First Free Israel (& Jordan) Travel Details

October 8-20/23, 2026

 

Travel Dates

October 8-20, 2026 (includes travel time; 11 days/10 nights in Israel)

*Jordan & Southern Israel Extension: October 19-22, 2026 (return home by October 23, 2026)

  • Total Program Land Cost (based on double occupancy):

    $3,500 + $350 for group tips

    *$975 single supplement for private room (limited)

    JORDAN EXTENSION FEE:

    $1,300 per person based on double occupancy

    $330 Single supplement for private room

  • The Program Fee for the October 2026 First Free Israel Study Trip includes;

    Travel the Text Experience

    • Customized itinerary planning specific to Biblical Study Trip emphasis

    • Virtual group info meeting(s) and travel planning support with Travel the Text

    • Pre-trip access to online “Biblical Foundations” study trip preparation course

    • On-site teaching provided by Geoff Carroll throughout the trip, with developed TTT Biblical Study Program curriculum

    • TTT Travel Materials including:

      • TTT Travel Study Guide

      • Waterfly Sling Day Bag

      • Foldable/packable seat cushion

      • TTT Luggage Tags

    Israel Travel Expenses

    • 10 nights of accommodations as per itinerary (or similar)

    • Porterage (where available)

    • Daily breakfast and dinner buffet

    • Deluxe motorcoach transportation

    • All site entrance fees

    • Bottled water

    All Tips for Group Experiences

    • Your $350 final cash payment goes toward the tips paid to all guides, facilitators, drivers, hotel staff (housekeeping, valet, dining), special activities, etc.

    Jordan Fee includes: Jordan & Southern Israel

    $1,300 per person*

    $330 private room supplement

    All inclusive except for 2 lunches; doesn't include special drinks at meals, souvenirs, personal expenses, etc. 


    Fee Includes: Travel the Text ​s​upport and teaching with Geoff Carroll; 3 nights of 4-star+ lodging, porterage (where available)​, daily breakfast and dinner​, lunches on two of four days, deluxe motorcoach transportation​, all site entrance and excursion fees, all local guide fees and group tips, Jordan border crossing fees including visas, facilitators, and local taxes, all guide, driver, accommodation, and dining tips from the group.

    • Airfare to Tel Aviv (TLV)

    • Travel Insurance

    • Lunches (with a few exceptions)

    • Israel Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA-IL) Payment (see below for more info): about $7-$8 (25 shekels).

    • Special beverages (with the exception of juice, tea and coffee at breakfast, water at dinner)

    • Extra personal expenses due to delays or traveling separate from group flight, including airport transfers for late arrivals, cancellations, or emergencies.

    • Any other unforeseen personal expense outside the program schedule.

  • First Free Israel: October 2026

    Registration Deposit

    $750* deposit due upon registration to confirm your place on this trip.

    Registration today to confirm your space on this trip. Registration is open until the trip is full, and, space is available on a first come first serve basis.

    JULY 15, 2026: Final Pre-Trip Payment

    $2,750 per person*

    $965 single supplement for private room (if applicable)

    *If you have a trip discount/credit from a previously cancelled trip, please contact us with any questions to confirm your final balance due.

    Due on Arrival: Group Tip Contribution

    $350 per person

    Please bring this final payment in cash on arrival, to assist us with the high cash payment needs for tips throughout Jordan and Israel. These funds will go to our drivers, local facilitators and guides, hotel dining, housekeeping, and valet, site and excursion experiences. etc.

    Please request large bills from your bank and bring clean $100s, $50s as larger bills are appreciated by our local providers as they often receive a higher rate of exchange. Bills that are torn, marked, or too old cannot be exchanged. Thank you for helping us take care of all who will take care of us!

  • The Refund Policy for this October 2026 Israel Biblical Study Trip is as follows:

    Full refund less *non-refundable $200 service fee for cancellations received after deposit and registration.

    Full refund less $750 deposit for cancellations received 180-90 days prior to October 8, 2026.

    Full refund less $3,000 for cancellations received 90-61 days prior to October 8, 2026.

    No refund of any pre-trip payments made for cancellations received 60 days or less prior to October 8, 2026.

    *If Travel the Text cancels the trip due to low enrollment, full refunds of all payments will be issued within 90 days of cancellation notification.

Flight Information

Please keep in mind that you can book any flight itinerary most suitable for you. We will do our best to help coordinate airport transfers as much as possible, especially if the recommended group flight schedule doesn’t work for your personal situation. However, though the price is certainly higher than we wish, it is a GREAT itinerary featuring only 1 stop each way, good layover times that reduce risk of missed connections, and this schedule maximizes your time in Israel both on arrival and departure. So yes, it's more expensive, but also yes…this price includes two full days of time in Israel with morning arrival and late night departure. Since hotels are the top expense, this represents a great value.

Further, please note many advertised flight prices may be for reduced "Basic" Economy fares, which we do not recommend. The fare quoted below on the Google Flights link provided, is not Basic Economy, which has prohibitive restrictions. It is the regular "Economy" which includes "no change fees" and other built in provisions (such as luggage, seat selection choices, etc.) that we strongly recommend for international travel. In the case of our recommended flight, "basic economy" is not even being advertised right now - which is also why the cost is reflected a touch higher. 

NOTE - Flight Search: We often recommend Google Flights (google.com/flights) for initial flight searches. But this is for SEARCH ONLY. When you are ready, book flights directly through the operating airline's website—in this case, United Airlines (not Expedia, or other third-party sites).

***If you have not traveled internationally before, or have any concerns or questions while booking flights, please contact your group leader, John Choe. He is an incredibly proficient international traveler and is available to advise you to help you book the best option for your needs.***

Please see the recommended flight details below for both Israel-only itineraries and Israel & Jordan participants:

ISRAEL & JORDAN PARTICIPANTS:

You can review details for the recommended group flight through the below Google Flights link, and can scroll down to "book with United" on that page to continue. Alternately, you can search United.com for the option that matches the below specific flight details: 

Recommended Israel & Jordan Flight Link: https://www.google.com/travel/flights/s/RkEM36DVy2wJpEnZ7

OUTBOUND: Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) to Tel Aviv (TLV)
Depart: Thursday, October 8 6:15 AM to arrive on October 9 @ 8:55 AM - 1 stop

Segment 1 of 2: Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) to Newark (EWR)
Thursday, October 8 6:15 AM to 9:55 AM
Flight Number: UA 1870

- Layover in EWR: 5 hr 30 min -

Segment 2 of 2: Newark (EWR) to Tel Aviv (TLV)
Thursday, October 8 @ 3:25 PM to Friday, October 9 @ 8:55 AM
Flight Number: UA 84

RETURN: Tel Aviv TLV to Minneapolis/St. Paul MSP
Thursday, October 22 @ 11:25 PM to Friday, October 23 @ 9:03 AM - 1 stop

Segment 1 of 2: Tel Aviv (TLV) to Newark (EWR)
Thursday, October 22 @ 11:25 PM to October 23 @ 4:15 AM
Flight Number: UA 91

- Layover in EWR: 2 hr 55 min -

Segment 2 of 2: Newark (EWR) to Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP)
Friday, October 23 @ 7:10 AM to 9:03 AM
Flight Number: UA 283

ISRAEL TRIP ONLY PARTICIPANTS:

The same flight itinerary is recommended, especially for arrival, but your departure can be for anytime on Monday, October 19, 2026. In particular, we suggest the 11 AM departure from TLV on Monday, October 19 which allows the same initial arrival flight as the group. The group will depart our final hotel in Jericho after breakfast, to cross into Jordan. Travel the Text will provide and help arrange a paid transfer to the airport according to the time needed for the flight you book. Please email John Choe or Jamie@travelthetext.com with any questions about your final day or departure options.

Group members are responsible for their own flight schedules and ticketing. You may book directly with your preferred airline or travel agent. Some may wish to arrive early or depart later, which may incur additional hotel nights and private airport transfers not included in the program fee. Travel the Text will provide as much assistance and flexibility as possible. Please reach out with any questions you may have as you finalize your travel plans so we can help ensure your travel is as smooth as possible. With any questions please contact us by email to: Jamie@travelthetext.com

Physical Endurance

***This study program is only suitable for those who are physically able to walk a minimum of 3-5 miles per day, on a variety of terrain. The risk of injury from falls is high for those with mobility impairments; for your well-being, we cannot recommend this program for you.***

Many days there are optional hikes for the more active in the group, with alternative transportation or activities available for those who need or prefer it. However, to reach most of the teaching sites, each day will require at least 3-5 miles of walking over a variety of terrain including pavement, dirt, cobbled, gravel, and worn (slippery) stone. Expect to be walking up and down hills, in varying weather.

PREPARE: To prepare for this trip, take stairs instead of elevators, go for daily walks (with incline if possible), or engage in other cardio activities. This will allow you to get the most out of your experience with less fatigue as we make the most of each day in the land of the Bible.

We can often advise you about which sites are more physically demanding, so you can make decisions on when to sit one out, to save energy for other experiences. Most of those on our trips are able to fully participate in over 80%+ of the sites, even if some need to skip the optional hikes, or more physically demanding sites.

SUPPORT: We ask those with mobility concerns, who dream of journeying to the land of the Bible, to share your situation with your group leader as they can help advise you more directly about the kinds of trails, paths, and physical demands of this itinerary, and if this is a good fit for your physical ability.

PASSPORT

You must have a passport for international travel and it must be not expire for at least 6 months after your entry date into Israel. For this itinerary, this means that your passport must not expire prior to April 8, 2027 or it must be renewed prior to travel. (NOTE: Israel has recently updated their qualifications to 90 days from entry date, however, many airlines may enforce the 6-month timeframe so we urge you to ensure your passport has plenty of validity, minimum of 6 months.

Passport renewal information: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/have-passport/renew.html

Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA-IL)

We will advise you closer to your travel dates with any updates on how to secure this for your trip.

As of January 1, 2025, U.S. citizens need an approved Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA-IL) to visit Israel for tourism or business. The ETA-IL is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever is shorter. Many countries are increasingly requiring something similar for those eligible for “visa free” travel to their countries. It is a simple (though perhaps tedious) process, with about a $7 (25 shekel), and most often approved within minutes.

Accommodation

Though subject to change, the accommodations reserved for your experience are:

ISRAEL

  • Olive Tree Hotel, Jerusalem; 2 Nights

    • This 4-star hotel is located near the Old City of Jersualem with many areas to enjoy sitting together, and on-site restaurant, bar, and fitness center. (https://olivetreehotel.co.il)

  • Ein Gev Holiday Village; 4 Nights

    • Ein Gev is operated by a kibbutz situated on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, with a private beach, and many outdoor areas to relax and be fully present in one of the most meaningful places on earth.

  • Jericho Oasis Resort Hotel, Judean Wilderness; 4 Nights

    • 4-star resort hotel offering a beautiful wilderness destination in the Judean Wilderness just north of the Dead Sea. Complete with pools, spas, restaurant, fitness center and ping pong, guests always enjoy this unique location in the lowest city on earth.

JORDAN

  • Petra Guest House; 2 nights:

    • 4-star hotel with unbeatable location steps from the entrance to the ancient city of Petra, featuring comfortable rooms and the iconic Cave Bar inside a 1st-century Nabataean tomb(!)

  • DoubleTree by Hilton Aqaba; 1 night

    • A stylish, 5-star, city-center hotel featuring an infinity pool and a rooftop lounge perfect for sunset views over the Red Sea.

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