Passover In Israel - Adventure Rabbi

Passover In Israel

Next Year in Israel (2013)
Passover in the Desert

Join us for an Adventure Rabbi Passover Trip to Israel March 18-27, 2013. What a unique way to celebrate Passover! What a unique way to visit Israel!

We’ve put together an amazing itinerary for a 10-day desert adventure trip, March 18-27, 2013 culminating with a Passover seder in a remote desert eco-lodge.

We will hike the spectacular mountains and canyons of the Negev and explore the mysterious dunes of the Wilderness of Zin by mountain bike (or by foot if you prefer.) On Shabbat we will camp in the middle of Mactesh Ramon, a huge crater, beneath the almost full moon. Other nights we will enjoy the luxury of 4-star hotels and an eco-lodge.

We will dine in Bedouin tents, enjoy Israel’s great wines and chocolates and no doubt stay up late into the night engaging in fascinating conversation.

The region is visually similar to the Utah desert with its red rock and blue sky, and spiritually powerful because this is the land through which our ancestors traveled as they journeyed from Egypt to the Promised Land.

This will not be your typical Israel trip. We will not be doing the tourist stops in Jerusalem or Eilat, although there will be opportunities for you to add that on before or after our wilderness adventure. Rather, this will be a unique opportunity to go deep into the wilderness of Israel, Adventure Rabbi style, to combine Judaism and nature and thereby discover our connection with this sacred land and each other. (Note:Our tour provider is offering an optional tour extension to visit the major sites.)

Jeff will be bringing his camera, so you’ll be sure to go home with spectacular photos from the trip.

The cost of the trip is $2,999 per person (+$125 for non-members), which includes everything except your airfare and tips. The trip is designed for adults who are in good physical condition and love to hike! Details of the itinerary are below.

If you would like us to hold a spot for you, please visit http://www.Ayelet.com/HikeIsraelMarch2013.aspx for details and deposit information.

I hope to share this amazing experience with you!

2013 Israel Itinerary:

Monday, March 18, 2013

Overnight flight to Israel

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Arrive in Israel to be met and assisted at Ben Gurion Airport by tour representative.

Proceed to Tel Aviv for hotel check-in
Welcome dinner at the hotel.

Evening welcome program on the beach, led by Rabbi Korngold.

Overnight: Hotel, Tel Aviv.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Breakfast at hotel

Early morning departure to drive south via the Negev Desert.

Hike up Masada.

Descend Masada by Roman Ramp and return to the Negev for an afternoon hike.

Continue to Mitzpeh Ramon for hotel check-in and dinner.

Overnight: Isrotel, Mitzpeh Ramon.

Thursday, March 21, 201

Breakfast at hotel.

Hike 10 km in Mactesh (Crater) Ramon.

Dinner at Bedouin tent, sleep at Isrotel in Mitzpe Ramon.

Overnight: Isrotel, Mitzpeh Ramon.

Friday, March 22, 2013

Overnight hike in Mactesh Ramon with camping gear brought in by jeep including dinner: gear to include hot dinner, camping equipment including the use of two person tents, mattresses, sleeping bags, lighting and firewood. Also includes support jeep to carry equipment.

Overnight: Under the stars (and nearly full moon) in Mactesh Ramon.

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Second day of hiking across Mactesh
Dinner at hotel.

Massages available at hotel (not included in tour price).

Overnight: Isrotel, Mitzpeh Ramon.

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Group splits for choice of hike or mountain bike ride for today:

* Ein Ovdat hike.

* Off-road mountain bike rides in Wilderness of Zin (two proficiency levels of rides)

* Dinner and overnight: Beerotayim Desert Eco-Lodge.

Monday, March 25, 2013

Morning: Choose between rest day, hike, mountain bike, camel ride (latter two not included in tour price).

Afternoon: group program for Passover, led by Rabbi Korngold.

Passover seder and feast at Beerotayim with traditional Passover foods served in a large, private Bedouin tent.

Dinner and overnight: Beerotayim Desert Eco-Lodge.

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Mid-morning check-out.

Depart by bus for Jerusalem

Closing programin Jerusalem with Rabbi Korngold.

Depart for Ben Gurion Airport (those leaving Israel tonight).

Optional Tour Extension

Frist time to Israel? Want to see the “big” sites? Joins Tour Staff for an extension to the AR Trip
(Lead by Tour Staff not Adventure Rabbi Staff)

26 – 31 March 2013

Tuesday, March 26

Overnight: Jerusalem

Wednesday, March 27

• Tour Old Jaffa, where many early immigrants began their lives in Israel, including browsing through the colorful outdoor mid-eastern market, shuk hapishpishim
• Walk through the historic Tel Aviv neighborhood of Neve Tzedek, a UNESCO Heritage Site, replete with funky new shops and art galleries
• At Independence Hall, relive Ben Gurion’s moving declaration of the State
• Enjoy an impressive presentation of the amazing achievements of the Palmach at the multi-media Palmach Museum (if available; age 5 and up only)
• Free evening in Tel Aviv
• Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Tel Aviv

Thursday, March 28

• At the Latrun IDF Armored Corps center, review (or climb on) the tanks and learn about battles fought there for the road to Jerusalem
• Ascent to Jerusalem
• Gaze upon the Old City of Jerusalem from the Haas Promenade, standing where Abraham stood at the dawn of Jewish history; take in the breathtaking view
• Enter the Old City of Jerusalem and pause for prayer and reflection at the Kotel
• In the Kotel Tunnels, walk alongside the massive foundation stones of the Western Wall
• Explore the Southern Wall Excavations and learn more about the ancient Jerusalem Temple at the Davidson Center
• Hotel check-in followed by a free evening in Jerusalem
• Overnight: l, Jerusalem

Friday, March 29

• Visit the Holocaust Memorial Museum (age 10 and up only) and the Children’s Memorial at Yad Vashem
• Take a sobering walk through the history of the Jewish State at the Har Herzl Military Cemetery
• Walk through colorful, bustling Machaneh Yehuda open-air market, as Jerusalem prepares for Shabbat
• Welcome Shabbat along with thousands of others at the Kotel (Western Wall)
• Shabbat dinner at the hotel
• Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Shabbat, March 30

• Shabbat morning walking tour to the Tower of David Museum for a wonderful presentation of the history of the city and a rooftop overview; continue the walk through the colorful quarters of Jerusalem’s Old City, including the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Jewish Quarter, and colorful Arab Bazaar
• Optional afternoon visit to the newly renovated Israel Museum, including the Shrine of the Book (on one’s own; transportation not included)
• Evening: Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for return flight to USA

Sunday, March 31

Fly Home!

Estimated Fee for Tour Extension: $1050/ person