Itinerary
FINAL ITINERARIES MAY VARY ONLY SLIGHTLY AND WILL BE RE-CONFIRMED ABOUT TWO MONTHS PRIOR. VIEW PROJECTED HOTELS WE ARE OFFERING.
JUNE, JULY & AUGUST TOURS
Summers in Israel tend to be hot, and our itinerary features more opportunities for swimming, a hands-on archeological dig, rafting on the Jordan River, and more time in the Galilee.
DAY 1 > THURSDAY | Baruch HaBah – Welcome to Israel!
NOTE: To best acclimate for the journey ahead, travelers are encouraged to arrive at least a day early. Group rates are available at the Jerusalem hotel.
- Arrive at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport on your self-booked flight
An airport VIP greeting and transfer to our Jerusalem hotel is included for travelers arriving between 6:00am-4:20pm today and between 6:00am-5:35pm the day before - A complimentary “pre-tour” is available for travelers already in Israel from the night before or travelers arriving to Ben Gurion Airport by 9:30am today
Notify us at least a month in advance if you plan to participate- Pick-up at 12:00pm from our Jerusalem hotel and enter the bustling open-air Mahane Yehuda Marketplace for lunch on own
- Discover the foundations of Jerusalem at the City of David archaeological park and navigate the Hezekiah water tunnel, fed by a natural spring (pack water shoes, and prepare to get wet!)
- Evening: Get oriented over a welcome dinner at Joy Restaurant in the Mamilla Complex followed by the Tower of David Night Spectacular in the Old City
JERUSALEM
DINNER
DAY 2 > FRIDAY | The Old City of Jerusalem
- Experience a panoramic introduction to Jerusalem from the Haas Promenade
- Enter the Old City via Zion Gate – Explore the rooftops, alleys, and squares of the Jewish Quarter
- Free time for shopping and lunch in the Cardo area of the Jewish Quarter
- Reflections at the Kotel – The Western Wall — and go deep under the Old City for a tour of the Kotel Tunnels
- Return to our hotel – Freshen up and experience the quiet that descends on Jerusalem as Shabbat approaches
- Option to experience Kabbalat Shabbat at a local synagogue or at the Western Wall
- Evening: Enjoy a festive Shabbat dinner as a group at our hotel
JERUSALEM
BREAKFAST & DINNER
DAY 3 > SATURDAY | Shabbat in Jerusalem
All touring today is on foot
- Morning Option: Return to the Old City for a tour of the Christian Quarter and Arab Shuk (bazaar)
- Shabbat lunch is included at our hotel
- Afternoon Option: Jerusalem Beyond the Walls – Montefiore’s Windmill, Yemin Moshe, and the Jerusalem First Station Market
- Evening: Discover Jerusalem nightlife at Ben Yehuda Pedestrian Mall (on own)
JERUSALEM
BREAKFAST & LUNCH
DAY 4 > SUNDAY | Loss & Renewal in Israel
- Docent-led tour of the Yad Vashem World Holocaust Remembrance Center
Children’s alternative: Tour of the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo - Depart Jerusalem and travel to Beit Guvrin National Park where we will pick up new skills on the Dig-for-a-Day archaeological workshop (a packed lunch is provided today)
Less active alternative: Tour of Tel Maresha and the Bell Caves - Travel deep into the Judean Desert for a camel riding adventure and a memorable desert tent dinner feast at Kfar Hanokdim
- Descend to the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth, and check in to our hotel at Ein Bokek Beach
DEAD SEA
BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER
DAY 5 > MONDAY | Adventures in the Judean Desert
- Rise early and summit Masada – Hike the Snake Path or take the cable cars
- Explore and recount the story of Masada – Herod’s desert mountaintop fortress and the bastion of an ancient Jewish rebellion
- Descend Masada via the cable cars and return to our accommodations
- Return to our hotel – discover the wonder of effortless floating on the Dead Sea, 1412 feet below sea level
- Take a short nature walk to the Ein Gedi desert oasis – view wild ibex in their habitat (time permitting)
- Travel north to the Galilee via the Jordan River Valley along the vast Syrian-African Rift
- Check-in and dinner at our hotel accommodations located by the Sea of Galilee
GALILEE
BREAKFAST & DINNER
DAY 6 > TUESDAY | Mystics in the Galilee
- Walking tour of ancient Tsfat – The historic center of Jewish mysticism in the Galilee highlands
- Explore the Tsfat artists’ colony and meet with a local Kabbalistic artist
- Cool off with relaxed rafting down the upper Jordan River
Less active alternative: Tel Dan archaeological complex - View across Israel’s lush Upper Galilee and Golan regions from the Mitzpe Liran lookout
- Return to our accommodations where dinner is included
GALILEE
BREAKFAST & DINNER
DAY 7 > WEDNESDAY | Perspectives from the Golan Heights
- Ascend the Golan Heights, and explore this strategic region on a historical and geo-political off-road jeep trek
- View Israel’s neighbors and navigate former IDF bunkers at the summit of Mount Ben-Tal, a dormant volcano in the northeast corner of the Golan
- Travel to Ein Kinya village to learn about Druze culture over a traditional lunch
- Afternoon: Relax at our hotel with pool time (all hotels) and Sea of Galilee beach access (select hotels)
Travelers celebrating a B’nai Mitzvah have the option to take part in a brief outdoor ceremony in the Galilee - Evening: Cruise on the Sea of Galilee followed by dinner on your own along the Tiberias waterfront
GALILEE
BREAKFAST & LUNCH
DAY 8 > THURSDAY | The Western Galilee
- Depart the Sea of Galilee region and travel to the Western Galilee
- Descend into the ocean-swept caves of Rosh Hanikrah on Israel’s far northern border
- Lunch is served at the Rosh Hanikrah restaurant overlooking Israel’s rugged coast
- Continue to Haifa for a view of the Bahai Temple Gardens on the slopes of Mount Carmel
- Caesarea – Discover Herod’s Roman amphitheater and grand palace on the beach
- Arrive to Tel Aviv, Israel’s cultural and commercial capital, in the early evening
- 8-day tour travelers booked on overnight flights this evening are offered a transfer to Ben Gurion Airport departing Tel Aviv at ~7:15pm and arriving to the airport at ~8:00pm
Accommodations in Tel Aviv are not included tonight for 8-day travelers unless otherwise requested - 10-day tour travelers check in to our hotel on the coast and enjoy a free evening with dinner on own
- 8-day tour travelers booked on overnight flights this evening are offered a transfer to Ben Gurion Airport departing Tel Aviv at ~7:15pm and arriving to the airport at ~8:00pm
TEL AVIV
BREAKFAST & LUNCH
DAY 9 > FRIDAY | Founding of Modern Israel
- Morning: Visit the Ayalon Institute (“the Bullet Factory”) – Learn about the story of the Haganah and its quest to create a modern Jewish State at this secret ammunition factory
- Return to the Tel Aviv – Tour the ancient Jaffa port and browse the Jaffa Flea Market
- Spend the rest of the afternoon celebrating the spirit of Tel Aviv at Nahalat Binyamin street festival, the Carmel Market, the trendy Rothschild Boulevard, and Independence Hall where the modern State of Israel was founded (re-opening in 2024-25)
- Program wrap-up and farewells on the beach followed by the option to attend a Kabbalat Shabbat service on the beach (summer only) or at a local synagogue
- Evening: Enjoy a festive Shabbat dinner experience as a group at our hotel
TEL AVIV
BREAKFAST & DINNER
DAY 10 > SATURDAY | Shabbat on the Beach
All touring today is on foot
- Relaxed morning to explore Tel Aviv on your own and its Mediterranean beach culture
- Shabbat lunch is included at our hotel this afternoon
- Walking Tour – Rabin Square Memorial, HaBimah Theater (grounds), and the classic “White City” Bauhaus architecture of Tel Aviv
- Late afternoon/early evening transfer options:
- 10-day tour travelers booked on overnight flights this evening are offered a transfer to Ben Gurion Airport departing Tel Aviv at ~7:15pm and arriving to the airport at ~8:00pm
Accommodations in Tel Aviv are not included tonight for 10-day travelers unless otherwise requested - 12-day tour travelers are transferred to Ben Gurion Airport for a late afternoon/early evening flight to Eilat (see below)
- 10-day tour travelers booked on overnight flights this evening are offered a transfer to Ben Gurion Airport departing Tel Aviv at ~7:15pm and arriving to the airport at ~8:00pm
BREAKFAST & LUNCH
EILAT EXTENSION | DAYS 11-12
Conclude your travels at the Red Sea resort city of Eilat – with the option to visit Petra, Jordan’s wonder of the world. The package includes two nights at a resort hotel with breakfast daily, round-trip domestic flights, and all airport transfers. The Eilat extension is designed as a vacation package and is not guided. The guided day tour of Petra in Jordan costs an additional $219 per person and is designed for active travelers. It includes round-trip transfers, entrance fees, and lunch (not kosher). It excludes border crossing fee of $65 to be paid via credit card on the Israeli side and a visa fee of $60 to be paid in cash on the Jordanian side. Government fees are subject to change.
DAY 10 > SATURDAY | Flight to Eilat
For morning & afternoon programming – see above
- Board a domestic flight to Eilat from Ben Gurion Airport
- Arrive at Ramon Airport and transfer to our resort accommodations on the Red Sea
- Check-in to our hotel and dinner on your own along the Red Sea
EILAT
BREAKFAST & LUNCH
DAY 11 > SUNDAY | Optional Petra Day Tour
- Option #1 | Guided day tour of Petra in Jordan
7:30am pick-up at our hotel; lunch is included (not kosher) - Option #2 | Relaxed day to enjoy Eilat and the Red Sea on your own
EILAT
BREAKFAST & LUNCH (Petra Day Tour)
DAY 12 > MONDAY | Red Sea Relaxation
- Relaxed day to enjoy Eilat and the Red Sea
Check-out is at 11:00am, however, guests will retain access to hotel facilities all day - Transfer from the hotel to the Ramon Airport for a domestic flight to Ben Gurion Airport (see below)
Accommodations are not included tonight unless otherwise requested
BREAKFAST
EILAT FLIGHT LOGISTICS
The Eilat (Days #11-12) begins with a 50-minute domestic flight from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport on Saturday (Day #10) that we will book on your behalf and arrange for your airport transfer. Most flights will depart in the late afternoon and early evening and are not appropriate for Shabbat-observant travelers.
The Eilat Extension ends with a return domestic flight on Monday. If you are departing from Israel immediately after the Eilat Extension, we encourage you to book an international flight that departs Ben Gurion Airport between 11:00pm (Monday) and 1:00am the next day (Tuesday).
Unless otherwise requested by the traveler, your return domestic flight will be selected by our office according to a schedule that will bring you to Ben Gurion Airport’s international terminal 3-5 hours ahead of your scheduled international flight. If no such domestic flight exists we will contact you with alternate options. Domestic flight delays and airport transfer delays are infrequent but can occur. Any such delay resulting in a missed international flight is the responsibility of the traveler alone, and travel insurance is recommended accordingly.
If you are considering an international return flight that departs Ben Gurion Airport before 1:00pm, keep in mind that there are limited or no early morning flights from Eilat to Tel Aviv, and you will almost definitely need to spend the night before at a Tel Aviv hotel or at a hotel near the airport such as Sadot. Ground transportation is not provided by the program in such scenarios.
We can only book your domestic flights after we first receive your connecting travel plans. Since domestic flight availability is limited, we encourage you to send us your post-Eilat travel plans as soon as possible. If you have any questions about coordinating your international flights, please do not hesitate to contact us. Shortly before the start of the program, we will provide you with a logistics plan based on your personal travel arrangements to and from Eilat.
DECEMBER TOURS
Winters in Israel range from cool to mild, and our itinerary features extra time exploring Haifa, additional experiences in Jerusalem, and a ‘safari tour’ in the Hula migratory bird reserve.
DAY 1 > THURSDAY | Baruch HaBah – Welcome to Israel!
NOTE: To best acclimate for the journey ahead, travelers are encouraged to arrive at least a day early. Group rates are available at the Jerusalem hotel.
- Arrive at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport on your self-booked flight
An airport VIP greeting and transfer to our Jerusalem hotel is included for travelers arriving between 6:00am-4:20pm today and between 6:00am-5:35pm the day before - A complimentary “pre-tour” is available for travelers already in Israel from the night before or travelers arriving to Ben Gurion Airport by 9:30am today
Notify us at least a month in advance if you plan to participate- Pick-up at 12:00pm from our Jerusalem hotel and enter the bustling open-air Mahane Yehuda Marketplace for lunch on own
- Discover the foundations of Jerusalem at the City of David archaeological park and navigate the Hezekiah water tunnel, fed by a natural spring (pack water shoes, and prepare to get wet!)
- Evening: Get oriented over a welcome dinner at Joy Restaurant in the Mamilla Complex followed by the Tower of David Night Spectacular in the Old City
JERUSALEM
DINNER
DAY 2 > FRIDAY | The Old City of Jerusalem
- Experience a panoramic introduction to Jerusalem from the Haas Promenade
- Enter the Old City via Zion Gate – Explore the rooftops, alleys, and squares of the Jewish Quarter
- Free time for shopping and lunch in the Cardo area of the Jewish Quarter
- Reflections at the Kotel – The Western Wall — and go deep under the Old City for a tour of the Kotel Tunnels
- Return to our hotel – Freshen up and experience the quiet that descends on Jerusalem as Shabbat approaches
- Option to experience Kabbalat Shabbat at a local synagogue or at the Western Wall
- Evening: Enjoy a festive Shabbat dinner as a group at our hotel
JERUSALEM
BREAKFAST & DINNER
DAY 3 > SATURDAY | Shabbat in Jerusalem
All touring today is on foot
- Morning Option: Return to the Old City for a tour of the Christian Quarter and Arab Shuk (bazaar)
- Shabbat lunch is included at our hotel
- Afternoon Option: Jerusalem Beyond the Walls – Montefiore’s Windmill, Yemin Moshe, and the Jerusalem First Station Market
- Evening: Discover Jerusalem nightlife at Ben Yehuda Pedestrian Mall (on own)
JERUSALEM
BREAKFAST & LUNCH
DAY 4 > SUNDAY | Loss & Renewal in Israel
- Docent-led tour of the Yad Vashem World Holocaust Remembrance Center
Children’s alternative: Tour of the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo - Visit the grounds of the Knesset – Israel’s Parliament Building – and stop for a photo-op at the famous National Menorah (a packed lunch is provided)
- Pick up new skills by taking part in the Tzurim Valley archeological dig
- Travel deep into the Judean Desert for a camel riding adventure and a memorable desert tent dinner feast at Eretz Breisheit
- Descend to the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth, and check in to our hotel at Ein Bokek Beach
DEAD SEA
BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER
DAY 5 > MONDAY | Adventures in the Judean Desert
- Rise early and summit Masada – Hike the Snake Path or take the cable cars
- Explore and recount the story of Masada – Herod’s desert mountaintop fortress and the bastion of an ancient Jewish rebellion
- Descend Masada via the cable cars and return to our accommodations
- Return to our hotel – discover the wonder of effortless floating on the Dead Sea, 1412 feet below sea level
- Take a short nature walk to the Ein Gedi desert oasis – view wild ibex in their habitat (time permitting)
- Travel north to the Galilee via the Jordan River Valley along the vast Syrian-African Rift
- Check-in and dinner at our hotel accommodations located by the Sea of Galilee
GALILEE
BREAKFAST & DINNER
DAY 6 > TUESDAY | Mystics in the Galilee
- Walking tour of ancient Tsfat – The historic center of Jewish mysticism in the Galilee highlands
- Lunch on own and personal exploration time in the Tsfat artists’ colony
- Ascend the Golan and explore the region on a historical off-road jeep trek
- View Israel’s neighbors and navigate former IDF bunkers at the summit of Mount Ben-Tal, a dormant volcano in the northeast corner of the Golan
- Close out the day traveling to the Ein Kinya village to learn about Druze culture on the Golan over a traditional dinner meal
GALILEE
BREAKFAST & DINNER
DAY 7 > WEDNESDAY | Rosh Hanikrah & Acco
- Check out of our Galilee hotel following a relaxed morning and travel to the Mediterranean Coast
- Descend into the ocean-swept caves of Rosh Hanikrah on Israel’s far northern border
- Explore the ancient seaport of Acco, and discover its Crusader-era heritage in the Knight’s Hall and Templar Tunnels – breaking for lunch on your own along the way
- Continue south along the coast to Haifa, Israel’s most diverse city, and check in to our hotel on the slopes of Mount Carmel with dinner included
HAIFA
BREAKFAST & DINNER
DAY 8 > THURSDAY | Along the Mediterranean Coast
- Spend the morning exploring the Bahai Temple Gardens in Haifa
- Caesarea – Discover Herod’s Roman amphitheater and grand palace on the beach
- Lunch is served at Arresto Restaurant in the Caesarea Port
- Continue south for a visit to the Ayalon Institute (“the Bullet Factory”) – Learn about the story of the Haganah and its quest to create a modern Jewish State at this secret ammunition factory
- Arrive to Tel Aviv, Israel’s cultural and commercial capital, in the early evening:
- 8-day tour travelers booked on overnight flights this evening are offered transfer to Ben Gurion Airport departing Tel Aviv at ~7:15pm and arriving to Ben Gurion Airport at ~8:00pm
Accommodations in Tel Aviv are not included tonight for 8-day travelers unless otherwise requested - 10-day tour travelers check in to our hotel on the coast and enjoy a free evening with dinner on own
- 8-day tour travelers booked on overnight flights this evening are offered transfer to Ben Gurion Airport departing Tel Aviv at ~7:15pm and arriving to Ben Gurion Airport at ~8:00pm
TEL AVIV
BREAKFAST & LUNCH
DAY 9 > FRIDAY | Founding of Modern Israel
- Tour the ancient port city of Jaffa and browse the Jaffa Flea Market
- Spend the rest of the afternoon celebrating the spirit of Tel Aviv at Nahalat Binyamin street festival, the Carmel Market, the trendy Rothschild Boulevard, and Independence Hall where the modern State of Israel was founded (re-opening in 2024-25)
- Program wrap-up and farewells on the beach followed by the option to attend a Kabbalat Shabbat service
- Evening: Enjoy a festive Shabbat dinner experience as a group at our hotel
TEL AVIV
BREAKFAST & DINNER
DAY 10 > SATURDAY | Shabbat on the Beach
All touring today is on foot
- Relaxed morning to explore Tel Aviv on your own and its Mediterranean beach culture
- Shabbat lunch is included at our hotel this afternoon
- Walking Tour – Rabin Square Memorial, HaBimah Theater (grounds), and the classic “White City” Bauhaus architecture of Tel Aviv
- Late afternoon/early evening transfer options:
- 10-day tour travelers booked on overnight flights this evening are offered a transfer to Ben Gurion Airport departing Tel Aviv at ~7:15pm and arriving to the airport at ~8:00pm
Accommodations in Tel Aviv are not included tonight for 10-day travelers unless otherwise requested - 12-day tour travelers are transferred to Ben Gurion Airport for a late afternoon/early evening flight to Eilat (see below)
- 10-day tour travelers booked on overnight flights this evening are offered a transfer to Ben Gurion Airport departing Tel Aviv at ~7:15pm and arriving to the airport at ~8:00pm
BREAKFAST & LUNCH
EILAT EXTENSION | DAYS 11-12
Conclude your travels at the Red Sea resort city of Eilat – with the option to visit Petra, Jordan’s wonder of the world. The package includes two nights at a resort hotel with breakfast daily, round-trip domestic flights, and all airport transfers. The Eilat extension is designed as a vacation package and is not guided. The guided day tour of Petra in Jordan costs an additional $219 per person and is designed for active travelers. It includes round-trip transfers, entrance fees, and lunch (not kosher). It excludes border crossing fee of $65 to be paid via credit card on the Israeli side and a visa fee of $60 to be paid in cash on the Jordanian side. Government fees are subject to change.
DAY 10 > SATURDAY | Flight to Eilat
For morning & afternoon programming – see above
- Board a domestic flight to Eilat from Ben Gurion Airport
- Arrive at Ramon Airport and transfer to our resort accommodations on the Red Sea
- Check-in to our hotel and dinner on your own along the Red Sea
EILAT
BREAKFAST & LUNCH
DAY 11 > SUNDAY | Optional Petra Day Tour
- Option #1 | Guided day tour of Petra in Jordan
7:30am pick-up at our hotel; lunch is included (not kosher) - Option #2 | Relaxed day to enjoy Eilat and the Red Sea on your own
EILAT
BREAKFAST & LUNCH (Petra Day Tour)
DAY 12 > MONDAY | Red Sea Relaxation
- Relaxed day to enjoy Eilat and the Red Sea
Check-out is at 11:00am, however, guests will retain access to hotel facilities all day - Transfer from the hotel to the Ramon Airport for a domestic flight to Ben Gurion Airport (see below)
Accommodations are not included tonight unless otherwise requested
BREAKFAST
EILAT FLIGHT LOGISTICS
The Eilat (Days #11-12) begins with a 50-minute domestic flight from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport on Saturday (Day #10) that we will book on your behalf and arrange for your airport transfer. Most flights will depart in the late afternoon and early evening and are not appropriate for Shabbat-observant travelers.
The Eilat Extension ends with a return domestic flight on Monday. If you are departing from Israel immediately after the Eilat Extension, we encourage you to book an international flight that departs Ben Gurion Airport between 11:00pm (Monday) and 1:00am the next day (Tuesday).
Unless otherwise requested by the traveler, your return domestic flight will be selected by our office according to a schedule that will bring you to Ben Gurion Airport’s international terminal 3-5 hours ahead of your scheduled international flight. If no such domestic flight exists we will contact you with alternate options. Domestic flight delays and airport transfer delays are infrequent but can occur. Any such delay resulting in a missed international flight is the responsibility of the traveler alone, and travel insurance is recommended accordingly.
If you are considering an international return flight that departs Ben Gurion Airport before 1:00pm, keep in mind that there are limited or no early morning flights from Eilat to Tel Aviv, and you will almost definitely need to spend the night before at a Tel Aviv hotel or at a hotel near the airport such as Sadot. Ground transportation is not provided by the program in such scenarios.
We can only book your domestic flights after we first receive your connecting travel plans. Since domestic flight availability is limited, we encourage you to send us your post-Eilat travel plans as soon as possible. If you have any questions about coordinating your international flights, please do not hesitate to contact us. Shortly before the start of the program, we will provide you with a logistics plan based on your personal travel arrangements to and from Eilat.
