Holy Land Study Tour Packing List
What to Bring for Your Holy Land Study Tour
Packing for a Holy Land study tour is a little different from packing for a typical vacation. You will spend long days walking, exploring archaeological sites, climbing hills and ancient stairs, traveling between regions, and learning on location.
My goal is to help you bring what you actually need—and leave the rest at home.
My basic philosophy:
Pack light. Walk comfortably. Stay hydrated. Dress modestly. Be prepared for the weather.
And one of my strongest recommendations:
Plan to go the entire trip without doing laundry.
Laundry services can be expensive and inconvenient when you're on a full study-tour itinerary. Instead, pack enough shirts, underwear, and socks for the entire 13-day trip. You can still pack relatively light by limiting the number of pants and shorts you bring.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links on this page are Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, God's Story Through the Land may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
The Essentials
If you remember nothing else, make sure you have these:
Passport
Copy of your passport
Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes
13 shirts
13 pairs of underwear
13 pairs of socks
3–4 pairs of pants and/or shorts
Lightweight jacket or sweater
Sun hat
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
SPF lip balm
Refillable water bottle or hydration system
Small daypack
Smartphone and charging cable
Israel-compatible power adapter
Portable power bank
Prescription medications
Bible
Notebook and pens
1. Passport, Documents & Money
Essential
Passport
Copy of passport identification page
Driver's license or other secondary identification
Health insurance information
Credit/debit card
Small amount of U.S. cash
Travel documents and itinerary
Any documentation specifically required for your trip
Helpful
A passport carrier or small travel wallet can be useful for keeping your passport and important documents together.
You may also want to keep digital copies of important documents securely stored on your phone.
Travel tip: Don't carry your entire wallet with you. Bring only what you might actually need while traveling abroad.
2. Luggage
Main Luggage
Bring one medium or large piece of checked luggage whenever possible.
You will be moving between hotels and loading and unloading luggage regularly, so smaller and lighter is better.
Your Daypack
Your daypack will be your primary field-study bag.
It should have enough room for:
Water
Bible
Traveler's notebook
Notebook and pens
Snacks
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Hat
Phone/camera
Light jacket or modesty layer
Personal items
My Daypack Recommendation
A Sling Alternative
Some travelers prefer a sling-style bag rather than a traditional backpack. This can be especially convenient for carrying a smaller amount of gear while keeping everything easily accessible.
I am currently evaluating a larger sling that can accommodate the 8.5 × 11-inch travel notebook, along with a few snacks, a phone, passport, and a small water bottle.
Recommendation coming soon.
3. Clothing
Plan for the Entire Trip
For our study tours, I recommend packing enough shirts, underwear, and socks for all 13 days.
You do not need 13 pairs of pants or shorts. Three or four pairs can easily be rotated throughout the trip.
Recommended
13 shirts
13 pairs of underwear
13 pairs of socks
3–4 pairs of pants and/or shorts
1–2 long-sleeve shirts
1 lightweight jacket, sweater, or fleece
Sleepwear
Swimsuit
Comfortable walking shoes
Optional second pair of shoes
Sun hat
Sunglasses
Shirts
Lightweight, breathable shirts are ideal.
T-shirts and polo-style shirts are both appropriate. Avoid shirts that are excessively revealing.
A fresh shirt each day is one of the easiest ways to stay comfortable on a long study tour.
Pants & Shorts
You don't need a different pair every day.
Three or four pairs of lightweight pants and/or modest shorts provide plenty of variety while keeping your luggage manageable.
4. Men's Recommendations
Men generally have considerable flexibility in clothing, but modesty is still important.
I recommend:
Lightweight pants
Modest walking shorts
T-shirts or polo shirts
At least one pair of lightweight long pants suitable for religious sites
At least one lightweight long-sleeve shirt
Comfortable walking shoes
Supportive walking sandals, if desired
Light jacket or sweater
Avoid tank tops.
A collared shirt or slightly nicer casual outfit can also be useful for evenings.
Men's Walking Shoe Recommendation
Merrell Moab 3 Hiking Shoe
A sturdy hiking/walking shoe is an excellent choice for travelers who want additional support and traction on uneven terrain.
Whatever shoe you choose, break it in before the trip. Do not arrive in Israel with brand-new shoes.
Men's Sandal Recommendation
ECCO Yucatan
A supportive walking sandal can make an excellent second pair of shoes, particularly during warmer months.
5. Women's Recommendations
Women will find lightweight, versatile clothing especially useful.
I recommend:
Lightweight pants
Modest shorts, where appropriate
Comfortable skirts or dresses, if preferred
Lightweight tops
Shirts that cover the shoulders
Lightweight cardigan, overshirt, or shawl
Comfortable walking shoes
Supportive sandals, if desired
Sun hat
A lightweight scarf, shawl, or wrap is particularly useful because it can serve several purposes:
Sun protection
Warmth
Covering the shoulders
Providing additional coverage when entering a religious site
You do not need to pack a completely separate wardrobe for religious sites. A versatile modest layer can often do the job.
My wife also recommends the Ecco Yucatan for Women
6. Modesty
The Holy Land includes Jewish, Muslim, and Christian communities with different standards of dress.
Most of the time, comfortable Western-style clothing is perfectly appropriate. However, some religious sites require more modest clothing.
As a general rule, avoid:
Extremely short shorts or skirts
Very tight clothing
Tank tops
Halter tops
Clothing that exposes the midriff
At certain religious sites, you may need to cover your shoulders and/or legs.
The Modesty Kit
On days when we will visit religious sites, I recommend carrying a lightweight modesty layer in your daypack.
For women, this might be:
Lightweight skirt or wrap
Shawl or scarf
Lightweight cardigan
For men:
Lightweight long pants
The goal is practicality, not fashion. A simple layer that can be put on quickly is much more useful than carrying an entirely separate outfit.
7. Shoes
Your Shoes Matter!
You will walk a lot.
You will walk on:
Ancient stone
Uneven archaeological sites
Pavement
Dirt and gravel
Hills and stairs
City streets
Trails
You do not necessarily need heavy hiking boots. For most travelers, comfortable walking shoes or lightweight hiking shoes are sufficient.
Bring:
One excellent pair of broken-in walking shoes
Optional second pair of comfortable shoes or sandals
Most important advice:
Do not bring brand-new shoes. Break them in well before departure.
A Second Pair
A second pair of supportive sandals or comfortable shoes can be especially useful in warmer weather.
8. Hezekiah's Tunnel
If our itinerary includes Hezekiah's Tunnel, bring footwear that you don't mind getting wet.
Old shoes, water shoes, or sturdy sandals can work.
Do not use flip-flops.
Headlamp
A small headlamp is extremely useful because it leaves both hands free while walking through the tunnel.
Amazon Basics Headlamp — 2 Pack
9. Water & Hydration
Staying hydrated is extremely important, particularly during warmer months.
Bring:
Refillable water bottle
Or a 1.5–2 liter hydration pack with bladder
Optional electrolyte packets
You should expect to carry water with you during field-study days.
Electrolytes
Liquid I.V. Hydration Packets
I like having individual electrolyte packets available for particularly hot or strenuous days.
Electrolyte products are optional, but they take very little room in your luggage.
10. Sun Protection
Don't underestimate the sun in the Holy Land.
Even when the temperature doesn't seem particularly high, you'll spend considerable time outdoors.
Bring:
Broad-brimmed or other good sun hat
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
SPF lip balm
Lightweight long-sleeve shirt
Sunscreen Recommendation
Neutrogena Beach Defense SPF 70
A high-SPF, water-resistant sunscreen is a good choice for long days outdoors.
Lip Balm Recommendation
ChapStick SPF 15
Keep an SPF lip balm in your daypack rather than buried in your luggage.
11. Electronics
Most modern travelers do not need a separate electrical transformer for phones, tablets, laptops, or other dual-voltage travel electronics.
What you need is an Israel-compatible plug adapter.
Bring:
Smartphone
Charging cable
Israel-compatible power adapter
Portable battery/power bank
Watch charger, if needed
Camera and accessories, if desired
Headphones/earbuds
Israel Power Adapter Recommendation
This model includes USB and USB-C charging ports, which can reduce the number of separate chargers you need to bring.
Portable Power Bank
Your phone may be your camera, map, communication device, translator, Bible and travel information source throughout the day. A portable battery can be extremely useful.
12. Packing Cubes
Packing cubes aren't essential, but they make living out of a suitcase for nearly two weeks much easier.
They are particularly useful when you're packing:
13 shirts
13 pairs of underwear
13 pairs of socks
Several pairs of pants/shorts
Toiletries
Other travel gear
Recommendation
Packing Cubes
13. Photography
For most travelers, a smartphone camera will be all you need.
If photography is an important hobby for you, bring your camera and whatever equipment you are comfortable carrying.
Camera travelers may want:
Camera
Extra batteries
Memory cards
Lenses
Small camera bag
Cleaning cloth
Don't let photography equipment become a burden. Remember that you will be carrying it with you during long days of exploration.
14. Toiletries & Personal Care
Most ordinary toiletries can be purchased in Israel, although they may cost more than they do at home.
Bring the toiletries you prefer to use.
Basic toiletries
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Dental floss
Shampoo/conditioner
Deodorant
Shaving supplies
ChapStick/lip balm
Sunscreen
Personal hygiene products
Contact lens supplies, if needed
Small personal first-aid kit
Consider bringing:
Band-Aids
Blister treatment
Antiseptic/antibacterial ointment
Pain reliever
Anti-diarrhea medication
Cold medicine
Any other over-the-counter medications you commonly use
Prescription medications
Bring enough prescription medication for the entire trip.
Keep important medications in your carry-on rather than checked luggage.
15. Study Materials
Remember: this is a study tour!
Bring:
Bible — both Old and New Testaments
Notebook or journal
Pens
Pencils
Highlighter
Traveler's notebook/materials provided for the trip
A Bible should be large enough to read comfortably but small enough to carry throughout the day.
Optional
Binoculars
Small compass
Small flashlight/headlamp
16. Travel Comfort
For the international flight, you may appreciate:
Neck pillow
Eye mask
Earplugs
Headphones
Light reading material
Snacks
Empty water bottle to fill after security
Compression socks, if desired
Compression Socks
Compression socks can be particularly useful for the long international flight.
These are optional. Follow your own healthcare provider's advice if you have questions about whether compression socks are appropriate for you.
17. Snacks
Bring a few familiar snacks for the flight and travel days.
Good choices include:
Protein bars
Granola bars
Nuts
Crackers
Dried fruit
You don't need to bring a suitcase full of food. Israel has plenty of places to buy snacks and drinks.
18. Weather & Seasonal Packing
Summer — June through August
Think: lightweight, breathable, sun protection and hydration.
Prioritize:
Lightweight shirts
Breathable pants/shorts
Excellent walking shoes
Sun hat
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Extra water capacity
Electrolyte packets
Lightweight daypack
Moisture-wicking socks
You may find the Jordan Valley and Dead Sea areas particularly hot.
Spring — March through May
Think: layers.
Bring:
Short-sleeve shirts
Long-sleeve shirts
Lightweight pants
Some shorts
Light jacket or sweater
Compact rain jacket
Sun protection
Comfortable walking shoes
Spring weather can vary considerably from one part of the country to another.
Fall — September through November
Think: summer clothing plus layers.
October can feel like summer in some places and considerably cooler in others.
Bring:
Lightweight shirts
Shorts
Lightweight pants
Long-sleeve shirts
Light jacket or sweater
Sun hat
Sunscreen
Compact rain jacket
Don't assume that because you're traveling in the fall, you won't need summer clothing.
Packable Rain Jacket Recommendation
Winter — December through February
Think: layers, warmth and rain protection.
Bring:
Long pants
Long-sleeve shirts
Sweater/fleece
Warm jacket
Rain jacket
Warmer socks
Comfortable shoes with good traction
Compact umbrella
Jerusalem can be cold and wet during winter, while the Jordan Valley and Dead Sea can be considerably warmer.
19. What NOT to Bring
One of the best ways to make your trip easier is to leave things at home.
Don't bring:
Excessive amounts of clothing
Expensive jewelry
Formal clothing you won't wear
Clothes that require dry cleaning
Brand-new shoes
Bulky toiletries
American coins for spending
Sheets, blankets or hangers
Large amounts of unnecessary electronics
Anything you don't absolutely need
Leave room in your suitcase for souvenirs.
And remember: you have to carry everything you bring.
20. A Few Small Things You May Be Glad You Brought
These aren't essential, but they can be surprisingly useful:
Packing cubes
Small laundry bag
Ziplock bags
Portable power bank
Small headlamp
Blister treatment
Electrolyte packets
Lightweight scarf/wrap
Small umbrella
Luggage scale
Extra charging cable
Daypack rain cover
21. The Bottom Line
You don't need expensive or specialized equipment to experience the Land of the Bible.
You need to be prepared to walk, learn, explore, worship and enjoy the experience.
Bring:
Good shoes.
Comfortable clothes.
Plenty of clean shirts, socks and underwear.
A good water supply.
Sun protection.
A Bible.
A curious mind.
And leave the rest at home.
Amazon Affiliate Disclosure
Some links on this page are Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, God's Story Through the Land may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. These commissions help support scholarships that make Holy Land study opportunities available to others.
I only recommend products that I believe can be genuinely useful to travelers preparing for a Holy Land study tour.