2026-11-17 HJ1146 Pilgrimage to the Holy Land & Jordan

Depart London on our flight from London direct to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion airport. Upon arrival our local tour guide and coach will be at the airport to welcome you. Coach transfer to our hotel in Bethlehem where we will stay for five nights. Evening dinner at the hotel.

After breakfast walk to Manger Square. We visit the Grotto in the Nativity Church (the oldest complete church in the Christian world) where Jesus was born, followed by a tour viewing the Wall mosaic from the 12th century and St Jerome’s tomb, the Chapel of the Holy Innocents and St Joseph’s Grotto. Mass here then we break for lunch. Proceed to Shepherds’ field, visit the grottos and the chapel above where the angels first sang the ‘Gloria in Excelcis Deo’ on the first Christmas night. We will have a chance to do some shopping before we return to our hotel for dinner.

After breakfast, coach to Jerusalem to Stephen’s Gate and walk to St Anne’s Basilica - where Our Lady was born - and the Pool of Bethesda. Proceed to the Church of Ecce Homo, built on the site of the Palace of Pilate, visit Crowning with Thorns and Condemnation chapels, then by the Stations of the Cross along Via Dolorosa following the route Our Lord walked on the first Good Friday. We can carry a Cross from here, changing at every station, and finish in the Holy Sepulchre Basilica - the holiest place on earth for all Catholics. We have Mass here. Afterwards visit Mt Calvary, the Holy Tomb of Jesus, and the Grotto of the True Cross. We will have time to pray and reflect in front of the Holy Tomb. If time allows, we stay here for some time to pray, reflect and light candles. Our coach will take us back to the hotel for dinner in the evening.

After breakfast, coach to the Old City of Jerusalem and visit the Western ‘Wailing Wall’, part of the remaining wall around the temple that was destroyed in 70 AD. This is the holiest place in Judaism. Proceed to Mt Zion and visit the Upper Room (Last Supper), and the magnificent Dormition Abbey where Our Lady was assumed into heaven. Mass in the Chapel of the Last Supper. Proceed to the church of St Peter’s in Gallicantu - a truly incredible shrine - and see the dungeon where Jesus was imprisoned after His mock trial on Maundy Thursday night. We then drive to Ein Karem to visit the beautiful church of the Visitation and the basilica of St John the Baptist and visit the Grotto where he was born. Return to hotel and evening dinner here.

After breakfast, coach to Jerusalem and the top of Mount of Olives. Here we visit Pater Noster where Our Lord taught His Prayer - Our Father; walk farther down to the Church of Dominus Flevit where Jesus wept when He foresaw the destruction of the city of Jerusalem. Mass here. On the way down enjoy the panoramic view overlooking the old city and the Golden Dome of the Rock. Arriving at the Basilica of All Nations, we pass through Gethsemane Garden and view the oldest olive tree from the time of Jesus. We move on to the Basilica of the Agony, where Jesus spent his last night before his arrest. We spend some time here to pray and reflect. Continue to Jericho, view Mt Temptation and Zacchaeus Sycamore tree then proceed to the Dead Sea to for the water floating experience. Return to our hotel for dinner.

Today we check out early and proceed to the Allenby Bridge/King Hussein crossing into Jordan. We go through the Israeli terminal security/immigration process ourselves then board our new coach that will take us to the Jordanian terminal. Our new guide will meet us here to assist with entry formalities into Jordan. Continue driving to Mt Nebo and tour here. This is the place where Moses stood and saw the promised land. We can enjoy the magnificent view overlooking the Holy Land before we have Mass here. Proceed to Madaba and visit the Church of St John where we see the 6th Century mosaic map depicting Jerusalem as the centre of the world, as well as other amazing artefacts. We continue our journey south to Petra, ‘The Red Rose City’, located in Wadi Musa. Check in to our hotel and have dinner. We stay here for next two nights.

Today we enjoy a spectacular guided day tour of the historic archaeological site of Petra. One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, Petra was first settled around 7000 BC and later became the centre of Nabatean wealth because of its easy access to incense trade routes in the region. The tombs, monuments and building structures throughout the ancient city were handmade by carving out the vast rock-walls of sandstone. The tour includes a canyon walk through Al-Siq (‘The Narrow Gorge’) leading to Petra’s most iconic structure, Al-Kazneh (‘The Treasury’). Return to the hotel for dinner.

We check out early at 06:00 and travel north towards the Sheikh Hussein border crossing. Arrive at the Jordanian terminal and complete the security process as before but in reverse. From the Israeli terminal we travel with our new guide and coach to visit the Mount of the Beatitudes where the Sermon on the Mount took place; Tabgha to visit the Shrine of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes; and St Peter’s Primacy where Christ appeared to the Apostles after His Resurrection. Mass here. We have lunch then enjoy a ride on the Sea of Galilee in an ancient reproduction boat. After, we visit Capernaum (‘the town of Jesus’) to view the ruined remains of the synagogue where Jesus once preached. Check in to our hotel and have dinner.

After breakfast, take our coach to Nazareth and visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, viewing the Grotto where the Annunciation took place. We have a few moments to pray and reflect in front of the Grotto before moving to the upper level of the basilica which has many artworks of Our Lady donated by countries from all around the world. We celebrate Mass here. Afterwards we walk to St Joseph’s Workshop opposite the basilica and then the Synagogue of Jesus and Mary’s Well. Leave Nazareth on our coach heading straight for Cana and the Church of the Wedding where Jesus performed his first miracle of turning water to wine. Renewal of Marriage Vows Ceremony here. Finally, we travel to the River Jordan ‘Yardenit’ for our ‘renewal’ of Baptismal Vows. Return to our hotel for dinner.

We check out of the hotel and travel northward to Mount Tabor where upon its summit sits the Church of the Transfiguration. We will take taxis up the mountain, then have a tour in the area before Mass. Afterwards we descend and head west to Haifa and visit Mount Carmel - the Basilica of Our Lady Star of the Sea (Carmelite Headquarters). Inside the church we view the cave of the Prophet Elijah. If time allows, we may stop in Jaffa and have a quick look around the market or walk along the promenade by the seaside. Proceed to the airport in Tel Aviv for our flight back to the UK.

Note: This itinerary is subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control. The guide may change the order to ensure the smooth running of the pilgrimage. E&OE.