+1 (800) 653-0017 hello@canterburypilgrimages.com
+1 (800) 653-0017 hello@canterburypilgrimages.com
The Old City of Jerusalem seen from above

In the Footsteps of Our Lord

The essential Holy Land in eight days

Eight days from the Sea of Galilee to Jerusalem: Nazareth, Cana, Mount Tabor, Bethlehem and the Old City, with daily Mass.

Departures

Current Tours to the Holy Land

Upcoming departures to the Holy Land. Each group has its own host, dates, and itinerary. The route below is our standard.

All current pilgrimages
The Route

Twelve stops across the Holy Land

By motorcoach from Tel Aviv over Mount Carmel to the Sea of Galilee for Capernaum and Tabgha, then by Nazareth, Cana and Mount Tabor to Jerusalem, with days out to Bethlehem, Ein Karem, Jericho, Qumran and Bethany.

Itinerary · AS_IL-8D-01

The Eight Day Itinerary

The essential route for groups that have eight days. Your group travels on its own dates, and the itinerary can be adjusted to fit the time you have and the places that matter most to your pilgrims.

Day 1 – 3

Arrival, Mount Carmel and the Sea of Galilee

A domed church above the Sea of Galilee
A church above the Sea of Galilee
Day 1

Departure from the United States

Our pilgrimage begins as we depart the United States on our overnight flight to Tel Aviv, Israel. Dinner and breakfast will be served during the flight.
Day 2

Arrival in Tel Aviv, Mount Carmel and Tiberias

Upon arrival in Tel Aviv we drive north, pausing on Mount Carmel at the Stella Maris Monastery, long associated with the prophet Elijah, and continue to Tiberias for our welcome dinner.Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.
Day 3

The Sea of Galilee, Capernaum and Tabgha

A morning boat ride opens our day on the Sea of Galilee. We visit Capernaum and the site of the Primacy of Peter, celebrate Mass at Tabgha, ascend the Mount of Beatitudes, and renew our baptismal vows at the Jordan River.Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.
Day 4 – 5

Nazareth, Mount Tabor and the Old City

The Church of the Beatitudes and its gardens
The gardens at the Mount of Beatitudes
Day 4

Nazareth, Cana, Mount Tabor and Jerusalem

We celebrate Mass at the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth and visit St. Joseph’s Workshop and Mary’s Well. In Cana couples may renew their wedding vows, and from Mount Tabor, site of the Transfiguration, we continue to Jerusalem.Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 5

The Old City, the Mount of Olives and Mount Zion

Entering the Old City by St. Stephen’s Gate, we visit St. Anne’s Church and the Chapel of the Flagellation, carry the cross along the Via Dolorosa, and celebrate Mass by the Ecce Homo Arch. This afternoon we take in the Mount of Olives, Gethsemane, St. Peter in Gallicantu and the Upper Room.Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 6 – 7

The Holy Sepulchre, Bethlehem and the Jordan Valley

Inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Day 6

The Holy Sepulchre, Bethlehem and Ein Karem

We begin with Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, raised over the sites of the Crucifixion and Resurrection, then visit Shepherds’ Field and the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Returning, we stop in Ein Karem at the Church of St. John the Baptist and the Church of the Visitation.Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 7

Jericho, Qumran, the Dead Sea and Bethany

We view the Mount of Temptation at Jericho, visit Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, and pause at the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth. At Bethany, where Our Lord raised Lazarus, we celebrate the final Mass of our pilgrimage. Please note that return flights may depart late at night, so the last night’s hotel may not be utilized.Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 8

Return home

The Judean desert near Jericho
The Judean desert near Jericho
Day 8

Return Home

With hearts renewed by the grace of pilgrimage, we transfer to Tel Aviv Airport for our return flight home to the United States.

Why leaders choose Canterbury

“Canterbury treats you like family! They handle everything, from creating exciting itineraries to managing calls, registrations, and payments.”

Patrick MadridPatrick Madrid
Catholic Speaker, Author & Host of The Patrick Madrid Show on Relevant Radio®
A wooden boat on the Sea of Galilee at dawn
The Sea of GalileeStill water at dawn, off the shore at Tiberias.
Dates

Your group travels on its own dates.

Tell us the window you have in mind and we will build the itinerary around it: the time you have, and the places that matter most to your pilgrims.

Your pilgrimage includes

Tour Package Includes

These inclusions can be easily tailored to the individual needs of your group

  • Daily Mass at the churches we visit
  • Round-trip group airfare
  • Airport transfers on arrival & departure
  • 4-Star hotel accommodations
  • Private motorcoach transportation
  • Breakfast & dinner served daily
  • Wine served with some dinners
  • Dedicated tour manager
  • Licensed guiding & admission fees
  • Porterage service at hotels
  • Whisper headsets when touring
  • Tips for hotel & restaurant staff
  • 9 – 5 PM (EST) reservation support
  • 24/7 travel emergency support
  • Canterbury Mobile App
For the group leader

What you get as the group leader

You travel free.

Every group earns complimentary places. The more pilgrims you bring, the more you earn. How complimentary places work

No financial risk.

If the group does not fill, deposits are returned. You owe nothing and neither do your pilgrims. What happens if a group does not fill

We produce the promotional materials.

Flyers, a registration page, and what you need to invite your people. Our guide to promoting a pilgrimage

We handle your pilgrims.

Registrations, rooming lists, payment plans and the phone calls. How leading a pilgrimage works

In your pocket

The Canterbury Mobile App

Every pilgrim in your group gets the app. Their itinerary, hotels and flights, the prayers of the day and a way to reach one another, all in one place and kept current as the pilgrimage unfolds.

  • Group chat

    Your whole group in one thread, so a change of plan reaches everyone at once.

  • Their itinerary

    The full day-by-day schedule, always current, in every pilgrim’s pocket.

  • Hotels

    Where the group is staying each night, with addresses and dates.

  • Flights

    Flight details kept alongside everything else, not in a separate email.

  • Daily prayers

    The prayers of the day, including the Liturgy of the Hours.

  • Shrine passport

    A keepsake record of the shrines your group visits along the way.

  • Live updates

    Times and meeting points pushed to everyone the moment they change.

Photographs
The ruins of the white synagogue at Capernaum
The synagogue at Capernaum
The Church of the Beatitudes above the Sea of Galilee
The Mount of Beatitudes
The Via Dolorosa in the Old City of Jerusalem
The Via Dolorosa
The courtyard of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
The courtyard of the Holy Sepulchre
The Dormition Abbey on Mount Zion, Jerusalem
The Dormition Abbey, Mount Zion
Sunrise over the Dead Sea
The Dead Sea at sunrise

What group leaders say

“They’re big enough to handle any problem that arises, and small enough to craft truly unique experiences.”

Chris StefanickChris Stefanick
Founder & President of Real Life Catholic
Before you ask

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to travel to the Holy Land?

Spring and fall bring mild weather across both Galilee and Jerusalem, and most groups travel between March and May or September and November. Summers are hot, especially in the Jordan Valley and by the Dead Sea, and winters are mild, quieter, and often the best value.

How physically demanding is this pilgrimage?

Moderate. Most days involve two to four hours on your feet, with walking on uneven ground, ancient stone, and steps at archaeological sites. Pilgrims who can manage a full day of sightseeing at their own pace do well. If anyone in your group has mobility limitations, tell us early and we will adapt the days around them. What activity level means.

What is generally not included?

Travel insurance, lunches, drinks beyond those served with included meals, personal expenses, and gratuities for your tour manager and driver. Any of these can be built into your package on request, so tell us what you would like covered and we will arrange it. Passports and visa fees are the one exception and remain the responsibility of each pilgrim.

Do I need a passport or visa for the Holy Land?

You need a passport valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates. US citizens do not need a visa, but Israel requires an approved ETA-IL, an Electronic Travel Authorization, before departure. Entry to Israel is denied without one, and each pilgrim is responsible for completing the application before travel.

Can our priest celebrate Mass at the churches?

Yes. Daily Mass is built into the itinerary, and we arrange times and locations in advance with each church. Your priest should travel with a celebret or letter of good standing from his bishop or superior. We handle the scheduling.

How many pilgrims do you need for a group?

Most of our groups are between 20 and 50 pilgrims, and we can arrange smaller tours as well. We have also organized pilgrimages for groups as large as 2,500, so whatever size your group turns out to be, we can build for it. Minimum group size for a group flight.

Enquire

Interested in Leading a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land?

A pilgrimage consultant replies within one business day. No deposit or commitment.

    Your Information

    Your Group

    First time? You are in good company. Many of our group leaders start right here, and we guide you through every step.

    Where You Would Like to Go

    Destinations of interest (check all that apply)

    These are some of our most popular destinations, but we build CUSTOM ITINERARIES anywhere in the world. If you do not see your destination, tell us below.

    Italy, Rome and AssisiFrance, Lourdes and ParisPortugal and FátimaSpain and the Camino de SantiagoPortugal, Spain and France togetherGreece and TurkeyThe Holy LandEgypt and Mount SinaiPoland, Prague and Central EuropeMedjugorje and the BalkansIreland and the United KingdomMexico and Our Lady of GuadalupeArgentinaPeruJapan, Nagasaki and AkitaUnited States and Canada shrinesA pilgrimage cruiseA choir pilgrimageChristmas markets and AdventWorld Youth Day Seoul 2027Somewhere else, or not sure yet

    When

    Group Size and Budget

    Complimentary places are arranged based on the size of your group. Let us know how many you expect so we can request them from our suppliers from the start.

    A Few Last Details

    Would you like sample itineraries emailed to you?

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