HOLY LAND CATHOLIC PILGRIMAGE

The Experience

Day 1: Your pilgrimage begins as you depart the USA on an overnight flight.

Day 2: You will be welcomed to the Holy Land by our airport representative and transferred to your Bethlehem hotel. Enjoy dinner before retiring for the night.

Day 3: Travel to Ein Karem to visit the shrine of visitation and birthplace of St. John the Baptist and where the Virgin Mary visited Elisabeth prior to our Lord’s birth (Luke 1:26-40). In Bethlehem, visit the birthplace of Jesus, which is marked by the Basilica of the Nativity, and kneel at the place of his birth in the Grotto of the Nativity (Matt. 1:18-25). Celebrate Mass in Bethlehem and visit Shepherd’s field, where the Angel of the Lord proclaimed the good news of the birth of the Savior (Luke 2:8-18).

Day 4:  After breakfast, we visit Bethany, the town where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Celebrate Mass in Bethany. We then drive to visit the Qasr El-Yahud baptismal site on the River Jordan, which the Vatican recognizes as the authentic site of the baptism. There, we renew our baptismal vows. We pass through Jericho, with a view on the Mount of Temptation, the place where Jesus spent 40 days and 40 nights in the desert. Drive to the Dead Sea, where we can float on the mineral-rich water.

Day 5: Journey north and visit the Franciscan Wedding Church at Cana, the site of Jesus’ first miracle as He changed water into wine (John 2). Continue on to Nazareth, Jesus’ boyhood home (Matthew 2:23), and celebrate Mass in the Grand Basilica of the Annunciation. You will also see the house of the Holy Family, St. Joseph’s Workshop, and St. Joseph’s Church.

Stand atop Mount Precipice, where Luke describes how Jesus was rejected by those in the synagogue after He taught them. Filled with anger, they “led Him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast Him down headlong” (Luke 4: 29).

Day 6: Enjoy beautiful Capernaum, the center of Jesus’ ministry, and visit the synagogue located on the site where Jesus taught (Matt. 4:13, 23).

Sail across the Sea of Galilee, reflecting on the gospel stories of Jesus calming the storm. Listen to Jesus’ words from His Sermon on the Mount at the Mount of Beatitudes (Matt. 5-7) and celebrate Mass at the Church of the Beatitudes.

At the Church of the Multiplication, the location of the feeding of the 5,000, explore the Church of the Loaves and Fish (Luke 9:10-17). Also, we will visit St. Peter’s Primacy, where Jesus bestowed church leadership upon Peter (John 21:9).

In Magdala, once home to Mary Magdalene, visit a recently discovered first-century synagogue.

Day 7: This morning drive to Mount Tabor, the Mount of the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8). From the top of the mountain, there is a wonderful panoramic view that extends from Mount Hermon in the north to the hills of Samaria in the south.

Celebrate Mass at the Church of the Transfiguration. Continue west to Haifa. In Haifa, ascend Mount Carmel, where we will visit Stella Maris, a Carmelite Monastery. The monastery is located above the cave where Elijah, the prophet, once dwelled. In Emmaus, you’ll see where Jesus appeared to two disciples after His resurrection.

Day 8: This morning, drive to the top of the Mount of Olives, the place from which Jesus ascended into heaven forty days after His resurrection (Acts 1:9-12), for a majestic view over all of ancient and modern Jerusalem, the center of the biblical world.

Visit the Pater Noster Church and the Chapel of Dominus Flevit (Jesus wept) before walking down the “Palm Sunday Road” to the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations (Basilica of the Agony), where Christ prayed on the night of His betrayal (Luke 22:40-46).

Celebrate Mass at the Church of All Nations. Next, we drive to the Upper Room, revered as the location of the Last Supper (Mark 14:12-26), and the Dormition Abbey on Mount Zion.

Afterward, we will visit the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu (government house of Caiaphas), where Jesus was imprisoned the night of His arrest (Matt. 26:57-65).

Day 9: Experience a walking tour within the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem, visiting the Pools of Bethesda, where Jesus healed the man who had been crippled for 38 years (John 5:2-9), and the Church of St. Anne where there is an opportunity to sing a hymn before walking along the Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross) from Pilate’s Judgment Hall to the empty tomb in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Celebrate the Mass of the Resurrection at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Afterward, we will visit the Western Wall and enjoy a final meal before returning to the USA.

Day 10: Depart on an extension or return to the USA

Wonders of Petra & the Dead Sea - starting from $1598.00

Day 10: Enjoy a free day in Jerusalem to explore on your own or just relax at your hotel.

Day 11: This morning, you will journey across the Allenby Bridge on your way to Jerash, one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world. Stroll through the oval piazza and wander along colonnaded streets etched by the wheels of ancient chariots. Stand in the grand theatre where an onstage whisper can be heard in the top row. Continue to your hotel for dinner and your overnight stay.

Day 12: Begin your journey south towards Petra today. Stop in Madaba, the City of Mosaics, to visit the Church of Saint George with its sixth-century, Byzantine, mosaic map showing Jerusalem and other holy sites.

Continue to Mount Nebo, where Moses caught a glimpse of the Promised Land (Deut. 34). On a clear day, you can see all the way across the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea to the rooftops of Jerusalem and Bethlehem. End your day at the shore of the Dead Sea and check into your hotel. 

Day 13: Explore the city of Petra. Its entrance passes through a long, narrow gorge known as the Siq and can only be accessed by carriage, horseback, or on foot. Once inside the city, marvel at the intricate detail of a city that was cut into the cliffsides of rose-colored rock. Return to your hotel at the Dead Sea for dinner and your overnight stay.

Day 14: Enjoy a free morning at your hotel. Cross the border back into Israel and enjoy dinner in Jerusalem. Afterward, you will travel to the airport in Tel Aviv to begin your journey home.

Day 15: Return to the USA

Extension Dates available:

January 13
February 10, 17
March 10
October 27
November 10
December 1

Cairo & the Route of the Exodus - starting from $2098.00

Day 10: Enjoy a day at leisure in Jerusalem. Explore the ancient city on your own or rest at the hotel. Breakfast and dinner are included in your hotel stay.

Day 11: Travel in the footsteps of the Holy Family as you travel along the ancient caravan route from Jerusalem to the Sinai desert. Cross the border and check into your hotel near Mount Sinai for dinner and rest.

Day 12: This morning, you can opt to climb Mt. Sinai, where tradition says that Moses received the Ten Commandments.

Everyone will visit the fortified St. Catherine's Monastery, built in the 6th century and one of the oldest working monasteries in the world, with the world's oldest continually operating library.  Both the Codex Sinaiticus and the Syriac Sinaiticus, important early Biblical manuscripts, were discovered here.  

Even Mohammed found refuge here, and the site is sacred to all three monotheistic religions. Remember the story of Moses and the burning bush, which tradition places inside the monastery. Continue to Sharm el-Sheik for dinner and overnight at your hotel located on the shores of the Red Sea.

Day 13: Enjoy a relaxing morning before travelling to Cairo for dinner and an overnight stay. 

Day 14: This morning, visit the Grand Egyptian Museum, which houses 7,000 years of Egyptian history and features the world-famous golden treasures from King Tutankhamun's tomb. After, you will see the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 15: Travel as Abraham did to Memphis (Biblical Noph) and on to Saqqara, where you will see the Step Pyramid, the world’s oldest stone structure. Enjoy an afternoon Felucca ride. Enjoy dinner at your hotel and prepare for your flight home.

Day 16: Return to the USA

Extension dates available:
January 13
February 10, 17
December 1

Jerusalem Extended Stay - starting from $698.00

Day 10 to 12: Enjoy time on your own in Jerusalem. Breakfast and dinner are included at your hotel.

Day 13: Transfer to the airport and return home with memories to share.

Extension Dates available:
January 13
February 10, 17

Package Deposit & Payment Schedule

Trip Deposit & Payment Schedule

• A payment of $300.00 per person is all that is due to secure your spot for this pilgrimage. This includes a $100.00 per person non-refundable cancellation fee. SEE CANCELLATION POLICY BELOW FOR MORE DETAILS
• $1500.00 per person is due 120 days prior to travel.
• Full payment for your trip is due 80 days prior to travel.
• Payments towards your balance can be made monthly. Hidden Gem Travel sends out monthly statements on the 1st of each month after you have submitted your registration fee, where you can optionally apply a payments that work for you. 
• If you would like a single stay, there is an additional supplement of $798.00 for the tour; $999 - $1349 for the Greek Isle Cruise Extension. These single supplement fees are in addition to the full price per person for your trip and will guarantee you will not share a room or stateroom during your trip.

Ability to Travel

Passengers registering for this tour accept the responsibility for being in good health and able to walk and travel on this tour. Because many of the sites are not accessible to the physically challenged, those needing oxygen, wheelchairs, or other ambulatory assistance will find the tour extremely limiting to their experiences.

Persons using C-Pap machines requiring distilled water will need to inform Hidden Gem Travel ahead of time, so we can work with local operators to prepare as it is not always available. We reserve the right to refuse or revoke travel to anyone who is, in the sole judgement of us, incapable of group travel without causing undue demands upon the staff or other tour participants. Accessible rooms are very limited and subject to confirmationn after receiving the registrant's written request.

Traveling with Children

Children under the age of 13 at the time of travel are unable to attend this trip. Any person under the age of 18 must be traveling with a parent or legal guardian.

If you are interested in bringing children, simply add them to the registration form and select one of the rooming options. 3rd and 4th guests will be priced at a separate rate.

-Very Important - Please Read-

Reservation Cancellation Policy

Those registering for this pilgrimage should be aware of the following cancellation penalties: 

From the day of registration to 105 days prior to travel, you will be charged the $100.00 non-refundable cancellation fee plus any airline & land fees. Additionally, thereafter, you will be charged any airline penalties, land penalties and a single room supplement if your cancellation forces your roommate plus the following per-person charges: 104 - 60 DAYS PRIOR TO TRAVEL = $400.00; 59 - 45 DAYS PRIOR TO TRAVEL = $600.00; 44 - 31 DAYS PRIOR TO TRAVEL = 40% total cost of trip; 30 DAYS OR LESS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE = 100% NON-REFUNDABLE. Cancellations must be submitted in writing no later than 12pm CST on the day of cancellation.

Registrations reveived within 115 days prior to travel will have additional fees, starting at $100.00 per person. Additional fees will be advised after registering.

Statements of Responsibility

Hidden Gem Travel and ETS Tours do not accept responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air schedules, hotel overbookings, other hotel related problems or causes, and/or travel supplier cancellations or postponements. Travel suppliers include all tour operators, cruise lines, airlines, hotels, bus companies, entertainment venues, agencies, and any other travel supplier used to operate the tour.

All such losses or expenses will be the responsibility of the passenger. ETS Tours reserves the right to make adjustments to the itinerary as deemed desirable by us, and we reserve the right to cancel any tour prior to departure. If a tour is canceled beyond the control of us, ETS Tours will provide a refund or a future travel credit to be used two years from the date of issuance for the value of all funds paid by the passenger less nonrefundable travel supplier prepaid deposits, travel supplier change fees, nonrefundable travel protection premiums, and a $150 administration fee collected by ETS Tours.

Travel Insurance

**If you have any questions about the travel insurance please call Travel Insured at 1-800-243-3174. We (Hidden Gem Travel) are not a licensed insurance company and cannot legally answer any insurance-related questions.**

Not purchasing travel protection could result in the loss of your travel money and/or require more money to correct the situation. Without protection, there is no way to recoup any costs, losses, or expenses incurred.  The price of Travel Protection is NOT included in the price of room selections and is non-refundable once purchased.

Having travel protection is definitely important and we recommend it for everyone. However, the choice to have travel protection is solely up to you, and you are welcome to purchase through any company you like.

Click here to purchase travel insurance.

When you click the link, you will need to answer a few questions about your trip, and you'll be redirected to a page with their policy plans and pricing.

The website offers plans like the "Worldwide Platinum Trip Protector" plan with optional add-ons like CFAR (Cancel for Any Reason), Optional Bed Rest to cover any quarantine expenses, and more. Travel Insured is the company we personally use and we highly recommend them for travel insurance needs.

If you want the CFAR (Cancel for Any Reason) benefit you will have to add it to the policy and you must purchase insurance no later than 20 days after you make your initial payment. CFAR is not available to NY residents.

The basic "Worldwide Platinum Trip Protector" plan which does not include CFAR can be purchased at any time, including more than 20 days after your first payment, but it will not cover the Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion Waiver or the Bankruptcy/Default of an airline, cruise line, tour operator or any other travel vendors. However, you can still cancel for a covered reason and potentially receive up to 100% in refunds as long as it's a covered reason.

Depending on the reason for canceling, travel insurance will cover 75-100% of your trip cancelation and many other things like medical services, trip delay, lost luggage, and more.

We strongly suggest you call and verify which policy will be best for your travel needs. You can reach an insurance agent at 1-800-243-3174.