The Israel Ministry of Tourism Recommends:

10-DAY TOUR

DAY 1

• The tour starts with a drive along the coastal road to Kibbutz Sdot Yam near the ancient city of Caesarea and ride a “torpedo boat” over the waves of the Mediterranean Sea
• A visit to Caesarea, one of the most beautiful ancient Roman and Crusader cities
• Drive to the Druze village of Usfiya on top of Biblical Mount Carmel for Druze hospitality and lunch
• An afternoon hike in “Little Switzerland,” a nature reserve of evergreen Mount Carmel
• Overnight on Mount Carmel

DAY 2

• A 2-hour horseback ride in Beit Oren Ranch on Mount Carmel ridge
• Visit Haifa, the capital of the north, as well as the Baha’i’ Shrine and gardens
• Drive to Moshav Nahalal, the first Moshav in Israel, to learn about the history of the place
• A visit to Tsipori, a capital city from the Mishnaic period (second-fourth centuries) and see the “Mona Lisa of The Galilee,” an amazing mosaic floor of a wealthy villa in this long-ago town
• Overnight at kibbutz guesthouse

DAY 3

• Drive to Israel’s northernmost areas in Upper Galilee and ride the cable car of the Manara Cliff with a magnificent view to Hula Valley, snowcapped Mount Hermon and the Golan Heights.
  
  Activities abound:

• Mountain biking
• Rappelling
• Ziplining
• Swimming in Kibbutz Manarah’s swimming pool
  
• Kayaking in one of the head waters of the Jordan River
• Overnight at kibbutz guesthouse

 DAY 4

• Drive to Golan Heights and hike Zavitan Canyon for about three hours.
• Lunch at Katzrin, the capital town of the Golan Heights
• Jeep tour across the Golan Heights to Mount Bental and look over the border with Syria
• Afternoon swim in the Hof Golan Water Park on the shore of the Sea of Galilee
• Overnight at kibbutz guesthouse

DAY 5

 A Spiritual Adventure

• Safed—City of mystic synagogues, art and music. 
  Recommended:
  • Take a morning to stroll through the picturesque artist colony
  • Visit artists in their galleries and peek into the old synagogues
  • Visit Ha-Meiri Museum—Hear stories about the people who used to live in Safed.
  • Bathe in the freezing waters of the Ari Mikvah near the oldcemetery; it is believed to bring good luck (only men allowed)
• Drive along the shore of the Sea of Galilee where, according to Christian tradition, Christ walked on water
• Archaeological remains of Beit-She’an, a city with over 6,000 years of history. Explore the ancient tel, including a huge Roman Theater, bathhouse and the main street from the times of Christ
• Clients who want to pack in a full day, should continue driving alongside the Jordan River to the area of Ein Gedi on the shore of the Dead Sea where they’ll arrive late in the evening 
• Overnight in one of the 5,000 hotel rooms in the Dead Sea resort district

DAY 6

• Early in the morning, travel to Masada. Ascend to the top on foot and tour the ruins of the mountain fortress
• Along the Dead Sea, take a short hike to Nachal David, a beautiful spring and waterfall nature reserve
• Float on the water of the Dead Sea
• Overnight at a Dead Sea resort

DAY 7

• Jeep tour of the moon-like terrain of Mishor Amiaz, Nachal Prazim and the Flour Cave
• Drive to the geographical wonder of the Great Rift Valley to Ein-Yahav and meet modern day farmers who use high-tech methods to grow phenomenal organic fruits and vegetables. A visit to a family that makes homemade cosmetic products from the aloe vera cactus in Moshav Ein-Yahav
• Stop in at Noah’s Ark Zoo and drive along the border with Jordan
• Overnight in Eilat

DAY 8

• Snorkel or scuba diving in the coral nature reserve of Eilat. Visit the nearby underwater observatory
• Watch the sunset from the top of “Har Tzfachot” (Slate Mountain). Get there on foot, or experience part of the trail on camelback
• Nightlife in Eilat
• Overnight in Eilat

DAY 9

• Drive northward via the Negev Desert to Mitzpe Ramon, located on the edge of one of the most unique geological wonders. (It is a phenomenon known as “Machtesh,” a huge crater developed by water erosion on top of a mountain ridge. There are three “Machtheshim” in Israel and they are the only ones existing in the world)
• Hike in Nahal Nekarot In the Ramon Crater, Enjoy a visit to the local alpaca farm. Play “Desert Archery”—a family game using bows and arrows to shoot big targets on the ground
• Options for outdoor sports:
  • Mountain biking (to be rented at the local hotel)
  • Rock climbing
  • Rappelling
• Overnight in Mitzpe Ramon

Day 10

• After a desert-style breakfast in the local hotel, drive to the ancient Nabatean city of Ovdat (Avdat) and explore the archaeology and history of this bygone civilization of desert merchants and farmers
• Hike to the nearby oasis of Ein Ovdat and visit the modest home of Israel’s first prime minister, David Ben Gurion, at  Kibbutz Sde Boker
• Continue via the Biblical city of Beer Sheba to Tel Aviv, and let the party begin in this round-the-clock city, the culture capital of Israel