EGYPT - ISRAEL - JORDAN 9 NIGHTS / 10 DAYS

Holy Land Tour with Eminent Preacher Fr Josy Joseph Kochappilly on 2014 April 7th to 16
WELCOME TO HOLY LAND!! THE LAND OF OUR LORD…. WHO IS STILL ALIVE!! WHO MULTIPLIED THE LOAVES….TURNED THE WATER IN TO WINE…HEALED MANY SICK...CAST OUT DEAMONS. YES, THAT IS OUR LORD AND WE ARE FOLLOWING THE FOOT STEPS OF HIM. PREPARE YOURSELVES TO EXPERIENCE HIM LIKE NEVER BEFORE!!!

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Day 1: - Assemble at Kochi International Airport

As we reach Amman we complete the emigration formalities and proceed to Mount Nebo; where the prophet Moses was given a view of the Promised Land that God was giving to the Israelites. According to the final chapter of Deuteronomy 34: 1, "And Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo the top of Pisgah which is opposite Jericho..." According to Bible Moses was buried on this mountain by God Himself. Moses was 120 years old at the time of his death. We will also see the Brazen Serpent Monument atop Mount Nebo which is symbolic of the bronze serpent created by Moses in the wilderness. (Numbers 21: 4-9) Pope John Paul visited the site during his pilgrimage to the Holy Land on March 20, 2000 and Pope Benedict XVI visited the site on May 9, 2009. We spend some time here meditate the readings from Old Testament and then proceed to hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at Amman.


Day 2 : - AMMAN-NAZRETH-CANA

Now it is time to say good bye to the Prophet Moses' land and enter to Israel, we say the Holy Land and by all means it is true!! After breakfast we will be crossing the border of Jordan to Israel through Sheik Hussain Bridge is an international border crossing between Jordan and Israel, opened in 1994. After lunch we go to Nazareth, the Child hood home of our Lord Jesus and according to the Gospel of Luke chapter 1:26 Nazareth was the home village of Joseph and Mary and also the site of the Annunciation (when Mary was told by the angel Gabriel that she would bear the Son of God Jesus as her son) Nazareth is now the centre of Christian Pilgrimage with many shrines commemorating biblical events. Then we visit Cana where Jesus performed His first Public Miracle (John 2:1-11) by turning of a large quantity of water in to wine at a wedding feast Check in to Hotel, Dinner and overnight stay at Nazareth.


Day 3 : - SEA OF GALILEE-CAPERNAUM-JORDAN RIVER

Now we are in to the most important days of our pilgrimage and after breakfast we check out and proceed to Mount Tabor. Mount Tabor is first mentioned in the book of Joshua chapter 19:22. Mount Tabor is significant in New Testament where the transfiguration of Jesus took place, Capernaum is considered to be the home of Apostles Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John as well as the tax collector Mathew we will then visit the house of St Peter where we can find the relics of the house. The Church of Primacy of St Peter is another important attraction here. Mensa Christy is another place where Jesus appeared to his disciples after the resurrection and dined with them.. After having St Peter's fish with the lunch we proceed to the Sea of Galilee, is the largest fresh water lake in Israel. After the boat ride we will drive around the Sea of Galilee to the Jordan River Baptismal site where we will have the opportunity of renewing our baptism vows. En route we will stop near the Mount of Temptation where Jesus being tempted by satan (Mathew 4:1-11) It is generally identified with Mount Qurantania and Jebel Quarantul, both names arise from mispronunciation of the Latin word Quarentena, meaning 40, the number of days in Christ's fast in the desert. Later we pass through the Sycamore tree where Zacheus sat (Luke 19:1-10) Check in to Hotel, Dinner and overnight stay at Bethlehem.


Day 4 : - GOLGOTHA-WAILING WALL-EIN KAREM

Today we come face to face with the final goal of Jesus' own journey to Jerusalem as we follow in hi footsteps to walk the Way of the Cross. We begin by entering the walled city by the magnificent Damascus/Lion's Gate. We then walk to the Crusader Church of St. Anne, a Roman Catholic Church erected over the traditional site of the birth place of Anne (Hannah) the mother of Mary, it is an excellent example of Romanesque Architecture. The Church is next to the Bethesda Pool where Jesus healed a paralytic (John 5:1-18) Here you can see the ruins of the Roman Temple to the God of Medicine and remains of Byzantine Church built over the Temple. The Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross) begins near the Lions Gate in the Muslim Quarter and ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in the Christian Quarter, right just inside the entrance leads to Calvary or Golgotha the place where Jesus was crucified . A low door leads to the tiny Chapel of the Holy Sepulcher which contains the Tomb of Christ himself. This is the 14th station of the Way of the Cross and the holiest site in the Christendom. Then we proceed to the Western wall a very important place for Jews. It is sacred for it has a remnant of the Herodian retaining wall that once enclosed and supported the second Temple. It has also been called the Wailing Wall because have gathered here to lament for the loss of their Temple. Dinner and Overnight stay at Bethlehem


Day 5 : - GETHSEMANE - CHURCH OF NATIVITY

After breakfast we proceeds to the Church of St Peter in Gallicantu. The church takes its name from the Latin word "Gallicantu" meaning cock crow. This is in commemoration of Peter's triple rejection of Jesus. Mark 14:66-72. The church is believed to be the location of Caiaphas house. After visiting Tomb of Virgin we proceed to the Shepherds field where the angel appeared and announced the birth of Jesus Christ to the Shepherds. At the entrance of the Church it is written "Gloria in Excelsis Deo" meaning Glory to God in the Highest. In Luke 2:8-20 we can see the description in detail. And now this is the time to go to the Church of Nativity, the birth place of our Lord. We will also visit the Grotto of St Jerome who lived and worked in Jerusalem from 384 AD and he was buried in a cave beneath the church of Nativity. Now we go the Milk Grotto is a serene grotto only a few minutes walk from the Manger square. The tradition says that the Holy Family took refuge here during the slaughter of the innocents.. Being this as our last day in Jerusalem we say thanks to our Lord and Proceed to Hotel, Dinner and overnight stay at Bethlehem.


Day 6 : - BETHANIA - MOUNT OF OLIVES

Today being the last day in Jerusalem after breakfast we go to the Mount of Olives where the Chapel of Ascension is situated.. The Church of Pater Noster stands on the traditional site in Jerusalem where Jesus taught his disciples "the Lord's Prayer Our Father in Heaven" (Luke 6:9-15) Then we go to the Palm Sunday Road where Jesus makes a triumphant entry to Jerusalem an event mentioned in four Canonical Gospels. (Mathew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-40, John 12: 12-19) Dominus Flevit Church is a small Franciscan Church located on the upper western slope of Mount of Olives. The current Dominus Flevit church is in the shape of a tear drop to symbolize the Lord's tears. The Church of all Nations near Garden of Gethsemane is another important place for us to see. This is also known as The Basilica of Agony a section of bedrock where Jesus prayed before his arrest. Mark 14:32-42. In the Garden of Gethsemane we can see the 2000 years old Olive Tree at the time of Jesus! Later we go to Bethania, the town of Martha and Mary. In John 11: 1-57 we can see the whole description of Martha and Mary and their brother Lazar and Jesus raises Lazarus from dead. We also visit the Tomb of Lazarus. At the end of the days we go to the Dead Sea, which is the lowest elevation point on earth's surface (1388 ft below from the sea level). After the Dead Sea bath we proceed to our Hotel,Dinner and overnight stay at Bethlehem.


DAY 7 : - TABA – EGYPT

After breakfast we proceed to Taba border, which is the only border crossing between two countries Israel and Egypt. On the way we can see the Qumran Caves, a series of caves which is found around the archeological site of Qumran. Also we can see the Statue of Lot's Wife which is described in the book of Genesis 19: 12-29. At the time of Romans a monastery was built at the foot of Mount Sinai, the place where it is believed that Moses received the Ten Commandments from God. Inside the Monastery we can see the Chapel of the Burning Bush built by Helena the mother of Emperor Constantine The Monastery is associated with St Catherine of Alexandria a Christian Martyr. She is listed as one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers of mankind among the saints in Heaven; she is the patroness of young women, philosophers, preachers, theologians, millers, and other workingmen. We can see the beautiful view of Mount Sinai from here. Keeping the inspiration of this illustrious saint we return to the hotel, Dinner and overnight at Sinai.


Day 8 : - SUEZ CANAL CAIRO- NILE CRUISE

Now we come to our second day in Egypt. We have to travel another 4 hours to Cairo today. After breakfast we proceed to Cairo. Today we travel through the famous Suez Canal. After lunch in Cairo we go to the Church of the Holy Virgin, this church was one of the resting places of the Holy Family during their sojourn to Egypt. In the evening we proceed to the River Nile for a cruise. Nile River is the longest river in the world. We have our dinner in the boat and over night stay in Cairo.


Day 9 : - PYRAMIDS- EGYPTIAN MUSEUM

After breakfast we go to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Pyramids. There are 138 pyramids discovered in Egypt as of 2008. Our next attraction here is the Museum. The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, known commonly as the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, is the home to an extensive collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities with 120000 items on display. And now it is time for us to say good bye to Egypt too. Keeping back in our mind all the rejuvenating thoughts and visionswe proceed to the Airport for our return journey and catch our flight to Kochi


Day 10 : - Arrive at Kochi International Airport

Total tour cost Per Pax – Rs. 34,000 + 775 USD **

TOUR COST INCLUDED
All taxes, Visa fees, Border Tax, 3 /4 Star hotel stay on Twin-Triple sharing basis, Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, Sight seeing in air-conditioned Coach, Full days of tour with the service of local guides.

TOUR COST DOES NOT INCLUDES
Medical, Insurance, Personal expenses, Telephone charges, Laundry charges, Beverages / Any kind of Drinks, Shopping expenses, Plus anything which is not included/mentioned in the 'tour fare includes' list given above.

** The company reserves the right to revise the price due to air fare escalation and / or currency devaluation with / without notice and the customer should be willing to pay the difference.

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