DAY 1, Arrival to Israel Welcome to Israel! Upon arrival into Ben Gurion International Airport, you are met and assisted by our airport representative and brought to your guide. Proceed to your hotel in
Nahariya for dinner and overnight
DAY 2, From Rosh Ha-Nikra to the Carmel Apx. 50 Km Begin at the Rosh Ha-Nikra border crossing, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Follow the coast through Achziv into Nahariya. Keep following the coastline through the town and head south towards Acre (Akko). From Acre turn inland towards the farm lanes of Kfar Masarik, through the Ein Nimfit nature reserve towards the town of Shefaram. From Shefaram, continue south towards the organic farm Harduf, from there go on the dirt road leading to Nofit. Continue on the road to Rachasim and Kfar Hasidim at the foot of Mt. Carmel. Follow the road into Nesher and climb up the north side of the Mountain.
Over night at the top of the Carmel (Beit Oren, Carmel Forest, Daliat El Carmel, Haifa).
DAY 3, From Mt. Carmel to the source of the Yarkon River. Apx 85 Km Head south on the ridge of the Carmel towards Isfiya and Daliat El Carmel (road # 672). Climb up to the Horn of Mt. Carmel. From there, descend towards Elyakim and Even Yitzhak. Follow the service road to Giv'at Nili and head south to Regavim and Ein Eron to the Border Police Memorial. Take road # 574 south towards road # 581 into the Hefer Valley. Turn into Ometz and follow the back roads through Bat Hefer to road # 57. Follow #57 west until reaching the “Israel Trail”. Follow the dirt road along the “Israel Trail” south; pass the outskirts of the Hefer agricultural communities, around the towns Tira, Kfar Sava and Hod Ha-Sharon reaching the sources of the Yarkon at the Afek Park (Antipatrus).
Over night in the Petah Tikva Youth Hostel
DAY 4, From the source of the Yarkon to Jerusalem. Apx. 75 Km Leave Rosh Ha-Ain following road # 444 to road # 443 towards Ben Shemen. From Ben Shemen, head towards the ancient cities of Lod and Ramle. From Ramle, head east on road # 424 through the Ayalon Valley to Latrun. Follow the old “Burma Road” (dirt road) along the rolling Judean hills to Mesilat Zion. Head to the village of Eshta'ol to road # 395 and start climbing to the hills of Jerusalem. Climb up to Ramat Raziel, towards the Sataf springs, descend to the Sorek valley and enter Jerusalem through Ein Kerem.
Off road option- From Mesilat Zion follow the dirt road through the “Bnei Brith” forest towards Mevaseret Zion and take the road to the Sataf, from there, follow the road to Ein Kerem.
Overnight in Jerusalem. An additional day or two is recommended in order to tour the city.
DAY 5, From the Jerusalem hills to the northern Negev. Apx. 85 Km Leave Jerusalem through Ein Kerem and follow road # 386 climbing to the southern part of the Jerusalem hills to Bar Giora. From Bar Giora, turn east on road # 3866 towards Beit Shemesh. From Beit Shemesh take road # 38 across the Judean plains to Lakhish. Enter the ruins of Lakhish and go south on the dirt road leading into the plains of the northern Negev, to the town of Lahav. From Lahav head east to road # 60 and take it south past Omer into Be'er Sheva, the capital of the Negev.
Over night in Be'er Sheva.
DAY 6, From Be'er Sheva to the Ramon Crater. Apx. 80 Km Follow the desert road # 40 south out of Be'er Sheva. Pass the rolling hills of the Negev, pass the kibbutzim of Mash'abei Sade and Tlalim to Sde Boker, the desert home of David Ben Gurion and the Desert Research Center, of Ben Gurion University. Pass the dry riverbed of the Zin Valley, pass the ancient city of Avdat and climb towards Mitspe Ramon.
Over night at Mitspe Ramon or the Ramon Crater
DAY 7, from the Ramon Crator to the southern Negev. Apx. 85 Km Leave the Crater south on road # 40. Cross the dry riverbeds of the central Negev heading south. Pass the Roman lookout at Pharan and continue south to Tsihor Junction. Continue south along the rolling desert hills, pass the Shitim alternative healing center to Shizafon.
Overnight in Neot Smadar/ Yaelon/ Neve Harif/ Shahrut/ Nahal Shitim.
DAY 8, From Shizafon to the Red Sea. Apx. 75 Km Follow road # 12 southwest across the Sayarim plains. Reach the Israeli- Egyptian border road and continue south. Follow the road up and down Mt. Uziahu, Mt. Hizkiahu, and Mt. Yoram, where you will get a first glimpse of the Red Sea. Follow the road southeast heading down into the city of Eilat
DAY 9, flight home We enjoy our final meal and continue to the airport for our flight home. Returning home with unforgettable memories and new friends that are forever
Optional
Book your Optional Tours before you travel and see more, save time, save money, and protect your investment. Tours purchased while traveling may cost an extra 10% or even more! Tours often sell out - avoid disappointment!. Travel insurance only covers services purchased prior to departure.
This tour is a comprehensive sightseeing, so you do not need to spend money on optional
Know Before You Go
Although most of the planning and preparation is taken care of for you, there are still a few things you should know and some details you should take care of to ensure your comfort, safety and peace of mind. Please review the following information before your departure to ensure that any surprises along the way will only be pleasant ones.
Getting Ready to Go
Trip Preparation
A little pre-planning can make your trip go a lot smoother. Several weeks before your trip, make a list of what you will need to take with you. Make sure your personal documents (passports, visas) are in order and that you have enough prescription medications to last through the trip. We suggest that you make photocopies of passports, visas, and any other important travel documents and pack them separately from the originals. Pack a list of medications including dosage and generic names. If you lose the originals while traveling, you'll have copies for easier reporting and replacement. We recommend that you pack a portable alarm clock.
Health Information
Check with your personal physician for the latest overseas travel health information, or contact the Center for Disease Control’s travelers’
USA hotline at 404-332-4559, web site www.cdc.gov.
Climate & Clothing in Israel
Spring: 60°F-85°F, Summer: 70°F-90°F, Autumn: 60°F-80°F, Winter: 45°F-70°F. Bring comfortable walking shoes, a sweater, clothes you can layer and an all-weather coat. In the heat of summer, bring sunscreen and a hat. Bring a bathing suit for tours visiting the Dead Sea. Some religious sites do not allow shorts or sleeveless shirts.
About Your Flights
Book Your Flight
Book your flights directly with your travel agent or with
www.expedia.com,
www.kayak.com, and begin your tour to Israel.
E-Tickets & Check-In Procedures
Print and carry a copy of the air itinerary which contains the record locator (airline reservation number) and e-ticket number(s). At check-in, be prepared to provide your government issued identification (valid passport) and your e-ticket itinerary/ ticket numbers to the agent in order to receive your boarding pass.
An e-ticket (electronic ticket) represents the purchase of an airline seat. This form of ticket has replaced almost all formerly provided paper tickets. The e-ticket exists only as a digital record in the airlines computers. In most cases your reservation will be confirmed solely on the basis of your government-issued identification. However it may still be necessary to present the e-ticket itinerary which contains your specific reservation code and ticket number(s). Once confirmed, your luggage will be checked-in and a boarding pass provided.
Advance online check-in is available on some airlines. If available, you may enter your airline confirmation number at the airline's website, and print the boarding pass on your home printer within twenty-four hours of departure. Airlines without advance online check-in require you to present your identification and e-ticket numbers at the airport self-service kiosk or check-in counter.
When e-tickets cannot be issued, you will receive paper tickets.
Airline Flights
Please check in at least three hours prior to the scheduled departure time to allow for security steps. Passengers connecting from another point within the USA may check their luggage through to their final destination, and although problems with lost luggage have been minimal, it is a possibility. Certain carriers do not allow baggage “interlining” and luggage must be checked separately for each flight. If you are connecting from a domestic flight which is delayed for any reason, causing you to miss your international flight, you must ask the airline for assistance in getting you to your destination. Since all airline tickets are issued on special fares which carry restrictions and penalties if changed, you must have the airlines responsible make alternate arrangements on your behalf. Do not leave the airline check-in desk until an alternative itinerary has been confirmed for you.
Flight schedule changes are common and may occur anytime until departure. Therefore it is the responsibility of each passenger to reconfirm their flights 72 hours prior to departure for all flights.
Airline Luggage Restrictions
Most international airlines are consistent with regard to the number and
weight of the pieces you may check and bring onboard. Domestic carriers
however, typically on small aircraft, differ. Therefore, we suggest that you
check in advance if you are concerned about size or weight restrictions.
Many airlines have begun to apply charges for checked bags. Please contact
your airline or refer to its website for detailed information regarding your
airline's checked baggage policies. Airline policies vary and may change at
any time.
Airline Seats
Airline seats are confirmed whenever possible. Some airlines and/or fare types do not allow for pre-seating and require this be done at airport check-in only. Even when seats are pre-assigned however, we recommend that you contact the carrier one to two weeks prior to departure to reconfirm your seats. In many cases there are equipment changes after your initial booking which can cause airplane seating reconfiguration.
Airline Tickets
Most airline tickets are issued using special fares which cannot be changed or canceled without incurring additional cost. Should you lose or misplace your tickets while traveling, you should immediately notify the airline. In most cases they will have you complete a Lost Ticket Indemnity Form, and for a fee, issue replacement tickets.
Code-share Flights
Many airlines participate in alliances and special agreements with other airlines which permit passengers to travel from one point to another using more than one carrier. While your ticket may indicate that you are flying with one carrier (e.g.: Delta), you may find that you are actually seated in a plane belonging to another carrier (e.g.: Alitalia). Please review your airline itinerary carefully to determine which airline you should go to for check-in; if your flight is operated by a carrier other than the primary airline indicated on the itinerary, your itinerary will state "Flight Operated by (Airline)". If you have any concerns regarding which airline to check-in with, you may contact the airline directly.
Luggage
You MUST report any loss or damage immediately at the time of the incident
and obtain a written report from the local authority for submission to your
insurance provider. If your luggage is lost or damaged by the airlines, a
baggage claim form MUST be filed with the carrier before leaving the
airport.
Arrival & Departure
Arrival Procedures
Upon arrival, please complete immigration formalities and claim your luggage. If your program includes airport arrival transfers, check your voucher for specific instructions, as they vary with every destination. In most cases, you will be met after passing through Customs by the local representative who will be holding a
Levy Tours & Travels sign and/or a sign with your name on it. In some instances you will be instructed to walk a short distance to a transportation counter. The company's name and location will be printed on your voucher. If for any reason you do not connect with the
Levy Tours transfer personnel, go to the Tourist Information Desk and ask them to page the
Levy Tours & Travels representative or phone the number on your voucher.
What To Do When Your Flight Is Delayed
Airlines do not share flight manifest information. Therefore, the only way we may learn of a delay or schedule change while you are traveling is from you, the traveler. The sooner you are able to contact one of our offices, overseas or in the USA, the better we can respond.
Levy Tours & Travels is only able to guarantee pre-reserved arrival transfers for up to one hour from the scheduled time, no matter the cause. In case you are delayed for any reason, and are unable to follow the instructions on your voucher, please make independent transfer arrangements and retain your receipts. Unused tour services, including transfers and hotel nights are not refundable. Upon your return home you will need to contact your airline and/or insurance carrier to investigate the possibility of reimbursement for any unused tour services.
Departure Procedures
If your program includes departure transfers, instructions will be stated on your voucher or provided locally.
Transfers
Due to local traffic and other extenuating circumstances, we ask that you allow 30 minutes from your scheduled transfer time for our representative to arrive. This includes hotel, airport and cruise transfers. Such possible delays are taken into consideration in scheduling transfers and you should therefore have no concerns about arriving late for your tour, flight or cruise. For transfers from a hotel, let the hotel reception desk or concierge know that you are waiting for a transfer. In the case of a missed transfer, reimbursement for your out-of-pocket expenses will be considered provided you obtain a written statement from the hotel's front desk verifying the length of time you waited, and the time you left the hotel, and a receipt for your transportation with time and date.
Escorted tour programs include transfers. If you are traveling independently, you may purchase the transfers from
LevyTours or contract your own method of transportation to the hotel or cruise ship. The cost of a transfer will generally be more expensive than hiring a taxi as the pre-arranged transfer necessarily includes round trip service, or a 'dead-leg'. Additionally the driver may have to wait at the collection point for up to an hour.
About Your Accommodations
Hotels
Levy Tours has carefully selected each hotel based on overall quality, location, price, food, service, and cleanliness. All rooms are standard rooms with two single beds and private facilities, unless you have specifically requested and paid for an upgrade. Room selection is strictly at the discretion of the hotel management. We reserve the right to make hotel substitutions with those of equal standard.
Hotel Check-in/ Check-out
Check-in time is usually 4pm or later. Check-out time is 12 noon. If you will be arriving early in the day or departing in the evening, hotels will usually allow you to store your luggage in their luggage room. Ask at the front desk if the hotel can check you in earlier, or let you stay later.
At Israel
Eco & Sustainable Tourism
We support global efforts to create a more eco-friendly world, intolerant of any forms of cruelty, abuse and intentional environmental destruction. To that end we ask that our clients maintain a watchful eye as they travel, and report any abuses they may encounter. One of the many benefits of tourism is the shared cultural knowledge and ultimate elimination of negative behavior through education. We rely on your good feedback to enable this element of symbiosis. As you travel to and learn about foreign cultures, we ask first and foremost that you practice tolerance and respect for local customs.
Land Only Passengers (Escorted Tours)
Your tour manager will contact you after your arrival at your hotel. Passengers who have not purchased arrival transfers from
Levy Tours should proceed directly to the hotel for check-in. The details of the hotel can be found in your documents.
Shopping
Shopping in
Israel can be a wonderful experience. We do include a few stops at recommended popular shops on every escorted tour, intended to enhance your cultural experience. As you explore the country independently, you may find fantastic, one-of-a-kind merchandise. You may get terrific bargains. However, we advise you to exercise care and common sense when making any purchase. Always get a formal receipt. And remember that, just like in this country, if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is!
Shopping hours: From Sunday to Thursday from 9:30 am to 7 pm. Sabbath is from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday. Because of this, most stores and businesses are closed on Saturday.
Most hotels and many restaurants throughout the country keep kosher (observe Jewish dietary rules) which means no mixing of meat and milk products in food preparation and not serving pork or shellfish. Non-kosher restaurants are open on Friday night and Saturday.
Currency
The Shekel is the currency of Israel. Also, many vendors will accept payment in U.S. dollars.
Purchasing Tours Locally
On escorted tours, the guides will generally sell
Optional tours to passengers who have not pre-purchased them. Payment can be made by cash or credit card, unless otherwise noted below. This does not apply to Independent packages. Please see
Levy Tours Terms & Conditions for more information.
http://www.levytours.com/terms.html
Credit Cards
While credit cards are accepted in most destinations, it is advisable to carry local currency. Inform your credit card company that you are traveling to avoid your card being blocked for security reasons.
Gratuities
This is a matter of personal discretion. You may use the following as a guideline:
Tour escort (Coordinator; may or may not act as a guide): $6 or $7 per person per day
Driver (Provides chauffeur services and limited assistance with luggage): $5 per person per day
Local Guide: $7 per person per
day
Hotel Porter: $1 per bag per person
Wait staff: $1.50 per person (breakfast or dinner)
Tipping is considered by many locals to be a part of their normal remuneration and some may approach you for additional "compensation." There is no need to be intimidated by the request, nor should you feel pressured to pay more than recommended. If you become uncomfortable by any behavior you encounter, please advise your tour escort or phone our office. Numbers have been provided in your documents for your convenience.
Although bills normally include a service charge, it is customary to tip in
restaurants and other places that cater to tourists. Taxi drivers do not
expect gratuities and rounding up to the nearest shekel is usually
sufficient.
Your Safety is Very Important
Every effort has been taken by
Levy Tours to ensure your safety. However, it is important that you do not allow your common sense to take a vacation while you're on your trip. Be aware of potentially dangerous places and situations as you would at home. Avoid wearing expensive jewelry and carry your valuables concealed in inside pockets or hidden pouches. Don't put all your valuables (money, credit cards, passports, etc.) in the same place. (In case that one wallet is stolen, you should have other valuables and identification in another safe place.) Don't leave valuables laying loose in your room-use the hotel safe. Keep copies of your passports, credit card numbers and travelers checks numbers in the hotel safe. If you've purchased an escorted tour program, your travel documents will include telephone numbers of local
Levy Tours representatives who will do their utmost to assist you in the event of an emergency. The numbers are printed on your
Levy Tours vouchers. Please copy the numbers. Once you relinquish the voucher, you will not have this information. Passengers traveling independently should employ the services of hotel concierges and local authorities.
Israel Local Emergency Phone Numbers
Ambulance/Medical: 101
Fire: 102
Police: 100
Languages in Israel
Hebrew and Arabic are the local formal languages. English is generally spoken in tourist areas.
Electricity
in Israel
The voltage used is 230 volts. Israeli sockets are usually 3-pronged, and foreign-made appliances generally require an adapter.
Code of Conduct
Holidays - Israel
Holidays 2012
Mar 8
Purim
Apr
6 - 14
Pesach (Passover)
Apr 26
Yom Ha'Atzmaut (Israel Independence Day)
May 26 - 28
Shavu'ot (Pentecost)
Sep
16 - 18
Rosh Hashana (New Year)
Sep 26
Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)
Sep 30 - Oct 8
Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles)
Oct 9
Simhat Torah & Shemini Atzeret (Celebration of Renewal and Thanksgiving)
Dec
8 -
15
Chanukah (Festival of the Lights)
The Jewish Sabbath (Shabbat - Day of Rest) is on Saturday. Shabbat begins at nightfall on Friday and ends at nightfall on Saturday. All public services are closed on Friday and Eve of Holy Day, as well as Saturday and all Holidays. Stores and some restaurants close at midday on Friday and Eve of Holidays and are closed on Saturdays and all Holy Days. There is no public transportation on Friday afternoons, Saturdays, Eve of Holy Days and observed Holy Days. Muslim and Christian holidays are also observed by the respective populations.
Food and Meals
As specified in each itinerary. Meals are based on the hotel's or restaurant's buffet or set menu. In general, beverages are not included, unless specifically stated. Although
Levy Tours cannot make guarantees, every effort will be made to honor special dietary requests submitted in writing at least 72 hours prior to departure to levy@levytours.com.
