A Pilgrimage to the Holyland with Jordan & Egypt

12 DAYS In AMMAN * MT. NEBO * MADABA * PETRA * JERICHO * MT. OF TEMPTATION * YARDENIT * TIBERIAS *GALILEE * CAPERNAUM *TABGHA * MT. OF BEATITUDES * MT. TABOR * CANA * NAZARETH *MT. CARMEL * HAIFA * CAESARIA * JERUSALEM * BETHLEHEM * DEAD SEA * ST. CATHERINE * MT. SINAI * CAIRO

Pilgrimage Chaplain: TBA
Departure: November 12-23, 2011

12 NOV                        MANILA – AMMAN – MADABA – MT. NEBO – AMMAN           (D)

Morning arrival in Jordan from Abu Dhabi via Etihad Airlines. After Immigration and Custom Formalities, proceed to visit this ancient capital city Amman, known in the Greco-Roman times as Philadelphia.  Discover the Citadel, the Roman Theater, the Temple of Hercules, are its main attractions.  We continue to Madaba to visit the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George to view the earliest surviving original map of the Holy Land made around AD 560.  Then continue to the hilly district of Mt. Nebo believed to be the burial site of Moses in the Old Testament. Celebrate Mass at the Church of Mt. Nebo. Check-in hotel at Geneva Hotel or similar and enjoy quiet dinner.

13 NOV                        AMMAN – PETRA – AMMAN                                                     (B, D)

Begin your day visiting this Nabataean fortress city of Petra once used a temporary refuge by Arabs and Bedouins. It is one of the Seven Wonders of the World.   Take a ride on horse-drawn carriage and camels to this red-rose city to view the awesome “Siq”, an immense crack in the Nubian sandstone. See the most impressive monument of el Khazneh-The Treasury, the most elegant remains of antiquity carved out of solid rock.  Be impressed by the carved and built structures, soaring temples, elaborate royal tombs, a carved 3,000-seat Roman Theater, burial chambers, banquet halls, water channels and reservoirs, monumental staircases and other unique buildings. Return to Amman for overnight.

14 NOV                        AMMAN – YARDENIT – MOUNT TABOR – TIBERIAS                   (B, D)

After breakfast, check–out then proceed for a long drive to Israel crossing the border.  As we enter Israel known as the Holy Land, you will discover the history where the footsteps of Jesus can be found.  Stop at Yardenit, the baptismal site on the Jordan River where St. John the Baptist baptized Jesus.  Here you will renew your baptismal vows.  Next ascend to Mount Tabor. Celebrate Mass at the Church of Transfiguration.  And view the vast Jordan Valley from this vantage point. Proceed to Leonardo Hotel or similar.  Check-in. Dinner and overnight at hotel

15 NOV            SEA OF GALILEE – MT. OF BEATITUDES – TABGHA – CAPERNAUM – CANA – NAZARETH (B, D)

Start the day with a meditation and boat ride on the Sea of Galilee where Jesus walked on the water.  Get off at Capernaum. Visit the ruins of the old synagogue where Jesus preached. Visit the House of Peter nearby.  Celebrate garden Mass at the Mt. of Beatitudes where Jesus taught the “Sermon on the Mount”.  Then proceed to Tabgha, to visit the Church of Multiplication where Jesus fed five thousand people with five loaves of bread and two fish.  Visit the St. Peter’s Primacy Church, site of Christ’s third appearance to his apostles after his resurrection.  Then proceed to the village of Cana, where Jesus performed his first miracle by changing water into wine during a wedding celebration. Here couples can renew their marriage vows.  Then proceed to Nazareth, the town where Jesus spent his childhood.  Back to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

16 NOV                        TIBERIAS – MT. CARMEL – HAIFA – CAESAREA – JERUSALEM    (B, D)

Today visit and celebrate Mass at the Basilica of the Annunciation where Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary. Nearby stands the Church of St. Joseph where Joseph taught Jesus carpentry. Discover the house where the Holy family lived.  Proceed to Haifa and visit the Stella Maris Church and Elijah’s cave.  Next stop is the magnificent Bahai Shrine and view its hanging gardens.  Ascend to the summit of the Mt. Carmel called Muhraka, and a small Carmelite monastery built on the spot where the prophet Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal. Continue to the crusader city of Caesarea and view the ruins of the Roman aqueduct and theater. Drive to the historical city of Jerusalem. Proceed to Emmaus, place where Jesus appeared after his Resurrection to Two Men Walking along the Road. Check-in at Ramada Royal Hotel or similar for dinner and overnight stay.                                                                                                    

17 NOV                        JERUSALEM – BETHLEHEM                                                        (B, D)

Start your day with a visit to the Mt. of Olives, visit the Church of the Ascension where Jesus ascended to heaven. Next stop is the Church of Pater Noster where Jesus taught the “Our Father”. Walk along the Palm Sunday Road to the Church of Dominus Flevit where Jesus wept for Jerusalem.  Then visit The Church of All Nations. Here you will see the traditional Rock of the Agony in front of the main altar.  See the oldest olive tree in the Garden of Gethesemane, where Jesus spent his last hours before He was arrested. Then drive to Bethlehem to visit the Basilica of the Nativity where Jesus was born.  At the Grotto of Nativity, see the star that has 14 points and the site of the Holy Manger.  Next to it is the altar devoted to the Three Wise Men. Celebrate Mass at the Basilica of St. Catherine. Underground are the Cloister of St. Jerome, Chapel of the Innocents and Chapel of St. Joseph. Proceed to Shepherd’s Field where the angels announced that the Son of God was born. Then on to Bethany, home of Lazarus, Martha and Mary. Dinner then Overnight                                                                                                                 

18 NOV                        JERUSALEM                                                                              (B, D)

Today is a visit to the Pool of Bethsaida, where Jesus healed the paralytic man.  Celebrate Mass at the Church of St. Anne, house of Mary’s parents.  Then we  begin at Via Dolorosa tracing the 14 Stations of the Cross stopping and praying at each station  until we reach the Church of the Holy Sepulchre which is erected on the site of the Crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Next proceed to the Western or “Wailing” Wall, remnant of the Second Temple, where the Jews gather for public worship, celebration and pray for Israel’s restoration.  Then to the Temple Mount and have a glimpse of the Dome of the Rock, one of the most beautiful shrines in the Islamic world.  At Mt. Zion, we visit the Upper Room where Jesus and His Disciples had the Last Supper. Below is the Tomb of King David who established Jerusalem as the capital and worship center of the God of Israel.  We then visit the Dormition Abbey where Mary slept and went to heaven.  A wooden and ivory effigy of Virgin Mary asleep in death graces the crypt of the church.  Then visit the Church of St.Peter in Gallicantu where Peter denied Jesus three times before cock crowed; and the former House of Caiaphas where Jesus spent the night before his trial in the Prison Pit. Proceed to Ein Karem, the birth place  of  John  the  Baptist and  see  the  Church of St. John. Nearby is the Church of Visitation where the famous Magnificat is translated into several languages.

19 NOV                        JERUSALEM – QUMRAN – DEAD SEA – JERICHO                       (B, D)

Travel along the Judean Wilderness by the shores of the Dead Sea arriving at Qumran where the Bedouins and

archaeologists found  in the caves the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947 that includes the Hebrew Bible; commentaries on Scriptures  and biblical literature.  Continue past the oasis of Ein Gedi to the ancient Fortress of Massada for viewing from a distance. This mountaintop fortification was where 960 Jewish zealots took their own lives rather than surrender to the Roman Army.  If time and weather permits take a dip in the Dead Sea and test its buoyant waters.  The high salt content makes it impossible to drown. Drive to Jericho passing by the oldest Sycamore Tree before going to Mount of Temptation, where Jesus was tempted by the devil for forty days. Dinner and overnight stay.

20 NOV                        JERICHO – EILAT – TABA BORDER – ST. CATHERINE, SINAI       (B, D)

After breakfast will pass by Ahava Factory for the Dead Sea Products before a long drive to Eilat at Taba Border crossing to go St. Catherine in Sinai.  Check-in at Morgenland Hotel for overnight and dinner.

21 NOV                        ST. CATHERINE – MOUNT SINAI – CAIRO                                  (B, D)

Early morning climb at Mount Sinai.  Visit The Basilica that has 3 halls:  The Sanctuary; the Altar and the Nave. It has the oldest and most beautiful mosaics in the Eastern Orthodox Church.  See The Chapel of the Burning Bush; The Library; The Mosque and around is the museum of the monastery.  At Moses Mountain called Mt. Moneiga as the highest summit is where God spoke to Prophet Moses and gave the Ten Commandments. Celebrate Mass before descending back.  Then on return, have breakfast at hotel before check out.   Enjoy long drive to CAIRO CITY passing by SUEZ CANAL and MOSES SPRING.  Check-in at Grand Pyramids Hotel or similar for freshen up in time for the Dinner Cruise along the Nile River with Show. Overnight at hotel.                    

22 NOV            DEPART  CAIRO                                                                        (B, D)

Breakfast in the hotel.  Start your visit at EGYPTIAN MUSEUM which opened in 1863 that boasts a pride of collection of artifacts recovered from Tutankhamun’s tomb and has excellent pieces from every period of ancient Egyptian history.  Its galleries has Old and New Kingdoms; Tutankhamun Galleries; Middle Kingdom Models; Royal Mummy Room and miscellaneous exhibits.  Then proceed to the great Giza Pyramids and Sphinx. Visit to the Hanging Church/Coptic church.  Last Stop if time permits, PAPYRUS FACTORY. Transfer to Cairo Airport for flight back to Manila via Abu Dhabi on Etihad  Airlines.

23 NOV            MANILA

Arrive Manila in the afternoon.

INCLUSIONS:
Roundtrip economy airfare on ETIHAD AIRLINES
Roundtrip airport – hotel- airport transfers
Hotel accommodations based on twin sharing
Daily BUFFET breakfast and dinner
Transportation by air-conditioned motor coach
Sightseeing as per itinerary with entrance fees to shrines
Services of an English Speaking tour guide
Travel Insurance
Porterage of one piece of luggage
Pre- departure orientation
REMARKS:
ALL VISAS TO BE PROCESSED IN JORDAN AND EGYPT. PASSPORT MUST BE VALID AT LEAST 6MONTHS

FLIGHT DETAILS:
MANILA / ABU DHABI NOV 12 EY 421 01:05 – 06:15
ABU DHABI / AMMAN NOV 12 EY 513 08:10 – 09:40
CAIRO / ABU DHABI NOV 22 EY 656 16:15 – 21:45
ABU DHABI / MANILA NOV 23 EY 424 03:40 – 16:15

HOTELS: ( 4 STAR )
Geneva Hotel or Similar in Amman – 02 Nights
Leonardo Hotel or Similar in Tiberias – 02 Nights
Ramada Royal Hotel or Similar in Jerusalem -03 Nights
Intercontinental Hotel in Bethlehem – 01 night
Morgenland Hotel or Similar in St. Catherine – 01 Night
Grand Pyramids Hotel or Similar in Cairo – 01 nights

TOUR ITINERARIES AND PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.

CONDITIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

TOUR COST PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE Philippine Travel Tax (PHP1,620.00; Airport/Departure Taxes; Visa Fees and Documentation Expenses; Insurance; Hospitalisation and other medical expenses; tours and transportation during leisure periods; Porterage/Extra cost of excess luggage over the twenty (20 ) kilos allocation; drinks and beverages taken during meals; expenses of personal nature such as laundry, telephone, fax, room service, mini-bar, tips for guides, drivers, tour escorts, bellboys, waiters, room boys.

ALEVIA TRAVEL & TOURS has arranged for the various tour services to be performed under the responsibility of various contractors and as such Alevia Travel & Tours , its employees, or its sub-agents act only as agents for the various contractors providing the various services described in the above tour and accepts no responsibility or liability in connection with losses or accidental expenses due to delays of schedule, overbooking, defaults, theft, civil disturbances, breakdown of equipments,  acts of God,  or ‘force majeure’. All tour itineraries and arrangements are subject to general conditions specified by each contractor.  When making a tour booking, the passenger acknowledges and accepts the foregoing conditions.

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