Day 1: Welcome to the Holy Land / Jerusalem

After arriving at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, you will be welcomed by our local Christian guide who will be with you throughout your stay in the Holy Land and taken to your hotel in Jerusalem. This afternoon we will ascend the Mount of Olives as Jesus did and enjoy the spectacular view of the Golden City. We will then visit the Church of Pater Noster where Jesus taught the Lord’s Prayer to His disciples, the Chapel of Ascension, which commemorates the Ascension of Our Lord into Heaven, and the Russian Ascension Church where we will see Armenian Mosaics from the Byzantine period. Afterwards, we will visit the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations which commemorates the Agony in the Garden before returning to our hotel.

Day 2: Jerusalem

After breakfast, we will enter the Old City to view the Temple area from outside: the beautiful Dome of the Rock, el-Aqsa Mosque, and the Wailing Wall, the most sacred place in the world for Jews. From there, we will make our way to the Armenian Convent. The Armenian presence here began when the first Armenian Christians began making pilgrimages to Jerusalem.

This afternoon, we will visit the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, one of the most venerated sites of the Armenian Churches as well as the Armenian Seminary and St. James Cathedral (Surp Hagop). The cathedral, which dates back to the 11th century, has a beautiful ornate interior, with remarkable carvings and painted tiles. It is considered by many theologians and scholars as the “Gem of Churches”. The main shrine is Kilkhateer; it is believed that the head of St. James the apostle, son of Zebedee and brother of St. John, who was martyred by beheading in A.D. 44, is buried here. We will then return to our hotel for dinner together.

Day 3: Bethlehem / Jerusalem

Today we will drive to Bethlehem, one of the most visited and revered spots in Christianity. We will visit the Nativity Church above the traditional Grotto of Jesus’ birth, tour the Manger and see the fourteen-pointed star that bears the inscription: “Here Jesus Christ was born to the Virgin Mary”. Of the 15 lamps burning around the recess, five belong to the Armenians, six to the Greeks and four to the Latins. Afterwards we will visit the Armenian Monastery, most of which dates from the Byzantine and Crusader periods. It was once a major center for Armenian hermits and later housed 17^th century scribes who copied and illustrated Bibles. We will also see the Shepherds’ Fields. From here, we will travel to the New City to see a scale model of Jerusalem as it was during the time of Jesus and view the Mosaic of Birds, a brilliantly colored and delicate mosaic floor thought to be one of the first monuments to “the unknown soldier” and beneath with is a grave containing the bones of Armenian warriors. The rest of the day will be at leisure to give you an opportunity to discover this fascinating city on your own.

Day 4: Jerusalem

This morning we will explore the Old City, where everyday life and customs have remained much the same over the centuries, and walk through its narrow cobble stoned streets. We will visit the Church of St. Anne, the Pool of Bethesda, the Chapel of Flagellation, Lithostrotos and the Arch of the Ecce Homo. Afterwards, we will make our way through the exotic Arab Bazaar to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the most revered shrine in Christendom and the center of Christian worship in Jerusalem. Here we will see the Stone of Unction, Golgotha, the Armenian Gallery (Vernadoon), and the domed 12^th century Armenian Chapel of Helena. This is one of the most attractive places in the church, with its rock walls covered with crosses scratched by medieval pilgrims. From here, thirteen narrow steps lead down into the Crypt of the Finding of the Cross, where we will pay special homage to the Tomb of Our Lord Jesus. Following this, we will continue our sightseeing in the Armenian Patriarchate, including the Museum, which reflects the role of the Armenian community in the history of Christianity, St. Tarkmanchats School, and the Chapel of Archangels (Surp Hrishtagabed). This Church is reputed to be on the site of the house of Annas the High Priest and was known in Arabic as Deir el Zeitouneh – the Convent of the Olive Tree. Here we’ll see the olive tree to which Our Lord was tied on the night when He was brought to Annas.

Next, we will visit the Armenian St. Saviour’s Convent, where the traditional house of the High Priest Caiaphas is located. A special private audience will also be arranged with His Beatitude the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem and His Excellency Archbishop Nourhan Manoogian.

Day 5: Dead Sea Area / Jerusalem

After breakfast, we will drive to visit the Church of the Virgin Mary and the Tomb of Our Lady, where the Virgin Mary is believed to have laid before her Assumption. We will then proceed to Bethany where Our Lord would come to recuperate in the home of His loving friends, Mary, Martha and Lazarus before setting out once more on His arduous task. From here, we will continue to the Oasis of Ein Gedi, famous for its spring and waterfalls, for a relaxing float in the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea, the lowest, saltiest body of water on earth, at over 1,300 feet below sea level. Afterwards, we will drive to Qumran to see the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, then to ancient Jericho to visit the ruins of the city which was conquered by Joshua. From the top of the ancient “tel”, we’ll have an excellent view of Elisha’s Fountain and the Mount of Temptation.

From here we will return to Jerusalem and the rest of the day will be free for you to enjoy. For dinner, a special farewell Armenian Middle Eastern meal will be arranged in your honor at the Christmas Hotel (owned by an Armenian family), featuring mezzes, a barbecue and wine.

Day 6: Jerusalem / Petra

Today we will leave Jerusalem and drive to the Allenby Bridge and cross into the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, where we will first visit the traditional Baptismal Site on the River Jordan. Afterwards, we will travel along the Desert Road to Mount Nebo, where Moses saw the Promised Land, followed by a visit of Madaba, a Byzantine centre of master mosaics, to see the oldest surviving map of the Holy Land. The highlight of our day will be our descent into ancient Petra, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Day 7: Petra / Amman

This morning we will take a horse-drawn ride through the Siq to the magnificent city of Petra, which was rediscovered in 1912. This “rose-red” city was founded by the Nabatean Arabs as their capital city and lies in a valley enclosed by sandstone cliffs in shades of red, purple and pale yellow. The remains of Petra bear eloquent testimony to its former power, wealth and architecture. We will be awed by the masterpieces of the Treasury, made famous by the movie “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”, the Monastery, the Triumphal Arch and the Roman Amphitheater. We will then travel through Karak, an ancient walled city steeped in history, and visit a church in Madaba which has a famous ancient mosaic (6th c.) of the Holy Land. We will then continue to Amman, the capital of Jordan, which was built by the Romans according to a traditional city plan and which, like Rome, sprawls over seven hills, where we will check in at our hotel.

Day 8: Amman / Tiberias

Today we will leave Amman and drive to Tiberias. Along the way we will visit Jerash, founded by the soldiers of Alexander the Great in 300 B.C. Jerash now stands as the most complete and best-preserved ruins of a provincial Greco-Roman city in the world. Along a two-mile stretch, we’ll also see the oval-shaped forum encircled by 56 graceful Roman columns, Hadrian’s Arch, the Temples of Artemis and Zeus, as well as the massive Roman theatre. Afterwards, we will cross the Sheikh Hussein Bridge border into Israel and then drive to our hotel in Tiberias.

Day 9: Cana / Tiberias

This morning we will head to Cana of Galilee, where Our Lord performed the first miracle, changing water into wine at the wedding feast. Here, we’ll invite couples to renew their wedding vows. We will then ascend Mount Tabor to visit the traditional site of the Transfiguration of Jesus and the beautiful scenery of the Valley of Jezreel.

In the afternoon, we will enjoy a scenic boat ride on the Sea of Galilee from Tiberias to Ginosar and take a look at the perfectly intact 2,000-year old boat uncovered on its shores. From there, we will proceed to Capernaum, home of Our Lord during His ministry. After visiting the synagogue where He taught, we continue to Bethsaida, home of Jesus’ followers Peter, Philip and Andrew, as well as the location where Jesus healed the blind man. We will also visit Tabgha, site of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, the Church of St. Peter’s Primacy, followed by a visit to the Mount of the Beatitudes to visit the site of the Sermon on the Mount.

Day 10: Nazareth / Tel Aviv

After breakfast we will drive to Nazareth to visit the Church of the Annunciation and Joseph’s Workshop and then proceed to the sparkling port city of Haifa, home of the Prophets Elijah and Elisha, for a scenic view of the sea and the port. Afterwards, we will travel along the shores of the Mediterranean to Old Jaffa to visit St. Nicholas Armenian Church and the Armenian Convent that Napoleon Bonaparte used as a hospital during his campaign in Palestine. The day will conclude with a transfer to our hotel in Tel Aviv for the night.

Day 11: Airport for Return Flight Home

Today our Holy Land and Jordan pilgrimage comes to an end, as you are taken to the airport to return home.

An extension tour to Egypt provides a first-hand experience of an ancient land that dates back to more than 5,000 years ago. Egypt is a prime destination for travellers who wish to discover some of the most famous biblical figures and locations, as well as the majestic sites of the Sphinx and the Great Pyramids.

Day 1: Israel / Cairo

Today we embark on a full day drive from Israel to Cairo. We will travel into the beautiful and mysterious Sinai desert and learn about its remarkable story that will take you back thousands of years. Our drive takes us through the ancient caravan routes, across the Sinai Peninsula and the Suez Canal until we reach your hotel in Cairo.

Day 2: Cairo

We will enjoy an all-day tour which highlights some of the great monuments of Egypt. We will first drive to Memphis, capital of the ancient kingdom of Lower Egypt and marvel at the Alabaster Sphinx and the remains of two colossal statues of Ramses II. We will then proceed to the Necropolis of Sakkara and see the Serapeum, the Mastabas of Ti and Ptahotep, the step pyramid of Zoser and the Funeral temple. From there, we continue to the plateau of Giza, where we’ll see the sole survivors of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Great Pyramids. Here we will visit the Royal Burial Chambers of the pyramids of Cheops, whose construction began more than 4,000 years ago. Afterwards, we will ride a camel or sand cart to see the Sphinx. We will also visit a papyrus institute on the way back to your hotel for dinner together and overnight stay.

Day 3: Cairo

After breakfast, we will drive to the famous Egyptian Museum to admire the treasures of ancient Egypt, including the treasures of Tutankhamen’s tomb, which fill the entire second floor. We will also see some of the world’s most important collection of Egyptian antiquities, covering 30 dynasties of Pharaonic history until the arrival of the Romans. From there, we will go to the Citadel for a panoramic view of the minarets and domes of Islamic Cairo and see the Alabaster Mosque of Mohammed Ali, a truly impressive landmark. Afterwards, we will proceed to Old Cairo, the Hanging Church, the Coptic Museum and the Abu Serga Church, where, according to tradition, the Holy Family lodged on their flight into Egypt. Our day will conclude with a drive through the colorful Khan El Khalili bazaar, where you’ll have an opportunity to shop and bargain for your own treasures.

Day 4: Airport for Return Flight Home

Today our tour comes to an end, as you are taken to the airport to return home.

An extension tour to Jordan provides a first-hand experience of an ancient land rich in Christian legacy… centuries of history, beginning with some of the prophets. You will travel back in time and discover magnificent, world famous sites such as Petra and Jerash.

Day 1: Israel / Petra

Our tour starts with a drive to the Allenby Bridge, where we will cross into the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. We will then travel south along the Desert Road to Mount Nebo, where Moses viewed the Promised Land. If we have a clear day, we may even capture a glimpse of Jerusalem’s skyline. From there, we will continue to Madaba, a Byzantine center of master mosaics, to see the oldest surviving map of the Holy Land, and pass through Machaerus, site of the Fortress of Herod the Great. It was here that John the Baptist was imprisoned and later beheaded at the wish of Salome. Afterwards, we will drive through the village of Karak, also known as Mons Realis, an ancient walled city steeped in history which houses a castle built by a Crusader King. The highlight of our day will be our descent into Petra, one of the most magnificent sites in the Middle East and a Wonder of the Ancient World.

Day 2: Petra / Amman

This morning we will take a horse-drawn ride through the Siq to the magnificent city of Petra, which was rediscovered in 1912. This “rose-red” city was founded by the Nabatean Arabs as their capital city and lies in a valley enclosed by sandstone cliffs in shades of red, purple and pale yellow. The remains of Petra bear eloquent testimony to its former power, wealth and architecture. We will be awed by the masterpieces of the Treasury, made famous by the movie “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”, the Monastery, the Triumphal Arch and the Roman Amphitheater. Afterwards we will drive to Amman, the capital of Jordan, a bustling commercial and cultural center. It was built by the Romans according to a traditional city plan and which, like Rome, sprawls over seven hills, where we will check in at our hotel.

Day 3: Amman

This morning, we will drive north to Jerash, founded by the soldiers of Alexander the Great in 300 B.C. Jerash now stands as the most complete and best preserved ruins of a provincial Greco-Roman city in the world. Along a two-mile stretch we’ll see the oval shaped forum encircled by 56 graceful Roman columns, Hadrian’s Arch, the Temples of Artemis and Zeus, and the massive Roman theater. In the afternoon, we will drive around the capital of Jordan to visit the 2nd century Roman Amphitheater, the Roman Ruins of Citadel Hill and the Jordan Archaeological Museum. Our day will conclude with a visit to the bazaar, where you’ll enjoy the aromas of fresh cinnamon, cloves, thyme and other exotic spices, and where you’ll have an opportunity to shop and bargain for your own treasures.

Day 4: Airport for Return Flight Home

After breakfast our tour comes to an end, as you are taken to the airport to return home.