Licensed Israel Tour Guide Yona Shemesh

Your trip. Your pace. Your reasons for coming.

No pre-packaged routes or rigid schedules. Every day is built around how you travel, as a couple, with family, following your own heritage, or simply seeing Israel beyond the guidebooks.
Timings, entry tickets, permits and the order you see things in, all worked out with you before you land. Transportation may be included, depending on the package and the tour.
The tunnel slot that is already full, the winery that does not take walk-ins, the quiet hour before a site opens. Years of working here is what opens those doors.
Book Yona as both your private guide and driver: the day moves at your pace, with easy pickups, spontaneous stops, and the flexibility to change plans along the way.

Private experiences
designed around you.

Forget fixed schedules and crowded buses. Every itinerary is thoughtfully crafted around your travel style, whether you are seeking history, culture, food, nature, or meaningful family moments. We handle every detail so you can simply enjoy the journey.

How it works

Guests walking a quiet Jerusalem lane on a private tour

Private day tour City of David & Old City Full day — approx. 7–9 hours

You know these stories, now walk through them.

Half a day or ten. First visit or fifth. Every itinerary is built from scratch.

Private day tour Tel Aviv & Jaffa — Ancient Port, Modern City Half or full day — approx. 6–8 hours

Private day tour Dead Sea & Judean Desert Full day — approx. 8–10 hours

Yona Shemesh guiding a group beside the Montefiore windmill, Jerusalem

Meet your guide

More than a guide - a storyteller who knows every stone.

Years of experience

100+

Satisfied clients

100%

Custom itineraries

Meet Yona

Yona Shemesh, licensed tour guide — Yona Shemesh Founder & Licensed Tour Guide and Driver

Our travelers' stories say it better.

Every journey is different, but people tend to leave with the same thing: the feeling that it finally made sense.

“Knowledgeable about the history, culture and significance of every place we visited - he brought each location to life. (14 days of touring with Yona)”

Hon. Peter D. Lichtman (Ret.) Google review

“I would never choose another entity for sightseeing in Israel. He is filled with enthusiasm and knows the history inside and out. (A full week around Israel trip)”

Helene J Feldman Google review

“Beit She'an, Shiloh, Bet El, the caves outside Tekoa — he helps history come alive. - (2 days of touring)”

Prof. Gil Troy Google review

“I lived in Jerusalem for two years and he still taught me things I never knew about this city. (Open tour in Jerusalem)”

Gili Arieli Google review

“He made me feel genuinely connected to the place - one of the most important things a guide can do. (Jerusalem day tour)”

Yu Matsuda Google review

FAQ

Everything you need to know before you travel.

Every trip is different. If your question is not here, tell us what you are planning and Yona will answer directly — no obligation.

Get in touch

Can my itinerary be completely customized?

Yes, that's the whole point. Every itinerary is built from scratch around your group, your interests and your pace. There are no fixed packages.

When should I start planning?

For a multi-day trip, two months ahead is comfortable. Passover, Sukkot, Christmas and Easter fill even earlier, so reach out sooner if you are traveling then. For a single day, just ask - there are usually gaps between bookings, even at short notice.

Is transportation included?

Transportation is available, but not in beginning price. Where is your tour and what size group changes the price as well. Entrance tickets and permits work the same way - everything is agreed with you in advance, so nothing is a surprise on the day.

Isn't the price too high for a small family?

Prices for tour guides are high, Yona has looked through the market, and decided to choose a price which lies in the middle. Guides in Israel charge between 450$-900$ per day. If you are a couple or a small group, send a message - especially during off season, there can be a better price than the one you see. However, Yona's vehicle prices are cheaper than the average market in some parts, since he is licensed to drive up to 18 people.

Can tours work for limited mobility?

Often, yes. Most of the food tours are accessible, and the Dead Sea and Masada, Caesarea, Mitzpe Ramon, Gush Etzion and Hebron, the Gaza border and the Tel Aviv days can all be adapted. Tell Yona what is needed and he will say honestly what works and what does not - some sites in the Old City cannot be made easy, and he would rather say so in advance.

How big can the group be?

Any size. Yona guides couples and families and he guides large groups of 40. The route, the pace and the vehicle are built around the number, so tell him how many are coming and he will shape the day to fit.

Who are these tours for?

Families, couples, small and large groups and solo travelers — Jewish and Christian visitors, first-timers and people who've been ten times. Tours run in English and Hebrew.