Adventure tours | Active small group holidays | Egypt Uncovered Adventure tours | Active small group holidays | Egypt Uncovered
Gateway to the Pharaohs
PHONE: 1 877 260 3950
For help and expert advice:
1 877 260 3950

Price from: $1995 (p/p)

Book now

Biblical Israel Tour

Highly recommend Egypt Uncovered. Entire tour was conducted without a hiccup, tour guides were amazing - friendly, highly knowledgeable, courteous and nothing was too much trouble to ensure our trip was of a high standard.

Chook31, 23 Oct 2018

reviews proof

Biblical Israel OVERVIEW

TOUR SUMMARY

8 days

Tel Aviv to Jerusalem

From

$1995 (p/p)

Country(ies): Israel

Tour type: Small Group

Group size: Min: 2 | Max: 45

Accommodation: 3 to 4-star hotels

Meals:

Transport: A/C minibus/coach

Highlights: Modern Tel Aviv, coastal cities of Caesarea, Haifa & Acre, Sea of Galilee, Tiberias, Golan Heights, Nazareth, Qumran, hilltop fortress of Masada, Bethlehem, float in the Dead Sea, old & new Jerusalem

This Biblical Israel & Occupied Palestinian Territories group tour makes an ideal Holy Land trip visiting some of the many biblical sites of the region. You'll get to see most of the highlights of this amazing country and relate the important religious sites to the relevant important passages in scripture. It is perfect for travellers with an interest in the bible or just for travellers interested in an incredible adventure to explore this fascinating land.

We start this tour with time to explore the buzz of the city and beaches of Tel Aviv, before making our way north along the Mediterranean coat visiting the Roman remains at Caesarea, Bronze Age Megiddo, beautiful Haifa & the subterranean Crusader castle at Acre. We then continue across to Tiberias and Capernaum, on the Sea of Galilee, then on up to the Golan height for a tour of the area, including Banias Spring. Next, we head back to Jerusalem via Nazareth and Beit Shean. In Jerusalem, we visit some of its many important religious and historical sites and monuments, including nearby Bethlehem, birthplace of Christ. We also visit the famous hilltop fortress at Masada and the Dead Sea where you can bob on top of the remarkably salty Sea, the lowest place on Earth.

ITINERARY

Expand all Close all


Day 1 Arrive into Tel Aviv, transfer to hotel

Upon arrival at Tel Aviv airport, we meet & greet you and transfer you to your hotel in the city. The rest of the day is free for you to rest and recover from your flight or head out and explore the local area.

OVERNIGHT:

Tel Aviv Hotel

MEALS:

None

EXTRAS:

Extra day in Tel Aviv - pre-tour
Single room supplement (ISSGFI)


Day 2 Tour of Caesarea, Megiddo, Haifa & Acre

We start the day with a tasty Israeli buffet breakfast before leaving Tel Aviv to drive north along the Mediterranean coast to the excavations at Caesarea (Acts 9.30 Acts 10 24-48), capital of Judea under Roman rule. We take time to visit the excavations of the ancient city, including the Roman theatre and aqueduct. We then continue north to the Bronze Age remains at Megiddo (1 Kings 4.28, 9,15, 2 Kings 23,29 & Revel. 16.16), thought to be the site of Armageddon. Here we explore the archaeological excavations, including the well-preserved water supply system. Next, we drive to the picturesque port city of Haifa, situated on the Mediterranean Sea, and stop for a wonderful panoramic view of the beautiful Bahai gardens and Haifa Bay. Continuing north our next stop is Acre (Micah 1.10), centre of the Crusaders for over a century. We visit the ancient city and harbour area before heading inland across the plains of the Galilee to our Kibbutz hotel Lavi, close to the Sea of Galilee.

OVERNIGHT:

Galilee Kibbutz

MEALS:

Breakfast, Dinner

EXTRAS:

None


Day 3 Tiberias, Capernaum & Banias

This morning we take a guided tour of the Kibbutz grounds, before taking a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum (Matt. 4.13 13.54, 17.24, Luke 7, Mark 1.2, John 4.46-54). Here we visit the remains of the 2nd century synagogue, one of the oldest in the world. We then carry on to Tabgha (Matt. 13, Mark .33-45, & John 21), where Jesus performed the miracle of fish and loaves. Here we visit the Church of Multiplication with its 4th century mosaic floor, the earliest known examples of figurative floor mosaics in Christian art in the Holy Land. We next drive to the Mount of the Beatitudes (Matt. 5,6,7,8), where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. We then continue to the Banias Spring and Waterfall (Matt. 16.13 and Mark 8.27), the site that Jesus demanded recognition as The Messiah by His Disciples. We take a tour the Golan Heights, with its beautiful valleys, grazing land and framed by snow-capped mountains. At the end of the day we return to Kibbutz Lavi for dinner.

OVERNIGHT:

Galilee Kibbutz

MEALS:

Breakfast, Dinner

EXTRAS:

None


Day 4 Nazareth to Jerusalem, via Beit Shean

We start today day with a drive to Nazareth (Luke 1.26, 4.16-29, Matthew 2.23) via Cana of Galilee (John 2.1-11), where Jesus worked his first miracle. Arriving in Nazareth, we visit the Church of the Annunciation, which stands over the cave that tradition holds to be the home of the Virgin Mary. We'll also visit St. Joseph's Workshop and Mary's Well. We continue to the Jordan River, the waters in which Jesus was baptized. Our next stop is Beit Shean, one of the ancient Decapolis cities (Mark 5.20, 7.31), and here we take time to see the Roman theatre. This is the site where Saul and his son Jonathan were nailed to the walls (1st Samuel 31.10), and is also mentioned in Judges 1.27. Continuing south along the shores of the River of Jordan we pass by Jericho, and then head westward towards the Golden City of Jerusalem.

OVERNIGHT:

Jerusalem Hotel

MEALS:

Breakfast, Dinner

EXTRAS:

None


Day 5 Jerusalem, old city tour

Today we enjoy a full day tour of the Old City of Jerusalem. We start with a climb up to the Mount of Olive for a stunning panoramic view back over the old city walls and ancient Jewish cemetery. Our next stop is the Church of All Nations and we then continue to Mount Zion to visit the tomb of King David and the Room of the Last Supper (Mark 14.13, Luke 22. 10-38, Matt 26 17-29, Acts 1.13 and Acts 2 the Pentecost). We now enter the Old City to experience some of the wonders of Jerusalem. We’ll take a walk through the Cardo, the main street of Jerusalem 2,000 years ago. We’ll also stop to see the Temple Mount and the people praying at the Western Wall, and stroll along the Via Dolorosa, where Jesus carried his own cross. We then stop at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which is considered to be the place where Jesus's tomb is located (Matt. 27. 33-57, 28.10). Next you can test your haggling skills as you wander through the mazy alleyways of the bustling Arab bazaar, before our final visit of the day to the Garden Tomb.

OVERNIGHT:

Jerusalem hotel

MEALS:

Breakfast, Dinner

EXTRAS:

None


Day 6 Jerusalem, new city & Bethlehem tour

Today we take a tour to the new city of Jerusalem. We'll visit the wonderful scale model of ancient Jerusalem, before continuing to Yad Vashem, Israel's memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. We access this site by walking along the Street of the Righteous Gentiles, which is dedicated to all the non-Jews that risked their lives to help their Jewish neighbours. We next stop at Ein Karem, birthplace of John the Baptist (Luke 1.39-80) to take a look at the Spanish style church and Mary's well, which is where it is believed that Mother Mary met her cousin Elizabeth. Finally, we cross into the Occupied Palestinian Territories to visit Bethlehem (subject to border restrictions), birthplace of Jesus, and see the Church of the Nativity.

OVERNIGHT:

Jerusalem Hotel

MEALS:

Breakfast, Dinner

EXTRAS:

None


Day 7 Qumran, Masada & Dead Sea tour

Today we drive out of Jerusalem and through the Judean Desert to Qumran, made famous in 1947 when a young Bedouin boy found the precious Dead Sea Scrolls. We visit the ancient city of Qumran then drive along the shore of the Dead Sea, the lowest place on in the world, to Masada. This hilltop fortress was the last stronghold of the Jews after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 A.D. We make our way up to Masada by cable car, where we visit Herod's Palace and the food storeroom, and water irrigation channels. If time and weather allow, we'll have a chance to float on the incredibly salty waters of the Dead Sea.

OVERNIGHT:

Jerusalem hotel

MEALS:

Breakfast, Dinner

EXTRAS:

None


Day 8 Tour ends, transfer to airport for departure

Our tour ends after breakfast, when the rest of your time is free before we transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.

OVERNIGHT:

N/A

MEALS:

Breakfast

EXTRAS:

Extra day in Jerusalem - post-tour


Expand all Close all

Included:
  • All accommodation in 4-star hotels (upgrades available)
  • All transport and transfers
  • 24-hour airport arrival & departure transfer service
  • Specialist English speaking guide during touring days
  • All site entry fees
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary

Excluded:
  • International flights (available on request)
  • Visa fees (if applied)
  • Travel insurance (compulsory, available on request)
  • Meals not indicated in the itinerary
  • Drinks, snacks, tips and other personal expenses (e.g. laundry)
  • Tips for your tour leader & driver
  • Any other items not mentioned above
Notes:

Note: This tour runs with an average of 15-20 people but has a potential maximum full-coach size of 45.

Gallery


Dates and Prices

This tour is also available for booking privately for travel anytime through the year, and we can also customise the itinerary to fit your personal requirements. Please contact us for details and prices.

Start Date
End Date
Price (P/P)
Offer price
Note

1st of Jun 2023

8th of Jun 2023

US$1995

-


Book this tour in less than 3 minutes!

JCB Logo maestro Logo Visa Logo Mastercard Logo WorldPay Logo

8th of Jun 2023

15th of Jun 2023

US$1995

-


Book this tour in less than 3 minutes!

JCB Logo maestro Logo Visa Logo Mastercard Logo WorldPay Logo

15th of Jun 2023

22nd of Jun 2023

US$1995

-


Book this tour in less than 3 minutes!

JCB Logo maestro Logo Visa Logo Mastercard Logo WorldPay Logo

22nd of Jun 2023

29th of Jun 2023

US$1995

-


Book this tour in less than 3 minutes!

JCB Logo maestro Logo Visa Logo Mastercard Logo WorldPay Logo

29th of Jun 2023

6th of Jul 2023

US$1995

-


Book this tour in less than 3 minutes!

JCB Logo maestro Logo Visa Logo Mastercard Logo WorldPay Logo

6th of Jul 2023

13th of Jul 2023

US$1995

-


Book this tour in less than 3 minutes!

JCB Logo maestro Logo Visa Logo Mastercard Logo WorldPay Logo

13th of Jul 2023

20th of Jul 2023

US$1995

-


Book this tour in less than 3 minutes!

JCB Logo maestro Logo Visa Logo Mastercard Logo WorldPay Logo

20th of Jul 2023

27th of Jul 2023

US$1995

-


Book this tour in less than 3 minutes!

JCB Logo maestro Logo Visa Logo Mastercard Logo WorldPay Logo

27th of Jul 2023

3rd of Aug 2023

US$2120

-


Book this tour in less than 3 minutes!

JCB Logo maestro Logo Visa Logo Mastercard Logo WorldPay Logo

3rd of Aug 2023

10th of Aug 2023

US$2120

-


Book this tour in less than 3 minutes!

JCB Logo maestro Logo Visa Logo Mastercard Logo WorldPay Logo

10th of Aug 2023

17th of Aug 2023

US$2120

-


Book this tour in less than 3 minutes!

JCB Logo maestro Logo Visa Logo Mastercard Logo WorldPay Logo

17th of Aug 2023

24th of Aug 2023

US$2120

-


Book this tour in less than 3 minutes!

JCB Logo maestro Logo Visa Logo Mastercard Logo WorldPay Logo

24th of Aug 2023

31st of Aug 2023

US$2120

-


Book this tour in less than 3 minutes!

JCB Logo maestro Logo Visa Logo Mastercard Logo WorldPay Logo

31st of Aug 2023

7th of Sep 2023

US$1995

-


Book this tour in less than 3 minutes!

JCB Logo maestro Logo Visa Logo Mastercard Logo WorldPay Logo

7th of Sep 2023

14th of Sep 2023

US$1995

-


Book this tour in less than 3 minutes!

JCB Logo maestro Logo Visa Logo Mastercard Logo WorldPay Logo

14th of Sep 2023

21st of Sep 2023

US$2120

-


Book this tour in less than 3 minutes!

JCB Logo maestro Logo Visa Logo Mastercard Logo WorldPay Logo

28th of Sep 2023

5th of Oct 2023

US$2240

-


Book this tour in less than 3 minutes!

JCB Logo maestro Logo Visa Logo Mastercard Logo WorldPay Logo

5th of Oct 2023

12th of Oct 2023

US$2120

-


Book this tour in less than 3 minutes!

JCB Logo maestro Logo Visa Logo Mastercard Logo WorldPay Logo

12th of Oct 2023

19th of Oct 2023

US$1995

-


Book this tour in less than 3 minutes!

JCB Logo maestro Logo Visa Logo Mastercard Logo WorldPay Logo

19th of Oct 2023

26th of Oct 2023

US$1995

-


Book this tour in less than 3 minutes!

JCB Logo maestro Logo Visa Logo Mastercard Logo WorldPay Logo

26th of Oct 2023

2nd of Nov 2023

US$1995

-


Book this tour in less than 3 minutes!

JCB Logo maestro Logo Visa Logo Mastercard Logo WorldPay Logo

2nd of Nov 2023

9th of Nov 2023

US$1995

-


Book this tour in less than 3 minutes!

JCB Logo maestro Logo Visa Logo Mastercard Logo WorldPay Logo

9th of Nov 2023

16th of Nov 2023

US$1995

-


Book this tour in less than 3 minutes!

JCB Logo maestro Logo Visa Logo Mastercard Logo WorldPay Logo

16th of Nov 2023

23rd of Nov 2023

US$1995

-


Book this tour in less than 3 minutes!

JCB Logo maestro Logo Visa Logo Mastercard Logo WorldPay Logo

23rd of Nov 2023

30th of Nov 2023

US$1995

-


Book this tour in less than 3 minutes!

JCB Logo maestro Logo Visa Logo Mastercard Logo WorldPay Logo

30th of Nov 2023

7th of Dec 2023

US$1995

-


Book this tour in less than 3 minutes!

JCB Logo maestro Logo Visa Logo Mastercard Logo WorldPay Logo

7th of Dec 2023

14th of Dec 2023

US$1995

-


Book this tour in less than 3 minutes!

JCB Logo maestro Logo Visa Logo Mastercard Logo WorldPay Logo

14th of Dec 2023

21st of Dec 2023

US$1995

-


Book this tour in less than 3 minutes!

JCB Logo maestro Logo Visa Logo Mastercard Logo WorldPay Logo

21st of Dec 2023

28th of Dec 2023

US$2120

-


Book this tour in less than 3 minutes!

JCB Logo maestro Logo Visa Logo Mastercard Logo WorldPay Logo

28th of Dec 2023

4th of Jan 2024

US$1995

-


Book this tour in less than 3 minutes!

JCB Logo maestro Logo Visa Logo Mastercard Logo WorldPay Logo

4th of Jan 2024

11th of Jan 2024

US$1995

-


Book this tour in less than 3 minutes!

JCB Logo maestro Logo Visa Logo Mastercard Logo WorldPay Logo

11th of Jan 2024

18th of Jan 2024

US$1995

-


Book this tour in less than 3 minutes!

JCB Logo maestro Logo Visa Logo Mastercard Logo WorldPay Logo

18th of Jan 2024

25th of Jan 2024

US$1995

-


Book this tour in less than 3 minutes!

JCB Logo maestro Logo Visa Logo Mastercard Logo WorldPay Logo

25th of Jan 2024

1st of Feb 2024

US$1995

-


Book this tour in less than 3 minutes!

JCB Logo maestro Logo Visa Logo Mastercard Logo WorldPay Logo

1st of Feb 2024

8th of Feb 2024

US$1995

-


Book this tour in less than 3 minutes!

JCB Logo maestro Logo Visa Logo Mastercard Logo WorldPay Logo

8th of Feb 2024

15th of Feb 2024

US$1995

-


Book this tour in less than 3 minutes!

JCB Logo maestro Logo Visa Logo Mastercard Logo WorldPay Logo

15th of Feb 2024

22nd of Feb 2024

US$1995

-


Book this tour in less than 3 minutes!

JCB Logo maestro Logo Visa Logo Mastercard Logo WorldPay Logo

Accommodation

The hotels and accommodations listed below are the ones we most often use on this tour. From time to time we may exchange these for similar properties at the same level. In general, specific hotels cannot be guaranteed on our group tours, but you may select your preferred options if you are booking a tailor-made trip.

Grand Beach Hotel

Grand Beach Hotel

Tel Aviv


Located in a prime location, the heart of the bustling city of Tel Aviv, the Grand Beach Hotel offers you spacious rooms, stylish urban design, and the unmatchable sensation of a truly relaxing vacation.

Local rating

Our rating

 Grand Beach Hotel Grand Beach Hotel

Just 3 minutes' walk from the beach, Grand Beach Hotel features 212 well-equipped rooms with free Wi-Fi. It also offers a traditional Israeli buffet breakfast and a rooftop pool with panoramic views of Tel Aviv.

All rooms are modern and have been completely renovated. Each room is air conditioned and comes with an LCD TV, mini fridge and safe.

The hotel's business centre is open 24-hours a day. Drinks and light snacks are sold at the bar.

Hotel Grand Beach is near the most popular beaches and waterfront restaurants. Tel Aviv Marina is 10 minutes' walk away. In the neighbourhood you will find several cafes, shops and parks. Carmel Market and Jaffa Old Town are also nearby.

The 24-hour front desk can help to arrange tours and day excursions.

Kibbutz Lavi

Kibbutz Lavi

Tiberias


Located high on a mountain, this Glatt- Kosher hotel mainly caters for Jewish religious travellers. At this peaceful location, just minutes from Tiberias, there are spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.

Local rating

Our rating

 Kibbutz Lavi Kibbutz Lavi

Located high on a mountain, this Glatt- Kosher hotel mainly caters for Jewish religious travellers. At this peaceful location, just minutes from Tiberias, there are spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.

The hotel has different room types to cater to different tastes and budgets. It offers a full service restaurant, a tennis court, an indoor swimming pool (men and women swim separated), and a children's playground.

The hotel offers free wireless internet.

Grand Court Hotel

Grand Court Hotel

Jerusalem


A 10-minute walk to Jerusalem's Old City, Grand Court Hotel offers a panoramic rooftop pool, free Wi-Fi, and spacious rooms. It features free underground parking, a gym, and an iPad rental service.

Local rating

Our rating

 Grand Court Hotel Grand Court Hotel

A 10-minute walk to Jerusalem's Old City, Grand Court Hotel offers a panoramic rooftop pool, free Wi-Fi, and spacious rooms. It features free underground parking, a gym, and an iPad rental service.

Rooms and suites at Grand Court Hotel include air conditioning and a seating area. The private bathroom has free toiletries and a hairdryer.

Guests here can enjoy an Israeli breakfast buffet, which includes a wide range of fresh delicacies and beverages served in the spacious dining room with garden views.

The new Jerusalem light rail stops just across the street and can easily take you around the city. Jewish holy sites, vivid markets, shops and restaurants are just a short walk away. Staff can arrange tours and visits.

Options

Our tours are designed to include all that you need to enjoy a really special time in the destination you‘re visiting. However, we do also offer some extra options to complement the tour and add some additional sightseeing or activities, or some extra time at either end of the tour.

All accommodation based options (e.g. Single supplements, extra nights, cruise upgrades) should be booked and paid for in advance so that we can make the appropriate arrangements. Other options may either be booked and paid for in advance or while you are on the tour, though we recommend booking in advance to ensure there are no issues with availability.

Many options are priced the same throughout the year, but some may incur single or high season supplements - full details are given on the tour reservation form or on request.

Single room supplement (ISSGFI)

Single room supplement (ISSGFI)

Min numbers: 1 person


This option books a single room in all the accommodation throughout the tour. Room shares may be available but the supplement is payable if a room share cannot be arranged.

Price from
$575
per person

This option books a single room in all the accommodation throughout the tour. If you are a single traveller and would be happy to share a room, let us know and we will see if we can pair you up with another single traveller of the same sex. If a room share is not available when you book then we will add the single room supplement to your booking and it will be payable with your balance payment unless we have arranged a room share for you by then. If a room share is arranged after you have paid the supplement then we will refund it to you. Room shares are arranged in order of booking.

Note: The price shown is a low season price. Slightly higher prices may apply during high and peak seasons - the exact price for your dates will be shown on the online booking form and is always available on request.

Extra day in Tel Aviv - pre-tour

Extra day in Tel Aviv - pre-tour

Min numbers: 1 person


This option adds an day night to the start of your tour, staying in the same hotel as the main tour itself (subject to availability). Your airport arrival transfer is NOT included. Prices shown are per person and based on two people sharing.

Price from
$100
per person

This option adds an extra day to the start of your tour in Israel, staying in the same hotel as the main tour itself (subject to availability at the time of booking). Your airport arrival transfer is NOT included. Prices shown are per person and based on two people sharing.

Note: Single room and peak season supplements apply.

Extra day in Jerusalem - post-tour

Extra day in Jerusalem - post-tour

Min numbers: 1 person


This option adds an extra day to the end of your tour, staying in the same hotel as the main tour itself (subject to availability). Your airport departure transfer is NOT included. Prices shown are per person and based on two people sharing.

Price from
$85
per person

This option adds an day to the end of your tour in Israel, staying in the same hotel as the main tour itself (subject to availability at the time of booking). Your airport departure transfer is NOT included. Prices shown are per person and based on two people sharing.

Note: Single room and peak season supplements apply.

Tour Notes

The detailed Tour Notes below have been written to give you some more detailed information about how the tour runs, what to expect, and how to prepare for your holiday. We recommend downloading an up to date copy of these shortly before you travel in case of any changes.

Expand all Close all


  1. Accommodation

We use good quality hotels rated at the Israeli 4-star standard level on this tour, together with a night in a Kibbutz hotel. Options are available to upgrade the accommodation to a better 4-star, or standard 5-star level. Please contact us for prices to match your dates. The normal hotels we use for these upgrades are shown below, though these may changes to alternate hotels of a similar standard on some dates:

Comfort (good 4-star): Tel Aviv - Grand Beach  |  Jerusalem - Grand Court  |  Kibbutz Lavi - Superior room
Superior (4/5-star): Tel Aviv - Dan Panorama  |  Jerusalem - Dan Panorama  |  Kibbutz Lavi - Superior room

As different hotel levels are available, this does mean that if some people take up the upgrades there will be more than one hotel pick-up and drop-off each day, though we do aim to plan these to minimise any extra travelling time. 

Accommodation is based on twin or double en-suite rooms with air conditioning. All couples will be given a private double room. Single travellers will need to pay a single room supplement to guarantee themselves a single room throughout the tour. We aim to keep this cost as low as possible. As we may share this tour with other operators, we do not offer a room-share option for solo travellers.


  2. Accommodation
We use good quality hotels rated at the Israeli 4-star level on this tour. On some of our Israel tours we also use a Kibbutz style hotel.

Accommodation is based on twin, triple or double en-suite rooms with air conditioning. All couples will be given a private double room. Single travellers may choose to pay a single room supplement to guarantee themselves a single room throughout the tour. If you are a single traveller who would like to share, let us know and we will see if we can pair you up. If we don't have anyone to pair you up with when you book, we'll add this option on, but remove it or refund you when we can pair you up later. Check with us for guaranteed no single supplement offers on some tours and departures.

  3. Transport
Our trips feature a mix of different transport options. We want you to feel like you’re really experiencing the country you’re travelling through, but at the same time we want you to finish journeys refreshed enough to enjoy the next stage of the tour. Our routes in Israel and the small distances involved mean that we use private vehicles throughout this tour.

  4. Transfers

Your airport transfers are only included on the first and last day of the set tour itinerary, plus on any additional days if you book your hotel room with us. If you make your own arrangements for additional accommodation at either the beginning or the end of the tour then you will need to arrange your own airport transfers on these days.


  5. International Flights

We want to give you as much flexibility as possible when it comes to booking your holiday with us. So, to take account of people with varying travel plans, we don’t include your international flights in the main tour price. We are however very provide suggestions for flights to go with your tour. Please contact us with your preferred dates and departure airport and we’ll give you a selection of airlines, times and fares to choose from.

Your airport arrival & departure transfers are included on the first and last days of the tour. All our group tours in Israel start and finish at Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv (TLV).


  6. Group Size/Tour Leaders/Guides

On average the group departures on this tour tend to have a minimum of around 10 passengers and an average of 14-18, though we only need 2 passengers to book for a departure to be guaranteed. The maximum capacity of this tour is 45 which is a lot more than our normal 'small-group tours'. We allow this higher number to ensure affordability in what is a very expensive country to arrange tours like this. We also share this tour with a small number of other operators and offer upgrades to higher hotel levels so you may join with travellers booking with different companies and staying in different hotels.

At Egypt Uncovered we aim to only ever use local Israeli guides and reps. We feel this gives you the best experience of the country and the sites you are seeing. A different guide may be used for the Occupied Palestinian Territory sites to the rest of the tour.


  7. Entrance Fees
The tour price includes entrance fees to all the tourist sites mentioned in the itinerary. If you visit any sites not mentioned in the itinerary then you will need to cover the entrance fee costs.

  8. Tipping
Tipping is common practice in Israel, as a sign of appreciation for services provided. You may therefore wish to tip your guide and driver at the end of the tour.  You should not feel obliged to tip any particular amount, and should consider your personal budget. We are often asked to provide a guide however, and can suggest that approx. GBP 5 / USD 8 per person per day would be appropriate.

  9. Health and Vaccinations

You should ensure you are fully insured for medical emergencies including emergency evacuation and repatriation.

Recommended vaccinations and other health protection measures vary according to the country you are visiting and where you are travelling from. We recommend you contact your GP/medical practitioner or a travel clinic for current information on vaccinations needed for your destination.  You should ensure that you are up to date with vaccines and boosters recommended for your normal life at home, including for example, vaccines required for occupational risk of exposure, lifestyle risks and underlying medical conditions.
In addition, additional courses or boosters normally recommended for the countries in this region are:

Egypt: Tetanus, Typhoid, Hepatitis A
Jordan: Tetanus, Hepatitis A
Israel: Hepatitis A, Poliomyelitis
Lebanon: Dipheria, Hepatitis A

Malaria is not generally present unless it has been contracted abroad; you do not need to take malaria prophylactics.

More information is available here: Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon

Note: We are aware of some places in Egypt using ‘black henna’ instead of pure brown henna. Black henna contains a chemical dye PPD (paraphenylenediamine) which can result in severe allergic reactions and resultant scarring. To be safe we recommend avoiding any henna tattoos while in Egypt unless you are certain they are using pure brown henna.


  10. Passports & Visas - Israel & OPT

Passports should be valid for at least six months after your departure from the country. Please do not bring an almost full or almost expired passport. Visa arrangements are the responsibility of the traveller, and requirements are subject to change by the local authorities.

Many nationalities (including UK, European, USA, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, South African) do not need to obtain a visa to enter Israel as a period as long as your stay is for less than 3 months. Other nationalities should check with their local consulate.

Most of our tours visiting Israel also enter the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT). No special visas are required but check points and border posts are operated by the Israeli authorities and access is sometimes limited or restricted.


  11. Time

The time in Egypt, Jordan and Israel is GMT plus 2 hours. Daylight saving adjustments have historically been applied in some years but not others. At present it appears that there will be no daylight saving changes in Egypt 2016 and beyond, though this may change at short notice (with a resulting impact on flight times and schedules). In Jordan and Israel, daylight saving of one hour is generally applied between the end of March and the end of October, making it GMT plus 3 hours. Exact dates vary from year to year and sometimes the changes may be scrapped altogether.


  12. Voltage

Sockets are two round pronged and 220 volts (Type C). Universal adaptors are available in most airport shops if you don’t have one already. Standard European adapters will work fine, though sometimes they may feel a little loose in the sockets. All hotel rooms have electrical sockets where you can re-charge cameras, phones etc. Hair dryers are normally available on request from the hotel reception if not in your room already.
If you have US appliances (110 volts) you will need a voltage converter as well as a plug adapter.


  13. Money - Israel

The local currency in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories is the Israeli Shekel (ILS). You do not need to arrange to bring any Shekels with you as exchange facilities are available in the international airports and in most hotels, banks and bureau de changes in major towns. You should try to obtain and keep hold of small denomination notes or coins on you during the tour as these are useful for toilets, tips and small purchases. ATMs are readily available in major towns and many local shops will accept VISA/Mastercard or Amex, but may charge fees of up to 10% - check before you pay. Travellers cheques are not recommended as they can not be changed in many places now, and can incur high fees.

While in Israel and the OPT you will need sufficient funds to cover meals not included in the itinerary, drinks, snacks, souvenirs and personal expenses such as laundry. These should generally all be paid for in local currency, though tips for guides and drivers may be paid in hard currency (GBP, USD, EUR).

It is difficult to recommend a level of personal spending money which will suit everyone as this can differ greatly, but as a guideline, we would suggest allowing USD 25-35 per person per day as a minimum. Allow more if you plan on doing lots of shopping, or buying many alcoholic drinks.


  14. What to take

Luggage: Suitcases, rucksacks or fabric holdalls are all fine to bring with you to Israel. You should also bring a small daypack/bag to take out during the day. Your main luggage will normally be left in the hotel during your sightseeing trips – you will not need to carry it far, and there are nearly always hotel porters to assist.

Luggage limits: There is no luggage limit for this tour. However, most airlines restrict you to between 20kg and 25kg for your hold luggage and between 5kg and 10kg for hand luggage. Please check with your airline before travelling to the airport.

Clothing: The climate in Israel varies widely from hot days in the summer to cool and sometimes wet days in the winter months. At night, especially in the deserts, the temperatures can drop quite dramatically. So you must pack for cool conditions. Formal dress (eg. suits & ties) is not required. When visiting any mosques, legs and arms should be covered.

Other items: We also recommend you bring a sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, a basic first aid kit, toiletries, money belt, small torch, camera & charger.


  15. Dates & Prices

We run regular small-group departures on this tour starting on Sundays throughout the year. All departures are guaranteed to run with a minimum of 2 people. Departure dates and prices are listed on our website and on a separate dates & prices sheet available on request.


  16. Booking & Payment

If you would like to book a place on this tour, please complete the online reservation form on our website (via the Dates & Prices tab on the tour page). You can pay your deposit or full balance online, or just hold a reservation if you prefer. We will then contact you with more details about how to complete your booking. Payments may be made by debit or credit card (subject to a card processing fee), or by making a bank transfer or posting us a cheque/bank draft. Full details will be provided in your booking confirmation email. Please contact us if you would like any more information or have any questions before making a booking.


  17. Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our tours and needs to cover personal accident & liability, medical expenses and repatriation, travel delay & abandonment. We also strongly recommend that you take out cover against cancellation and lost/stolen baggage. Personal medical insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover and is generally not suitable for travel on our tours. You will not be able to join your tour if you have not provided us with details of your insurance or if you arrive without cover in place (no refunds will be due in this event). More information...

You may arrange your own insurance, or you can take advantage of a comprehensive policy that we can arrange for you through Endsleigh Insurance which has been designed to be suitable for our tours. The policy is available to travellers of all nationalities and you do not need to live in the UK  to take out the policy. For full details of cover provided, prices and to apply for one of our policies, please complete travel insurance application form.

Note: Any country that borders the Mediterranean is considered as 'Europe' for the purposes of travel insurance (including Turkey, Israel, Egypt and Morocco). If you are doing a tour that visits one country in 'Europe' and one that is 'Worldwide' (for example, an Egypt and Jordan tour), then you need a 'Worldwide' policy. When completing the form you should enter your travel dates including any extra days involved in overnight flights or connecting travel between your home and the tour. Our policies are not able to cover any extra time or activities other than your tour and options booked with us and your travel to & from home.

If you plan to arrange a hot air balloon flight locally, or do some scuba diving during your tour, you should check the small print in your policy to make sure these are covered (these are covered in our policy). Please also check the maximum altitude that you will be reaching and that full cover including emergency evacuation is provided up to this altitude.

IMPORTANT:  We must have your travel insurance details (policy number and type of insurance) before you depart or you may not be allowed to join the tour.  If you haven't told us already, please let us know the details when you can. You should take a paper copy of your insurance policy with you as you may be asked to show this at the start of the tour.


  18. Financial Security

We are a UK registered company and an ABTA Member (Y4447) and you can be confident when booking with us that your money is safe and protected. Financial failure insurance is provided through Affirma to protect all customers for the land portion of their tour.
Please see our website or booking conditions for more information.


  19. Responsible Tourism

It is impossible not to have an impact on the local environment, cultures and eco-systems when you travel. However, it is very possible to try and ensure that these impacts are as limited, or positive as possible. We are committed to ensuring that we try to leave our host countries in a better state than we found them and encourage and assist our travellers to help us with this.
The following are a few simple tips that require very little effort on your part but which will help ensure that any effect you have on the locations you visit is positive rather than negative.

  • Don’t prejudge: Things in different countries will almost certainly be different. That doesn’t make them worse or inferior, just different.
  • Communicate: Don’t expect locals to speak your language. Take the trouble to learn a few words or phrases of the local language. Don’t worry about sounding silly. Most locals are patient and accommodating and appreciate you making the effort to communicate in their language.
  • Conserve energy: Be careful not to waste valuable resources. Use local resources sparingly. Switch off lights, air-conditioning and fans when you leave the hotel room and don’t waste water. Remove superfluous packaging. Many countries have far less efficient waste disposal systems than ours. Remove packaging from newly acquired items before leaving home.
  • Don’t litter: No matter how untidy or dirty the country you’re travelling in may look to you, avoid littering, as there is no need to add to the environment's stress. Many of the countries we visit have a tough challenge dealing with rubbish and waste. Please consider taking home as much plastic waste as you can (e.g. water bottles).
  • Choose environmentally friendly products: By using environmentally friendly (bio degradable) sun creams, shampoos and detergents you can help reduce pollution.
  • Respect local customs and traditions: As you are a guest in these countries, you should also comply with the local customs. If you are friendly and well mannered, the locals will reciprocate and it will only enhance your experience. It’s important to follow dress and behaviour guidelines especially when visiting religious or sacred sites (your tour leader will advise you how best to do this).
  • If a client commits an illegal act the client may be excluded from the tour and Egypt Uncovered shall cease to have responsibility to/for them. No refund will be given for any unused services.

All porters are employed and equipped following guidelines set by the International Porter Protection Group (IPPG).


  20. Follow Us Online

You can stay in touch with us online by following us on Facebook and Twitter. We post updates on relevant travel news in our destination countries, special offers and discounts and other interesting travel related news and information.
www.facebook.com/EgyptUncovered
www.twitter.com/encounterstravl (yes, without the 'e')


  21. Before you travel

It is important when considering and preparing to travel anywhere in the world that you have a good understanding of the country you are visiting, its laws and customs, and the possible risks and situations that may occur. This includes specific risks related to your itinerary (eg. does it involve water & can you swim, are you fit enough for the activities included), as well as more general risks such as terrorism and natural disasters.

General details and links to more information about health risks, visa requirements, money, and travel insurance are given in these tour notes. We recommend that you re-read all these before your departure as well as the small print of your travel insurance policy so you know exactly what is covered and what is not.

You should take copies of your important travel documents with you and ideally also store them online securely as a backup. Make sure that you have given us your emergency contact details and told that person where and when you are travelling. Ensure you take enough money with you and that you have access to emergency funds.

Finally, you should read through and stay updated with the current official government travel advice for your destination. We are registered partners with the UK Foreign Office's 'Travel Aware' campaign which provides further useful and invaluable information.

'Travel Aware' campaign

Reviews

feefo Logo
Tripadvisor Logo

Biblical Israel & Country Reviews

{