Israel Tour Packages

1. About Israel
2. Tidbits
3. Things To Know Before Visiting Israel
4. Best Israel Tour Package
5. Israel At A Glance
6. Top Reasons To Visit Israel
7. Best Time To Visit Israel
8. Top Things To Do In Israel
9. Food
10. Dos and Don’ts of Visiting Israel
11. Shopping in Israel
12. Art and Culture

Israel is a relatively young and small country in West Asia. It was formed in 1948 in accordance with the United Nations Partition Plan – Resolution 181, which recommended the establishment of two separate states – Jewish and Arab. The Arabs rejected Resolution 181, which resulted in a war from 1948 to 1949 where five Arab nations, Egypt, Syria, Transjordan, Lebanon, and Iraq, fought and lost to Israel. Another war, aptly called The Six Day War, was fought between the combined forces of Jordan, Syria, Egypt, and Iraq, attacked Israel and lost some of its territories, viz., The West Bank (Jordan), Gaza and the Sinai Peninsula (Egypt), and the Golan Heights (Syria).

However, Israel’s history is believed to be much older than that of the 19th century. Archaeological records of a group called Israelis can be traced to inscriptions on the Merneptah Stele erected for the Egyptian Pharaoh Merneptah in 1209 BC. The Hebrew Bible claims that Israel existed during the time of Abraham, who is considered the father of Judaism. His descendants were enslaved by the Egyptians for several centuries, but they later settled in Canaan, now approximately considered the region of Israel.

Despite being a small country, Israel has a diverse topography with snow-capped mountains in the north and deserts in the south. Although 60% of Israel is deserted land, the country has produced surplus food thanks to innovation in agriculture. Israelis are pioneers of drip irrigation technology, desalination, and wastewater recycling. While the rest of the world struggles with desertification, Israel has successfully managed to reverse it through techniques like tree planting, precision planting, and research.

Israel has several religious monuments, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Temple Mount, and the Western Wall. If you’d like to explore the country, check out our Israel tour package.

• The Dead Sea in Israel is the lowest point on Earth.
• Israel is a tiny country, even smaller than Kerala.
• 60% of Israel is desert.
• One of Israel’s two official languages, Hebrew, is the only language to be revived from extinction.
• Everyone, including women, must undergo mandatory military service in Israel.
• With over 230 museums, Israel has the world’s highest number of museums per capita.
• Israel has the highest number of technicians and scientists in their workforce.
• Israel has over 30,000 archaeological sites, most of which still need to be excavated.
• Israel is the world’s largest spender of R&D in terms of GDP percentage.
• Israelis are credited with inventing Krav Maga, one of the world’s deadliest martial arts.
• Israel is a pioneer of desert agriculture.

• Israel offers a single-entry tourist visa for 30 days, valid for 90 days.
• When applying for a visa, make sure you fill in all information honestly. Israel has some of the world’s strongest security.
• Be prepared for an intensive interview at the airport, answer all questions honestly and without hesitation.
• Multiple countries ban tourists who have visited Israel. Hence, Israel issues a paper visa instead of stamping your passport. Keep this paper safe & show it when asked.
• Israel is practically closed on Shabbat, i.e., 18 minutes before sundown on Friday and an hour after sunset on Saturday.
• Pack light summer clothes as the summers are hot and winters mild.
• Israel is vegetarian-friendly and strictly follows Kosher, ensuring all food labels indicate whether they are dairy, meat-based, or fish-based (pareve).
• Israeli food isn’t spicy enough for Indians. You can carry ready-to-eat meal packets.
• Tap water is safe to drink, although bottled water is widely available.
• Plastic bags are not free in supermarkets and stores – ensure you carry a re-useable bag.
• Diamonds are comparatively cheaper in Israel.

Israel is a great holiday destination with its immense natural beauty, unbeatable history, and ancient holy monuments. Here are some reasons to check out our Israel tour packages.

Israel is the holy land for three of the world’s major religions. For Christians, it is an opportunity to tour places where Jesus Christ lived and preached. Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven in Jerusalem on the Temple Mount. For Jews, Israel is the Promised Land—a place where God asked Abraham to go and form a great nation.

You can walk into the Christian Quarter in Jerusalem’s Old City to explore the different significant Christian sites. Some important Christian sites in Israel include the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Church of Nativity, the Church of St. Catherine, the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus performed several of his miracles, the Calvary, and the Garden Tomb—the latter being a site where Jesus Christ was supposedly crucified and resurrected.

Islam has a plethora of religious sites in Israel. In fact, Jerusalem is the third holy site for Muslims after Mecca and Medina. Some important Muslim sites include the Al Aqsa Mosque, the Temple Mount, the Dome of the Rock, the Marwani Mosque, the Dome of the Ascension, and the Mosque of Omar. When in Jerusalem, don’t miss the Muslim Quarter in Old City. The Al Jazzar Mosque at Acre houses a lock of hair from Prophet Muhammad’s beard.

The Dead Sea, or Salt Sea, is a salt lake between Israel and Jordan. It is significant because it is the lowest elevation and water body on the earth’s surface. It is also the world’s saltiest water body, almost nine times saltier than oceans. The salinity makes it impossible for animals to live, hence its name.

It also has religious significance and is considered the place where King David took refuge. Muslims believe this was the site of punishment for the Sodomites for their wickedness. It is also a critical historical site, as hundreds of texts related to early Christianity and Judaism were found in caves close to the Dead Sea.

It is only an hour’s drive from Jerusalem, attracting locals who visit to enjoy the benefits of the mineral-rich mud and float in the salty waters. It is believed that Queen Cleopatra visited the Dead Sea to benefit from its nutrient-rich mud. Yes, you can float in the Dead Sea, as the heavy salinity makes it denser than the human body.

There are plenty of beaches along the shores of the sea, including Ein Gedi Beach and the Ein Bokek Resort.

While you can explore the Dead Sea from Israel and Jordan, we suggest you visit it from the Israeli side as there are plenty of things to do. You can visit the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, a desert oasis next to the Dead Sea, and the Masada National Park, an iconic fortress built by King Herod in 30 BCE.

Jewish immigration to what is now Israel began as early as the 1800s when Russian and Yemeni Jews fled systemised pogroms. The Zionist Wave brought another set of immigrants who brought a culinary culture that was different from the local traditions of the Palestinian Arabs and the Sephardic Jews already living in Israel. This amalgamation of various cultures created a unique cuisine where dishes were invented or adapted using unfamiliar ingredients but retaining the original characteristics and Jewish dietary rules.

For instance, Mediterranean influences helped bring vegetables like eggplant, zucchini, and tomatoes to the table with roasted eggplant, chicken schnitzel, and zucchini casserole. Arabian influences made falafel, shawarma, kebabs, hummus, etc., a typical Israeli staple. North African influences include shakshouka, couscous, chraime, and matbucha.

Israeli cuisine is also big on comfort food, as it provides a sense of security and safety amidst stress and anxiety. Some popular Israeli comfort foods include matzo ball soup, kugel, pretzels, potato latkes, and challah bread.

You don’t even have to visit an Israeli home to sample some of their iconic dishes, the street food is equally iconic. Some of these include shawarma, kuna fah, bourekas, and babka.

Despite its small size, Israel has a varied landscape, with the desert and the Arava Valley in the south and the Golan Heights and the Hermon Mountains in the north. If you are in the mood for beachside fun, head to Tel Aviv, which has picturesque beaches. If skiing is on your wishlist, head to Mount Hermon, Israel’s only ski mountain far up in the north. But the best thing about travelling to Israel is that you can cover the entire country on a one-day trip. In a small country like Israel, you can drive from the Negev Desert in the south to Mount Herman in the north in just two hours. In fact, you can cover the entire length and breadth of the country in just six hours.

Israel is located between the temperate and tropical zones, with northern and coastal areas enjoying a Mediterranean climate and the southern and eastern regions experiencing arid climates. Northern cities like Upper and Lower Galilee, Nazareth, and Haifa have hot summers and cool and rainy winters. The average temperature in eastern areas like Tel Aviv and Jerusalem ranges from 27°C in summer to 8°C during winter.

The Negev Desert and Arava Valley cover most of southern Israel. The latter is famous for the Timna Park and extends from the Dead Sea to the Eilat. The average temperature around the Dead Sea ranges from 35°C in summer to 21°C during winter.

Israel experiences two distinct seasons: summer and winter. Read on to learn more about the best time to book an Israel tour package.

Summer season in Israel starts during May, with average temperatures ranging from 15°C to 30°C. May is dry and warm, with plenty of sunshine and almost no rainfall across the country. However, areas around the Mediterranean, Dead, and Red Sea are still worth visiting. You can also visit Jerusalem in May before peak summer arrives.

July and August are the peak summer seasons, with average temperatures ranging around 35°C around this time. And if you’re lucky, you could experience a slight drizzle around July and August.

As September arrives, the temperature begins to cool down. But don’t expect autumnal weather, as it’s still warm. The average temperature could be around 29°C and could even go up to 32°C.

While most travel websites suggest visiting the country during the season, we recommend waiting until winter, when the weather is more pleasant. This is especially true for Indian tourists who enjoy the monsoon from June to September.

Israel is cold and rainy in winter, with an average temperature of around 14°C. It rains often and even snows in Golan Heights, Jerusalem, and Upper Galilee regions. Even cities around the Red Sea are pleasant in winter, with an average temperature of 20°C. Winter is also a great time to visit the wineries in the North.

This is a good time to visit southern cities, with cool and dry weather and an average temperature of around 20°C. But the days are short, and night-time temperatures could drop to 0°C. If you are travelling to southern Israel, remember to pack accordingly.

In April, the weather begins to warm in the North, with temperatures in cities like Tel Aviv averaging 22°C. The days are pleasantly warm, and the nights are cool.

• Christmas is special in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Nazareth during winter.
• You can attend the midnight mass outside the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem.
• Mount Hermon is the country’s tallest peak covered in winter snow.
• Most shops are closed during holidays like Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Archaeological evidence suggests that Jerusalem was inhabited as early as 4000 BC and may have been known as Jebus, as it was inhabited by a Canaanite tribe called Jebusites. Over the years, several kings, including King David and King Solomon, invaded the city and built temples there. Much later, the Romans invaded and ruled the entire Palestine. It was during the Roman Era that Jesus was born in Bethlehem and preached in the towns of Nazareth and Galilee, where he lived. But it was in Jerusalem where he was accused of being a false prophet and crucified, an event that forms the central pillar of Christianity. Today, Christians believe that the exact place where he was crucified is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

The Dome of the Rock, or Qubbat As-Sakhrah, is a sacred shrine for Muslims. The Rock on which the shrine was built is believed to be where the Prophet Muhammad ascended into heaven. The Jews also consider the rock sacred as this was where Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac.

Al Aqsa is a mosque in the Al Aqsa Compound built around 685 to 715 BCE. The Western Wall is sacred to the Jews as it is the only remaining wall surrounding the Temple Mount. It is considered to be the holiest site for Jews, who often leave notes in the crevices of the Wall. These notes are prayers or requests to God and are placed in the belief that prayers through the Temple Mount ascend to Heaven directly.

The Dome of the Rock, the Western Wall, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque are part of the Al-Aqsa Compound.

Besides the above attractions, the Old City of Jerusalem is famous for its four quarters: Jewish, Muslim, Christian, and Armenian Quarters. Each quarter has its charm, with unique markets, street food stalls, and religious sites.

The Tower of David Museum was built by King Herod and is one of Israel’s most beloved heritage sites. It is home to archaeological ruins that date back over 3000 years.

Via Dolorosa is another historic site that translates into Way of Sorrows. This passageway gets its name from the path Jesus walked from Pontius Pilate’s sentencing to Golgotha, where he was crucified.

Other places to visit in Jerusalem include the Mount of Olives, the Mahane Yehuda Market, Yad Vashem, the Garden Tomb, and the Israel Museum, which houses the Dead Sea Scrolls.

We all know Bethlehem to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ. But this city is over 3000 years old and was probably a Canaanite town called Beit Lahama, dedicated to Lahmu, a Canaanite deity. The city is sacred to the Jews as well because David was born here. Bethlehem is also significant in the Old Testament as it is mentioned as the burial place of Rachel, the wife of Jacob.

The Church of Nativity is believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ. It is one of the most sacred sites for Christians since it was built in the 4th century AD by Helena, the mother of the first Roman Emperor Constantine. Much of the original structure was destroyed but later reconstructed in the 6th century. During the 12th century, some parts of the church were added, reflecting the Crusades.

St. Catherine Church is close to the Church of the Nativity. It was built by the Franciscans in 1882 on the site of an earlier church built in the 5th century. The church is dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria, a Christian saint martyred in 305 by the Roman Emperor Maxentius.

The Milk Grotto is another Christian holy site believed to be the place where Joseph and Mary hid when King Herod ordered infant boys to be murdered.

The Mar Saba Monastery is one of the oldest continuously inhabited monasteries. It was founded in the 5th century by Saint Sabbas the Sanctified, and for centuries, it has drawn pilgrims from across the world.

Other attractions in Bethlehem include the Palestine Heritage Centre, Herodion National Park, and Solomon’s Pools.

Nazareth is a small town in Galilee, famous as the city where Jesus lived and grew up. It is also where Jesus performed several miracles, including healing lepers, turning water into wine, walking on water, and performing many exorcisms.

The Church of the Annunciation was built around the 4th century by Helena, the mother of the first Christian Roman Emperor Constantine. It is believed that the angel Gabriel visited Mary at this place to deliver the message that she would be bearing God’s son.

Nazareth Village is an open-air museum reconstructing life in Galilee during Jesus’s time. This museum-village has been largely untouched since then and is archaeologically accurate. It includes exact replicas of first-century houses, a synagogue where Jesus preached, and olive and wine presses built using the same technique that would have been used at that time.

Other attractions in Nazareth include the Greek Orthodox Church, Musmar Pottery, the Greek Catholic Church, and St. Joseph’s Church.

Tel Aviv is Israel’s cultural and commercial capital, with beautiful sandy beaches, glitzy bars, and a cosmopolitan culture. The city was founded in 1909 as a suburb of the ancient city of Jaffa and has its own style, cuisine, and culture. Tel Aviv is also home to the Tel Aviv Diamond Exchange, the largest diamond centre in the world.

The city has several museums, galleries, theatres, dance centres, and concert halls. Some exciting places to visit in Tel Aviv include Kerem Hateimanim, the Carmel Market, Florentin, Neve Tzedek, and Tel Aviv Beach.

Jericho is believed to be one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. It is situated close to the Jordan River in the West Bank and has immense religious significance to Christians and Muslims. Jesus is believed to have stopped in Jericho while visiting Jerusalem. It is also one of the first cities conquered by Jews when they arrived in Canaan after escaping Egypt.

Some popular attractions in Jericho include the Mount of Temptation, where Jesus Christ fasted after being baptised by John the Baptist, and the Monastery of Qurantul, a Christian pilgrimage site where Jesus resisted Satan.

As earlier said, Israel is a land of immigrants thanks to the Jews who migrated to the Promised Land from all over the world. Each brought their food habits, which were later adapted to suit the ingredients available in the newly formed country. Dishes were also modified to make the most of the food rations imposed in the early days of Israel when the country had to cope with the huge influx of migrants.

Jewish cuisine is guided by strict dietary restrictions and laws that dictate what foods are acceptable and how food must be prepared. These rules are called Kosher and derived from the Torah.

Israeli cuisine varies depending on the migrant communities that came to the Promised Land. For instance, Ashkenazi cuisine involves cooking traditions developed by Jews from Central, Eastern, Northwestern, and Northern Europe. Some popular Ashkenazi dishes include borscht, bagels, offal dishes, potato kugel and latkes, pastries, and matzo balls.

The Sephardic Jews are people with roots in Spain, Portugal, Africa, and the Middle East and migrated to the Promised Land during the 15th century. Popular dishes of the Sephardic Jews include bourekas, matbucha, shakshuka, chraime, couscous, and dolmades.

The Mizrahi Jews are immigrants from the Middle East, including Yemen, Turkey, Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Lebanon, and Bahrain. Their popular dishes include ghormeh sabzi, sambuca, ark Cruz, shifta, challah, lavash, and pilafs.

Some iconic dishes you will try as part of our Israel tour package include;

Shakshuka originated in North Africa and around the Ottoman Empire but was brought to Israel by the Sephardic Jews. The dish is traditionally served for brunch with eggs poached in a tomato-based gravy spiced with paprika, pepper, cumin, and harissa.

A sabich is an Israeli version of a sandwich. It is made by stuffing fried eggplants, hardboiled eggs, parsley, hummus, pickles, and salad between pita bread. The sandwich is then drizzled with tahini sauce and sometimes amba, a pickled mango sauce. Iraqi Jews probably invented the sandwich on the streets of Tel Aviv around the 1960s.

Hummus is another dish brought by the Mizrahi Jews. This dip is made using chickpeas and blended with tahini, lemon juice, and spices. There are many different ways that hummus is incorporated into recipes. You can use it as a sandwich or wrap, spread it as a dip for veggies, chips, breads, and falafels, and even mix it with salads.

Also called muhammara, musakhan is a traditional dish of the Palestinian Arabs. It consists of roasted chicken and onions spiced with sumac and a few other warm spices and served with reheated taboon bread.

Kunafa or knafeh is a traditional Levantine dish brought to Israel by the Mizrahi Jews. This Arabian dessert is made with vermicelli-like pastry noodles moistened with ghee and covered with goat or sheep cheese. The dish is served warm and seared on both sides until golden. While serving, kuna fah is drizzled with spiced sugar syrup.

This is probably the most iconic Israeli street food brought to the country by the Mizrahi Jews. The dish is made by wrapping spit-roasted meat (that is shaved) along with pickled vegetables, salads, and sauces around pita bread.

When choosing our Israel tourist packages, remember the following things.

• Security forces will question you at the airport. Make sure you answer honestly and without hesitation.
• Keep the visa slip handy at all times.
• Israelis may seem impatient, but they are very genuine when you get to know them.
• Do not discuss politics or religion with the Israelis – there’s far too much pain for both Jews and Arabs.
• Get used to the guns or the overwhelming military presence in public places.
• Don’t ridicule Kosher rules, they take them very seriously.
• Stay with your tour guide, don’t go exploring on your own.
• Don’t visit the Temple Mount on Friday or Saturday. It is only open to Muslims on these days.
• Don’t travel anywhere during the Shabbat, things are unavailable or very expensive.
• Dress modestly in religious places.
• Don’t enter the Dead Sea with open wounds.
• Don’t touch an ultra-orthodox Jew of the opposite sex.

While Israel has plenty of malls selling international brands like H&M, Zara, and Donna Karan, we suggest shopping from the many bazaars and street stalls selling everything from women’s clothing and electronics to home goods and spices. Many cities like Jerusalem have family-owned stores that sell good-quality products at affordable prices.

If you are looking for affordable souvenirs for friends and family, look for local flea markets selling Dead Sea products, evil eye amulets called hamsa, zaatar, olive oil, dates, honey, dried fruits, and quirky home products.

The Machane Yehuda Market is Jerusalem’s most famous market, selling spices, coffee, handmade crafts, and jewellery. And if you are looking for jewellery, textiles, statues, pots and pans, and leather goods, head to the Old City Market in the Arab Quarter of Jerusalem.

Head to the Farmer’s Market in the Ginot Haeer area of Jerusalem to buy antiques and fashion accessories.

• Shopping for international brands can be expensive. We suggest sticking to local products.
• While you can carry a card, shopkeepers are willing to offer a discount if you pay in cash.
• Shopkeepers are always happy to bargain.
• The Carmel Market in Tel Aviv is perfect for home items such as tea towels, bath towels, toys, and halvah.
• Shops close mid-afternoon on Friday for Shabbat. But Arabic shops are shut on Friday.
• Jewish shops remain closed until Sunday for Shabbat.

With its influences from across the world, Israel offers a unique blend of dynamic arts and cultural traditions. For instance, Yemenites brought their jewellery-making craft to the country, while Eastern European Jews influenced needle crafts. Modern artists often bring their political ideologies and religious identities to their craft. Paintings depicting anti-war statements and national pride are far too common.

Besides paintings and sculptures, the country’s artistic landscape includes ceramicists, silver and goldsmiths, calligraphers, glass blowers, and weavers.

The family is at the centre of Israeli life, with parents focusing much of their lives on their children. While they may seem practical and tough on the outside, Israelis are often very genuine and friendly once you’ve managed to get through their initial hesitation. Another aspect that makes Israelis stand apart from everyone is their resilience, perhaps due to the continuous war threatening the lives and livelihoods of the Israelis.