Jerusalem Marathon & Half 2023

Your Itinerary

Jerusalem Marathon Six Night Package | March 14 - 20, 2023

Tuesday, March 14: – Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport (TLV), be met and transferred to the Orient Jerusalem Hotel. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy.

Wednesday, March 15:  - Following a lavish buffet breakfast, we will begin our full day tour of the New and Old City.  We will start at the Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of the city, visit the Tomb of King David and the Room of the Last Supper on Mt. Zion. Upon entering the walled city, we will visit the Roman Cardo and the famous Western Wall. Next we will walk along the via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Lunch is not included, but a restaurant will be recommended in the Old City.  After ample time of sight-seeing, we will return to the Orient Jerusalem Hotel where you have some free time before we gather for our 'Welcome to Jerusalem' dinner at a local restaurant. (Breakfast and dinner included)

Thursday, March 16: -  Start your morning with an optional group shake-out run. Following breakfast, visit Yad Vashem, Israel's official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. Once inside the museum, it is a self-guided tour. On the return trip to the Orient, we will make a stop at the Mahane Yehuda Market, which has more than 250 vendors selling fresh fruits, vegetables, cheeses, wines, baked goods, and the list goes on.  This is an optional stop for lunch, or if you wish, you can return directly to the Orient Hotel for a relaxing afternoon.  Late in the afternoon, we will go as a group to the EXPO for your bib and race packet. You will find vendors for clothing, shoes, supplements and more. Immediately following shopping time, we will proceed to the buffet pasta dinner organized by the race and served at the expo venue.  We will return you to the Orient Hotel immediately following dinner so you can have a restful sleep before the big day! (Breakfast and pasta dinner included)

Friday, March 17: – Race Day! Breakfast will be available early.  We will meet in the Orient lobby and transfer by coach bus to the start.  After your race, enjoy the family festival at Sacher Park and return to your hotel at your leisure.  Please note that due to road closures, it is challenging to get to the hotel by bus.  Therefore, we recommend a leisure walk back (approx. 1.2 miles) or taking a taxi. Tonight we will gather for a celebration dinner at Khan Restaurant. (Breakfast and celebration dinner included)

Saturday, March 18: - Today is a full-day excursion to the ancient ruins of Masada and the Dead Sea. Be sure to bring your bathing suit, towel, sunscreen and water shoes so you can experience floating in the Dead Sea!  Upon returning to Jerusalem enjoy dinner in the city at one of the many local restaurants. (Breakfast included)

Sunday, March 19: - After breakfast is a guided tour of Bethlehem, a Palestinian town south of Jerusalem on the West Bank.  This is the biblical birthplace of Jesus and is a major Christian pilgrimage destination.  You will visit the Church of the Nativity and have time to explore Manger Square. Suggestions will be made for lunch before our short drive back to Jerusalem. This afternoon is free for you to see more of the Old City or perhaps visit the Israel Museum (available to pre-purchase at an extra cost £15), known as the largest cultural institution in Israel and is ranked among the world's leading art and archaeology museums. The Israel Museum is also famous for housing the Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest biblical manuscripts in the world.  This evening join us for a ‘Farewell to Jerusalem’ reception before you venture out for dinner at one of the many local restaurants.    (Breakfast included).

Monday, March 20: - Departures or post-race extension to Galilee and Tel Aviv.  (Breakfast included) 

Itinerary subject to change.

Please note that this itinerary involves a lot of walking, some on cobblestones such as the Old City and Masada.

POST-RACE EXTENSION  | March 20 – 24, 2023

Galilee and Tel Aviv: Minimum of 15 people required to operate this tour.

Monday, March 20: From Jerusalem, our first stop is Nazareth, the town where Jesus spent his childhood.  We will visit the Church of Annunciation and the Church of St. Joseph, and then continue, via Kana, to Tiberias, the lovely resort town.  We will drive along the Sea of Galilee to visit Capernaum and view the ruins of the ancient synagogue where Jesus taught.  Other stops include Tabgha, the site of the miracle of fish and loaves located at the foot of the Golan Heights and Yardenit, the famous baptismal site where the Jordan River leaves the Sea of Galilee towards the Dead Sea.  Lunch and a tour of a Kibbutz is also on the itinerary for today. Overnight is at the newly renovated Galei Kennereth Tiberias Hotel. (Breakfast at the Orient Jerusalem and lunch included)

Tuesday, March 21:  This morning, we embark on a hike through the Gamla Nature Reserve set high in the Golan Heights of Northern Israel. It's a magical place where eagles nest, archaeological ruins lie, and the quaint and stunning setting, including the breathtaking view down towards the Sea of Galilee are inspirational!  This afternoon enjoy a wine tasting in the Golan Heights area before we return back to the Galei Kennereth Tiberias Hotel. (Breakfast included)

Wednesday, March 22: Following breakfast and check-out, we will begin our drive northwest to the border of Israel and Lebanon to Rosh HaNikra and descend by cable car into the underwater grottoes to admire the spectacular natural formation. From here we will drive along the coast to Acre, the Old City recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Site.  You can walk through the market, the mosque and the old port. Restaurants will be recommended for lunch before we continue down the coast to Caesarea, the ancient Roman capital and port.  Here you will enjoy a walking tour of the theatre and the archaeological ruins and excavations. The final stop before reaching Tel Aviv will be Haifa for a scenic view of the City, the Port and the magnificent Bahai Gardens and Shrine. Overnight accommodations will be at the Tel Aviv Renaissance where you can relax and enjoy an evening on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.  (Breakfast included)

Thursday, March 23:  This morning you have the option to join a Tel Aviv 10KM Run and Tour (additional cost of £50)! We'll get an early start (6:30 AM) and spend approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes touring the streets of Tel Aviv.  Some of the highlights will include Atarim Square, Ben Gurion Avenue, Rabin's Square, Tel Aviv Museum of Art, Sarona (formerly Templar's Village), Habima Square and Rothschild Avenue before returning to the beautiful Tel Aviv boardwalk along the beach in route back to the Renaissance Hotel.  The pace is about a 10:30 (minutes per mile) and there will be stops along the route. 

The rest of the morning will be spent exploring Tel Aviv with a guided tour starting in Old Jaffa, one of the oldest port cities in the world where we will visit the ancient ruins and walk along the Artist's Quarter.  This afternoon will give you free time to continue exploring Jaffa, visit the Nahalat Benyamin Pedestrian Mall and/or stroll down Shenkin Street – the lively and colorful street known for its unique shops, café life and youthful ambiance.  This evening we invite you to our Farewell Dinner held at a local restaurant. (Breakfast and dinner included)

Friday, March 24: Departure day. Airport transfers are included in your package price.  We hope you enjoyed your time in Israel!

IMPORTANT TO NOTE:

· Modest dress (no shorts or sleeveless shirts) and head covering are required for visiting holy sites.

· Tour involves quite a bit of walking.

· Your international flight should be in and out of Tel Aviv, Israel (TLV).

How to book

To make your booking, click on the orange button at the top of the page, ensuring that you select the correct number of rooms and types for all members in your party plus all the required extras. When you book, we will require a deposit to confirm your place.

Payments

When you confirm your booking, we will take payment.

The cost of the event entry is non-refundable.

Travel advice

Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for Israels’s current entry restrictions and requirements.

Please be aware of local traditions, customs, laws and religions. In particular dress modestly (no shorts or sleeveless shirts) and head covering are required for visiting holy sites.

Guaranteed Winner Jerusalem Marathon Entry

We are pleased to offer you guaranteed entry for the Jerusalem Marathon, Half, 10 or 5K. You can buy the entry at an additional cost if you also buy the accommodation package with us.

Starting Times and Bib Numbers

Although we are licensed to sell official entries for the 2022 Jerusalem Marathon, Half, 10 or 5K we have no influence over the allocation of starting times and bib numbers.

Closer to the event we will ask for your expected pace and other details to complete the registration process for the Jerusalem Marathon, Half, 10 or 5K. The race organisers will allocate you a starting time and bib based on the information you provide.

All race rules must be followed.

Airport

For the Six Night Package. You should fly in and out of the Ben Gurion International Airport.  The airport code is TLV.  Your arrival date should be March 14 and your departure date March 20.

For the Six Night Package and Galilee & Tel Aviv Extension. You should fly in and out of the  Ben Gurion International Airport.  The airport code is TLV.  Your arrival date should be March 14 and your departure date March 24.

Welcome to Israel!

Israel is unique and a small Country which borders Egypt, Jordan, Syria & Lebanon.

Israel has so much to offer and is a destination for all.

Jerusalem, is a holy city of three religions Islam, Judaism & Christianity – the capital of Israel. Jerusalem has 3,000 years of history, amazing landscapes and clear mountain air. Together with the hilly terrain you will experience Israel’s diversity of people, richness of flavours and tastes, and most of all, the history.  

Time Zone

Greenwich Mean Time +3   

Passports & Visa

All visitors to Israel must hold a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date they are departing the country. People with no nationality must hold a valid laissez-passer, as well as a visa back to the country that issued it.

Visitors are entitled to remain in Israel up to three months from the date of their arrival, in accordance with the conditions of the visa issued to them. Visitors intending to work in Israel must submit a request to the Ministry of the Interior for a special visa.

Israel no longer stamps passports at airports and most Land Crossings. Nonetheless, because at times technical difficulties arise, and at times, the border control must revert to back to the method of stamping passports, we recommend that tourists continuing from Israel on to Arab countries officially request that an Israeli stamp does not appear on their passport. The tourist must notify the clerk of this request before documents are stamped.

Health & Insurance

If you’re fully vaccinated, you can enter Israel/The Occupied Palestinian Territories. No proof of vaccination is required.

All travellers must have a health insurance policy with coverage for the treatment of COVID-19. The insurance policy is mandatory to enter Israel.

You are required to fill out an entry statement form within 48 hours before your flight to Israel.

From 20 May 2022 you do not need to present a negative result on a COVID test before boarding a flight or cruise to Israel or before arriving at an Israeli land border crossing. There is no requirement to complete a COVID test or isolate on arrival at any point of entry (airport or land border).

Full guidance on requirements upon arrival is regularly updated online. Check the Ministry of Health pages for full details. Further restrictions may be introduced at short notice.

Please note there are many variations therefore please always check your own personal situation and documents.

UK Foreign Travel Advice to Israel

Money

The State of Israel’s currency is the New Israel Shekel (NIS) or shekel for short (pluralized as shkalim in Hebrew or shekels in English). There are 100 agorot (agora in singular) in each shekel. Bank notes are in denominations of NIS 20, 50, 100, and 200; coins are in denominations of NIS10, NIS5, NIS2 NIS1 and 50 and 10 agorot.

Changing Money

Unlimited sums of local and foreign money may be brought into Israel as cash, travelers’ checks, credit cards or State of Israel bonds. Foreign currency of all kinds may be exchanged at the airport, banks, post offices, most hotels or licensed exchange agencies in large cities. A passport is required when exchanging travelers’ checks. The rates vary from place to place, and banks charge a commission. It is recommended, though not obligatory, to carry a small amount of US dollars, since certain tourist sites, especially in the Old City of Jerusalem, take payment in dollars. More Information is available here.

Cash Withdrawal

Holders of international credit cards can withdraw local or foreign currency at banks which accept their credit cards. There are Automated Teller Machines outside most banks.

Getting there

The main international airport in Israel, Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv (TLV), named for the first Prime Minister of Israel, is one of the most secure airports worldwide. 

Transportation

Israel is a small country, which makes getting around fast and convenient. Taxis are common in Israel for urban and interurban travel and can be flagged in the street or booked via phone or designated international apps such as GetTexi.

The main forms of public transportation are busses and the national train service both offering a convenient, reasonably priced means of travel to nearly every destination in the country.

Train Information Services: www.rail.co.il / Telephone: 08-6831222 or *5770

Busses Information Services: www.bus.co.il / Telephone: 1-900-72-1111

Tickets can be purchased at the ticket booths in the central bus station in each city or town, or from the driver. Most of the bus lines do not run on Shabbat or on Jewish holidays. Service ends on Friday afternoon and resumes Saturday evening.

Smart ride apps

As of December, 2020, public bus services can be paid for using smartphone apps. The official app is The Station and is available on Google Play for Android and on the App Store for IOS. There are also several private mobility apps on which payment can be made.

The Station provides users with best options across bus, train, and more, using real-time data, taking into account schedules and the latest changes.

In order to use the app, set up an account and submit your fare type, if eligible.
On the bus, scan the QR sticker to validate your trip and share with the inspector if asked.

For tourists or debit card holders, the app calculates the best price for your journeys at the end of each day.
For Israeli credit card holders, best price is calculated and debited on a monthly basis.
The apps are currently only available for travel on buses, but should soon be available on Israel Railways and the Jerusalem light rail.

Tips

• Always carry electrical adapters with you. The standard voltage in Israel is 220 volts and 50 Hz. The primary socket is type H (plugs with three pins in a triangular shape), so you’ll need a Power Adaptor Type H. In many hotels you will probably also find the C type sockets (two pins, like in Europe).
• Pack and wear modest clothing.
• Be prepared to answers many questions on arrival at the airport.
• Keep all documentation safe, including any paper visa given at the airport.
• Be prepared for the Shabbat hours.
• Read up about Israel’s history before you visit
• Tipping is not mandatory but expected.The minimum is at least 10%, the average is 12% and maximum is 15% (for exceptional service).Waiters and bartenders get a relatively low salary, so the majority of their earnings coming from tips. Tips are usually left in cash not on card, so it is useful to carry some small change with you.
• English is spoken almost everywhere