Cultivating Hope | Arava Institute Study Tour
Global Leader in Socially Conscious Travel.
February 19 - February 28, 2025 - Israel & Jordan
Optional Pre-Tour to Morocco: Feb. 16 – 19
Registration Deadline: December 19, 2024
For more information please contact Elana at [email protected].
Price*: $4,900 USD Main Tour, Morocco Pre-Tour: $1,700 USD
*Prices are per person and based on double occupancy.
Single room supplements: Study Tour: $1,100 USD; Pre-Tour: $500 USD (limited availability)
This curated small group journey through Israel, Jordan, and the West Bank gives participants exclusive on-the-ground access to the culture, politics, and state of environmental cooperation of the Middle East today. Led by regional experts in environmental peacebuilding, including Ambassador Daniel Shek and Arava Institute Executive Director Dr. Tareq Abu Hamed, this trip takes you off the beaten track to delve into the complex realities of the region. Throughout the Study Tour, participants will be joined by Arava Institute Israeli, Palestinian, and Jordanian alumni engaged in environmental peacebuilding efforts.
8 nights’ accommodations based on double occupancy in the following hotels or similar.
1 English Speaking Guide in Jordan
1 MEJDI-Trained Logistics Staff available throughout
Private bus transportation as mentioned in itinerary, including private and group arrival + departure airport transfers
Collective entry visa and Exit tax (Jordan)
Meals listed in the itinerary: 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners. Up to 3 Guests joining 6 meals
Water on bus throughout tour
Dedicated pre-trip customer service and on-ground support
International Airfare
Travel Insurance-HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Single Room Supplement ($1,100)
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
Customary tips to drivers, guides, and hotel staff
Individual airport transfers outside of the group transfer
Anything not explicitly mentioned in the included section
3 nights’ accommodation at the following hotels (double occupancy), or similar hotel as necessary: Radisson Blu, Marrakech
1 MEJDI-Trained Guide for 2 half days
4 days of private transportation, including 1 group departure airport transfer and private individual arrival transfers
Meals listed in the itinerary: 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners. Up to 3 Guests joining 2 meals
Entrances and sites
Water on bus throughout tour
1-Way flight Marrakech - Amman
Dedicated pre-trip customer service and on-ground support
International Airfare
Travel Insurance-HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Single Supplement - $385 per person
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
Customary tips for drivers, guides, and hotel staff
Individual airport transfers outside of the group transfer
Anything not explicitly mentioned in the included section
About Your Group Leaders
These three group leaders have co-led study tours to the region regularly over the past three years.
Dr. Tareq Abu Hamed
Executive Director, Arava Institute for Environmental Studies
A Palestinian citizen of Israel from East Jerusalem, Dr. Abu Hamed received this year’s AAAS Science Diplomacy award. Dr. Abu Hamed is the co-chair of the regional cooperation and security task force of President Herzog’s Israel Climate Forum. He is an expert in regional environmental cooperation and and environmental diplomacy, recently at the UN COP29 Climate Conference in Baku.
Ambassador Daniel Shek
Arava Institute Board Member, Leader of the Institute’s Track II Forum for Environmental Diplomacy
A veteran of the Israeli foreign service, Ambassador Shek has served as Ambassador to France, Consul General in San Francisco, Director of European Affairs and Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry. An expert on public diplomacy, he is now a private consultant, teaches at Tel Aviv University, and continues to be a frequent guest on media outlets worldwide. Since October 7, he has led the diplomacy team of the Hostage and Missing Families Forum.
Rachel Kalikow
CEO, Friends of the Arava Institute
Kalikow has worked with Friends of the Arava Institute for more than five years, serving as Director of Development and then Chief Development Officer before becoming CEO in 2024. of Currently based in Boston, she has studied, lived and worked in Israel and has extensive non-profit experience in development and community outreach, with organizations including the New Israel Fund, Jewish Women’s Archive, and Gann Academy.
Read through the Terms and Conditions. Deposits are refundable if the tour is cancelled due to low enrollment.
Invite your friends!
Do not book your flight until you receive the tour confirmation email from us. This tour requires a minimum number of travelers to run and we will send out the tour confirmation (and update this note on the webpage) as soon as we have met that number.
Check out travel insurance options.
Some plans and policies [Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) or coverage for pre-existing conditions] may only available for a limited time (approximately 2 weeks) following your date of deposit.