Holy Land, Jordan & Egypt

Depart Myanmar. Arrive to Amman Airport. Amman City Tour then transfer to our hotel in
Amman for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, we drive to Mt Nebo around thirty kilometres south of Amman. Mt Nebo -
straight out of the pages of the Bible (Deuteronomy 34:1-5). “And Moses went up from the
plains of Moab unto the mountain of Nebo…… and the Lord said unto him “This is the
Promised Land……. I have caused you to see it with thine eyes, but thou shall not go over
thither.” So Moses the servant of the Lord died there. “He was one hundred and twenty years
old when he died…….” From Mt Nebo you will have a spectacular view of the Jordan Valley,
the Dead Sea and in clear weather one can even see Jerusalem. After lunch we visit St
George’s Church in Madaba, about 8 km from Mt Nebo. Here you will see some of the finest
Byzantine mosaic in the world. Most famous is the 6th century mosaic map of Palestine
possibly the oldest map of the Holy Land in existence–Proceed to hotel for dinner and
overnight.

Breakfast. We cross River Jordan via the Allenby Bridge and proceed to Jericho which has
been the cradle of civilization as far back as 7,000 to 10,000 B.C. It is known to be one of the
oldest cities in the world. It was the first city taken by the tribes of Israel after they crossed the
River Jordan (Joshua 6:1-27). Joshua, after destroying and burning Jericho, cursed the man
who should ever rebuild it. Prophet Elisha, at the urgent demands of the inhabitants,
sweetened the water of one of its springs by casting into it a handful of salt (II Kings 2:19-22).
The spring which is the source of life of Jericho’s green oasis carries the name of the prophet -
Elisha’s Temptation Monastery known as the “Quarantal Monastery.” Here in Jericho we could
buy a variety of delicious fruits for our stay in the Holy Land. Lunch in Jericho. After Lunch we
drive through the Jordan Valley to Khirbet Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found.
The documents were found hidden in jars in the caves and preserved in good condition for
nearly 2,000 years due to the arid climatic conditions prevailing in that area. The scrolls include
books of the Hebrew Bible, the most famous of which is the Book of Isiah. Near these caves
are the ruins of the Essenes Monastery, belonging to a Jewish religious sect, who it is
believed, were responsible to copy and compose the Dead Sea Scrolls. Proceed to the Dead
Sea, the lowest point on earth, around 1290 feet (400 meters) below sea level. If you wish to
take a swim, you should be prepared by packing a swimming costume with your clothes.
Changing rooms and fresh water to bathe are available. The high salt content makes it
impossible to drown. Then we drive up north along the Jordan Valley to Tiberias. Check-in to our hotel. Dinner.Fountain. In Jericho, Christ cured a blind man (Luke 18:35-43). It was here
that the chief tax collector Zacchaeus, who was short of stature climbed a sycamore tree so
that he could see Jesus, “Zacchaeus make haste and come down, for this day I must abide in
thy house.” (Luke 19:1-10). The Mount of Temptation situated in the northwest of Jericho overlooks
the world’s most ancient city. (Matthew 4:1-4 and 4: 8-11). On the slope of this mount
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After breakfast we visit the town of Nazareth (Matthew 2:23) where Jesus spent his childhood
and youth and where he worked with Joseph the carpenter. Here in Nazareth is the home of
the Holy Family - Jesus, Mary & Joseph (Luke 1:26). We see St Joseph’s workshop, Mary’s
well. Visit the magnificent Basilica of the Annunciation. Continue our drive to the village of
Cana, scene of the first miracle where Jesus turned water into wine at the marriage feast (John
2: 1-12). ) After a delicious oriental lunch in Nazareth we shall proceed to Mt Tabor to visit the
Church built on the site of the Transfiguration. (Matthew 17:1-13) and of the meeting between
Jesus, Elijah and Moses. The Church built on the summit is only accessible by taxi. From the
top of the mountain you will be able to see the Jezreel. Valley. Return to our hotel for dinner
and overnight.

Breakfast. Visit the Mount of Beatitudes Church site of “Jesus Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew
5:1-12) overlooking the Sea of Galilee. Continue to Tabgha where Jesus performed the
miracle of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes (Mark 6:30-44). Close by about 200
yards away, near the shore stands the Church of St Peter, or Chapel of the Primacy, built from
the native black lava stone. It was built by the Franciscans to mark the site where Jesus
revealed himself the third time to His disciples after having risen from the dead (John 21:1-14).
This place is also called Mensa Christi or Table of the Lord. We shall tour Capernaum (Mark
1:21-28) where Jesus made his home and began his preaching in the synagogue. Immediately
upon leaving the synagogue he entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and
John. Jesus heals Simon Peter’s mother-in-law who lay ill with a fever (Mark 1:29-
31) After lunch -the main course in the menu will be the traditional St Peter’s Fish we take a
boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Drive to Yardenit, the traditional Baptismal site. Return to our
hotel in Tiberias for dinner and overnight.

After Breakfast and checking out we drive to Haifa, we visit the Carmelite Monastery of St.
Elijah – Stella Marris. And we will see a very beautiful basilica built over a cave where profit
Elijah lived. Also Mt. Carmel is the place we Prophet Elijah defeated the Prophets of Baal and
convinced the people that the God of Israel is the true God (1 Kings 18:17-40). We stop for a
panoramic view of the city of Haifa (the third largest city in Israel), the gold-domed Baha’i
temple and the Persian Gardens. Drive to Caesarea, with its many excavations, which was
built by Herod the Great as the capital of Palestine, and named after his benefactor, Augustus
Caesar. Pontius Pilate occupied the Governor’s residence. In the house of Cornelius the
Centurion, Peter preached to the Gentile congregation. Baptism of Cornelius. (Acts 10:34-48).
St Paul landed in Caesarea (Acts 18:22) and was sent here for trial before Felix the Governor
and his captivity for years in Caesarea (Acts 24:1-27). Paul also made his defence before
Porcius Festus, the Governor and King Agrippa (Acts 25:7-27 & Acts 26:1-23) and from here
he sailed in chains to Rome (Acts 27:1). From Caesarea we go to Jaffa or Joppa, the oldest
seaport in the world, has a recorded history of 3,500 years. Here Peter raised Tabitha (Dorcas
in Greek) to life (Acts 9:36-43). “Peter stayed on in Joppa for a considerable time at the house
of Simon, the tanner.”(Acts 9:43). Here Peter had the vision of the Great Sheet (Acts 10:9-17).
Then to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast drive up the Mount of Olives “a Sabbath day’s journey” from Jerusalem (Acts
1:12), is the most conspicuous landmark of the Holy City. The mount is about 2,930 ft above
sea level. The most comprehensive and finest view of Jerusalem and its unsurpassed
panorama are those from the Mount of Olives and from its northern most ends, Mt Scopus, on
which are the British War Cemetery, the old Hadassah Hospital and the Hebrew University.
From these vantage points the pilgrim, seeing the Holy City for the first time is able to get a
clear idea of the terrain and to acquaint himself well with the hills on which the city stands.
Most of the ancient city walls and several of the city gates are visible from here. Jesus viewed
the city from the Mount of Olives and beheld its stately walls, its strong towers and its
magnificent Temple, where today it is the sight of the Dome of the Rock and the Aqsa Mosue
the third Holy shrine for the Moslems and here he pronounced his lament over its impending
doom and its judgement of its people (Matthew 24:1-3). On the slopes of this mount in a grotto
Jesus taught the Lord’s Prayer to his disciples (Luke 11:1-4). In the courtyard of the Pater
Noster Church you will see beautiful ceramic panels displaying the full text of Our Lord’s
Prayer in many languages including Kadazan, Chinese, Tamil and Bahasa Indonesia. The
Acts (1:9-12) tells us how Jesus took his disciples to a mount called Olivet, and after
blessingthem, he ascended to heaven. We visit the top of Mount of Olives which is considered
to be the site of the Ascension. The present small chapel on the site is an edifice built by the
Crusaders, now occupied by Moslems. Inside you will see a rock with the legendary footprint of
Christ made when he ascended to heaven. Continue walking on the traditional Palm Sunday
way, we stop at the Church of Dominus Flevit.The dome of this Church is tearing shaped. It is
situated halfway down the slopes of Mt of Olives and commemorates “the Lord Wept” -
Dominus Flevit (Luke 19:41-44). Proceed to the Church of All Nations also known as the
Basilica of the Agony. Sixteen Nations contributed to its construction. Part of the traditional
Rock of Agony lies in front of the main altar inside the Church (Matthew 26:36-46). Peter’s
denial foretold by Jesus (Matthew 26:34). . Visit the Wailing Wall, the Temple Area and from
there we drive to Mt. Zion to visit the Basilica of the Dormition which is the most important
building on Mount Zion. It marks the site where Mary, the mother of Jesus, died. We visit the
Last Supper Room (Coenaculum - Dining Hall) also on Mt Zion, the place where Jesus ate the
Last Supper with his disciples, establishing the Communion Service (Mark 14:12-16; Luke
22:7-20). In the same Room Jesus appeared twice to his disciples after His resurrection (John 20:19-29). When the last great supper was finished, Jesus and His disciples descended Mount
Zion and entered Gethsemane from where he was taken before the High Priest Caiphas. We
see the Church of St Peter in Gallicantu, “St Peter of the Cock Crowing” which is built over the
remains of a wealthy first century house, believed to have belonged to the same High Priest
Caiphas before whom Jesus stood. While there He was humiliated, mocked at, slapped and
spat upon. Peter who was at that time in the courtyard, denied his Master three times, “just
then a cock began to crow……” (Matthew 26:69-75). After Lunch we drive to Bethlehem about
8 km south of Jerusalem. In Hebrew it means the “House of Bread.” It is the town of David’s
family. Joseph and Mary journeyed from Nazareth their home, 144 km south to Bethlehem, the
birth place of King David, as Joseph was the descendent of the house of David to register for
the Roman Census. And while they were in Bethlehem, the time came for her to have her
child. She gave birth to her first-born son, wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a
manger - for there was no room in the inn (Luke 2:1-7). A silver star in the Basilica of the
Nativity with the Latin inscription, “Hic de Maria Virgine Jesus ChristusNatusEst” (Here Jesus
was born of the Virgin Mary), marks the spot where Christ was born. The Holy Manger lies to
the right. We visit the Shepherd’s Field and the Church located some 3 km east of Bethlehem.
“And there was in the samecountry shepherds watching and keeping their flock by night, and
behold an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them…..
Fear not for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto
you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.”(Luke 2:8-11). It was
near Bethlehem that Jacob’s twelfth and last son was born. It was here that his wife, Rachel
died in labour and was buried. Jacob erected a memorial over her grave and the memorial
marks Rachel’s grave to this day (Genesis 35:16-20). Dinner and overnight in our hotel.

An early breakfast so that we could make the Stations of the Cross before the crowds gather
later in the morning. We enter the old city of Jerusalem from St. Stephen Gate; we visit The
Pools of Bethesda during the time of Jesus was one of the main water reservoirs of Jerusalem
and located near “The Sheep Gate.” The blind, the lame and the crippled would ask to be
bathed in the pools so as to be cured. It is mentioned in John 5:2-13, that Jesus cured a man
who had been sick for 38 years. Nearby lies St Anne’s Church of the Crusader period.
Tradition identifies it as the location of the house of Anne, the mother of Mary. It is also
believed to be the birth place of Mary. Then we visit the Church of the Flagellation which
stands on the site where Jesus was scourged, then to the Chapel of Condemnation, site of
Jesus public trial and condemnation (Luke 23:26-34). We retrace Jesus Christ’s footsteps
when He carried the Cross on via Dolorosa (Way ofSorrows) that lead from the place where
Pontius Pilate had condemned Jesus, to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. At the entrance to
the Church lies the Stone of Anointment. After Joseph of Arimathea took Jesus down from the
cross, Jesus was laid on this Stone. Within the Church is the Rock of Golgotha (Calvary). It
means the place of the skull. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is the most sacred place on
earth for Christians. Jesus was brought here and nailed to the cross, here the cross was
elevated, here he suffered and died, and from here was lowered to the tomb (Luke 23:33-
46).Joseph, a wealthy man from Arimathea, had gone to request the body of Jesus from Pilate
who issued an order for its release. Taking the body, Joseph wrapped it in fresh linen and laid it in his own new tomb which had been hewn from a formation of rock (Matthew 27:57-60).
After lunch we drive to EinKarem, birthplace of St John the Baptist. Here we visit the Church
named after St John and the Visitation Church. Here Mary came from Nazareth to visit her
cousin Elizabeth, mother of John (Luke 1:39-45). At this memorable meeting of these two
saintly women, Elizabeth cried out, “Blessed are thou among women, and blessed is the fruit
of thy womb” and Mary’s reply was the ecstatic hymn of praise which is known as the
“Magnificat” - My soul doth magnify the Lord” as recorded in Luke (1: 46-55). Return to hotel.
Dinner.

After Breakfast and checking out we drive to bethany home of Lazarus, Martha and Mary,
where Jesus restored Lazarus to life (John 11:1-44). Visit the Tomb of Lazarus. Then drive to
Eilat via the Inn of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37).After lunch in Eilat weproceed to Taba
Border for crossing to eygpt, . Our representative will meet us here and assist us through
border formalities. We check-in to our hotel at St Catherine’s for an overnight’s stay. Dinner.

We have an early morning wake-up call so that we could climb Moses Mountain. (Exodus 25:
12-18). Here at this mountain Moses received the Ten Commandments. We descend the
mountain and have breakfast at our hotel. Check-out of our hotel. Visit St Catherine’s
monastery. View the Burning Bush. In the Old Testament we read of a smoking brazier and a
flaming torch (Genesis 15: 17) and a flame of fire out of a bush (Exodus 3: 2-6) and a column
of fire (Exodus 13:21)and smoke and fire at Sinai (Exodus 19:18) and a consuming fire on the
mountaintop (Exodus 24:17). All these are manifestations that proclaim God’s presence. We
proceed to Cairo. Lunch en route. Check-in to our hotel in Cairo. Dinner.

Breakfast. We have a full day Tour with our English speaking Guide highlighting the ancient
Egyptian civil-ization. The tour will include a visit to the great pyramids and sphinx at the Giza
Plateau. Next we visit the Egyptian Museum which is world renowned containing ancient
Egyptian statues and artefacts in addition to the TutenKhamun collection. Lunch at a
Restaurant followed by a visit to a shopping complex. In the evening we shall have a Nile
Cruise Dinner which will feature Egyptian folklore and music. Return to our hotel.

After Breakfast, transfer to Cairo Airport for departure flight back to Myanmar.