TRAVEL TIPS

• Israel: Hebrew
• Palestine, Jordan, and Egypt: Arabic 
• English is widely spoken in these countries.
• Download apps for google translate.
• Learn Survival Phrases in Hebrew & Arabic.

• Israel: New Israeli Shekel (INS) (appx. 1 INS = $ 0.30)
• Jordan: Jordanian Dinar (JOD) (appx. 1 JOD = $ 1.41)
• Egypt: Egyptian Pound (appx. 1 EGP = $ 0.64)
• Palestine: Accepts US Dollar & Shekel

• A mixture of cash and credit cards is advisable.
• Take more than one credit card and keep them in separate places.
• Keep a supply of $US1 handy. It is useful for tips, bottled water and small purchases.
• Avoid changing currencies at the airport. Commissions are too high. Instead, have your
  currencies changed in your country of destination.

CLOSED ON:

• Jewish (Sabbath): Friday sundown to Saturday sundown
• Muslim: Friday
• Christian: Sunday

• Must be valid within 6 months of travel 
• Israel no longer stamps passports but instead issues entry card. Some Muslim countries (like Malaysia) may refuse entry to anyone whose passport indicates they have visited Israel.
• Egypt: Visa on arrival or can be obtained from an Egyptian Embassy.
• Jordan: Visa on arrival ( except at Allenby/King Hussein Bridge ) or can be obtained from Jordanian Embassy.

• Pack early so you can rest for a day or two before leaving.
• Wear comfortable clothing. Avoid anything that is tight or restrictive.
• Drink plenty of water on the flight. Go easy on coffee and alcohol.
• Get some exercise. Walk up and down the place or exercise the muscles of your lower leg to keep blood circulated. Deep-vein thrombosis can be caused by a prolong immobility in cramped seating, combined by dehydration and reduced oxygen pressure at high altitudes.
• Try to sleep on long flights. Close the blinds and wear eye mask.
• When you arrive the your destination, sleep according to local time.

• Don’t eat, offer or accept anything with your left hand. For Muslim, it is reserved for bodily hygiene and considered unclean.
• Avoid PDA - public display of affection between people of opposite sex.
• If you are offered a show of hospitality, wether it is coffee or tea, it is considered
  discourteous to decline.
• Don’t display the sole of foot or to touch anyone with your shoe.
• Pilgrims are wise to refrain from expressing political opinions in public.

• Meals are buffet.
• It is frowned to take food to your room during breakfast buffet.
• Outdoor market may be tempting. But avoid uncooked, undercooked or reheated food.
• Try local cuisine at your own risk.
• Regular intake of liquids in sealed bottled container to avoid dehydration.

• Get your covid 19 vaccine.
• Wear your N95 mask when in public. It protects you and those around you.
• Follow social distancing guidelines of 6 feet apart.
• Frequently wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Continue to follow Covid 19 protocol even if you already have a vaccine.
• See your dentist. A check-up might avoid a toothache on the trip.
• If you are on medication, bring enough for the trip. Bring a copy of a prescription or doctor’s letter. Medication should carry pharmacy labels.

• Photography is prohibited in some sites, Churches, borders, military personnel and facilities. 
• Do not take a close up photograph of Muslim women with covered faces or Orthodox men or women without first asking.
• No photography at the Western Wall on Sabbath.

• Keep a low profile. Don’t stand out in dress, speech or behavior.
• When exploring on your own, go in pairs or group.
• Keep your eyes open. Observe what is happening around you.
• For CCS ( Challenging Case Scenario ). Find your way back safely to our hotel/
  accommodation to rejoin our group.

• Carry your valuables close to your skin in belt bag in front of you.
• Outside pockets and handbags make easy for snatchers especially in crowds.
• Remember to collect you valuables from security box before you leave each hotel.
• Do not wear conspicuous jewelry or flash large amount of money.
• Do not leave bags unattended in airports and public places.
• Do not accept packages from strangers.
• Israeli airport security is second to none. Lengthy personal questioning and baggage searches can be expected in both arrival, departure and border crossing. Be patient and cooperate.
• Be wary of scams, especially in Egypt. If anyone (even looking like an official) tells you that your hotel booking is canceled, ignore him. It will be a scam to get you to another hotel.

• Haggling over prices and bargaining with merchants are Middle Eastern culture.
• Don’t let the lure of bargaining distract you from the purpose of your pilgrimage.
• Here are some of the "rules of engagement:

1. Prices are more expensive in tourist areas than in residential shopping areas.
2. Be wary of locals who are paid to commission to take you to a “cousin’s “ shop.
3. Offers of tea or sweets are intended to lull you to buy.
4. Be cautious about claimed quality and authenticity.
5. Don’t appear too anxious to buy an item.
6. Never accept the first price. Bargain for half of the asking price. Let the shop owner starts the bidding.
7. Don’t make an offer for anything you are not willing to buy. Always be ready to walk away if you don’t like the price.
8. Keep your receipts in case you need them for custom officers.

• Respect and silence are expected at all times.
• Explanations connected with the visit should take place outside of the sanctuaries.
• Appropriate clothes are required. Please cover your shoulder and knees.
• No flash photography.

Temple Mount: 3rd holiest site for Muslims.

• Praying here is forbidden for non Muslims.
• No Christian objects are allowed (Rosary, Bible and etc.)

Western Wall: Judaism holiest site.

• Photography and the use of electronic devices are forbidden on Sabbath.
• Prayer area is divided into 2 separate sections for Men and Women.
• Men and married women are expected their heads covered.
• A kipper (skullcap) is provided free of charge.
• A written petitions to God placed in between the stones is a devotional practice for all pilgrims visiting.

• The Dead Sea is a salt lake ( not a sea ) between the West Bank and Jordan.
• It is 418 meters (1,371 feet) below sea level. It is the lowest point on the surface of the Earth.
• The Dead Sea is almost nine times as salty as the ocean. That makes it impossible for most life to exist in it. This is the reason for its name.
• However, it is not completely dead, because some types of bacteria are able to live in the water.
• Because the water is so salty, it weighs more than fresh water. That lets people float in the Dead Sea without any effort. Tourists come from around the world to float in the water.
• Those visiting the Dead Sea may witness groups of people on the beach, slathering their faces and bodies with mud.
• Long before soap was invented, ancient Greeks and Romans used mud to clean their faces.
• They realized that the salt of the Dead sea, and especially Dead Sea black mud contains an especially high concentration of salt and minerals, some of which are small enough to penetrate the pores and nourish the skin.
• These minerals are believed to help improve blood circulation, smooth out wrinkles and rejuvenate the skin to promote a healthy glow.

Dead Sea Tips:

• Float in the Dead Sea but don’t stay too long
• Do not swim; Don’t drink the water
• Cover any cuts; Avoid shaving for at least 2 days before floating
• Avoid getting the water into your eyes
• Protect your feet; Wear slippers/sandal with strap
• Avoid wearing expensive swimwear; Don't wear jewelry in the water
• Cover your skin with mud at your own risk.
• Take photos first

• Rosary
• Flashlight
• Sunglasses
• Travel size toiletries
• Small ziplock bags or plastic bottles for souvenirs
• Smart device chargers; Portable power bank; Electrical adaptors/converters
• Universal Sim cards. Available on Amazon
• Reading glasses
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Raincoat (poncho)
• First Aid Kit (Travel size)
• Extra face masks
• Travel size hand sanitizers
• Travel blanket (for Wadi Rum Desert Camping)
• Travel towel (quick dry)
• Pair of slippers
• Belt bags
• Hiking/walking stick (telescopic)
• Designated color coded T-Shirt for each day. This will help the Tour Manager finds you from the crowd of pilgrims.