Pilgrimage to the Holy Land and Jordan
Sample Itinerary
Day 1: Depart USA
Our pilgrimage begins today as we depart on our overnight flight to Israel. Meals and drinks served aloft.
Our pilgrimage begins today as we depart on our overnight flight to Israel. Meals and drinks served aloft.
Day 2: Arrive Tel Aviv / Jerusalem
After arrival at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv we will be met by our local guide who will arrange the schedules of our visits and make the scripture come alive as we follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Drive to our hotel in Jerusalem.
After arrival at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv we will be met by our local guide who will arrange the schedules of our visits and make the scripture come alive as we follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Drive to our hotel in Jerusalem.
Day 3: Jerusalem
This morning, drive to the top of the Mt. of Olives for a spectacular view of Jerusalem. Visit the Church of Pater Noster, the Ascension Chapel, and then walk the "Palm Sunday Road" to Dominus Flevit, where Our Lord wept over Jerusalem. Proceed to the Garden of Gethsemane to visit the Church of All Nations for Mass on the Rock of Agony. In the afternoon, drive through the New City of Jerusalem to Ein Karem, birthplace of St. John the Baptist, to see the Visitation Church where Mary proclaimed her famous "Magnificat".
This morning, drive to the top of the Mt. of Olives for a spectacular view of Jerusalem. Visit the Church of Pater Noster, the Ascension Chapel, and then walk the "Palm Sunday Road" to Dominus Flevit, where Our Lord wept over Jerusalem. Proceed to the Garden of Gethsemane to visit the Church of All Nations for Mass on the Rock of Agony. In the afternoon, drive through the New City of Jerusalem to Ein Karem, birthplace of St. John the Baptist, to see the Visitation Church where Mary proclaimed her famous "Magnificat".
Day 4: Jerusalem
This morning, enter the Old City of Jerusalem. Visit the Church of St. Anne, the Pool of Bethesda and the Chapel of Flagellation. We will then walk along the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to visit Golgotha and the Tomb of Our Lord. In the afternoon proceed to Mt. Zion to visit the Upper Room, Dormition Abbey and St. Peter in Gallicantu where Peter denied Jesus three times.
This morning, enter the Old City of Jerusalem. Visit the Church of St. Anne, the Pool of Bethesda and the Chapel of Flagellation. We will then walk along the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to visit Golgotha and the Tomb of Our Lord. In the afternoon proceed to Mt. Zion to visit the Upper Room, Dormition Abbey and St. Peter in Gallicantu where Peter denied Jesus three times.
Day 5: Jerusalem
Drive to Bethlehem and have Mass at the Shepherd's Fields. Above the traditional Grotto of Jesus' birth, visit the Nativity Church, built by the Emperor Constantine in the 4th century. Also tour the Manger, Grotto of St. Jerome, and the Church of St. Catherine. Then visit the Franciscan Family Center and the Milk Grotto Chapel followed by some free time before returning to Jerusalem.
Drive to Bethlehem and have Mass at the Shepherd's Fields. Above the traditional Grotto of Jesus' birth, visit the Nativity Church, built by the Emperor Constantine in the 4th century. Also tour the Manger, Grotto of St. Jerome, and the Church of St. Catherine. Then visit the Franciscan Family Center and the Milk Grotto Chapel followed by some free time before returning to Jerusalem.
Day 6: Jerusalem
After early Mass at the Tomb of Our Lord, drive back to the hotel for breakfast. Proceed to Bethany to visit the site of the House of Mary, Martha & Lazarus and the Tomb of Lazarus. Continue through the Judean Wilderness and along the Dead Sea to Qumran to see the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. We will then proceed to Jericho, the oldest known city in the Western world. From the top of the ancient "tel", we'll have an excellent view of Elisha's Fountain, the Qarantal and the Mount of Temptation. Return to Jerusalem.
After early Mass at the Tomb of Our Lord, drive back to the hotel for breakfast. Proceed to Bethany to visit the site of the House of Mary, Martha & Lazarus and the Tomb of Lazarus. Continue through the Judean Wilderness and along the Dead Sea to Qumran to see the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. We will then proceed to Jericho, the oldest known city in the Western world. From the top of the ancient "tel", we'll have an excellent view of Elisha's Fountain, the Qarantal and the Mount of Temptation. Return to Jerusalem.
Day 7: Jerusalem / Petra
Drive to the Allenby Bridge and cross into the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Visit the traditional Baptismal Site on the Jordan River which was visited by the Pope during his pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 2000. Travel south along the Desert Road to Mount Nebo where Moses viewed the promised land. If we have a clear day, we may even capture a glimpse of Jerusalem’s sky line. After Mass, continue to Madaba, a Byzantine center of master mosaics, to see the oldest surviving map of the Holy Land. Pass through Machaerus, site of the Fortress of Herod the Great. It was here that John the Baptist was imprisoned and later beheaded at the wish of Salome. En route, motor through the village of Karak, an ancient walled city steeped in history. It is also known as Mons Realis because a castle was built here by a Crusader King. Continue to Petra, one of the most magnificent sites in the Middle East.
Drive to the Allenby Bridge and cross into the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Visit the traditional Baptismal Site on the Jordan River which was visited by the Pope during his pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 2000. Travel south along the Desert Road to Mount Nebo where Moses viewed the promised land. If we have a clear day, we may even capture a glimpse of Jerusalem’s sky line. After Mass, continue to Madaba, a Byzantine center of master mosaics, to see the oldest surviving map of the Holy Land. Pass through Machaerus, site of the Fortress of Herod the Great. It was here that John the Baptist was imprisoned and later beheaded at the wish of Salome. En route, motor through the village of Karak, an ancient walled city steeped in history. It is also known as Mons Realis because a castle was built here by a Crusader King. Continue to Petra, one of the most magnificent sites in the Middle East.
Day 8: Petra / Amman
This morning will be spent exploring the “Rose Red City” of Petra which is literally carved into the sides of a deep gorge. The only entrance is through the “Siq”, a narrow slit in the rock enclosed by beautiful limestone cliffs. Riding on horseback (no riding experience required) between the 100 foot cliffs we will see a remarkable sight: temples, tombs, and dwellings chiseled right into the limestone walls. Following our sightseeing of Petra, drive to Amman, the capital of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
This morning will be spent exploring the “Rose Red City” of Petra which is literally carved into the sides of a deep gorge. The only entrance is through the “Siq”, a narrow slit in the rock enclosed by beautiful limestone cliffs. Riding on horseback (no riding experience required) between the 100 foot cliffs we will see a remarkable sight: temples, tombs, and dwellings chiseled right into the limestone walls. Following our sightseeing of Petra, drive to Amman, the capital of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
Day 9: Amman /TiberiasAmman is a city of wide streets, modern shops and spacious villas dotting the hills - all signs of growth; yet the entire area reflects a bygone civilization. This morning's drive around the city takes us to the impressive Roman Amphitheater which once accommodated 6,000 spectators. Looking across the horizon, it's possible to see the hilltop citadel that contains an Arabian castle. Drive north to Jerash which was founded by the soldiers of Alexander the Great in 300 B.C. Jerash now stands as the most complete and best preserved ruins of a provincial Greco-Roman city in the world. Along a 2-mile stretch we’ll see the oval shaped forum encircled by 56 graceful Roman columns, Hadrian’s Arch, the Temples of Artemis and Zeus, and the massive Roman theater. Continue to the Sheikh Hussein Bridge and cross into Israel. Transfer to our hotel in Tiberias.
Day 10: Tiberias
Enjoy a scenic boat ride on the Sea of Galilee from Tiberias to Kibbutz Ginossar where we will see a perfectly intact 2,000 year old wooden boat recently discovered on its shores. Continue to Capernaum, home of Our Lord during his ministry. After visiting the Synagogue where he taught, drive to Tabgha - the site of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. The Church of St. Peter’s Primacy will be our next stop, followed by a visit to the Mt. of the Beatitudes for Mass at the site of the Sermon on the Mount. Afterwards drive down to the shores of the Sea of Galilee and visit Bethsaida. Return to our hotel.
Enjoy a scenic boat ride on the Sea of Galilee from Tiberias to Kibbutz Ginossar where we will see a perfectly intact 2,000 year old wooden boat recently discovered on its shores. Continue to Capernaum, home of Our Lord during his ministry. After visiting the Synagogue where he taught, drive to Tabgha - the site of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. The Church of St. Peter’s Primacy will be our next stop, followed by a visit to the Mt. of the Beatitudes for Mass at the site of the Sermon on the Mount. Afterwards drive down to the shores of the Sea of Galilee and visit Bethsaida. Return to our hotel.
Day 11: Tiberias
Following breakfast, drive to Cana of Galilee, where Our Lord performed the first miracle - changing water into wine at the wedding feast. Here, we'll invite couples to renew their marriage vows. Following Mass in Nazareth at the Basilica of the Annunciation, visit the Cave of the Annunciation. In the afternoon take an excursion to the summit of Mt. Tabor to visit the site of the Transfiguration of Jesus.
Following breakfast, drive to Cana of Galilee, where Our Lord performed the first miracle - changing water into wine at the wedding feast. Here, we'll invite couples to renew their marriage vows. Following Mass in Nazareth at the Basilica of the Annunciation, visit the Cave of the Annunciation. In the afternoon take an excursion to the summit of Mt. Tabor to visit the site of the Transfiguration of Jesus.
Day 12:Tiberias / Netanya
Following breakfast, drive to the sparkling port city of Haifa and ascend Mt. Carmel, home of the prophets Elijah and Elisha, for a scenic view of the city and the port. After visiting the Stella Maris Convent, drive along the Mediterranean coast to to Caesarea, capital of the ancient Roman Procurators of Judea. Here, St. Peter preached and St. Paul was imprisoned for two years before being taken to Rome for trial. Visit the Roman Theater, Crusader’s Moat, and the Byzantine Churches. Continue to Netanya for our last night in the Holy Land.
Following breakfast, drive to the sparkling port city of Haifa and ascend Mt. Carmel, home of the prophets Elijah and Elisha, for a scenic view of the city and the port. After visiting the Stella Maris Convent, drive along the Mediterranean coast to to Caesarea, capital of the ancient Roman Procurators of Judea. Here, St. Peter preached and St. Paul was imprisoned for two years before being taken to Rome for trial. Visit the Roman Theater, Crusader’s Moat, and the Byzantine Churches. Continue to Netanya for our last night in the Holy Land.
Day 13: Netanya / Tel Aviv / USA
We bid farewell to the Holy Land today as we transfer to the airport for our return flight home.
We bid farewell to the Holy Land today as we transfer to the airport for our return flight home.
*Please note that this is only a sample itinerary. Actual trip itinerary may vary slightly in length and in activities. For specific information please contact:
Tekton Ministries
Pilgrimage Office
9924 Cedar Ridge Dr.
Carmel, IN 46032
toll free (866) 905-3787
