Daily itinerary
Monday, Aug. 3, 2026 – Depart from NY to Jordan’s hospitable capital of Amman.
Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026 (Day 1) Arrive in Amman, where ancient civilizations meet modernity – where we begin.…
Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026 (Day 2) Muhraqa – Mount Carmel – Travel to Israel by way of the Jordan River Border crossing. The Muhraqa is our first biblical site – overlooking Megiddo Valley (Biblical Armageddon). On to the Mediterranean city of Haifa to ascend Mt. Carmel, where the Carmelite Order began at the site of Elijah’s cave. The Holy Family found shelter here on their return from Egypt. Overnight at a guesthouse in Haifa.
Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026 (Day 3) Feast of the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor – Depart Haifa and drive to the Jezreel Valley in the Lower Galilee region to visit the site of the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor, where Jesus changed His appearance before His apostles, Peter, James, and John, and simultaneously, Moses and Elijah appeared and spoke to Him. Meet with the local faithful to celebrate this wondrous event that fuses the Old and New Testaments. Next, visit the Church of the First Miracle of Jesus in Cana – followed by Nazareth, where the Incarnation happened! Visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, Incarnation Grotto, and Josephs Workshop. Tiberius is next to check-in at our guesthouse by the Sea Galilee (2 nts.).
Friday-Aug. 7, 2026 (Day 4) Galilee Begin with a stop at the Valley of Doves (where Jesus crossed on His way to Capernaum), before arriving in Capernaum, to see the ruins of the village that was at the heart of Jesus’ ministry in the Galilee – Peter’s mother-in-law lived here. Tabgha (Church of Loaves & Fishes), and Primacy (bestowal of the Keys) are last.
Saturday-Aug. 8, 2026 (Day 5) Galilee Jordan River – Jericho – Jerusalem Morning Embark on the waters of the Galilee on a vessel modeled after that of the Apostles. Next, travel to the Mount of Beatitudes to listen tp the words of Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount. Depart for Jerusalem, with stops at the baptismal site of Jesus on the Jordan River, and Jericho, one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world (dating from 8000 BC), with a view to the Mount of Temptation. See the sycamore tree that Zacchaeus climbed. Continue on to Jerusalem by way of the Dead Sea (the lowest point on Earth) and the Wadi Qelt, the riverbed which is thought to be the site of the parable of the Good Samaritan. Late afternoon arrival at our Jerusalem guesthouse (three nights).
Sunday – Aug. 9, 2026 (Day 6) Ein Karem & Bethlehem – A visit to the picturesque hill town of Ein Karem, where John the Baptist was born, is our first sight today. Walk up to the hill to the Church of the Visitation; where Mary met her cousin, St. Anne. See the Magnificat written in stone in many languages. Bethlehem is next-walk thru Manger Square to the Church of the Nativity. Descend to the sacred grotto of Jesus’ birth – marking the spot is a marble star with the Latin words Hic de Virgin Maria Jesus Christus Natus Est. Pass Shepherds’ Fields, once belonging to Boaz – site of the angelic proclamation of the Infant King’s birth.
Monday – Aug. 10, 2026 (Day 7) Mt. of Olives-Mt. Zion At the summit of the Mt of Olives, visit Pater Noster Church & Ascension Chapel, before walking down the Palm Sunday Route, by Dominus Flevit, to the Garden of Gethsemane, the Church of All Nations, and the Orthodox Church of the tomb of Mary. Mt. Zion to follow – visit the Dormition, the Cenacle (Last Supper/Descent of the Holy Ghost), King David’s tomb & Peter in Gallicantu (house of Caiaphas). A visit to St. Anne’s Church is last, but not least!
Tuesday-Aug. 11, 2026 (Day 8) Via Dolorosa-Holy Sepulcher-Mt Nebo Early this morning, set out on the Via Dolorosa, to follow in the steps of Jesus to Calvary. Visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on the site of His crucifixion, death, and ressurection! Return to the hotel for breakfast and a departure for Mount Nebo, Jordan, crossing the border at the Allenby Bridge. At Mount Nebo, Moses saw the land of Canaan, before he died. Look out over the same panorama of the Promised Land that he last gazed on. On a clear day, one can see all the way to Jerusalem. Finally, travel into Jordans’ southwestern desert region to Petra for a night.
Wednesday-Aug. 12, 2026 (Day 9) Enjoy the archaeological site of Petra, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Dating from 300 B.C., new findings have led historians to believe that this Nabatean City was the home of the Magi. Walk through the Siq, a winding corridor leading to the ruins of a once thriving trading hub. See the facade of the Treasury carved into pink sandstone cliffs. Mostly abandoned by the 8th Century, the rose city of Petra was rediscovered by a Swiss explorer in 1812. Travel to Amman for overnight.
Thursday – Aug. 13, 2026 Morning flight departure from Amman to NY. Afternoon arrival at NY JFK.
