A Pilgrimage to the Holy Land 

Day-By-Day Itinerary

JAN 23 (SAT) – DAY 1: Departure from LOS ANGELES to Amman.

JAN 24 (SUN) – DAY 2: AMMAN arrival.

Transfer to hotel in Amman. Check-in. Dinner and overnight in Amman. Dinner is served until 8:00 pm. (D)

JAN 25 (MON) – DAY 3: AMMAN - PETRA

Breakfast and check-out. Today we depart on a journey to explore the stunning red rose city of Petra entirely carved out of rock. Our journey takes through the siq leading to the treasury, followed by the visit of the Roman downtown area of Petra to include the Cardo, Theatre. Dinner and overnight in Petra. (B, D)

JAN 26 (TUE) – DAY 4: PETRA – MADABA – MT. NEBO – ALLENBY BORDER CROSSING - NAZARETH

Breakfast and check-out. Early morning we proceed to Madaba visiting the Church of St. John the Baptist where we see the remains of the 6th century AD mosaic floor showing the oldest map of the Holy Land to include Jerusalem. On to Mt. Nebo from where Moses looked into the promised land. Cross the border at Allenby border crossing and transfer to Nazareth for check-in. Dinner and overnight in Nazareth. (B, D)

JAN 27 (WED) – DAY 5: MT. TABOR – HAIFA - NAZARETH

Breakfast. We start our day with a visit to Mt. Tabor, the site of the Transfiguration before continuing to Haifa to visit Stella Maris, a Carmelita Monastery dedicated to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and located over the cave where Elijah lived. Return to Nazareth, the site of Mary’s home and the town where Jesus lived as a child. At Nazareth visit the Byzantine Church of St. Joseph and Mary’s Well. (B. D)

JAN 28 (THU) – DAY 6: CANA – SEA OF GALILEE: CAPERNAUM – MT. BEATITUDES – TABGHA, BOAT RIDE

Breakfast. Start the day visiting Cana, where Jesus performed His first miracle at the request of His mother. Here visit the Franciscan Chapel where those who wish to may renew their wedding vows. Transfer to Sea of Galilee for a full day tour. Visit Capernaum, where we see the remains of the village synagogue and the new church built atop St. Peter’s house. Next, we drive to the Mount of Beatitudes and visit the Basilica in the beautiful gardens. We stop close by at Tabgha and the Franciscan Church of St. Peter’s Primacy, where Jesus made His appearance after the resurrection. We also stop at the Benedictine Basilica of the Loaves and Fishes. In the end of the day, take a wonderful boat ride across the Sea of Galilee. Dinner and overnight in Nazareth. (B, D)

JAN 29 (FRI) – DAY 7: EIN KAREM – BETHLEHEM & SHEPHERD’S FIELD

Breakfast and check-out. Drive to the village of Ein Karem, the birthplace of John the Baptist. It is known that there are two Churches in Ein Karem, representing the two homes of Zechariah and Elizabeth. The first is in a valley where the birth of St. John the Baptist is commemorated in the Church of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. The second is on a hill where Elizabeth spent five months in seclusion at the Church of the Visitation. You will have a chance to visit both Churches and have the opportunity to pray the Mystery of the Rosary as you walk up the hill to the Church of the Visitation. Transfer to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus. In Bethlehem, you will have the opportunity to view the Shepherd’s Fields. In the caves of these fields, you are still able to see the soot marks of fires that shepherds lit to keep warm. The tour concludes at the Manger Square, which stands in front of the Church of the Nativity. As you enter the Church, you will proceed down to the Grotto of the Nativity which marks the spot of Our Savior’s birth. Beneath the altar, there is a silver star and a Latin inscription that states: HIC DE VIRGINE MARIA JESUS CHRISTUS NATUS (Here Jesus Christ was born to the Virgin Mary). Celebrate Mass in this Sacred space (subject to confirmation). Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem. (B, D))

JAN 30 (SAT) - DAY 8: MT. OF OLIVES – MT. ZION – ST. ANNA’S CHURCH.

After breakfast, you will make your way to the Mount of Olives, where you will be able to take in the beautiful, panoramic view of Jerusalem. Historically, the Mount of Olives was a mandatory transit point for Jesus during many iconic moments. Visit the Pater Noster Shrine where Jesus taught His disciples the Lord’s Prayer (Pater Noster). You will have the opportunity to stop at Dominus Flevit which is a Church that commemorates where Jesus wept for Jerusalem. Continue to Gethsemane, a garden at the foot of the Mount of Olives. Jesus brought His disciples here to pray the night before He was crucified. The garden still contains trees with roots that date back to the time of Jesus. Your next stop, the Church of All Nations, is built over the “Rock of Agony.” This is where Jesus prayed alone on the night of His arrest. Continue to a visit to the house of the High Priest Caiaphas (Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu). This commemorates Peter’s denial of Christ, Peters’ repentance, and Jesus’ forgiveness of Peter. You will also visit the Upper Room on Mt. Zion. The Upper Room is where Jesus and His disciples celebrated the Last Supper and where Jesus appeared to His disciples after His death and Resurrection. In addition, visit the nearby Benedictine Church of the Dormition. Tradition tells us that this church is where Mary, the mother of Jesus, “fell asleep.” Finish the day with a visit to the Church of St. Anne’s, the home of Jesus’ maternal grandparents (Anne and Joachim); and the Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus healed the crippled man. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem. (B, D)

JAN 31 (SUN) - DAY 9: VIA DOLOROSA – HOLY SEPULCHER – JEWISH QUARTER & THE WAILING WALL – BET ARABAH BAPTISMAL SITE – JERICHO – DEAD SEA SWIM

This morning you will have a very early wake-up to begin the Via Dolorosa (The Way of the Cross) at the Antonia Fortress. This is the spot where Jesus was condemned to death by Pontius Pilate, following His condemnation. He was taken (on the road to Calvary) to His place of crucifixion. Reflect upon the Stations of the Cross as you travel through the markets of the Old City to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. This sacred destination is the site of Calvary (Jesus’ crucifixion place) and His tomb. Celebrate mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Breakfast in the Old City Jerusalem. Walk through the Jewish Quarter and the Wailing Wall.

Afterwards, continue to Jesus’ baptismal site on the River Jordan, where we enjoy a special renewal of our Baptismal promises. On to Jericho, the oldest inhabited city in the world where we see the Sycamore Tree and the Mount of Temptation. Weather permitting, we have an opportunity to swim in the salty, yet clear waters of the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem. (B, D)

FEB 01 (MON) - DAY 10: BETHLEHEM – TEL-AVIV – LOS ANGELES

Breakfast and check-out. Transfer to airport for flight back to Los Angeles. (B)