For decades, the tiyul gadol — “the big trip” — has been the rite of passage that follows military service in Israel. You finish your release, you save for a few months, and you fly off for the long one: South America, Southeast Asia, or India, often for half a year or more. This is how to plan it without overthinking it — where people go, when to leave, how long it takes, what it costs, and the short list of things to actually sort before you fly.
What the tiyul gadol is
It’s less a vacation than a decompression — a deliberate reset after two or three intense years, and for many people the first long stretch of real freedom and self-direction. It’s also a remarkably well-worn path: so many Israelis travel the same circuit that it picked up a nickname, the Hummus Trail, for the Hebrew menus and ready-made community you find all along it. You’re going somewhere new, but you’re rarely going alone.
Where people go
Three regions anchor the trip; most people pick one or two and go deep rather than rushing all three:
South America — the classic post-army choice: Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, Argentina. Big landscapes, big distances, several months easily.
Southeast Asia — easier, cheaper, and gentler on a first long trip: Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia.
India & Nepal — the spiritual and mountain route: Goa, the Himalayan north (Manali, Dharamsala), Rishikesh, and trekking in Nepal.
If you can only pick one, pick by what you actually want out of the trip rather than by where your friends went:
First long trip, or traveling solo for the first time — Southeast Asia. Cheap, easy logistics, short hops between stops, and the biggest crowd of other backpackers to fall in with.
Mountains, trekking, and time to think — India and Nepal. The Himalayan north and Rishikesh are where people go when they want the trip to change something.
Big landscapes, long distances, and coming home with Spanish — South America. It costs more and moves slower, but it is the deepest of the three.
Not sure between the two big ones? The trade-offs are cost, difficulty, and pace — we compared them side by side.
There’s no rule. Many people work for a few months after release to save, then leave — often aiming their arrival at a region’s good season (dry season in Southeast Asia, the right window for South America’s south). Trips commonly run anywhere from two or three months to a year. Open-ended is normal; plenty of people book a one-way flight and figure out the return later.
What it costs (and saving for it)
Budgets vary wildly by region and pace, but as a rough anchor: Southeast Asia and India run cheaper (~$20–40 a day on the ground), South America pricier (~$35–55), plus flights, insurance, gear, and the big experiences you don’t want to skip. Most people fund it with post-army work and the army release grant. For the full breakdown — daily budgets by region and the costs people forget — see our backpacking budget guide.
One of the quiet superpowers of this route is that the community is already there. Hebrew-speaking hostels, travelers swapping the same route intel, and the Chabad houses scattered across the trail — from Bangkok and Pai to Manali, Kathmandu, and Cusco — that put on Shabbat dinners open to anyone and serve as a friendly base far from home. You’ll meet your group within days. If you ever feel stuck, the trail’s network is one of its biggest comforts.
Frequently asked
What is the tiyul gadol?
The tiyul gadol (“the big trip”) is the long backpacking journey many young Israelis take after completing their military service — typically across South America, Southeast Asia, or India, often for several months to a year.
Where do Israelis travel after the army?
The three classic regions are South America (Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Patagonia), Southeast Asia (Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia), and India & Nepal. Most travelers focus on one or two rather than all three.
How long is the big trip after the army?
There’s no fixed length. Trips commonly run from two or three months up to a year, with many people traveling open-ended on a one-way ticket.
How much does the post-army trip cost?
It depends on region and pace. Roughly $20–40 a day on the ground in Asia and India, $35–55 in South America, plus flights, insurance, gear, and big-ticket experiences. Most people save through post-army work and the release grant.
When should I leave after my release?
Many people work for a few months first to save, then time their departure to a region’s good season. There’s no right answer — when you’ve saved enough and the season fits, go.