Join me for an opportunity of a lifetime as we journey through the land we call Holy. I invite you to travel with me and Elias Tours—a pilgrimage that goes beyond the typical Holy Land bus tour. This is not a trip where we rush from site to site, trying to “run where Jesus walked.” Instead, we will slow down and experience the land with its people, encountering the Holy Land as a living place where faith is still prayed, practiced, and carried forward by communities today. this journey will give you the chance to meet the local Christian communities whose lives and witness are woven into the same landscape as the stories of Scripture. Together, we will visit biblical sites, learn about the work of the Lutheran World Federation and ELCJHL, hear from Palestinian Christians, dwell in God’s Word, and most importantly: worship.
PRICING:
- $4,390 per person based on double occupancy - space is limited
- Single room supplement: $790
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Optional post-tour extension to Jordan: May 6-10 - $1290.00
- Deposit: $300 per person with registration to secure space
- Balance due on or before January 27, 2027
- 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
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 Denver, CO - 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: 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 2027 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.
Day 1 – Tuesday, April 27, 2027 | Departure from the US
Your journey begins as you depart Atlanta on an overnight flight to the Holy Land. Settle in, enjoy meals served onboard, and rest as you travel toward the landscapes of Scripture and living history.
Day 2 – Wednesday, April 28, 2027 | Arrival – Bethlehem: The Living Stones
Arrive in Tel Aviv, meet your guide, and travel to Bethlehem. Today begins with an introduction to the people and communities who are the living heart of the Holy Land. Visit Dar Al Kalima College and the Culture Center, and learn about Palestinian Christian life and witness. Continue with a visit to the Lutheran School in Beit Sahour, then visit the Church of the Nativity and Shepherd’s Field. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.
Day 3 – Thursday, April 29, 2027 | Tent of Nations – Bethlehem Encounters
This morning, visit the Tent of Nations, a powerful story of faith, resilience, and peacemaking on a family farm outside Bethlehem. Enjoy lunch and take part in a hands-on experience with the opportunity to plant trees as a sign of hope and rootedness in the land. Later, return to Bethlehem and visit the Walled Off Hotel and Museum. This evening, share dinner with local Christian families—an unforgettable opportunity for conversation, hospitality, and connection. Overnight in Bethlehem.
Day 4 – Friday, April 30, 2027 | Mount of Olives – Augusta Victoria Hospital – Gethsemane
Begin on the Mount of Olives with a panoramic view over Jerusalem. Visit Augusta Victoria Hospital and learn about the work of the Lutheran World Federation in health care and service to the local community. Continue to the Ascension site and walk the Palm Sunday Path, stopping at Pater Noster, Dominus Flevit, and the Garden of Gethsemane with the Church of All Nations. Later, visit St. Peter in Gallicantu. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.
Day 5 – Saturday, May 1, 2027 | Jerusalem Old City
Step into Jerusalem’s Old City for a day of history, faith, and reflection. Begin at St. Anne’s Church and the Pools of Bethesda, then walk the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Visit the Redeemer Lutheran Church and meet with Bishop Imad of the ELCJHL. Later, continue to the Western Wall and the Temple Mount area for views toward the Dome of the Rock. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.
Day 6 – Sunday, May 2, 2027 | Jordan Valley – Jericho – Jordan River – Dead Sea – St. George Monastery
Leave Bethlehem and descend through the Judean wilderness into the Jordan Valley. See the Mount of Temptation near Jericho and continue to the Jordan River for a meaningful time of remembrance and renewal of baptismal promises. Enjoy the unforgettable experience of floating in the Dead Sea, then visit the beautiful St. George Monastery overlooking Wadi Qelt. Continue north toward the Sea of Galilee. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.
Day 7 – Monday, May 3, 2027 | Galilee – Local Encounters and Reflection
Spend today experiencing the Galilee at a more relaxed pace, with opportunities for conversation, reflection, and encounters with the people and communities of northern Israel and Palestine. This day can also allow time for additional visits, worship, or meetings connected to the accompaniment focus of the pilgrimage. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.
Day 8 – Tuesday, May 4, 2027 | Cana – Mount Carmel – Nazareth
Travel to Cana of Galilee, where Jesus’ first miracle is remembered, then continue to Mount Carmel for sweeping views and biblical connections. In Nazareth, visit the Basilica of the Annunciation and St. Joseph’s Church, and stop at Mary’s Well—places that invite reflection on the life of Jesus and the beginning of the Gospel story. Return to Tiberias for dinner and overnight.
Day 9 – Wednesday, May 5, 2027 | Sea of Galilee: Ministry of Jesus
Spend your final full day around the Sea of Galilee, at the heart of Jesus’ ministry. Visit Tabgha, the traditional site of the multiplication of the loaves and fish, and continue to the Mount of Beatitudes. Enjoy a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee, followed by visits to Capernaum, St. Peter’s Primacy, and Magdala. Gather this evening for a final dinner together and reflect on the people, places, conversations, and experiences of the pilgrimage. Overnight in Tiberias.
Day 10 – Thursday, May 6, 2027 | Departure – Tel Aviv to the USA
Transfer from the Galilee to Tel Aviv Airport for your return flight home, carrying with you not only the sacred places you have visited, but also the stories, relationships, and encounters that have shaped this accompaniment pilgrimage.
