Travel the Text Packing Guidelines

Luggage

No more than one checked sized bag per person.

Please do not bring more than one checked sized bag per person (sharing one checked size between couples is recommended). Each hotel offers valet service, but there will be times you must carry your own luggage, and we must fit all group luggage under the bus. Traveling with a carry-on size and backpack/personal item only is encouraged. We will provide a brightly colored TTT luggage tag for easy ID of your luggage at baggage claim and hotels during the trip.

NOTE: It is common to have at least one checked bag per group delayed on arrival, sometimes for 1-3 days. If checking luggage, pack at least one change of clothes and all essential medications and toiletries in your carry-on or personal item to keep with you at all times.  

Bring a backpack and/or small daypack to carry necessary items on the bus and to sites each day. A standard sized backpack is useful as a “bus bag” for keeping extra necessities available to you during the day, such as medications, extra snacks, pens/highlighters, monies, change of socks or shoes, jacket, rain gear, pens/highlighters, battery pack chargers, etc. We also encourage you to bring a smaller daypack such as a drawstring sport bag, hydration pack, or other lightweight hands free bag to carry on-site essentials on/off the bus (travel guide, Bible, water, snack, camera). We recommend lightweight, handsfree options for easy walking such as a drawstring sport bag, hydration packs like Camelbak or similar small back packs.

Clothing/Toiletries

Fall weather is beautiful in Israel, averaging from lows in the 60’s to high’s in the 80’s, with daytime temps averaging in the 70’s. But weather can be unpredictable here, especially as we navigate a diverse land from mountains to coastal plains within relatively short distances. Be prepared for cooler mornings/evenings and for unseasonably heat waves as we navigate this diverse land. Layers are recommended, as are lightweight, moisture wicking sun protective clothes. October is the very beginning of rainy season, and though usually light if any this time of year, be prepared and bring rain jacket/pants, and a small umbrella; the teaching will continue! No fancy dinner clothes are necessary; older clothes or travel specific quick dry items that you can handwash and hang dry overnight as needed are ideal.

  • Wide-brimmed hat: REQUIRED wear for sun protection each day. This is a must have in Israel.

  • Shirts: A couple of long-sleeve, moisture wicking, lightweight button up or crew neck shirts that offer sun protection and modesty are ideal. A t-shirt style underlayer offers you flexible layers.

  • Pants: Lightweight or hiking specific that dry quickly. Pants with zip on/off legs are recommended for rare occasions when shorts are acceptable. No leggings or skintight pants.

  • Walking shoes: Shoes offering good support, with a non-slippery sole such are best. Bring breathable shoes to keep your feet cool like Keens or Chacos and a pair of breathable hiking shoes for option. Ankle support is recommended. If purchasing new shoes for the trip, BREAK THEM IN WELL ahead of the trip.

  • Socks/Underwear: Hiking-specific socks made from nylon or merino wool or nylon are recommended (cotton socks are more likely to cause blisters and take longer to dry after handwashing).

  • Water shoes or hiking sandals with a back strap for Hezekiah’s Tunnel and swimming in the Dead Sea; flip flops will not work well for Dead Sea especially. Keens, Chacos, or Teva type sandals are great and provide an alternative walking shoe that can be worn more often.

  • Swimsuit: Swimming opportunity at the Dead Sea and at one of the resort hotels is an option. One piece, tankini, or a shirt over bikini is advised for women. Shorts and tshirt are fine for Dead Sea as well!

  • Light jacket and/or sweater for cooler days (especially evenings and mornings) and plane ride.

  • Rain Jacket/Umbrella: October/November is early in rainy season but always be prepared. Packable ponchos, or light rain jackets, and travel size umbrellas are recommended.

  • Masks: Mask mandates may or may not be in place at certain destinations, but we ask everyone to bring a selection of washable or disposable masks of your preference to keep with you if/when required.

Required Documents

  • PASSPORT: With expiration date at least 6 months after your date of departure from Israel.

  • Passport Color Copies: submit a color copy with your registration. Keep two additional copies, one in your checked luggage, and another elsewhere, separate from your passport in case of loss/theft.

  • Alternative Picture I.D. (i.e. Driver's License)

  • Emergency Medical Information: Keep a document listing any known medical conditions, allergies (food, medicine, etc.), medicines, immunizations, insurance, etc. with your passport in case of emergency. If you have any existing medical concerns, please confirm with your doctor that you are clear to travel and provide a copy of your medical documents to your group leader.

Money

  • Debit/Credit Cards: ATM’s at the airport on arrival are an easy way to receive local currency (Visa or MasterCard). Credit/debit cards are widely accepted. Check your cards foreign transaction fees.

  • Cash: We provide an opportunity at your first hotel to exchange USD into local currency. USD are sometimes accepted locally, but using shekels will more often be useful and a better value. Bring a range of bill sizes; past group members recommend $100-$300 handy cash for snacks/drinks/lunch during the trip depending on your budget preference. We provide large bottles of water each day, but the bus driver sells small bottles of COLD water for $1. Keep some smaller USD denominations for this option.

NOTE: Notify your credit/debit card companies of your travel dates and that you will be in Israel and the Palestinian Territories so that a security hold will not block your credit or debit cards when you arrive. Do not bring Traveler’s Checks.

Study Materials

      Bible (small travel Bible, or Bible app on personal device is recommended; large study versions get heavy)

      Travel the Text Travel Guide (provided by TTT)

      Journal/Notebook

      Pens/Pencils/Map colors/Highlighters

Water & Munchies

Breakfast and dinner are provided buffet-style. Lunch options vary each day, sometimes local dining options are available and others we will eat snacks you’ve brought or bought locally while we travel between sites. NOTE: Those with food sensitivities should come prepared with extra snacks to supplement your diet as needed.

  • Hydration daypacks (i.e. CamelBak, etc.) with water bladders or refillable water bottles are recommended. We provide large bottles of water to refill your more portable containers.

  • Electrolyte supplements in powder or tablet forms to easily add to your water as needed.

  • Snacks: pack your favorite protein/granola bars, and low-sugar snack foods to ensure you stay energized on hikes and walks between meals (protein bars, trail mix, dried fruit, jerky, crackers, etc.).

Other

  • Sunglasses: durable sunglasses (and a spare)

  • Sunscreen and chapstick with SPF; small tubes of sports specific sunscreen are recommended.

  • Medications & First Aid: Any prescription medications, inhalers for asthma, etc. Bring a mask to protect fellow group members if you begin to feel unwell. A first aid kit will travel with us, but bring a personal supply of preferred pain relievers, bandages, cough drops, cold/flu, stomach medications, etc. Moleskin and Bodyglide if prone to blisters or chaffing.

  • Motion-Sickness Prevention: We travel many windy, hilly roads. Even if you’ve never been motion sick, be prepared. Sea-Band bracelets, ginger candies, non-drowsy Dramamine, peppermint oil, etc.

  • Hand Sanitizer/Wet Wipes: You’ll want to “wash” your hands often when traveling.

  • Laundry soap: Travel detergents, or even a simple bar of soap works well for washing clothes in the sink; hotels will provide laundry service, per piece. In Galilee a laundry service will provide a wash/dry/fold service for around $13 per load (current price) in the middle of our trip.

  • Digital or Phone Camera: Extra memory cards, external charging batteries, and charging cords.

  • Cell Phones: Many will bring cell phones, which can double as alarm clocks. Please check with your provider for international rates and plans before travel.

  • Portable Battery Pack: battery pack to recharge your phone during the day is a great resource.

  • Travel Alarm Clock if your cell phone will not work for this. Hotel wake up calls don’t always work.

  • Travel toilet tissue/wet wipes: Restrooms are not always stocked; best to be prepared.

  • Adapters/Converters: multiport electric adapters are recommended, noted for Israel.

  • Cushion to sit on (optional, but rocks do get hard).

  • Small flashlight with new batteries

  • Washcloths are not provided in European style hotels such as in Israel; hair dryers will be available.

  • Reusable Zip Snack Bags for repacking snacks, extra lunch, or other items during trip

  • Travel size sound machine (usb charge recommended), and/or earplugs if desired (early am call to prayers, church bells, and groups arriving/departing may disrupt light sleepers at some room and hotel locations.

Do NOT Bring

  • Graphic, patriotic, military, camouflage, or immodest clothing: We are guests in this land and here to learn. We will visit many diverse places and peoples each day and our love and respect, not our clothing or insignia, define us. There will be many religious sites and secure areas we visit that do not allow clothing or hats with writing, insignia, flags, military or political reference, etc. of any kind.

  • Expensive/flashy jewelry: Wedding bands are understandable, but the less you bring the better. Jewelry and other small valuables risk loss, being forgotten in hotel safes, falling out of backpacks, etc.

  • Weapons (pocket-knives included) are forbidden and we will go through metal detectors often. Security will thank you for the souvenir but you aren’t likely to get it back. Keep it at home.

  • Modesty is required in this culture, especially in the many religious sites we visit, and local standards are often more conservative than those in the USA. Religious sites, which we will visit almost every day, do not allow the following: sleeveless shirts, tank tops, tight-fitting shirts, leggings, low-cut collars (even v-necks depending on depth), shorts. Some sites allow capris, but not all. Head coverings will be provided if required (men or women depending on site) but your hat will be acceptable and is recommended. Skirts are not required for women at any site; pants are fine but for the most conservative (we will advise ahead of time) they must go to ankles. There will be 1 or 2 days, or certain sites each day, where shorts or sleeveless, etc. may be acceptable. To be safe, plan to always have a pair of long pants and a long sleeve button up shirt you can keep in your bus bag just in case.