Join Father Roger Bower, Brian Newman of The Isaac Ishmael Initiative, and the people of St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church on a unique pilgrimage to the Holy Land, walking through the landscapes where the stories of Scripture unfolded while also encountering the people and communities who call this land home today.
Journey from the Sea of Galilee to Bethlehem and Jerusalem, visiting sacred and historic places including Bethsaida, Capernaum, the Mount of Beatitudes, Caesarea Philippi, Nazareth, the Jordan River, Qumran, the Dead Sea, the Mount of Olives, Gethsemane, the Via Dolorosa, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Shepherd’s Field, and the Church of the Nativity.
Each day of the pilgrimage will be shaped by a meaningful theme—including Becoming Like Rabbi Jesus, The Land and Kingdoms, Life as Resident Aliens, Honoring Our Histories, The Desert Journey, and Jerusalem, City of Peace?—inviting us to connect the biblical story with the land and with the questions facing its people today.
But this pilgrimage is about much more than visiting ancient sites. Along the way, we will experience the people, faith, history, culture, and daily life of the Holy Land through conversations and encounters with local voices, including a visit to Mar Elias and an anticipated meeting with Archbishop Elias Chacour, as well as opportunities to hear different perspectives on the complex realities of the region.
We will have moments of prayer, worship, Communion, reflection, fellowship, and conversation—from sailing on the Sea of Galilee and praying in the wilderness to remembering at Yad Vashem and celebrating Communion at the Garden Tomb.
This is not primarily a sightseeing tour. It is a pilgrimage of faith, encounter, listening, and relationship, designed to deepen our understanding of Scripture while helping us better understand the histories, communities, and people of the Holy Land today.
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DETAILS:
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The trip departs on November 3, 2027, and returns on November 13, 2027.
PRICING
- $4,590 per person, based on double occupancy. Space is limited—register early!
- Single room supplement: $990
- Deposit: $300 per person
- Balance due on or before: July 6, 2027
- Register by mail? Please enclose a copy of your passport and a deposit of $300.00 per person, made payable to: Elias Tours. 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
- Round-trip airfare from Denver
- 8 nights in carefully selected 4-star hotels, based on double occupancy
- Breakfast and dinner daily
- A professional Elias Tours guide throughout the pilgrimage
- Entrance fees to all sites included in the itinerary
- All ground transportation by private, air-conditioned motor coach
What is NOT included in the tour
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Personal expenses for souvenirs and gifts
- Lunch
- 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.
Walk in the footsteps of Jesus from the Sea of Galilee to Bethlehem and Jerusalem, meet local Christians, experience the culture and people of the Holy Land, and visit many of the most sacred biblical and archaeological sites.
This pilgrimage is designed to be more than sightseeing—it is a journey of faith, history, culture, and meaningful connection.
Your tour leaders offer unique perspectives and rich backgrounds. Father Roger Bower serves as pastor of St. Gregory’s and has a great interest in and understanding of the biblical and archaeological context. Brian Newman comes from a Jewish background, and Elias Nawawieh is a Palestinian Christian who grew up in Bethlehem.
Day 1 – Thursday, November 4: Departure from the USA
Depart from Denver for your overnight journey to the Holy Land. Our pilgrimage begins as we leave home and prepare our hearts for the days ahead.
Day 2 – Friday, November 5: Arrival in the Holy Land
Arrive at Tel Aviv Airport, where you will be welcomed and assisted before transferring north to the Sea of Galilee. Travel through the landscapes of Israel to Tiberias, situated along the southern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Upon arrival, check into the hotel, enjoy dinner, and rest in preparation for the beginning of our pilgrimage.
Day 3 – Saturday, November 6: Theme: Becoming Like Rabbi Jesus
Begin with introductions and an overview of the pilgrimage before setting out to explore the land where Jesus called and taught his disciples. Visit Bethsaida, reflecting on Jesus’ invitation, “Follow me,” and continue to Korazim, one of the Galilean communities associated with Jesus’ teaching ministry. Journey to the Mount of Beatitudes, overlooking the Sea of Galilee, for reading and reflection on the Sermon on the Mount and Matthew 5–7.
Continue to Capernaum, the center of much of Jesus’ Galilean ministry and a place deeply connected to his teaching and healing. Conclude the day with a memorable boat ride across the Sea of Galilee, experiencing the landscape that formed the setting for so many Gospel stories.
Day 4 – Sunday, November 7: Theme: Jesus, Land, Kingdoms
Travel north to Mount Bental in the Golan Heights, overlooking the surrounding region and Syria, with time for prayer and reflection. Continue to Caesarea Philippi, where Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” reflecting on Matthew 16 and Mark 8. Enjoy lunch at Mar Elias, visit the church, and meet Archbishop Elias Chacour, as planned. Later, continue to Nazareth for an archaeological visit exploring the setting and community in which Jesus grew up.
Day 5 – Monday, November 8: Theme: Life as Resident Aliens
Begin with a time of group reflection and debriefing on the first days of the pilgrimage.
After checking out of the hotel, travel to Beit She’an, one of the region’s most impressive ancient Roman archaeological sites. Walk among the remains of streets, public buildings, and monuments that reveal the world surrounding the early Christian community. Later, continue toward the Jerusalem and Bethlehem region.
We tentatively plan to meet with an Israeli resident of a settlement, offering an opportunity to hear another perspective on life, land, and identity in the region. Check into the hotel, enjoy dinner together, and have a free evening.
Day 6 – Tuesday, November 9: Theme: Honoring Our Histories
Today focuses on listening to the stories and histories of the people who call this land home.
Begin with a planned meeting and conversation with local religious or community voices—for example, a local imam, rabbi, or humanitarian leader, with details to be finalized. Depending on permissions and local conditions, the day may also include an experience related to one of the checkpoints separating Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Visit Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust memorial and museum, for an important time of remembrance and reflection. Continue to Bethlehem for lunch and time to visit a local shop before returning to the hotel. In the evening, gather with Brian, Elias, and Roger for a group debrief and conversation.
Day 7 – Wednesday, November 10: Theme: The Desert Journey
Begin in Jerusalem with a visit to the Western Wall, with the possibility of visiting the Temple Mount depending on access and local conditions. Journey into the Judean Wilderness and experience Wadi Qelt, reflecting on Matthew 3:1–12 and the biblical significance of the wilderness. Continue to the Baptism Site on the Jordan River, remembering the baptism of Jesus and Matthew 3:13–17. If group participants wish to renew their baptism at the Jordan River, there will be an opportunity to do so. After lunch, visit Qumran, the archaeological site associated with the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls Conclude the afternoon at the Dead Sea, where there will be an opportunity to float in its mineral-rich waters before returning to the hotel.
Day 8 – Thursday, November 11: Theme: Jerusalem, City of Peace?
Spend a full day walking through the sacred landscapes of Jerusalem, following the story of Jesus’ final days. Begin on Mount Zion with a visit to the Upper Room, recalling Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples from Matthew 26:17–30. Continue through the Kidron Valley toward Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed before his arrest, and visit the Church of All Nations. Walk toward St. Peter in Gallicantu, traditionally associated with Peter’s denial and the events following Jesus’ arrest. After lunch in Jerusalem, continue into the Old City and visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, one of Christianity’s holiest sites. Walk portions of the Via Dolorosa, reflecting on Matthew 27 and the journey toward the crucifixion. Return to the hotel for dinner and an evening of rest.
Day 9 – Friday, November 12: Theme: It Ends with Jesus Too!
Begin in Bethlehem at Shepherd’s Field, with an opportunity for worship and singing in the church and a visit to the cave traditionally connected with the shepherds of the Christmas story. Continue to the Church of the Nativity, built over the traditional birthplace of Jesus, reflecting on the opening chapters of Matthew.
Travel to the Mount of Olives for its unforgettable overlook of Jerusalem before continuing to the Garden Tomb for a special time of Communion, reflecting on the resurrection story of Matthew 28. Return to Bethlehem for a local falafel lunch. The afternoon includes optional time at the Walled Off Museum and visiting local shops. Conclude our final full day with dinner at a Palestinian restaurant in Bethlehem, sharing fellowship and reflecting on all we have experienced throughout the pilgrimage.
Day 10 – Saturday, November 13: Departure for the USA
After breakfast and hotel check-out, transfer to Tel Aviv Airport for the return journey home, carrying with us the stories, relationships, questions, and memories of our pilgrimage through the Holy Land.
