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

• Begin beside the Nile, where ancient Egypt meets the Christian heritage of Cairo and the story of the Holy Family.
• Journey into the wilderness of Sinai, following the landscape of the Exodus to St Catherine’s Monastery, the Burning Bush and Mount Sinai.
• Cross into the Holy Land and arrive in Bethlehem, where the story of Christ’s birth has drawn pilgrims for generations.
• Walk the sacred paths of Jerusalem, from the Mount of Olives and Gethsemane to the Via Dolorosa, Calvary and the Holy Sepulchre.
• Enter the Gospel story at Bethlehem, Ein Karem, Bethany and Jericho, following places connected with the life and ministry of Jesus.
• Stand beside the Jordan River at the traditional site of Christ’s Baptism, surrounded by the timeless landscape of the Jordan Valley.
• Follow the footsteps of Jesus through Galilee, from Nazareth and Cana to Capernaum, the Mount of Beatitudes and the Sea of Galilee.
• Discover the landscapes that shaped the biblical story, from Mount Carmel and Mount Tabor to the Dead Sea and the hills of Judea.
• Continue into Jordan, where the ancient rose-red city of Petra opens another remarkable chapter in the journey.
• Conclude at Mount Nebo, traditionally associated with Moses, overlooking the Promised Land as the pilgrimage comes full circle from the Nile to the Jordan.

• Arrival in Cairo and welcome by the local team.
• Private transfer to the hotel and check-in.
• Time to rest and settle in after the journey.
• Dinner and overnight in Cairo.

restaurant Meals

Dinner

apartment Accommodation

Cairo

• Visit the Giza Plateau, home to the monumental Pyramids and the enigmatic Sphinx.
• Continue to the Egyptian Heritage Center and Museum, exploring the remarkable legacy of ancient Egypt.
• Enjoy a buffet lunch before continuing to Old Cairo.
• Discover the historic churches of Old Cairo, including St George Church, the Hanging Church, Ben Ezra Synagogue, and Abu Serga and Bacchus Church, traditionally associated with the Holy Family.
• End the day with a private-floor Nile Cruise and dinner, sailing along the legendary river at the heart of Egypt.

restaurant Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

apartment Accommodation

Cairo

• 07:30 departure from Cairo, crossing the Suez Canal and leaving the bustle of the capital behind as the journey continues into the vast landscapes of the Sinai Peninsula, approximately 5½ hours.
• Arrive in Sharm El Sheikh for lunch at El Masrien Restaurant, with time to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of this Red Sea resort.
• 15:00 continue south to Dahab, following the dramatic coastline of the Red Sea on a scenic one-hour journey.
• Check into the hotel and enjoy free time beside the Red Sea, with an opportunity to relax and take in the tranquil coastal setting.

restaurant Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

apartment Accommodation

Dahab

• Journey to St Catherine (1 hour, 45 minutes) through the dramatic desert landscapes of Sinai, a region deeply connected with the biblical story of the Exodus and the life of Moses. [St Catherine’s Monastery is closed on Sundays.]
• Visit the traditional site of the Burning Bush and St Catherine’s Monastery, an extraordinary Christian sanctuary at the foot of Mount Sinai, preserving centuries of monastic tradition in the heart of the Sinai wilderness.
• Continue to the area of Mount Sinai, traditionally identified as the mountain where Moses encountered God and received the Ten Commandments, with a view of the sacred mountain.
• Continue to Taba (2 Hours) for lunch before crossing the border into Israel.
• Transfer to Bethlehem (5 hours), entering the Holy Land and beginning the next chapter of the pilgrimage.

restaurant Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

apartment Accommodation

Bethlehem

• Visit the traditional site of the Ascension on the Mount of Olives, associated with Christ’s return to heaven after His Resurrection.
• Visit Pater Noster, traditionally associated with Christ teaching His disciples the Lord’s Prayer.
• Continue to Dominus Flevit, recalling the place where Jesus wept over Jerusalem, with views along the traditional Palm Sunday route.
• Descend to Gethsemane and visit the Basilica of the Agony, beside the ancient olive trees traditionally associated with Christ’s prayer before His Passion.
• Continue to Mount Zion and visit the Upper Room, traditionally associated with the Last Supper and the gathering of the disciples after the Resurrection.
• Visit David’s Tomb, revered by ancient tradition as the burial place of King David.
• Visit St Peter at Gallicantu, traditionally associated with the house of Caiaphas and Peter’s threefold denial of Christ.
• Return to Bethlehem for a BBQ lunch at a traditional tent restaurant.
• Visit Shepherd’s Field, recalling the shepherds who received the angelic announcement of Christ’s birth.
• Time for shopping for religious articles before continuing to the Basilica of the Nativity.
• Celebrate Mass at the Basilica of the Nativity, built over the traditional site of Christ’s birth.

restaurant Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

apartment Accommodation

Bethlehem

• 07:00 transfer to the Old City of Jerusalem and begin the pilgrimage at the Pools of Bethesda, traditionally associated with the healing of the paralytic in the Gospel of John.
• Follow the Via Dolorosa, visiting the Chapels of the Flagellation and Condemnation, and continue to the Ecce Homo Arch, traditionally associated with the beginning of Christ’s journey to Calvary.
• Enter the Holy Sepulchre complex, encompassing the traditional sites of Golgotha and the Tomb of Christ.
• Celebrate Mass at Calvary, one of the most sacred places of the Christian pilgrimage.
• Visit the Western Wall, a place of profound significance in Jewish tradition and one of Jerusalem’s most revered sites.
• View the Dome of the Rock, the iconic golden-domed sanctuary on the Temple Mount.
• Enjoy lunch in Jerusalem before continuing to Ein Karem.
• Visit the Basilica of the Visitation, traditionally associated with Mary’s visit to Elizabeth and the Magnificat.
• Continue to the Church of St John the Baptist, traditionally marking the birthplace of John the Baptist.
• Return to Bethlehem for overnight.

restaurant Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

apartment Accommodation

Bethlehem

• Transfer to Bethany and visit the Tomb of Lazarus, recalling the Gospel account of Jesus raising His friend from the dead.
• Continue to Qasr Al Yahud on the Jordan River, the traditional site of Christ’s Baptism.
• Proceed to Jericho, one of the world’s oldest cities, and visit the traditional site of the Sycamore Tree associated with Zacchaeus.
• Continue to the traditional site associated with Zacchaeus’ house, recalling his encounter with Jesus and his transformation.
• Ascend the Mount of Temptation by cable car, traditionally identified as the place where Jesus was tempted during His forty days in the wilderness.
• Enjoy lunch atop Mt Temptation, followed by time for shopping for dates, a local specialty of the Jordan Valley.
• Continue to the Dead Sea for a relaxing float experience in its mineral-rich waters.
• 17:00 transfer to the hotel and return to Bethlehem.

restaurant Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

apartment Accommodation

Bethlehem

• Depart early with a packed breakfast and travel north to Haifa and Mount Carmel.
• Visit Elijah’s Cave, traditionally associated with the prophet Elijah’s time on Mount Carmel.
• View the magnificent Baháʼí Gardens and Temple, one of Haifa’s most distinctive landmarks.
• Continue to Muhraka, traditionally identified as the site of Elijah’s dramatic confrontation with the prophets of Baal.
• Travel to Mount Tabor and visit the Basilica of the Transfiguration, traditionally identified with the mountain where Christ was transfigured before His disciples.
• Continue to Nazareth and visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, built over the traditional site of the Annunciation to Mary.
• Visit St Joseph’s Workshop, traditionally associated with the home and workshop of the Holy Family, and Mary’s Well, linked by tradition with the Virgin Mary.
• Enjoy lunch at the Ramada Nazareth Hotel before continuing to Cana.
• At Cana, celebrate Mass and renew wedding vows at the traditional site of Christ’s first miracle, the Wedding at Cana.
• Time for shopping for Cana wine before continuing to the Hotel.

restaurant Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

apartment Accommodation

Galilee

• Visit the Mount of Beatitudes, traditionally identified as the hillside where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount.
• Continue to Capernaum, the lakeside town closely associated with Jesus’ ministry in Galilee, with Mass celebrated at the site.
• Visit Tabgha and the Church of the Multiplication, traditionally associated with the feeding of the multitude.
• Continue to Mensa Christi and the Church of the Primacy of Peter, recalling the risen Christ’s appearance to His disciples beside the Sea of Galilee.
• Take a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee, surrounded by the landscapes where much of Jesus’ Galilean ministry unfolded.
• Enjoy a traditional St Peter’s Fish lunch before continuing towards the Jordan River border.
• 13:00 transfer to the Jordan River border crossing. [Closed on Saturdays.]
• Arrive on the Israeli side of the border at approximately 14:30 and complete the crossing into Jordan at approximately 16:00.
• Continue to Amman for the evening and overnight stay.

restaurant Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

apartment Accommodation

Amman

• Travel to Petra (3 hours), the magnificent ancient Nabataean city carved into the rose-red mountains of southern Jordan.
• Enter Petra through the Siq, a dramatic narrow gorge winding between towering sandstone cliffs and forming a memorable approach to the ancient city.
• Emerge from the Siq before the Treasury, Petra’s most iconic monument, its vast façade carved directly into the rose-coloured rock.
• Continue through the ancient city, discovering its tombs, temples, colonnaded streets and remarkable rock-cut architecture, which reveal the ingenuity of the Nabataean civilization.
• Enjoy lunch in Petra before beginning the return journey to Amman (3 hours).
• Arrive at the hotel and enjoy a relaxed evening after the day’s exploration.

restaurant Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

apartment Accommodation

Amman

• Travel to Mount Nebo, the biblical mountain traditionally associated with Moses and his final view of the Promised Land.
• Visit the Memorial of Moses, with its ancient Christian heritage and panoramic views across the Jordan Valley towards the Holy Land.
• Celebrate Mass at Mount Nebo, bringing the pilgrimage to a prayerful conclusion amid the landscape so closely connected with the story of Moses.
• Transfer to Amman International Airport for the departure flight.

restaurant Meals

Breakfast

apartment Accommodation

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