Christian Pilgrimage Tour of Israel
Full Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival Tel Aviv Ben Gurion airport, meet your local guide, who will accompany you during your stay in the Holy Land. Drive to Nazareth. Overnight at the Ramada Nazareth Hotel.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2
Morning drive to visit Cana of Galilee where Jesus performed the first miracle turning water into wine, Proceed to Tiberias, Sea of Galilee to visit Capernaum, home of Our Lord during his ministry, visit the synagogue where he taught and then drive to Tabgha, site of the multiplication of loaves and fishes & to the Church of St. Peter’s Primacy. Continue to the Mt of Beatitudes (site of the Sermon) with its beautiful & spectacular view of the Sea of Galilee. Embark on an enjoyable boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Overnight in Nazareth.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3
Start your tour by Nazareth, the Basilica, and the cave the Annunciation, Joseph’s workshop, and Mary’s Well, or the Fountain of the Virgin, is situated near the "Church of the Annunciation." The spring is a bit to the north of the church. It is believed that the child Jesus and his mother often came hither to draw water, walk the streets of Our Lord’s boyhood town. In the afternoon, take an excursion to the summit of Mount Tabor and visit the site of the Transfiguration of Jesus. Jesus became radiant in glory atop the mountain and the beautiful scenery of the valley of Jezreel. Overnight in Nazareth.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Image Source: Dr. Avishai Teicher
Day 4
Early checkout from hotel and drive to Haifa, enjoy the scenic view of the city and the port. View Bahai Temple, then drive along the coastal site to ancient Caesarea, the Center of early Christians where Cornelius became the first Gentile converted, also where Paul was imprisoned before being taken to Rome. Visit the Roman amphitheater, Crusader’s Moat, the Byzantine Churches & the Aqueduct. Proceed to your hotel, the American Colony. Overnight Jerusalem.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5
Visit Jerusalem. Start with a stand atop Mt. of Olives and enjoy the spectacular view of the “Golden City” Jerusalem, significant to Christians, Jews, and Muslims. Visit the Church of Pater Noster (commemorating the pray “Our Father) the Chapel of Ascension and then walk the “Palm Sunday Road” visiting on the way Dominus Flevit, Jesus Wept, and to the Russian Church. Continue to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed for God’s will to be done, the Church of All Nations, and the rock of Agony. Drive back to Shepherd’s field then back to Bethlehem to visit the birthplace of Jesus and one of the most revered sites, the Church of Nativity, the Manger, the Church of St. Catherine, the Grotto of St. Jerome, and the Coptic monastery. Overnight Jerusalem.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Image Source: Britchi Mirela
Day 6
Start with a visit to the wailing wall, one of the sacred places for the Jews. Walkthrough the courtyard next to the Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock. Do out from the other side and the Old City of Jerusalem where everyday life and winding cobblestone streets have remained much the same over the centuries. Sing a hymn in the Church of St. Anne with a view of the Pool of Bethesda. Visit the Chapel of Flagellation, Lithostrotos, and the arch of the Ecce Homo”. Walk the Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross), the narrow alleys and bazaars to the holiest shrine in Christendom, Church of the Holy Sepulchre to visit Golgotha and the Tomb of Our Lord. Overnight Jerusalem.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7
Morning drive to Bethany to visit Lazarus Tomb before we continue to Jericho, the Oldest City on earth. View the Sycamore Tree while driving through to city to Visit Mt. Temptation via a Cable car. Continue to the lowest point on earth the Dead Sea that is over 1300 feet below sea level. We will stop at Qumran, where a young shepherd boy discovered the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947 in a cave. These scrolls are the oldest scriptures of the Bible ever found. Continue to the shores of the Dead Sea, where you will have time to take a float in the saltiest body of water in the world. On our way back to the hotel, stop at Qasr El Yehud Baptismal site. Overnight Jerusalem.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8
A day at leisure to go wonder around Jerusalem on your own, or go shopping. Overnight.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9
Drive to Mt Sion, the Upper Room, revered as the site of the Last Supper. Then survey the Dormition Abbey, St. Peter in Gallicantu where Peter denied Jesus three times, and King David’s Tomb. In the afternoon, Nablus Shechem, it’s where Jacob settled after returning from Mesopotamia. Also, visit the Greek Orthodox Monastery and Jacob’s well where Jesus asked a Samaritan woman for a drink and offered her living water. Overnight in Jerusalem.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10
Check-out from hotel and drive to Ein Karem visit St. John the Baptist and the Visitation Church. Continue to Jaffa visit the house of Simon the Tanner where St. Peter saw the vision regarding Cornelius and the acceptance of the Gentiles into the faith. Visit the house where St. Peter raised Tabitha from death. Check-in at the hotel in Tel Aviv, The Herods Hotel. A day at leisure. Overnight in Tel Aviv.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11
A free day for relaxation, shopping, or enjoying the Mediterranean Sea.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12
You will be met and transferred to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion airport for your departure flight.
Meals: Breakfast
Also Included: All transfers within Israel. Personalized sightseeing as mentioned in the itinerary, in a private car, with a tour guide and a driver including entrance fees to sights mentioned and the services of a professional English-speaking tour guide. Included as well is the service charge imposed by hotels, port charges, porterage, meeting, and assistance at airports, hotels and docks.
Extensions & Optional Tours: Extra days and optional tours to sites that are not included are available upon request.
