Bangalore: The tourism industry in the Holy Land is getting back on its feet lifting the spirits in the traditional birthplace of Jesus.
In 2022, 2.675 million tourist entries were recorded (as opposed to only 397,000 in 2021 and 831,000 in 2020). The skies in Israel were opened officially to incoming tourism in March 2022 and only three months later, in May, without any restrictions.
According to the Israeli tourism ministry, while North American tourists came far more this year than they had the previous two years, their number in 2022 is still 19% lower than in 2019.
Indian Catholic Matters and ESM Global Tours have joined together in bringing you the 2023 Holy Land Tour.
A 9-night and 10-day itinerary will cover four countries – Jordan, Israel, Palestine, and Egypt for April 2023.
Interested? Click Holy Land Tour and fill in the Google form to receive the complete itinerary and details.
Read more about the Holy Land in our Exclusive channel: Israel Calling!
JerusalemIn Jordan, one will get to see Mount Nebo in Amman and the ancient mosaic city of Madaba, where the oldest map of the Holy Land exists on the floor of St. George’s Church. The Madaba Archaeological Park preserves the mosaic-rich Church of the Virgin Mary and artifacts from the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic eras. After lunch, tourists can head to the beach at the Dead Sea where one can relax for the rest of the day and float in the salty water.
Its Old City holds important Jewish and Christian pilgrimage sites including the Tomb of Maimonides and Abulafia (Etz Chaim) Synagogue.
In Israel, places to see are Tiberias, an Israeli city on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee; see Mt. Tabor and take a boat ride to Sea of Galilee, Jordan River; visit Haifa, Caesarea, Jaffa, Tel-Aviv, Mt. of Olives, Mt. Zion, Ein Karem, Old city of Jerusalem and Eilat a southern Israeli port and resort town on the Red Sea, near Jordan.
A visit to the Transfiguration Church and then a drive to Cana, the ancient Wedding Church, where Jesus turned water into Wine. Then proceed to Nazareth to visit the Church of Annunciation, Mary’s Well and Josephs’ Workshop.
After breakfast at Tiberius a visit to Mt. of Beatitudes where Jesus delivered his first sermon, Tabgha, the site of the multiplication of loaves and fish and the primacy of St. Peter (Mesa Christy) and Capernaum where childhood of Jesus was spent church. Then a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee where Jesus walked on the waters then proceed to Yardenit, the Baptismal site on the Jordan River.
In Palestine, places to see are Bethlehem, Bethany, and Jericho.
In Bethlehem, visit the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem, Milk Grotto Church, and Church of Shepherds Field. After that, proceed to Mt. of Olives in Jerusalem for a panoramic view of Jerusalem. Visit the sanctuaries of the Church of the Pater Noster. Walk along the Palm Sunday Road down to the Dominus Flevit Church and Garden of Gethsemane. Visit the Church of Agony and St. Peters in Galicantu.
Later a drive to Mt. Zion via Kidron Valley to visit Dormition Abbey/Room of the Last Supper.
The next day, proceed to Bethany to visit Lazarus’ Tomb and then drive to Jericho and Sycamore Tree and proceed to Qumran to visit the Caves followed by a visit to the Wailing Wall and Dome of the Rock then visit the Church of St. Anne and the Pool of Bethesda winding up the day with the Way of the Cross.
In Egypt, a visit to Taba, St. Catherine, and Marah, see Cairo and the pyramid and Sphinx, Cairo Museum or Pharaonic village, Old Coptic Cairo, and a cruise on the Nile.
After an overnight stay at Taba, proceed to St. Catherine and visit the foothills of Mount Sinai St Catherine Monastery, Burning Bush, and Moses’ well. After that, proceed to Cairo by the underwater tunnel road of the Suez Canal.
The next day, proceed to visit the pyramids, Sphinx Papyrus, and Perfume factory. After that, proceed to Visit Coptic Cairo, to see the Holy family
Church, hanging church, and the oldest synagogue in Egypt. After lunch, proceed to Cairo Museum by late evening 7:00 pm Nile Cruise with dinner.
After Breakfast, check out and proceed towards the Airport for the final departure back home with Happy Memories.
The tour cost is Rs. 1, 45,000/- per person including accommodation in 3-4 Star hotels on a twin-sharing basis with daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You will be provided with English speaking guide throughout. There will be A/C bus model for all transfers and tours as per itinerary and it includes entrance fees to the sites including the Galilee boat ride and pyramids, visa for Jordan, Israel, and Egypt, besides all border taxes and departure taxes. A cruise on River Nile with dinner. You will also be handed over a pilgrim certificate and an appreciation letter from Israel besides a magnetic group photo, among other things.
For a complete itinerary and details, please click the Holy Land Tours to fill out the Google form. The ESM Global Tours Team will revert soon with more details.
Many Christians believe that undertaking a pilgrimage to Jerusalem can bring them closer to the experience of Jesus as he approached his death. Christians believe that this will help them to develop spiritually and become closer to God.
In case you plan to travel, make sure your passport is valid for travel at least for six months.