15 -26 March 2018, Nativity Trail

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The Nativity Trail is an eleven day walking journey of approximately 160 km from Nazareth, the City of the Annunciation, to Bethlehem, the City of the Nativity, where the Christian faith had its beginning. 

The carefully researched route is the first leg of the new Palestine Trail.

 

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Day one: Arrival    

 

The initial meeting point will be at the hotel in Nazareth. Groups arriving to Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) will be picked up and transferred to Nazareth.

Dinner and overnight in the Nazareth. 

 

Day two: Nazareth and Mount Tabor

 

Walk through Nazareth and see the Church of the Annunciation and the house of Mary. Visit the Monestary of the Transfiguration at Mount Tabor.

Dinner and overnight in Jenin.

 

Day three: Faqu’a to Zababdeh: 20 km   

 

Walk from Faqu'a through the villages of Jalbun and Mughayir to Zababdeh.

Overnight accommodation with local families.

 

Day four: Zababdeh to Fara'a: 15 km

Walk through olive groves and forests, descending to the spring of Ain Fara’a.
Arrive in Fara'a, visit the archeological sites of Jacob and his family.  
Dinner and overnight with local families. 

 

Day five: Fara'a to Nablus: 15 km


Walk through orchards to Wadi Bidan, a picturesque valley. 
In Nablus, tour the old city and visit the Greek Orthodox Church of Jacob’s Well and Tel Balata.  Taste the delicious kanafeh for which Nablus is famous. Relax in a Turkish bath and enjoy a traditional Palestinian meal and music. 

Overnight at a hotel in the old city of Nablus.

 

Day six: Nablus to Duma


Walk through the Huwara checkpoint to Awarta, home to beautiful ancient buildings.Visit the famous Maqams and continue to Mt. Awarma to rest and enjoy views of the countryside and ancient archeological sites. Continue to Aqraba and Majdal Bani Fadil before reaching the agriculture hilltop town of Duma, known for its olive groves.
Dinner and overnight with local families.

 

Day seven: Duma to Ain Auja: 18 km


Across deep valleys and over high hills, descend a rocky gorge to sea level at Auja Spring, one of the largest water sources in the Jordan valley.
Overnight at a Bedouin camp near Al Auja.

 

Day eight: Al Auja to Jericho: 13 km


Visit the Greek Orthodox Monastery clinging to the cliffs of Mount Temptation. Continue to Jericho, the oldest city on Earth. Drive to the Dead Sea, enjoy floating and swimming in the water. 
Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Jericho.

 

Day nine: Jericho to Nabi Musa: 14 km


Walk through the spectacular canyon of Wadi Qelt to St. George Koziba Monastery. Hike the arid mountains of the Bethlehem wilderness to the remote and dramatically situated Nabi Musa.

Dinner and overnight at a guesthouse in Nabi Musa.

 

Day ten: Nabi Musa to Mar Saba: 8 km


Follow desert tracks through Hyrcania, one of Herod’s mountain-top fortresses, to the legendary ancient Greek Orthodox Monastery of Mar Saba.

Dinner and overnight in the desert in a communal tent.

 

Day eleven: Mar Saba to Bethlehem: 9 km

 

The trail’s final segment:  
Ascend the hills of the Bethlehem wilderness before finally reaching Beit Sahour. Explore Bethlehem's Manger Square, the Church of the Nativity and the Milk Grotto.
Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Bethlehem.

 

Day twelve: Departure 

 

Please note that journey segments and distances are approximations.
ATG and Siraj reserve the right to amend the program.

Highlights

 

Meet and engage with diverse range of people -- Franciscan priests on Mount Tabor, Muslim clerics at village mosques, Greek Orthodox monks in desert monasteries, hillside farmers and their families, small-town shopkeepers and craftspeople, Bedouin shepherds watering their flocks at ancient cisterns, and many more.


Learn about the history, culture and religious tradition on the trail that Mary and Joseph traveled


Take in breathtaking landscapes filled with valleys, groves, orchards and mountain springs


Relax with a Turkish bath


Enjoy traditional homemade Palestinian meals and sweets


Stay overnight in Bedouin tents, villagers' homes and local guesthouses

Route

  1. Jerusalem