PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND & JORDAN & EGYPT
THE NILE CRUISE EXTENSION
DAY 1 – DEPART
DAY 2 – ARRIVE AT TEL AVIV AIRPORT.
Meet your local guide who will escort you to our hotel in Netania.
DAY 3 – THE SHARON PLAIN AND GALILEE
Our touring will begin where the baptism of Gentiles began; at Caesarea Maritima We include the sunken harbor of the hippodrome, the theatre and the Roman aqueduct. We then drive to Muhraka (”burnt offering”) on Mt. Carmel, with the panorama of the Plain of Jezreel. Here we focus on the confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal. Later we cross the country to the Arbel Cliff for a magnificent view over the Sea of Galilee and the sites of Jesus’ mission. Overnight in Tiberias.
DAY 4 – SEA OF GALILEE
Begin the day with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Continue to center of Jesus’ Ministry. Located here are the ruins of an ancient synagogue and the site of Peter’s house. Proceed to Capernaum, the site of the Miracle of the Loaves and Fish, visit the 5th century Byzantine basilica. Ascend the Mount of Beatitudes—where Jesus delivered his Sermon on the Mount. Here, we celebrate Mass. Before returning to your hotel stop at Yardenit on the shores of the Jordan River to renew Baptismal promises. Overnight Tiberias
DAY 5 – THE SOURCES OF JORDAN
Drive up north to view Mount Hermon. Continue to the Golan Heights. Our next stop is at Banyas, a major source of the Jordan River, and beside it, Caesarea-Philippi, where Jesus asked his disciples “Who is it that people say I am?” View of Kuneitra at the border between Israel and Syria and the road to Damascus known to us from St. Paul. Continue to Katzrin – capital of the Golan. Visit the beautiful nature reserve of Tel Dan. Return to your hotel. Overnight in Tiberias
DAY 6 – THE LOWER GALILEE
Drive to the village of Cana, the site of Jesus’s first miracle. We visit the Wedding Church where those interested couples might reaffirm their marriage vows. Proceed to Nazareth, where Jesus spent his early years and visit Mary’s Well and the Church of the Annunciation, where we celebrate Mass. Continue on to Mt Tabor. Ascend Mt. Tabor with taxis for a visit at the Church of Transfiguration. Next to Megido one of King Solomon’s chariot cities. Overnight in Tiberias.
DAY 7 – JORDAN/ PETRA
This morning we drive to the Sheikkh Hussein Bridge, cross the border into the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. We greet our Jordanian guide and drive through the spectacular Wadi Rum, site of the filming of Lawrence of Arabia, on our way to Petra. Here we will explore the ancient rose-red city of the Nabateans, the descendants of Esau. Carved from solid rock, Petra is an awesome site and a highlight of any tour to the Middle East. We overnight in Petra.
DAY 8 – JORDAN
Tour of Madaba - Mt. Nebo, the spot from which Moses was permitted to see The Promised Land, and where he died. Continue to Allenby for Crossing into Israel with departure assistant. After crossing Allenby Bridge,
the border between Jordan and Israel drive to Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls where found. Visit the ancient city of Qumran. Overnight Dead Sea.
DAY 9 – RETURN TO ISRAEL
Visit Massada the last stronghold of the Jews after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 A.D. Ascend Mt. Massada by cable car and visit the food storeroom, water irrigation system and Herod’s Palace. Descend by cable car, time and weather permitting, an opportunity will be provided to float on the Dead Sea- the lowest point on earth and with the saltiest sea water. Overnight Jerusalem.
DAY 10 – JERUSALEM
First view is from the Mount of Olives where we will be introduced to the Holy City of Jerusalem. We then descend the Palm Sunday Road, stopping at the Church of Dominus Flevit. On to The Garden of Gethsemane. We visit the Church of All Nations where celebrate Mass. Continue to The Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu. Visit the traditional dungeon and climb the 2,000 year-old steps on which Jesus walked several times on the last days of his life. We conclude on Mount Zion at King David’s Tomb and The Upper Room, where traditionally the Last Supper took place. Back to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 11 – JERUSALEM
Today we visit the Old City of Jerusalem: Bethesda Pools and St. Anne’s Church. We then take up our cross and walk the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, site of Jesus’ crucifixion and burial, where Mass will be celebrated. Continue to the entrance of the City of David and enjoy the wonderful tour, showing us the underground tunnels that were used in the walled in city during the reign of King David. Enter the Hesekia tunnel. Back to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
DAY 12 – EIN KAREM & BETHLEHEM
Full day excursion to Ein Karem and the Church of Visitation connected with the Blessed Virgin Mary , St Elizabeth and St John the Baptist. Proceed to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity where we celebrate Mass. Continue on to the Shepard’s Fields. Overnight in Jerusalem.
DAY 13 – JERUSALEM
Travel to Mount Zion and celebrate Holy Mass at the Dormition Abbey, marking one of the traditional sites of Mary’s eternal rest. We then walk via the Jewish Quarter to the Western Wall—Judaism’s most-sacred site. Back to our hotel.. Dinner and overnight.
DAY 14 – JERUSALEM / ST CATHARINA
Transfer to Taba border, meeting and assistance and drive to St. Catharina for dinner and overnight.
DAY 15 – Mt. SINAI/ CAIRO
Early morning climb Mt. Sinai, after descend breakfast. Visit Monastery and continue to Cairo for dinner and overnight.
DAY 16 – CAIRO/ASWAN
Full day tour of Cairo, visit Pyramids, Sphinx, the old Cairo. Transfer to sleeper train station for travel Cairo-Aswan. Dinner and overnight on board of the train.
DAY 17 - ASWAN/ CRUISE
Early arrival with breakfast on train. Embarkation, check in before lunch. Visit the High Dam, unfinished obelisk and Temple of Philae. After buffet lunch felucca sail to Elephantine island and Aga Khan Mausoleum. Buffet dinner and overnight on board of cruise.
DAY 18 - CRUISE/EDFU/LUKSOR
Buffet breakfast. Sail to Kom Ombo – visit the Temple of Kom Ombo. Sail to Edfu, visit the Temple of Horus in Edfu, sail to Esna – cross lock – buffet lunch. Free afternoon, buffet dinner – overnight in Luxor on board of the cruise.
DAY 19 – CRUISE/ LUKSOR
Buffet breakfast – sail to Luxor – visit Temple of Karnak and Luxor – buffet lunch – free afternoon – dinner and overnight on board in Luxor.
DAY 20 – CRUISE/ VALLEY OF THE KINGS
Buffet breakfast – disembarkation. Visit the Valley of the Kings and Queens, Thebes, Necropolis, El Deir, El Baharia of Hatshepsut and Colossi of Memnon. Afternoon flight to Cairo for dinner and overnight.
DAY 21 - DEPARTURE
After breakfast transfer to Cairo International airport for departure.
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