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FALL HIKING TOUR IN ISRAEL (WITH OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO PETRA) Day 1, Oct. 26 Today our tour begins and you will be picked up in a central location in Tel Aviv at 8 AM. Traveling north, we'll first stop in Haifa at the beautiful Bahaii gardens. Next we'll make our way to the western Galilee and to our first gorgeous hike to Nahal Kziv (Kziv Springs), one of Israel's most beautiful routes, where you'll see an ever-flowing stream, a spring tunnel, a Crusader fortress on the mountainside and plentiful Galilean green. Later, we continue on to the picturesque Druze village of Peki'in, an intriguing picturesque village in the Upper Galilee where modern development has not changed much in the old homes and alleys. Peki'in is a story of harmony, a village where Christian Arabs, Druze and one ancient Jewish family have lived peacefully together for centuries. Peki'in was a farming village since the time of the Second Temple 2,000 years ago. Since that time only one Jewish family has stayed in place. Since our guide has a special relationship with the caretaker of the synagogue, Margalit Zenati, we might be able to persuade her to open the door for a visit. Zenati is the scion of a Jewish family who has lived in Peki'in for 2,000 years! The synagogue contains a fragment of an ancient Torah scroll, and stone carvings said to have been brought here for safekeeping by refugees fleeing the Roman destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. Next we'll take a walk to the south of the village where one can find the Rabbi Simon Bar Yohai cave, where Bar Yohai, according to Jewish legend, hid from the Romans with his son Elazar. A carob tree grows at the entrance to the cave, which also has a spring. Legend has it that Bar Yohai and his son ate the carobs and drank the spring water during the 12 years in which they hid in the cave. A later tradition says that it was here that Bar Yohai wrote the Zohar, the foundation of Kabala, the Jewish mystic discipline. Finally after our stroll through this beautiful village we'll enjoy a sumptuous feast with our Druze host, Kamal. After dinner we'll sip wonderful Druze tea with Kamal and learn about the Druze people. Ovenight: Karei Deshe Guest House on the shores of the Sea of Galilee Day 2, Oct. 27 Today we begin with a gorgeous and exhilarating hike on Mt. Meron where we will see breathtaking landscapes of the Upper Galilee and southern Lebanon After this exhilarating hike, we continue to the mystical city of Tzfat where we take a walk through the ancient cobblestone streets filled with history, art galleries and ancient synagogues. We'll have an opportunity to meet with a Kabbalistic artist who will utilize his art to give us a glimpse into the Kabbalah. Later, we indulge in a soothing dip in the outdoor warm natural spring waters of Hamat Gader. For dinner, we'll enjoy a delicious fish meal near the Sea of Galilee. Overnight: Karei Deshe Guest House Day 3, Oct. 28 Our final day in the north, we will do another amazing hike to Mt. Barkan in the Gilboa mountains. We'll then travel to Tabha, and Capernaum. Finally we'll head south to the Dead Sea region but not before stopping in Beit Shean Archeolgical Park, where we’ll see over 15 city layers of the cultures and people that once inhabited this city, breathtakingly mounted one atop another. We continue on to the Dead Sea region and enjoy dinner at the guest house. Overnight: Masada Guest House Day 4, Oct. 29 We start our day with a desert hike to Tzuk Tamrur in the Judean Desert: An awe-inspiring hike with breathtaking views. If time permits, we'll visit the shops in Ein Bokek near the Dead Sea where we can buy Dead Sea products. Tonight, there will be an optional night hike at Havarei Masada. Overnight: Masada Guest House Day 5, Oct. 30 We arise very early to see the blazing sun rise on top of the mountain fortress called Masada. Once on top we'll learn about the fascinating archeology that remains and hear the stories of King Herod and of the Jewish zealots and their last stand against the Romans in the Great Jewish Revolt. Later, we'll enjoy a day of relaxation at the Ein Gedi Spa where we can swim in the Dead Sea, pamper ourselves with an optional spa treatment, cover our bodies in mineral rich Dead Sea mud or relax in the mineral waters. We then travel to a Bedouin tent in the extraordinary Mahtesh or crater where we spend the night. Overnight: Be'erot Bedouin Hospitality Day 6, Oct. 31 Today, we begin an extraodinary, once in a lifetime experience when we begin our walk out of the Mahtesh in the direction of the Aravah Valley, the beginning of an amazing two day hike along the Spice Route of the mysterious Nabateans, a nomadic trip who migrated from Arabia during the 6th century BCE and who were exceptionally skilled traders. Overnight in camp Metzad Nekarot, an ancient Nabatean Chan. Here we will be met by a warm campfire, delicious hot food, tents and sleeping bags. Day 7, Nov. 1 We continue on through the Arava Valley to Nahal Nekarot where we walk through the geological phenomenom of cracks through a mountain. At the end of this phenomenal two-day adventure, we make our way to Jerusalem, stopping along the way to eat and once in Jerusalem atop a hill to view the beauty and grandeur of this magical city. Overnight: Jerusalem Day 8, Nov. 2 Today is devoted to a comprehensive walking tour of Jerusalem visiting the Jewish, Christian and Muslim Quarters, Mt. of Olives, and more. Towards afternoon, we have time on our own to visit Yad Vashem (the Holocaust Museum), the Israel Museum or to enjoy time strolling through the streets of Jerusalem. Overnight: Jerusalem Day 9, Nov. 3 We continue touring Jerusalem as we make our way to the newer neighborhoods such as Yemin Moshe, Mishkenot Hashananim, Russian Quarters and more. We then travel to Beit Guvrin, where archaeologists have found caves and water cisterns that date as far back as the 3rd Century BCE. So far they have found over 20 oil presses, a number of water cisterns that served private homes, burial caves, columbariums (where pigeons are raised) and hundreds of storage caves. This area encompasses the ancient cities of Maresha and Bet Guvrin and was once a major metropolis. The cities developed alongside the rivers and the valleys were suitable for cultivation. The cities of Bet Guvrin and Maresha both served travelers going between Jerusalem and Hebron and the coastal plain. Maresha is mentioned in the Bible in the time of Judah and subsequently fell into the hands of each new ruler. Excavations have produced remains from the Persian, Hellenist, Roman, Crusader and Arab empires. Finally, we travel to the exciting city of Tel Aviv. We enjoy a dinner together at the hotel. Overnight: Tel Aviv Day 10, Nov. 4 Today is a day on your own in Tel Aviv. Where you can exploring the city by choosing to visit a number of the excellent museums, stroll through the lively outdoor artist bazaar at Nahalat Binyamin, or visit the exclusive designer shops at Shenkin or Gan Hachashmal. Departure anytime today or if you prefer arrangements can be made to extend your time in Israel. (Petra Optional Extension) Fri. Nov. 4 Fly from Sde Dov (or Ben Gurion to Eilat, Israel where you will spend the night in Eilat) Sat. Nov. 5 Early the next morning we'll arise and cross the Rabin border into Jordan where we will board 4X4 jeeps and ride to the incredible beautiful sandstone area of Wadi Rum. We travel off the beaten path to enjoy the unique landscape and take a short hike. Next we travel to a Bedouin hospitality camp, and have a wonderful Bedouin feast. Finally, we travel to the city of Petra where we will settle in for the night. Sun. Nov. 6 Following breakfast we head for the magical city of Petra. At the modern entrance to the ancient site we leave our vehicles and commence the walk (horses optional) to the imposing Siq Canyon. A 1/2 hr walk through its towering canyon walls leads us into Petra. We tour the lost city on foot, exploring the main archeological sights. At the end of our tour we travel to the Rabin border back to Israel where we will spend the night in Eilat.