Making any payments toward this pilgrimage /tour constitutes your unconditional acceptance of all the terms and conditions stated below. Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation, Inc. (HCEF) shall be referred to as HCEF within this document.

Registration and Deposits

A deposit of USD $1000.00 per person is required upon registration along with a signed copy of the registration form or completing registration online.  Registrations are processed in the order received by HCEF. Balance of payment is due by May 7, 2023. Late payment is subject to a non-refundable $150 late fee. Late registrations (fewer than 60 days) plus a non-refundable $150 late fee and are subject to availability. HCEF reserves the right to cancel reservations that are not paid in full prior to departure and to charge cancellation fees/penalties indicated below. 

Prices are based on minimum group size of 20. If group does not reach minimum number, the price and/or programming will be adjusted accordingly. Pricing is based on exchange rates and fares applicable at the time of quotation and is therefore subject to change. Fuel surcharges subject to increase up to 30 days prior to departure.

Cancellation Fees and Refunds

All cancellations must be sent in writing to HCEF and must be signed by the person who made the original reservation.  Cancellation penalties will apply if you cancel your tour. Cancellation penalties apply for each person, to payments received by HCEF

 

Cancellation Penalties – Air Cost:

Each individual is responsible for their own air travel arrangement from their respective countries to Amman, Jordan. Each individual must be checked in at the Hotel on Thursday July 27th, 2023, and coordinate their individual return tickets from Amman to their respective countries, at any day after August 10th, 2023. Journey is finalized after arriving at Amman, Jordan after returning from Palestine, hotel arrangements must be made individually for the night of August 9th, 2023, and beyond per each individuals departing date.

Cancellation Penalties – Land Cost:

Land cost is non-refundable after 90 days before departure date. In case of earlier cancellation, a non-refundable management fee of $150 will be deducted from the land tour refund.

Air Transportation

All airline tickets are round trip economy class only and are nonrefundable unless expressly stated otherwise. Any cancellation, itinerary changes or failure to use confirmed space would be subject to penalties and/or fees levied by the airline at the time of ticketing. Airfare, airline carrier, and schedules are subject to change without notice. HCEF is not responsible for itinerary changes necessitated by changes in the airline’s schedule. Fuel surcharges and security fee surcharges (if any) imposed after the date of registration are the responsibility of the pilgrim/Traveler.

Tour Operation & Cancellation

Please note that the tour itinerary is subject to change without notice. HCEF expressly reserves the right to cancel all or any part of the tour or to make changes to the itinerary, for any reason or whenever it deems necessary for the comfort, convenience, or safety of the pilgrimage. In the event of any alteration to the itinerary, every effort will be made to substitute the altered activity with a comparable replacement. If a pilgrimage is cancelled in its entirety by HCEF, full refunds will be issued within three weeks of such cancellation. This will constitute, in full, HCEF’s obligation to you, and HCEF bears no further responsibility beyond the full refund. HCEF shall not be held liable and hereby expressly disclaims liability for any loss, expense, damage, or inconvenience caused as a result of any cancellation or changes made to the itinerary. Furthermore, HCEF is not responsible for any additional costs or fees relating to the issuance and/or cancellation of air tickets or other travel arrangements not made through HCEF.

 

Cancellation Beyond HCEF’s Control

HCEF expressly disclaims any responsibility for any losses or expenses incurred due to cancellation or alteration of the pilgrimage resulting from, but not limited to: cancellations due to travel advisories issued by the U.S. State Department or any other relevant authority in USA/AUS acts of war, terrorism, acts of God or natural disasters, or any other circumstance beyond HCEF’s control. In such case, HCEF will assist you in requesting refunds for all services prepaid but not rendered, less a non-refundable $200 per person administrative fee. HCEF shall not be held responsible for any non-recoverable amounts disbursed to carriers or other service providers on your behalf.

Accommodations

The pilgrimage/Trip includes ground transportation and double occupancy accommodations in twin-bedded rooms. Single room occupancy is available for a supplemental cost If you do not register with a pre-identified roommate, every effort will be made to identify a roommate for you.  If you are notified that a roommate is not available, you will need to pay the single supplement with your final payment.

Meals

Breakfast, and dinner are included daily.

Transport

All transfers for the Group are included for pick up at airport in Israel and departure to USA/AUS, as well as porter service at hotels.  A deluxe air-conditioned bus is provided for all tours and transfers. Transfers for individuals arriving or departing separately from the group are at those individuals’ own cost and are not covered.

Sightseeing

Full sightseeing with entrance fees is included for items on itinerary unless otherwise indicated.  A licensed, multilingual Christian guide will accompany the pilgrimage from arrival until departure.

Taxes

Taxes, as imposed by the local authorities, are included in standard services, if applicable.

Tips

Standard tips are not included in the price. Tip total per person will be collected prior to departure to cover standard tipping for the whole group.

Daily tips are essential to the livelihoods of the servers, guides, drivers, etc. who make the Pilgrimage convenient and enjoyable. Tips per person per day is $15.00.  Tip amount will be collected in advance. Tips for the complete group must be received by the deadline for full payment, if pilgrims wish to pay by credit card, there will be extra 3% service charge.

Not Included

Lunch, Standard tips and items of a personal nature such as drinks at meals, bottled water, laundry, shopping, and offerings in churches, travel insurance, and any service not specifically mentioned are not included. Fuel surcharges and/or tax increases levied since the pricing of this tour are not included. Honorariums for meetings or speakers are not included.  Pilgrims may wish to purchase souvenirs of their visit to the Holy Land. Each pilgrim should consider their personal shopping budget for the trip.

Travel Insurance

HCEF strongly recommends the purchase of travel insurance.  Trip cancellation and overseas medical coverage are two important considerations.  There are a number of options for such insurance – your own insurance agent may have a recommendation.  It is the sole responsibility of the pilgrim to consult with their health insurance provider to determine what international coverage is provided and if supplemental health coverage should be purchased.

Health

Good overall health is necessary to enjoy this experience. Distances walked are moderate, but stair-climbing and being on one’s feet can all be tiring. Most international sites are not handicapped or wheelchair accessible. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns. Please inform HCEF if any member of the group has allergies, special dietary requirements, or any health conditions we must be aware of.

While HCEF cannot accept responsibility for providing access to all sites and facilities included in your pilgrimage, HCEF will make every effort to assist in providing mobility aides to the extent feasible, and with applicable costs borne by the pilgrim. HCEF assumes no responsibility for any pilgrim’s inability to fully participate in the tour, nor can HCEF provide any refund for non-participation in any part of the pilgrimage.

Passports & Visas

A passport valid for at least 6 months from the pilgrimage return date, as recommended by the the authorities, is required. Visas are not necessary for US passport holders to enter Israel/Palestine. Holders of non-US passports must contact the nearest Israeli Embassy/Consulate to determine whether they must obtain a visa before departure.

Photography

The photos shown in your itinerary and other promotional materials are intended only as representative samples of those sites.  Unless specifically mentioned in your itinerary, no implication is made that these sites will be visited or seen.

HCEF reserves the right to take photographs and video during your pilgrimage and to use such photographs and video for promotional purposes. Any pilgrim who prefers that their image not be used is asked to notify HCEF in writing prior to departure.

Policy Against Discrimination

HCEF does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation or status as a veteran of the United States Armed Forces in the provision of its pilgrimage services.

Responsibility Clause/ Liability Disclaimer:

Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation, Inc. (HCEF) is a tour coordinator and cannot be responsible for the suppliers providing transportation, sightseeing arrangements and hotel accommodations for HCEF. Throughout the Tour, the pilgrim will interact with and be serviced by the third-party suppliers, who are independent contractors and are not agents or employees of HCEF.  All coupons, receipts and tickets issued are subject to the terms and conditions specified by suppliers. By utilizing the service of the suppliers, you agree that HCEF will not be liable for any change in schedule, strikes, delay, acts of government, acts of war, acts of terrorism, fires, riots, theft, pilferage, epidemics, quarantine, medical or customs regulations, accident, loss, injury, or damage to you or to those traveling with you in connection with any accommodations, transportation or any other services or resulting directly or indirectly from any occurrence or conditions beyond its control, including defects in vehicles, breakdown in equipment, thefts, delay or cancellation of or changes in an itinerary for any act, omission, or event during the pilgrimage.

Neither HCEF and/or agents of the airlines concerned are to be held responsible for the late arrival of passengers at airports or hotels due to inclement weather, nor are they to be held liable for payment or any refund for unused hotel accommodations or meals occasioned by such late arrivals at the hotels holding rooms as confirmed itineraries. HCEF and suppliers contracted for services reserve the right to refuse to accept or retain any person whose behavior is deemed likely to affect the smooth operation of a tour, or adversely affect the enjoyment and safety of other pilgrims. HCEF, its agents and suppliers shall be under no liability to any such person for refund, compensation, repatriation or any other matters arising.

HCEF further disclaims any liability for statements, actions or inactions of any intermediary agents such as group administrators, spiritual directors or tour leaders, travel agents or any other intermediary involved with the selling, promotion or operation of HCEF’s pilgrimages. To the fullest extent permitted by law, HCEF disclaims any liability for damages or injuries, or other losses whatsoever, sustained or incurred as a result of the negligence of HCEF. Group administrators, spiritual leaders and tour leaders likewise expressly disclaim any liability for the acts and/or omissions of any of the above entities and/or individuals not directly under their supervision or control. Please be advised that the liability of carriers as well of providers of hotel and lodging accommodations is limited by law. HCEF strongly recommends the purchase of travel insurance. In no event  shall HCEF’s liability exceed the amounts paid by you for participation in the pilgrimage, and subject to the provisions and cancellation fees as set forth in these Conditions. HCEF is not responsible for any misprints contained in these Conditions or other accompanying documentation, and the contents therein may be changed at any time and at HCEF’s sole discretion.

The statements made herein, and the contract entered into between pilgrims and HCEF are deemed to be made and entered into in the State of Maryland, USA. Pilgrims and HCEF hereby agree and stipulate that any controversy or claim arising out of or in any way related to these Conditions or the pilgrimage itself which cannot be amicably settled, shall be resolved by way of arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association. The Arbitration shall take place in the County of Montgomery, Maryland before a single arbitrator and shall be governed by the laws of the State of Maryland. Each party shall bear its own costs and an equal share of the arbitrator’s and administrative fees of arbitration.