OVERVIEW
This small group journey through Jordan, Israel, and the West Bank gives participants exclusive access to the culture, politics, and environment of the region. Led by regional experts, this luxury trip goes beyond borders and takes you off the beaten track to delve into the complex environmental realities in the Middle East.
2024 Tour Dates: February 25, 2024 – March 6, 2024
2024 Tour Dates: February 25, 2024 – March 6, 2024
Double Room (per person): $6,900
Single Room Supplement Fee: $2,000
Please contact beyond@friendsofarava.org if you have any questions!
Please note: transportation to and from the Middle East is not included in the price of the tour.
- Transportation during the tour is included in the tour price
- Luxury coach buses will be provided for the duration of the trip
- Transport to and from the airport with VIP services
- Transportation to and from the Middle East is not included in the price of the tour.
Throughout the journey through Jordan, Israel, and the West Bank, participants will enjoy accommodation in 5-star hotels.
The safety and security of our participants is our primary concern. We consult with Israel’s security services and receive all security alerts.
Insurance is not included in any tour package. We require tour participants to purchase trip and health insurance.
To speak with someone about the Beyond Borders Tour, please call (617) 275-2279 or email beyond@friendsofarava.org, and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
ITINERARY
This is a draft itinerary subject to change.
Day 1: Arrive in Amman. Attend a welcome dinner, meet your fellow participants and the staff who will be with you for this unique experience, and discuss the trip’s itinerary, what you’ll experience, and receive an overview of the regional situation.
Day 2: Amman and the Dead Sea. Meet with government leaders & ambassadors in the Jordanian capital of Amman. Continue onto the Dead Sea to enjoy a traditional dinner overlooking the beautiful view of the Dead Sea into Israel.
Day 3: Petra. Tour and explore the World Heritage site of Petra, an ancient Nabatean city and archeological site. Enjoy dinner with Arava Institute Jordanian and Palestinian alumni engaged in sustainability efforts in Jordan.
Day 4: Wadi Rum and Aqaba. Enjoy a Jeep tour of Wadi Rum, a beautiful and otherworldly section of the Arabian Desert that features red sand dunes and towering sandstone mountains. Learn about the water sustainability projects in Aqaba with the Arava Institute researchers. Cross the border to Eilat and dine at Kibbutz Ketura.
Day 5: Kibbutz Ketura / Arava Institute. Meet with Arava Institute staff, tour the Arava Institute, and hear our vision for the next 25 years of growth. Tour the Institute’s orchards and see the renowned Methuselah, the first date palm germinated from Judean date palm seeds, over 2000 years old. Tour the Institute’s cutting-edge Off-Grid Technology Village. Optional hike in the nearby mountains and dinner with Institute staff.
Day 6: Dead Sea Exploration. Explore sinkholes and the water crisis with Dr. Clive Lipchin and the Bedouin community. Learn more about the ecological environment and environmental cooperation efforts. Down time and swim at the Dead Sea. Travel to Jerusalem for Shabbat.
Day 7: Jerusalem. Free time with optional activities that will accommodate Shabbat observance for those interested.
Day 8: West Bank. Meet with the Institute’s Palestinian partners in the non-governmental organization, Damour for Community Development, and others who are part of the Arava Institute’s Track II Environmental Forum.
Day 9: East Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Visit the Kidron Valley and travel together for a tour of East Jerusalem to learn about the environmental challenges facing East Jerusalem. Arrive in Tel Aviv and meet with environmental political leaders.
Day 10: Tel Aviv. Free time. Take a multi-narratives tour of the city, learning about the Jewish and Arab historical foundations of Jaffa, and meet Israeli civil society leaders. Celebration dinner.
Day 11: Breakfast and departures from Tel Aviv
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I need to be a U.S. citizen to participate?
Not necessarily, but please contact beyond@friendsofarava.org for specifics.
Do I need to have traveled to Israel or the Middle East beforehand?
No, this tour is open to all.
Is travel to and from the Middle East included in the tour price?
No.
Will we need to travel on group flights to and from the Middle East?
At this point, we do not anticipate that you will need to travel on a group flight.
Will someone pick me up from the airport?
Yes, we will pick you up from the Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan, or we can work with you on coordinating your arrival if you have different plans. For those departing upon the conclusion of the tour, we will provide transportation to the Tel Aviv airport.
Are there kosher options at every meal?
Meals will be either kosher or vegetarian in Israel and there will be vegetarian options in Jordan and Palestine.
I keep Shabbat; how are the activities structured during Shabbat?
Our schedule will accommodate those who keep Shabbat.
What should I bring?
Friends of the Arava Institute staff will be in touch with suggested packing lists closer to the trip date.
