Description text goes hereHere are some things to think about as you plan your packing and other things for the trip

Weather. March is pleasant with warm temperatures and a possibility of rain showers> We should expect days in the 70 and 80ss. Cooler evenings in the 50s while we are in Jerusalem. Occasionally the weather can turn more extreme in either direction, warmer or cooler. Bring a sweater or warm jacket for cool evenings and an umbrella or rain coat. We will have lots of sun and will be outdoors a great deal. Bring head cover and sunscreen. Especially if you are susceptible to sunburn.

Modesty in Dress. At many of the holy places, shorts are not allowed for men or women. Each evening I will review with you the next day’s activities and what you should wear. For places like Masada and Petra, bring shorts and good walking shoes. Women, when we are in the Old City of Jerusalem, you should have your legs covered to the ankles and arms to the wrists. That can be loose-fitting pants or long skirt. Bring a scarf to cover your hair when we go into mosques, synagogues, and on the Temple Mount. Colorful scarves are fine. Secular Israelis are liberal in their dress, but Orthodox Jews and Arab men much more modest. I like to do everything I can to avoid standing out in a crowd.

Other clothing issues. We may attend sacrament meeting once at the BYU Jerusalem center. Please wear normal LDS Sunday clothes; skirts for women; slacks, shirt & tie for men. Bring a swim suit. Hotel in Jordan has an in-door, heated pool. Some of the hotels we use in Israel have swimming pools. Also, for the swim in the Dead Sea. For Dead Sea, water shoes are strongly recommended. The stones on the shore are sharp. If you plan to do Hezekiah’s tunnel on your free time, you will get wet to mid-thigh: water shoes and flashlights/headlamps are necessary.

Sickness. Face masks are optional. If you have any dietary restrictions, please let me know. The food is plentiful & varied; hearty breakfasts each morning. We will try some new dishes, but most food is familiar and tasty. As we travel, if you have any sickness symptoms, please tell me. I carry with me basic remedies for headaches, colds, diarrhea, minor cuts, etc. Pharmacy close to hotel will sell medicine without doctor’s prescription. Bring hand sanitizer. Wash your hands often. Drink lots of water. We will walk a lot. Keep hydrated. Bottled water available on bus for $1.00. Sanitation & water are to U.S. standards, but we may still experience some symptoms. I recommend against drinking tap water, for the same reason I recommend that my Israeli friends not drink tap water in U.S. If you have allergies, bring remedies. Bathrooms at most of our stops. Many public bathrooms ask for a donation to use the facilities. In local currency, two shekels (65 cents - Israel) or one-half dinar (50 cents - Jordan) is recommended. Always carry a few coins so you can use the bathrooms. We will be doing lots of walking. Outdoor walking exercise for the next months will help you get in shape for our adventure in Israel and Jordan. No strenuous walking, but lots of steps, especially inside the Old City.

Hotels. The hotels are 4 stars by U.S. standards. Wifi, hair dryers & TVs in all locations. We will eat all breakfasts and most dinners in our hotels. Food is good and safe. Room service laundry in hotels is expensive but available.

Electricity. Most power cords now are 120v-240v adapted. No transformers needed. I have plug-in adapters to loan you for the wall outlets to charge your electronics.

Telephones. Most U.S. telephones now include overseas coverage. For most carriers, international dialing from Israel to U.S. is: 001-area code-number. Check with your carrier. You may need to make an adjustment in ‘settings.’ International phone service is normally free, but a surcharge for text messages.

Safety. We will see thousands of other tourists. The people of Israel and Jordan are warm, friendly, and protective of this vital source of income. There will be some special safety precautions I will ask you to observe when we get to Jerusalem. I will discuss those with you there. I and my groups are known in most of the places we visit. Almost everyone we come in contact with speaks English. Our local guide will help me keep an eye on things. We have never had to call on my good friends at the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem, but they are there for us in an emergency. Leave expensive or keepsake jewelry home. I recommend against carrying valuables in a fanny or belly pack. Carry cash & documents in buttoned or zipped pockets or under your clothing. Most of our hotels have in-room safes.

Cash. ATMs will accept U.S. credit and debit cards. You will need our PIN. You can get cash in local currency. Some ATMs will give you dollars. ATM are found at the airport when you arrive and near our hotel in Jerusalem. I recommend you come with $200 to $400 each in US dollars cash, depending on what kind of shopper you are. If you plan to buy no souvenirs, your only out-of-pocket expenditures will be tips, drinks, and the 3 on-your-own lunches I have indicated on the itinerary. Most merchants accept credit cards but prefer cash. U.S. dollars are gladly accepted in both Israel and Jordan.

Documents. Remember I have your passport information in my travel book. You should also have a photocopy of your passport in a different place than where you carry your passport.

Arrival and Departure. Try to stay awake as much as you can on the flight over. Eat light. Drink lots of water. Get up and walk about. We want you to arrive tired so that you can sleep the first night. For the Israel arrival, I will be waiting for you at the airport. You will deboard the plane and have a long walk to the passport control point. In Jordan, my expediter will await you at passport control. Watch for him. He will have my name on a sign. He will accompany you through Immigration, help you get your luggage, solve any luggage issues, and walk with you through Customs to where I am waiting. From the airport, ½ hour bus ride to our hotel and a hot shower. In Israel, the expediter will be waiting after passport control and before you retrieve your luggage. He will help you with luggage issues and bring you to me at the arrival lounge.

Tips. You do not need to tip at meals; I have taken care of this. You may tip for any personal service at the hotels. I will pass an envelope in Israel for tips for our driver and for our local guide. In Jordan, I recommend that each of you tip $10 for the guide and $10 for the driver. In Israel, I recommend each of you tip $30 for the guide and $20 for the driver. These tips are optional.

COVID. We will take reasonable precautions on the trip. Masks optional. Bring hand-sanitizer and use often. Israel entry requirements are fluid, but right now, COVID test is not required.

If you have other questions, please call or e-mail me. I expect that we will have a close and intimate experience in many of the places we visit. All of us can help make this a great trip. Some of you are traveling with family or friends. Get to know others. Sit down with different people at each meal we eat together. Rotate bus seating. Share personal experiences. Share your feelings. Be on time for morning departures. Laugh a lot and cry when you feel like it.

Our three hotels are four- or five-star in quality. Comfortable, clean, modern. All have WiFi. All have exercise rooms. All have staff that speak good English. Sacred Valley hotel has swimming pool & spa. Some may want a massage after the hike on Machu Picchu. Electrical current in Peru is 240 V. Most power-cords for our electronics are 110 – 240 approved. Check your power cords (small print). No power converter needed. Each hotel has room outlets that will accept U.S. plug-ins. I have plug-in adapters to loan if you need one. An e-link to each hotel’s website is on the itinerary. Check out the services they provide.

Laundry. Room service laundry is available. Same day laundromats near our Lima and Cusco hotels. Plan ahead. If we leave at 7:00 in the morning, hard to get the laundry you dropped off the night before.

Weather. Lima will be warm and pleasant, no rain. Sunny days in the lower 80s. Nights 10 degrees cooler. Sacred Valley, warm, with a chance of rain. Umbrella or rain-jacket. Cusco, days in upper 60s/lower 70s, nights cooler. Chance of rain. Machu Picchu will be tropical, in the 80s or upper 70s. Greater chance of rain. We will be outdoors, in the sun, a great deal. Broad-rimmed hat and sunscreen. Insect repellent for Machu Picchu.

Dress. Lots of walking. Comfortable shoes a must. Attendance at LDS sacrament meetings is on the schedule for those who wish to attend. Shirt and tie is acceptable for the boys. Dress or skirt for the girls. Touring days = casual dress. No shorts the day we visit colonial churches (day one, day 6, day 7, day 8.) Each night I will review recommended dress for the next day.

Money. ATMs, banks, and money changers are close to hotels. Machines will accept US credit and debit cards and dispense Peruvian currency. Many shops will accept US dollars. I recommend you travel with $100 U.S. cash in bills smaller than $20s, and get additional Peruvian currency from ATMs as needed. Established merchants will also accept credit cards for purchases. Review on the itinerary the times you have to pay for your own meals. I will be with you those nights.

Tipping. You should tip for personal services you receive at hotels. Tipping at restaurants is optional. I provide tips to our guides and drivers. Especially for our drivers, you may add a tip for exceptional service, some of the routes are hard work and we will keep our drivers working early and late each day.

Shopping. Shopping time is included in schedule. But folks everywhere as we move from place to play will want to sell you something. Wonderful choices in sweaters, blankets, ceramics, jewelry, masks, wood carvings, etc. Larger shops accept credit cards. Vendors along the highway want cash, preferably Peruvian currency. I will always try to stay near you if you have questions. I can give you an idea of a fair price on lots of things you will be interested in. Larger shops, prices are marked. All shops and all street merchants will price haggle.

Food. Even though we are staying in upscale hotels and eat in clean eateries, we must be careful about eating uncooked or unpeeled fruits and vegetables. No lettuce, leafy greens, or strawberries. If the food is cooked or hot, it is okay. You will recognize most of the dishes that are offered. You will like them all. Junk food and diet drinks available in supermarkets and small shops near our hotels. Drinks at meals are not included in tour cost.

Illness. If you feel any symptoms, tell me immediately. Especially important if you feel the onset of digestive or bowel discomfort. I have over-the-counter meds with me and local pharmacies will sell us stronger stuff w/o prescriptions. Even small cuts or scrapes, come to me for antiseptics. The Condor Travel group medical coverage includes doctor visits to hotels in the case of extreme sickness.

Altitude Sickness. This is rarely a serious problem for my guests. I have programed our itinerary to allow us gradually adjust to the high altitudes. In and around Cusco we will be at 13,000 feet. Most typical symptoms are head ache and shortness of breath. We will ‘take it easy’ during this portion of our tour. If you have a favorite headache medicine, bring it. I have several brands in my med kit. I encourage you to drink mate de coca (coca tea) each day at breakfast, beginning with our first days in Lima. Again, if you have symptoms, let me know.

Security/Safety. The parts of Peru we will visit are safer than most US cities. Some pick-pockets in tourist areas. Leave expensive jewelry, watches, etc at home. When you are out on-your-own, stay in pairs or threes. Watch out for each other. Greatest danger is being a pedestrian. Cars do not yield. Some scams at some tourist shops. Greatest risk is while getting change for larger bills for small purchases. Keep some small bills handy for small items. Again, I and the local guides are with you. If you think you’ve been ripped off, come and see me. If it’s just that you made a bad deal, I can’t help. But if the sale was plainly fraudulent, I can help. Everywhere we travel will be with a local guide, as well as myself. I have considerable experience in all things Peruvian, particularly security.

** Face masks will be required in most places, including when we walk outdoors. Condor Travel has added health safety features to our buses. Bring hand-sanitizer. Wash your hands often. **

Domestic flights. THIS IS IMPORTANT. Most domestic airlines are not flexible on baggage weight limits. 55 pounds for checked bag. 9 pounds for carry-on. 2nd checked bag or over-weight bag, you will be charged a fee. Be frugal in your packing. Our last day in Lima before we return to US, is a final chance for shopping. Huge Indian market near hotel (which we will briefly visit our second day in Lima.) If you have your eye on buying something that will put you over the 55-pound limit, the last day is a good time to buy. Then you only have your international carrier to worry about. Their allowances depend on who you are flying with and your preference status. Check with your airlines; most allow two checked bags for international flights.

Your transfer from the Lima hotel to the airport is included in the services we provide. Different transfer times according to your flight schedule. I will confirm these times at the hotel our final afternoon.