THE DISCIPLE TRAIL

IN THE STEPS OF LUKE'S GOSPEL

DAY 1: Nazareth

Arrival at Tel Aviv Airport, meet with your guide and assistance and transfer to Nazareth. Visit of the center of the city: the synagogue, the Mary’s well, the Annunciation Basilica. Holy mass at the chapel of the Little Freres of Charles de Foucauld and meeting with the Little Brothers of Jesus community. Dinner and overnight at Hotel.

DAY 2: Nazareth/Sea of Galilee/Nazareth

After breakfast in hotel, we will depart to the Tiberias Lake. Upon arrival, we visit of the Mount of Beatitude and celebrate Holy Mass. Walking trail to Tabgha with stop at Eremo’s Cave. We will continue then with the visit of Capernaum. In the afternoon visit of Magdala and cruise on the lake. Return to Nazareth, dinner and overnight

DAY 3: Nazareth/Mount Tabor/Nain (28 km) - Jenin

After breakfast in hotel, we depart for the first day of the walk. We will climb the hills that surround Nazareth. Then we will pass through the Mordot Nazareth Forest, around Mount Devora down to the village of Daburia. We will climb up the Mount Tabor as Jesus did with Peter, John and James. Visit of the site of the Transfiguration of Jesus where Jesus spoke with Moses And Elias about the events that will happen in Jerusalem. Celebrate Holy Mass at the Transfiguration Church and time for lunch (A possibility to reserve lunch at the Custodia Guest House). After the lunch, we walk down to Daburia and cross the Esdrelon Valley (Jezreel Valley) until Nain. Visit of the church of the Nain remembering the miracle of the Nain widow (Luke 7; 11,17). Transfer by Bus or Taxi to Jenin. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 4: Jenin/Burquin/Zababde (21 km)

We departure early in the morning for Burquin. We will pass by wonderful landscapes while on the path through the Olive tree groves. We will reach Burquin and visit the Orthodox church with the memory of the miracle of the Healing of the 10 Lepers (Luke 17-11,19). Afterward, we will continue walking until we reach the village of Zababde, one of the main Christian Villages in Palestine. Celebrate Holy Mass at the Church. Tonight, we will be hosted by the Christian families of the community that will explain to us about their life as a Christian (modern disciples) in Palestine. Dinner with the community and overnight.

DAY 5:  Zababde/Sebastia (23 km)

After breakfast, we departure for Sebastia, the ancient capital city of Samaria. Today, we pass through many villages where we can feel the natural hospitality of the Palestinian people. Upon our arrival in Sebastia, we will reach our guest house. Then we will visit the old city with the rest of the old Byzantine church and the Tomb of St. John the Baptist. Dinner in Restaurant and overnight.

DAY 6: Sebastia/Nablus (14 km)

We enjoy breakfast in our guest house and depart for Nablus. After a first climb on the top of the hills that surround Sebastia, we will walk at the same height overlooking the valley. We will arrive in Nablus and check into our hotel. In the afternoon, we have free time to visit the Jacob’s well, where Jesus received the water from the Samaritan woman and the Christian parish where we will celebrate Mass. Dinner and overnight. 

 

DAY 7:  Awarta / Duma (18 km)

We enjoy breakfast in our hotel and transfer by Bus or Taxi to Awarta, small village where we begin today’s walk. During the 18 km of this path we ascend Mount Duma and visit the Pilgrim spring. We will proceed through a magnificent valley between Olive trees up to the small village of Duma where we will experience the hospitality of the Palestinian families that will host us for the night with dinner and accommodations. 

DAY 8: Duma/Taybeh (22 km)

After breakfast and our goodbyes to our host families, we will depart for Taybeh. Our walk today will bring us near the border of the desert up to the Christian Village of Taybeh. Upon our arrival, we will visit the local parish and we will celebrate Mass there. Then we will visit the Taybeh winery and beer factory. We will visit also the ancient Byzantine Church. Dinner and overnight at the hotel

DAY 9: Taybeh/Jericho (25 km)

We enjoy breakfast in the hotel and depart for Jericho. Today, we will descend from the village of Taybeh 700 meters above sea level to the city of Jericho minus 200 meters below sea level. Almost a 1000 meters descent through the Judean desert. Rocks, sand and amazing overview will accompany our walk with the piper sound that calls the sheep. At the entrance in Jericho, we will have an overlook of the Temptation Monastery. We will check into our hotel. We enjoy time to rest or to visit Jericho, the most ancient city of the world and the place where Zacchaeus climbed the Sycamore tree to see Jesus. (Luke 19:1,10). Mass at the Christian parish of the Good Shepherd. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 10: Jericho/ Wadi Qelt / Jerusalem (15 km)

We enjoy breakfast in the hotel walk through the Wadi Qelt, The Wadi canyon is created by the force of the water that flows after a big rain from the hills of Jerusalem to the Dead Sea. In this area, we will find many hermits and we will pass through the Orthodox Monastery of St. George Choziba. We will pass by the Monastery going up to the Ein Qelt spring. During our walk, the spring will be by our side. The water of this spring which passes through the aqueduct built by the English is also on the same path of the Ruins of the Roman Aqueduct.  In the afternoon we go to Dead Sea for visit and float. In the evening we drive to Jerusalem for Dinner and overnight.

DAY 11: Bethlehem / Mt. of Olives

We depart to Bethlehem by Bus, and visit the Nativity Church and St. Jerome’s Chapel. We celebrate Mass at the Church of St. Catherine of Alexandria. The Church of St. Catherine of Alexandria is the parish church for Bethlehem’s Catholics. A visit to Beit Sahour School and the Shepherds’ Field. We will have extra time for shopping in Bethlehem. In the afternoon, we return to Jerusalem We will walk down of the Mount of Olives, passing through the Dominus Flevit (Luke 19:41,44), and end at The Garden of Gethsemane. Transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight.

Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

 

DAY 12: Jerusalem

We will enter the Old city and begin walking the Via Dolorosa. We will arrive at the Holy Sepulchre. We will celebrate Mass in one of the chapels of the Holy Sepulchre.

Dinner and overnight

 

DAY 13: Return to USA

After Breakfast free time in the old city of Jerusalem until late afternoon when we will departure for Tel Aviv airport for our flight back to USA.