pilgrimage to egypt & holy land

Departure from Canada

Late afternoon departure from Toronto via Frankfurt to Cairo, capital of Egypt.

Cairo

Early afternoon arrival in Cairo. Transfer to hotel for dinner and overnight.

Old Cairo - Egyptian Museum, Giza

Morning we drive to Old Cairo, visit the Hanging Church-the most famous Coptic Church in Cairo-named so, as it was built by the Nile River over the Roman Gate of Babylon. During a walking tour of the old city, our guide will point out the route taken by Abraham, Joseph, Moses and the family of Jesus – an inspiring thought. In the afternoon, you will visit the Egyptian Museum which contains the world’s largest and finest collection of Egyptian antiquities representing over 5000 years of history. Drive to Giza, we will visit one of the seven wonders of the world, the three Pyramids. Nearby is the Sphinx, carved almost entirely from one block of limestone, representing a man with the body of a lion.

Luxor, Temples of Karnak and Luxor

After breakfast we leave Cairo by air to Luxor. Upon arrival we are transferred to our hotel for some rest. In the afternoon a private guide will take us to visit the east bank of the Nile, where we will explore the ruins of the Temples of Karnak and Luxor.

West bank of Nile

Today we explore the west bank of the Nile, visit the Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut and Colossi of Memnon. Afternoon transfer to the airport for a flight to Cairo for dinner and overnight.

Sinai Peninsula - St Catherine, Taba at the Gulf of Aqaba

In the morning we depart to the Sinai Peninsula, the land bridge between Asia and Africa a cradle of civilizations of the ancient world. On to St. Catherine, at the foot of Mount Sinai, to visit (outside) the Greek Orthodox Monastery dating back to the 4^th century. Continue to Taba at the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea for dinner and overnight.

Taba - Jericho

After breakfast and a relaxing morning we cross the border between Egypt and Israel at Taba. We travel to Jericho for dinner and overnight.

Masada - Dead Sea - Jericho

This morning we leave for a full day excursion to Masada, the Dead Sea and Jericho, the oldest inhabited city in the world. We visit the town and celebrate Mass. Time for swimming in the Dead Sea before returning to Jericho for dinner and overnight.

Jerusalem - Bethlehem

Leave Jericho for Jerusalem to visit the Old City: St. Ann's Church, the Pool of Bethesda, Pilate's Judgment Hall, the Chapel of the Flagellation and the Arch of Ecce Homo, the convent of the sisters of Zion. We continue with the Stations of the Cross – Via Dolorosa to the Holy Sepulchre. Mass will be celebrated in one of the many churches of Jerusalem. In the afternoon we visit the Western Wall, also called the “Wailing Wall”, and the Mosque of Omar and El Aksar. Continue to Bethlehem for dinner and overnight.

Bethlehem

After breakfast we visit Bethlehem – where Jesus was born, celebrating Christmas Mass in one of the grottos. We visit the Manger, Crusaders' Cloister, the Grotto of St. Jerome – Sheppard’s field and Milk Grotto. In the afternoon we visit Mount Zion with the Upper Room (Room of the Last Supper) and the Church of St. Peter's in Gallicantu. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Ein Karem

This morning we take a short drive to Ein Karem, the picturesque village where Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth. Here we will visit the Church of the Visitation. Return to Jerusalem, free time for leisure.

Mount Tabor - Cana - Nazareth

Today we travel to Galilee. We ascend Mount Tabor – the Mount of the Transfiguration. Continue to Cana – the site of Jesus' first miracle. Here we celebrate a marriage renewal ceremony. Then we move on to Nazareth where we celebrate Mass at the Basilica of the Annunciation and we visit Mary's Well and St. Joseph's Carpentry Shop. Dinner and overnight.

Sea of Galilee - Tabgha, Mount of the Beatitudes, Jordan River

After breakfast we depart for Tiberias. We travel by boat on the Sea of Galilee, visit Capernaum, home of St. Peter and the site of Jesus' preaching, on to Tabgha to see the Church of the Multiplication with its beautiful 5th century fish mosaic. We also visit the Church of the Primacy and celebrate Mass on the Mount of the Beatitudes. On our way back to the hotel we stop at the Jordan River where Jesus was baptized. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Megiddo - Haifa - Mt Carmel

After breakfast we depart to Tel Aviv. En route we visit the archaeological site of Megiddo and continue to Haifa and Mt. Carmel, the “burning place” where Elijah called fire down to confound the prophets of Baal. Here we celebrate Mass. On to Cesarea by the Sea and our hotel in Tel Aviv for dinner and overnight.

return to Canada

After breakfast we are transferred to the airport in Tel Aviv for a flight via Frankfurt to Toronto. Afternoon arrival.