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8 Day Israel by Kibbutz
Highlights: Tel Aviv, Galilee, Jerusalem
Trip start: Tel Aviv
Trip end: Tel Aviv
Price Range From $2,799 per person (2012 pricing based on 4 travellers) *
* GBP per person based on 2-4 people, double occupancy. Custom designed personal tour. Prices subject to change.

National Geographic Adventure Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth '98.33 Client Satisfaction Rating'

Winner National Geographic 'Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth'
2008 & 2009

Trip Summary
Map of Itinerary
Expand [+]

Enjoy the communal lifestyle of the Kibbutznik people whilst experiencing the highlights of this beautiful country, including visits to the white city of Tel Aviv, the religiously rich capital Jerusalem, the diverse Galilee region, and the unique Dead Sea area. Experience a traditional Israeli Kibbutz, a collective community in Israel that traditionally lived their daily lives in harmony with nature while cultivating the fertile Israeli lands. Modern day Kibbutz communities have had to adjust to the recent changes in the economy by expanding into the industrial and high-tech sectors. While on tour, a seasoned English speaking guide will accompany you in a private vehicle, to and from locations and hotels, creating an inspriational and comforting experience for every sort of traveller.

Day Activities Hotel
Day 1
Tel Aviv
  • Tel Aviv: Transfer - Airport - Vehicle/Driver
  • Dinner (not included)
Kibbutz Shefayim (Herzliya) 
Day 2
Galilee
  • Private - Haifa, Caesarea and Coastline Tour - Vehicle/Driver
  • Lunch (not included)
  • Galilee: Private Guide/Vehicle - Vehicle/Driver
Ein Gev Holiday Resort (B)
Day 3
Galilee
  • Private - Hula Valley Nature Reserve, Banias Spring, Katzrin - Vehicle/Driver
  • Private Guide/Vehicle - Vehicle/Driver
Ein Gev Holiday Resort (B)
Day 4
Jerusalem
  • Private - Mt. Beatitudes, Capernaum, Tiberias, Beit Shean - Vehicle/Driver
  • Jerusalem: Private Guide/Vehicle - Vehicle/Driver
  • Dinner (not included)
Kibbutz Ramat Rachel 
Day 5
Jerusalem
  • Private - Old City Tour - Vehicle/Driver
  • Private Guide/Vehicle - Vehicle/Driver
  • Dinner (not included)
Kibbutz Ramat Rachel 
Day 6
Jerusalem
  • Private - Knesset, Israel Museum and Yad Vashem - Vehicle/Driver
  • Private Guide/Vehicle - Vehicle/Driver
  • Dinner (not included)
Kibbutz Ramat Rachel 
Day 7
Jerusalem
  • Private - Masada, Ein Gedi & Dead Sea - Vehicle/Driver
  • Private Guide/Vehicle - Vehicle/Driver
  • Dinner (not included)
Kibbutz Ramat Rachel 
Day 8
Tel Aviv
  • Transfer - Private - Jerusalem - Tel Aviv [1 hr] - Vehicle/Driver
Depart (B)
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, 1/2d = Half Day, Al = All Inclusive

Trip Options
All of our itineraries may be customized as you wish, add extra days, change a hotel, see different sights. Contact one of our expert consultants for your free, no-obligation vacation plan.

Itinerary

Day 1 Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv is an exciting city offering commerce, culture, nightlife and sandy beaches. The Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra draws audiences from all over the world. The Museum of the Diaspora is internationally famous. The bustling Carmel Market is a popular place to visit. In 1950, Jaffa was united with Tel Aviv; situated a mile from the city, this is one of the oldest ports in the world. It has archaeological finds reaching back to the third century BC, a beach, lively nightlife in Old Jaffa and a flea market.

A private vehicle will provide a transfer between Tel Aviv and the airport.

Welcome to Hotel Kibbutz Shefayim, where casual countryside living is only 15 minutes away from bustling Tel Aviv – Israel’s cultural and financial center. Take a stroll around our sprawling grounds. Enjoy our lush lawns and beautiful gardens. While you wander, take a deep breath and inhale the smell of fresh sea air. Hop on a shuttle bus and follow the scent until you reach our private beach nestled on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. It’s all part of Hotel Kibbutz Shefayim’s unique atmosphere.

Overnight at Kibbutz Shefayim (Herzliya).


Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv
Kibbutz Shefayim (Herzliya)
Kibbutz Shefayim (Herzliya)
Day 2 Galilee

Galilee and the North - Lake Tiberias (the Sea of Galilee) itself, Nazareth, the Bet She’arim Catacombs, Megiddo, Tiberias and the Mount of Beatitudes. Bethlehem - located 10km (6.2 miles) south of Jerusalem, it is most famous for being the birthplace of Christ, although it is also well known for olive woodcarving and mother-of-pearl jewelry, which, today, has developed into a modern industry. Jericho - dates back more than 10,000 years and is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited sites. Known as the ‘City of Palms’, the walls and towers of Jericho are 4000 years older than the pyramids of Egypt, and the domestication of animals took place 1000 years earlier in Jericho than in Mesopotamia and Egypt.

This tour takes you on a drive north along the coastline of the Mediterranean Sea for a visit to the ancient city of Caesarea, where the multimedia show explains about the Roman amphitheatre and ruins. Enjoy the promenade of Caesarea. Continue north to Haifa, and visit the Baha'i Gardens. Further north is Akko, the ancient port city, famous for Napoleon's visit. Explore the Knights Museum, Okashi Museum and the Templers Caves. Return to your Tel Aviv hotel late afternoon.

The Ein-Gev holiday resort is situated on the eastern shores of the Sea of Galilee and is one of the largest in the area. The resort focuses mainly on organized tours and vacations for tourists from all over the world. Equipped with 166 rooms are suitable for couples, families and groups, and their location – on the shores of the lake – provides an ideal setting for a relaxing and enjoyable vacation in a beautiful clean environment.

Overnight at Ein Gev Holiday Resort.


Rainbow Cave in Nahal Betzet, Galilee
Rainbow Cave in Nahal Betzet, Galilee
Baha'i Gardens
Baha'i Gardens
The Ein Giv Holiday Resort
The Ein Giv Holiday Resort
Day 3 Galilee

Start the day at the Hula Valley Nature reserve, Israel’s first National park and home to thousands of birds. Some of the species found here include cranes, storks, pelicans, cormorants, and several types of herons, as well as rare water plants such as the lovely yellow iris. Buffalo were placed in parts of the reserve, as there grazing tendicies helps preserve the open meadows. Enjoy a walk through the Banias Spring, one of the main sources of the Jordan River, before heading out on a short hike to the falls, providing a wonderful opportunity to learn about water related issues in Israel. Next is the Talmudic village at Katzrin to see one of the world's oldest synagogues. Explore one of Israel's most ancient industries - olive oil production at the Golan Olive Oil Mill, where the latest cutting edge technology is used.

Overnight at Ein Gev Holiday Resort.


The Banias River
The Banias River
Day 4 Jerusalem

Jerusalem for Christians, Jews and Muslims, is one of the most revered cities on earth. Attractions range from religious emblems and relics of antiquity to modern items of interest. Religious tours are available from West Jerusalem and include Mount Zion and the Tomb of David. Other sites are the Tomb of Judges; Yad Vashem, the memorial to the six million Jews who died in the Holocaust; and Mea Shearim (‘the hundred gates’). Visitors in East Jerusalem may follow the Way of the Cross, enter the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and see the Wailing Wall, the Dome of the Rock and the Jaffa and Damascus gates. The Israel Museum in Jerusalem houses the Dead Sea Scrolls and is worth visiting.

A private vehicle with driver will provide a transfer to visit Mount Beatitudes. This location boasts fantastic views of the surrounding area including, Capernaum and Tabgha.  Next, visit the Ancient synagogue in Tiberias to admire the fascinating mosaic floor. A drive south to visit Beit Shean is also planned where an opportunity to explore the recently excavated area is provided. Enjoy a visit to the Scythopolis to see the historic Roman Theater, amphitheater and Paladius Street. 

At Kibbutz Ramat Rachel, located 820 meters above sea level, where the rolling hills of the Jerusalem pine forest meet the golden Judean desert, is the sprawling Ramat Rachel Hotel, Congress, Events, Sports and Spa complex. This four-star deluxe property is a winning combination of luxurious accommodations, outstanding views of Bethlehem, Jerusalem and the Judean hills and extensive facilities. A short drive from the Old City and the heart of Jerusalem, the hotel serves as a convenient and comfortable base for touring the Holy City and the surrounding sites. The hotel has its roots as a youth hostel built in 1969 by the members of Kibbutz Ramat Rachel to serve groups of Israelis and tourists visiting Israel’s capital city.

Overnight at Kibbutz Ramat Rachel.


Jerusalem
Jerusalem
Ruins of synagoge in Capernaum
Ruins of synagoge in Capernaum
Kibbutz Ramat Rachel
Kibbutz Ramat Rachel
Day 5 Jerusalem

This tour begins with visits to the Western Wall, followed by a visit to the famed Temple Mount and Dome of the Rock. Next, make a stop at Al Aksa Mosque before continuing on, walking through the meandering streets towards the reconstructed Cardo, a shopping arcade which once existed during ancient times. Follow the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, for a short photo stop. Enjoy some shopping at the most atmospheric market of the Old city, offering variety handicrafts, clothes, foods, spices and local delicacies. End the tour at David’s Citadel and Museum, located near the Jaffa Gate.

Overnight at Kibbutz Ramat Rachel.


Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Day 6 Jerusalem

Early in the morning, travel via a privately driven vehicle to the Orthodox communities of Mea Shearim, to learn about the unique lifestyles of the locals. From here, travel to Knesset for some sightseeing of the Israeli Parliament buildings, and the biblical emblems of Menorah. Next, visit the Israel Museum, home of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and holy land model which replicates what Jerusalem looked like during the Second Temple period. After, travel to Mount Hertzel, the location of a military cemetery and Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial. A visit to the converted national memorial site and museum at the former Jordanian army base at ammunition hill is also planned. A return transfer back to the hotel is provided.

Overnight at Kibbutz Ramat Rachel.


Knesset's Menorah Sculpture
Knesset's Menorah Sculpture
Day 7 Jerusalem

Depart the hotel and head south to visit the beautiful Ein Gedi Reserve. See the waterfalls at this desert oasis in the desert, which is mentioned several times in the Book of Psalms. Continue along the Jordan Valley to Masada, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and ascend to the top by cable car. Masada is the site of King Herod’s desert mountain palace, and the scene of the zealots’ last stand against the Roman legionnaires. Explore the ancient excavation of Herod’s Palaces, including the bathhouse, storerooms, the ramp, and one of the oldest synagogues in the world. If time permits, at the end of the tour, enjoy some time floating in the unsinkable waters of the Dead Sea.

Overnight at Kibbutz Ramat Rachel.


Ein Gedi Waterfall
Ein Gedi Waterfall
Day 8 Tel Aviv

A private vehicle with driver will provide a transfer between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

Depart from Tel Aviv international airport - end of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart.



Trip Includes
Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services

Trip Excludes
Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance

Trip Terms & Conditions

  • Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $250). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. We accept payment via credit card, certified check, wire transfer or money order.
  • Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
  • Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
  • Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
  • Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of deposit. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to 100% of program price.
  • Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.kensingtontours.com/terms-and-conditions
  • Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.