30 July 2026

Holy Land Pilgrimages Remain Suspended
Pilgrimages to Other Destinations Proceed as Normal

While recent diplomatic efforts have reduced some of the immediate tensions in the Middle East, the security situation in Israel and the wider region remains unpredictable. Accordingly, Harvest Journeys will continue to suspend all pilgrimages to the Holy Land until further notice.

Pilgrimages to all other destinations are proceeding as normal and services on the ground throughout Europe, Asia and the Americas continue uninterrupted.

Although commercial flights have resumed to the Middle East and some travel restrictions have eased, the risk of military escalation, terrorist activity, civil unrest, and sudden disruptions to air travel remain significant. Conditions can change rapidly with little or no warning, making it impossible to guarantee the safe and reliable operation of pilgrimage programs.

The Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) currently advises Australians to reconsider their need to travel to Israel because of the unpredictable security situation. In addition, DFAT maintains Do Not Travel advisories for areas bordering Gaza, Lebanon and Syria due to the ongoing armed conflict and heightened security risks. The United States Government similarly continues to advise travellers to exercise extreme caution, warning of the potential for armed conflict, terrorism, missile and rocket attacks, and civil unrest.

While many visitors are continuing to travel to Israel, the possibility of renewed conflict, airspace closures, flight cancellations, or changes to border arrangements remains a genuine concern. These factors, together with the uncertainty surrounding travel insurance, airline scheduling, and access to pilgrimage sites, mean that the conditions necessary to operate our pilgrimages safely and responsibly have not yet returned.

We remain in close contact with our partners in the Holy Land and will continually monitor advice from government authorities, airlines, insurers, and our local operators.

Harvest Journeys looks forward to the day when pilgrims can once again travel confidently and safely to the land of Jesus Christ. Until then, we ask our pilgrimage community to continue praying for peace, reconciliation, and healing for all those affected by conflict throughout the Holy Land and the Middle East.

Thank you for your understanding, your patience, and your continued trust in Harvest Journeys.

23 March 2026

Suspension of Holy Land Pilgrimages

At Harvest Journeys, the safety and wellbeing of our pilgrims has always been our highest priority. In light of the ongoing and escalating conflict in the Middle East—including the current war involving Iran—we regret to advise that all pilgrimages to the Holy Land are suspended until further notice.

The evolving security situation across the region has significantly impacted international travel conditions. Airspace disruptions, heightened military activity, and the risk of broader regional instability have made travel to Israel and surrounding areas unsafe at this time.

We are closely monitoring official guidance from government authorities. The Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) currently advises against travel to parts of the region due to the volatile security environment. Similarly, the United States Government has issued elevated travel warnings, highlighting risks including armed conflict, terrorism, and civil unrest. These advisories reinforce the seriousness of the situation and the need for extreme caution.

In addition, global travel industry bodies and insurers are restricting coverage and services in affected areas, further limiting the feasibility of safe pilgrimage travel. Airlines continue to review and suspend routes, and on-the-ground conditions remain unpredictable.

We understand that this news will be deeply disappointing for many who have been preparing for a spiritual journey to the Holy Land. Please be assured that this decision has been made with careful consideration and out of a commitment to your safety.

Our team will remain in contact with all affected pilgrims regarding rescheduling options, credits, or refunds as appropriate. We will continue to monitor developments closely and will resume pilgrimages as soon as it is safe and prudent to do so.

In this time of uncertainty, we invite our community to unite in prayer—for a swift resolution to the conflict, for the safety of all those affected, and for lasting peace in the Holy Land.

2 March 2026

Middle East Flight Disruptions

Following the current events in the Middle East and the suspension of flights through the region, we are closely monitoring the situation for all European bound pilgrimages. The situation is unfolding on an hourly/daily basis, and we are in contact with both the airlines and our overseas operators.

For those travelling from Australia, the Australian Travel Industry Association has recommended to anyone holding international flights to not cancel until official advice has been received from the airlines. Current advice from the airlines regarding permitted cancellation at no penalty only extends for travel up to 10 March, beyond that date full airfare cancellation fees apply.

Touring along pilgrimage routes on the ground throughout Europe remains undisrupted. Group pilgrimage departures will continue to proceed as planned and it is too early to make any alternate decisions. We will keep in contact with you as we have a better understanding of the situation.

We are investigating alternate flight pathways should the situation not be resolved in the near future.

28 February 2026

Holy Land Travel Suspended

As of 28 February 2026, travel to the Holy Land is suspended while the current conflict between USA, Israel and Iran plays out. We are monitoring the situation closely and remain in contact with our operators on the ground in the region.

We continue to pray for a speedy resolution to this conflict and for long awaited peace in the Holy Land, the land of Jesus Christ.

20 November 2025

The Holy Land Reopens to Pilgrims

Dear friends

I’ve just returned from the Holy Land, where I saw something remarkable. Pilgrims are returning.

The senior leadership team of Harvest Journeys wanted to witness in person that the conditions are now positive to resume pilgrimages in the footsteps of Jesus.

We observed that people of faith from across the world are once again drawn to the grace of the Holy Land, and to the Christian communities who have lived and witnessed here for over two thousand years.

Harvest Journeys provides the genuine pilgrimage experience based on authentic encounters. Our itineraries are designed to follow the life of Jesus in a deeply personal way:

From His birth in Bethlehem and hidden life in Nazareth…
To His baptism in the Jordan and His ministry around the Sea of Galilee…
Through His passion, death, and the glory of His Resurrection in Jerusalem.

But our return is not only for our own renewal. The Christian community in the Holy Land — the living stones of this sacred land — need us too. Many families here rely on pilgrimage for their livelihood: guiding, hosting, welcoming. After difficult years, they are ready to greet us with open arms and grateful hearts. Your journey will not just benefit yourself, but have a lasting impact on the local people.

Now is the time to come back as pilgrims of peace and prayer. The Holy Land is waiting for you!

Book now for 2026 and let your pilgrimage begin with Harvest Journeys.

Selina Hasham
CEO, Harvest Journeys

Photos top (from left to right):

1. The view from the Mt of Olives over the Old City of Jerusalem
2. A synagogue where it’s likely Jesus preached with Lisa Colgin, USA Director and Philip Ryall, Founder and Chair
3. Meeting with the Franciscan Custodian of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem
4. The steps outside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre—perfect for a group photo!
5. Our beloved guide, Rami and I outside the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem
6. The hospitality of the local people is expressed through a warm welcome and wonderful food!
7. When in the Holy Land, don’t forget to take a camel ride!
8. The ancient olive trees of the Garden of Gethsemane

31 March 2025

Until the ceasefire agreement in Israel and the Palestinian Territories is upheld, pilgrimages to the Holy Land are on hold.

Safety is our first priority and while we are devastated to be pausing pilgrimages to the sacred land where Jesus lived, walked and worked miracles for so many, we focus our attention on prayers for peace and an end to this ongoing conflict.

The people of the Holy Land with whom we work and have partnered with for so long are always in our minds and we pray for their well-being and that of their family and friends. War is always a tragedy, there are no winners, and we join with all people of good will to hope for a speedy end to the violence.

In this Jubilee Holy Year, we are all called to be “Pilgrims of Hope”, and it is with great hope that place our trust in God for His will to be done and for peace to reign.

Thank you for your prayers.

January 20, 2025

We welcome the good news of the ceasefire agreement in Israel and the Palestinian Territories and continue to watch and pray for peace in the region for the good of all people.

Pilgrimage groups are gradually resuming in the Holy Land and are very much part of the economic and social recovery of the region, reviving tourism and hospitality for local businesses.

A pilgrimage to the Holy Land is a way of sowing hope and promise into the land where Jesus walked and supporting the Christian communities of the region.

Harvest Journeys is committed to being part of this recovery. We now have the two-fold mission of helping restore local livelihoods and offering our pilgrims a chance to make the journey of a lifetime to the sacred places of the Holy Land.

Safety remains our top priority, and of course we will only proceed if we are confident we can provide a safe pilgrimage experience to our pilgrims. We will continue to closely monitor the situation with the local authorities and our government travel advice.

Walking in the footsteps of Jesus is the ideal and dream of the Christian pilgrim, and Harvest is excited about offering this opportunity once again. See here for more information about our pilgrimages to the Holy Land.

Please join us as we continue to pray for peace in the Middle East.

May 24, 2024

Due to the ongoing war in Israel, all Holy Land pilgrimages for 2024 have been put on hold. It is not yet clear when they will resume, however we hope to revive the practice of walking in the footsteps of Jesus as soon as it is safe.

For centuries pilgrims travelling to the Holy Land have provided sustenance to the local Christian communities (the ‘living stones’), who are now in the minority and regularly face persecution. In turn, the Christian communities living in the Holy Land have provided hospitality to pilgrims and importantly, upkept and maintained the holy sites. Without the Christian community, the holy sites would not remain open, and without pilgrims, the Christian communities would struggle to maintain their presence. So, our patronage is very important.

Part of the rebuilding of the country will be the resumption of the much-needed tourism industry, and Harvest hopes to be a part of that. We recognise our dual responsibility to ensure the utmost safety and well-being of our pilgrims and to contribute to the flourishing of the Christian communities and ongoing legacy of the sacred sites of the Holy Land.

Those wishing to be among the first to resume travel and support the Holy Land, please express your interest here. Pilgrimages to other destinations such as Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Turkey, Eastern Europe and more, are available and will proceed, so please feel free to enquire with us about future departures. Our 2024/25 catalogue is available and can be viewed here.

The Holy Land is our most popular destination, and it is particularly disappointing for those who have their hearts set on walking in the footsteps of Jesus at this time. Please join us in praying for a speedy resolution to this tragic conflict and for all people both in Israel and in the Palestinian Territories. We especially pray for peace in these troubled and sacred lands.

Thank you for your prayers.

In the peace of Christ

Selina Hasham
Chief Executive Officer
Harvest Journeys

Update: 11 October 2023 

We are pleased to report that all our pilgrims who were on pilgrimage in the Holy Land at the time of the conflict, have now been safely exited out of Israel. Some are continuing with alternative pilgrimages and others are on their way directly home.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), have been briefed since Sunday of the whereabouts of all our pilgrims and have now been advised of the ongoing travel routes of our groups.

For those pilgrims booked on upcoming Holy Land pilgrimages, we are the process of communicating with you about the status of your pilgrimage. These are being processed in date order, and we will be in touch with you as soon as possible.

Thank you for the many friends and supporters of Harvest who have been praying for the safety of our pilgrims. Together, we continue to pray for a speedy resolution to this tragic conflict and for all people both in Israel and in the Palestinian Territories. We especially pray for peace in these troubled and sacred lands.

Update: 10 October 2023 

Following the escalation of the crisis in Israel, we have been in the process of ensuring the well-being of our pilgrims in the region and moving them to safety. As of today, we plan that all of our pilgrims will have safely exited Israel.

We have also diverted groups that had departed before the conflict and were due to enter Israel, to alternative itineraries in the pathways of St Paul through Greece and Turkey, or to other pilgrimage destinations in Europe.

There are many pilgrims due to depart in the coming weeks and months on various groups, and we are assessing each departure in date order. Thank you for your patience as we attempt to communicate with you all regarding the status of your pilgrimage.

We continue to closely monitor the situation in Israel and pray for a speedy and peaceful resolution to the conflict.

Update: 08 October 2023

Dear Pilgrims

We invite you to join us in prayer for peace in the Holy Lands of Israel and the Palestinian Territories.

We continue to closely monitor the situation which is devastating on every front and pray for all peoples in the region, especially our Christian brothers and sisters, as well as the innocent civilians caught up in the tragedy of war.

May Our Lady Queen of Peace, pray for us.

I am interested in a pilgrimage to the Holy Land as soon as it is safe to travel there. Please advise me when pilgrimages to the Holy Land resume.