LeSEA Tours

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Who we are:

LeSEA Tours is a ministry under the much larger worldwide outreach of Family Broadcasting Corporation which exists to reach out to the lost across the globe, and to provide families with an alternative to secular television. God gave Dr. Lester Sumrall a vision to reach the untold billions yet untold, and empower believers like you to grow in your spiritual walk.

By joining us on a LeSEA Israel Tour, you are participating in a tradition that dates back to the 1960’s, when Dr. Sumrall began officially hosting tours to the Holy Land. He had a deep love for this land, and it was in Israel where God gave him direction for our ministry.

Experience

Why should we travel with LeSEA?

We are a ministry.

Not a travel agency or tour operator, our mission is simple; to bring all those whose hearts burn with the dream of traveling to Israel come true.

We have experience.
We have been escorting tours to the Holy Land since 1965, that’s over 50 years!

We travel with you!
That’s right! On every tour you will be joined by one of the LeSEA Tour Staff. We are available everywhere you go in case you have questions during your pilgrimage.

What is it like on a group tour?

People just like you from all over the U.S. will be meeting the group flight in Newark NJ where we will meet and fly to Israel together.  You will be assigned a bus number and each day you will board that bus where you will have the same guide and driver each day.  There will be around 35 people on your bus.  (If you have 35 people from your church, we can assign an entire bus just for you!)  You will visit the Holy Land with the same people each day.  The whole group will get together for a few special occasions like communion at the Garden Tomb, the boat ride on the Sea of Galilee and a fun group picture.

Bus

How do I get from my city to a departure gateway to meet the flight?

Everyone who joins our tour is responsible for their own transportation to our departure gateway.  If you plan to fly to Newark, please call our office so that we can help you with your transportation needs and inform you of the times you need to be at the airport. We can assist you in booking these fights and we won’t charge you a ticketing fee to issue your airline tickets.

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When is the next tour?

November 3rd -12th, 2020

travel calendar

What places will we visit?

We use our Bible as our guide.  Check out the itineraries for each tour.  It will give you a complete day by day schedule of the places we will visit.

Man reading a Bible

What is included in the tour package?

PACKAGE INCLUDES
– Round Trip Airfare from Newark NJ
– Deluxe Hotels
– Visits to Major Biblical & Archeological Sites
– 3 Meals Each Day (Breakfast, lunch, & dinner) *excludes lunch on free-day
– Private transfers to/from Airport in Tel Aviv
– Taxes and Tips to guides, drivers and hotel staff
– Private Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee & Baptism in the Jordan River
– Comprehensive Tour with Entrance Fees to Sites
– Professional English Speaking Guides

NOT INCLUDED
– Lunch on the free day
– Optional tour on free day $80*subject to change

How do I sign up?sign up 4

A $300 deposit and a signed enrollment form will hold your place on the tour. Our mailing address is: LeSEA Tours, 61300 Ironwood Rd., South Bend, IN  46614.  You can also sign up online or download forms by going to Our Tours page or call us and sign up over the phone.  Our phone number is 1-800-685-3732.  You can make payments of any amount as often as you want.  Final payment must be made 60 days prior to your departure date.

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Is there a lot of walking involved?

During your journey, there will be much walking, numerous stairs to climb and many sites to explore (Around 3 miles on average a day). We suggest you begin preparing yourself by beginning a program of walking in your area. Those who are less active will still find the journey a delightful experience. If you need to rest there is often a pleasant park bench which you can enjoy or you can simply remain on the bus. Check with your doctor for medical advice pertinent to the trip and your health.

TRAVEL TIP: Some of the terrain at the archaeological sites are rough and rocky. The streets in the Old City have smooth stones which can become slick when wet. Some paths have steep inclines or many steps. For all of these reasons we recommend wearing your most comfortable rubber soled shoe while you are traveling.

Walking

Will I need a Passport to travel to Israel?

If you are a U.S. Citizen a passport is required to travel to Israel. To get your passport, contact your local post-office and ask for the passport clerk. The passport clerk will provide instructions to you. If you already have your passport, be sure to check your passport’s validity date. It is required to be valid for 6 months after your return date. You will not need a Visa to enter and you will not need any vaccinations.

TRAVEL TIP: You can still sign up for the tour while you wait for your passport to arrive.

Passport

Can I call home?

We recommend two options for contacting your loved ones at home.  One way is to purchase an international prepaid calling card before you leave home or after you have arrived in Israel.  These cards are very economical. Another option is to rent a cell phone from TalknSave.  This option is surprisingly affordable and offers options of unlimited calling to/from Israel with a small daily rate.  Visit this TalknSave website for more information on how convenient and affordable  it is to have a phone with you while you are traveling.  Note:  If you plan to use your own cell phone in Israel, be sure to contact your cell phone provider to find out the details and costs to use your phone internationally.

Baptism

TRAVEL TIP: Make sure you bring your bathing suit or an extra set of clothes to wear under your baptismal gown. The baptismal gown is transparent when wet. Shoes to wear in the water may also make your experience more comfortable.

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Currency

The common denomination of Israeli currency is the shekel. The current exchange rate is approximately 3.8 shekels (subject to change) to the dollar. U.S. currency is widely accepted, so you may decide not to exchange your money at all. It is advisable to use small bills. Small bills will reduce the amount of change that you will receive in shekels and the need to have it exchanged to American currency at the end of your tour. Traveler’s checks are accepted but credit cards and cash are sometimes easier to use. ATMs are also available.

Money

Can I drink the water?

Water in the hotels in Israel is safe to drink. Bottled water is readily available and can be purchased for $1-$2 at most of the tourist sites we will visit. Tour guides will have bottled water stored in their coolers on the bus for sale also.

Water Glass

What if I want to stay longer? ( Not Available for November 2019 tour)

If you want to deviate from the group in any way you must contact us right away so that we can plan accordingly.  We also offer a “Petra Extension” in November which includes an additional 4 night stay in Eilat (the southern tip of Israel at the Red Sea), a day tour of Petra, and lots of free time.  Click HERE for details.

Is it safe to travel to Israel?

We are watching the situation in the Middle East very carefully and are in touch with not only our operations in Jerusalem but also with the Israel Ministry of Tourism both in Israel and in North America.

You might find it interesting to know that while a section of the country is in turmoil other parts of the country continue life as usual. We are told that there are over 100,000 foreign tourists in Israel right now enjoying the Holy sites without interruption.

We have been to Israel many times when the news was not great and the media was showing a very difficult situation; yet while there, it was peaceful for us and the group. (The Sumrall family has even lived in Israel during times of war and experienced no problems at all.) A LeSEA Tours staff member is traveling to Israel every tour and we have contacts on the ground in Jerusalem, so rest assured we are in great communication with how certain situation may or may not affect our travels.

The bottom line is that we need to continue to watch but more importantly pray. We are commanded to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and today more than ever we need to pray for not just Jerusalem but also the leadership of our country as well as the leadership of Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

Should you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact our office.