There are bound to be questions when travelling. Information on everything from weather to internet connections can be found below.

• Book This Trip

  To help expedite your booking, please have the following information ready before you call us:

  • Tour Name and Departure Date Desired
  • Traveler Name(s): Please have first and last names as they appear on the passport or driver’s license.
  • Traveler’s Address(es)
  • Traveler’s Phone Number(s)
  • Emergency Contact Information: This would be a relative or friend whom we could contact during the tour in the event of an emergency. Please provide their name and phone number(s).
  • Interest in purchasing Tauck’s Travel Protection Product (see below).
  • Interest in extending your trip by staying in a Tauck recommended hotel before your trip begins or after it ends
  • Interest in our specially negotiated airfares.

  For reservations, call 800-788-7885 or contact your travel agent to book today!
  
  Tauck Reservation Sales Counselors are available:

  Monday through Friday 6 am - 8 pm
  Saturday 9 am - 5 pm
  Sunday 12 pm - 5 pm (Eastern Time)

  Some additional questions you might have about booking this trip:

  Special Requests
  We will be happy to advise hotels of any special requests, provided we receive them at time of booking. We regret that requests cannot be guaranteed.

  Deposit Date
  Upon your request, we will hold space tentatively for you and give a “Deposit Due Date,” by which a deposit must be received or space is automatically released. Your deposit is $600 per person.

  Final Payment is due at Tauck’s Norwalk, CT office 60 days before departure. Any bookings without full payment at this time may be subject to cancellation without notice.

  Final Documents, which may include airline tickets, when applicable, are sent by first class mail upon receipt of final payment. They include joining instructions, hotel lists, tour itinerary, clothing suggestions, luggage tags and other pertinent information. We recommend overnight mailing service for any reservation that is made within 30 days of the tour departure date to ensure timely delivery. The additional expense will be added to your tour cost.

• Inclusive Prices

  Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel accommodations, entertainment, special dinners, land transportation, sightseeing, porterage, and the services of local guides, drivers and the Tauck Director are included. The departure taxes levied by Israel and Jordan and the Jordan visa fee are included. Transportation is included from Ben Gurion International Airport, located midway between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, to InterContinental David Tel Aviv, provided we have received accurate international flight arrival information at least two weeks prior to the tour departure date. Transportation is also included from Le Méridien Amman to Queen Alia International Airport in Amman when you check out of the hotel. Transfers to and from airports may be shared with other Tauck guests.
  
  Hotel Accommodations – The tour price includes all hotel accommodations with private baths. Our standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality may differ slightly from one hotel to another, our commitment to your comfort is unwavering. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are two-bedded rooms plus a roll-away cot, where available, and are not recommended for comfort. Quadruple accommodations are not available.
  
  If you request an adjacent, adjoining or connecting room, we will do all we can to accommodate your request. However, we cannot guarantee such accommodations will be available. Please note that a hotel may consider “adjacent” to be across the hall.
  
  Children under the age of 18 must be booked in a room with at least one adult.
  
  Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.
  
  Tauck Director – Israel and Jordan is conducted by a Tauck Director who remains with the group throughout the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully trained employee of Tauck.
  
  Gratuities Included – All customary gratuities for restaurant and hotel staff, drivers and local guides are included.
  
  No Options Sold – Your Tauck Director will assist you with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed, pleasant experience for you.

• Not Included

  Transportation to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from us for travel originating in the United States.
  
  Hotel Rooms Before and After Tours – To avoid jet lag and possible flight delays, you may wish to make hotel arrangements for the nights preceding or following your tour. As a service, we will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through us. Hotel room charges will be added to the tour cost. Airport transfers are included for these extended stays as described above under Inclusive Prices. If you wish us to arrange additional nights for you, please view our hotel selections listed under Extend Your Trip in the Accommodations section above on this webpage and then discuss your reservations sales consultant or travel agent when you book your tour.
  
  Luggage Responsibility – Although every effort is made to handle your luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Please refer to the details provided under the Tauck Travel Protection Product section below on this webpage for more information.
  
  Lost luggage is an unfortunate possibility in today's world of airline travel. We suggest that you:
  

  • Pack some basic clothing in your carry-on bag
  • Split your items between your suitcase and a traveling companion's suitcase
  • Do not pack any vital medications or valuables in your checked luggage
  • Confirm that your luggage is checked and tagged to your final destination at airport check-in
  • Be sure to place your luggage claim tags in a secure place for your flight
  • File a claim for any missing luggage immediately before leaving the baggage claim area
  • Secure a case number and contact information for follow-up communications
  • Be certain that the airline has your onward itinerary

  Your Tauck Director will assist you with airline communications, but has no inside contacts to guarantee or expedite recovery of lost luggage. All recovery costs, including the communication costs, are your responsibility. Check your travel protection details for covered expenses.
  
  Personal Expenses - such as phone calls, room service, alcoholic and other beverages not specifically included, laundry, dry cleaning, airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, visa fees and services, airport arrival and departure taxes, individual train and airport transfers (when applicable), and other optional or incidental extras are not included and may be significant.
  
  Tauck Director Gratuities – The customary gratuities to the Tauck Director are not included. We ask that gratuities be extended on a voluntary, individual basis and not as a group.

• Tauck Travel Protection Product / If You Have To Cancel

  Tauck’s Guest Protection and Cancellation Fee Waiver

  Guests booking a Tauck journey have the option of purchasing cancellation protection from Tauck in the event they need to cancel their trip after making their reservations.

  Tauck's Travel Protection is available to all travelers, with the exception of residents of Puerto Rico. Residents of Puerto Rico are eligible for some cancellation protection by purchasing Tauck's Cancellation Fee Waiver (see below).

  Tauck’s Guest Protection

  Under Tauck’s all-inclusive Guest Protection, you can cancel your tour for any reason up to the day before departure and receive a money-back refund (except in Extreme Circumstances*) on the land tour cost. The Guest Protection plan waives cancellation fees outlined, provided we are notified of cancellation before your tour departs. Tour cancellation fees are waived regardless of reason, without written notice, and Tauck will refund land tour cost. The cost is $520 per person.

  In addition, Tauck’s Guest Protection provides comprehensive travelers’ insurance and 24-hour emergency assistance. Coverage for the following elements is provided by BerkelyCare, Ltd. and is subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy:

  • Airfare Protection – Should you need to cancel or interrupt your tour for covered reasons, airfares and air penalties will be covered up to the original airfare cost.
  • Medical Protection – You are reimbursed for covered medical expenses incurred in the event you become injured or ill during your trip (including pre-existing conditions if purchased at time of deposit).
  • Luggage Protection – You are reimbursed for lost, stolen, delayed or damaged luggage.

  This optional Guest Protection must be requested at time of booking and fee must be included with initial payment. Details will be provided with written confirmation of your tour reservation. Guest Protection not protect travel agent commissions. Cost is not refundable under any circumstances. Reimbursements will be made according to original method of payment. The amount of any refund shall be reduced by any recoveries obtained by you from any third parties.

  Tauck’s Cancellation Fee Waiver

  Should you have to cancel your tour for any reason, Tauck’s non-refundable Cancellation Fee Waiver waives all cancellation fees outlined (except in Extreme Circumstances*), provided we are notified of cancellation before your tour departs. The cost is $400 per person.

  This Waiver is not insurance; it does not cover airline penalties, luggage damage, personal injury, or does not protect travel agent commissions. The advantage of this waiver is that you may cancel regardless of reason, without written notice. Should you wish protection beyond our Cancellation Fee Waiver, your travel agent will recommend insurance companies.

  This optional Cancellation Fee Waiver must be requested at time of booking and fee must be included with initial payment. It assures a full refund of land tour costs received by Tauck, except for the cost of the Cancellation Fee Waiver and any extra fees resulting from partial room cancellation.

  *Extreme Circumstances: In the event of an act of God, war (whether declared or undeclared), terrorism, accident, natural disaster, outbreak of disease, or other event or circumstance beyond our control that contributes to or results in cancellation rates above our historical cancellation rates in the absence of such event or occurrence, Tauck reserves the right to issue a credit to you in lieu of a money-back refund, applicable to a future Tauck journey.

  If You Have to Cancel

  Cancellations Fees – Regardless of reason, cancellations result in costly charges from our travel and hotel providers covering penalties and fees incurred by canceling confirmed bookings. Therefore, the following fees apply. Time of cancellation will be when notice is received in our Norwalk, CT office.

  Guests choosing to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection will incur cancellation penalties of
  $520 per person regardless of cancellation date prior to tour departure date.

  Guests choosing to purchase Tauck’s Cancellation Fee Waiver will incur cancellation penalties of $400 per person regardless of cancellation date prior to tour departure date.

  Guests choosing not to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows:

  60 days or more before departure
  $600 per person

  59-8 days before departure
  $1250 per person

  7-1 days before departure
  $2000 per person

  In the event of an unforeseen circumstance beyond our control, Tauck reserves the right to amend the cancellation terms outlined herein.

  Tour Interruption Fees – If you have to interrupt your tour en route, you may be entitled to a refund of land tour costs if it exceeds 24 hours; certain restrictions apply. Such refunds are based upon the number of overnights missed less $40 per day for unused transportation and other fixed expenses.

  Partial Room Cancellation – A person canceling or leaving a tour while a roommate remains constitutes a cancellation of one type of accommodation and rebooking of another type of accommodation. The price charged the remaining person is the new, higher price for the new accommodation.

• Additional Information

  Airline Security Measures –
  
  If you are traveling from the U.S., the U.S. Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Secure Flight program requires that your name, as it appears on your domestic or international airline ticket, must precisely match your name as it appears on the government-issued photo ID (i.e., passport or driver’s license) that you present during security screening. The ID name must also match any additional airline data, such as frequent-flyer information. For example, if you present your driver's license to security and it says John T. Smith, your ticket must also say John T. Smith, not John Thomas Smith, Jack Smith, or any other variant. Your date-of-birth and gender information provided to the airline must also match your passport.
  
  If you make your air travel arrangements through us, please ensure that the name you provide us precisely matches your name as shown on the identification you will use while traveling. If you make your own airline reservations, please ensure that the airline has the correct information.
  
  For more information on the Secure Flight program, please visit the TSA website by clicking here.
  
  If you are traveling from an airport outside the jurisdiction of the U.S., you will need to determine what travel documentation and identification is required for that particular airport.
  
  Due to heightened security regulations, certain items such as a metal nail file, pocketknife, cigarette lighter, or tweezers, and some liquid, gel, or aerosol items may not be permitted in your carry-on luggage. Please call your airline prior to departure to obtain current information on non-permissible carry-on items and recommended airport check-in times.
  
  Air Services – Airfare may be purchased through us for travel originating in the United States. By using our air services, you agree that we, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, are acting only as your agent and are not liable or responsible for any accident, death, personal injury, illness, property damage, delay or other loss or expense of any nature whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of any act of God, or any actions or omissions (including any failure to provide services) or default of, any carrier. All carriers are independent contractors and are not owned, managed, controlled or operated by us. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline only, even if purchased through us. We are not liable for, and do not assume responsibility or accept claims with regard to seat assignments, schedule changes, flight changes, cancellations, claims for a refund or reimbursement of airline ticket fees, or any other loss incurred by you for any reason whatsoever (including, without limitation to, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar relief from creditors). We must handle ticketing for our special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Our air services can only be purchased in conjunction with one of our tours. Tickets or e-ticket numbers will be mailed with final documents. If you cancel or change your air booking before or after departure, all airline cancellation and change fees will apply.
  
  Holiday and Museum Closures – Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or the many religious, state and civic holidays locally observed. You may wish to log on to Wikipedia to view a list of holidays by country by clicking here.

  The Jewish religious day is Saturday (Shabbat) and begins at nightfall on Friday until nightfall on Saturday. Most public services and shops close early on Friday as a result. Muslim and Christian holidays are also observed by the respective populations. Thus, depending on the district, the day of rest falls on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
  
  Itinerary Changes and Price Flexibility – We pledge to make every effort to operate all tours as advertised. We reserve the right to alter or curtail the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, hotels, and/or conveyances as deemed necessary. Any savings realized by these changes will be refunded to you. Any resultant added expense will be covered by us. Although not expected, prices on this website may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecast at the time of publication.
  
  Journey Start and End Times are provided at time of booking. The tour begins at 6:00 PM at the InterContinental David Tel Aviv on the first day of the tour. You or your booking agent will be advised of any change to this schedule. When making flight arrangements, please allow sufficient time to claim luggage and clear customs in order to join the tour on time. Your tour ends when you check out of Le Méridien Amman on the last day of the tour, or for those with early evening flights on Day 13, at Queen Alia International Airport. Each carrier and each airport has different rules regarding how early you must arrive for flight check in. Please contact your individual carrier for this information.

  Membership will be granted to all persons. We reserve the right to terminate the tour of any person who is abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the tour.
  
  Photography on Tour – Occasionally, we will use photographs and / or video taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your tour for print, Internet and other media promotional purposes. If you prefer that your image not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.

• Preparing to Go

  Travel Document Requirements – 
  
  If you are a U.S. citizen traveling internationally, you will need a passport valid for six months beyond the completion of your Tauck journey for entry into Israel and Jordan.You do not require a visa to visit Israel for a short stay of 3 months or less however, you will need a visa for Jordan. The Jordanian visa will be issued at the border on day 9 of the tour.
  
  If you are citizen of another country traveling internationally, please contact an embassy or consulate of Israel and of Jordan to determine what travel documentation is required.
  
  Please note that longer stays abroad for any purpose may require additional travel documentation.
  
  All guests are required to provide their passport information to us at time of booking.
  
  On Day 9, the tour will cross the Israel border with Jordan at the Sheikh Hussein crossing/North Border, which is located 56mi (90 km) north of Amman close to Lake Tiberias (Sea of Galilee). Your coach will arrive at the Israel border where all guests will disembark the coach to have their passports stamped – the exit fee will have been prepaid by Tauck. After processing, all guests will re-board the Israeli coach, which will then proceed across the border to the Jordan side. Once the coach is on the Jordan side, all guests will again disembark the coach and proceed to the terminal building while all luggage is transferred from our Israeli coach to our Jordanian coach. The Tauck Director, along with our Jordanian guide, will use a passport manifest to pay the visa fees for all guests, and then lead you through immigration and the security checkpoint. Passports will then be individually stamped and all guests will board the Jordanian coach. Upon exit, you may or may not have to take luggage off the coach to be scanned. The entire process will take just over an hour.
  
  We strongly recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, the date of expiration and your citizenship. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.
  
  Security Screening for U.S. citizens
  
  You are advised that all persons applying for entry to Israel, the West Bank, or Gaza are subject to security and police record checks by the Government of Israel, and may be denied entry or exit without explanation. U.S. citizens whom Israeli authorities suspect of being of Arab or Muslim origin are likely to face additional, often time-consuming, and probing questioning by immigration and border authorities, or may even be denied entry into Israel.
  
  Israeli-Americans: The Government of Israel considers U.S. citizens who also hold Israeli citizenship or have a claim to dual nationality to be Israeli citizens for immigration and other legal purposes. For example, a U.S. citizen child of an Israeli parent will be considered an Israeli citizen by Israeli immigration officials and Israeli law will apply to the child's travel to, and departure from, Israel. U.S. citizens who are also citizens of Israel must enter and depart Israel using their current Israeli passport. Israeli citizens are currently not permitted to enter Gaza and are generally restricted from traveling to parts of the West Bank under Palestinian Authority control. Contact the Israeli Ministry of Interior or your nearest Israeli Embassy or Consulate for more information on citizenship and travel restrictions for Israeli citizens.
  
  Palestinian-Americans: U.S. citizens who have a Palestinian Authority ID number or who are considered by the Government of Israel to have residency status in the West Bank or Gaza are advised to read this section very carefully. It is possible that Israeli authorities would consider as Palestinian anyone who has a Palestinian Identification number, was born in the West Bank or Gaza, or was born in the United States but has parents or grandparents who were born or lived in the West Bank or Gaza. Any such U.S. citizens may be required to travel to Israel using their Palestinian Authority passport, regardless of whether they hold U.S. citizenship. Without the Palestinian Authority passport, these Americans may be barred from entering or exiting Israel, the West Bank or Gaza, or they may face serious delays at the ports of entry.
  
  Individuals who hold a Palestinian Authority ID, as well as persons judged by Israeli authorities to have claim to a Palestinian Authority ID by virtue of ancestry, will be considered subject to Israeli law and to regulations that Israel applies to residents of the West Bank and Gaza, regardless of whether they also hold U.S. citizenship. In most cases, such individuals will be required by Israeli authorities to enter the West Bank via the Allenby Bridge (also known as King Hussein Bridge) border crossing with Jordan, rather than entering Israel via Ben Gurion International Airport unless they obtain a transit permit for that purpose in advance. Even if they have entered Israel via Ben Gurion Airport, they may be required to depart via the Allenby Bridge. Upon arrival at any of the Ports of Entry, such persons may wish to consider asking Israeli immigration authorities from where they will be required to depart.
  
  Back-to-Back Tours
  
  Israel and Jordan is designed to finish one day before the start of our tour, Egypt: Jewels along the Nile. We have determined that traveling from Israel to Egypt is a less cumbersome and problematic process for travel documentation than traveling in the other direction. Based on the design of our itineraries (hotels, cultural aspects, etc), we feel you will have the best travel experience if you join the Egypt: Jewels along the Nile tour after completing the Israel and Jordan tour.
  
  Travel with Children –
  
  Age Recommendations ― Children 5 years of age or older at the time of travel are welcome on this Tauck journey. Based upon our experience with family travelers, we have a minimum recommended age for each journey to encourage comfort and enjoyment for all of our guests. All activities are available for children 8 years of age or older. All children must be accompanied on activities by a parent or guardian. At least one guest in the traveling party must be 21 years of age or older in order to make a reservation.
  
  Babysitting ― Our journeys are designed for adults and children to share the wonder of discovery together. if you require babysitting services, your Tauck Director will put you in contact with the appropriate hotel staff with whom you may make babysitting arrangements. There is usually an additional fee for these services. Many hotels do offer on-site babysitting services; however, babysitting services may not be available at all of our hotels. Please note that our Tauck Directors are not responsible for providing babysitting services.
  
  Safety and Welfare Responsibility ― We welcome the participation of child travelers on our exciting excursions. If you are traveling with a child on a Tauck journey, you have the sole responsibility for ensuring that that the child with whom you are traveling follows all rules of safety throughout the tour. By traveling with us, you release Tauck, Inc. and our partners of all liability for any risks and/or injuries to the child with whom you are traveling.
  
  Special Travel Documentation for Children
  Authorization for Travel
  
  If you travel into or out of the U.S. with children under the age of 18, you should be aware of the following: because of increasing incidents of child abductions in disputed custody cases and because children are at risk as possible victims of child pornography, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly recommends that unless the child is accompanied by both parents, you should have a notarized note from the child's other parent (or, in the case of a child traveling with grandparents, uncles or aunts, sisters or brothers, or friends, a note signed by both parents) stating that the parent(s) not traveling acknowledge that the parent(s), family members, etc. who are traveling into or out of the U.S. with the child have permission to do so. While CBP may not ask to see this documentation, if they do ask, and you do not have it, you may be detained until the circumstances of the child traveling without both parents can be fully assessed.
  
  If there is no second parent with legal claims to the child (parent deceased, sole custody, etc.), other relevant paperwork, such as a court decision, birth certificate naming only one parent, or a death certificate, will be useful.
  
  Many other countries also share this concern for children who travel without both parents. To ensure smooth travel, we require you to comply with the travel regulations of each country visited. This information may be obtained from a country’s consulate or embassy.
  
  Authorization for Emergency Medical Treatment
  
  In the unlikely event of a medical emergency, a medical facility will require permission from the child’s parents to provide treatment. Therefore, we strongly suggest that you bring along a letter from both parents (including other pertinent documents as cited above) authorizing emergency medical treatment for their child.

  Children who are U.S. citizens must have a passport valid for at least six months beyond the completion of the journey.

  We are not responsible for the disruption of travel caused by the improper documentation of any guest, including children traveling without both parents. While there is no definitive format or standard, click here to view a sample letter for guardians or one parent traveling with a child.
  
  Air Conditioning – All hotels and motor coaches are air-conditioned for your comfort.
  
  ATM and Credit Cards – We recommend that you contact your bank in advance of departing on this tour to determine whether you will be able to use your ATM and credit cards while traveling. When contacting your bank, notify them of your travel dates so that they will anticipate charges being made outside of your hometown and do not suspend your cards for what may appear to them to be “suspicious” charges. We also recommend that you make a photocopy of both sides of your ATM and credit cards to leave behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your cards are misplaced, lost or stolen.
  
  In Jordan, credit cards are accepted at hotels, restaurants and larger shops, including American Express, Visa, Diners Club, and MasterCard. Please note that many smaller shops still prefer cash payment in the Jordanian currency, and it’s essential for shopping in the local souks.
  
  Clothing and Packing – Your journey through Israel and Jordan is casual. Dress for comfort and convenience with a wardrobe that is adaptable and allows for layering. Comfortable, cotton clothing is suggested. For travel from February through early June and late September through November, you will need a light jacket or fleece, a light sweater and a rain poncho. No special attire is required for dining, although you may wish to dress more formally for fine dining experiences in metropolitan areas.
  
  Most importantly, bring comfortable yet sturdy walking shoes that have already been broken-in. It is important that your shoes have good ankle support, as we visit some ancient sites where paths and stairs may be uneven and unpaved.
  
  In Jerusalem, you should dress appropriately when visiting the Old City and ultra-orthodox Jewish neighborhoods.
  
  Jordan is primarily a Muslim country, although the freedom of all religions is protected. Muslim women's clothing often covers their arms, legs and hair. Western women are not subject to these customs, but very revealing clothing is never appropriate and conservative dress is advisable for both men and women in the old part of Amman (Downtown), and outside the cities. Shorts are rarely worn by either sex, and would be out of place in the downtown Amman area. Topless sunbathing is prohibited and one-piece swimsuits are preferred, although two-piece swimsuits are acceptable at hotel pools.
  
  Valet laundry services are available at all the hotels.
  
  We recommend that you pack an adequate supply of your prescription medication in its original container to last through your entire journey, together with a copy of your doctor’s prescription or a letter from your health-care provider on office stationery explaining that the medication has been prescribed for you, a list of the generic names of your medication, your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the event that your flight or luggage is delayed.
  
  Following is a list of recommended items to pack for travel to Israel and Jordan:

  • Comfortable, cotton clothing
  • Casual daytime wear- shorts, slacks, long and short-sleeved shirts
  • Optional: Jacket and tie for men and casually elegant evening wear for ladies
  • Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat
  • Swimwear
  • Gym wear
  • A light sweater or jacket
  • Lightweight waterproof slicker
  • Comfortable walking shoes with adequate ankle support
  • Binoculars
  • Insect repellent
  • Camera, lenses, batteries, memory cards and/or plenty of film
  • Battery-operated travel alarm clock
  • Collapsible umbrella
  • Pre-moistened towelettes
  • Zipper-lock bags
  • Daypack for camera equipment
  • Sundries and toiletries that may be difficult to find enroute
  • Copies of your travel documents that should be secured in the safe in your hotel room while traveling

  Elevation – Elevations on this tour are:

  Tel Aviv -         150 ft (46 m)
  Haifa -             1700 ft (518 m)
  Jerusalem -      2723 ft (830 m)
  Dead Sea -       -1230 ft (-375 m) the lowest spot on Earth
  Petra -             1900 ft (579 m)
  Amman -         2200-3000 ft (671-914 m) hill city

  Health – Israel and Jordan is an active tour. You should be in good health, able to climb into and out of a small boat and walk reasonable distances over unpaved and uneven terrain. Many of our walking excursions are in and around ancient sites and old city quarters.The amount of walking you do, however, is at your discretion.
  
  We regret that we are unable to accommodate wheelchairs or scooters on this tour. We also regret that we cannot provide you with individual assistance for walking, dining or other personal needs. If you require such assistance, you must be accompanied by an able companion who will help you.
  
  Throughout the tour, we will provide you with clean and safe drinking water.
  
  If you have a medical condition that might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify us as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.

  Please check with your health insurance provider to determine whether you are covered while traveling. If you will not be covered under your current policy, we strongly suggest that you arrange for adequate coverage while on tour.

  VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

  Some of the countries visited on this itinerary may require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against certain diseases in order to enter the country.  These requirements are subject to frequent change as outbreaks occur and subside in different areas, and it is therefore crucial that you obtain the very latest information on entry requirements as you prepare for your journey.

  For the most current information, please consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by clicking here and the World Health Organization (WHO) by clicking here. You may also wish to visit the web sites for the embassies of the countries you will be visiting.  Besides providing details on vaccination requirements, these sites can also provide information on vaccinations that may be recommended (but aren’t required) and other potential health issues for which no vaccines are available.

  Any decisions relating to your health, of course, should not be based solely on information provided by a web site.  It is critically important that you consult with your personal physician prior to your journey to obtain any required vaccinations and to review any optional recommendations offered by the CDC or other sources.

  Please be sure to discuss your journey with your physician at least four to six weeks in advance of your departure, as certain vaccinations take time to become fully effective.  Also, be certain to ask your physician for proof of any vaccinations you receive, and to pack this proof along with your other travel documents in your carry-on luggage (not in your checked luggage).

  Researching and complying with vaccination entry requirements for the countries visited on this itinerary is the responsibility of the traveler and not Tauck. Tauck is therefore not responsible for any expenses incurred or disruptions to travel caused by improper or incomplete vaccinations, or by the failure to provide proof of required vaccinations. 

  If you do not obtain the necessary vaccinations and proper documentation, you may be denied entry into one or more countries, or temporarily quarantined until the necessary vaccinations are administered, or until proper documentation is provided. 

  Luggage Restrictions –
  
  Checked Luggage – General
  
  While it is common for airlines to allow passengers to check more than one piece of luggage per person, space constraints during your Tauck journey make it difficult to accommodate extra luggage. We ask that you limit your checked luggage to one average size suitcase per person.
  
  In addition, airlines have adopted more strict policies in enforcing number, size and weight limits. Luggage exceeding maximum restrictions may require expensive overage fees, frustrating and hurried re-packing at the ticket counter, or even risk being left behind.
  
  Many carriers require that checked luggage not exceed a weight of 50 lbs (22.7 kg) per piece. Airlines revise luggage policies frequently and often without notice; therefore, we cannot be held liable for the accuracy of the weight limit listed above. We urge you to check with your airline before traveling to determine current number, weight and size restrictions. It is also important to note that restrictions for luggage number, weight and size may vary with the same airline based on the class of service you select. First and Business Class ticket holders may have different restrictions than Coach Class travelers. You may wish to consult the website, luggagelimits.com, by clicking here.
  
  We cannot be held liable for additional fees or inconveniences imposed by the airline due to luggage number, weight and size policies.
  
  Please be sure to attach your Tauck luggage tag to your suitcase before leaving home!
  
  Carry-on Luggage – General
  
  Although oversize bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or for many on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.
  
  For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and that you bring only those items you need handy during the day such as make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or on the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may be inaccessible during daytime travel.

  
  
  

• Destination Information

  Cell Phones - We understand and appreciate the value of instant communication when we travel; it keeps us in touch with friends and family, and it's a reassurance in the event of an emergency. However, the use of cell phones can be disruptive to a tour and to other guests who are enjoying their vacation. As a courtesy to others, we ask that you refrain from using your cell phone during motor coach travel and group functions, or when sightseeing and when the Tauck Director is addressing the group as a whole. There are usually many opportunities to make or receive calls at times when it does not affect others.
  
  If your U.S. cell phone or hand held wireless device is programmed for international service, it will work automatically in Israel. Alternatively, cell phones can be rented as soon as you arrive in Israel. To use one of the many public phones in Israel, you will need to buy a “Telecart” magnetic card. These are readily available at newsstands, supermarkets, post offices or at your hotel’s front desk.
  
  Please contact your cell phone carrier to determine whether your cell phone service extends to Israel and Jordan.
  
  Currency and Exchange Rates - The official currency of Israel is the New Israeli Shekel (NIS), which is divided into 100 agorot. However, the Bank of Israel has done away with anything smaller that a 5 agorot coin; therefore, prices will be rounded up when you pay in coin, but will be exact if charged. The bills you will see commonly in circulation are the 200-shekel bill (orange-red), 100-shekel bill (brown), 50-shekel bill (purple) and the 20-shekel bill (green). The new 20-shekel bill is made out of plastic. Eventually, all Israeli bills will be made this way. Plastic bills are supposed to be harder to counterfeit and last longer than paper ones. They are also hard to keep folded and keep popping out of your wallet, so keep an eye on them! The coins in circulation include the 1, 2, 5 and 10-shekel coins, plus the 5, 10 and 50-agorot coins. Shekel coins are made of a nickel alloy and increase in size as they go up in value. Be careful not to confuse the 1 and 2 shekel coins, as they are not that different in size.
  
  The local currency in Jordan is the Jordanian Dinar (JOD or JD), which is often called the “jaydee”. There are 1, 5, 10, 20, 50-JD notes. The dinar is divided onto 100 piastres (pronounced “pee-asters”) of 1000 fils (pronounced “fills”). The fils is the unit most commonly used and you will usually see prices written as 4,750 (which is 4 JD and 750 fils). The government is in the process of phasing out fils coinage. Older coins say fils; newer coins of the same size say the equivalent number of piastres. The older fils coins do not have numerals on them. The value is written in English script but can be very difficult to read. Learn the sizes. The newer piastre coins do have Arabic numerals (that is the number as written by Arabs), plus the value spelled out in English. This will help you learn the Arabic numerals for 1, 5 and 0. Coins come in 1 dinar, 1/2 dinar, 1/4 dinar, 100 fils (10 piastres), 50 fils (5 piastres), 25 fils (2.5 piastres), and 10 fils (1 piastre). Paper money comes in 1/2, 1, 5, 10 and 20 dinar denominations. They vary in size and color, but it is possible to mix up the 1 and 10 if you are not careful. Currency can be exchanged at major banks, exchange booths and at most hotels. Street moneychangers are best avoided. Exchange rates are set daily by the Jordanian Central Bank.
  
  To obtain the latest currency exchange rate, you may want to check your local newspaper or log on to the Internet website, oanda.com, by clicking here.

  Customs and Tax-Free Shopping – Each country we visit has its own customs clearing process. You should familiarize yourself with  the specific required declarations of Israel and Jordan before you travel. In general, you are not permitted to bring live plants, fresh fruits and other produce items into most countries. You may find additional information by visiting VisaHQ.com by clicking here.

  If you are a U.S. resident traveling internationally who will be returning to the U.S. at the end of the tour, you are entitled to a duty-free exemption based on the total value of merchandise purchase abroad, as long as you physically bring them with you. There are limits to the amount of alcohol that can be a part of this exemption. Certain restrictions apply to unaccompanied goods mailed from abroad to the U.S. Please call your local customs office or consult the U.S. government's customs regulations as contained in their publication entitled Know Before You Go.
  
  If you are a resident of another country traveling internationally, please refer to your own country’s rules and regulations regarding customs and duty-free shopping to ensure compliance upon your return.
  
  Many countries levy Value Added Taxes (VAT) on consumer goods and services. (The tax rate may be higher for luxury items and lower for basic goods.) As a rule, if you are not a resident of the country (or of the country’s intergovernmental economic community, e.g., the European Union) in which the purchase is made, you may be entitled to a VAT refund and should inquire about the refund policy where you shop.
  
  Electrical Current – The electrical current in Israel and Jordan is 220/230 V, 50 Hz, AC. If you bring electrical devices that do not conform to this standard, then you may need to bring the appropriate adapters and converters.
  
  Laptops are always dual-voltage so all you will need is a European-style two-pin converter plug that will work in Israel.
  
  Internet Access is available as indicated below:
  
  InterContinental David Tel Aviv - Wireless access for a fee
  The Colony Hotel Haifa - Complimentary wireless access throughout the hotel
  The David Citadel Hotel - High-speed access for a fee
  Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea - Wireless access for a fee
  Mövenpick Resort Petra - Wireless access for a fee
  Le Méridien Amman - High-speed and wireless access for a fee
  

  Time Zones – Israel and Jordan are 2 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (or Greenwich Mean Time). From late March to late September, Israel switches to Daylight Savings Time (DST), and is 3 hours ahead; Jordan switches to DST from late March to late October. To determine current time in major cities around the world, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, timeanddate.com, by clicking here.
  
  Weather – In Israel, from December through February, the average temperature in Tel Aviv ranges from 41-65 °F (5-18 °C), although it may get colder around the Jerusalem. From March through April, temperatures in Tel Aviv range from 61-75 °F (16-24 °C). Jerusalem and the Golan Heights are approximately 5.5 °F (3 °C) colder, and Eilat is usually 5.5 °F (3 °C) warmer. From June through August/September, the weather is hot and humid. Temperatures range from 75-95 °F (24-35 °C). On very hot days in Tel Aviv, which occur in August, temperatures may rise to 108 °F (42 °C) mixed with 95% humidity. In Jerusalem, those days are as hot, but without the humidity, and in Eilat temperature may even climb to 122 °F (50 °C), but without the humidity. From September through November, temperatures in Tel Aviv range from 61-75 °F (16-24 °C). Jerusalem and the Golan Heights are approximately 5.5 °F (3 °C) colder, and Eilat is usually 5.5 °F (3 °C) warmer.
  
  Jordan is approximately 90% desert, with an annual rainfall below 8 in (203 mm) and falling as low as 1-2 in (25-50 mm) in some places. Jordan is a very sunny country with average daily sunshine hours ranging from six to seven hours per day in winter and as many as twelve to thirteen hours per day in the summer. Although summer temperatures are high in the desert, the heat is usually moderated by low humidity and a stiff daytime breeze while the nights are cool and pleasant. You should expect hot and dry summers with cool evenings.
  

  
  To determine current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, noaa.gov, by clicking here.

  			CLIMATE CHART
  	Temperature
  	Tel Aviv				Haifa
  	Israel				Israel
  	Fahrenheit		Celsius		Fahrenheit		Celsius
  	High	Low	High	Low	High	Low	High	Low
  Jan	63	50	17	10	63	51	17	11
  Feb	63	50	17	10	63	50	17	10
  Mar	67	53	19	12	68	53	20	12
  Apr	73	59	23	15	73	58	23	14
  May	76	64	24	18	78	64	26	18
  Jun	81	70	27	21	83	70	28	21
  Jul	84	74	29	23	87	74	31	23
  Aug	86	75	30	24	88	76	31	24
  Sep	85	73	29	23	85	73	29	23
  Oct	81	67	27	19	82	67	28	19
  Nov	75	60	24	16	75	60	24	16
  Dec	67	53	19	12	66	53	19	12
  	Dead Sea				Petra
  	Jordan				Jordan
  	Fahrenheit		Celsius		Fahrenheit		Celsius
  	High	Low	High	Low	High	Low	High	Low
  Jan	54	41	12	5	56	36	13	2
  Feb	55	41	13	5	59	37	15	3
  Mar	60	45	16	7	65	42	18	6
  Apr	70	51	21	11	76	50	24	10
  May	78	56	26	13	84	57	29	14
  Jun	82	61	28	16	90	61	32	16
  Jul	85	65	29	18	93	65	34	18
  Aug	85	65	29	18	94	64	34	18
  Sep	83	63	28	17	90	61	32	16
  Oct	77	59	25	15	81	54	27	12
  Nov	67	51	19	11	69	45	21	7
  Dec	57	44	14	7	59	38	15	3

  
  
  

  	Rainfall
  	Tel Aviv		Haifa
  	Israel		Israel
  	Inches	Millimeters	Inches	Millimeters
  Jan	3.3	84	4.2	105
  Feb	2.7	67	3.5	88
  Mar	1.5	38	2.0	51
  Apr	0.1	2	0.6	16
  May	0.0	1	0.1	4
  Jun	0.0	0	0.0	0
  Jul	0.0	0	0.0	1
  Aug	0.0	0	0.0	0
  Sep	0.0	0	0.0	1
  Oct	0.9	22	0.7	17
  Nov	1.3	32	2.6	65
  Dec	2.9	75	3.4	86
  		320		432
  	Dead Sea		Petra
  	Jordan		Jordan
  	Inches	Millimeters	Inches	Millimeters
  Jan	4.0	101	0.2	5
  Feb	3.7	94	0.2	4
  Mar	2.4	62	0.2	4
  Apr	0.4	11	0.1	1
  May	0.2	5	0.0	1
  Jun	0.0	1	0.0	0
  Jul	0.0	0	0.0	0
  Aug	0.0	0	0.0	0
  Sep	0.0	0	0.0	0
  Oct	0.3	7	0.1	4
  Nov	1.6	41	0.1	3
  Dec	3.7	94	0.1	2