EGYPT

What is the procedure for entrance/departures to and from Egypt during a Holy Land Tour?

     Passport holders from European Union member states, the United Kingdom, North America, Western Europe, Australia/New Zealand, Brazil, Argentina, Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Malaysia or Singapore receive tourist visa upon arrival in Egypt. The fee is $25 USD payable upon arrival at Cairo Airport or at the land border crossing.  All other nations must apply for a visa in advance via an Egyptian consulate.

We use the Taba Border Crossing to enter and depart from the Holy Land. 

From Egypt to the Holy Land:

Our Hla Tours contact will accompany you to the border, where you will cross the border to Israeli side, and our Travel Jerusalem staff will meet you there.

For groups entering the Holy Land from Egypt via Taba: No exit taxes

For groups entering Egypt via Taba from the Holy Land:

LE 46.00/ Egyptian Pounds = $4 USD (Inbound Egypt)

NIS 101 / Israeli Shekel = $30 USD (Outbound Israel)

JORDAN

What is the procedure for entrance/departures to and from Jordan during a Holy Land/Jordan Tour?

First, remember your passport must be valid for up to 6 months after your return date.

For tourist visas, many nationalities are eligible to get a visa for Jordan upon arrival at their point of entry to the country, or through an online application.  We will advise you and your fellow tour program participants as we finalize your itinerary.  For our cultural & pilgrimage tours, it is our practice to begin the tour in the Holy Land and finish in Jordan: as we spend a minimum of two nights in Jordan, we organize for our clients an entry visa without the Jordanian one-night tax.  To do this, we will need your passport details in advance (we will send you an information form to fill). For tours that should stay only one night in Jordan, there is a visa fee and must pay at the airport or borders: 40 JOD approximate 60USD.

Jordanian land departure taxes to be paid at borders:

From the Holy Land to Jordan via the Northern Crossing/Sheik Hussein or Southern Crossing/Arava Border Crossing:  On most of our cultural programs or pilgrimages combined with Jordan, we cross to Jordan via north border at Sheik Hussein. Our team accompanies you to the border.  On the Israeli side, you will make a short transfer by border shuttle that cost around $2 USD. After border procedures, you will pay an exit tax of $30 USD, then pass to the Jordanian side for passport control, where our Hla Tours contact will meet you on the Jordanian side.

From the Holy Land to Jordan via Allenby Bridge/King Hussein Crossing near Jericho:

Located approximately in Jericho, our team accompanies you to the border, at Israeli side. After you have been processed through passport control, you will pay an exit tax of $50 USD.  Following a brief cross-border shuttle from the Israeli terminal to Jordan terminal of a cost around $15 USD, you will arrive in Jordan. After being processed through passport control by the Jordanian procedures, you will meet our Hla Tours contact on the Jordan side. 

Note: At the Allenby/King Hussein crossing, if the number of participants in the tour are minimum of six persons, Hla Tours staff on the Jordanian side will receive permission from the Israeli border authority to enter and meet you after Israeli passport control.

From Jordan to the Holy Land.

The exit tax from Jordan to the Holy Land are same at all borders: $15 USD.

Via the Northern Crossing /Sheik Hussein or the Southern Crossing/Arava:

Our team will meet you immediately after passport control,

Via King Hussein/Allenby Bridge:

Our team will accompany you to the border, on the Jordanian side. After passport control border procedures, you will use the cross-border shuttle from the Jordanian terminal to the Israeli terminal, at a cost around $15 USD. After Israeli control, our Hla Tours staff will meet you.

Note: At the Allenby/King Hussein crossing, if the number of participants in the tour are minimum of six persons, Hla Tours staff on the Jordanian side will receive permission from the Israeli border authority to enter and meet you after Israeli passport control.

Please note: exit taxes are paid in local currency, but there are currency exchanges at the borders.

We advise you to privilege, the assistance has associations, which takes care of the poor children, orphanages. To associations active in the creation of local development projects.

We can advise you and help direct you to the right people or associations.

We advise you to privilege, the assistance has associations, which takes care of the poor children, orphanages. To associations active in the creation of local development projects.

We can advise you and help direct you to the right people or associations.

The formalities of travel and preparations for holidays abroad sometimes take time. Certain administrative procedures are planned well in advance (visas, passport renewal), beware, operations with your bank, your insurance or others will sometimes ask you for more availability and time than you imagine. Do not go about it at the last minute, it will save you stress and forgetfulness.

Take only the essentials and keep space in the luggage to bring home-made souvenirs. Learn about the practice and limits of price bargaining and tips left to professionals: restaurants, accommodation, guides, artisans, merchants.

To leave with a light mind, keep a critical mind. Ask yourself about the reality of the destination, and get information from the competent bodies, without being too influenced by certain media.

During the trip: Respect nature as well as people and their culture. Put yourself in tune with the habits and customs of the destination, without imposing your habits or lifestyle, paying attention to the way you dress, especially in places of worship, but also to the signs of wealth that can contrast with the local standard of living. Taste the local cuisine and be curious about authentic accommodation.

Just like at home, sort waste where possible, save water and energy. Also respect the rules posted in natural spaces, to preserve the balance of the place.

Touch with the eyes

Take care not to collect souvenirs from natural and archaeological sites.

Do not take photos of isolated people without permission.

Take advantage of every opportunity to get in touch with the local people, the people are very welcoming, open-minded, and tolerant.

Crafts and souvenirs: Supporting the local economy is one of the foundations of responsible and sustainable tourism. Try to buy only souvenirs made in the area.

If you want to help the locals

Prefer donation to competent associations, schools, rather than promoting begging, especially that of children.

After the trip: Foster dialogue between cultures to allow tourism to create peace.

Share your experience as a traveler, with family, with friends, or on social networks to testify to the riches and fragility of our planet and give others the benefit of advice for better travel.

Act for responsible and united tourism.

Let us know about your trip and the services provided

Quality local crafts

We find all kinds of crafts made in the Holy Land, broderies, magnificent oriental fabrics, transformed into cushion covers, bags, etc. Women’s cooperatives often sell the fruit of their labour (pottery, ceramics, weaving) and by buying their products you support fair and united tourism beneficial for local communities.

Religious memories

Pilgrims and believers who come to visit the Holy Land can bring back all kinds of religious objects made from olive wood

In Palestine: Muslim Holy day on Friday; Christian on Sunday.

In Israel:  most Jewish businesses are closed on Friday afternoon and Saturday (Shabbat);

In Egypt, government offices and banks are closed on Friday and Saturday.

In Jordan, government offices, banks and most businesses are closed on Friday and Saturday.

In Muslim areas of the Middle East, working hours are reduced during the month of Ramadan.

Time & Orientation

The time in Israel, Palestine, Jordan, and Egypt is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time in North America.

All four countries have daylight saving time, which lasts from approximately March to September (early end of March to end of September).

You will come across pharmacies everywhere, but we still recommend you bring the following medicines, which are often useful:

Antimalarial and antiseptic intestinal

High protection sunscreen

Aspirin

Tricosteril and disinfectant.

WHAT ABOUT TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRICITY

Telecommunications

There is a good mobile phone network. Likewise, accessibility to the Internet is available almost everywhere, notably via WIFI in hotels.

Cell phones: Your service provider can advise about international roaming. Other options are to buy a local SIM card, on arrival in each country.

Electricity

The electrical current is generally 220V and the plugs are the 2 round pin type that are common throughout Europe (except the UK).

WEEKEND CLOSURES AND GMT

Business hours and weekend closures in the Middle East are different from those in the Western world.

In Palestine: Muslim Holy day on Friday; Christian on Sunday.

In Israel:  most Jewish businesses are closed on Friday afternoon and Saturday (Shabbat);

In Egypt, government offices and banks are closed on Friday and Saturday.

In Jordan, government offices, banks and most businesses are closed on Friday and Saturday.

In Muslim areas of the Middle East, working hours are reduced during the month of Ramadan.

Time & Orientation

The time in Israel, Palestine, Jordan, and Egypt is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time in North America.

All four countries have daylight saving time, which lasts from approximately March to September (early end of March to end of September).

SHOPPING

We are committed to always promoting handcrafted and handmade products, encourage our guests to buy local. Supporting the local economy is one of the foundations of responsible and sustainable travel. Try to buy only souvenirs made in the area

Quality local crafts

We find all kinds of crafts made in the Holy Land, broderies, magnificent oriental fabrics, transformed into cushion covers, bags, etc. Women’s cooperatives often sell the fruit of their labour (pottery, ceramics, weaving) and by buying their products you support fair and united tourism beneficial for local communities.

Religious memories

Pilgrims and believers who come to visit the Holy Land can bring back all kinds of religious objects made from olive wood

https://www.x-rates.com. The dollar and the euro can also be used for all major payments.

There are automated teller machine everywhere and credit cards are accepted in many places.

Languages: The official language of the Palestinians is Arabic, and Israel Language is Hebrew. The second language is English, but French is also spoken in major centers.

Jordan: Language is Arabic – Currency: Jordan Dinar (JOD)

Egypt:   Language is Arabic – Currency: Egyptian pound (LE)

For Summer, lightweight T shirts, sleeveless shirts, shorts, and a bathing suit for peach are recommended. Pack a sweater or a jacket for nights in the mountains or the desert.

In Winter, bring long sleeve shirts, sweaters and a scarf, gloves, a warm coat, and a raincoat and an umbrella.

Holy Land escorted tours require a lot of walking therefore bring comfortable shoes and sun protection including a hat, sunscreen lotion, and sunglasses. You can also bring a backpack to help you carry day-to-day touring items you may need including bottled water.

This package gives you a chance to meet other travelers from different countries.