Pilgrimage to the Holy Land and Jordan

Depart London Heathrow to Amman’s Queen Alia International airport. Our English English speaking guide will meet us at the arrival terminal and we will transfer by coach to Petra (approximately 3hrs drive). If time allows we will visit Moses’ Spring. It is located at the northern entrance to Wada Musa. This is believed to be the place that Moses struck a rock and water gushed out. Check-in to our hotel where we will stay for two nights. Evening dinner here.

After breakfast we walk to the Visitors Centre and collect tickets to enter Petra. The distance from the entrance to the Treasury is 1.5 miles. As we take a leisurely walk towards The Treasury, we will witness the magnificent spectacle of temples, tombs and monuments - a truly incredible sight. Comfortable shoes are important as the surface can be rough, rocky, and dusty. For some, it might be possible to walk up to St Georges Monastery the view from here is spectacular (only able pilgrims as there is a lot of climbing up to do). This will take one hour to climb up a very narrow path, otherwise free afternoon at leisure doing some shopping and just enjoying the scenery. Return to the hotel and evening dinner here.

Following breakfast, we check-out of our hotel and proceed to Madaba to visit their 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. Proceed to Mt Nebo where Moses stood and saw the promised land. This site was abandoned and forgotten by the 16th century and rediscovered in the mid-1800s. In 1932 The Franciscans purchased the site and the excavation and reconstruction of the church site has been ongoing till present. Today, the site remains an important religious location, and pilgrims from all three faiths regularly make the journey to stand where Moses stood and gaze over the border into Israel. We celebrate Mass here. We continue our journey towards Allenby bridge into Israel. Check in to our hotel in Bethlehem. Evening dinner here and overnight.

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

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, followed 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 (optional), and finish in the Holy Sepulchre Basilica - the holiest place on earth for all Catholics. We celebrate Mass in the Chapel of Apparition. 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. Lunch and free for the rest of the afternoon.

After breakfast coach to Jerusalem to the summit of Mt of Olives and visit Pater Noster where Our Lord taught His Prayer - Our Father; walk further down to the church of Dominus Flevit where Jesus wept when He foresaw the Destruction of the City of Jerusalem and Mass here. On the way down enjoy the panoramic view overlooking the old city with a clear view of the Golden Dome of the Rock. Arriving at the basilica of All Nations, pass the 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 experience floating in the sea. Return to our hotel and dinner.

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 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 to heaven; 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 dinner.

Following breakfast, check-out of the hotel and travel along the Judaean desert to Mt Tabor the basilica of Transfiguration. Taxis up the mountain. Afterwards free time to look around and enjoy the scenic view from the roof top overlooking the Jezreel Valley. We descent and continue driving to Nazareth and visit Basilica of the Annunciation viewing the Grotto where the Annunciation took place and we celebrate Mass here. We also visit the church of St Joseph’s Workshop and Mary’s Well. Leave Nazareth and proceed to Cana (Jesus performed his miracle turning water to wine), visiting Church of the Wedding - renewal of Marriage Vows here for married couples! One can purchase Cana wine to take home with you if desired and a certificate can also be purchased ($7 each). Proceed to the River Jordan ‘Yardinete’ for renewal of Baptismal Vows. Continue on towards the Galilee and check in to our hotel. Evening dinner and overnight here.

After breakfast, visit the Mt of the Beatitudes - where the sermon of the Mount took place; St Peter’s Primacy where Christ appeared to the Apostles after His Resurrection and Mass here. Proceed to Tabga and visit the Multiplication Shrine of the Loaves and Fishes (the feeding of the 5,000). Lunch and afterwards boat sail on the Sea of Galilee from Tiberias to Capernaum in an ancient reproduction boat and after, we visit Capernaum - the town of Jesus the centre of his ministry. Return to our hotel. Evening dinner at the hotel.

Depending on our flight time back home, we can visit Mt Carmel (Haifa) and visit the Basilica of Our Lady Star of the Sea - Carmelite Headquarters and visit the Cave of the Prophet Elijah. Proceed to the airport for our flight back to the UK. Note: itinerary is subject to change. E&OE.