October 9-20, 2023
From $5,495 per person, double occupancy

This 12-day journey to the Holy Land will bring you close encounters with the land of ancient Judaism and Christianity. Watch the scriptures come to life as you walk through the wilderness and pray in the Garden of Gethsemane. Experience modern religious traditions by worshiping with Palestinian Christians and walking down the Mount of Olives. Build deep and lasting relationships with others from your congregation through group reflections and shared worship. This itinerary offers a glance at what you can expect in your 12-day pilgrimage. Schedule may be adjusted for efficiency and guide availability.
Itinerary
Monday, October 9, 2023 | Depart Charleston, SC
Depart CHS on United Airlines flight #1057 at 5:12pm for your overnight flight to Tel Aviv via Newark.
Tuesday, October 10, 2023 | Arrive Tel Aviv, Galilee
Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv on United flight #90 at 4:20pm. We’ll travel to the Galilee in a deluxe motorcoach, arriving in time for orientation and dinner.
Wednesday, October 11, 2023 | Sea of Galilee
Today we explore Jesus’ adult ministry in Galilee led by a Palestinian Christian guide. Highlights include the Mount of Beatitudes, the churches at Tabgha, the ruins of Capernaum (home of Simon Peter), a lunch of “St. Peter’s Fish,” a museum with a 2,000 year-old boat, and a sunset boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Return to our Galilee hotel for dinner and overnight accommodations.
Thursday, October 12, 2023 | Nazareth
Begin the day with a visit to Zippori National Park just north of Nazareth. Scholars have suggested that Jesus may have worked as a stonemason in the construction of this city in the first century. After a traditional Palestinian lunch, enjoy an “off the beaten path” tour of the Arab-Israeli city of Nazareth and the Basilica of the Annunciation, commemorating the angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary. Visit the historic Synagogue Church and the White Mosque. Return to Galilee for dinner and overnight accommodations.
Friday, October 13, 2023 | Caesarea Philippi, Mount Hermon
From the Sea of Galilee, we travel north into the beautiful Golan region to visit the ruins of ancient Caesarea Philippi, take in the heights of Mt. Hermon, and visit a spring that was once a center of pagan worship. In this area, Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” and revealed himself as the Savior. Return to Galilee for dinner and overnight accommodations.
Saturday, October 14, 2023 | Baptism Site, Bethlehem
This morning, we depart the Galilee and follow the Jordan River Valley south, arriving at the Jordan River Baptism Site. We will then travel up to Bethlehem, visiting the Church of the Nativity and the site of Shepherds’ Field. In the late afternoon, you’ll meet our friend Ashraf, an artisan who works with olive wood. Olive wood carving is traditionally a Christian industry in Palestine. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.
Sunday, October 15, 2023 | Bethlehem
After a morning worship at Christmas Lutheran Church, we’ll learn how to cook (and eat!) a traditional Palestinian meal with the women of the Noor Women’s Empowerment Group and learn more about the Palestinian people. In the late afternoon, we’ll return to our hotel with some free time before dinner. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.
Monday, October 16, 2023 | Temple Mount and Ancient Jerusalem
Today we will take a deep dive into ancient Jerusalem from the time of the Israelite kings all the way up to Herod and Jesus. We start the day atop the Temple Mount complex for a tour with our Jewish guide before proceeding to the Western Wall and the Southern Steps. After lunch we will tour the modern Jewish Quarter of the Old City including a visit to an active synagogue. Dinner and overnight in the Old City of Jerusalem.
Tuesday, October 17, 2023 | Masada, Qumran, Dead Sea
Today, we go down to the Jordan River Valley again, this time heading for Masada and the Dead Sea. Masada was the site of the final stand of Jewish rebels opposed to King Herod. After learning the history of the site and touring the top of the mountain, we’ll visit Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. We’ll finish the day in the Dead Sea, where you’ll float like a cork because of the highly saline water. Make sure you bring your bathing suit! We return to Jerusalem for dinner at our hotel.
Wednesday, October 18, 2023 | Christian Jerusalem
Begin in the morning with a walk down the Mount of Olives, visiting several churches along the way and arriving in Gethsemane. After lunch, visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the traditional site of Jesus’ tomb and resurrection. You are then free to wander around the Old City, shop, or just relax and take in the city. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight accommodations.
Thursday, October 19, 2023 | Modern Jerusalem
Spend the morning at Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust Museum and Memorial. After lunch, explore the Israel Museum, home of the Dead Sea Scrolls, fine art, Judaica, and an impressive model of Jerusalem. We’ll return to the Old City with a bit of free time before dinner at our hotel. After dinner we’ll transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for a late-night flight to the United States. Those continuing on to Jordan will stay overnight in Jerusalem.
Friday, October 20, 2023 | Return Home
Your flight to Charleston via Washington, DC departs from Ben Gurion Airport at 12:20am. You return to Charleston on United 1949, arriving at 9:55am.
Jordan Extension: Petra and Jerash
Friday, October 20, 2023 | Israel to Jordan
We depart early for Jordan, crossing the Allenby Bridge into Jordan, where we meet our private guide. We travel towards Petra, stopping along the way at Mt. Nebo and Madaba. Mt. Nebo is the traditional site of Moses’ view of the Promised Land. At Madaba, we’ll see the mosaic map of Jerusalem at the Byzantine Church of St. George. We arrive in Petra in time for dinner and overnight accommodations.
Saturday, October 21, 2023 | Petra
We’ll spend the entire day in Petra, touring the ancient city of the Nabateans. Our expert guide will be with us all day, but you are welcome to explore parts of the city on your own; just make sure to stay hydrated! Dinner and overnight accommodations in Petra.
Sunday, October 22, 2023 | Jerash
Today we’ll visit the impressive Roman ruins at Jerash including a colonnaded cardo, two theatres, multiple temples, and more. If time allows, we will stop in the Jordan Museum in Amman before dinner together. After dinner, we head to the airport in Amman for a late-night return flight to the United States.
Monday, October 23, 2023 | Return home
You depart Amman on United 256 to Washington, DC at 1:15am, arriving at 6:30am. In Washington, you connect to United, departing 8:15am and arriving in Charleston at 9:55am.
What’s Included:
The total cost for this pilgrimage is $5,495 per person (double occupancy) including airfare. Other departure cities available upon request and may include a fare increase. Single occupancy available for $820.
The Jordan extension is $1050 per person (double occupancy) including airfare. The Jordan extension includes everything listed below, plus Jordanian Entry Visas and all entry and exit taxes. Single occupancy available for $170.
The following discounts will be automatically applied to registrations received by March 31, 2023:
- $150 for Israel-only registratinos
- $400 for registrations including Jordan
A $500 deposit is due upon registration.
Regular Registration deadline is July 1, 2023.
Final Payment due August 1, 2023.
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Terms and Conditions
Please review the terms and conditions before registering for this trip. ENROLLMENT IN AND PAYMENT OF YOUR DEPOSIT CONSTITUTES YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THE CONDITIONS AND STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITY.