"Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight,
and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house” (1 Peter 2:4-5a)
Dear friends in Christ,
Join me for an opportunity of a lifetime as we walk through the land we call Holy. Join us on this trip to the Holy Land in January of 2024. This will give you an opportunity to touch and meet the living stones and see our own connectivity to the stories of our faith. We will tour biblical sites, learn about the work of the Lutheran World Federation and Peace Not Walls, hear from Palestinian Christians, dwell in God’s Word, and most importantly: worship. Over this trip, we will experience, the Epiphany of Our Lord, and the Baptism of Our Lord; all in the places where these events occurred so long ago. So join us, dear ones, as we journey together.
+Bishop Kevin L. Strickland
PRICING:
- $3,790 per person based on double occupancy - space is limited
- Land arrangements only: $2,640 (if you wish to book your own flight)
- Single room supplement: $790
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Optional post-tour extension to Egypt: 22-26 - $890.00
- Deposit: $300 per person with registration to secure space
- An additional $1,000 payment is due on or before July 20, 2023
- Balance due on or before October 20, 2023
- Register by mail? please enclose a copy of the passport and a deposit of $300.00 per person made payable to Elias Tours and mail to: Elias Tours 4941 Chalden Ln NE, Marietta, GA 30066
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Download the Registration Form
- Contact Elias Nawawieh if you have any questions at 406-261-7791 - info@eliastours.com
FLIGHT SCHEDULE:
* Flight times, flight numbers, equipment, gates, and seats are subject to change. For the most current information check the airline website.
What is included in the tour
- Airfare from Atlanta, GA - Other cities available
- 8 nights in 4-star hotels (double occupancy)
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily
- Entrance fee to all sites
- All ground transportation in a private tour bus
What is NOT included in the tour
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Personal expenses
- TRAVEL INSURANCE: Travel Insurance is not included in the purchase price. For your convenience, we offer travel insurance through *Travelex Insurance Services. For questions, quotes, or to purchase travel insurance, visit Travelex Insurance or call (800) 228-9792 and use the code 26-0057 for Elias Tours.
Bishop Kevin Strickland of the Southeastern Synod will be leading the 2024 traveling group as it visits holy sites and gets acquainted with the people in the Lutheran churches, the ministries of the Lutheran World Federation, and many others who will share their stories.
DAILY ITINERARY
The Southeastern Synod - ELCA
Day 1 Jan 13 : Departure from Atlanta, GA
• Depart on your overnight flight - meals are served onboard
Day 2 Jan 14: Arrival, Tiberias
• Arrive in Tel Aviv, meet your guide, and drive to Tiberias via coastal plains
• Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Tiberias
Day 3, Jan 15: Carmel, Tabor, Nazareth, Cana
• Mount Carmel
• Mount Tabor – the Transfiguration
• Nazareth, Basilica of the Annunciation, St. Joseph’s Church, Mary’s Well
• Cana of Galilee
• Dinner and overnight at hotel in Tiberias
Day 4 Jan 16: Golan Heights, Sea of Galilee
• Caesarea Philippi
• Tabgha, site of the multiplication of the loaves and fish
• The Mount of Beatitudes - Sermon on the Mount
• Enjoy a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee
• St. Peter’s Primacy
• Capernaum
• Magdala
• Dinner and overnight at hotel in Tiberias
Day 5 Jan 17 : Jordan Valley - Jacob's Well - Dead Sea
• St. George Monastery
• Jacob's Well
• Float on the Dead Sea
• Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem
Day 6 Jan 18: Bethlehem - Jordan River - Jericho
• View mount of Temptation
• Jordan River - Remembering our baptism
• Church of the Nativity
• Shepherd’s Field in Beit Sahour
• Vsisit Walldoff Hotel and Musium
• Overnight in Bethlehem
Day 7 Jan 19: Bethlehem, The Living Stones
• Visit Dar Al Kalima College and the Culture Center
• Meet with Rev. Mitri Raheb - learn about the Palestinian Christians
• Visit the Lutheran School in Beit Sahour
• Free Time in Bethlehem
Day 8 Jan 20: Old City of Jerusalem
• Augusta Victoria to witness the work of the Lutheran World Federation in health and education
• Panoramic view from the top of Mount of Olives
• Ascension Hill on the Mount of Olives, The Church of Pater Noster
• Dominus Flevit
• The Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations, Mt. Zion
• Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu
Day 9 Jan 21: Mt. of Olives - Augusta Victoria Hospital, LWF - Sunday Worship
• Sunday worship at the Redeemer Lutheran Church - Old City - Jerusalem
• Meet Bishop Azar (ELCJHL)
• St. Anne’s Church, Pools of Bethesda, Walk the Palm Sunday Path
• The Western Wall and Temple Mount, View of the Dome of the Rock
• Church of the Holy Sepulcher, free time
• Dinner with Palestinian Christian families
• Overnight in Bethlehem
Day 10 Jan 22: Departure Tel Aviv to the US. Or take the post-tour extension to Egypt.
Optional Post-Tour Egypt Excursion: 22-26
Day 10 Jan 22 (SAT): Jerusalem – Taba border – Sinai
Arrive Taba order. Meet and assist. Transfer to St. Catherine. Dinner and
overnight in St. Catherine.
Day 11 Jan 23 (SUN): Climb Mt Sinai – Cairo
Early morning, climb Moses mountain. It was this mountain where Moses received the Ten
Commandments. Descend for breakfast at the hotel. Visit St. Catherine’s monastery if the monks allow. Drive to Cairo. Dinner and overnight in Cairo.
Day 12 Jan 24 (MON): Cairo
Breakfast at the hotel in Cairo. Visit the Great Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza plateau. On to visit Memphis and the step pyramid of Sakkara which is the first pyramid ever built. Dinner and overnight in Cairo.
Day 13 Jan 25 (TUE): Cairo
Breakfast at the hotel in Cairo. Visit the Grand Museum which includes the ancient Egyptian treasures. On to visit Old Cairo churches including the Hanging church, St. Sergio where the holy family lodged and Ben Ezra synagogue. Dinner and overnight in Cairo.
Day 14 Jan 26 (WED): Departure
Departure after breakfast.
NOTE: The schedule is subject to change due to various factors and your Tour Leader and Guide’s discretion.
