STAFF TRAINING AND SANITIZATION:
- Promote frequent hand washing among staff and participants.
- Provide hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol to be available for participants and staff at all possible times.
- Recommend the use of face masks and gloves to staff when interacting with Participants where appropriate.
- Promote the use of face masks to participants.
- Exercise physical distancing, where viable and in line with the latest official guidance or requirements, including motor coaches and other modes of transportation.
- Train all staff that may interact with Participants to ensure they are familiar and compliant with these guidelines and those set out by the public health authorities mentioned above.
SUPPLIER GUIDELINES:
- Comply with applicable government and health authority requirements as well as these guidelines.
- Employ touchless solutions when possible – and reduce touch points at operational levels, such as ticketing, payments, identification, check-in, etc.
- Where possible, use face masks and gloves when interacting with participants.
- Sanitize high-touch areas frequently using products and disinfectants approved by the EPA and local health authorities for effectiveness against COVID-19.
PASSENGER COMMUNICATION AND RESPONSIBILITY:
- Participants may be required to declare prior to departure that if they are exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19, have tested positive or have been in contact with a COVID-19 patient within 14 days of departure.
- Participants will be advised of and asked to adhere to recommended hygiene procedures, such as traveling with and wearing a face mask and/or gloves when asked to do so, or limiting physical contact wherever possible.
- Prior to departure, passengers may be asked to complete a pre-boarding questionnaire or declaration confirming they have familiarized themselves with health and safety guidelines and requirements related to their tour.
TOUR OPERATORS WILL ENDEAVOR TO:
- Have personal protection equipment, such as face masks, hand sanitizer, and wipes available for participants, as needed, or advise participants where such items may be required for their tour.
- Provide oversight of and ensure compliance with the TOURCARE Guidelines for Tour Operators related to staff, suppliers, and Participants.
- Provide a downloadable leaflet to all passengers describing these guidelines and recommendations or direct passengers to where such information is available.
- Communicate the health and sanitization procedures participants will encounter throughout their trip as far as reasonably possible.
Jothorna
Palestinian youth diaspora program
June 13-22, 2023
Day 1: Arrival
Overnight in Jerusalem
Day 2: Jerusalem old city, Orientation and overnight in Bethlehem.
Day 3: Voluntary work day at local scout camp
Day 4: Tour Bethlehem, Ayda refugee camp, visit Hebron. Overnight in scout camp.
Day 5: Hike in Battir; visit Solomons pools, Artas village and Mar Saba monastery.
Overnight in scout camp.
Day 6: Visit Jenin refugee camp and city; visit Burqin, Sebastia, and Nablus.
Overnight in scout camp.
Day 7: Hike in Wadi Qelt. Visit Herods Palace, Jericho city and the Dead Sea. Overnight in scout camp.
Day 8: Volunteer day at camp, overnight in Bethlehem.
Day 9: Free day in Bethlehem , overnight in Bethlehem.
Day 10: Departure
For whom: Palestinian Men and Women aged 16-25
Cost: 590 USD
Register Before May 2023
For more information please contact : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
A Pilgrimage in Palestine
Click the photo to open a PDF
Thru Hike March 2019
Another spring and another Masar Ibrahim Thru-hike has passed. We at Siraj are proud to provide this complete experience twice a year inviting people from all over the world.
In cooperation with Masar Ibrahim al-Khalil, Siraj Center organizes the Palestine Thru-hike in spring (March) and autumn (November) every year where participants hike from North to the South and passes through the five Palestinian regions Jenin, Nablus, Jericho, Bethlehem and Hebron.
Everyday the hike gives a new view of Palestinian landscape; a new story and a new home cooked meal. The group becomes family-like within days, with hikers sharing feelings of proudness after a difficult climb, sadness after a real-life story, happiness by Dabka dancing in village communities, or peace by a beautiful view of Palestine’s serene landscape.
Palestine Broke My Heart And Seduced It In The Same Beat
Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life – and travel – leaves marks on you. Most of the time, those marks – on your body or on your heart – are beautiful. Often, though, they hurt.
Canadians “Come and See” Palestine
Fifteen Canadians of the "Come and See" program came from across the provinces, each with different experiences and with different views, but a common interest in trying to better understand the complicated and emotionally-charged Israeli-Palestinian conflict. They have travelled for two weeks across the country from north to south, visiting the Galilee, Nazareth, the coastal cities, Hebron, Ramallah, Nablus and Bethlehem, as well as the Negev. Along the way they met with local organizations & individuals and had a wide range of educational tours to gain a wide range of perspectives. Of course, along the way, this delightful group shared their customary Canadian politeness and courtesy with the impressed locals!
Palestinian Heritage Trail- Thru-hike
This past November, Palestinian Heritage Trail, in partnership with Siraj Center, completed its 4th Masar Thru-hike. Six participants did the full 20-day program while many groups and individuals who joined the program at different junctures along the hike, for an average of 15-20 participants per day, including local Palestinian guides, including several Palestinian students in training that were learning the route. Participants from the USA, England, Australia, Spain and France participated, hiking from Rummana, north from Jenin, to Beit Mirsim, south of Hebron, the hikers walked 330 kilometers in total. Throughout the hike, they got the chance to overnight at local families and in Bedouin communities, making it possible for the hikers to experience the local culture, customs and a chance to talk with Palestinian people from across the West Bank, experiencing the famous hospitality of the Palestinian people, exploring the amazing nature and its changes along the trail.
More...
Two French-Language Programs Have the Siraj Experience
We were pleased to host a tour program from our partner agent in France, led by our colleague Guillaume, who shared Palestine with his clients through an intensive four-day program through Jericho, Bethlehem, Hebron, Ramallah, Nablus, Sebastia and Jenin. The program was a mix of historical, sociological and cultural experiences.
Our Deleglise Group had a bit more time to discover the country through a 08-day hiking tour that included all the principal sites of Jerusalem and the West Bank along with some more out-of-the-way programs, such as Teqoa, Wadi Qelt, Nabi Musa, Tel al Qamar, and Rashayda, as well as many other cities; visiting Bedouin communities as well as refugee camps along the way. The program enjoyed a mix of accommodation styles from Bedouin encampments to guesthouses and hotels, as well as a delightful exposure to Palestinian culture, cuisine and more.
Susan Tour 2018
Dear Siraj;
We are home safely!
Thank you for organizing such a wonderful few days in the West Bank. I learned so much while I was there about the Palestinian perspective regarding your political situation, which was just what I wanted. I would like to say that my guide in Nablus was such an intelligent, enthusiastic and lovely guide. He went out of his way to be flexible, and make sure I had a good time.
The two home stay families were lovely. Messada and her daughters were particularly lovely and warm. Her daughter and nieces took me for a long walk around the village and her oldest daughter was fascinating to talk to. So fantastic to talk with local people and hear about their lives
Finally I was very lucky to have our guide Anwar. He was knowledgeable about so many things, including the plant and bird life along the way. He knew so many people along the way too! He was very patient in answering all my questions and he took good care of me. And he is passionate about Palestine.
So thank you again. I will recommend your agency to my friends, and I hope to come back and do more walking in Palestine soon.
Susan, Australia
Princeton University Group Makes An October Tour
Once again, Siraj was able to work with Princeton University for another in-depth journey for its students through Palestine.
Siraj center brought 12 students and 2 professors on an unforgettable trip--getting to meet with and learn from everyone from local artists to politicians, journalists, filmmakers, and of course, talented young Dabkeh dancers!
Siraj worked together with them on many details for the trip, which allowed the Princeton faculty and students to enjoy a trip that they designed and could only have dreamed of!
Their 8-day program brought them across the region, meeting with a range of local Palestinian civil society leaders in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and historic pre-1948 Palestinian communities in Israel.
Some of the highlights included meetings with different NGO’s, university students and professors , visits to the Old City of Jerusalem, and the Old City of Nablus.
Irish Group #19 Visits Palestine Through Siraj
Since 2006, Siraj Center has organized no less than 19 West Bank study tours from Ireland, bringing more than 500 citizens of the Emerald Isle to Palestine. These groups have traditionally been organized through voluntary efforts and non-profit making capacity. This past September 2018 a group of 28 Irish came to Palestine, and had a great opportunity to visit unique historical sites. They came with expectations to see and experience the reality of Palestine/Israel issues and hear informed points of view from all sides. We were told from program participants that the experience exceeded their most optimistic expectations, and was an excellent means of building a platform for Irish activism for Palestine, with many who come on the trips becoming Palestinian activists on their return home. Last but not least, friendships were formed on this program, and a genuine link made between the Irish and Palestinian people. We hope to greet Irish Group #20 and beyond in the coming year!