Did you know that more than 60% of Israel is covered in desert?
Let’s head south and experience a profound journey into the Negev and Judean deserts, with the chance to explore the nature, flavors, and quiet wonder of Israel’s south. This tour focuses on magical scenery and the calming energy that wind-whipped sands and wide-open landscapes provide.
Here, our tour is full of nature walks, desert views, and the surprising sight of water flowing through some of the driest places on Earth.
As we head south, a stop in the Judean Hills invites us to visit the Beit Guvrin UNESCO site, one of our favorite places to begin a southern adventure.
From here, we continue to the magical wonders in and around Sde Boker, including a breathtaking lookout from the Ben-Gurion burial site and a glimpse into the wilderness of Zin.
Making our way into the valley, we discover one of the most beautiful hikes in Israel at Ein Avdat, where the ancient Nabateans once guarded the precious waters that served as a lifeline along the spice route.
Further onward, we make our way to our overnight destination in the charming town of Mitzpe Ramon, where we dine at one of the town’s most exciting restaurants and enjoy the beauty of this desert paradise.
The second and third days are a mix of hikes in the Makhtesh Ramon crater, one of the most spectacular natural phenomena to be found in Israel, if not the world.
Break bread with local Bedouin hosts, head out for a camel ride through some of the most majestic scenery this land can offer, and finish the day at Nana Winery, where some of Israel’s best wines are produced in one of its harshest climates.
For guests wishing to cover a little more terrain, we can continue toward the Judean Desert and Jordan Valley for a visit to Masada, the historic desert fortress built by King Herod as his winter getaway. Enjoy this epic hike, or cable car ride, overlooking the Dead Sea and the mountains of Moab across the border in the Kingdom of Jordan.
