Compare Immersive Israel by Culture Trip vs 16 Day Israel, From Sea to Sea by Gate 1 Travel
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Trip |
5 | Excellent
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3.5 | Average
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Duration | 7 days | 16 days |
Price From | $ 2,709 | $ 6,429 |
Price Per Day | $ 387 | $ 402 |
Highlights |
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Trip Style | Group tour | Small group tour |
Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
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Travel Themes |
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Countries Visited | ||
Cities and Attractions |
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Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
Activities |
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N/A |
Meals Included | Six breakfasts, one lunch, four dinners | N/A |
Description | Take a deep dive into the culture, religion and conflict that make up the fabric of this region on this immersive seven-day trip. See Jerusalem from the perspective of two locals, one Arab and one Jewish, and visit Mount Zion. You’ll also have the opportunity to cycle through the Tel Aviv markets; float across the Dead Sea on a boat trip; and whip up a Middle Eastern feast in a family home in Bethlehem. You’re guaranteed to see an authentic side to this complex, fascinating destination. This trip has been designed to help you explore this beautiful but politically turbulent region. We'll provide a balanced view of the Israel-Palestine conflict, focused on enriching your understanding of the area. |
4 Jerusalem, 1 Dead Sea, 2 Eilat, 2 Sde Boker, 2 Haifa, 1 Galilee Region, 2 Tel Aviv |
DAY 1
Arrive in Jerusalem, followed by an evening craft beer tasting
Touch down in Ben Gurion Airport – or if you’ve been on our Beyond Petra: Discovering Jordan’s Rugged Side trip, you’ll be collected from the border. Check in to your hotel in Jerusalem. Here you’ll meet our Local Insider who will accompany the group throughout the trip. At 5pm, get to know your fellow travellers over a glass of wine. Next, head out for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Finish the evening in the Machane Yehuda Market for craft beer tasting at Beer Bazaar, a cool hangout that stocks more than 100 bottled Israeli microbrews.
ACCOMMODATION
- Harmony Hotel
ACTIVITIES INCLUDED
- Welcome dinner with beer tasting
DAY 2
Explore the holiest sites in Jerusalem
Today, you’ll take a deep dive into the Jewish, Christian and Muslim holy sites in the Old City with two locals, one Arab and one Jewish. Early birds can join an optional prayer service in the Holy Sepulchre. Regroup at the Mount of Olives, where you'll start the tour at the gold-topped Islamic shrine, the Dome of the Rock, and al-Aqsa Mosque, before an optional Western Wall tunnel tour. After lunch, walk part of the Via Dolorosa, the crucifixion route Jesus took, towards the ancient Holy Sepulchre and end the day on top of the Old City ramparts.
ACCOMMODATION
- Harmony Hotel
ACTIVITIES INCLUDED
- Old City tour with two locals
- Old City ramparts tour
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
- Holy Sepulchre morning prayer service
- Western Wall tunnel tour
DAY 3
Tour of Mount Zion and home-cooked meal with a local family
In the morning, you can choose to visit Yad Vashem, a Holocaust memorial museum on the slopes of the Mount of Remembrance, or take the opportunity for some free time. Lunch will be street-food bites at Machane Yehuda before a trip to Mount Zion. A representative from the Jewish Intercultural Centre (JICC) will take you on a tour of the multi-faith sites and discuss this hotly contested land. Dinner is a traditional home-cooked meal hosted by a local family.
ACCOMMODATION
- Harmony Hotel
ACTIVITIES INCLUDED
- Machane Yehuda Market tour
- Mount Zion visit with JICC representative
- Home-cooked dinner with local family
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
- East to West Jerusalem food tour
- Meet religious leader at Mount Zion
- Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial museum visit
DAY 4
Step inside the Nativity Church in Bethlehem, followed by a cooking class
Leaving Jerusalem behind, you’ll be driven 25 minutes to Bethlehem, stopping at the Tent of Nations, an educational farm in the West Bank. Meet local Palestinian Christians here and learn how they turned their land into a reconciliation space. In Bethlehem, visit the Nativity Church and Manger Square. Next, see the colourful, politically charged graffiti on the Separation Wall. End the day with a visit to Banksy’s museum (aka the Walled Off Hotel) and a leisurely cooking class with a local family. Return to Jerusalem for a final night at the hotel.
ACCOMMODATION
- Harmony Hotel
ACTIVITIES INCLUDED
- Tent of Nations visit
- Nativity Church and Manger Square visit
- Bethlehem Old City tour
- Separation Wall and Banksy museum visit
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
- Bethlehem cooking class
- Meet with peace-focused NGO
- Cross West Bank checkpoint on foot
DAY 5
Climb Masada and take a Dead Sea boat cruise
After breakfast, you’ll be whisked away to the ancient fortress of Masada, in southern Israel. Built by Herod I, it sits on an isolated rock plateau overlooking the Dead Sea. You’ll have the option to hike to the top via the popular Snake Path trail. From here, enjoy a private boat ride on the Dead Sea. If time permits, take a tour of a kibbutz and visit a goat or date farm. Tonight, you’ll sleep in a lush desert oasis in the Kana`im Valley.
ACCOMMODATION
- Kfar Hanokdim
ACTIVITIES INCLUDED
- Masada visit
- Dead Sea private boat cruise
- Bedouin dinner
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
- Hike up Masada
- Local kibbutz tour
- Goat or date farm visit
DAY 6
Discover Tel Aviv by bicycle – from food to tech startups
Ready to swap dunes for the glassy tower blocks of Tel Aviv? Today, you’ll visit the Yitzhak Rabin Center, a library and museum built in memory of the assassinated prime minister. Learn about Rabin’s life, peace processes and wars. Next, hop on a bike for a two-wheel foodie tour of the vibrant Carmel Market, trendy Levinsky Market and the Jaffa Flea Market passing historical sights (such as Independence Hall) as you pedal. You can also visit the Center for Israeli Innovation, and discover more about Israeli tech startups. Digest the week over a farewell dinner with new friends.
ACCOMMODATION
- Center Chic
ACTIVITIES INCLUDED
- Yitzhak Rabin Center visit
- Tel Aviv bicycle tour
- Independence Hall and Jaffa visit
- Farewell dinner
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
- South Tel Aviv refugee encounter
- Center for Israeli Innovation visit
DAY 7
Depart from Tel Aviv
After a lazy breakfast, it’s time to wave goodbye to the group and make your way to the airport by 8am. Alternatively, stay on and extend your trip in Israel. There’s always the south to discover next.
DAY 1, Tuesday - Depart for Israel
DAY 2, Wednesday - Arrive in Tel Aviv and Transfer to Jerusalem
DAY 3, Thursday - City of David, Jewish Quarter, Western Wall Tunnel
DAY 4, Friday - Israel Museum, Yad Vashem, Home Hosted Shabbat Dinner
DAY 5, Saturday - Mt. Scopus Observatory, Mt. Zion, Christian Quarter
DAY 6, Sunday - Ein Gedi, Masada Fortress, Dead Sea
DAY 7, Monday - Agriculture in Arava Desert, Kibbutz Ktura, Timna Park
DAY 8, Tuesday - Day in Eilat
DAY 9, Wednesday - Neot Smadar, Ramon Crater Jeep Tour
DAY 10, Thursday - Ben-Gurion Cottage, Carmey Avdat Winery, Bedouin Experience
DAY 11, Friday - Ashalim Solar Power Station, Zichron Ya'akov, Haifa
DAY 12, Saturday - Acre, Rosh Hanikra, Mi'ilya
DAY 13, Sunday - Safed, Golan Heights, Mt. Bental, Katzrin
DAY 14, Monday - Zippori, Home Hosted Lunch, Caesarea
DAY 15, Tuesday - Tel Aviv, Carmel Market, Jaffa, Farewell Dinner
DAY 16, Wednesday - Depart Israel Due to local events, holidays and site openings, the order of sightseeing may be changed. Details to be provided locally by Tour Manager. |