Visit Israel

FIRM Tours

We’ve prepared packing lists for all four seasons. Choose the list based on the date of your trip.

Winter Packing List (December–March)
Spring Packing List (March–May)
Summer Packing List (June–September)
Autumn Packing List (September–November)

Yes. Proof of citizenship is required for all travelers, and passports are  required (must be valid for at least six months beyond the completion of  travel). All non-citizens of the U.S. must have passports, visas and other  documentation normally required for entry into the country of destination.  Do not pack your passport or travel documents in your luggage.

In case documents get lost or stolen, make two photocopies of the following: the first two pages of your passport, credit cards, airline tickets  and itinerary and travel insurance details. Leave one copy with a contactable friend at home and take the other with you (separate from the originals) or give it to a friend traveling with you.

While Israel is normally a very safe country to visit, due to the current situation we encourage you to visit your Embassy’s website to read further information provided by your Government. During this trip you will NOT be going to the West Bank or Gaza and your safety is our top priority. We use various measures to ensure the safety of participants, but we also encourage participants to take precautions they normally would when traveling to another city or country.

Israel Standard Time (IST) is the standard time zone in Israel. It is 2 hours ahead of UTC and 7 hours ahead of EST.

Tap water is safe to drink in Israel, but bottled water will also be available on the bus free of charge.

Please check out our Seasonal “What to Pack” pdfs. Coming Soon!

– Passport (Bring 2 Colored Copies)
– Pack 2 sets of clothes in carry-on
– Electronics (including chargers)
– Medical Prescriptions
– We also recommend that you bring basic medicine as well (i.e. Tylenol, Advil, Emergen-C, Loperamide)

A backpack is always a good idea. Water bottles, cameras, money and souvenirs will be harder to manage if you do not have something to put them in.

Most days will include some walking. Participants can expect to walk approximately 2-3 miles per day. We would recommend wearing comfortable shoes or sneakers each day. Most walks will be light to moderately strenuous and there will be breaks throughout the day as you travel to and from sites. Please keep in mind that walks can typically include steps and uneven terrain.

Most cell phone providers offer international plans; check with your carrier before your trip to see what international options they provide. If your phone is unlocked you can purchase a prepaid SIM card at a fairly low price.

We suggest you bring US Dollars, British Pounds, or Euros, which can be exchanged for the Israeli Shekel. There are locations throughout each city in Israel to exchange currency, including most hotels; you may also obtain Shekels prior to departure. Rates vary from place to place and some charge commission.

Most shops and restaurants accept foreign debit/credit cards. Exchanging some money for Israeli Shekels is a good idea. You will need Shekels for there are a small number of shops that may only take cash especially when outside of tourist areas or in the markets).

Most hotels in Israel will have 220 volts AC 50 Hz. You will need to bring  along necessary converters and adapters to operate any 120 volts, 60 Hz appliances such as hair dryers, electric razors, etc. Some small electronic  devices are dual-voltage and will adjust automatically for other countries.  If your appliance’s charger has a manual switch, you’ll need to change it back and forth before plugging in your appliance. For dual voltage electronics, you’ll simply need to bring an adapter to plug the charger in to the outlet. Before leaving on your trip, check the manual or power cord  for the device to know if it will work with 220 voltage without a converter.  Be aware that U.S. electronics that are not dual-voltage should never be  used without a converter in countries with a voltage of 220.

Basic gratuities for the hotels, guides, security and drivers are included. You are always free to give extra gratuity for exemplary service. The going rates for gratuities (for meals purchased on your own) is 15-20%.

In Israel, the workweek is Sunday to Thursday. Shops and businesses are  normally open on Fridays but close early afternoon for the Jewish Sabbath  (or Shabbat). The Jewish Sabbath lasts from after sundown Friday to after  sundown Saturday. Shops closed Saturdays for the Sabbath tend to open up Saturday night. Muslims and Christians observe their own Sabbaths on Friday and Sundays, respectively.