SPIRITUAL PILGRIMAGE
TO THE HOLY LAND
Fall 2022
Holy land Pilgrimage
To walk in the Holy Land, experience “the Fifth Gospel” of spiritual pilgrimage, and meet and engage with the local people, the “living stones” of the Holy Land… is far more than an inspiring tour. It is a rite of passage in one’s faith journey that will define life before and after. The tour programs of Holy Land Trust, our West Bank partner, began nearly 20 years ago with a historic retracing of the “Journey of the Magi” from Iraq to Bethlehem and have carried the same mark of authentic, individual, and purpose-made holy land pilgrimages for people of all faiths ever since.
Our spiritual tours range from open-brochure bookings to custom-made experiences for faith communities, small groups, and families, couples, and individuals. Each program offers a unique experience designed for the specific needs of the pilgrim or pilgrims. Members of every faith, denomination, and confession are welcome to join us, based on their needs, interests, length of time, and price range.
Reservation for just $150 - 100% refundable up to 45 days prior to the trip. View Cancelation policy.
Trip Details
What to Expect
For many, a holy land pilgrimage is a life-changing affirmation of their faith journey. These tours bring to the surface important theological considerations and new questions about how the life of Christ applies to the individual. As you experience this enchanted land, you can expect the following:
- Explore and experience all the essential Holy Land tours and sites.
- Gain a fresh and profound understanding of the Bible and the life of Jesus.
- Make unlikely, lifelong friendships and learn that we are more alike than different.
- Meet and learn from Israeli and Palestinians working for peace and spiritual transformation.
- Experience a more informed and richer spirituality.
- Partake in some fantastic cuisine – particularly home-cooked meals!
Local Relationships
One of the unique features of our program is our integrative “homestay” approach to long-term living here. Over the course of your time here in the Holy Land, we house you with local families, so you have space where authentic, and long-lasting relationships can be fostered into a commitment to pursuing justice. Our experience has been, that is through these homestays and the friendly and intimate environment that it provides, it creates a situation where stories that otherwise might not be shared are opened up. It gives you a deeper insight into how the average Palestinian experiences and navigates life in this matrix of complexities and contradictions. While the homestay is optional, they are always highly recommended.
History
The life and times of Jesus, while short, were expansive, rich, and diverse. From his time in Galilee to his final days in Jerusalem, this spiritual tour covers a lot of ground. We unpack the history of Christianity in the Holy Land and firmly place it in the larger regional context while making intimate connections to personal spiritual growth.
Cultural
As it is in any country, there is a multitude of different perspectives on the life of Christ. The Palestinian Christian community is not a homogenous unit, but rather a rich culture that has sprung to life from their own unique history and theological underpinnings. Exploring the rich tapestry of the local Christian Palestinian communities will prove to be an enlightening experience.
Customizable Experiences
As new historical discoveries emerge in the Holy Land, as the social landscape changes in your own communities back home, Holy Land Trust ensures that each tour is updated to reflect the most pressing issues of your group. We spend as much time as it takes to ensure we are building just the right package for you.
Geo-Political
While this tour is specifically about the spiritual dimensions of this land, it is impossible to separate the Christian communities, their culture, and history from the political dynamics of this land. While it isn’t heavily integrated into the program, there is always open space for you to dig deeper into these urgent questions.
Pricing: $3500
Price per person based on double occupancy rooms
Single Room occupancy additional cost: 500.00
What's Included
- Round Trip airfare from Dallas TX to Tel Aviv.
- All necessary land transportation during the tour includes airport pick up and transfer.
- Sightseeing in a deluxe private air-conditioned motorcoach.
- Accommodations: 1 night in Tel Aviv, 2 nights in Nazareth, 6 nights in Bethlehem specified in the itinerary in 4 Star Hotels
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Rooms: Shared double room (Private room available upon request at additional cost)
- Guides: Licensed English speaking guide
- Fees: All entrance fees to historical sites, parks, and museums
- Tips for driver and tour guide
- Speaker Fees: Honorarium fees for speakers & organizations
Not Included
- Travel Insurance
- Health Insurance
- Meals: Lunch on Arrival & Departure Day
- Laundry
- Telephone calls, or services other than those specifically mentioned.
- Costs for items not on table d’hôte menus such as water or other beverages at lunch & dinner.
Experience a Spiritual Pilgrimage of a Lifetime
*Dates are estimates and subject to change based on COVID-19 travel restrictions.
Reserve for just $150 - 100% refundable up to 45 days prior to the trip. View Cancelation policy.
Holy Land Pilgrimage Itinerary
Depart to Tel Aviv airport.
In these uncertain COVID-19 times, make sure you include travel insurance with your flight. HL360 is closely monitoring travel restrictions as we move into Spring and Summer. As restrictions ease, we will provide greater certainty of travel dates, allowing you to book your flight with your airline of choice.
Arrive at Ben Gurion airport.
The Holy Land Trust team will be waiting for you at the airport and provide transportation to your hotel. You will have a short time to see the sites with an overnight stay in Tel Aviv
Caesarea Martima: Herod the Great built this ancent seaport, constructed on the coast of the Mediterranean, in honor of Caesar and named it "Caesarea Maritima."
Haifa/Bahai Garden: The Terraces of the Baháʼí Faith, also known as the Hanging Gardens of Haifa, are garden terraces around the Shrine of the Báb on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel.
Acre/Akko Crusader Remains: a UNESCO World Heritage site in recognition of the remains of the Crusader town both above and below street level.
Ibillin Community: A visit with Father Elias Chacour who served as Archbishop in the Catholic Church from 2006 to 2014. Noted for his efforts to promote reconciliation between Arabs and Jews, he describes himself as a "Palestinian-Arab-Christian-Israeli."
Dinner & Overnight in Nazareth
Church of Annunciation: Established over the site where tradition holds to be the house of Mary and Joseph, and where the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and announced that she would conceive and bear the Son of God, Jesus.
Cana of Galilee: The location of the Marriage at Cana, where the miracle of turning water into wine took place in the Gospel of John. Couples will have an opportunity to renew their marriage vows here.
Magdala: Tradition holds that Magdala is the birthplace of Mary Magdalene. In this area, you will experience a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee and visit the Mount of Beatitudes, Capernaum & Peter's House.
Lunch at St Peter's Fish Restaurant, Dinner & overnight in Nazareth
Meeting with Arab-Israeli Christian Community near Sepphoris.
Sepphoris: This former village and archaeological site near Nazareth holds a rich and diverse historical and architectural legacy. It is also believed to be the birthplace of Mary, mother of Jesus.
Mount Tabor: Located in Lower Galilee, Mount Tabor is considered the site of the transfiguration of Jesus.
Dinner & overnight in Bethlehem
Church of Nativity: Located in Bethlehem in the West Bank, this Holy site, and the caverns it contains below, holds a prominent religious significance to Christians as the birthplace of Jesus.
Shepherd’s Field Chapel: This chapel marks the place where, according to tradition, angels first announced the birth of Christ. It is also considered the place mentioned in Ruth 2:2, where Ruth gleaned grain for herself and Naomi.
Visit with Holy Land Trust: Holy Land Trust is a non-profit Palestinian organization committed to fostering peace, justice, and understanding in the Holy Land. Meet internationally known peace activist Sami Awad, often considered the Middle East Gandhi.
Walled Off Hotel: Built alongside the Israeli West Bank barrier, this offbeat and quirky boutique hotel was created by acclaimed artist Banksy. Enjoy the museum inside and a great cup of coffee.
Shopping at local Olive Wood carving shops in Bethlehem.
Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem
Masada: Masada is an ancient fortification situated on top of an isolated rock plateau. Build by Herod the Great; this imposing fortress is one of Israel's most popular tourist attractions.
Qumran: Qumran is best known as the settlement nearest to the Qumran Caves, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were hidden for thousands of years.
Jordan River Baptismal site: On this sacred river, experience the opportunity to renew your baptismal vows in the very river Jesus was baptized in by John the Baptist.
Time at Dead Sea Shore: The Dead Sea is a salt lake 1,412 ft below sea level, Earth's lowest elevation on land, which makes swimming similar to floating.
Jericho (Mount Temptation): The Mount of Temptation is said to be the hill in the Judean Desert where Jesus was tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:8).
Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem
Mount of Olives - Via Dolorosa (Stations of the Cross): The Mount of Olives: Understood to be the place from which Jesus ascended to heaven and is today an important pilgrimage site for Christians.
Holy Sepulcher Church: Located in the Old City of Jerusalem, The church contains, according to tradition, the two holiest sites in Christianity: the place of Jesus' crucifixion on Calvary, and Jesus's empty tomb, where he was buried and resurrected.
Walling Wall: The Wailing Wall is an ancient limestone wall in the Old City of Jerusalem. The Wall is the holiest place where Jews pray, though the Foundation Stone, the most sacred site in the Jewish faith, lies behind it.
Temple Mount: Located in the Old City of Jerusalem, this site for thousands of years has been revered as a holy site in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam alike.
Holocaust Museum Yad Vashem: This museum is Israel's official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. It is dedicated to preserving the memory of the dead, honoring Jews who fought against their Nazi oppressors and Gentiles who selflessly aided Jews in need.
Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem
Visit Taybeh Village – Mt Gerizim (Samaritan Community) – Jacobs’s Well in Nablus – Nablus Old City - Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem
Visit Hebron Old City & Market – The Tombs of patriarchs – Meeting with Christian Peacemaker Team – Meeting with Jewish Settler.
Farewell Dinner in Bethlehem with Bedouin Folklore dance Performance
Overnight in Bethlehem
Photo Gallery
Cancelation Policy
In the event of cancellation of travel services due to any reason including COVID-19 travel restrictions, Holy Land 360 must be notified in writing. Cancellation refunds are determined based on the date of notification in writing. Refunds are as follows:
- 45 days prior to arrival: 100% of the Tour/service cost
- 30 days prior to arrival: 80% of the Tour/service cost
- 15 days prior to arrival: 70% of the Tour/service cost
- 07 days prior to arrival: 50% of the Tour/service cost
- Less than 72 hours or No Show: No Refund
Some cancellation and refund policies are out of our control including:
- Refund for hotel payment will follow the hotel's cancellation policy
- Transportation cancellations will follow the transportation company policy
- Flight tickets cancellations will follow the airline's company policy
In case Group/Individual cancels the trip after commencement, the refund will be limited to the amount that we would recover from the hoteliers/ contractors we patronize. For unused hotel accommodation, chartered transportation & missed meals etc. we do not bear any responsibility to refund.
Experience a Pilgrimage of a Lifetime
*Dates are estimates and subject to change based COVID-19 travel restrictions.
Reserve for just $150 - 100% refundable up to 45 days prior to the trip. View Cancelation policy.