Day 1: Depart home country
Overnight flight toward Cairo to begin where the Holy Family found refuge and where Moses led the Exodus.
Opening commissioning prayer at the gate.
Day 2: Arrive Cairo
Land in Cairo, transfer and rest. Gentle evening orientation along the Nile. Save energy for the days ahead.
Opening Mass / devotional service to begin the journey.
Day 3: Cairo — Pyramids & Coptic Cairo
The Giza pyramids and Sphinx (a half day), then Old Coptic Cairo: the Hanging Church and the crypt of Abu Serga where the Holy Family is said to have sheltered. The Egyptian Museum if time allows.
Prayer at the Holy Family crypt in Old Cairo; reflection on the flight into Egypt.
Day 4: Cairo to Sinai
Drive to the Sinai Peninsula (a long but scenic transfer), arriving at the foot of Mount Sinai by evening. Rest early ahead of a pre-dawn climb.
Evening prayer and Scripture on the Exodus and the giving of the Law.
Day 5: Mount Sinai & St Catherine's
Rise around 2 a.m. to climb Mount Sinai for sunrise at the summit where Moses received the Commandments (the ascent takes 2.5–3 hours). Descend to the ancient St Catherine's Monastery and the Burning Bush. Afternoon rest is well earned.
Sunrise prayer service at the summit; quiet reflection at the Burning Bush.
Day 6: Sinai to Israel · the Negev
Cross the border into Israel and travel north through the Negev wilderness toward the Dead Sea region. A demanding travel day; keep it light.
Read the wilderness Psalms en route; evening prayer of arrival in the Holy Land.
Day 7: Masada & the Dead Sea
Cable car up to the Masada fortress (allow 2 hours), then the Qumran caves of the Dead Sea Scrolls and a float in the Dead Sea. Ascend toward Jerusalem at day's end.
Prayer of approach to Jerusalem from the Judean wilderness.
Day 8: Jerusalem — Mount of Olives & Gethsemane
Panorama from the Mount of Olives, the Palm Sunday descent, Dominus Flevit, and the Garden of Gethsemane with the Church of All Nations. Reserve afternoon stillness.
A Holy Hour in Gethsemane.
Day 9: Jerusalem — Via Dolorosa & Holy Sepulchre
Pray the Stations of the Cross along the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre — Calvary and the empty tomb (a full morning). Later the Western Wall.
Walk the Way of the Cross together; Mass at the Holy Sepulchre.
Day 10: Bethlehem & Ein Karem
The Church of the Nativity and Shepherds' Field in Bethlehem, then Ein Karem's Visitation and birthplace of John the Baptist.
Mass at the Shepherds' Field; pray the Magnificat at the Visitation.
Day 11: Galilee
Travel north to the Sea of Galilee: Mount of Beatitudes, Tabgha, Capernaum and a boat ride on the lake. Give the boat ride unhurried time.
Mass at the Mount of Beatitudes; prayer on the water.
Day 12: Nazareth & the Jordan to the border
Nazareth's Basilica of the Annunciation and Cana, then the Jordan River baptismal site before crossing into Jordan (allow buffer at the border).
Renewal of baptismal promises at the Jordan River.
Day 13: Jordan — Mount Nebo & Madaba
Mount Nebo, where Moses viewed the Promised Land, and Madaba's ancient mosaic map of the Holy Land. Afternoon transfer toward Petra.
Prayer at Mount Nebo overlooking the Promised Land, echoing Moses' journey.
Day 14: Petra
A full day exploring the rose-red Nabataean city of Petra: the walk through the Siq to the Treasury and beyond (give it the whole day; the terrain is demanding but extraordinary).
Quiet gratitude and reflection amid Petra; evening thanksgiving service.
Day 15: Depart from Amman
Transfer to Amman's airport for the journey home, carrying the whole arc of salvation history with you.
Closing Mass and a blessing for the road home.
