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Heartland Experience

Grape Harvest

Tree Planting

Pruning

Special Ops

COST

Starting at $2,400

DURATION

10 days

SEASON

Check dates below

WHO CAN APPLY

Men, Women, Singles, Families

AGE LIMIT

None

The Heartland Experience

This Israel trip combines both touring and volunteering into an unforgettable adventure that will connect you to the land of Israel for life.

Come on this trip and you’ll get to travel throughout central Israel, visiting key sites in Judea, Samaria, and Jerusalem. Instead of just hopping on and off the bus like most tours, you’ll be able to make a difference in each place through volunteer projects like planting trees, helping on farms, or participating in archaeological digs.

Along the way, you’ll meet some of Israel’s most incredible pioneers, hear from dynamic speakers, and forge friendships with your fellow trip members. 

The Heartland Experience is different from our other volunteer trips; it includes a pre-planned itinerary, more touring, and several nights in a hotel.

All ages are welcome to come on this trip.

Dates & Prices

10 Day Trip

arrive in Israel on August 19, 2024
airport pick-up is at 6:00 PM

depart Israel on August 28, 2024
airport drop-off is at 8:00 PM

Age 13+$2,400 + airfare
Ages 6 to 12$1,200 + airfare
Ages 0 to 5$480 + airfare

Coming as a family? Every 4th person age 13 and over is free! (applies to immediate family members only)

Last day to applyJuly 29, 2024

This is what others are saying . . .

I would highly recommend going on the Heartland Experience trip with HaYovel. It wasn’t just a tour. It was much more than I expected, getting to participate in so many different types of work. All of the HaYovel group was a joy to be around and they went the extra mile and made me feel like I was part of their family. We also met many of the local people and the hospitality from each one was amazing. If you want to see the Bible come to life and see where most of it happened, this is the trip to take. You will never be the same afterwards.

Paul
from Texas, USA

I can’t say enough amazing things about the Heartland Experience trip with HaYovel! For 2 weeks we were treated to the most breathtaking sights in the Biblical heartland and the warmest hospitality from the HaYovel team. We experienced the true culture by meeting some of the Jewish people and got to work together with them on their farms and in their vineyards. This is not just a typical tour – this is a once in a lifetime experience that combines the opportunity to both serve the Jewish people and to go on exciting tour days in Israel.

Rachel
from Missouri, USA

I recommend the Heartland Experience to anyone who has ever considered taking a tour to Israel.  It is an opportunity of a lifetime and it is the best way to gain perspective of the miracles of redemption God is performing. Each participant takes active, powerful, faithful steps to work and be a part of this Kingdom of Israel redemption in our generation. It is such a blessing to serve and be the salt and light with our prayers, hands, and feet in the Heartland! It is transformational!

Genevieve
from New Mexico, USA

As a solo traveler and first-time visitor, I found this to be a most elegant way to experience Israel. The volunteer work imparts a sense of meaning, and friendships develop easily in pursuit of common goals. We saw a rich variety of historic and sacred places, and met many locals who expressed their passion and dedication to this beautiful land. I left feeling I had seen it for real, and having a tiny part in making the desert bloom. Grateful to the HaYovel team for sharing this place with us.

Ed
from Texas, USA

More About This Trip

Accomodations

For most of your trip, you’ll be staying in a room at our volunteer base on the Mount of Blessing, located in central Israel. Our accommodations are similar to a hostel and are simple, but still comfortable and with all basic amenities. Restrooms and showers are located in a separate building. If you come with your spouse or your family, you’ll be rooming with them. If you come by yourself, you will room with one or two fellow volunteers.

While we are volunteering and touring in the Jerusalem and Judea region, we’ll be staying three nights at a hotel in Jerusalem.

Transportation

We will help you book your flight to Tel Aviv, Israel. We’ll meet you at the airport at the designated pick-up time for the trip you select. Transportation is already arranged for your entire stay in Israel and is included in the price of the trip. For smaller groups, we will travel by 9-passenger vans. For larger groups, we will use private buses. At the conclusion of your trip, someone from our team will take you back to Tel Aviv at the designated airport drop-off time.

Meals

We have a team of chefs running our on-site kitchen and serving three delicious meals every day for our volunteers. All meals are covered in your trip cost.

When we travel or tour in certain locations, such as Jerusalem, there will be an opportunity to eat out at local restaurants. You can pay for this on your own, or if you’d rather not spend the money, our kitchen team will provide a lunch you can pack and take with you for no extra cost.

You can let us know about any allergies or dietary restrictions that you have when you submit your application.

Volunteer Work

Volunteer work will vary with each trip and each location, but will include things like:

  • Planting trees
  • Archeological work
  • Restoring/beautifying ancient sites
  • Picking up trash
  • Rebuilding stone terraces (ancient walls)

Each place you go will be a combination of volunteer work and touring an incredible historical or biblical site in Israel’s heartland.

You’ll also be meeting new people every day who will share their stories with you, give inspiring teachings, and help equip you to be an effective and trained advocate for Israel’s land and people.

Approximate Itinerary

Each Heartland Experience trip is slightly different depending on the season and current volunteer projects. However, the outline below will give you an idea of what to expect. Click on any of the green links for a pop-up to learn more about that place or person.
1

Wake up to breathtaking views from the Mt. of Blessing

2

Enjoy a sunrise breakfast at the top of Elon Moreh

3

Volunteer on farms in Judea and Samaria

4

Visit Shiloh and meet the region's pioneers

5

Travel along the Biblical Highway

6

Walk where the Tabernacle stood during biblical times

7

Visit the Temple Mount and Western Wall in Jerusalem

8

Explore the streets of Jerusalem and shop for souvenirs

9

Visit the City of David, the Pilgrimage Road, and the City of David Farm

10

Meet Jeremy Gimpel and Ari Abramowitz at Arugot Farms

11

Meet Yishai Fleisher, tour Hebron and visit the Cave of the Patriarchs & Matriarchs

What do I need to do?

Signing up for a trip is simple. All you need to do is follow these 4 easy steps:

APPLY

Choose your favorite trip and click “apply”. Follow the instructions to submit your application.

It will take approximately 30 to 45 minutes to fill out your application and will require a photocopy of your passport and a $200 non-refundable processing fee (this amount will be deducted from your trip cost).

TALK WITH US

Once you submit your application and pay your processing fee, someone from our staff team will reach out to you and schedule a phone call. On this call, you’ll have the opportunity to get answers to any questions you may have and we’ll give you additional details about what to expect and what you should bring with you.

BUY YOUR TICKET

After you talk with one of our staff members, we’ll let you know how and when to book your flight to Israel. It’s very important that you DO NOT BOOK YOUR FLIGHT until you receive a go-ahead from our staff team. We have a specific airport pick-up and drop-off time that you need to keep in mind when booking your flight.

COME TO ISRAEL

Between when you submit your application and the day you arrive in Israel, we’ll send you all the information you need to be prepared, pack everything you need, and be ready for a life-changing Israel experience you will remember forever.

We’ll meet you at the airport!

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can come on this trip?

Everyone is welcome on our Heartland Experience trips – young and old, guys and gals, families and singles.

The volunteer projects are only as strenuous as you want them to be, We encourage everyone to be part of each activity to get the most out of their trip, but if you are elderly or have young children to take care of, there is no obligation to participate in everything. Applicants are encouraged to be physically fit and in good health.

In regards to the country you are traveling from, we accept volunteers from over 90 different countries around the world. See the question below “Do you accept volunteers from my country?” for a full list of the countries that can apply for this trip.

Are there any vaccination or COVID-19 testing requirements?

No vaccine is required. As of March 1, 2022, Israel is welcoming foreigners from abroad regardless of vaccination status or COVID recovery status.

No testing is required. As of May 20, 2022, all PCR testing and quarantine requirements have been lifted for foreigners entering Israel from abroad.

Do you accept volunteers from my country?

To be eligible for one of HaYovel’s programs, the country that issued your passport must be on Israel’s list of allowed, visa-exempt countries. If you hold a valid passport issued by any of the following countries, you are eligible to apply for a trip with HaYovel**

  • Albania
  • Andorra
  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belarus
  • Belgium
  • Belize
  • Botswana
  • Brazil
  • Bulgaria
  • Canada
  • Chile
  • Colombia
  • Cook Islands
  • Costa Rica
  • Croatia
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Dominica
  • Dominican Republic
  • Ecuador
  • El Salvador
  • Estonia
  • Fiji
  • Finland
  • France
  • Georgia
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Grenada
  • Guatemala
  • Haiti
  • Honduras
  • Hong Kong
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Jamaica
  • Japan
  • Korea (South)
  • Latvia
  • Lesotho
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxemburg
  • Macedonia
  • Malta
  • Mexico
  • Micronesia
  • Mongolia
  • Montenegro
  • Nauru
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Panama
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Romania
  • San Marino
  • Serbia
  • Singapore
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Solomon Islands
  • South Africa
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • St. Kitts & Nevis
  • St. Lucia
  • St. Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan
  • Tonga
  • Trinidad & Tobago
  • Ukraine
  • United Arab Emirates
  • United Kingdom
  • United States of America
  • Uruguay
  • Vanuatu

If your country of citizenship is not listed here, you are not eligible to come on a trip with HaYovel at this time.

**this list is from Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was last updated on December 21, 2022. Please note that the government of Israel may make changes to their visa requirements and list of allowed countries. If there are newer requirements published by Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they supersede whatever is written here. You can check the latest visa requirements on Israel’s government website by clicking here.

Do I need to apply for a visa before coming to Israel?

You do not need to apply for a visa before coming to Israel for one of HaYovel’s programs. All you need is a valid passport. You’ll be issued a standard visitor/tourist visa when you go through passport control at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. No paperwork, forms, or fees are required.

Please note that only citizens of certain countries are eligible to enter Israel and participate in a program with HaYovel. See the question above “Do you accept volunteers from my country?” for a full list of allowed countries.

What are your airport pick-up and drop-off times?

Our team will pick you up at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv at 6:00 PM on the start day of your Israel trip. You must book a flight that arrives at least one hour before the designated pick-up time (in this case, 5:00 PM or earlier). If you choose a flight that arrives in the morning or early afternoon, you’ll have to wait until our 6:00 PM pick-up time.

Our team will drop you off at Ben Gurion International Airport at 8:00 PM on the final day of your trip. You must book a flight that leaves at least 3 hours after the drop-off time (in this case, 11:00 PM or later). If you book a flight that leaves the next morning, you’ll need to wait at the airport or make your own arrangements to stay the night somewhere.

Does this trip include all the usual tourist sites?

The Heartland Experience trip focuses on sites and volunteer projects in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria. Many of these places are important biblical and historical places that are never on the itinerary for most Israel tours. There is so much to learn and discover in Judea and Samaria and we think you’ll love every moment of it and have no regrets. You’ll also get to spend time in Jerusalem and go to the Temple Mount and the Western Wall.

Some other well-known tourist sites such as the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea are NOT part of the Heartland Experience trip.

Questions?

Check out our FAQ page, or get in touch with our team. We'd love to hear from you!