Pilgrimage | Catholic/Orthodox*/Anglican*/Protestant* *This program is prepared to suit Catholic pilgrimage, but could be revised to suit Protestant/Anglican/Orthodox congregations.

• Three biblical lands come together in one extraordinary Catholic pilgrimage through Jordan, Israel and Egypt.
• Mount Nebo opens the journey with the legacy of Moses and his vision of the Promised Land.
• Petra reveals the beauty and heritage of the ancient Nabataean world, carved into the rose-red mountains of Jordan.
• Wadi Rum unfolds as a vast desert landscape of dramatic cliffs and wilderness, adding a memorable dimension to biblical Jordan.
• The Jordan River recalls the Baptism of Christ, while Jericho and the Judean wilderness bring His early ministry vividly to life.
• Bethlehem and Jerusalem stand at the heart of the pilgrimage, from Christ’s birth to His Passion, Crucifixion and Holy Sepulchre.
• Nazareth, Cana and the shores of Galilee bring the years of Christ’s hidden life and public ministry into vivid focus.
• Mount Carmel, Mount Tabor and Galilee connect the pilgrimage with the prophets, the Transfiguration and Christ’s ministry among His disciples.
• Sinai recalls Moses, the Burning Bush and the covenant between God and His people, continuing the journey into Egypt.
• Cairo brings the pilgrimage to a remarkable conclusion, from ancient Egypt to the Christian traditions of Old Cairo and the timeless Nile.
• Daily Mass at the most significant shrines.

• Mid day arrival to Amman.
• Arrival in Amman and journey toward Mount Nebo, rising above the biblical landscapes of Jordan. (45 minutes)
• Mount Nebo, where Moses stood overlooking the Promised Land, with the Memorial of Moses recalling the final chapter of his earthly journey.
• Traditional Lunch in the Mount Nebo area.
• Mass at Mount Nebo, in the sacred setting associated with Moses and the Promised Land.
• Transfer to the hotel in Amman. (1 hour)

restaurant Meals

Lunch & Dinner

apartment Accommodation

Amman

• Journey to Petra, the extraordinary rose-red city carved into the mountains of southern Jordan. (3.5 hours)
• Exploration of Petra, revealing the remarkable legacy of the ancient Nabataean civilization and one of the world’s most celebrated archaeological treasures.
• Traditional Lunch in the Petra area.
• Journey onward to Wadi Rum, entering a vast desert landscape of towering cliffs, rugged mountains and sweeping open spaces. (2 Hrs)
• Two-hour Jeep adventure through Wadi Rum, experiencing the dramatic wilderness and timeless beauty of the Jordanian desert.
• Overnight stay in a unique Wadi Rum camp.

restaurant Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

apartment Accommodation

Amman

• Departure from Wadi Rum and northward journey toward the Allenby Border, leaving the vast Jordanian wilderness behind. (4 hours)
• Crossing into Israel, where the landscape changes from the desert expanses of Jordan to the ancient Judean heartland.
• Qasr Al Yahud on the Jordan River, the traditional site of Christ’s Baptism, where the waters recall the opening of His public ministry.
• Jericho, the ancient oasis city at the gateway to the Judean wilderness, with the Sycamore Tree and traditional site associated with Zacchaeus and his encounter with Christ.
• Mount Temptation, reached by cable car above Jericho, rising dramatically from the wilderness traditionally associated with Christ’s Temptation.
• Lunch at Telpherique Sultan Center, overlooking the vast Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea and the mountains stretching eastward into Jordan.
• A brief stop for dates, a specialty of the fertile Jordan Valley.
• Journey to the Dead Sea, where mountains, desert and mineral-rich waters create one of the most extraordinary landscapes of the Holy Land.
• Dead Sea float experience before the journey continues toward Bethlehem.
• Arrival in Bethlehem and transfer to the hotel.

restaurant Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

apartment Accommodation

Bethlehem

• The Mount of Olives, rising opposite the ancient walls of Jerusalem and overlooking the city at the heart of the Gospel story.
• The Chapel of the Ascension and Pater Noster, recalling Christ’s final days on the Mount of Olives and the prayer He taught His disciples.
• Dominus Flevit, traditionally marking the place where Christ wept over Jerusalem, with the Palm Sunday route unfolding below.
• Gethsemane and the Basilica of the Agony, where the ancient olive trees and sacred garden recall Christ’s prayer on the night before His Passion.
• Mount Zion, home to the magnificent Dormition Abbey, traditionally associated with the final days of the Virgin Mary.
• The Upper Room, traditionally associated with the Last Supper and the descent of the Holy Spirit, together with David’s Tomb.
• St. Peter in Gallicantu, recalling Peter’s denial of Christ and the dramatic events surrounding His arrest.
• Journey to Bethlehem, the city forever linked with the birth of Christ.
• BBQ Lunch at a traditional tent restaurant, followed by Shepherds’ Field and the setting associated with the shepherds who first heard the announcement of the Nativity.
• An opportunity to explore Bethlehem’s collection of religious articles and Christian handicrafts.
• The Basilica of the Nativity, embracing the sacred grotto revered as the birthplace of Jesus.

restaurant Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

apartment Accommodation

Bethlehem

• Journey to Haifa and Mount Carmel, where the dramatic coastline meets the biblical landscape associated with the prophet Elijah.
• Stella Maris Monastery and Elijah’s Cave, traditionally associated with the prophet’s presence on Mount Carmel, with views across Haifa and the Mediterranean.
• View of the magnificent Bahá’í Gardens and Temple, cascading down the slopes of Mount Carmel toward the sea.
• Muhraka, the traditional site of Elijah’s confrontation with the prophets of Baal, recalling one of the most dramatic episodes in the Old Testament.
• Journey to Nazareth, the town where Jesus spent His childhood and youth.
• Basilica of the Annunciation, built over the traditional site of the Annunciation, where the story of the Incarnation begins with Mary’s “yes.”
• St. Joseph’s Workshop and Mary’s Well, recalling the humble setting of the Holy Family’s life in Nazareth.
• Lunch at Nazareth.
• Cana of Galilee, the traditional site of Christ’s first miracle, where water was changed into wine at the wedding feast.
• Mass and Renewal of Wedding Vows at Cana, in the setting associated with this first sign of Christ’s public ministry.
• Opportunity to purchase Cana wine as a distinctive memento of the pilgrimage.

restaurant Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

apartment Accommodation

Galilee

• The Mount of Beatitudes, overlooking the Sea of Galilee and traditionally associated with Christ’s Sermon on the Mount.
• Capernaum, the lakeside town that became the center of much of Christ’s Galilean ministry, with the ancient synagogue and the traditional site of St. Peter’s home.
• Tabgha, a sacred landscape associated with several Gospel events, including the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish and Christ’s appearance to His disciples after the Resurrection.
• Mensa Christi and the Church of the Primacy of St. Peter, recalling the risen Christ’s encounter with Peter beside the Sea of Galilee and the renewal of his mission.
• A boat journey across the Sea of Galilee, surrounded by the same waters and hills that formed the setting for much of Christ’s ministry.
• Fresh St. Peter’s Fish Lunch, a local culinary tradition closely associated with the Galilee.
• Journey to Mount Tabor, rising above the Galilean landscape and traditionally identified as the Mount of the Transfiguration.
• Basilica of the Transfiguration, recalling the moment when Christ’s divine glory was revealed before Peter, James and John.
• Transfer to Bethlehem (2 Hrs).

restaurant Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

apartment Accommodation

Bethlehem

• The Old City of Jerusalem, beginning at the Convent of St. Anne and the Pools of Bethesda, where the Gospel of John recounts Christ’s healing of the paralytic who had suffered for thirty-eight years.
• The Via Dolorosa, following the traditional route of Christ’s Passion through the ancient streets of Jerusalem.
• The Chapels of the Flagellation and Condemnation, recalling the events leading to Christ’s journey toward Calvary.
• The Ecce Homo Arch, traditionally associated with Pilate’s presentation of Christ to the crowd.
• The Holy Sepulchre, encompassing the traditional sites of Calvary and the Tomb of Christ and standing at the heart of Christian faith.
• Calvary and Golgotha, where Mass is celebrated at the traditional site of Christ’s Crucifixion.
• Lunch at Jerusalem.
• Journey to Ein Karem, the hill country of Judea where the Gospel places Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth.
• The Basilica of the Visitation, commemorating Mary’s visit to Elizabeth and the proclamation of the Magnificat.
• The Church of St. John the Baptist, traditionally identified with the birthplace of John the Baptist.
• Return to Bethlehem and transfer to the hotel.

restaurant Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

apartment Accommodation

Bethlehem

• Departure from Bethlehem and journey south through the Judean and Negev landscapes toward the Red Sea.
• Brief stop at Ein Gedi, the oasis rising from the shores of the Dead Sea amid the stark beauty of the Judean wilderness.
• Opportunity to purchase genuine Ahava Dead Sea products at the Ahava Factory Outlet.
• Journey through Eilat toward Taba and the southern gateway into Egypt.
• Lunch at Salahaddin Village, Taba.
• Crossing the Taba Border into Egypt, continuing the pilgrimage from the biblical landscapes of Israel into the land of the Exodus.
• Arrival at the Red Sea and transfer to the hotel, with free time to enjoy the tranquil surroundings of the coast.

restaurant Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

apartment Accommodation

Taba

• Journey to St. Catherine, through the dramatic landscapes of the Sinai Peninsula and the wilderness associated with the Exodus.
• St. Catherine’s Monastery, one of Christianity’s oldest continuously functioning monasteries, built around the traditional site of the Burning Bush.
• The Burning Bush, recalling Moses’ encounter with God and the sacred moment when he was called to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.
• A view toward Mount Sinai, traditionally identified as the mountain where Moses received the Ten Commandments and where God’s covenant with His people was reaffirmed.
• Lunch en route the journey across the Sinai Peninsula.
• Journey toward Cairo, with the route passing beneath the Suez Canal as the pilgrimage leaves the Sinai Peninsula and enters mainland Egypt.
• Arrival in Cairo and transfer to the hotel.

restaurant Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

apartment Accommodation

Cairo

• The Giza Plateau, home to the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx, revealing the extraordinary legacy of ancient Egypt.
• The Egyptian Heritage Center and Museum, offering a remarkable glimpse into the civilization, culture and treasures of ancient Egypt.
• Open Buffet Lunch.
• Old Cairo, where centuries of Christian heritage are preserved among some of Egypt’s most historic churches.
• Abu Serga Church, traditionally associated with the Holy Family’s stay in Egypt during the flight from Herod.
• The traditional Holy Family site, recalling the journey of Mary, Joseph and the infant Jesus through the land of Egypt.
• Evening Nile Cruise Dinner, bringing the pilgrimage to a memorable close along the legendary river at the heart of Egyptian civilization.

restaurant Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

apartment Accommodation

Cairo

• Transfer to Airport

restaurant Meals

Breakfast

apartment Accommodation

Cairo