My group is going to the Dead Sea; is there anything special I should know?

Floating in the Dead Sea is unlike any other experience in the world. The buoyancy of the water seems to literally sweep you off your feet and you can’t help but float. We do offer a few safety tips and suggestions if your group gets to experience this natural wonder. Follow all posted safety rules and listen to the lifeguards. Due to the mineral-rich water, there are special instructions for what you can and cannot do while in the sea. Namely, do not put your face in, and keep splashing to a minimum. There will be safety signs posted and we suggest you read them carefully. | Wear an older swimming suit if possible – the salt and other minerals can discolor the fabric. | Water shoes/sandals can be worn for comfort but are not necessary. Please do not wear flipflops. The mud on the bottom of the sea and the density of the water can suck flipflops right off your feet and they can float away quickly. | If you have any small cuts or nicks, or razor burn, they will sting! We suggest not shaving for at least a day or two and making sure any open wounds are covered tightly with a waterproof bandage.

Holy Land Pilgrimage

Walk in the Footsteps of Jesus

LEAD A GROUP

UPCOMING PILGRIMAGES

Catholic Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

A Holy Land pilgrimage is a life-changing experience that makes the Gospel come alive. Imagine standing in the room where Mary said “yes” to the angel Gabriel. Visiting the place where Jesus was born. Renewing your baptismal vows in the waters where Jesus was baptized. Standing in the Upper Room where Jesus celebrated the Last Supper. Walking the Way of the Cross. And entering Jesus’ empty tomb. Holy Land pilgrimages allow us to prayerfully walk in the footsteps of Jesus and connect the stories we have heard about Our Lord in the actual places they transpired.

TRULY CATHOLIC EXPERIENCES

All pilgrimages are led by Catholic priests and include daily Mass at a sacred site or church in the Holy Land. In addition, Tekton only partners with guides who are Christian/Catholic and share the sanctity of our holy Scripture.

WE PLAN.
YOU PRAY.

We plan it all – travel, accommodations, and two meals a day – so you can forget about the details and enjoy a transformative experience! We even help you prepare spiritually, beginning six months prior to your departure!

SAFE AND
SECURE

Rest assured that from the moment you arrive to the moment you depart, your safety is paramount. Our guides, drivers, and hotels are carefully vetted for safety and security. We never travel to areas on the U.S. State Department “alert” list.

SLOW AND
SERENE

Jerusalem is the “City of God” and “City of Peace.” With Tekton, you won’t zoom through the holy sites or be thrust on a tourist treadmill. A peaceful pace provides ample time to reflect on God’s Word and each day’s experiences.

Walking in the Footsteps of Christ

Connecting Jesus’ Experience to My Own

"Our guide was terrific: smart, knowledgeable, flexible, kind (especially to pilgrim who had difficulty walking), adaptable, spiritual, articulate, respectful of pilgrims and priest-spiritual-director, great with schedule and timetable."
- Rev. Robert W., pilgrim from Laurel Falls, OH
"The unplanned moments were very memorable. Our group was in the Shepherd's Field church in Bethlehem. A second tour group entered the church. Our guide knew the other guide (I think they were cousins). Soon both groups were singing Christmas hymns together. It was spontaneous and very joyful."
- Michael K., pilgrim from Lincoln, NE
"Our guide was phenomenal. He opened the door for a truly deeply spiritual pilgrimage -- and also was filled with the joy of the Lord!"
- Very Rev. Timothy A., pilgrim from Lafayette, IN

“When I was at Calvary with my right hand touching the hole in which Jesus' cross once stood, I felt like the woman in the Bible who wanted to touch Jesus' hem to be healed. I was that woman in tears.”

- Thelma T., 2017 Holy Land Pilgrim

Experience the Holy Land

A pilgrimage to the Holy Land is more than a religious tour. It is an experience of faith, a voyage to deepen one’s desire to know Christ better. It is turning to the places “in which God has chosen to ‘pitch his tent,’ among us,” as St. John Paul II said about his own pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Enter into the sacred spaces of the Annunciation of Mary. See the place of Christ’s birth. Follow the steps Simon of Cyrene took to help Christ carry his cross and of his Apostles who witnessed his first miracles. Journey with us to the land where Christ prayed, suffered, and rose from the dead.

Create a Pilgrimage
For Your Parish or Group

View Current
Upcoming Pilgrimages

Create a Pilgrimage
For Your Parish or Group

View Current
Upcoming Pilgrimages

Experience the Holy Land

A pilgrimage to the Holy Land is more than a religious tour. It is an experience of faith, a voyage to deepen one’s desire to know Christ better. It is turning to the places “in which God has chosen to ‘pitch his tent,’ among us,” as St. John Paul II said about his own pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Enter into the sacred spaces of the Annunciation of Mary. See the place of Christ’s birth. Follow the steps Simon of Cyrene took to help Christ carry his cross and of his Apostles who witnessed his first miracles. Journey with us to the land where Christ prayed, suffered, and rose from the dead.

Create a Pilgrimage
For Your Parish or Group

View Current
Upcoming Pilgrimages

DATE

DURATION

PRICE
(per person)

DEPARTURE CITY

If none of these available dates work for you, please click the blue button below to be notified when the next pilgrimage is open for registration. You will receive an email with all the pilgrimage details at that time.

Alternatively, you can plan a pilgrimage for your parish by clicking the red button below. Someone from our office would be happy to speak with you about this.

Create a Pilgrimage
For Your Parish or Group

Tekton Ministries is obviously extremely well-connected with all associated personnel at the pilgrimage locations! I was completely pleased with any and every aspect of this trip. Tekton's planning and administration of our pilgrimage couldn't have been better!

- Fr. Joseph Klee, Pilgrim from Columbus, Ohio

HOLY LAND SITES

Listen to the words of the parables as you sit on the Mount of Beatitudes. Sail across the Sea of Galilee and walk the streets of Capernaum. Pray in the Garden of Gethsemane and walk the Palm Sunday road where Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem. Touch the Calvary hill, and witness the emptiness of the Tomb. All the sites of the Holy Land make Scripture come to life and your faith will never be the same again!

Bethlehem

Follow the steps of Mary and Joseph as they prepared for Christ’s birth. See where the Angels announced Christ’s birth and visit the places that grew the Christian Community.

NAZARETH

The sacred place where Mary carried Christ in her womb after the message from an angel. Ponder that momentous occasion of the Annunciation more than 2,000 years ago.

JERICHO

The oldest city on earth, where Christ was baptized in the Jordan River, cured the blind and rejected Satan in the desert for 40 days.

GALILEE REGION

See where Christ gave his powerful sermon on the Eucharist. Step where much of Christ’s ministry spanned: his first miracle, the calling of the Apostles and the Transfiguration.

EIN KAREM

One of the most beautiful sites in the Holy Land and the birthplace of John the Baptist, where Mary greeted Elizabeth and proclaimed her Magnificat (Luke 1:39-45)

COASTAL REGION

A sea-port village where Peter, the first pope, preached and baptized. Where St. Paul was imprisoned for the faith and a land of prophets who paved the way for Christ’s triumph.

JERUSALEM - OLD CITY

The Old City of Jerusalem is divided into four quarters and is entered by one of seven gates. It is home to the Western Wall (also called the Wailing Wall) and nearly 40 holy sites for Christians.

JERUSALEM -
MOUNT OF OLIVES

The Mount of Olives offers a panoramic view of Jerusalem and is where Jesus taught his disciples how to pray, wept in agony before his crucifixion, and ascended into heaven.

JERUSALEM - MOUNT ZION

Mount Zion is the highest point in ancient Jerusalem and serves as the symbol for the whole city and the Promised Land. It is the site of the Last Supper and many important events in scripture.

HOLY LAND SITES

Marvel at the miracle of the Annunciation in the Basilica of the Annunciation. Listen to the words of the parables as you sit on the Mount of Beatitudes. Sail across the Sea of Galilee and walk the streets of Capernaum. Pray in the Garden of Gethsemane and walk the Palm Sunday rode where Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem. Touch the hill of Calvary, and witness the emptiness of the Tomb. All the sites of the Holy Land make Scripture come to life and your faith will never be the same again!

Bethlehem

Follow the steps of Mary and Joseph as they prepared for Christ’s birth. See where the Angels announced Christ’s birth and visit the places that grew the Christian Community.

NAZARETH

The sacred place where Mary carried Christ in her womb after the message from an angel. Ponder that momentous occasion of the Annunciation more than 2,000 years ago.

JERICHO

The oldest city on earth, where Christ was baptized in the Jordan River, cured the blind and rejected Satan in the desert for 40 days.

GALILEE REGION

See where Christ gave his powerful sermon on the Eucharist. Step where much of Christ’s ministry spanned: his first miracle, the calling of the Apostles and the Transfiguration.

EIN KAREM

One of the most beautiful sites in the Holy Land and the birthplace of John the Baptist, where Mary greeted Elizabeth and proclaimed her Magnificat (Luke 1:39-45)

COASTAL REGION

A sea-port village where Peter, the first pope, preached and baptized. Where St. Paul was imprisoned for the faith and a land of prophets who paved the way for Christ’s triumph.

JERUSALEM - OLD CITY

The Old City of Jerusalem is divided into four quarters and is entered by one of seven gates. It is home to the Western Wall (also called the Wailing Wall) and nearly 40 holy sites for Christians.

JERUSALEM -
MOUNT OF OLIVES

The Mount of Olives offers a panoramic view of Jerusalem and is where Jesus taught his disciples how to pray, wept in agony before his crucifixion, and ascended into heaven.

JERUSALEM - MOUNT ZION

Mount Zion is the highest point in ancient Jerusalem and serves as the symbol for the whole city and the Promised Land. It is the site of the Last Supper and many important events in scripture.

“Being in the Holy Land has strengthened my faith and given me a different perspective on the gospel stories. Now I can say, ‘I was there and felt the presence of Jesus in every step along the way.’ Everything was absolutely inspiring, and such wonderful friendships were made as we walked together!”

-Patsy M., Holy Land Pilgrim 2018

Why Choose Tekton?

Tekton Ministries has been leading Catholic pilgrimages for more than 20 years. We work and listen closely to our priests and pilgrimage leaders to create thoughtfully planned itineraries. We help make the Catholic faith more tangible to your daily life by taking you where the seeds of Catholicism were first planted to be spread across the world. Daily Mass and time for prayerful reflection are important parts of each day’s experience.

	25+ Years in Ministry
	True pilgrimage – not religious tours
	Custom-crafted itineraries
	Authentic Catholic experiences
	Inclusive, competitive pricing
	Properly paced itineraries include daily Mass and time for reflection

	Only Catholic/Christian guides
	Prayerful pre-pilgrimage preparation
	Custom guidebooks, name and luggage tags
	Local offices and support worldwide
	Free pilgrimage promotional materials
	Easy online registration means no extra effort for your busy staff

Frequently Asked Questions

We understand that safety is a primary concern for anyone traveling on pilgrimage, especially when the destination is featured prominently in our news, as the Holy Land often is. Please be assured that we take every precaution to ensure the safety of our pilgrims. We have a local office in the Holy Land that uses all of their on-the-ground knowledge to adjust activities as necessary.

But don’t just take our word for it:

As one of our priest-pilgrims (who has taken multiple pilgrimages with us) reassured his group in a final preparation email: “Some of you might be experiencing some questions about all that is happening in nearby Syria and how that might affect our pilgrimage. Safety is yet another reason why I use Tekton Ministries. As you can see in that early page of your [final] packet, Tekton’s affiliate company is George Garabedian which is a Christian-owned and -operated company based in Israel, and now in its third generation. So, regardless of what you may hear from our American media, we have access to people actually on the ground in Israel and Palestine who know whether or not it is safe to travel in Galilee and Judea because they’re actually living there right now. I assure you, we would not, we will not, travel to the Holy Land if it is not safe to do so. But I trust those who are actually living there. We are in good hands. The last thing a pilgrimage company wants is for someone on one of their pilgrimages to get hurt. That’s not good for business; nor is it good service to our Lord and the Church!”

As with any pilgrimage, the first step is to please dress comfortably and wear good walking shoes. The other step is to dress modestly for the holy sites. This rule is for both men and women and includes covering your shoulders, plus wearing shorts and skirts that are at least knee-length. If your shoulders/knees are not covered, you may be denied entrance to some churches, or be asked to cover up with a sweater/scarf/shawl. Please refer to the packing list here or in your pilgrimage packet (received about 2-3 weeks prior to departure) for more details.

The U.S. dollar is accepted everywhere in Israel, so we suggest bringing plenty of American cash. Smaller bills ($20s and lower) are best, as many vendors will not have change for larger bills. One dollar bills are especially essential for purchasing bottled water, small souvenirs, and snacks from street vendors. The amount you bring will be at your discretion and we generally suggest planning on $10-$20 per day for lunches and whatever you believe you will need for bottled water, snacks, souvenirs, and extra Mass offerings.

Larger, well-established shops may take credit cards, but not all have that capability. We do suggest bringing a credit card for larger purchases, as you get an extra layer of protection on your purchases that way, as well as the best exchange rate. Please notify your bank/credit card company prior to travel to notify them of your overseas travel plans.

Floating in the Dead Sea is unlike any other experience in the world. The buoyancy of the water seems to literally sweep you off your feet and you can’t help but float. We do offer a few safety tips and suggestions if your group gets to experience this natural wonder.

Follow all posted safety rules and listen to the lifeguards. Due to the mineral-rich water, there are special instructions for what you can and cannot do while in the sea. Namely, do not put your face in, and keep splashing to a minimum. There will be safety signs posted and we suggest you read them carefully.
Wear an older swimming suit if possible – the salt and other minerals can discolor the fabric.
Water shoes/sandals can be worn for comfort but are not necessary. Please do not wear flipflops. The mud on the bottom of the sea and the density of the water can suck flipflops right off your feet and they can float away quickly.
If you have any small cuts or nicks, or razor burn, they will sting! We suggest not shaving for at least a day or two and making sure any open wounds are covered tightly with a waterproof bandage.