The Extreme Israel Experience December 30th 2007 – January 11th 2008 Itinerary


"Land only" cost: *$774
Air and Land Cost: **$1999 (leaving from NY)


Sunday December 30 – On Your Way

Depart for Israel!


Monday December 31 – Splashing through the Golan

Arrive at Ben Gurion International Airport.
Drive North towards the Upper Galilee, Shehecheyanu ceremony celebrating group's arrival in Israel on Mt. Arbel offering spectacular view of Lake Kinneret, the Golan Heights and the Galilee.
Drive 4x4's in the Upper Galilee.
Drive to Kibbutz Ein-Gev Guest House; check in.
New Year's Eve! Celebrate the New Year while you dance the night away on a disco boat ride on the Kinneret.

Overnight: Kfar Giladi

 

Tuesday January 1 - Getting to Know the Galilee

Late breakfast at hotel.
Malkiyah – visit the Kibbutz on the border with Lebanon and learn about what it means to live so close to the border.
Take a half-day hike through Nahal Amud, through water, rocks, and lots of Northern greenery - with lunch during the hike.
Free evening
Overnight: Kfar Giladi


Wednesday January 2 – Biking Around Jerusalem

Early check out; breakfast en route.
Drive to Jerusalem along the Trans-Israel Highway for a close up view of the 'Security Fence' erected along the separation zone between Israel and the Palestinian Territories.
Mountain bike to Tel-Azeka, where the battle between David and Goliath took place.
Continue with the bikes to Hirbet Midras [or Tel Goded], and then crawl through the caves dug out by Jewish rebels during the Bar-Kochva rebellion nearly 2,000 years ago.
Have lunch during ride.
Check in to Hotel.
Free evening in Jerusalem.

Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem


Thursday January 3 - Jerusalem in Antiquity

Breakfast at the hotel.
Visit an Army Base – hear what it's like to be a soldier in Israel and the challenges and triumphs that are faced.
Har HaTzofim Overlook – see the Old City in its entirety from atop Mt. Scopus
Begin the tour of Jerusalem by entering the City of David:
Enter the Old City of Jerusalem and spend time at the Kotel (the Western Wall) – Judaism's most sacred place.
Enjoy free time for shopping and lunch in the Jewish Quarter.
Visit the Carmel Winery for dinner and wine tasting.

Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem

 

Friday January 4 – Extreme Jerusalem

Visit the Security Fence and learn about the different extremes within Jerusalem.
Drive to the Mt. of Olives for a spectacular view of Old & New Jerusalem.
Check into hotel and prepare for Shabbat.
Experience Shabbat in Jerusalem, light Shabbat candles and walk to the Kotel for Shabbat services. Shabbat dinner at hotel.

Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem

 

Saturday January 5 – Shabbat in the Holy City

Breakfast at hotel.
Shabbat services at various synagogues in Jerusalem (optional).
Return to hotel for lunch.
Optional tour of The Israel Museum, home of the Dead Sea Scrolls and newly reconstructed model of ancient Jerusalem.
Return to hotel and rest.
After Havdallah – walk to Ben-Yehudah Street for free time and dinner. Enjoy Jerusalem's night life with a Rock concert by local Israeli musicians.

Overnight: Prima Kings Hotel, Jerusalem

 

Sunday January 6 – The Lowest Place on Earth

Have an early breakfast at hotel; early check out.
Drive to the Judean Desert and start the day by rappelling down 150 foot canyon walls at Qumran Wadi. Visit the ancient settlement of Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found.
Lunch in Qumran.
Drive to Ein-Gedi Beach; enjoy the weightless feeling of the Dead Sea as you float in its waters.
Check into Ein-Gedi youth hostel.
Dinner at youth hostel.
Israeli movie & munchies.

Overnight: Ein-Gedi Youth Hostel

 

Monday January 7 – The Judean Desert

Early wake up for sunrise hike; breakfast during hike.
Hike in the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve; enjoy the fresh waters of this lush oasis located in the heart of the Judean Desert.
Have lunch during hike.
Drive through the Negev Desert to Khan Shacharut.
Enjoy a self-prepared "desert-style" dinner.
Sleep under the stars.

Overnight: Khan Shacharut

 

Tuesday January 8 – Deep in the Negev

Breakfast at Khan Shacharut.
Take a long camel trek all the way to Kibbutz Yotvata.
Tour of Kibbutz Yotvata; meet Kibbutz members and hear of the changing nature of the Kibbutz in Israel today.
Lunch in the Kibbutz.
Drive to Eilat and check into hotel.
Cruise on a yacht in the Red Sea with options for snorkeling, kayaking or just relaxing and getting a good tan.
Free night in Eilat; enjoy the amazing night life that this city offers.

Overnight: Adi Hotel, Eilat


Wednesday January 9 - – The Southern Tip

Start the day with a Sunrise hike up Mt. Slate (Har Ztfachot) for a picturesque overview of the borders of four different countries.
Have breakfast on top of the mountain.
Enjoy time at Village Beach, famous for its good music and atmosphere.
Time at the hotel.
Free night in Eilat

Overnight: Adi Hotel, Eilat


Thursday January 10 – Tel-Aviv Here I Come

Have breakfast at hotel; check out.
Travel up to Tel Aviv.
Wander in the famous Jaffa flea market and have a light lunch in a local restaurant.
Free time to shop.
Festive final dinner.
Depart for airport.



Friday January 11 – Back in the USA

Land back in the USA


Please note:
  • All hotels reservations are tentative and subject to final confirmation
  • This program is dependent upon a minimum registration of 30 participants
  • Hotel accommodations are based on triple occupancy (3 in a room)
  • Double occupancy can be arranged at a supplemental cost
For more information:

* triple occupancy
** With flight leaving from FL: $2,374

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