Holy Land and Jordan Pilgrimage Fr Ndikum March 2023

Holy Land and Jordan Pilgrimage Tour

Fr. Desmond Ndikum Spiritual Director for this tour

March 6-16, 2023

Proposed Itinerary

Day 1 March 6 – Depart for Tel Aviv

Begin your spiritual journey as we depart Dallas for your overnight flight(s) to Tel Aviv. Breakfast and dinner served aboard the transatlantic flight.

Day 2 March 7 – Tel Aviv – Overnight on the Mediterranean Coast

Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport. Exit the terminal at the sign marked “groups” and meet your local guide who will escort you to your hotel on the coast.  Dinner and overnight.

Day 3 March 8 – En route to the Galilee – Caesarea, Mt Carmel, Cana, Nazareth, Basilica of the Annunciation

Today you will travel via the coast to Caesarea, where the Romans held Paul prisoner. Visit the Roman and Crusader ruins. Drive through the Carmel Mountains heading for Galilee. Visit Mukhraka located on Mt. Carmel where Elijah confronted the false prophets of Baal and where the Carmelite Order was started. Drive to Cana, the village of Jesus’ first miracle of changing water into wine; here couples may renew their wedding vows. Continue to the Basilica of Annunciation in Nazareth where the group will celebrate Mass and visit Mary’s Well and the Church of the Angel Gabriel. Dinner and overnight in the Galilee.

Day 4 March 9 – The Ministry of Christ in the Galilee: Tiberias, Boat ride, Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, Mt. Beatitudes

Some of today’s highlights are a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum to see the synagogue and St Peter’s house, a visit to the Mount of the Beatitudes where the Sermon on the Mount was given, to Tabgha to see the splendid mosaic about the miracle of the loaves and fishes, and to the nearby Church of Peter’s Primacy where Peter was told: “Feed my lambs, feed my sheep.” There will be an unforgettable Mass near the shores of the Sea of Galilee at the Primacy or Mt Beatitudes. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Galilee.

Day 5 March 10 – Mt Tabor, Sepphoris, Jericho, Jordan River, Jerusalem

Start the day with a visit to Mount Tabor, the scene of the Transfiguration, where you will have Mass. Then drive down the Jordan Valley towards the oasis town of Jericho to visit the excavations of the oldest city in the world and view Mt. Temptation where Jesus fasted and was tempted by Satan. From here we will renew our Baptismal vows at the site where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist at the Jordan River.  Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Jerusalem.

Day 6 March 11 – Ein Karem and Bethlehem the Nativity – Church of Visitation, Shepherd’s Fields, Church of the Nativity

On the first day in Jerusalem, you will be presented with an overview for a better understanding of its geography and some of the key sites surrounding the area. This includes a dramatic view of the Old City from the Mount of Olives, revealing a city with 4000 years of history. From this vantage point see much of what makes Jerusalem such a unique city to the three major religions – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Then head to the village of Ein Karem, the birthplace of St John the Baptist and to the Church of Visitation where the Blessed Virgin Mary visited her cousin, Elizabeth, and proclaimed the ‘Magnificat’. In the afternoon we drive to Shepherd’s Fields where the angels announced the birth of Jesus. Then visit the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem which stands upon the site where Jesus was born. Mass in Bethlehem or the Shepherds Fields. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Jerusalem.

Day 7 March 12 – Jerusalem: The Passion of Jesus’ Last Hours: – Bethany, Mt Olives, Palm Sunday, Dominus Flevit, Gethsemane, Cave of Betrayal, Cave of Assumption, Pater Noster

Begin our day with a visit to Bethany where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Then onto the Mt. of Olives to walk the Palm Sunday route stopping at Dominus Flevit, where Jesus wept over Jerusalem.  Then to Gethsemane, the Rock of Agony where Jesus prayed His last prayer before his arrest. Visit the cave of betrayal then the cave of Assumption of Mary to heaven.  Back on the Mt of Olives, we visit the Pater Noster with the Lord’s Prayer in many languages and the Ascension from where ascended to Heaven.  Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Jerusalem.

Day 8 March 13 – Stations of the Cross, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, St Anne’s Church. Ecce Homo, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Wailing Wall, Upper Room, Dormition

Early in the morning, the group will retrace the last steps of Jesus. Then walk along the Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrow), through the markets of the Old City praying the Stations of the Cross, reflecting on the greatness of His sacrifice. Finally, we arrive at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Mass.  After breakfast at our hotel, return to the Old City of Jerusalem to visit St. Anne’s Church, the home of the Virgin Mary, and her parents Saints Joachim and Anne. Pass the Ecce Homo where Pilate proclaimed “Behold the man”; then the Wailing Wall, the holiest place for those of the Jewish faith.  Nearby is the Dome of the Rock and the Haram al-Sharif or Temple Mount, exit at Mt Zion. At the Cenacle visit the Upper Room of the Last Supper. Next, go to Dormition Abbey where it is believed that the Blessed Mary died, and end the day at St. Peter in Gallicantu where Peter denied Him thrice.  Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Jerusalem.

Day 9 March 14 – King Hussein Border Crossing, Mt. Nebo, Madaba, Petra

Today you will travel across the King Hussein Bridge into Jordan and proceed to the summit of Mt. Nebo,  and view the “Promised Land” as Moses did. Afterward, you will visit Madaba, home to a beautiful sixth-century mosaic of Palestine, possibly the oldest existing map of the Holy Land. Arrive in Wadi Musa, Petra, in time for dinner and overnight.

Day 10 March 15 – A visit to Petra is indeed an adventure. This morning you will walk through the rose-colored canyon to Petra, a city dating back to 300 B.C., which was literally cut into the cliff sides.  You can also take an optional horse/donkey cart ride through the Syk. You will visit various temples, the Amphitheater, the Monastery, the Streets of Columns, and the Treasury. In the afternoon, you will drive to the Dead Sea Resort where you will have time for a swim (or rather a float!) in the mineral-rich waters, renowned for their healing properties. Farewell Dinner and overnight at the Dead Sea.

Day 11 March 16 – This morning you will transfer to the Amman airport for your return flights to the USA.

Departure & Return Location

Dallas – Fort Worth Airport (DFW)

(Departures from other Airports Available)

Important – Arrive for Check-in 3 Hours Before Flight Time

Price Includes:

• Roundtrip airfare from Dallas (DFW)
• Hotel Accommodations – First Class Hotels with Porterage
  • 1 night – Mediterranean Coast
  • 2 nights – Galilee
  • 4 nights – Jerusalem
  • 1 night – Petra
  • 1 night – Dead Sea
• Meals – Breakfast and Dinner Daily – Wine & mineral water with dinners
• All transportation in destination location Airconditioned Motor Coach with Bottled Water and WiFi available onboard
• Tour Guide – Professional English Speaking Guides
• Entrance Fees – Sightseeing and admissions fees as per itinerary Whisper Headsets where needed
• Daily Mass and Spiritual Activities Coordinated

Price Excludes

• Travel Insurance Required by the State of Israel
• Gratuities for Guides and Drivers
• Excess Baggage Fees, if applicable
• Fees for Seat Assignments or upgrades, if applicable
• Any Personal Expenses

Complementaries

• Name and Luggage tags
• Neck Wallet
• Travel Bag

Book Now

The price is $4,197. Add a Dallas/Fort Worth departure of $298 for a total of $4,495 per person.  Anyone can join from any of these airports.  If you prefer, you can make your own flight arrangements and use airline points.  In this case, select “land only” when booking and we will reduce the price to $3,195.  Business class is also available for $4,695.

You can make a $500 deposit and reserve your spot today by clicking the book here link above.  Or call us at (800) 715-6670.

Single Room Supplement:  $1,265

Travel Insurance is available and – required by the State of Israel!

Click here for information on plans!