Pruning

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TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Join our men’s Israel trip during the pruning season to forge friendships and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel.

Volunteering in Israel

Our rugged, 2-week men’s trip hosted every year in early spring. Build friendships and serve alongside other men as you help prune vineyards each day on small farms throughout central Israel.

Judea & Samaria Focused

This trip is focused exclusively on Judea, Samaria, and Jerusalem — visiting key biblical sites and meeting the local people. Go beyond typical tourism and experience the heart of Israel.

Fulfill Biblical Prophecy

Step into the miraculous story of Israel and be part of fulfilling biblical prophecy! You'll be able to help strengthen Israel in practical ways and be part of Bible verses like Jeremiah 31:5 and Isaiah 61:5.

For Ages 12-64

Boys ages 12+ are welcome and this is a great trip for fathers and sons to take together! Volunteers age 65 and older are encouraged to join our Heartland Experience trip instead.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Accommodations

Lodging will be at our volunteer base on the Mount of Blessing. Our accommodations are similar to a hostel and are simple, but still comfortable and with all basic amenities. Showers are located in a separate building. If you come with your son or family members, you’ll room with them. If you come by yourself, you will room with one or two fellow volunteers.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Food & Dining

We have a team of chefs running our on-site kitchen and serving three delicious meals every day for our volunteers. All meals are covered in your trip cost except for our day trip to Jerusalem where you will get the chance to eat out at local restaurants.

You can let us know about any allergies that you have when you submit your application.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Transportation

We will help you book your flight to Tel Aviv, Israel, and meet you at the airport at the designated pick-up time for the trip you select. Transportation is already arranged for your entire stay in Israel and is included in the price of the trip. We'll be traveling by private bus to all volunteer and tour locations. At the conclusion of your trip, someone from our team will take you back to Tel Aviv at the designated airport drop-off time.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Volunteer Projects

You can expect 5 to 6 days of volunteering each week. Volunteer work will consist mainly of pruning grapevines on small farms throughout Samaria and Judea. No prior pruning experience is needed. We'll teach you everything you need to know on the first day and provide pruning shears for all volunteers. You'll get the hang of it pretty quickly.

DATES & PRICES

Select your Pruning trip

2 WEEKS
Man in orange shirt holds pruning shears and clips grapevines in a vineyard in Israel

March 2027

  • Arrive Tuesday, March 2, 2027
  • Depart Monday, March 15, 2027
Ages 12-64
$1,620+ airfare
OPENING SOON
Registration closes
FAMILY DISCOUNT
Families with four or more paid applicants are eligible for a 25% discount applied to all family members.
THOUGHTS FROM PAST VOLUNTEERS

This was the best spiritual experience of my life. A labour of pure love in the vineyards of Israel is an act of gratitude for what Christ has done for me and my family.

Clive
FROM WESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA
THOUGHTS FROM PAST VOLUNTEERS

This was the experience of a lifetime. Knowing you are fulfilling prophecy by working the vineyards in Samaria has been the most fulfilling event in my spiritual life since my salvation experience in 1970.

Paul
FROM OKLAHOMA, USA
THOUGHTS FROM PAST VOLUNTEERS

I’ve been to several pruning trips and would highly recommend it to any man who places a high value on pursuing God, investing in the lives of others, and being challenged to grow as a man.

Joseph
FROM COLORADO, USA
THOUGHTS FROM PAST VOLUNTEERS

My experience with the Israel Guys has been a learning experience like no other. It has helped me to see the significance of what's happening in Israel and greatly increased my love for our Jewish brothers and sisters.

Joel
FROM TEXAS, USA

Signing up for a trip is simple!
Here's how it works

Choose a trip

Choose your trip and click “Join This Trip.” Follow the instructions to submit your application. It will take approximately 30 minutes to fill out your application and will require a photocopy of your passport and a $200 non-refundable processing fee (this amount will be deducted from your trip cost).

Talk with our team

Once you sign up and pay your processing fee, someone from our staff team will reach out to you by phone or by email. You’ll have the opportunity to get answers to any questions you may have and we’ll give you additional details about what to expect and what you should bring with you.

Book your ticket

We’ll let you know how and when to book your flight to Israel. We have a specific airport pick-up and drop-off time that you'll need to keep in mind when booking your flight.

You'll also need to pay your trip cost in full at least 6 weeks in advance of the trip start date.

Come to Israel

We'll be in touch throughout the process from when you sign up until the day you arrive in Israel. You'll receive all the information you need to be prepared, pack everything you need, and be ready for a life-changing Israel experience you will remember forever. We’ll meet you at the airport!

Hear from our volunteers out in the field

More about the Pruning in Israel

Our pruning volunteer trips are for men only and usually run from mid-February through mid-March each year.

Winter in Israel begins around late November and continues through the end of March. There’s usually not much snow, but there is plenty of rain. During this season, the vines and trees go dormant, making it one of the most important times of year for farmers.

Volunteering on this trip is mostly pruning vineyards in the mountains of Israel. Depending on the needs of the farmers, we may also help plant trees or work on other farm projects. A typical pruning trip includes 5–6 days of volunteering each week, with time each Saturday to rest, relax, and experience an Israeli-style Shabbat.

This two-week trip is a chance for men to work hard, serve the small farmers of Israel, and spend time with other like-minded guys who share a love for Israel and a heart to be part of what God is doing in the Land.

For many men, pruning is one of those trips they never forget.

During the trip, you’ll also have opportunities to visit notable biblical and historical sites near the areas where you are working. Along the way, you’ll meet some of Israel’s brave pioneers, talk with local families, hear from inspiring speakers, and see firsthand what God is doing in Israel. Each trip also includes a day trip to Jerusalem where you'll be able to visit the Temple Mount, Western Wall, shop for souvenirs and more.

If you’ve ever wanted to visit Israel, serve in a practical way, connect with the Land of the Bible, and be part of the pruning season in Israel, this is your opportunity!

Our pruning trips are for men and boys age 12 to 64. Boys under the age of 18 must be accompanied by their father. If you are 65 or older, we recommend checking out our Heartland Experience trips instead.

GOT QUESTIONS?

Here are answers to the top 10 questions about this trip . . .

We understand that safety is top of mind for many who are considering travel to Israel.

Our team has been volunteering and hosting trips for more than 20 years, including through times of conflict, and we work closely with local authorities to monitor conditions on the ground. Each trip is carefully planned with security, transportation, and real-time situational awareness in mind.

Trips will only take place when it is safe to do so. In the event that a trip is canceled for any reason related to security, war, or international travel restrictions, full refunds are issued (including the $200 application fee).

While we take trip planning and safety considerations very seriously, each traveler is ultimately responsible for evaluating the risks of any international travel and deciding whether participation is right for them based on their own circumstances. Many who have joined us to volunteer in Israel during times of recovery have described the experience as especially impactful—standing in solidarity with the people of Israel while experiencing the land in a deeper, more personal way.

Our pruning trips are for men and boys age 12 to 64. Boys under the age of 18 must be accompanied by their father.

We do not accept volunteers for this trip over the age of 64. If you are 65 or older, we recommend that you check out our Heartland Experience trips.

While we do not have any restrictions for our trips based on country of citizenship, Israel's government may have restrictions on entry into the country based on where you're coming from. In order to come on one of our trips, you must hold a valid passport issued by one of Israel's allowed, visa-exempt countries.

Our volunteer work during pruning trips is mainly done on rocky mountainsides, and with the undependable early spring weather, volunteers should be prepared for cold mornings and some rainy days.

We also encourage those who are coming to prepare themselves physically by spending time outside, taking walks, and getting some exercise in the weeks leading up to their Israel trip. Doing some grip exercises in advance of your trip is optional but recommended to help build your hand muscle strength. The grip strength needed to prune for multiple days in a row is probably the most strenuous part of the whole trip.

If you are concerned that working in the vineyards or traversing steep, rocky terrain might be too strenuous for you, consider coming on one of our Heartland Experience trips. The workload is much lighter, and you will still get the opportunity to do some volunteer service.

Our pruning trips focus entirely on sites and volunteer projects in Judea and Samaria. Many of these places are important biblical and historical places that are never on the itinerary for most Israel tours. There is so much to learn and discover in Judea and Samaria and we think you’ll love every moment of it and have no regrets. You’ll also get to spend time in Jerusalem and go to the Temple Mount and the Western Wall.

Absolutely! We have many volunteers who come early or stay in Israel after their trip with us.

If you are arriving in Israel in advance of your trip with us, you'll just need to make sure you are at Ben Gurion Airport arrivals hall for the designated airport pick-up time at the start of the trip. We are unable to coordinate special pick-up times or locations.

If you are staying in Israel after your trip with us, we'll drop you off at Ben Gurion Airport at the designated airport drop-off time and you can coordinate your own transportation from there via rental car or public transportation.

Please note that we are NOT able to host you or have you stay at our base outside of the designated trip dates. You are responsible for your own lodging, transportation, and itinerary if you come early or stay late.

No, you do not need to apply for a visa before coming to Israel for one of our programs. All you need is a valid passport. You’ll be issued a standard visitor/tourist visa when you go through passport control at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. Please note that you will need to complete an electronic travel authorization process a few days before arriving in Tel Aviv. Further instructions about how to complete the electronic travel authorization will be sent to all volunteers shortly before the trip.

Please note that only citizens of certain countries are eligible to enter Israel and participate in a programs with The Israel Guys. See the question above “Do you accept volunteers from my country?” for a full list of allowed countries.

You’ll be staying in a room at our volunteer base on the Mount of Blessing, located in central Israel. Our accommodations are similar to a hostel and are simple, but still comfortable and with all basic amenities. Showers are located in a separate building. If you come with your son or family members, you’ll room with them. If you come by yourself, you will room with one or two fellow volunteers.

Linens are provided. Towels, soap, shampoo, and other amenities are not provided – you will need to bring your own.

Our team will pick you up at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv at 4:00 PM on the start day of your Israel trip. You must book a flight that arrives at least one hour before the designated pick-up time (3:00 PM or earlier). If you choose a flight that arrives in the morning, you’ll have to wait until our 4:00 PM pick-up time.

Our team will drop you off at Ben Gurion International Airport at 8:00 PM on the final day of your trip. You must book a flight that leaves at least 3 hours after the drop-off time (in this case, 11:00 PM or later). If you book a flight that leaves the next morning, you’ll need to wait at the airport or make your own arrangements to stay the night somewhere.

If you choose to cancel your trip

  • Cancellations made more than 4 weeks before the trip start date are eligible for 75% refund of the total trip cost.
  • Cancellations made 28 days or fewer before the trip start date are not eligible for any refund.

If we have to cancel your trip

  • Although unlikely, if The Israel Guys must cancel the trip due to war, airspace closure, international travel restrictions, or any other reason, we will provide as much advance notice as is possible given the circumstances. 
  • You'll have the option to switch to a future trip, or receive a full refund for your entire trip cost including your $200 application fee.
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