FAQs
General
All our pilgrimages involve a reasonable amount of walking each day, although they are not hiking expeditions. Pilgrims will need to be able to get on and off a bus and, in the course of a day, walk one or two miles at a gentle pace, sometimes on uneven or hilly ground. Much of the terrain is not suitable for walker or stroller frames, or for people who depend on wheelchairs for mobility.
We recognize that travel in the Middle East can raise the question of safety for many people. Both we and our partners in Jerusalem and Amman constantly monitor local and international news, as well as UK Foreign Office travel advice, and when needed, we adjust itineraries to reflect such advice.
Our pilgrimages are designed to help benefit Christians struggling in the Holy Land. We employ Palestinian Christian guides and drivers, stay at Christian-run hotels and guest houses whenever possible and organize our shopping to bring maximum benefit to Christian families, workers and shopkeepers. We give generously to ministries in the Holy Land, including the Jerusalem Diocese. In recognition of this Archbishop Suheil named Lightline Pilgrimages as the ‘official and preferred’ pilgrimage operator for the Jerusalem Diocese in 2013.
We have worked in the pilgrimage industry for over 30 years with an unbroken record of safety and reliability. Our partnership in Israel/Palestine was established in 1965 and is one of the most highly regarded travel agents in the Holy Land. We choose from the best Palestinian Christian guides and bus drivers to insure that your pilgrimage is not dependent on the health or availability of any single individual.
Groups sizes can vary, we tailor tours for your group needs, however do remember that costs may depend on the group size. Tour organisers should contact the office direct for full details.
The meal arrangements are different for each pilgrimage, please see your brochure, confirmation or itinerary for further details.
All of our hotels will charge a single room supplement and these charges vary between hotels. Single rooms are very limited and price varies tour to tour and can be found within each brochure.
If you have any special dietary requests, please inform us at the time of booking. We will take steps to ensure that our airlines, hotels and restaurants are advised, but special diets of any kind (including vegetarian, vegan, coeliac etc.) can seldom be catered for adequately and we cannot guarantee we will be able to meet your requests.
Reservations
To book your pilgrimage you will need to download the Booking Form, print it and fill it out in its entirety for all persons traveling. Be sure all fields are complete and the form is signed. Post the form and include a cheque for the appropriate deposits. You may also pay by bank transfer or Visa Debit card. Should you wish to use this option please contact our office first. It Is possible to book quite a few of our tours directly online with a deposit paid by debit card. To see a full list of those currently available click here.
If you cancel up to 72 days before departure, you will forfeit your deposit. A cancellation closer to the time of departure will incur a higher charge. Full details of all cancellation charges are published within the Booking Terms and Conditions and can be viewed here. These charges should be recoverable via your travel insurance provided that the cancellation is for a valid reason as set out in your policy.
Payment Information
Cheque, Bank Transfer, Visa Debit Card. Please note, we do not accept payments with Credit Cards.
You can pay make payment by bank transfer. Please could you use your booking reference as the payment reference in order that we can locate the payment for you more easily. Bank details are available on your booking form or from our offices.
The deposit can vary from tour to tour. The brochure and booking form state the exact deposit per person for that given tour.
Any money paid to Lightline Pilgrimages Limited for flight inclusive holidays are financially protected by the ATOL scheme.
Passports and Visas
A full valid 10 year passport is necessary for all Lightline tours. It is a condition of travel that your passport is valid for the duration of your tour and that validity runs for a further 6 months after you return to the UK.
British passport holders will be issued a visa free of charge on arrival in Israel. Jordan visas are arranged through Lightline. Holders of other passports should contact Lightline on 01992 576065 for advice.
Flights and Airports
We have partnered with Holiday Extras to provide parking and hotels around the UK. Please click here for more information.
No, we do not organise transport to the UK airport. You should contact your local organiser in the Parish or Diocese as such arrangements are made by them.
Most flights require you to check in two hours before the departure time, each departure will vary and information will be provided within your joining instructions.
Each tour is different but the vast majority are met by your guide who will normally be with you for the duration of your pilgrimage.
Your hold luggage allowance and hand baggage can vary between different airlines. Please check with our team when booking. This information will be printed on your Joining instructions that will be sent out approximately two weeks before departure.
Most airlines are ticketless meaning you’ll only require your passport to check in. You will be met at the airport by a Lightline representative who will be there to hand you your boarding pass and to assist with security and check-in formalities. Two weeks before departure you will receive joining instructions, luggage tags and in some cases an itinerary of your pilgrimage.
You can carry fruit, vegetables and all solid foods in your hand baggage. However, foods in sauces or with a high liquid content (such as sauces, pastes, soups and stews) are not allowed through security. The size of container must not exceed 100ml, regardless of the amount contained inside. Drinks including water can only be purchased after you have passed through security.
Travel Insurance
No, but LIGHTLINE PILGRIMAGES LTD act as an Introducer Appointed Representative of Global Travel Insurance Services Ltd who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and whose status can be checked on the FCA Register by visiting www.fca.org.uk or by contacting the FCA on 0845 606 9966, ‘Firm Ref’ 305686.
As most of our trips are in excess of £2,000 we suggest that you consider the Single Trip Premier policy, where the sum insured for Cancellation & Curtailment covers tours up to £5,000 per person. Please click here for details.
Coronavirus: some insurances specifically exclude from their cover any claim relating to Coronavirus (Covid-19). It could be worth asking if any policy you are looking at provides Covid-19 cover for cancellation prior to travel, for curtailment of your trip, for medical expenses while overseas related to Covid-19 and costs if you must extend your stay to self-isolate.
Weather
The weather varies in each destination, for the most up to date report by the Met Office, please click here to find the local forecast for your destination.
You will receive joining instructions two weeks prior to departure, which will advise you on the weather based on the time of year. You will find it advisable to be able to dress in layers in all our destinations, at almost any time of year. In the Holy Land both men and women should be aware they will be refused admission to many churches if their shoulders or knees are visible.