlehem, passing by Rachel’s tomb on the outskirts. We then visit the Church of the Nativity and Shepherds’ Field. The next morning, we visit the Shrine of the Book Museum to see the Dead Sea Scrolls and the 1:50 scale model of Jerusalem as it would have appeared in Jesus’ time. Next on the Holy Land pilgrimage, we drive to the City of David. Afterwards, we take a short walk to Hezekiah’s Tunnel (conditions permitting). Anyone wanting to stay dry can walk through Hezekiah’s shaft. We end our day in worship at Golgotha and the Garden Tomb. The next morning, we have leisure time in Jerusalem, then we depart late morning for the Elah Valley to see the brook where David slew Goliath. From here, we continue our drive to Jaffa for a special Farewell Dinner. Those not taking the extension will transfer to the airport for the flight home at the end of our Holy Land pilgrimage.
Continue the Pilgrimage to Egypt
Today we drive to Egypt. Upon arrival at the Taba border, we transfer to our hotel in St. Catherine. The next morning, we meet at 2:00 a.m. to start our day by climbing Moussa Mountain with our local guide (those who choose not to climb, can stay back at the hotel). On the southern end of the collection of peaks, is Mount Moussa (Mountain of Moses), biblically considered to be where Moses received the Ten Commandments from God. Afterwards we continue our Holy Land pilgrimage to St. Catherine’s Monastery at the foot of the mountain. We then transfer to Sharm El Sheikh airport for our short flight to Cairo. Upon arrival in Cairo, we transfer to our hotel. The following day, we visit some of Egypt’s oldest sites and enjoy a camel ride. We first visit the Pyramids of Giza. The Great Pyramid of Cheops is the largest and we enter this pyramid to visit the King’s Chamber. Nearby, we visit the Solar Boat Museum, to see an ancient Egyptian cedar wood boat dating back 4,500 years. We also visit the Great Sphinx. Then, we see the Necropolis of Sakkara, to see King Zoser’s Step Pyramid. This vast site in the heart of the desert plateau is the largest necropolis in Egypt. We end the day in Memphis, to see the limestone Colossus of Ramses II. Here the remnants of the nation’s first capital and once the most cosmopolitan city in Egypt now lie scattered in the desert. After breakfast the next morning, we enjoy a tour of the Museum of Antiquities. The museum houses the greatest collection of Pharaonic treasures in the world. We continue to visit the Citadel. Inside, we see the Alabaster Mosque of Mohammed Ali. We continue to the famous Suspended Church, dating back to the late fourth and early fifth centuries. We then visit the Church of St. Sergius, a fifth-century Coptic church built in the cave where the Holy Family stayed. We come to the Synagogue of Ben Ezra, where Moses was saved by Pharaoh’s water girl. Finally today, we stroll through the Khan El Khalili Bazaar, a bustling warren of shops where you can bargain for rugs, copper and leather crafts, and much more. We end our Holy Land pilgrimage with a transfer to the airport for our return flight home.