Deserts of Israel

Welcome to Israel!

A representative will meet and assist you through formalities. Transfer to your hotel in Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.

Jerusalem Highlights

The sacred highlights of Jerusalem serve as a prelude to your desert experience. Begin at the Mount Scopus promenade for an unforgettable view of the Judean desert. Continue to the Mount of Olives for a panorama of the Holy City, followed by a visit to the Garden of Gethsemane. Then, after a visit to the Pools of Bethesda and the Church of St Anne, follow the footsteps of Jesus on the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, marking the site of Calvary and Jesus’ Tomb. Continue through the Jewish Quarter to the Western Wall, the most sacred spot in the world to Jews. In the afternoon, visit the Shrine of the Book, home to the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the famous scale Model of Jerusalem, as it was in Jesus’ day. Overnight in Jerusalem.

Judean Desert

A day exploring the Judean desert. Begin by visiting a true oasis at Ein Maboa, one of the springs in Wadi Kelt that supplied Jericho for thousands of years. Stop for a view of ancient St George’s monastery, perched on a cliff overlooking Wadi Kelt, “the Valley of the Shadow”. Continue to centuries-old Nebi Musa, wherein Muslim tradition Moses found his final resting place. Onward to the cliff-hanging, 1,500-year-old Mar Saba monastery, which offers an astoundingly dramatic view of the Judean desert. Then to Jabel Muntar, Mount of the Scapegoat, to which Jerusalem’s temple priests sent a goat symbolically bearing the sins of the people. The views are incomparable, including the Dead Sea glistening far below and the silvery Mountains of Moab, home to Biblical Ruth. Return to Jerusalem for overnight.

Dead Sea - Masada - Hatzeva

A day spent at the lowest point on earth, the Dead Sea. The first stop is the oasis of Ein Gedi for a walk up to the waterfall past caves where King David roamed in his outlaw days. Continue to Masada, now a Unesco World Heritage Site. Ascend by cable car to the fortress of King Herod, where Jewish rebels made their famous last stand against the Romans 2,000 years ago. In the afternoon, there is a chance to float in the healing, salt-rich waters of the Dead Sea and relax in the bromide-rich air. Proceed to Hatzeva campsite in the Arava desert overnight.

Hatzeva - Makhtesh Ramon

An early start, in desert tradition, to visit the ruins of the ancient Hatzeva fortress, dating from the times of King Solomon, the Edomites, the Romans, and the Byzantines. Hatzeva served as a way-station on the famed Incense Route, the road through the Arava Valley which brought frankincense, myrrh, and other valuable commodities via Petra to the Mediterranean port of Gaza. The Incense Route, along with its Nabatean cities, is now a Unesco World Heritage Site. Head south to Moa to visit the caravansary, or khan, built by the Nabateans, who controlled the Incense Route. Continue deep into the desert to the Roman fortress of Katzra, with its strategic view of the Route. Then via Wadi Nekarot, ascend to the Negev Highlands and the campsite of the Harari Ranch, near Makhtesh Ramon, for overnight.

Makhtesh Ramon - Nabatean Cities of the Negev

Explore the geological wonders of the unique natural crater of Makhtesh Ramon. After a stop at the Ramon Visitors’ Center, continue to the ruins of Avdat, a city with imposing Byzantine-era fortress walls, as well as the temple, church, and monastic complex of St Theodorus. Next, the grave of Israel’s first prime minister, David Ben Gurion. At his request, he was not buried in Jerusalem, like other Israeli leaders, but close to his simple kibbutz home of Sde Boker, overlooking the Negev landscape he loved and believed could once again bloom as in ancient times. On to Mamsheet, and the best-restored of the Nabatean cities, with entire streets surviving intact and a colorful mosaic church-floor among the highlights. Continue to Jerusalem for overnight.

Jerusalem - Tel Aviv Airport

Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for departure. A representative will assist with the formalities.