In The Footsteps of Jesus - Self Guiding Tour

3.5 (4 reviews) 4 hours

out of 5

4 reviews

3.5

View from Mt. Olives — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Dominus Flevit (Where the Lord Wept) — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

This tour follows in the footsteps of Jesus, from his triumphant arrival at Mt. of Olives, through different stations of his visits to Jerusalem, to the culmination of the journey at one of the possible sites for the crucifixion and resurrections - the Garden Tomb.

*Please note: The Garden Tomb is closed to visitors on Sunday and Monday. If your time is limited you can still take the tour on these days and return to the Garden Tomb at a later day (Tue.-Sat.).

This is a unique self-guided tour. Your guide is in the palm of your hand. The DGuide platform allows travelers to tour at their own pace taking in as much or as little information as they like. Users can follow the suggested route or go off the path and return to the guided tour later.

The tour was designed and the content curated by Uri Goldflam, a professional guide and educator with 30 years of guiding experience, founder of Travel Trailer Israel.

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At a glance

Duration: 4 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 2 people
People per booking: 1–2
Audio guide: English
Written guide: English
Operated by: Uri Goldflam - Travel Trailer Israel

Ages: Adults (12–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: With the confirmation email you will receive a link to access the "In the footsteps of Jesus" Tour.

Not included

Not included: Parking Fees

Itinerary

Stop 1

15 min

Stop no. 1 - This impressive and iconic view of Jerusalem is the perfect backdrop to an introduction to Jerusalem. After a brief explanation of where we are, we will walk down the "Palm Sunday Road" and make our way to the next stop.

There are many peddlers at the observation deck and usually even a camel on hand for rides and photo-ops. Please be aware and act responsibly.
Dominus Flevit Church

20 min

Station 2 - This small but impressive church is located along the "Palm Sunday Road". It is traditionally associated with the tears shed by Jesus as he prophesied the destruction of Jerusalem and so the Church is shaped like a tear drop.

Take the time to take in the view from the adjacent deck in silent meditation. Don't forget to take a look inside the church with it's special window overlooking the old city and Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
Garden of Gethsemane

30 min

Station 3 - The "Palm Sunday Road" winds down the hill towards the Valley of Kidron. At the end of the road, a sharp turn leads from the noisy street to the quite and serene Olive tree garden with impressive trees that are hundreds or even thousands of years old. The Church of All Nations AKA The Church of the Agony, is built on the traditional site of the Garden of Gethsemane. Among these ancient trees Jesus walked and prayed on the night of his arrest as described in the Gospel.

It is a perfect place for prayer and reflection.
Tomb Of The Virgin

10 min

Station 4 - Located in the Valley of Kidron is the Tomb of Mary. Below the street level - all that is left from the impressive basilica that once stood here - is a beautiful example of Crusader period construction. On the right side of the wide stairway leading down to the crypt is the tomb of Queen Melisende of Jerusalem, daughter of King Baldwin II.
Pools of Bethesda

40 min Admission not included

Station 5 - The Pools of Bethesda is the backdrop and location to the events described in the Gospel in John 5 where Jesus heals a man who has been unable to walk for 38 years. The adjacent Church of St. Ann is a beautiful example of neoclassic churches, it's echoes perfectly designed for singing!

The site is managed by the French "White Fathers" order. Admission fee is 5 shekels per person.
Stop 6

45 min Admission not included

Station 6 - From the Pools of Bethesda we will begin our walk along the Via Dolorasa - aka The Way of the Suffering or The Passion of Christ. The stations are marked with round bronze plates. Along the Via Dolorosa on the corner of the noisy and bustling market street, large wooden doors hide a small slice of European hospitality with an amazing rooftop view. Take a short break inside. After the grand view from the roof (5 Shekel turnstile) enjoy an excellent cup of coffee and a slice of their famous apple strudel.
Damascus Gate

20 min

Station 7 - From the Austrian Hospice follow the market alley to the right (slightly up hill) until exiting the city walls through the Damascus Gate.

The current gate is part of the Ottoman period (circa 1536) construction of the walls of Jerusalem. Below it you can see the remains of the Roman period gates. The road from the gate (The road to Damascus) will take us to the Garden Tomb - one of the possible sites for the crucifixion, burial an resurrections of Jesus.
The Garden Tomb

one hour

Station 8 - The Garden Tomb is a possible location for the Crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ as described in the Gospel. It was identified only in the late 19th century. The Garden is owned and managed by the Protestant Garden Tomb (Jerusalem) Association, a Charitable Trust based in the United Kingdom.

The Garden has many chapels and quiet corners for communion, prayer and reflection. Visitors can view the "Skull caves" of the hill of Golgotha and of course enter the empty tomb.

Entrance is free. A group visit requires a reservation (02-539-8100)

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

The tour is a self-guided tour. Once the tour is downloaded to the DGuide App you can start and stop at your own pace. Follow the hi-lighted rout to the stations, listen to the audio and video explanations. You can also go off the path and return later, at your leisure.