Pilgrimage Chaplain: Bishop Raul Martirez, DD
DEC 19 (WED) MANILA – AMMAN, Jordan
Take the post-midnight flight to Amman.
DEC 20 (THU) AMMAN – MT. NEBO – MADABA – AL MAGHTAS – AMMAN
Arrive Amman in the morning. Visit Mount Nebo, the highest in the Moabit range which have been centers for pilgrimages since the earliest Christian times. Mt. Nebo is where tradition says Moses was shown the Promised Land. Then tour the Greek Orthodox church in Madaba which houses some of the finest Byzantine mosaics in the world, including the famous 6th century map of Palestine. To Al-Maghtas, the original spot where Jesus Christ was baptized by John the Baptist. Dinner and stay at Quality Suites Hotel (4*) or similar in Amman.
DEC 21 (FRI) AMMAN – PETRA – AMMAN
Full-day excursion to the “Red Rose” city of Petra, one of the world’s most unique phenomena, on horseback and on foot. Explore the “Lost” city through a narrow ravine, flanked by overwhelming cliffs. See the spectacular Treasury, Pharaoh’s Castle, the Triumphal arch, the Roman amphitheater, courts, Temple of the Winged Lion and monuments. The Nabateans carved their capital from the living rock of the surrounding mountains in Petra. Back to Amman for dinner and stay at hotel.
DEC 22 (SAT) AMMAN – ALLENBY BRIDGE – JERICHO – BETHANY – JERUSALEM
Cross the border to Israel thru Allenby Bridge. Take lunch in Jericho. From a distance, view the Mt. of Temptation and pass by the Sycamore tree where Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector, climbed to see Jesus pass by. Celebrate mass at the Church in Bethany before proceeding to Jerusalem for dinner and stay at Dan Jerusalem Hotel (4*) or similar.
DEC 23 (SUN) MT. OF OLIVES – KIDRON VALLEY – MT. ZION
To Mt. of Olives: Photo opportunity with the Old City in the background, Ascension Chapel, Pater Noster Church, walk the Palm Sunday Road to the Chapel of Dominus Flevit (Rite of Reconciliation), Garden of Gethsemane and Basilica of the Agony (Mass). To Christian Mt. Zion: Coenaculum (Last Supper, Appearances on the day of Resurrection and one week later, Pentecost), Cenotaph of King David, Benedictine Abbey and Church of Dormition (Mary’s Assumption). To the Kidron Valley: St. Peter of “Gallicantu”. Visit the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. Take early dinner, then proceed to Manger Square in Bethlehem to watch the concert “Songs from the Heart at Christmas” with Mitch Valdes. Return to hotel in Jerusalem.
DEC 24 (MON) OLD CITY OF JERUSALEM – QUMRAN – DEAD SEA – SHEPHERD’S FIELD – JERUSALEM
Old City: Church of St. Anne, Pool of Bethesda, Ecce Homo, Via Dolorosa from the Church of the Condemnation to the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre (Mass). On to Qumran for lunch and to view the ruins of the Essene Community and see the caves where the Dead Sea scrolls were found. Enjoy a dip at the healing waters of the Dead Sea. Visit Shepherd’s Field and enjoy a Christmas Eve dinner at the Bedouin tent in Beit Sahour. Return to Jerusalem for stay at hotel.
DEC 25 (TUE) JERUSALEM – EIN KAREM – BETHLEHEM – TIBERIAS
Visit Ein Karem: Church of the Visitation (Christmas Mass) and Church of St. John. In Bethlehem, visit the Basilica and Grotto of the Nativity, St. Catherine’s Church and St. Jerome’s Cave. Shop for olive wood souvenirs at the local stores in Bethlehem. Leave for Tiberias for dinner and stay at Prima Galil Hotel (4*) or similar.
DEC 26 (WED) TIBERIAS – NAZARETH – CANA – MT. TABOR – SEA OF GALILEE – TIBERIAS
Visit Nazareth: Basilica and Grotto of the Annunciation, Church of St. Joseph and the Church of St. Gabriel and Mary’s well. On to Cana: First Miracle at the Wedding at Cana for the renewal of marriage vows (Mass at 1200h). Visit Mt. Tabor: Basilica of the Transfiguration. Return to Tiberias to enjoy a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Dinner and stay at hotel in Tiberias.
DEC 27 (THU) MT. OF THE BEATITUDES – CAPERNAUM – TABGHA – JERICHO
Visit Mt. of the Beatitudes (Mass at 0900h). Visit Tabgha: Multiplication of Loaves and Fish, Primacy of Peter, Capernaum: House of St. Peter and the Synagogue ruins. Enjoy St. Peter’s fish for lunch. Leave for Jericho for farewell dinner and stay at Intercontinental Hotel or similar.
DEC 28 (FRI) JERICHO – EILAT – TABA BORDER – SINAI
Celebrate Mass at the Good Shepherd Church in Jericho before proceeding to Egypt. Take lunch in Eilat then cross the Taba Border to Sinai. Dinner and stay at Morgenland Hotel or similar in Sinai.
DEC 29 (SAT) SINAI – SUEZ CANAL – CAIRO
Do a very early morning three hour climb (Optional: weather permitting and recommended only for those physically fit) to the summit of Mt. Sinai to witness the breathtaking sunrise and see the cave where Moses hid himself after coming face to face with God. Visit St. Catherine’s Monastery, site of the “Burning Bush”. Take a long distance drive from Sinai to Cairo. Dinner and stay at Concorde El Salam Hotel (5*) or similar in Cairo.
DEC 30 (SUN) CAIRO
Mass at Caritas (0800h). Explore the famous Egyptian Museum. Visit the world-famous Pyramids and Sphinx in Giza, a papyrus factory, cotton factory, and an essence shop that Egypt is famous for. Enjoy dinner on a Nile Cruise with belly dancers and whirling dervish. Stay at hotel in Cairo.
DEC 31 (MON) CAIRO
Visit Old Cairo: the Hanging Church and the Abou Serga Church where the Holy Family stayed when they escaped from King Herod. See the Church in Zeitoun where our Lady appeared. Pass by the Virgin Mary Church in Maadi, the site where the Holy Family crossed the Nile River on their way to Egypt and where a Holy Bible found floating against the current of the Nile is enshrined. Enroute to the airport, celebrate Mass in a Catholic Church. Take evening flight back to Manila.
JAN 1 (TUE) HOME SWEET HOME!!!
PACKAGE PRICE PER PERSON:
Minimum 30 full-paying adults USD 2,980.00
Note: Any deviation from package is subject to fare adjustments. Less than the minimum number may also require a supplement.
Extension to Dubai and/or Upper Egypt available upon request
OUR PRICES HAVE NO SURPRISES! NO OPTIONAL FEES COLLECTED WHILE YOU ARE ON PILGRIMAGE.
DEADLINE FOR DEPOSIT AND SUBMISSION OF PASSPORT
COPY ON OR BEFORE FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2012
