A Hiking Pilgrimage in the Path of Jesus Designed Exclusively for and by Fowler Tours
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JESUS TRAIL CAMINO A hiking pilgrimage in the path of Jesus designed exclusively for and by Fowler Tours Led by Fr Russell Pollitt SJ Director of the Jesuit Institute 4 – 13 September 2015 www.fowlertours.co.za Friday, September 4: We meet at Johannesburg International Airport to depart on our night-flight. Saturday, September 5: We arrive in Tel Aviv and transfer to Nazareth , arriving at around lunch time. After lunch we explore the city with the majestic Basil - ica of the Annunciation and other sites. Overnight: Nazareth Sunday, September 6: Starting from the western hill of Nazareth we hike down to the The Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth historical site of the Greco-Roman city of Sepphoris (also called Tsippori) where St Joseph and Jesus probably worked as builders (tekton ). From there we hike to Cana , site of Jesus’ first public miracle. Overnight: Nazareth Monday, September 7: We set off at sunrise on a 14km walk, starting at Wadi Arbel through the Gennesaret Valley to arrive at the Mount of Beati - tudes , from where we have a great view of the Sea of Galilee. We hike down the slopes of the mount and proceed to Capernaum , with its remains of an ancient house church which archaeologists believe to be the house of St Peter, and a beautifully-preserved The slopes of Mount of Beatitudes fourth-century synagogue which was built on top of the still visible foundations of the synagogue in which Jesus probably preached. We finish the day by taking a boat-ride on the Sea of Galilee on a recreation of a first-century fishing vessel. Overnight: Nazareth Tuesday, September 8: We hike up and down Mount Tabor with its impressive Church of the Transfiguration and astonishing view of the Jezreel Valley. After lunch in the city of Haifa we come to the Deir Al-Mukhraka, or Horn of Carmel . This is the site of the famous Mount Carmel Monastery, where the Carmelite Order was founded, and of Eli - Boatride on the Sea of Galilee jah’s battle with the gods of Baal. We hike down Mount Carmel into the Jezreel Valley , and proceed by bus to Bethlehem. Overnight: Bethlehem Wednesday, September 9: After breakfast we drive into the desert to hike up Mount of Temptation , where tradition locates Jesus’ 40 days and nights in the desert, to arrive at sixth-century cliff-hanging St George’s Monastery . We then hike through Wadi Qelt and explore historical sites along the way, culminating with the ancient tel of Jericho , the location of the original Jericho whose walls were brought down by the trumpets. All this is happening below sea level. We The Jezreel Valley round off the day by having the unique esperience of floating on the Dead Sea ! Overnight: Bethlehem Thursday, September 10: We hike for 7km in Wadi Khareitoun through a gorge where pre- historic people lived in caves we can still see today, most famously the cave of Ain Sakhri, where 10,000 year-old sculpture of two en - twined lovers was found. Back on Bethlehem we visit the ancient Basilica of the Nativity, which marks the place of Jesus’ birth, and Shepherds’ Field in Beit Sahour, where tradition holds the angels announced the birth of the Messiah to the shepherds. Overnight: Jerusalem Mount of Temptation Friday, September 11: We drive to the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem where we can enjoy a panoramic view of Jerusalem. On our way down we have the oppor - tunity to stop at the churches of Paternoster and Dominus Flevit be - fore we arrive in the Garden of Gethsemane and the magnificent Church of All Nations. We follow this with a hike through the Kidron Valley , from Gethsemane to the church St Peter in Gallicantu on Mount Zion , following the approximate historical route which Jesus would have taken to the Last Supper and been led after after his ar - rest. Overnight: Jerusalem Saturday, September 12: Wadi Khareitoun We explore the historical sites of Jerusalem (with the option of doing the Via Dolorosa), starting at the ancient Pools of Bethesda and culminating in a visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the ancient basilica that covers Calvary . We explore the four quarters of the Old City — Muslim, Christian, Armenian and Jewish — and visit the Western Wall. We then walk on the ramparts — the 16th cen - tury city walls built by Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent. We exit at Zion Gate to hike down to the Church of St Peter in Gallicantu, with the steps on which we know for certain Jesus walked on, to the Pools of Siloam , where the history of Jerusalem began. After our programme concludes, we will transfer to Tel Aviv for our The Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem night flight home. Sunday, September 13: After an unforgettable Holy Land Camino we land in the morning at O.R. Tambo, physically tired but spiritually refreshed! Est. Price: R 29,785 (sharing, ex-Jhb; subject to currency, airport tax fluctuations) Includes: All flights ex-Johannesburg (incl. airport taxes), accommodation in 3- View of Jerusalem from Mount of Olives star hotels or better (sharing) with breakfast and dinner, lunches, transfers, water on hikes, travelling on air-conditioned luxury buses, English-speaking tour guide, entrance fees. Excludes: Tips (mandatory), visa (not required for SA citizens), personal ex - penses, travel insurance, travel to and from O.R. Tambo Airport/Jhb. 25 passengers minimum. A deposit of R3,500 secures your place on this unforgettable pilgrimage. Name of Account: Fowler Tours Bank: Standard Bank Acc no: 07 307 535 3 (current account) On the Via Dolorosa Branch code: 026509 Beneficiary Reference: Jesus Trail/2015 plus your name Please no cash deposits For booking form or for more information, please contact Gail at 076 352-3809 or 021 551-3923 or [email protected] or fax 086 672-9225 www.fowlertours.co.za The ramparts in Jerusalem RESERVATION FORM (one form per person, photocopies of form are permitted): Enclosed is my NON-REFUNDABLE deposit of R3,500 per person to secure my booking on the pilgrimage specified below. Payment is to be made to: Account Name: Fowler Tours Bank: Standard Bank Account no: 07 307 5353 Branch code: 026509 Name of trip: Holy Land Camino: The Jesus Trail – Led by Father Russell Pollitt SJ Duration: 4 – 13 September 2015 ex-Jhb Cost: Estimated: 29,785(subject to fluctuations) How did you hear about this pilgrimage? Fowler Tours SA Advert Word-to-mouth Other 1.) RESERVATION FORM Title: ___ Name (as it appears on your passport)_______________________________________________ Address:_______________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Code:___ ____________ Date of Birth:___________________ ID Number:______________________________________________ Home Phone (____) ___________________ Work Phone: (___) __________________ Cell: (___) __________________ Fax: (___) __________________ Email: _________________________________________________________ Passport Number:______________________________________________ Expiry Date:______________ Medical Conditions: ____________________________________________________________________ Preferred Name for Name Badge:__________________________________________________________ Sharing with (if applicable): _______________________________________________________________ Please go to next page Reservation form - Page 2 Emergency Contact Person Name:_______________________________________________________ Cell number: _______________________________ Email: ___________________________________ Relationship: _____________________________________________________ 2.) 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If I decline to purchase travel insurance, I understand that there is no monetary recourse for any flight cancellations or delays by the airlines and I agree to the cancellation terms and penalties. Signature (required to confirm reservation): _______________________________________________________ Liability: Fowler Tours or its owners do not own or operate any entity which is to or does provide goods or services for your trip, including, for exam - ple, lodging facilities, transportation companies, local ground operators, including, without limitation, various entities which may utilize the Fowler Tours name, guides, sightseeing companies, entertainment, food or drink service providers, equipment suppliers, etc. As a result, Fowler Tours is not responsible for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any person or entity. In addition, Fowler Tours is not responsible for any negligent or will - ful act or failure to act of any person or entity they do not own or control, nor for any act or inaction of any other third party not under their control. Without limitations Fowler Tours is not liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damage, injury, death, loss, accident, delay, incon - venience or irregularity of any kind which may be occasioned by reason of any act or omission beyond their control, including, without limitation any willful or negligent act, failure to act, breach of contract or violation of local law or regulation of any third party such as an airline, train, hotel, bus, taxi, van, local ground handler or guide, whether or not it uses the Fowler Tours name, financial default or insolvency of any supplier which is to, or does supply any goods or services for this trip.