93 ‘Mangaloreans’ who’ll Walk Where Jesus Walked in ‘Holy Land’ left City on a Pilgrimage Tour
Mangaluru: You want to walk where Jesus walked. You want to see what Jesus saw. You have to go on a Pilgrimage Tour, and that’s exactly what 93 “Mangaloreans’ from in and around Mangaluru did- and they left Mangaluru International Airport last night in two batches in two different flights- from Mangaluru to Bengaluru by Indigo Airlines and Spice Jet- and from Bengaluru to Amman by Kuwait Airways and Air Arabia. And this tour was arranged by Globe Travels, Mangaluru, who are a leading Christian Pilgrimage Tour company in India, being the first travel agency to launch pilgrimage tour in India since 1986, arranging Pilgrimage tours to Israel, Egypt, Jordan and other places.
Speaking to Team Mangalorean, William D’souza- the Managing Director of Globe Travels said, “We feel proud to say that we launched the FIRST Holy Land tour in India in 1986, where 12 people took the pilgrimage tour- and since then we have arranged nearly 265 such tours, and the travelers on this tour increase in every tour we undertake, and last night 93 people went on this tour, accompanied by our staff Ms Delphine D’Souza and Ms Preethi D’Souza. Our Tour programs are designed keeping YOU in mind and they provide a Bible oriented journey”
“Our knowledge and expertise of the Holy Land and a focus on providing great customer service offer you an altogether enjoyable and carefree trip to the Holy Land hence making the Bible come alive. Our amazing guides from Globe Travels help you discover this spiritual land and carefully selected hotels make your pilgrimage comfortable and enjoyable. Our Mission is to make sure that your tour to the Holy Land is not an ordinary journey like any other but the journey of a lifetime. Our ultimate goal is that you return back home from the Holy Land not only with mere souvenirs or memories but with a double portion of blessings and in turn, you become a blessing to your family, church, friends and society on the whole. We thank the LORD Almighty for giving us this great responsibility of taking our Christian friends to visit the Holy Land and in turn enhance their faith and their walk with our Lord Jesus Christ ” added William D’souza.
On Day 01: Boarding flights from Bengaluru to Amman
The pilgrimage tour members boarded two flights from Bengaluru during the wee hours of 17 September and they will arrive at Queen Alia International Airport, Amman, where a Globe Travels arranged Representative will meet the travelers and then proceed to the hotel and check in to the hotel and relax, overnight in Amman.
Day 02: Amman– Mount Nebo – Madaba – Dead Sea – Amman
After breakfast drive to Mt. Nebo, the burial site of Prophet Moses overlooking the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. Here the tour members will view 4th and 6th century Byzantine churches with wonderful mosaics. Then they will visit the mosaic city of Madaba, where the oldest map of the Holy Land exists on the floor of St. George’s Church. More mosaics can be seen in the Archaeological Park, which houses some masterpieces from Byzantine churches. After lunch, they’ll head on to the beach at the Dead Sea where they can relax the rest of the day and float in the salty water. In the evening they’ll drive to Amman. Overnight stay in Amman.
Day 03: Amman – Sheikh Hussein – Mt. Tabor -Cana – Nazareth – Tiberias
After Breakfast early check out and proceed to Sheik Hussain Border, on completion of visa & immigration formalities get into Israel. Then proceed to Mt. Tabor visit transfiguration Church. Then drive to Cana, the ancient Wedding Church, where Jesus turned water into Wine. Proceed to Nazareth to visit the Church of Annunciation, Mary’s Well and Josephs’ Workshop. Then proceed to Tiberias. Check in to the Hotel and proceed for delicious Dinner. Overnight stay in Tiberias
Day 04: Mt. of Beatitudes – Capernaum – Tabgha – St Peter –Boat Ride – Haifa – Caesarea – Bethlehem
After breakfast check out and proceed to visit Mt. of Beatitudes where Jesus delivered his first sermon, Tabgha, the site of multiplication of loaves and fishes and the primacy of St. Peter (Mesa Christy) and Capernaum where childhood of Jesus was spent church. A much-awaited boat ride across the Sea of Galilee where Jesus walked on the waters. After Peter fish lunch proceed to Haifa/Mt. Carmel/Hanging garden & Stella Mari’s Monastery & Elijah’s’ Cave. Then Drive to Caesarea (Roman Aqua ducts) then proceed to Bethlehem, check in to the hotel for delicious dinner. Overnight stay in Bethlehem.
Day 05: Bethlehem – Mt Of Olives – Mt. Zion – Ein Karem – Bethlehem
After Breakfast proceed to visit the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem, Milk grotto and Shepherds’ Field. After that proceed to Mt. of Olives in Jerusalem for a panoramic view of Jerusalem. Visit Sanctuaries of Pater Noster Ascension. Walk along the Palm Sunday Road down to the Chapel of Dorminous Flevit and Garden of Gethsemane. Visit the Church of Agony and St. Peters in Galicantu. Drive to Mt. Zion via Kidron Valley to visit Dormition Abbey/Room of the last Supper and Tomb of David then proceed to Ein Karem (if they have time), to visit the Church of Visitation or St. John’s Church. Then back to Bethlehem hotel for dinner. Overnight stay in Bethlehem.
Day 6: Bethany – Jericho – Jordan River – Old city of Jerusalem
After Breakfast proceed to Bethany visit Lazarus Tomb. Then drive to Jericho and Sycamore Tree then proceed to visit Jordan River Original Baptism Site. After Lunch proceed to visit old city of Jerusalem. Visit the Wailing Wall and Dome of the Rock then visit the Church of St. Anne and the Pool of Bethesda, then Way of the Cross Return to the hotel for delicious dinner. Overnight stay in Bethlehem.
Day 07: Taba Border – Red Sea
After breakfast in hotel they’ll proceed to Taba border and on the way, will have lunch. After border formalities, they enter Egypt. The representative in Egyptian side will assist for visa and immigration formalities. Drive to hotel in Taba for check in and relax. Proceed for delicious dinner. Overnight stay in Taba.
Day 08: Taba – Cairo
After breakfast, check out and proceed to Cairo, they’ll will use the underwater tunnel of Suez Canal by road, (9 hours 30 minutes). Evening they’ll reach Cairo. check in to the hotel dinner &Overnight. Cairo
Day 09: Cairo –Pyramids –Sphinx –Old Coptic Cairo -Cairo Museum – Nile Cruise
After Breakfast proceeds then proceed to visit pyramids and Sphinx. Then proceed to visit Papyrus and Perfume factory. After that proceed to visit Coptic Cairo, they’ll will visit Holy Family Church, hanging church and the oldest synagogue in Egypt. After lunch proceeds to Cairo Museum or Pharaonic Village and by late evening 7:00 pm Nile Cruise with dinner. Check in the Hotel and overnight stay in Cairo
Day 10: Cairo Airport – Bengaluru
After Breakfast check out proceed towards the airport for the final departure back to Bengaluru with Happy memories.
Day 11: Reaching Bengaluru International Airport in the Morning, collect the luggage and proceed to board the flight to Mangaluru.
In conclusion, I bet all these “Mangaloreans” who went on this pilgrimage tour will be a connecting bridge between Christians from here and the Holy Land. No doubt these pilgrims will come more close to GOD and grow in their faith through their visit to the Holy Land. The organizers’ goal is that Christian believers should renew their relation with Israel and with the Word of GOD. So why get jealous of these 93 people who took this tour, instead you took can sign up for the next pilgrimage Tour commencing on 24 September 2019. Want to be Extra Holy then pack your bags and head on to the Holy Land- and don’t forget to put a Bible and a Rosary in your suitcase?
For more details contact GLOBE TRAVELS- A unit of Interserve, Souza Arcade, Balmatta Road, Mangaluru Tel: +91-824-4110687; 4110688; 4110689; 4110690
I remember the pilgrimage from our parish during my younger years to Goa which mostly consisted of visiting various beaches and wine shops. But we had spared a couple of hours during the trip to visit Bom Jesus basilica in Old Goa.
Ah! Those were the days. Kids these days know nothing about life.