Openings still available for Grand Canyon Synod Holy Land Trip

Openings are still available for the Grand Canyon Synod Holy Land Trip, led by Bishop Deborah K. Hutterer and Rev. Mark Holman.: January 2-11, 2023. View information on the trip here and view a PDF here.

The trip also includes an optional 3-days post-tour excursion to Jordan, January 11-14, 2023.

 January 2 – 11, 2023: Main Trip

Day 1 Jan 2 (MON):  Departure from Phoenix, AZ
• Depart on your overnight flight - meals are served on board
Day 2 Jan 3 (TUE):  Arrival, Tiberias

• Arrive in Tel Aviv, meet your guide, drive to Tiberias via coastal plains
• Dinner and overnight at hotel in Tiberias 
Day 3 Jan 4 (WED): 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 5 (THU): Golan Heights, Sea of Galilee

• Tabgha, site of the multiplication of the loaves and fish
• The Mount of Beatitudes - Sermon on the Mount ( Communion Service)
• 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 6 (FRI): (Epiphany) Jericho - Jordan River - Bethlehem 

• View mount of Temptation
• Jordan River - Remembering our baptism
• Church of the Nativity

• Shepherd’s Field in Beit Sahour
• Dinner at a local restaurant at Beit Sahour
• Overnight in Bethlehem
Day 6 Jan 7 (SAT): Jordan Valley - Jacob's Will - Dead Sea

• Jacob's Will

•  St. George Monastery

• Float on the Dead Sea

• Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem

Day 7 Jan 8 (SUN): Old City of Jerusalem - Christmas Lutheran Church

• Sunday worship at the Christmas Lutheran Church, Bethlehem • Meet Bishop Azar (ELCJHL)

• St. Anne’s Church, Pools of Bethesda, Walk the (Palm Sunday Path)
• The Western Wall and Temple Mount, visit of the Dome of the Rock
• Church of the Holy Sepulcher, free time
• Overnight in Bethlehem
Day 8 Jan 9 (MON): 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 - Dinner with Local families • Free time in Bethlehem

Day 9 Jan 10 (TUE): Mt. of Olives -  Augusta Victoria Hospital, LWF - Caiaphas House

• 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 Peter Noster
• Dominus Flevit
• The Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations, Mt. Zion
• Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu
• Farewell dinner and overnight in Bethlehem

Day 10 Jan 11 (WED): Departure Tel Aviv to the US. Or take the post-tour extension to Jordan.

*Optional Post Tour extension to Jordan:

Day 10 Jan 11:  Jordan –  Mt. Nebo - Petra

After breakfast, we will depart to cross the border to Jordan. We visit Mt. Nebo, the place where prophet Mousa (Moses) gazed over the Promised Land before he died. We will visit an old monastery, overlook the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, and parts of the Holy Land. Then we continue to drive towards Petra for a traditional Bedouin Dinner & overnight.

Day 11 Jan 12: Full day Petra – Amman

After breakfast, we will visit the Site of Petra  2000 years old Nabatean city that was highlighted in the movie “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”. We will walk through the narrow passageway up to the treasury a massive royal tomb carved out of the solid rock. If time permits we will visit the Traditional Tomb of Aaron (Moses's brother). Afternoon we have a transfer to Amman for dinner and overnight.

Day 12 Jan 13:  Amman – Jarash

After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit Jarash, north of the capital Amman. Inhabited since the Bronze Age, it’s known for the ruins of the walled Greco-Roman settlement of Gerasa (one of the cities of Decapolis). These include the 2nd-century Hadrian’s Arch, the Corinthian columns of the Temple of Artemis, and the huge Forum’s oval colonnade. We then proceed to Amman to meet with and pray with, the local ministry leaders. We will check into our hotel, have dinner, and overnight in Amman.
Day 13 Jan 14: Arrive USA

This morning will have breakfast then transfer to the airport for your flight back to The USA.

NOTE: The schedule is subject to change due to various factors and your tour Leader and guide’s discretion.