7 Day - Israel Nature & Culture 4 x 4 Jeep Tour
Day 1:
Setting off on our journey we stop first at ancient Acco (Acre) with its colorful Oriental Bazaar and many historic sites. Onto the scenic off-road route of Manot that takes us through the delightful Upper Galilee region. Here we leave the Jeep for a short hike up to the 12th century ruins of Montfort castle, still partly covered in the woods. Continuing along the mountain roads, we reach the Druze Village of Beit Jan. Here we spend the night in the home of a genuine Druze family. We enjoy their warm hospitality whilst witnessing their special way of life.
Day 2:
We spend the morning on a leisurely walk in the area of the glorious Mt. Meron, rich in endemic flora and fauna. Moving on we stop at Safed (Tsfat), the mysterious city of the Kabbalistic Jews, with its renowned synagogues whose histories are coupled with legend. A 4x4 drive takes us through the canyon of Wadi Akbara, a popular nesting-spot for vultures, before journeying on to the ancient 'Khirbet Shune' ruins and the spring of Ein Livnim. We spend the night at a local Kibbutz.
Day 3:
Exploring the Sacred Christian sites of the Sea of Galilee: A 20 minute hike from Mt.Beatitudes (site of the Sermon on the Mount) down to Tabgha and the reconstructed church of the 'Bread and Fish (famous for its 6th Century mosaic of the Bread and Fish miracle). Visiting the ruins of Capernaum, the town where Jesus spent most of his preaching years, here we see too the house of St. Peter and the site's ancient, yet well preserve synagogue that is mentioned in the Bible. The afternoon finds us back in the 4X4 for a drive from Almagor (meaning 'fearless') it is from here that the political significance of the famous Golan Heights is revealed to you. Driving down the steep slopes whose panoramic views span the Golan Heights, the Sea of Galilee and The River Jordan. Continuing (partly in streams) through the untamed Valley of Beth Zaida, where the streams of the Golan Heights unite into a river before reaching the Sea of Galilee. Then to the Meshushim-Pool (meaning Octangular Pool), an interesting volcanic geological phenomena, here we can enjoy a refreshing bathe (during the warmer seasons) and set up camp for a night in nature.
Day 4:
Continuing our 4x4 adventure over the Canyon of Nachal Meshushim and on to the city of Katzrin. Here we leave the road again to drive by the ancient ruins of Khirbet Sheikh Hussein. Further on a short hike takes us to the wild waterfall of Nachal Zavitan where we can bathe in the refreshing water. Onto the ruins of Umm El Kanatier (mother of arches), this truly fascinating archeological site was a wealthy Jewish Village during Roman times and its name comes from its two huge arches carved from local stone. Back on route the road widens as we cross the Canyon of Nachal Kanaf. We continue on a scenic 4x4 route all the way to the Eastern Shore of the Sea of Galilee. Once more we settle for the night on a local Kibbutz.
Day 5:
Today we drive through an area that in places has remained unchanged since biblical times: Driving through the Jordan Valley to the town of Beit Shean and onto the Umm Zuka Nature Reserve. Here we shift to 4x4 as we climb the steep slopes of the hills of Samaria. We continue our ascent through the Arab village of Beit Dajan, right up to the Summit of Jabel Kabir (765m). Apart from its panoramic views over vast areas of Palestine, Jabel Kabir is also a biblical, ethnological and archaeological attraction. From Jabel Kabir's summit we drive to the top of Mt.Gerizim where we meet real Samaritans, an almost extinct culture, who practice their ancient way of life, relatively unchanged since Old Testament times. We meet with one of their priests at his home and visit their Holy Place where they still sacrifice, in much the same manner as did the ancient Jews in their Temple in Jerusalem. Onto one of Israel's most famous routes the "Road of the Patriarchs" we drive, still with a biblical feeling, into the Holy City - Jerusalem.
Day 6:
Visiting the most important sites of the Old City of Jerusalem including; The Wailing Wall, The Temple Mount and its great 'Dome of the Rock', The Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross) and The Church of the Holy Sepulcure, which contains both the tomb of Jesus and the Hill of Calvary. After a short visit to Bethlehem we continue along the biblical "Way of the Patriarchs" to the Ruins of Karmel with its ancient Byzantine church and pool where, to this day, local Bedouins water their flocks. From here we drive off-road (partly on a Roman road) to Brekhat Zefira, a natural waterhole in the Judean Desert. Using both hands and feet we climb down to the waterhole which, after rain, is full of water. We camp under the starry desert skies near Arad or Massada.
Day 7:
By way of the Roman Ramp we enter the famous ruins of Massada (King Herod's Desert Fortress) and explore this fascinating site whose famous views span the Dead Sea and beyond, before heading down to the lowest place on earth, the Dead Sea. Following a brief 'float' (swimming is nearly impossible due to the complete buoyancy) we go 4x4 through the alien landscape of Mt. Sodom (Yeah... that Sodom...) and a final leisurely hike through the 'Flour cave'. With this our tour is complete and you are driven back to your hotel.
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