• Eat Peter’s Fish from the Sea of Galilee
• The opportunity to be baptized in the Jordan River
• Spend a day in Jerusalem and pray at the Western Wall
• Visit the birthplace of Our Lord Jesus Christ-the town of Bethlehem Swim in the Dead Sea

Have a truly spiritual experience with Apostle Nick Magola: every evening in Israel will end with a teaching with the Apostle. Some of the teachings to expect are:

• Israel the Glory of All Lands
• How the Church is connected to Israel
• The Importance of Praying for Israel

Safety

Safety tends to be one of the first questions/concerns for travelers to Israel. At the end of a tour, ironically, many of our tourists have commented how they felt much safer while on the tour, being in Israel, than they did in their own home country.

Israel and the Middle East tend to draw the media in for many different reasons. Many while here realize first-hand how the media poorly portrays what life really looks like here. Tourism is one of Israel’s top industries, both for Arabs and Jews. Millions are still coming every year to visit the Holy Land.

Royal Israel Tours would never encourage tourists to come if we felt they would be in the slightest bit of danger.

Emergency Numbers in Israel

• Police: Dial 100
• Ambulance: Dial 101
• Fire department: Dial 102

Travel insurance is highly recommended for medical coverage, baggage, and trip cancellation. RIT has recommendations available upon request.

Special meals, for health reasons, may be available upon request.

Medications should be packed in carry-ons. Most basic over the counter medications can be purchased in country, but we recommend you bring your own, if you anticipate needing them.

The tours require quite a bit of walking, so we recommend you check with your doctor for good physical health and try to exercise regularly before coming. Most of the sites along the tour will be handicap accessible, however some are not. We will always do our best to accommodate for those in need.

Water- the tap water is safe to drink in Israel.

Bring clothes you do not mind getting dusty/dirty.
For visits to religious sites and areas, we recommend that you bring a little more modest clothing. This means skirts or pants that reach below the knee for women (a skirt that can be easily worn over clothes is a great solution), and shirts covering shoulders for both men and women (a light scarf is another great idea for women to throw over their shoulders). For men there are some sites where you must wear pants for modesty.
Comfortable and good shoes for walking/hiking. You may want closed water shoes for Hezekiah’s Water Tunnels and possibly the Dead Sea.
Light jacket as it can be cool in the mornings and evenings during the spring, summer, and fall. In the winter time you will need a heavy jacket/coat and warm clothes and possibly appropriate rain gear/clothing.

• Bible
• Swimsuit
• Face Mask
• Hand Sanitiser
• Notebook/pen
• Camera
• Sunscreen
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Toiletries
• Adapter/converter
• Travel alarm clock

Cell Phone usage

There are places to buy pre-paid phone cards in Israel, or you may check with your cell phone provider before coming for international plans.
It is advised to set your phone to “airplane mode,” when leaving your country until the time you arrive back in your country so you will not receive any unexpected charges on your phone while abroad. You have the option to set your phone on “wifi” while still on airplane mode in Israel, and can use the wifi on most buses, in most restaurants, and in the hotels.

Israel uses 220 volts AC, single phase, 50 Hertz. Most of the hotels have hair dryers and 110/220 electric shaver sockets (will take shavers from either voltage). More of the expensive appliances such as cell phones, computers, IPads, and cameras only require a small adapter, while other small appliances such as flat irons, hair dryers, etc… will require a converter.

For more information please see https://www.iaa.gov.il/en/airports/ben-gurion/notifications-and-updates-during-covid-19/

Currency Exchange

Please check the link http://www.xe.com for the updated conversion rate to Israel’s NIS (New Israeli Shekel) currency. If bringing cash to exchange into NIS it is best to bring large bills. Most shops and restaurants accept USD, and you may want to bring small bills for this. There are ATMs, but it’s not always convenient to find one depending where you are on the tour each day. You should notify your bank before traveling that you will be abroad so your card will not be blocked.

Suggested Amount for Tips

If the tips are not included in the cost of your tour, the following are suggested tips for the guide and driver:

• For a guide driving a private vehicle up to 3 people- $70 per day total
• For a guide driving a van between 5-9 people $125 per day total
• For a group of 10-19 people- $10 per person/per day for the guide and $5 for the driver
• For groups of 20+ people- $8 per person/per day for the guide and $4 for the driver

Passport Control: You can inform the immigration officer when asked, that you are coming for a tour of Israel. You may need to give them Royal Israel Tours’ name. You will  receive your tourist visa in the form of a small card. please be sure to keep it tucked  away in your passport throughout your entire time in Israel.

Proceed to collect your bags in the baggage claim and exit to the Arrivals Hall where a representative with Royal Israel Tours will be waiting with a designated   sign (if beginning your tour with Royal Israel Tours at the airport).

For any other information about Ben Gurion International Airport see https://www.iaa.gov.il/en/airports/ben-gurion/notifications-and-updates-during-covid-19/

Upon entering Israel, you must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months from the date of your arrival. We recommend that you keep a photocopy of your passport in your purse or wallet.

A visa is not required for South African and US citizens traveling to Israel. You will receive a 90 day tourist visa (FREE) at the Israel airport.

Citizens of other countries must check your government travel websites for requirements. Please email us at info@theroyalisraeltours.com if you need assistance with your visa application.

For more information on visas please visit the Israel Consular Services here.

List of Countries with visa exemption

For baggage allowance please check with your airline carrier for how many bags you’re allowed to bring, and size and weight restrictions.

Most airlines allow only 1 checked and 1 carry on.

Because the tour will consist of multiple hotels and carrying bags on and off of buses, into hotels, etc… we recommend only bringing 1 checked and 1 carry on bag on as well.

Be prepared for security checks for all of your luggage at the airport.

Since luggage could be misplaced, or delayed by airlines it is recommended to pack essential items of clothing and hygiene for 1-2 days in your carry on. It is also a good idea to pack some light snacks for the plane ride, although some will be provided on board.

The food is usually one of the top things that tourists enjoy about Israel. You will want to be sure to try the hummus, falafels, shawarmas, and the fresh pita of course.

Hebrew is the main language of Israel, however English and Arabic are also widely spoken. Most places throughout the country, including the airport and major roads, all have signs written in all 3 languages. It is very easy to communicate with people in English as the majority speak it in Israel, even if as a second language.

Although, many people are happy to speak to you in English, in the country, it can really bring a smile to their faces when they hear foreigners trying to speak their language.

Provided below are some helpful phrases in Hebrew should you want to give it a try!

Arabic is the second most spoken native language in Israel.

Provided below are some helpful phrases in Arabic should you want to give it a try!

!!! Please contact us before booking your international travel arrangements for expected arrival and departure times. The whole tour group leaves the airport at the same time and returns to the airport at the same time.

For 2022 trip pricing information email info@theroyalisraeltours.com

Trip pricing includes land travel, hotel stays, breakfast, dinner and site admission fees. Traveler is expected to arrange their own international travel to Israel.

If you would prefer that we organize you international travel please contact us. Travel prices may vary due to the time of the year of the trip, the time one is expected to arrive and depart out of Israel and changing exchange rates with Israel. Email info@theroyalisraeltours.com for booking arrangements. Please see “Flight Information” below to let us know which city you intend to fly out of the country from.

2020 and 2021 Trips postponed due to the Coronavirus. Past 2019 Trip was May 20-May 29 , 2019. November 17-November 27, 2019.

El Al
Our preferred travel carrier is the national Israeli airline-El Al.

TRAVEL FROM THE USA

El Al flies out of the five following major cities in the U.S. If you would like us to make your travel arrangements for you, please contact Lisa@theroyalisraeltours.com

• New York
• Newark
• Boston
• Miami
• Los Angeles

In the stated travel price, hotel rooms are two-people shared rooms. If you would like to request a private room please inform us when you email us at info@theroyalisraeltours.com to obtain the pricing for a private room. All our hotel stays are at four-star hotels in Israel.