GROUP TRAVELTravel with confidence knowing that BBYO organizes supervised group flights to and from Thailand. Our staff are present at departure airports to greet teens and help them feel welcome right away, and they accompany each group throughout the journey—both on arrival and on the return trip home. To learn more about how we organize travel for our programs, click here.
BANGKOKArrive in Thailand’s lively capital and settle into your accommodations before the adventure begins. Explore cultural landmarks like the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, cruise through the city’s canals on a long-tail boat ride, and dive into the energy of local markets. Participate in group orientation and icebreakers as you prepare for the journey ahead, and welcome Shabbat together in this vibrant city.
PATTAYATravel to Pattaya, a coastal city on the Gulf of Thailand, where you’ll volunteer with the Father Ray Foundation. Support local initiatives that serve children and families through hands-on projects and meaningful community engagement. Spend free time exploring nearby beaches and enjoying group bonding activities before celebrating Shabbat by the sea.
CHIANG RAIFly north to Chiang Rai to begin your volunteer partnership with the Karen Hill Tribe community. Work alongside locals on sustainable service projects such as building, teaching English, and assisting with agricultural initiatives. Learn about the Karen people’s heritage and resilience, and take part in cultural exchange activities that deepen your understanding of daily life in rural Thailand.
CHIANG MAIContinue your adventure in Chiang Mai, a city surrounded by mountains and temples. Visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep for panoramic views and spiritual insight, spend a day at an ethical Elephant Sanctuary, and take part in a hands-on Thai cooking class. Browse the famous Sunday Night Market, unwind with a traditional Thai massage, and enjoy a cultural dinner show filled with music and dance.
PHUKETFly south to the island paradise of Phuket to relax and reflect at the end of your journey. Snorkel vibrant coral reefs, kayak through limestone caves, and spend time on some of Thailand’s most beautiful beaches. Explore Old Town Phuket for colorful streets and local shops, and celebrate Shabbat together overlooking the Andaman Sea. Conclude your adventure with a farewell dinner and group reflection before your return home.
JERUSALEMBegin your time in Israel with a hike in the Jerusalem Hills, lunch at Mahane Yehuda, a visit to Haas Promenade, and a walking tour of the Old City, ending with reflections at the Kotel. Celebrate Shabbat and enjoy a night out on Ben Yehuda Street.
NORTHERN ISRAELTour the City of David and Hezekiah’s Tunnel. Explore Caesarea, Aqua Kef water park, Sindyanna of Galilee, and the Garmachin Center. Hike Mount Gilboa, swim in the Sachne, and participate in a mifgash with Israeli teens. Volunteer to cook for soldiers and visit Atlit Detention Camp. Enjoy a surf lesson and beach time in Haifa.
TEL AVIVTour the Bahai Gardens, Ahmeddiya Mosque, Hostages Family Square, and meet a Nova Festival survivor. Visit Sderot and Kibbutz Magan near the Gaza border, and the Nova Memorial Site. Explore ANU Museum, Carmel Market, Nahalat Binyamin, Rainbow TLV Tour, and Florentin. Celebrate Shabbat and take part in a silent rave with Guru Zuzu.
CENTRAL ISRAELVisit Machon Ayalon, Be’er Sheva, Ramon Crater, and relax at a desert kibbutz. See the Red Sea borders, snorkel in Eilat, and explore the Dead Sea and Ein Bokek. In Kfar Hanokdim, ride camels and enjoy a Bedouin dinner.
MASADAHike Masada at sunrise, walk the Snake Path, explore Ein Gedi, and return to Jerusalem for rest and a group t-shirt design night.
JERUSALEM REVISITED
Tour Mount Herzl, shop at First Station, participate in a Junior Knesset, visit Feel Beit, and enjoy water tag games and Cinema City. Learn from Neil Lazarus, volunteer at Tachlit or Pantry Packers, and visit Yad Vashem. Take a final walking tour of Jaffa, participate in a tree planting ceremony, and celebrate with a closing dinner at Neot Kedumim Park.

What are the rules for Israeli citizens or children of Israeli citizens?If either of your parents is an Israeli citizen, or if you have ever lived in Israel, it is your responsibility to make sure your status with the Israeli Defense Forces is worked out and clear. Moreover, you may still have obligations to the State of Israel that must be resolved prior to your trip, even if you do not have an Israeli passport. These matters must be taken care of before you arrive in Israel.

Note: If you hold an Israeli passport, you must enter Israel with your Israeli passport.

If you do not take care of these matters prior to your trip, you may be obligated to stay in Israel by the State of Israel until resolution. If this applies to you, you will be solely responsible for your own situation and any costs involved. Again, we highly recommend you be extremely cautious about these matters and contact one of the regional Israeli consulate offices if you have any questions.

How will my teen travel to the program?
BBYO requires all North American participants to fly on the group supervised flight for this program. Flight costs are not included in the program’s land cost. BBYO will purchase a ticket for each traveler and charge the family directly. The flight cost for programs with supervised flight options will be announced, along with the flight details for all programs, in the spring. The supervised flight for this program will depart from the New York City area, typically Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) or John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Learn more about flying to the program.

Is airfare between programs included when connecting two programs?
All connecting flights are included in the land cost for programs that connect. For more information, please visit our supervised flights page.

Where will my teen be sleeping?
The group stays in a variety of 3-star hotels in Thailand. When booking accommodations, we request for each teen to have their own sleeping accommodations in a shared living space. In Israel, many of the accommodations we stay at are kibbutz-based guest houses that are located in Israel’s countryside and provide space for exploration within a secure environment. We use conventional hotels when we stay in cities. On a rare occasion, your teen may share a large bed with another teen of the same gender. We try to avoid this as best as possible, but sometimes have limitations due to hotel space. All accommodations in Israel have security and we book rooms so that each teen has their own sleeping accommodation in rooms that typically accommodate 2 to 5 teens per room.

How is the program staffed?
In Thailand, each group is accompanied by a team of madrichim (counselors), a local Thai tour leader, and a bus driver. In Israel, each group is also accompanied by a team of madrichim (counselors) and a local Israeli guide. Teens are also joined by an armed guard and bus driver in Israel. Madrichim are not always the same between Thailand and Israel.

Senior field staff also circulate between our groups for extra support. Staff names are sent out approximately 2–3 weeks prior to your departure as part of the pre-trip preparation emails. Staff are asked to make welcome calls to teens before departure. Feel free to ask them any remaining questions you may have. Learn more about our staff team.

What’s the summer weather like?
In late June to early July, Thailand experiences its rainy season, which means you'll encounter warm temperatures and frequent rain. Expect daily temperatures to range from around 77°F (25°C) to 91°F (33°C) in central areas like Bangkok, with occasional bursts of rain, often in the afternoon or evening. The northern regions, such as Chiang Mai, are slightly cooler but still warm, while southern islands like Phuket and Krabi tend to experience heavier rainfall, so plan accordingly when packing.

In Israel, the sun is strong—often stronger than teens are accustomed to—so dehydration, heatstroke, and sunburn are serious concerns, especially in a desert climate. Clothing should be lightweight and comfortable in the heat. Whenever outside for an extended period, teens will be required to have a hat, a shirt with sleeves, sunscreen, and water. The good news is the heat is mostly dry, there is very little humidity and the chance of rain in Israel during the summer is extremely low so no umbrellas are needed. Evenings in Israel tend to get chilly quickly. Because we will not always return to our accommodations to change before an evening activity, always bring a day pack with a windbreaker, long-sleeved shirt, or light sweater. Layers are key!

How do you approach security?
The safety of the teens under our care is our guiding consideration. Learn more about our organization’s approach to safety & security.

What’s the typical group size?
Although it varies from year to year, our average group for Ultimate Thailand Israel is comprised of 1–2 buses. The average bus size is 30–35 teens. Buses may include teens registered for this trip as well as teens registered for another trip that connects two programs, or teens registered for one of the two connecting programs. For details on bus assignments and friend requests, please visit our General FAQ page.

What’s the food like?
Thailand offers a rich culinary experience, and while traditional Thai cuisine heavily features ingredients like fish sauce, meat, and seafood, there are plenty of options for those who eat kosher or vegetarian. Thai cuisine naturally includes a variety of vegetarian dishes. Common vegetarian staples include Pad Thai (without fish sauce), vegetable curries (like green or red curry), and stir-fried vegetables with tofu. Many Buddhists in Thailand follow a vegetarian diet, so vegetarian restaurants and dishes are quite common. These dishes are typically made with tofu, mushrooms, and an array of fresh vegetables, often flavored with herbs like basil, lemongrass, and coriander.

In Israel, expect to eat Middle Eastern and Mediterranean foods such as falafel, hummus, shakshouka, borekas, and much more. When traveling, your teen may encounter new foods that will not be to their liking, so we ask teens to be flexible and have snacks and other alternatives on hand just in case.

As a travel-based program, our meals take a variety of forms and may include hotel buffets, restaurants, catered meals, and allowance funds for participants to purchase a meal on their own. All food provided by BBYO Passport experiences in Israel is kosher. When a meal is served in a public buffet format (e.g. hotel breakfast), we will always ensure that there are vegetarian, pescatarian, or dairy options available and we will not restrict teens from eating the food of their choice.

Some meals may be provided via a cash allowance where teens will be given money to purchase the food of their choice, called a pizur meal. Such meals are typically arranged in an area where there are multiple restaurant options and teens can choose the food of their liking. When time is limited for meal choice, staff may choose to facilitate meal orders on behalf of teens using their allowance funds.

Participants with special dietary needs (i.e. lactose intolerance, gluten-free, kosher, etc.) should review our dietary restrictions commitment document and contact us in advance to be sure we can accommodate your needs during the program. 

Will I need a visa for Israel?
Teens do not need a visa to enter Thailand. However, starting from January 2025, visitors from visa-exempt countries are required to obtain an ETA-IL(Electronic Travel Authorization) to enter the state of Israel. An approved ETA-IL, indicates that you are allowed to travel to Israel. Additional information about this system can be found here: https://israel-entry.piba.gov.il/.

All travelers to Israel must have a valid visa or an ETA-IL approval before they start their journey. An Israeli citizen or a permanent resident holding a valid Israeli ID number is not required to submit an application for ETA-IL.

The following data will be required for each ETA-IL application: A passport issued by a visa exempt country, valid for the duration of your stay; A valid email address; A valid payment method for the fee payment 25 NIS.

Fee: The cost of an ETA-IL is 25 NIS (You cannot get a refund after you apply)

What are the payment and cancellation terms?
All of these details are available here: Enrollment & Registration Terms.

How do I enroll my teen if we live outside of North America?
Visit this page to find all the information you will need and express your interest.

For more information, check out our general FAQs or the pre-trip guide.