The Way of Christ
A Pilgrimage of Hope

Day 1: Caesarea - Megiddo - Tzipori 

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Our Holy Land journey begins in Caesarea, the ancient Roman capital of Judea, built by King Herod the Great on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. This historic port city played a central role in early Christianity: it’s where Peter preached to Cornelius, the first Gentile to receive the Gospel (Acts 10). This powerful encounter marked a turning point in the early Church, as the message of Jesus Christ was extended beyond the Jewish community. The Apostle Paul was also imprisoned and tried here before being sent to Rome (Acts 23), and Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor who sentenced Jesus, ruled from this very place. Caesarea was also the site of the outbreak of the Jewish Great Revolt, which eventually led to the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

 

From Caesarea, we continue to Megiddo, one of the most important archaeological and prophetic sites in the Holy Land. Located at a strategic crossroads of the ancient world, Megiddo witnessed numerous battles—from the time of the Canaanites through the era of Israel’s kings. It is mentioned in the Book of Kings as a city fortified by King Solomon (1 Kings 9), and its ruins include ancient gates, stables, and a remarkably advanced underground water system. Overlooking the Jezreel Valley, Megiddo is also known as the prophesied site of Armageddon the location of the final battle between the forces of good and evil (Rev 16).

 

Next, we visit Tzipori (Sepphoris), an ancient town near Nazareth rich with Jewish and Greco-Roman heritage. Here, you'll walk along well-preserved streets from the Second Temple and Byzantine periods, and view some of the finest mosaics in Israel—including a synagogue mosaic that depicts the Jewish Temple and everyday life in that era. As a major center of trade and craftsmanship in the Galilee, many believe that Jesus may have worked in Tzipori as a carpenter during his early life.

 

Dinner and overnight in Nazareth.

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Day 2: Tel Dan - Caesrea Philippi - Capernaum - Boat Ride - Tabgha - Mensa Christi - Magdala 

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We begin our day with an early morning departure to Tel Dan, one of the most significant biblical sites in northern Israel. This ancient city marked the northern border of the Kingdom of Israel and was a key site during the reign of Jeroboam (1 Kings 12), the first king of the northern kingdom, following Israel’s division. As we explore this stunning nature reserve, you’ll experience Israel’s lush greenery, flowing waters, and rich archaeological treasures all in one place. Tel Dan is particularly notable as the only site where the "House of David" inscription has been uncovered, providing historical confirmation of the biblical account. From here, we’ll gaze toward Mount Hermon, a potential site of the Transfiguration of Jesus, and also a natural border with Lebanon.

Next, we visit Banias, biblically known as Caesarea Philippi, the place where the Apostle Peter famously declared that Jesus is the Christ (Mat 16). Here, we’ll explore the ancient pagan temples before pausing for a time of spiritual prayer by the cool, refreshing waters flowing from Mount Hermon.

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Our journey then takes us to the Mount of Beatitudes, the peaceful hilltop where Jesus delivered His famous Sermon on the Mount (Mat 5-7). The breathtaking views over the Sea of Galilee create a perfect setting for prayer and reflection on His timeless teachings about love, humility, and faith.

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Afterward, we’ll board a boat for a spiritual boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, where you’ll reflect on the miracles Jesus performed, including walking on water (Mat 14) and calming the storm (Mat 8). This serene experience offers a unique opportunity to connect deeply with His presence and teachings.

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After lunch, we continue to Tabgha, the site of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish, where Jesus performed the miracle of feeding thousands (Mat 14). Nearby is the Primacy of Peter Church (Mensa Christi), where Jesus appeared to His disciples after His Resurrection, reaffirming His calling to Peter following his three denials (Jn 21). You’ll also have the chance to touch the waters of the Sea of Galilee, walking in the very footsteps of Jesus and reflecting on the miracles that unfolded here.

Our journey continues to Capernaum, known as Jesus' town (Mat 9), where He lived after being rejected in Nazareth. It was here that Jesus performed many miracles, including healing Peter’s mother-in-law (Mat 8). We’ll visit the House of Peter and the White Synagogue as we walk through the ancient remains of this biblical town, experiencing a deep connection to the early ministry of Christ.

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Our last stop for the day is the ancient Jewish town of Magdala, the hometown of Mary Magdalene, a devoted follower of Jesus. Here, we’ll visit the ancient synagogue, where Jesus is believed to have preached (Mat 4), and see the stone on which He placed the Torah. This site offers a profound connection to understanding the life and ministry of Jesus.

We’ll conclude the day with a peaceful drive back to Nazareth for dinner and overnight.

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Day 3:  Basilica of Annunciation - Synagogue Church - Cana - Mt. Tabor - Jordan River - Bethlehem 

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Our day begins with a visit to the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth, the site where the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and announced that she would conceive and bear a child, marking the beginning of the Incarnation (Lc 1). This is the place where the Word became flesh. From here, we will move on to the nearby St. Joseph's Church, believed to be the home where Jesus lived with His parents after returning from Egypt.

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Next, we will stroll through the ancient alleys of Nazareth to visit the Synagogue Church, a site associated with Jesus' teachings and His rejection by the people of His hometown (Lc 4).

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We then travel to Cana, the site of Jesus' first miracle at the wedding feast where He turned water into wine (Jn 2). Here, we’ll visit the Wedding Church, built to commemorate this powerful event, and explore the archaeological remains beneath the church that offer insights into the ancient setting.

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Next, we head to Mount Tabor, the traditional site of the Transfiguration, where Jesus revealed His divine glory to Peter, James, and John, accompanied by Elijah and Moses (Mat 17). As we explore the church atop this mountain, you’ll enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the Jezreel Valley that deepen the experience.

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After lunch, we will head to the Jordan River at Yardenit, where pilgrims can reaffirm their baptismal vows and take time to reflect on the deep significance of this sacred location. We will then continue our journey through the Jordan Valley, passing the historic site of Bet Shean and the Gilboa Mountains, where King Saul met his tragic end in battle with the Philistines (1 Sam 31). Upon reaching Jerusalem, we will make an evening stop at the Mount of Olives, where we will pause to admire and honor the holy city of Jerusalem.

 

Finally, we will travel to Bethlehem for dinner and overnight.

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Day 4: Church of Nativity – Shepherds’ Field – Israel Museum – Birthplace of John the Baptist – Church of Visitation

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Our day begins with a visit to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, the traditional site marking the birthplace of Jesus (Lc 2). Here, we’ll see the manger where Jesus was laid in humble surroundings, fulfilling the prophecy of Micah that the Savior would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5).

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Next, we continue to Shepherds' Field, the sacred site where the Angel Gabriel appeared to the shepherds, announcing the Good News of Jesus Christ's birth. This is also the place where the heavenly host of angels praised and glorified God, as described in the Gospel of Luke (Lc 2).

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After lunch, we drive to the Israel Museum, home to the Second Temple period model of Jerusalem, giving us a glimpse of the ancient city as it looked during the time of Jesus. We’ll also visit the Shrine of the Book, where the famous Dead Sea Scrolls are on display, offering invaluable insights into the biblical world.

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Next, we travel to the picturesque village of Ein Karem, the site of the Church of the Visitation, built to honor the visit of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth in the hill country of Judea (Lc 1). It was here that John the Baptist leapt in his mother's womb, and Mary proclaimed the beautiful Magnificat, praising God for His mighty works.

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We will also visit the birthplace of John the Baptist, where Zechariah, his father, uttered the Benedictus, giving thanks to God for the miraculous birth of his son in his old age, as recorded in the Gospel of Luke (Lc 1).

In the evening, we return to Bethlehem for dinner and a peaceful overnight stay, reflecting on the profound significance of the sacred sites we’ve visited today.

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Day 5: Jericho - Masada - Qumran - Dead Sea 

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Our day begins early as we journey into the Judean Desert, heading towards the ancient city of Jericho, one of the most significant biblical locations. In Jericho, we’ll reflect on key biblical events, including the conquest of Jericho by the 12 tribes of Israel (Josh 6) and the temptation of Jesus by Satan after His baptism in the Jordan River (Mat 4). We’ll also pass by the traditional sycamore tree, recalling the moment when Jesus pardoned Zacchaeus and showed His grace to a sinner (Lc 19).

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From Jericho, we’ll drive south along the Dead Sea and through the rugged beauty of the Judean Desert. On the way to Masada, we’ll pass by Ein Gedi, the desert oasis where David fled from King Saul (1 Sam 24), seeking refuge in this remote and sacred location. We’ll then continue to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Masada, the last stronghold of the Jews during the Great Revolt against the Romans. Here, we’ll explore the ancient fortress atop the mountain and take in breathtaking views of the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea below.

 

After descending via cable car, we continue to Qumran, the site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were written more than 2,000 years ago. We’ll explore the archaeological remains and learn about the fascinating history of these ancient texts and the community that used to live there. 

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Next, we’ll head to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth, for a relaxing float in its mineral-rich, buoyant waters. This unique experience offers both physical and spiritual renewal, along with the therapeutic benefits of the Dead Sea mud.

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We conclude our day with a scenic drive back to Bethlehem, where we’ll enjoy dinner and have a peaceful overnight stay, reflecting on the significant biblical sites we’ve visited.

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Day 6: Davidson center - Temple Mt - Western wall - Western wall tunnels - Pools of Bethesda- City of David - Hezekiah's tunnel

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Early in the morning we leave to the Old City of Jerusalem where we will visit the Davidson Center and the Southern Steps of the Temple. Here we will understand the history of Jerusalem through ages and its importance in our faith. We will also visit the archaeological remains that once existed around the Temple in Jerusalem.

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Later, we will visit the Temple Mount and tour the complex. While it is now home to important Islamic landmarks, it remains a site of great historical significance in the Bible. From there, we will continue to the Western Wall, where visitors will have the opportunity to leave a prayer note in the 2,000-year-old stones—a moment of quiet reflection in one of Jerusalem’s most sacred places.

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We will then join a guided tour of the Western Wall Tunnels to discover the hidden archaeological gems that reveal the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD by the Romans—an event that echoes through both Jewish and Christian history.

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After emerging from the tunnels, we visit the Pools of Bethesda, where, according to the Gospel of John, Jesus healed a man who had been paralyzed for 38 years (Jn 5). This site provides a tangible connection to the miracles of Jesus and the New Testament.

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Following lunch, we will explore the City of David, the original site of ancient Jerusalem. Here, we’ll discover the city’s earliest days and walk through archaeological remains that illuminate biblical history. The journey continues through Warren’s Shaft and the well-known Hezekiah’s Tunnel, ending at the Pool of Siloam, where Jesus healed a blind man as recorded in the scripture (Jn 9).

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Dinner and overnight stay in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus.

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Day 7: Room of Last Supper - David's tomb - St. Peter in Gallicantu - Church of Holy Sepulcher - Garden Tomb - Chapel of Ascension - Pater Noster - Dominus Flevit - Gethsemane 

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We begin the day with a visit to Mount Zion in Jerusalem, a key location connected to several important events in the Bible. Our first stop is the Upper Room, traditionally identified as the place of the Last Supper of Jesus and the Day of Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit descended upon the early believers (Acts 2).

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Nearby, we visit the traditional site of King David’s tomb, followed by St. Peter in Gallicantu, believed to be near the home of Caiaphas the High Priest. According to the Gospels, this is where Peter denied Jesus three times before the rooster crowed—just as Jesus had foretold (Mat 26).

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Next, we make our way to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, one of the proposed locations for the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. 

We continue through the Old City markets, exiting through the Damascus Gate, and arrive at the Garden Tomb. This peaceful site is often associated with the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Christ, and offers a quiet place to reflect, pray, and worship at what many consider to be a powerful visual reminder of the empty tomb (Jn 20).

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After lunch, we visit the Mount of Olives, an area rich with biblical meaning and prophecy. At the top, we stop at the Chapel of the Ascension, where Jesus is believed to have ascended into heaven.  According to the scripture, He will return in the same way (Acts 1).

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We then continue to the Pater Noster Church, traditionally associated with the place where Jesus taught the Lord’s Prayer to His disciples. From there, we descend to Dominus Flevit, the spot where Jesus wept over Jerusalem (Lc 19), expressing His sorrow and compassion for the city.

Our final stop is in Gethsemane, a garden filled with ancient olive trees, symbols of peace, kingship, and spiritual surrender. Here, Jesus prayed before His arrest, saying, “Not my will, but Yours be done” (Lc 22), modeling complete obedience to the Father.​

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Notes:

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✔Group size for the above itinerary is limited to up to 15 participants.

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✔The order of the sites may vary due to the guide's discretion, traffic conditions, opening hours of sites, and flight times.

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✔Overnight accommodations may vary by city depending on hotel availability and the needs of the group.​

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