Go Palestine in Hebron organizes exclusive tours to the two most important political areas in Hebron, known as Masafer Yatta & Bani Na’im with a tour guide who speaks English fluently. It is an opportunity to get to know the risk of forcible transfer for the Communities who live there. You will hear many stories from the people living there and the challenges they have to go through on the daily basis due to the harassment of the Israeli occupation army and Israeli settlers to displace the residents of those areas.
Masafer Yatta
The “Musafer Yatta” area is located in the city of Yatta, between 14 and 24 kilometers southeast of Hebron Governorate, and it is the second-largest city in terms of population and area, within an area of 35 thousand square kilometers. The communities threatened with forced displacement are located southeast of “Al-Musafer” on an area of 32,000 square kilometers.
During the eighteenth decade of the last century, the occupation army classified 30 square kilometers of the area of ”Musafer Yatta” with “Khirbet Um Fajara” as “firing zones” for the purposes of military training, along with 13 other residential communities, housing 3 thousand people. The occupation authorities have allocated military zones called “shooting zones” for most of the populated lands in the region, with 14 Palestinian gatherings out of 38 gatherings in 1999, for the purposes of military training.
There are around 3,000 Palestinians in the “Masafer Yatta” area on the south Hebron Hills, according to local and international statistics, some of which were prepared by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OCHA-OPT). The Palestinians of the region live in difficult living conditions, and they usually live in underground caves, because they do not obtain legal building permits, so they cannot maintain or expand their homes.
Massafer Bani Na’im
The area of “Musafer Bani Na’im” overlooks the Dead Sea and the rift pit, and drought prevails in the area, whose residents live in a state of severe drought. About 150 Bedouin families live in the area. The region suffers from the Israeli occupation’s seizure of Bani Na’im lands in favor of expanding the “Bani Hefer” settlement. The Israeli occupation also prevents the residents of the area from building or paving roads.
We have over 10 years of Experience!
We have ten years of experience in organizing tours to different places in Palestine. The Palestinian center – Go Palestine organizes visits to the two Massafers in Hebron so that visitors be able to learn and experience first-hand a greater understanding of the living conditions and the people who live there.
You will have the opportunity to visit some of the families who live within the Massafer, talking to them and asking them questions about their daily lives and their thoughts. The families you visit will provide you with a fascinating opportunity to learn a little bit about life within the camps.
When are our tours conducted?
Our tours are available throughout the entire year, from January to December. During the week, you can join our tours on Saturday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. However, if you prefer to visit on Sundays or Tuesdays, please note that prior arrangements are required to ensure availability.
Our Tour Guides
Our tour guides are experienced and work in the travel and tourism sector. They provide you with all the instructions based on their extensive knowledge and experience in all areas of Palestine.
Information Regarding our Masafer Yatta & Bani Na’im Tours Program
| Place of Tours | Massafer Yatta Um Al Kher Villiage Massafer Bani Na’im |
| Tour Fees | One Day – $115 American Dollars Two Days – $150 American Dollars Three Days Days – $290 American Dollars |
| Starting point | At our center in Hebron in Ein Sarah Street. |
| Accommodation | In a host family or at our 8th-floor apartment – If you stay more than one day |
| Age | 18-75 Years Old |
| Maximum Number of visitors | 20 |
| Starting/Ending Dates | Flexible – Anytime |
| Tour Language | English |
| Not Allowed | Shorts or Skirts Sleeveless Shirts |
| Tour Duration | 5–6 Hours each day |
| Tour starts at | 9:30 am Breakfast – 10:00 am starts the tour |
| You need to have | – Your passport – Your visa (keep it with your passport at all times) – Water. – Hat. |
| Tour ends at | Around 3 or 4 pm |
| Tour Includes | Breakfast and lunch, transportation (public transportation), and accommodation |
| Not Included | – Flight cost. – Travel insurance. – Visa cost, where applicable. – Entrance fees to sites. – Extra stays at our apartment or host family. – Pick up from the airport or crossing borders. – Any other expenses. |
| Cancellation Policy | Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. |
Is it safe to visit the Masafer Yatta & Bani Na’im Tours?
Yes, it is safe. You will be welcomed by the Massafer residents, since they are eager to tell you about their situation and how much they suffer from being refugees within their own country. And remember, Palestinians are famous for their stellar hospitality!
Duration of the Masafer Yatta & Bani Na’im Tours Tour
The tour takes about 5 to 6 hours and includes a walking tour inside the Massafer and familiarization of the camp history from our guide as well as one of the camp residents. You will be invited to one of the residents’ homes to drink coffee or tea, where you will listen to their stories.
Masafer Yatta & Bani Na’im Tours Cost
The tour costs $115 (American) and includes transportation, breakfast, and lunch. For those who are staying two or three days, the tour also includes accommodation with a host family or at our 8th-floor apartment.
What does the Bethlehem camp tour include?
• Stay with a host family or at our 8th-floor apartment in Ein Sarah Street in Hebron.
• Daily Palestinian breakfast & lunch.
• All public transportation to the Massafer and back to Hebron.
Things aren’t included in the tour’s cost?
- Flight cost.
- Travel insurance.
- Visa Cost, where applicable
- Extra stays at our apartment or host family.
- Pick up from the airport or crossing borders.
What the tour schedule looks like?
- The tour starts by having breakfast at 9:30 am at the center.
- At 10:00 am starts the camp tour itinerary and ends at around 3:00 pm.
- At 3:00 pm, the visitors will have a Palestinian lunch either at the center or at a local restaurant.
- After the tour ends, visitors are free to go and have a rest at our 8th-floor apartment or in the host family. This applies to those who stay for more than one day.
Things to know before you come to Palestine!
| Living Costs in Palestine | Approx. 50-70$ a Week |
| Weekend in Palestine | On Friday |
| Food in Palestine | The West Bank engages primarily in heavier meals involving the use of bread, rice, and meat, and coastal plain inhabitants frequent fish, other seafood, and lentils. |
| Wifi Access in Palestine | At houses, cafes, restaurants – Almost everywhere |
| 3G Service in Palestine | Available since Jan 2018 |
| The official language in Palestine | Arabic – Palestinian Dialect (One of the Levantine dialects) |
| Currency in Palestine | Mainly Israeli Shekel (NIS). Jordanian Dinar & American Dollars are also used in buying Real estate and land. |
| Transportations in Palestine | Yellow Taxies & Orange Mini-Vans |
| Weather in Palestine | Summer (25-30°C), Winter (0-9°C) |
| Nearest Major Airports to Palestine | Ben Gurion Airport in Israel if you travel via Israel Alia International Airport if you travel via Jordan |
Cancellation Policy
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Meeting Point
We meet at the Palestinian center located on Ein Sarah Street, Hebron, or in Bethlehem city (it’s your choice!)
Who can Join our tours?
- The Palestinian Center has hosted people who have come from a myriad of countries, such as the USA, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Colombia, France, Japan, China, Chile, Switzerland, Russia, Germany, and many more.
- Individuals or groups from 18–75 years old are eligible to join any of our tours. All visitors from all over the world are welcome to visit Palestine and learn about the most prominent historical and religious monuments.
What if I want to have a private/customized tour? Are there tours in other cities?
Yes, you can contact us to organize a private tour of the places you would like to visit in Palestine including Hebron, Bethlehem, Nablus, Jerusalem, Jenin, and Jericho, either individually or as a group. Our team will contact you back and organize a detailed schedule of landmarks and sights and send it to you.
Documents you’ll receive from us!
How to register or get additional information?
Please email Mr. Tamimi, at info@gopalestine.org. Please type “Masafer Yatta & Bani Na’im Tours” in the subject line and very shortly we will reply to you. You can also contact us via WhatsApp or Signal at +972598172071.
