Essential Israel & the Palestinian Territories

Sample tasty local eats at the very cool Machane Yehuda Market where you can use your your bite card at any of the vendors.

Kick back in our central hostel in Jerusalem, complete with movie room and rooftop terrace.

Discover for yourself the town that everyone knows from the Christmas carol – Bethlehem – and find out about daily life in the epic city of Jerusalem as you chat with locals on the way to the Western Wall.

Graffiti has filled the walls in Bethlehem by many artists over the years, including British Artist Banksy. Check it out on a walking tour with your leader.

Float in the Salty waters of the Dead Sea.

Take a birds eye view of the Old City of Jerusalem as you walk the Ramparts. Its a great way to get a sneak peek into places you'd never see otherwise & also a chance to take in the stunning views of the areas outside the wall.

Hike the iconic Masada Snake Path for some epic views across the Dead Sea and Jordan.

Just one of the great things about this trip is that it gives you the power. There’s free time to do whatever you want, or optional tours to show you the way. Maybe budget a little extra cash for activities that aren’t included.

Accommodation on this trip is in dorm rooms with up to 12 travellers. They may not all be fellow Geckos travellers and your group could be split across different rooms. Where possible (and unless requested otherwise) we will accommodate you in same gender rooms.

There is a 1-1.5hr hike up the Masada Snake Path on this trip. If you're not up for it you can always purchase a cable car ticket instead.

You’re probably pro at packing light and smart, but just in case your tempted to bring a big, heavy bag, remember you’ll have to carry it to and from hotels, bus stops, train stations etc.

Israel & The Palestinian Territories is by no means a cheap destination and you should budget accordingly. The good news is that your expert local leader is on hand to help you uncover the best deals!

It’s not all hot desert days in Israel, as the winter months (December through to February) can be quite cold. Temperatures in northern parts of the country can drop to freezing overnight. Snowfall around these areas is also common. Be sure to pack clothes that will prepare you for varying temperatures especially during these months.

Sites can get congested during peak travel periods with coaches of large pilgrim groups. We do our best to plan our visits around these times but sometimes it is unavoidable. There may be delays, queue's and private services that prevent us from entering the site. Your trip leader will manage this as best as they can on the day.