2024 Holy Land Trip

In the Spring of 2024 (April 30-May 10), UPC plans to take a group of pilgrims to the Holy Land.

Why travel to the Holy Land?

Our shared faith is an incarnational one. We profess that God took on human flesh, was born in a specific patch of land, walked on Palestinian dirt, taught his disciples on a certain sea, and that somewhere in a Jerusalem garden greeted the world with resurrection love. That is a love that has something to say to us today, and to the complex conflict that the land and its diverse peoples there live and breathe.

Who is planning this trip?

This trip will be led by Dr. Carson Brisson, professor at Union Presbyterian Seminary. Jarrett McLaughlin and Nancy Myer will also be on the trip.

Where will we go? What will we do?

The trip will include the following sites and activities:

Capernaum, Peter’s Primacy, Mt. of Beatitudes
Magdaia Archaeological Park
Nazareth
The Latin Patriarch School in Reineh
Tel Dan/Banias (Caesarea Philippi)
Tel Meggido
Mt. Carmel and the Jezreel Valley
Beit Shean
The Ancient Boat Museum (at Nof Ginosar)
Boat trip on the Sea of Galilee

The Jordan River, Jericho, Mt. of Temptation
Ein Gedi, Masada, Qumran
Dead Sea (swim/float option)
Herodian
Palm Sunday Road, Mt. of Olives
Garden of Gethsemane, Church of All Nations
Bethlehem-Shepherds’ Fields, Church of the Nativity
City of David, Davidson Archaeological Park

Jerusalem Southern Steps
Old City, Western Wall, Temple Mount, Dome of the Rock
Pool of Bethesda, St. Anne’s Church, St. Peter in Gallicantu
Via Dolorosa, Lithostrotos-Ecce Homo, Upper Room
Church of the Holy Sepulcher
Yad Va’Shem Holocaust Memorial
Israel Museum-Model of Jerusalem, Shrine of the Book
Garden Tomb (Communion Worship)

What is the cost for this trip?

Prices vary based upon shared/single rooms and whether you choose to fly with the group or separately:

Round-trip flights (to/from RDU) with Land package, Double Occupancy: $4,950 each
Round-trip flights (to/from RDU) with Land package, Single Occupancy: $6,150
No flights (booking own travel); Land package only, Double Occupancy: $3,350 each
No flights (booking own travel); Land package only, Single Occupancy: $4,550

Pricing includes all meals in Israel, rooms, taxes, and tips, including tips for our guide and driver. (You may tip room service, etc. on your own if desired.)

How do I sign up?

Registration will open on August 1, and space is limited. Your first step in registering (on or after August 1) will be to fill out a very simple registration form with UPC on Realm via the button below. However, you will not be officially registered until you contact the travel agent (on or after August 1) and submit your registration form, passport photocopy, and monetary deposit.

Registration is open only to UPC members and regular visitors until October 1. If you have a friend who is not a member/regular visitor who would like to share a room with you, please contact Nancy or Jarrett. Beginning on October 1, other people outside of UPC (that are on a “waiting list” of sorts with Dr. Brisson) will be allowed to register, as space allows.

Click here to begin the registration process (beginning Aug. 1)