Catholic Pilgrimage

# Exploring the spiritual underpinnings of the land, how geography, history, and culture has shaped personal understandings of life and God.

Locations
        Catholic Pilgrimage Map
All Tours Include
  • Land transportation (private air-conditioned motor coach)
  • All accommodations during tour
  • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
  • Shared double room (Private room available upon request at additional cost)
  • Licensed English speaking guide
  • All entrance fees
  • Honorarium fees for speakers & organizations
This Tour Includes
Casarea Maritima
Chuch of the Annunciation
Church of the Nativity
Crusader Museum
Cultural & Historical Lectures
Dead Sea
Haifa Bahai Gardens
Jordan River
Masada
Old City Jerusalem
Sea of Galilee Boat Ride
Separation Wall Tour
Settlement Tour
Shepards Field
Visit with Father Chacour
Petra
Mt Neo
Not Included

Flight Ticket
Travel Insurance
Pickup from Airport (can be arranged for $120 USD)
Lunch on Arrival & Departure Day

Overview

The Catholic Pilgrimage is an opportunity to explore the spiritual underpinnings of the Holy Land, including how geography, history, and culture have shaped individual and theological understandings. Those who join us will be able to engage with locals at a more authentic, personal level, coming to a deeper appreciation of their experiences, their understanding of God’s plan, and their sense of how we can be brought together through love. An exploration of the history, culture, and spirituality of the Holy Land can make this a profound experience, helping participants build a deeper and more grounded faith.

  • CURRENT TOURS
  • TRIP DETAILS
  • SAMPLE ITINERARY

Catholic Holy Land Tour: August 2023

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We are planning our next Catholic tour in August 23 to September 1st 2023. This tour is organized with our US partner Holy Land 360. To check prices and itinerary, go to the Holy Land 360 tour page and to reserve your spot today!

LEARN MORE

 

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Catholic Pilgrimage

This pilgrimage will be a unique experience, allowing you to pray as you walk the footsteps of Jesus beside other Catholics. Masses will be performed at sites throughout the Holy Land.

As Catholics, we believe it is important to see humans through the eyes of Jesus. We do not travel in arrogance, but in humility. We also understand that true pilgrimage requires not just traveling to historical landmarks, but also connecting with the people of the Holy Land. Therefore, we will also be engaging with the local population to learn and better understand the conflict in Israel and Palestine, seeking to become peacemakers in the world.

Can I go if I'm not Catholic?

Yes, all are welcome! Please be respectful to others on the trip and recognize that it will be centered around Catholic beliefs and rituals, including Mass at holy sites.

What makes this trip unique?

This Holy Land tour provides two opportunities you would not normally receive through a typical travel organization. First, you will have full Masses with music at holy sites. Music will also be performed as we travel the Stations of the Cross, renew our baptismal rites at the Jordan River, and sing carols as we approach the nativity site in Bethlehem. This creates an atmosphere of prayer and meditation as a pilgrim, not just a tourist. Second, we spend multiple days inside the West Bank (Jericho and Bethlehem) and do our best to learn from Palestinian Christians, the living stones of the Holy Land, who have kept the faith alive for thousands of years. We understand that Jesus cared about people, and so we do, too.

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Can I travel Solo?

Absolutely! You will be paired with another solo traveler for your hotel stays. If you would like to have your own room, you’ll need to pay an additional $800 for the trip. If you or we cannot find another solo traveler for you to be paired with, you will need to pay the additional $800 for a single room.

Is it safe?

Yes. The news that you hear about rockets and violence centers around Gaza. We will be staying far away from Gaza. If for some reason, violence spreads outside of Gaza to an area where we are scheduled to visit, we will adjust our trip accordingly.

How will we travel around?

We’ll travel to Tel Aviv by plane and then will travel by air-conditioned bus for the rest of the sites. We will have a licensed tour guide with us for the entire trip as well as an experienced bus driver.

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What will food be like?

You’ll experience a mix of Middle Eastern and Western food. Hotel breakfasts and dinners often serve a variety of cuisine, including western selections. Lunches will be on-the-go and will often be Middle Eastern (think falafel, chicken kabob, pita bread, and hummus). Some days you’ll have the opportunity to walk and find a lunch that suits you. On other days, we’ll all eat lunch together. (Lunches are not covered in price). You are NOT forced to eat the meals at the hotels (although they are very tasty!). Feel free to venture out into the cities to eat whatever you like and experience more of the local cuisine.

How much walking will there be?

Quite a bit. You’ll need to be physically fit to attend this trip. The stones in the old cities are uneven and slippery, especially when wet and these old cities are unfortunately not handicap accessible. There will also be long hours of sitting on the bus to travel from city to city.

What are the accommodations like?

Please remember: this is a cultural immersion trip, not a luxury resort trip. Every hotel will be different. Some may feel like a vacation spot (e.g. Jericho) while others may feel like you’ve stepped back 1,000 years (e.g. Nazareth).

Upcoming Tours for 2023

We are planning our next Catholic tour in August 23 to September 1st 2023. This tour is organized with our US partner Holy Land 360. To check prices and itinerary, go to the Holy Land 360 tour page and to reserve your spot today!

LEARN MORE

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Day 1: Arrival Full Day in Tel Aviv
 
Day 2: Caesarea Martima, Haifa Bahai Gardens, Acre/Akko Crusader Remains, Ibillin, Fr. Chacour Visit, Overnight in Nazareth (Sisters of Nazareth)
 
Day 3: Mass at Church of the Annunciation, Sea of Galilee Boat Ride, Mount of Beatitudes, Primacy of St. Peter, Capernaum & Peter's House, Tiberias, Overnight in Nazareth
 
Day 4: Mass at Cana (Renewal of Marriage Vows), Caesarea Philippi, Overnight in Nazareth 

Day 5: Cross into Jordan via Sheikh Hussein Border, Jerash, Overnight in Petra
 
Day 6: Petra, Overnight in Petra
 
Day 7: Mt. Nebo, Jordan River Baptismal Site, Cross back into Israel (Allenby Bridge), Jericho, Mount of Temptations, Sycamore Tree, Overnight in Jericho
 
Day 8: Masada, Qumran, Dead Sea Overnight in Jericho
 
Day 9: Mass at Lazarus' Tomb, Bethany, Church of the Nativity, Separation Wall, Aida Refugee Camp, Overnight in Bethlehem
 
Day 10: Mass at Church of the Nativity, Shepherd's Field, Settlement and Meeting with Settler, Meeting with Local Christians, Overnight in Bethlehem

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Day 11: Mount of Olives, Holy Sepulchre, Overnight in Jerusalem

Day 12: Temple Mount, Western Wall, Mass at Holy Sepulchre, Overnight in Jerusalem
 
Day 13: FREE DAY IN JERUSALEM

Day 14: Travel Home

Upcoming Tours for 2023

We are planning our next Catholic tour in August 23 to September 1st 2023. This tour is organized with our US partner Holy Land 360. To check prices and itinerary, go to the Holy Land 360 tour page and to reserve your spot today!

LEARN MORE

Explore Our Tours

All
/
Cultural Immersion
/
Spiritual Pilgrimages
/
Adventure Tours
/
Catholic Pilgrimage / Exploring the spiritual underpinnings of the land, how geography, history, and culture has shaped personal understandings of life and God. Explore
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Christian Pilgrimage / To walk in the Holy Land, to experience “the Fifth Gospel” of pilgrimage, to meet and engage with the local people, the “living stones” of the Holy Land….is far more than an exciting tour Explore
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Fact Finding Tour / This tour provides a deeper understanding of Israel’s program of settler colonialism. Explore
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Olive Harvest / Holy Land Trust Olive Harvest Program is a response to the Israeli military and Israeli settler movement uprooting, poisoning, and setting fire to hundreds and hundreds of olive trees each year. Explore
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Summer Encounter / Program participants of Summer Encounter are invited to discover Palestine through the three-pillared foundation of Faith, Culture, and Justice. Explore
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Bet Lahem Live Festival / The largest creative resistance festival in Palestine Explore
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From Past Trips...

My time spent there was perhaps the most influential thing I’ve ever done, it has greatly ignited my passion for social justice and encouraged me to advocate for the ‪injustice of this conflict as much as I can. 

Julia Brown // Summer Encounter Participant 2013 //

The tour went very smoothly. Adjustments were made appropriately to itineraries due to traffic conditions or time constraints, transport was comfortable and efficient, the guides were all informative and (mostly!) sensitive and the hotels looked after us well. We all enjoyed the food!

St. Peter Church/ UK // //

The most amazing thing is how the Palestinians have retained their amazing spirit! I felt so welcomed by everyone I spoke with and met while at PSE. By the end of my time in Palestine, I had a new family that I loved... many new friends from around the world... and I am happy to let you know I consider Palestine my other home. Inshallah"

Lila Coddington Middlebury/USA // //

My own Christian faith has been deepened from my experience. I have more hope for the region from having met so many incredible people.

Lauren Brownlee/USA // //

This program gives you a truly extensive immersion experience across The Holy Land. The community projects, the family visits, and access to policymakers sets this program apart from all the rest.

Marcus Owtram/UK // //

From a group of individuals, with varying motivation, we left as friends, not only with each other but with the people we met along the way and felt united as a group, bound by the shared and varied experiences which Holy Land Trust had given us. It was exhausting and amazing in equal measure, but above all, a once in a lifetime experience.

St. Peter Church/UK // //

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