Hiking Israel

Optional afternoon swim in Dead Sea.

The Dead Sea

The hike begins with a steep climb up to the cliffs above Ein Gedi waterfalls. The trail will take us to a dry canyon, and at the end of the canyon trail there is a spectacular view over Ein Gedi national park and the Dead Sea.

Ein Gedi

The climb back out of the canyon is steep and we will use the help of metal ladders. The trail continues to a second canyon which this time is full of water – please bring swimsuits so that you can take a dip! From here we climb up to the second ridge where we will view a 6000 year old temple – our guides will tell us about the ancient inhabitants of the desert and how they lived.

Here by the temple you will enjoy your second snack stop, and after this you will climb down the ridge and meet your coach for a ride to Ein Bokek where we will enjoy a well earned lunch. We will then continue by bus, travelling from the Judean desert further south to the Negev desert.

Here together with our guides we will explore the meaning of desert in biblical writings. Following a of flat surface start, we will begin to climb steep slopes, until we reach a breath-taking viewpoint which overlooks the entire area.

The trail will then descend steeply towards a magnificent spring in middle of the desert (Ein Aquev) – here you can jump into the water so bring swimsuits! At Ein Aquev we will also stop for our lunch break. From here the trail continues up to a plateau overlooking the Tzin Valley, and we will walk all the way to a Bedouin tent where we will enjoy some local desert refreshments. The trail finishes with a short hike back to the coach.

We will climb the wall of the Crater to a peak called Mount Ardon, rewarding us with supreme views. Our trail steeply descends the other side of the mountain and will return us to the Crater, we will continue through amazing geographical phenomena and will end the trail on the ancient incense route of the Nabateans. We will explore Natabean culture at Saronim – a Nabatean caravanserai.

Ramon Crater

This morning we will start the day’s hike with a steep and challenging climb up to the most beautiful mountain in the Red Mountains Range – the summit will rewards us with views of three countries – Jordan, Egypt and Israel. If the day is clear we will also be able to see a fourth country – Saudi Arabia. We will hike down the mountain towards a small but important spring called Ein Netafim (no need for bathing suits!), and then hike out of the canyon across the main road to meet the ancient pilgrimage route to Mecca. From here we will walk parallel to the Egyptian border, all the while enjoying spectacular views over the Eilat mountains.

Eilat

We will then walk down and right into the city of Eilat, and through its street until we reach our beautiful hotel where we will spend a weekend stretching our legs and pampering ourselves after several days of hard physical exertion.

Can I just say a big thank you for an unbelievable week … We greatly enjoyed climbing Mt. Hermon.

Ron B, New York