BASIC

The Pilgrims Center is the Pilgrimage division of Executive Resources, Inc, the leading organizer of Catholic pilgrimages from the Philippines since 1984. Through our pilgrimages, we aspire to bring people closer to Jesus, Mother Mary and the Saints physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Executive Resources Inc. is the founder of the Pilgrims Center. Executive Resources Inc. is a full-service travel agency based in Manila, Philippines with more than 30 years of experience in the travel industry. It is a member of the PTAA (Philippine Travel Agencies Association) and an accredited agent of  IATA (International Association of Travel Agencies).

Executive Resources specializes in Catholic pilgrimages, but we also provide domestic and international flights, tour packages and other travel services. For more info, please visit www.etravel.ph

The Pilgrims Center has been organizing pilgrimages for over three decades, with thousands of pilgrims sent to hundreds of pilgrimage destinations worldwide. We provide the highest level of spirituality and first-hand knowledge to all the pilgrimages we undertake.

Our pilgrimages are well-planned, taking into account that this is a genuinely religious exercise. Our pilgrimage planners and local partners have decades of experience in going to the Holy Land and other holy sites around the world to ensure only the best possible itinerary for your entire trip.

We want this to be a memorable and transformative experience for our pilgrims which is why we take care of the physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of each and every pilgrim before, during and after the pilgrimage.

Our pilgrimage Chaplains are hand-picked, well respected Bishops, Priests or Lay Leaders who help bring about a profound ambience of prayer, celebration of the Sacraments and personal and group reflection.

All our pilgrimage groups have highly experienced pilgrimage tour Leaders that accompany every group to make sure that our pilgrims needs are met.

In addition to the Pilgrimage Chaplains and Tour Leaders, we have professional and licensed local guides who can expertly explain the historical significance of every landmark that will be visited.

Israel or Holy Land is a very safe place, particularly the religious and historical sites visited in pilgrimages as they are areas of peace across different religions. We have numerous groups that frequent that place and they have all come home safe and sound and are all profoundly blessed. Rest assured that if a travel destination has been declared unsafe, we will not proceed with the group travel. As a reputable company,  we will never compromise the safety and wellbeing of any of our pilgrims.

To see all our upcoming pilgrimages, please visit the “OUR PILGRIMAGES” page in this website.

The price of each pilgrimage is available upon request. Simply press the orange Inquire button in any pilgrimage page and complete the form to receive the complete details including price, itinerary and inclusions in your email.

JOINING A PILGRIMAGE

Please click the Inquire button in the page of the pilgrimage you are interested in joining, provide the necessary information and press submit. We will send you the detailed itinerary by email immediately. You may also want to contact us directly at the office at telephone nos. (02) 523-8581 to 88; (02) 521-4156; Fax No: (02) 526-0126 or send us an email at: pilgrimscenter@pilgrimage.ph.

Yes, in fact we have a lot of pilgrims joining from outside the Philippines. We can provide you the cost for only the land arrangement portion and also advise you on which flights to take from your country. Please note your place of origin in your inquiry and we will provide you with the rate excluding roundtrip airfare from Manila.

Yes, please click the Inquire button in the page of the pilgrimage you would like to join, and give your contact information. We will send you the detailed itinerary by email. You may also want to contact us directly at the office at telephone nos. (02) 523-8581 to 88; (02) 521-4156; Fax No: (02) 526-0126 or send us an email at: pilgrimscenter@pilgrimage.ph.

All Filipino citizens travelling outside of the country must hold a passport that is valid for at least six months until arrival back in the Philippines.

If the travel destination such as Europe will require a visa, you will also need to acquire one. We will process these for you. Full requirements will be sent to you after reserving your place. They can also be seen in the right hand side section of each individual pilgrimage page.

Filipino citizens are exempt from acquiring a visa for travel to Israel (Holy Land).

On the other hand, Filipino citizens are required to acquire a visa for travel to the United States, South Korea, Jordan, Egypt, Schengen countries and others.

We have a dedicated Documentation department who will gladly assist you in processing your visas.

A Schengen visa enables a passport holder to enter the countries which form part of the Schengen State who are then able to travel freely throughout the Schengen zone.  The validity of the visa will depend on how many days that you will be granted by the embassy where you applied.

Currently, there are 26 Schengen countries:

Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland,  Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

If you wish to join any of our pilgrimages, especially for pilgrimages to Europe or Rome, you will be required to acquire a Schengen visa. Our office will gladly help you in your visa application process, subject to a visa and processing fee.

Some countries differ in their requirements for visa application. We will send you the complete list after reserving your place. But generally, the following is required:

a. Passport with six (6) months validity until arrival in the Philippines.

b. Duly accomplished visa application form

c. Three ID photos

d. Proof of sufficient financial resources to support yourself during your travel

e. Travel insurance is a major requirement for applying a Schengen visa

f.  Compliance with any other entry requirement for each country that you will visit.

g. Visa and Processing Fee

Please click the Learn More button in the page of the pilgrimage you would like to join, and give your contact information. We will send you the detailed itinerary by email immediately. You may also want to contact us directly at the office at telephone nos. (02) 523-8581 to 88; (02) 521-4156; Fax No: (02) 526-0126 or send us an email at: pilgrimscenter@pilgrimage.ph.

To finalize your reservation for a pilgrimage, the following is required:

a. Non refundable  deposit of US $ 500.00 (for European Pilgrimage) and US $ 300.00 (for Holy Land Pilgrimage),  deductible from the total  tour cost.

b. Photocopy of your passport (valid for 6 months prior to date of departure)

c. Filled up Pilgrims Profile form (the office will provide you with this form)

d. Visa Fee (if applicable)

Yes, you may share the room with your husband and child. However, we regret to inform you that the rate for your child is still the same.

No need to worry if you will be travelling alone. We will room you up with somebody belonging to the same sex and as close to your age as possible. For sure, by the end of the pilgrimage you will find that you have gained a new found friend!

Your reservation fee of US $ 500.00 is refundable but you will be charged US $ 200.00 for Admin Fee for processing of the visa.

Tour inclusions vary per group. But generally, the tour cost includes:

a. Roundtrip economy airfare (upgradable to business/first class subject to charges)

b. Roundtrip airport and departure transfers

c. Hotel accommodation on twin sharing

d. Meals as specified in the itinerary

e. Tours as specified in the itinerary with a local guide

f. Transportation by deluxe air conditioned motor coach

g. Services of a Filipino Tour Leader and Pilgrimage Chaplain all throughout the tour

h. Porterage of one (1) piece of luggage at hotels (only when applicable).

Not included in the tour cost are:

a. Airline Taxes

b. Tip Fund

c. Single Room Supplement (additional cost if you would like to be alone in the room while on travel)

d. Travel Insurance

e. Visa Fee and Documentation Expenses

f. Philippine Travel Tax of PHP 1,620.00 per person

g. Airport Terminal Fee (PHP 550.00 per person)

h. Extra tours and transportation during free periods

i. Porterage of extra pieces of luggage in excess of maximum allocation

j. Drinks and Beverages taken during meals

k. Items of personal nature such as laundry, telephone, fax, room service

l. Other items not mentioned in the itinerary.

Our tour costs are pegged in US Dollars. You may opt to pay in US Dollars or Philippine Pesos. However, we encourage that you to pay in US dollars so that you will not be affected by the exchange rate which changes frequently.

Full payment of the complete tour cost will be required at least one (1) month before departure date or before issuance of airline ticket. You will be informed of the last date of payment by our Pilgrimage Coordinator.

Acceptable forms of payment is cash or bank transfer. In case of bank transfer or managers check, please give us at least three working days to confirm receipt of payment.

We regret to inform you that we dont accept credit cards for payment.

Going on a Pilgrimage

A few days before departure, you will be invited to join an orientation meeting where your airline tickets, and other travel materials will be distributed as well as details of the pilgrimage will be explained.

This meeting usually begins with a Holy Mass by the assigned Pilgrimage Chaplain of your pilgrimage group. Here, you will also have the chance to meet for the first time your fellow pilgrims and tour escort.

Orientation meetings are fun and enjoyable and sets the tone for the wonderful time you are about to have together.

Not at all! We have to admit that there will be occasions wherein the mood will be solemn especially during the daily masses. But more often than not the pilgrimage is a fun time to explore new places and meet new friends

Travel rules and guidelines will be discussed more in detail during the orientation meeting. We encourage you to ask questions during the orientation so that all your concerns are put to rest.