Clothes and Gear (Gender Inclusive)  

Packing Light:  You will be carrying your own luggage on and off the bus and to your lodging (sometimes up stairs).  Pack light!  Plan on washing clothes at end of first week and second week in hotel sinks.  We will be moving too often to wash and dry clothing during the last week.

Weather:  Rain is rare in May and temperatures average 28-32C (and up to 40C during a hot spell) during the day and 14-18 C at night. Jerusalem is somewhat cooler than other sites. Old cities in Israel are paved with stone that can be quite slick when the rain does fall (less than 10% chance of rain).

Everyday clothing:  It is perfectly acceptable to walk around Israel in regular shorts (not short shorts) and a t-shirt if you are not in specifically religious spaces / areas. If you are on a beach you do not need to worry about modesty as normal beach wear is acceptable. There are many beaches where topless bathing is acceptable as well.

Special Clothing 

  • Hats.  Dr B does not enjoy taking students who don’t wear hats to emergency for heat stroke and dehydration. Wear your hat. Drink LOTS of water.
  • You will need modest dress to carry with you to quickly change into when circumstances require:Modest dress for those that present as female: skirt past knee (not pants), shoulders covered, sleeves to elbow, not low cut. Hair covering (i.e. scarf). Opaque sarongs and scarves can be used to cover up.  Modest dress for those that present as male: pants, sleeved shirt (shorts are not ok especially in churches), head covering (hat)
  • While formal clothing is not necessary, we will be having a few course dinners in nicer restaurants and you may want to go out to local clubs and restaurants.

Special Footwear:

  • Footwear that you can walk in. We will regularly walk 10-12 kms per day including over somewhat rugged terrain (sports sandals, running shoes, hiking boots are all fine for most days)
  • 1 pair of close toed shoes for archeology digs -these could be running shoes or hiking boots. They will not admit you to the site with open toed shoes.
  • 1 pair of water shoes – NOT CROCS they are too slippery – for walking in water in Hezekiah tunnel tour and at dead sea on sharp salt crystals

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General

  • Hat with brim
  • Sunglasses
  • 7+ days of undergarments
  • 7+ days of tops
  • 7+ days of bottoms
  • 1 mid weight jacket or sweatshirt w/hood
  • Footwear (see above)
  • 1 bathing suit
  • Sleepwear
  • Toiletries
  • Towel (lightweight quick dry)
  • Water Bottles (x2 suggested or you will be buying water)
  • Sunscreen
  • All medicines (including copies of prescriptions)
  • Prescription glasses/contact lens supplies
  • Money (Cash/ATM Card/Credit Card)
  • Passports
  • Chargers and Adapters for electrics/electronics  (Israel uses the standard Euro plug type C, 230 V which means you need a converter for some electric appliances)
  • Course Readings (electronic or printed)
  • Paper copy of the itinerary
  • Writing pens, notepaper  and/or laptop

Miscellaneous (suggested)

  • Laundry detergent
  • Books/reading material
  • Phone with camera
  • Music
  • dry bags for wet or dirty clothes
  • Day pack while walking / zippered bag to leave on bus when needed / smaller bag for 1-2 night hotel stays (leaving main luggage on bus)
  • Snacks & food if you have a limited diet
  • First Aid Supplies (coordinate with other travellers to pack lightly)

Money:

  • There is no suggested amount of money to bring, since everyone has different spending habits. ATM machines are readily available in Israel, and you can use your credit cards as well at most locations.
  • We REQUIRE that you purchase at least 100$ CAN in Israeli shekels prior to the trip, so that you have some cash for when we arrive. We will not have time at the airport in Tel Aviv for everyone to transfer their money, as we will need to get on the bus immediately. Also, we are arriving on a holiday so you probably will appreciate having money on hand. Shekels can be ordered at every bank in advance (usually 1 week is enough), including the Scotia Bank here at Carleton University in Paterson Hall.
  • We do not recommend travelers cheques, they are difficult to use in Israel.
  • You can look at the itinerary for when meals are not included to judge how much money you need for food. Breakfasts are included throughout the trip. Note that you have Shabbat off and the last weekend free –so you will need to plan for meals on those days.

Passports:

  • New regulations require that all passports are valid for at least six months after your return travel dates. Make sure that your passport is acceptable.
  • If you are Israeli born or your parents are Israeli, please make sure you have all your exemption papers completed! If you do not, contact the Israeli Consulate immediately @ 514-393-9372 (Montreal) or 416-640-8500 (Toronto).
  • If you hold an Israeli passport, make sure that you bring both your Canadian and Israeli passports with you as well as your army exemption papers.

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