
Holy Land Pilgrimage with Providence Presbyterian Church of Fairfax, VA
October 25 – November 4, 2022
This 11-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 as we worship with Palestinian Christians and walk 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 11-day tour. Schedule may be adjusted for efficiency and guide availability.
Tuesday, October 25, 2022 | Depart Washington DC
Depart National Airport at 5:18pm on Delta 5597, connecting in Boston, and continuing on to Tel Aviv, arriving at 2:50pm on Wednesday the 26th.
Wednesday, October 26, 2022 | Arrive Tel Aviv, Galilee
Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv. We’ll travel to the Galilee in a deluxe motorcoach, arriving in time for orientation and dinner.
Thursday, October 27, 2022 | 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.
Friday, October 28, 2022 | Nazareth and Mar Elias
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. In the afternoon, visit the Mar Elias Educational Institute in Ibillin, dedicated to educating Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Druze youth in the ways of peace. Meet with students who are eager to practice their English language skills. Return to Galilee for dinner and overnight accommodations.
Saturday, October 29, 2022 | 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 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 30, 2022 | Bethlehem
We start the morning worshipping at Christmas Lutheran Church. Following the service, we’ll enjoy a traditional Palestinian cooking class 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.
Monday, October 31, 2022 | Temple Mount and Ancient Jerusalem
We’ll depart Bethlehem early, arriving at the Temple Mount complex for a tour with our Jewish guide. This morning of touring includes visiting the Western Wall, the Southern Steps, and the Jewish Quarter. We’ll finish the day at our hotel inside the Old City Walls with dinner and some free time.
Tuesday, November 1, 2022 | 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, November 2, 2022 | Modern Jerusalem
Today we learn about Modern Jerusalem. We’ll visit the Israel Museum, home to the Dead Sea Scrolls, amazing artwork, Judica, and an impressive model of Jerusalem. Next is Yad Vashem, the Israel Holocaust Museum. After lunch, we’ll begin our walk down the Mount of Olives, visiting numerous churches along the way and arriving in Gethsemane in the late afternoon. We return to our hotel for dinner.
Thursday, November 3, 2022 | Christian Jerusalem
On our last day in Israel, we start with the Via Dolorosa, the path Jesus took carrying his cross before the crucifixion. The Via Dolorosa ends at 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. We will enjoy an early dinner before transferring to the airport for our return flight. Our return flight departs Tel Aviv at 10:55pm, arriving in JFK at 5:30 the next morning. Your connection departs JFK at 8:54am, arriving at National at 10:22am.
If you are continuing on to Jordan, you’ll stay one more night in Jerusalem.
Jordan Extension: Petra and Jerash
Friday, November 4, 2022 | 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 Jerash for a guided tour of the Roman ruins. We arrive in Petra in time for dinner.
Saturday, November 5, 2022 | 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! We’ll enjoy dinner at the hotel on our final night in Jordan.
Sunday, November 6, 2022 | Mt. Nebo and Madaba
We depart early, visiting Mt. Nebo and Madaba before catching our evening flight home. 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 will then transfer Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv for our return to the US at 11:55pm.
Monday, November 7, 2022 | Return to US
Your flight from Tel Aviv will arrive in New York (JFK) at 5:30am. You connect to Washington National on an 8:54am flight that arrives at 10:22am.
What’s Included:
The total cost for this pilgrimage is $4,399, double occupancy, including airfare. Your deposit is fully refundable until December 31, 2021. Other departure cities available upon request and may include a fare increase. Single occupancy available for $630.
The Jordan Extension is $995 per person, double occupancy, plus any additional airfare. The Jordan extension includes everything listed below, plus Jordanian Entry Visas and all entry and exit taxes. Single occupancy available for $150.
A $500 deposit is due upon registration and is fully refundable through December 31, 2021.
The deadline to register is May 1, 2022. Final payment is due July 20, 2022
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Terms and Conditions
COVID-19 Exceptions: Please review our COVID-19 related terms and conditions here. Except as explicitly outlined in the COVID-19 exceptions, our standard terms and conditions apply to your trip.
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.
