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 original journey ended, and the Christian faith had its beginning.
The carefully researched route is the first leg of the new Palestine Trail.
More information:
http://www.sirajcenter.org/index.php/component/k2/item/142-nativity-trail-2014
Day one: Arrival
Upon arrival to TLV airport or any crossing points, participants will be picked up and transferred to Nazareth (for Groups only) otherwise meeting point will be the hotel in Nazareth . Dinner and overnight in Nazareth
Day two: Nazareth and Mount Tabor
Nazareth
the church of the Annunciation
the house of Mary
Mt. Tabor, Monastery of the Transfiguration
Dinner overnight in Jenin
Day three: Faqu’a to Zababdeh: 20km
Walk from Faqua through the villages of Jalbun and Mughayir to Zababdeh.
Overnight accommodation in community center.
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: 15Km
Walk through orchards to the broad sweep of Wadi Bidan, a picturesque valley.
In Nablus, visit the Greek Orthodox Church of Jacob’s Well and Tel Balata.
Nablus old city tour.
Relax with a the Turkish Bath along with a Palestinian traditional meal and music.
Overnight: in the old city of Nablus.
Day six: Nablus to Duma
Walk through the Huwara checkpoint to Awarta, with its beautiful ancient old buildings
Visit the famous Maqams and continue to Mt. Awrma to rest and enjoy views of Palestine and the ancient archeological site.
Continue to Aqraba and Majdal Bani Fadil.
The agriculture hilltop town of Duma with it’s olive groves.
Overnight: village accommodation with families
Day seven: Duma to Ain Auja: 18km
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: camping with Bedouin shepherd’s near Al Auja
Day eight: Auja to Jericho: 13km
Greek Orthodox Monastery of Mt. of Temptation, clinging to the cliffs.
Jericho, the oldest city on Earth.
Drive to the Dead Sea, enjoy floating.
Overnight: Either orange grove camping or hotel in Jericho
Day nine: Jericho to Nabi Musa: 14km
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. Overnight: Nabi Musa guest house or camping.
Day ten: Nabi Musa to Mar Saba: 8km
Follow desert tracks through Hyrcania, one of Herod’s mountain-top fortresses, to the legendary ancient Greek Orthodox Monastery of Mar Saba in its wild canyon setting.
Overnight: Either camping near the Monastery, at a local Bedouin camp or at local family in Beit Sahour
Day eleven: Mar Saba to Bethlehem: 9km
The trail’s final segment:
Ascend the hills of the Bethlehem wilderness reaching Beit Sahour and Bethlehem's Manager Square and the Church of the Nativity.
Dinner and overnight with local families.
Day twelve: Departure
Please Note: Journey segments and distances are approximate.
ATG and Siraj reserve the right to amend the program.