First Free Israel Travel Details
October 8-20, 2026
Travel Dates
October 8-20, 2026 (includes travel time; 11 days/10 nights in Israel)
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Total Program Land Cost (based on double occupancy):
$3,500 + $350 for group tips
*$975 single supplement for private room (limited)
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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.
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Airfare to Tel Aviv (TLV)
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.
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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!
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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
A recommended group flight itinerary will be announced soon, and details posted below. For now, please keep in mind that in accordance with this programs schedule (if you don’t prefer to arrive early/stay later) you will need a flight that follows the below schedule:
Search for a ROUND TRIP ticket from your home airport (MSP?) to TLV with the dates of Departing October 8, returning October 19.
OUTBOUND: Depart October 8 from USA to arrive in Tel Aviv (TLV) on October 9.
INBOUND: On your return, you will search flights that depart on October 19, to arrive home October 20, 2026.
The included group airport transfers will be scheduled according to the recommended group flight itinerary’s arrival and departure times (announced soon).
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:
Olive Tree Hotel, Jerusalem
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
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-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.