General
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All participants must be at least 18 years old at the time of travel. Our tours are uniquely physically demanding and tend to be better suited for those age 65 and under. Days tend to be fast-paced with a higher level of activity than most tours of Israel. Only you know your health limitations. For more info, see the Mobility section below.
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Tours include an opportunity for baptism in the Jordan River. Participants must bring clothing (such as shorts, t-shirt, undergarments, etc.) to wear under the baptism robe provided.
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Tours range from $6,500-$8,000 per person (based on double occupancy rooms) including ground transportation, hotels, most meals, site entry fees, and Biblical teaching. NOT INCLUDED: personal airfare, 1-2 meals, and personal spending.
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When traveling in Israel, be mindful of local customs and traditions to ensure a respectful and rewarding experience for everyone. Please remember to dress modestly when visiting religious sites (both men and women must cover shoulders and knees) and be aware that many businesses and public services observe the Sabbath, closing from Friday afternoon until Saturday evening. Tour guides will provide specific, on-the-ground advice throughout the tour.
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If you are a US Passport holder, a visa is not required, but you will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). It costs about $7 and can be secured after tour registration. For non-US passport holders, please consult your country’s embassy for entry requirements.
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For the comfort and well-being of attendees who may have allergies or sensitivities, we kindly ask that you help us create a fragrance-free environment by avoiding the use of strong colognes, perfumes, fabric softeners/sheets, body sprays, or scented lotions during the tour. Thank you for your consideration.
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On most days, our tour spans the time from breakfast until late afternoon, and we offer optional events on a few nights. In general, evenings are open to relax, refresh, or explore. We may have the possibility of free time during one day in Jerusalem. No solo outings, please.
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Interested in future tours or updates? Join the Israelux mailing list by completing the Interest Form for that trip. This is your one-stop for all updates and news about Israelux. You can also follow us on Instagram.
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Please ensure you have proper international health insurance coverage while visiting Israel. Should you need anything, the Israelux team will help you determine the best course of action to get the medical care needed.
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We want you to fully enjoy your experience without being weighed down, while also ensuring our group is able to move at a steady, unified pace. On previous tours, many photographers found their professional cameras to be a struggle; they found modern smartphones (iPhone 10 or higher) more than sufficient for all their photography/videography needs.
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Our tours are active and require a moderate level of physical fitness. Activities for this tour require you to be able to climb stairs without assistance, walk at a modest pace for a few miles a day on uneven and/or steep terrain (much of which will include stairs, hills, inclines, and uneven surfaces) and transport your own luggage. Please note: many international sites and facilities, as well as tour buses, do not have available accommodations for persons with mobility limitations (wheelchair, walker, cane, etc.). Prepare by walking 3+ miles per day in the weeks prior to your departure.
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If the Ministry of Tourism cancels our tour, Gates to Israel (our Israeli tour partner) can offer you a full refund OR you can apply the payment toward a future tour with Israelux. Because Israelux tours are Land Only (where you book your own flights separately), airfare refunds will be at the discretion of your airline. We strongly recommend you consider purchasing trip insurance.
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Israelux prioritizes the safety of our travelers. We receive regular updates from our in-country partner, Gates to Israel. Tours will not be allowed to proceed if the Ministry of Tourism reports safety concerns. Please note: "flare-ups" are a regular occurrence in Israel / the Middle East. Israelux will continue with our tour as planned unless an official safety concern is reported by the Ministry of Tourism.
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TLC plans to attend our Spring and Fall tours, alongside other members of the Israelux Team. For our (smaller) Summer tours, the tours will be run by the Israelux Team without TLC in attendance.
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Please bring an envelope with $200 cash for tips (in any denominations), marked with your name on the outside. Moshe will collect your envelope upon arrival. You will need additional spending money for souvenirs, one lunch, and any other purchases you make. Most places accept credit cards, but we recommend having $30-$50 in small bills for incidental shop purchases.
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We aim to operate 2-3 annual tours—Spring, Summer, and Fall.
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Our Spring/Fall tours consist of 3-4 buses of 48 people each, which totals fewer than 200 people. Our Summer tours consist of 1 bus of 48 people. Each bus has an Israelux Team member and its own local tour guide.
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Packing
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We recommend comfortable layers (for variable flight temperatures) and compression socks for flights (to prevent swelling).
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To help you feel comfortable and respectful throughout the tour, here are a few friendly packing tips:
— Fabric: Breathable fabrics like cotton and linen are optimal. Layerable options are a bonus!
— Goal: Our aim is to be respectful of local culture, so it’s always best to err on the side of caution.
— Jeans: We don’t recommend jeans for travel or tour days, but some pack jeans for evenings.
— Leggings: These are only appropriate when worn under a long tunic top.
— Modesty: Everyone must cover shoulders/knees at many sites. A scarf serves as a good wrap.
— Water Shoes: We highly recommend these for the Jordan River (baptism), the Dead Sea (floating), and the Sea of Galilee (swimming) to protect your feet from slippery ground, salt, and rocks. Tevas or Chaco-type sandals also work well. -
If you’re particularly sensitive or prone to bites, err on the side of caution.
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Please familiarize yourself with this information:
— Adapter: This small device merely changes the type of outlet input, not the voltage. Great for use with phones and small appliances.
— Converter: This bulkier device aims to convert more substantial device outputs for the Israeli power grid. We do not recommend bringing/using converters (or items that need them). Standard US appliances (like hair dryers, flat irons, curling irons, etc.) often do not work well with converters due to high energy pull. If you need a reliable appliance daily, you will likely need one with Israel/Euro plug and voltage (220v). Many hotels provide hair dryers in the rooms or for checkout at the front desk. You can also purchase appliances with Israeli/Euro voltage (220v) online.
— Power/Voltage: Israel uses a 220v system. -
Laundry will not be available. Please pack accordingly.
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Please check with your airline for size and weight requirements. As with most airlines, we ask that you limit your luggage to one CHECKED bag and two CARRY-ON pieces (one traditional carry-on + one personal item like a purse/backpack). If you need to bring more for medical purposes, please communicate with the Israelux team. NOTE: Be mindful (for your return flights) that most international airports weigh carry-ons as well as checked bags. Carry-on weight limits are often in the range of 15-26 pounds. Check with your airline about international guidelines.
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Even if rain is not in the forecast, it is always a possibility. We recommend bringing light rain gear (raincoat, umbrella, and waterproof shoes) in the event of all-day walking in the rain. We'll give a weather update each evening of the tour, so you can dress accordingly.
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Most standard toiletries are available at our hotels. If you have specific preferences, bring your favorites from home in travel size bottles; remember to store them in a ziplock bag to prevent leaks during travel.
Hotels
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We will be staying in high-quality hotels that provide a full range of standard accommodations and amenities, ensuring a comfortable and relaxing stay throughout the tour.
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Gym access varies by hotel. Please consult the list of hotels on your tour-specific itinerary and visit their websites for detailed information. Additionally, please be mindful that some gyms and pools have separate hours for men and women and may be closed on the Sabbath (Shabbat), which is from Friday at sundown to Saturday at sundown.
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Hotels will provide clean linens, including beach towels. Hotels often provide hair dryers and irons in each room or offer them for checkout at the front desk.
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Israelux tour pricing is based on double occupancy in hotel rooms. We are happy to try and pair you with a roommate, though we cannot guarantee it. Please note the following info:
— Single Occupancy: Traveling solo or prefer a guaranteed private room? A Single Occupancy additional fee (typically $1,900 - $2,100 total) will apply. This fee is also required if a requested roommate cannot be confirmed or if your confirmed roommate cancels for any reason.
— A Note on Rooming: The term "single" refers to one person per room, not marital status. Due to the nature of our tours, we respectfully request that unmarried couples plan to room separately. We are happy to seek roommates for both parties in order to help avoid the additional fees. Note: If it comes to our attention at any point that unmarried couples are signed up as roommates, we will aim to adjust the rooming situation as described above, in which case a single room supplement fee may be required from both individuals.
Cuisine
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Get ready for delicious, fresh Mediterranean cuisine! You'll find a lot of variety at hotel buffets for breakfast and dinner, and our family-style lunches at local spots won't disappoint. If you have food allergies (gluten/dairy free, don't eat fish, etc.), please notify your tour guide upon arrival so they can point out suitable options. We've rarely encountered anyone who can't find something they enjoy, but feel free to bring your favorite snacks to supplement.
Transportation
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Israelux is a Land-Only tour. Flights are not included and are a personal expense. We will give an arrival window and departure window for booking your flights.
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To ensure a free airport transfer, please book your flights within the arrival and departure windows we provide. If you need to book outside those times, Israelux/Moshe can help arrange assistance at an extra cost.