A Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

with Notre Dame Alumni and Friends

October 20 - 28, 2022
Register

About

Join the Notre Dame Traveling Irish to walk with Verso Ministries through the very epicenter of the Christian faith. As we tour Israel and Palestine, walking where Jesus walked, and visiting the very places that have changed the world, you’ll experience God closer than ever before. And with special access to many of these locations, Verso provides a Holy Land pilgrimage like no other.

Trip Details

Group Type & Size

Notre Dame Alumni and Friends, 20-45 pilgrims

Activity Level

Moderate

Length

9 days, 8 nights

Accommodations

Premium

Cost

As low as

$5,244

Deposit:

$500

What's Included

Dedicated pilgrimage director, supplemented by local guides
Custom booklet for each pilgrim
Catholic Chaplain
Daily Mass
Private transportation on motor coach
All tickets and donations for included activities listed on itinerary
Premium accommodations
All meals, including wine at dinners
Gratuities for pilgrimage director, guide(s), driver(s), and meals
Audio headsets

Itinerary

October 20
Depart U.S.
  • Depart U.S. (flights not included in the package)
October 21
Tel Aviv
  • Arrive Tel Aviv and transfer to hotel
  • Opening Mass and Welcome dinner
  • Overnight in Tel Aviv
  • Accommodations: Renaissance Hotel or similar
  • Meals included: Dinner
October 22
Nazareth, Cana
  • Visit Nazareth, including Mass at the Basilica of the Annunciation and St. Joseph’s Church
  • Renew your wedding vows at Cana
  • Overnight in Tiberias
  • Accommodations: Ramot Resort & Hotel or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
October 23
Sea of Galilee, Galilee Churches
  • Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, including Mass
  • Pray at Galilee churches including Mount of Beatitudes, Church of the Multiplication, Peter’s Primacy, and Capernaum
  • Overnight in Tiberias
  • Accommodations: Ramot Resort & Hotel or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
October 24
Mount Tabor, Jordan River, Jericho
  • Ascend Mount Tabor to the Basilica of the Transfiguration including Mass
  • Drive through West Bank to Jericho
  • Renewal of baptismal promises at the Jordan River
  • Float in the Dead Sea
  • Overnight in Jerusalem
  • Accommodations: David Citadel Hotel or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
October 25
Bethlehem
  • Day in Bethlehem including Mass in the Church of the Nativity and visit to Shepherds’ Fields
  • Shop at a Christian cooperative store
  • Dinner and lecture at the University of Notre Dame at Tantur
  • Overnight in Jerusalem
  • Accommodations: David Citadel Hotel or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
October 26
Mount of Olives, Mount Zion
  • Mount of Olives including Pater Noster, Dominus Flevit, Garden of Gethsemane, and Mass in the Church of All Nations
  • Visit the Western Wall
  • Mount Zion including St. Peter in Gallincantu, Cenacle, and Dormition Abbey
  • Overnight in Jerusalem
  • Accommodations: David Citadel Hotel or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
November 27
Via Dolorosa, Holy Sepulchre
  • Early morning Stations of the Cross along the Via Dolorosa
  • Mass at the tomb of Christ in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre
  • Explore Ein Karem, including the Church of St. John the Baptist and the Church of the Visitation
  • Optional visit to St. Anne’s Church and the Pools of Bethesda
  • Farewell Dinner in a local restaurant
  • Overnight in Jerusalem
  • Accommodations: David Citadel Hotel or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
October 28
Departure
  • Depart Tel Aviv (flights not included in the package)
  • Meals included: Breakfast
(extension)October 28
Madaba, Mt. Nebo, Petra
  • Transfer into Jordan to visit Madaba, the “City of Mosaics”, and St. George’s Church
  • Tour Mt. Nebo, where Moses died and was buried
  • Transfer to Petra
  • Overnight in Petra
  • Accommodations: Old Village Hotel or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
(extension)October 29
Petra
  • All day at Petra, including tour of the “Lost City” and museum
  • Overnight in Petra
  • Accommodations: Old Village Hotel or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
(extension)October 30
Amman, Departure
  • Transfer to Amman for panoramic city tour and Mass (pending availability), followed by lunch
  • Free time to explore the city and shop
  • Transfer to Amman airport
  • Depart Amman (flights not included in the package)
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
(extension)October 30
Petra, Wadi Rum
  • Transfer to Wadi Rum
  • After settling into your accommodations, you will travel off-road to take in the views and scenery of the desert, which will be made even more splendid by the setting sun
  • Overnight in Wadi Rum
  • Accommodations: Aicha Camp – Junior Tents or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
(extension)October 31
Wadi Rum
  • Begin your day with a jeep tour which offers a great balance of driving and exploring sites throughout the desert with time to hike and discover the places on your own
  • In the afternoon embark on a 2-hour Camel safari and explore the beautiful and changeable landscapes of Wadi Rum atop a camel
  • Overnight in Wadi Rum
  • Accommodations: Aicha Camp – Junior Tents or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
(extension)November 1
Amman, Departure
  • Transfer from Wadi Rum
  • Panoramic city tour of Amman followed by lunch
  • Afternoon free time before transfer to Amman Airport
  • Depart Amman (flights not included in the package)
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Register

Pricing

As low as

$5,244

Package Cost (without savings)

$5,544

Trip Savings

Early bird (first 20 pilgrims to register)
Save $200/person
Pay balance by check
Save $100/person

Optional Add-ons

Single room supplement (limited availability)
$1,841/person
Travel insurance
Contact NDAA or Travel Insurance Select*
Extenion Option 1 Package - Petra, Jordan (October 28-30)
$1,610/person
Extension Option 1 (Petra) single room supplement (limited availability)
$252/person
Extenion Option 2 Package - Petra & Wadi Rum, Jordan (October 28- November 1)
$2,732/person
Extension Option 2 (Petra & Wadi Rum) single room supplement (limited availability)
$252/person

“As low as” price includes savings for early bird and pay balance by check.
Pricing listed per person in double-occupancy rooms and does not include airfare.
The number of available single-occupancy rooms is limited.

*For your convenience, the Alumni Association has partnered with Travel Insurance Select (TIS) to provide travel insurance to travelers. We encourage you to call (800) 937-1387 or click here for details, coverage options, and to get a quote.

Rates assume a minimum of 20 full-paying pilgrims.

  • Roundtrip airfare
  • Passport, visa, or luggage fees
  • Any personal purchases
  • Any required COVID tests or vaccinations
  • Any meals not listed on itinerary
  • Drinks at meals, other than wine at dinners
  • Recommended travel insurance
  • Anything else not explicitly mentioned as included

Designated arrival and departures times

  • Arrival information
    • Arrive by: October 21, 2022
    • Arrival time: Between 7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
    • Arrival airport: Ben Gurion Tel Aviv Airport (TLV)
    • Arrival transfer: Pilgrims will be transferred in groups according to arrival time from the Ben Gurion Tel Aviv Airport to the Tel Aviv hotel.
  • Departure information
    • Depart on: October 28, 2022
    • Departure time: Anytime on October 28
    • Departure airport: Ben Gurion Tel Aviv Airport (TLV)
    • Departure transfer: Pilgrims departing on October 28 will be transferred to the airport in groups according to departure time.
  • Extension Option 1 departure information
    • If you have elected to add on the Extension Option 1 to Petra, Jordan, please arrange your departing flight plan according to the following information.
      • Depart on: October 30, 2022
      • Departure time: 7:00 p.m. or later
      • Departure airport: Amman Airport (AMM)
      • Departure transfer: Pilgrims departing on October 30 at 7:00 p.m. or later will be transferred in one group to the airport.
  • Extension Option 2 departure information
    • If you have elected to add on the Extension Option 2 to Petra and Wadi Rum, Jordan, please arrange your departing flight plan according to the following information.
      • Depart on: November 1, 2022
      • Departure time: 7:00 p.m. or later
      • Departure airport: Amman Airport (AMM)
      • Departure transfer: Pilgrims departing on November 1 at 7:00 p.m. or later will be transferred in one group to the airport.

 

Want to arrive or depart outside of the designated times?

  • Please note: If you arrive/depart outside of the designated times, private transfers (fee applies) can be arranged on your behalf. Airport transfers outside of the designated arrival/departure times are not included in the package pricing.
  • Private transfer information and pricing can be found in the Additional Information section below.
  • Need to book a private transfer? Contact us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at (574) 383-9396.

 

Want help arranging your flights?

Premium Accommodations

  • Tel Aviv: Renaissance Hotel or similar
  • Tiberias: Ramot Resort & Hotel or similar
  • Jerusalem: David Citadel Hotel or similar

 

Arriving early or staying late? Pre-stay and post-stay options

 

Need to get around? Private transfers

  • Private transfer between Tel Aviv airport to Tel Aviv hotel/city center – $175 per transfer (up to 4 pax)
  • Private transfer between Tel Aviv airport and Jerusalem hotel/city center – $175 per transfer (up to 4 pax)
  • Private transfer between Tel Aviv airport and Tiberias hotel/city center – $360 per transfer (up to 4 pax)
  • Please note: If you arrive/depart outside of the designated times at the Tel Aviv airport, private transfers (fee applies) can be arranged on your behalf. Airport transfers outside of the designated arrival/departure times are not included in the package pricing.
  • Need to book? Contact us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at (574) 383-9396.

 

Additional services

  • Private half-day Old City walking tour – $300/tour
    • departing from Jerusalem hotel
    • includes guide and tips
    • excludes entrance fees and transportation
  • Private full-day Old City walking tour – $480/tour
    • departing from Jerusalem hotel
    • includes guide and tips
    • excludes entrance fees, transportation, and lunch
  • Private tour with guide (up to 8 hours) – $890/tour (up to 5 pax)
    • departing from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem hotel
    • includes guide and driver(s), transportation in mini-van, and tips
    • excludes entrance fees and lunch
    • Possible tours: Bethlehem, Caesarea Maritima, Haifa, Jaffa, Nazareth, Tel Aviv, or the Dead Sea

There are two optional extensions to Jordan available for this pilgrimage. Pilgrims can add either Extension Option 1 (Petra, Jordan) or Extension Option 2 (Petra & Wadi Rum, Jordan) to their booking. 

Extension Option 1 – Petra, Jordan
October 28 – 30, 2022 (3 days / 2 nights)

Price: $1,610/person in double occupancy room
Rates assume a minimum of 4 full-paying pilgrims. 

Single room supplement: $252/person

Premium Accommodations: 
Petra: Old Village Hotel or similar

Extension Option 1 includes:

  • English-speaking professional, licensed guide(s)
  • Verso Pilgrimage Director (groups 20 or more)
  • Private transportation
  • All tickets and donations for included activities listed on itinerary, including Jordanian visa and Allenby border tax
  • Premium accommodations
  • Breakfast and lunch daily, and 2 dinners with wine
  • Audio headsets (groups 20 or more)
  • Gratuities for Pilgrimage Director, guide(s), driver(s), hotels, and meals (groups 20 or more)

Extension Option 1 does not include:

  • Airfare
  • Passport or luggage fees
  • Any personal purchases
  • Any required COVID tests or vaccinations
  • Any meals not listed on itinerary
  • Drinks at meals, other than wine at dinners
  • Recommended travel insurance
  • Gratuities for pilgrimage director, guide(s), driver(s), and meals (groups less than 20)
  • Anything else not explicitly mentioned as included

 

Extension Option 2 – Petra & Wadi Rum, Jordan
October 28 – 30, 2022 (3 days / 2 nights)

Price: $1,610/person in double occupancy room
Rates assume a minimum of 4 full-paying pilgrims. 

Single room supplement: $252/person

Premium Accommodations: 
Petra: Old Village Hotel or similar
Wadi Rum: Aicha Camp – Junior Tents or similar

Extension Option 2 includes:

  • English-speaking professional, licensed guide(s)
  • Verso Pilgrimage Director (groups 20 or more)
  • Private transportation
  • All tickets and donations for included activities listed on itinerary, including Jordanian visa and Allenby border tax
  • Premium accommodations
  • Breakfast and lunch daily, and 4 dinners with wine
  • Audio headsets (groups 20 or more)
  • Gratuities for Pilgrimage Director, guide(s), driver(s), hotels, and meals (groups 20 or more)

Extension Option 2 does not include:

  • Airfare
  • Passport or luggage fees
  • Any personal purchases
  • Any required COVID tests or vaccinations
  • Any meals not listed on itinerary
  • Drinks at meals, other than wine at dinners
  • Recommended travel insurance
  • Gratuities for pilgrimage director, guide(s), driver(s), and meals (groups less than 20)
  • Anything else not explicitly mentioned as included

 

Curious how this extension will affect your flight arrangements?

  • Please see the Flight Information section above for more information about flight arrangements.

Need to get around? Private transfers

  • Please note: If you depart outside of the designated times at the Amman airport, private transfers (fee applies) can be arranged on your behalf. Airport transfers outside of the designated departure times are not included in the package pricing.
  • Need to book? Contact us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at (574) 383-9396.

Staying late? Post-stay options

Deposit due upon registration – $500/person
Final balance due 120 days prior to departure – Final balance

Please note: Payment plans can be arranged if needed. Please contact us if you would like to pay in several installments.

Final package price is estimated. Prices are based on the current (as of February 2022) exchange rate of 3.19 Israeli New Shekel (NIS) to $1 USD. Any drastic fluctuations in currency exchange rates could affect the final pilgrimage pricing. If you have any questions about pricing and when final pricing decisions will be communicated, please do not hesitate to contact us at any time.

 

Cancellation Policy

All cancellations must be submitted to Verso Ministries in written form and received via email or mail. Any refunds, as applicable, will be processed based on the date stamp of email or mail received. Cancellation fees are for individual pilgrims and fees will be charged per person per booking.

Cancellations are possible at any time, but refunds are subject to cancellation fees at the rates listed here.

  • Within 2 weeks of deposit: Free Cancellation*
  • 91 days or more from departure: Deposit is retained
  • 90-61 days prior to departure: 25% of trip cost is non-refundable
  • 60-31 days prior to departure: 50% of trip cost is non-refundable
  • 30 days or less prior to departure: 100% of trip cost is non-refundable

*Free cancellation (if deposit is made more than 180 days prior to departure)

Any cancellation charges incurred from other suppliers or vendors (flight, lodging, ground transportation, tickets, etc.) may come in addition to the administrative fees listed here. All group flight airline tickets, optional excursions, trip options, pre/post extensions, private transfers, and additional hotel nights are non-refundable 100 days or less prior to departure unless otherwise noted.

Register

FAQ

The sooner you register for the pilgrimage, the better! Not only does registering guarantee you a spot on the pilgrimage before the departure fills up, but if you are one of the first 20 pilgrims to register you will receive the early bird discount. Also, there is no risk for 14-days after you register should you then have to cancel (must register 180 days or more prior to departure). So let’s say you register for a pilgrimage, but then realize you can no longer attend, as long as you cancel your pilgrimage within 14-days of registering and registered more than 180s days prior to the departure, then we will fully refund your deposit no questions asked. Just send us a written confirmation of your cancellation and we will take care of the rest. Plus, the sooner you register the sooner your journey begins. Register today!

There is no risk! Your deposit will be fully refunded as long as you cancel within 14-days of registering and you have registered more than 180 days or more prior to departure. With no risk, why wait? Get registered today!

Registration closes when the pilgrimage reaches the maximum number of pilgrims. If the pilgrimage is filled when you register, you will be added to our waiting list, and contacted in the event that space on the pilgrimage becomes available. Don’t miss your chance, register now and begin your journey.

We highly recommend that all pilgrims buy travel insurance. Travel insurance is not only for peace of mind, but helps protect you and those you are traveling with from unforeseen emergencies, which always seem to happen at the worst possible time. In the event of emergencies, both before and during your travels, as well other circumstances, like travel delay, lost baggage, missed connection(s), and much more, travel insurance can help. Upon registration you will receive a travel insurance quotation. If you have any questions regarding your quotation, please call the issuing company. If you need an updated or new quotation, please contact us at jp@versoministries.com,hunter@versoministries.com,annie@versoministries.com or call us at 574-383-9396. We are happy to help!

Including optional add-ons with your pilgrimage can really add to your experience whether it is one of the optional extension or arranging an extra night stay beforehand so you are rested when the pilgrimage begins. If you would to add on any optional arrangements, as listed above, please email us at jp@versoministries.com,hunter@versoministries.com,annie@versoministries.com or call us at 574-383-9396.

A pilgrimage, at its simplest, is a trip of faith. Which means a pilgrimage can be anything from a walk around your city to an encounter of Jesus in the Holy Land. For Catholics, it’s a trip of faith that people have been taking for hundreds or even thousands of years, many times in the same exact places you can visit today. It’s an opportunity to experience the spots God has made his presence known most in time and space, whether that’s where Jesus walked, where Mary appeared, or where the saints have lived and worked.

At Verso, we believe in crafting pilgrimages that offer you a view of God’s world and his work in it that you can’t get anywhere else. We believe everything from the holy sites, to the meals, to daily Mass, to your fellow pilgrims are ways God can speak to you, which means we’re intentional about it all. We also believe a pilgrimage isn’t just the days you travel, it’s how you prepare from the moment you sign up, to the days and weeks after you arrive home. Which means it’s our intention to shepherd you through the entire process — before, during, and after — so you can have the best, most transformative experience possible. We’re not just travel experts, we’re experts in Catholic pilgrimage.

We know from experience that preparing for a journey is just as important as the journey itself. Our goal is to make sure you’re physically, logistically, and spiritually ready for your pilgrimage. You’ll receive essential emails that will walk you through the process and give you ways to prepare your mind and heart for what you’ll encounter. A pre-trip webinar will make sure you are in touch with the Verso leader of the trip, can get trip-specific info, and can ask questions. We’ll send you a pilgrim kit that contains a comprehensive booklet for your trip along with some Verso swag (such as a bag, pen, and sticker) that you can bring along with you on your pilgrimage. And of course, we’re always available by phone or email if you have any questions or special needs.

Have a Question?

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Activity Level

Easy
This trip’s activity level is easy. It’s recommended that travelers be in good health to enjoy this itinerary and be able to walk and climb stairs on their own. Trips at this activity level may include half or full-day itineraries with 1-3 hours of leisurely walking per day on smooth or slightly inclined terrain. The pace is more relaxed, with opportunities to rest throughout the day.

Moderate
This trip’s activity level is moderate. Travelers must be in good health and be in good physical condition to enjoy this itinerary. Travelers must be able to walk and climb stairs on their own. Trips at this activity level may include full-day itineraries of 3-5 hours of walking at a normal to brisk pace per day on varied terrain including uneven surfaces, stairs, and hills. The pace is faster and more demanding, with some breaks throughout the day.

Difficult
This trip’s activity level is difficult. Travelers must be in good health and physically fit to enjoy this itinerary. Trips at this activity level may include full-day itineraries with up to 5-7 hours of walking at normal to brisk pace per day on varied terrain including uneven surfaces, stairs, and steep hills. The pace is vigorous and demanding, with little down time each day.

Accommodation Level

Simple
For the duration of your trip, enjoy a range of lodging accommodations — from quaint guesthouses to simple-styled hotels. Discover a newfound appreciation for each of these locations which often have a unique character of their own. With your private bathroom and sleeping quarters, these locations will provide you with a clean, comfortable, and cozy place to settle into during your journey.

Standard
Venues at this level will provide you with the best accommodations at a reasonable cost. Not only will you have access to modern amenities and services, but special care is taken to ensure hotels are located in close proximity to the area’s local attractions. Expect your stay at this level to provide you with an added feeling of comfortability and convenience as you experience your pilgrimage.

Premium
Your stay at the premium level will ensure that your travel involves the opportunity to experience some of the most unique and luxurious stays that a destination has to offer. You’ll find that traveling at this level will afford you the opportunity to optimize your experience at each spot. From fine dining to scenic views, anticipate that your pilgrimage will provide you with breathtaking experiences no other location could provide.

How will I know what my stay will be like?
Each of our pilgrimage locations come with their own unique accommodations. From simple to luxurious, you can know that the care and satisfaction of each pilgrim is our greatest priority. While specific amenities will vary, we are sure that each of these handpicked locations will leave you rested, rejuvenated, and ready for each day.