Edengate

Exodus Encounter: A Pilgrimage of Promise from Egypt to the New Creation

This 15-day pilgrimage traces the arc of the Exodus story from the land of Pharaoh to the empty tomb. Beginning in Egypt, journeying through Jordan, and culminating in Israel, the tour connects biblical history, cultural immersion, and theological reflection. Walk among the monuments Moses would have seen, ascend Mount Sinai at dawn, traverse desert landscapes shaped by covenant, stand where Jesus was baptised, and explore Jerusalem where Passover finds its fulfilment. This is a structured, Scripture-shaped journey designed to deepen understanding of God’s redemptive story while engaging the landscapes and communities that continue to bear witness to it.

Main Highlights

  • The Pyramids of Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum – Engage the historical world of Pharaoh and the Exodus narrative.

  • Mount Sinai and St. Catherine’s Monastery – Ascend the mountain of covenant and reflect on the giving of the Law.

  • Red Sea region and Sinai wilderness – Trace the route of deliverance and testing.

  • Wadi Rum and Petra – Experience the desert landscapes of Edom and the ancient King’s Highway.

  • Mount Nebo – Stand where Moses viewed the Promised Land.

  • Bethany Beyond the Jordan – Visit the traditional site of Jesus’ baptism and reflect on the “new Exodus.”

  • Jericho and the Jordan Valley – Cross into the land of promise as Joshua once did.

  • Sea of Galilee – Sail the waters where Jesus taught and revealed His authority.

  • Jerusalem’s Old City – Walk the Mount of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane, Via Dolorosa, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

  • Garden Tomb and worship moments – Conclude with focused reflection on resurrection hope and the promise of new creation.

This tour integrates archaeology, geography, biblical theology, and spiritual formation—offering a coherent narrative from Exodus to Christ and the hope of the ultimate promised land.

Tour Map

Exodus Encounter: A Pilgrimage of Promise from Egypt to the New Creation - Map

Day 1: Sunday-Monday, 27th-28th December 2026 – Departure from USA

Your pilgrimage begins as you board your flight, leaving behind the familiar and setting your heart toward the lands of the Exodus. Prepare for a journey that will bring the biblical story to life.

Day 2: Tuesday, 29th December 2026 – Arrival in Cairo, Egypt

Touch down in Cairo, Egypt, the "Land of the Pharaohs." As you drive through Cairo, sense the weight of history and the anticipation of walking in the footsteps of Moses and the Israelites. Settle into your hotel and gather for a welcome dinner and orientation, setting the stage for the days ahead.

Day 3: Wednesday, 30th December 2026 – Giza & Cairo

Stand before the awe-inspiring Pyramids of Giza and the enigmatic Sphinx—monuments that were already ancient in Moses' day. These are the very structures Moses, Pharaoh, and the Israelites would have seen, as they dominated the landscape even in the New Kingdom.

At the Grand Egyptian Museum, marvel at the colossal statue of Ramses II (the most likely "Pharaoh of the Exodus" if the late date is correct), as well as artifacts from the reigns of Seti IThutmose III, and Amenhotep II (other possible pharaohs).

Explore the treasures of Tutankhamun, whose reign, though slightly earlier, offers a vivid window into the royal world of Moses' era. See chariots, weapons, jewelry, and daily life items from the New Kingdom—the very world in which the Exodus story unfolded.

Reflect on the spiritual battle between Egypt's gods and the God of Israel, and the courage it took for Moses to confront Pharaoh.

Day 4: Thursday, 31st December 2026 – Memphis, Saqqara & Red Sea Coast

Begin at Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt and a center of power in Joseph's time. See the imposing statue of Ramses II and the ruins that echo with the footsteps of pharaohs and administrators. Move on to Saqqara, where the Step Pyramid of Djoser stands as the world's oldest stone pyramid—a marvel Joseph himself may have seen.

Continue into the Nile Delta, the land of Goshen, where Jacob's family settled by Pharaoh's decree. Visit a local farm to experience the rich agricultural setting that enabled Egypt's wealth and Israel's growth. Reflect at a site tradition associates with Joseph's storage silos or administration center, remembering his wisdom and faithfulness during famine.

If possible, we will arrange a special, exclusive visit to Tell el-Dab‘a in the Nile Delta—believed by many scholars to be the biblical city of Avaris, associated with the Israelites’ sojourn and Joseph’s administration. (This visit is subject to special permissions and availability.)

Trace the journey from privilege to hardship, as the Israelites' favored status gave way to slavery and suffering. End the day at the shores of the Red Sea in Ain al-Sokhna, the likely region of the Exodus crossing, anticipating the journey to come.

Day 5: Friday, 1st January 2027 – Red Sea & Sinai Wilderness

Start the day, standing on the shores of the Red Sea, where God parted the waters, and the Israelites crossed on dry ground. Feel the sea breeze and imagine the awe and fear of that miraculous night. Continue south along the dramatic coastline, pausing at Marah (Ain Hawara), the place of bitter water transformed by God's provision. The stark beauty of the Sinai wilderness unfolds as you journey toward St. Catherine's Monastery, nestled at the foot of Mount Sinai, where the silence of the desert invites reflection and anticipation.

Day 6: Saturday, 2nd January 2027 – Mount Sinai

At Mount Sinai, God gave the Ten Commandments and established His covenant with Israel. Begin before dawn to climb Mount Sinai (Jebel Musa), watching the sunrise illuminate the rugged peaks. At the summit or the base, read the Ten Commandments and contemplate the sacredness of this place. Explore the ancient St. Catherine's Monastery, home to the legendary Burning Bush and a trove of Christian art and manuscripts.

Day 7: Sunday, 3rd January 2027 – Sinai to Wadi Rum, Jordan

The Israelites wandered in the wilderness, learning dependence on God. After crossing the border at Nuweiba and taking the ferry to Aqaba, you'll enter the breathtaking Wadi Rum desert, a landscape of towering sandstone and endless sky. Experience a warm Bedouin welcome, sip sweet tea, settle into your luxury tent, and as dusk falls, watch the desert glow under a canopy of stars — a reminder of timeless creation. Enjoy continued fellowship with your fellow travellers while also taking time to reflect on the silence and grandeur of the desert, experiences which help echo the Israelites' journey and invite you to listen for God's voice in creation and your open bible.

Day 8: Monday, 4th January 2027 – Petra

Begin your morning entering the Siq, the narrow, winding gorge that opens suddenly on the iconic Treasury (Al Khazneh). As you walk through Petra, you are treading ancient paths that the Edomites, Nabateans, and even Israelite travelers would have known. Petra's rock-cut tombs, temples, and water channels speak of the ingenuity and resilience of desert peoples at the crossroads of ancient trade and pilgrimage routes. Biblically, Petra (Sela in Hebrew) is linked with Edom, the descendants of Esau. The Israelites, after the Exodus, sought passage through Edom via the King's Highway, but were denied (Numbers 20:14–21). Later, prophets like Obadiah and Isaiah referenced Edom and Petra as places of both judgment and refuge.

Spend your day exploring the Royal Tombs, the ancient amphitheater, and perhaps making the climb to the Monastery or the High Place of Sacrifice for panoramic views stretching across ancient Edomite territory. Lunch in the site or at the Petra Visitor Center.

In the evening, return for the Petra by Night experience. Follow a candle-lit pathway through the Siq to the Treasury, where thousands of candles illuminate the facade, and traditional Bedouin music echoes under the stars. Reflect on the sense of mystery, exile, and anticipation that marks both the biblical wilderness journey and our own spiritual pilgrimages.

Day 9: Tuesday, 5th January 2027– King’s Highway & Mount Nebo

Depart Petra, traveling north along the storied King's Highway—one of the world's oldest continuously used trade routes, steeped in biblical history. Pause at scenic overlooks to reflect on the kingdoms of Edom (descendants of Esau), Moab (descendants of Lot), and Ammon, all nations woven into Israel's wilderness journey.

Continue to Mount Nebo, the mountain from which Moses viewed the Promised Land. Here, on this windswept summit, Moses saw the fulfillment of God's promise—but did not enter in. Instead, Scripture records that God Himself buried Moses here, a testament to intimacy and mystery (Deuteronomy 34:1–7).

Stand at the panoramic lookout, gazing over the Jordan ValleyJericho, and the distant hills of Jerusalem. Visit the Memorial Church of Moses, with its ancient mosaics and symbols of hope. Reflect on Moses' faithfulness, the poignancy of seeing but not fully receiving, and the promise that God's story is always bigger than our own.

After time for reflection and prayer, continue the journey down to the Dead Sea—the lowest place on earth—a fitting place for rest and restoration after days of pilgrimage and ascent.

Day 10: Wednesday, 6th January 2027 – Bethany Beyond the Jordan

At Bethany Beyond the Jordan (Al-Maghtas), the Israelites once camped on the threshold of promise, and centuries later, Jesus was baptized here at the very waters that symbolized new beginnings for God's people. As Moses led the Israelites to the edge of the Promised Land, so Jesus enters these waters to inaugurate a new Exodus—a deliverance not just from physical bondage, but from sin and death itself. In His baptism, Jesus identifies fully with His people, stepping into the story as its fulfillment and as the true and greater Moses.

For those who wish, there is an opportunity to participate in a baptismal renewal service. You'll then visit Madaba to view the famous mosaic map of the Holy Land, and unwind with a float in the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea.

Day 11: Thursday, 7th January 2027 – Crossing into Israel & Jericho

Begin your day traveling north along the Jordan Valley to the historic Allenby Bridge, where you will cross the Jordan River—echoing the ancient crossing of the Israelites into the Promised Land. Arrive at Jericho, the oldest city in the world, where the walls fell before Joshua's army.

After exploring Tell es-Sultan, take an unforgettable cable car ride up to the Mount of Temptation, the traditional site where Jesus fasted for forty days. As you ascend above the Jericho oasis, enjoy sweeping views of the lush valley below, adding a sense of adventure and perspective to your biblical journey.

At the summit, reflect on the faithfulness of God in both stories: as Joshua led the people into victory, so Jesus, as the new and greater Israel, overcame temptation and opened the way to ultimate victory for us all. In the afternoon, continue north through the abundant Jordan Valley and settle in by the tranquil shores of the Sea of Galilee, preparing to walk in the footsteps of Jesus the following day.

Day 12: Friday, 8th January 2027 – Galilee to Jerusalem

Awake on the tranquil shores of the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus called his first disciples—Andrew and Peter, declaring, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law” (John 1:45). Step aboard a traditional boat for a serene ride across the waters where Jesus calmed storms and revealed his power, echoing God’s mighty acts in the Exodus.

Disembark at Capernaum, the village where Jesus taught with authority in the synagogue. Here, after the miraculous feeding of the 5,000, Jesus was compared by the crowds to Moses, who provided manna in the wilderness (John 6:32). Jesus proclaims, “I am the bread of life,” fulfilling and surpassing the provision of Moses.

Continue to the Mount of Beatitudes, the hilltop overlooking the lake where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. As Moses once ascended Mount Sinai to give the Law to Israel, so Jesus ascends this mount to deliver the heart of the New Covenant, teaching with divine authority and offering blessing to all who follow him.

Pause for reflection, worship, and prayer, considering how Jesus is the fulfillment of all the promises and patterns of the Exodus. In the afternoon, travel south through the Jordan Valley, ascending to Jerusalem—the city of destiny and worship—where you will stay overnight, preparing for your final day in the land of the Holy One.

Day 13: Saturday, 9th January 2027 – Jerusalem

Spend the day in Jerusalem, the city of promise and fulfillment. Begin with a panoramic view from the Mount of Olives, where Jesus entered the city as King, echoing the hope of a greater deliverance. Descend the Palm Sunday Road to the Garden of Gethsemane, pausing among ancient olive trees to reflect on Jesus' prayers and surrender—the beginning of the new exodus from sin and death. Continue into the Old City, entering through the Lion's Gate. Walk a portion of the Via Dolorosa—the path of Christ's suffering—and visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the traditional site of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection.

Here, the shadow of the first Passover is fulfilled as Christ, the true Lamb, offers Himself for the world.

Visit the Upper Room (Cenacle), where Jesus reinterpreted the Passover, instituting the Lord's Supper as a sign of the new covenant and the new exodus. Stand at the Temple Mount and the Western Wall (Wailing Wall), remembering that Jesus is now our true temple, and that through Him, God's presence is with His people forever.

Conclude at the Garden Tomb, where you may gather for communion and worship, reflecting on the resurrection—God's ultimate crossing from death to life. In every moment, see how Jesus is the Second and Greater Moses and Joshua, leading us not just to an earthly inheritance, but to the ultimate promised land: the new heavens and new earth, where God will dwell with His people eternally (Revelation 21:1–5). The journey of Moses and Joshua was a shadow; in Christ, the substance has come, and our hope is anchored in the eternal city that awaits.

Day 14: Sunday, 10th January 2027 – Jerusalem

Begin with a morning visit to the Southern Steps of the Temple Mount—where pilgrims ascended to worship, and where Jesus would have taught. Reflect on Jesus as the new Moses, teaching the crowds and fulfilling the Law in the very courts Solomon built.

Walk through the City of David, tracing the earliest Jerusalem and considering the promise of a new and eternal city. Explore Hezekiah's Tunnel and the Pool of Siloam, where Jesus performed miracles and proclaimed living water—echoing Moses striking the rock.

In the afternoon, visit the Israel Museum to see the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Model of Second Temple Jerusalem. Reflect on God's faithfulness, the continuity of the covenant, and the unfolding story leading to the new heavens and earth.

End your day with a rooftop devotion overlooking Jerusalem, drawing together the threads of the Exodus, the life of Jesus, and the hope of the ultimate promised land.

Day 15: Monday, 11th January 2027 – Departure

As you return home from this journey, may the memories of ancient stones, sacred sites, and new friendships linger in your heart. But even more, may this experience spark a deeper hunger for God's Word, filling you with fresh joy, excitement, and hope every time you open your Bible. The ultimate goal is not just to treasure the places you've seen, but to let these encounters inspire you to walk more closely with Jesus—treasuring His promises, living out His story, and sharing His hope wherever you are. The greatest pilgrimage continues each day, as you journey with Christ and discover the riches of His love in the pages of Scripture and the moments of ordinary life.

Tour Map

Exodus Encounter: A Pilgrimage of Promise from Egypt to the New Creation - Map

Our hotels are chosen for their qualityamenities and proximity to areas of interest. Whenever possible, we choose hotels in town centers, so that you are able to go off and explore in your free time. It may be necessary for us to substitute hotels for others of equal quality. You will be fully informed of any changes that affect you.

Egypt

Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir Cairo

Address: 2 Kasr Al Nile, Ismailia, Qasr El Nil, Cairo Governorate 4272102, Egypt

Website: https://hrewards.com/en/steigenberger-hotel-el-tahrir-cairo

Stella Sea Club Hotel

Address: Km 46 Suez-Hurghada Road, Attaka, Suez Governorate 8131201, Ain al Sokhna, Egypt

Website: https://orienthg.com/

فندق كاترين بلازا (Catherine Plaza Hotel)

Address: 2 Mobarak St., Ard El-Golf, St Catherine, South Sinai, Egypt

Website: https://catherineplaza.com/

Jordan

Sun City Camp

Address: Wadi Rum Protected Area, Wadi Rum Village, Jordan

Website: http://www.suncitycamp.com/

Mövenpick Petra

Address: Tourism St, Wadi Musa 71810, Jordan

Website: https://movenpick.accor.com/en/middle-east/jordan/petra/resort-petra.html

Mövenpick Dead Sea Jordan

Address: Dead Sea Road, Swemeh 11180, Jordan

Website: https://movenpick.accor.com/en/middle-east/jordan/dead-sea/resort-dead-sea.html

Israel

The Scots Hotel

Address: Gdud Barak St 1, Tiberias 14100, Israel

Website: http://www.scotshotels.co.il/

Spanish house in Jerusalem (The Sephardic House)

Address: Batei Mahase St 1, Jerusalem, Israel

Website: https://www.sephardichouse.co.il/

Tour Map

Exodus Encounter: A Pilgrimage of Promise from Egypt to the New Creation - Map

Arrival and Departure Transfers

We will arrange arrival and departure transfers for group flights. If you will be arriving or departing at a different time, you are responsible for arranging your own transfers to and from the airport. We can assist you with transfers, but those are not included in the tour price.

Flight Information

Group air is now available for this tour for $1857 per person round-trip from Minneapolis, MSP, with a minimum of 20 travellers. Please opt in as soon as possible. Booking group air travel with us is advised at the time of registration.

If you would like to book your own alternative flights, please wait until the tour is a guaranteed departure before booking. Our air team can assist you with booking deviations from the group air. In this scenario, you are advised to book the group air option and then contact your group leader or EdenGate directly to advise us of your deviation flight details. You will be responsible for paying the fare difference in any deviated flights. 

Arrival: Please arrange to arrive in Cairo no later than 10:00 AM on 29/12/2026. Pre-tour accommodation is available.

Departure: You are welcome to depart from Tel Aviv at any time on 11/01/2027

Pre- and post-tour nights can be booked through us.

Tour Map

Exodus Encounter: A Pilgrimage of Promise from Egypt to the New Creation - Map

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Your Money is guaranteed. Select our travel insurance at the time of booking. Options include ‘cancel for any reason’ refunds. T&C’s apply.

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