Explore the Judean Desert Region of Maale Adumim Day Tour
- Duration
6 Hours - Departure days
Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu - Languages
English
Overview
This is a wonderful opportunity to experience the fascinating region of the Judean Desert from Jerusalem to Jericho. You will learn about the desert, history and the biblical connection of this area as well as the present day realities of Jews, Arabs and Beduin living side by side.
Highlights
- Breathtaking lookouts- See the Judean Desert, Jerusalem skyline, and Jericho- the lowest city on earth
- Enjoy natural dessert springs
- Explore mosaics from over 1500 years ago
- Experience Beduin hospitality
- Take a tour of a modern city
What to Expect
The adventure begins almost immediately after leaving Jerusalem, as we descend in altitude until we reach the modern day Israeli city of Maale Adumim–situated between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea. There, we will discuss the biblical connection of the region and it’s importance as “The gateway from the East” during the three Jewish pilgrimage festivals in the days of the Temple and later on during the Byzantne and Crusader Periods.
After our lookout stop, we will visit the Good Samaritan Inn Mosaics Museum, where we will see ancient Jewish, Christian, and Samaritan mosaic floors from over 1500 years ago. We will learn about the present day Samaritan community as we look at the photo exhibit in the museum. We will also see other artifacts and cisterns dating abck to the Second Temple Period as well as a movie shown inside of an ancient dwelling cave.
(Options to visit the Moshe Castel Art Museum or the Ptil Techelet Blue Dye Factory for the fringes of the tallit are also possible instead of the Good Smaritan).
We then drive through the modern day city of Maale Adumim, stopping at city sites as well as the industrial park with over 350 factories and businesses, remains of ancient monastery, and elite army base.
Our tour program will then take us to one of the natural springs in the Judean Desert, the EIn Mabua nature Reserve, where we will walk along the stream on easy trails, picnic along the natural springs and waterfall and see mosaic floors and remains of the Hasmonean aqueducts.
We finish our day sitting on mats on a hilltop overlooking the Judean Desert, with local Beduin, who will prepare Beduin tea and explain about Beduin lifestyle, shepherding, roles of women and more.
GOOD TO KNOW
- Tour fee is based on a minimum of 4 people. Tour fees will be reduced for groups of 5-40 people.
- The tour is suitable for ages 5 and up.
- The tour is designed for 4 people but can be adjusted for a couple.
- The tour is a 6 hour adventure through the Maale Adumim Region.
- Participants can add additional activities, such as desert jeeping, Camel riding, desert skills workshops, artist meetings, mezuzah making workshop, and lunch at an additional cost.
- Private tour options available starting at $280 , pick-up included for up to 4 people, over 4 people will require extra cost.
For more into, contact tour coordinator Shelley Brinn at +972-72-3385047 or use the contact form below.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
TripAdvisor Reviews
Shelley put together the most special , fun and interesting day for our family. She is wonderful to tour with and has an amazing knowledge of Maale Adumim. From the planning via email before to the actual day, she went the extra mile and was happy to answer any questions. She planned the...
MoreShelley put together the most special , fun and interesting day for our family. She is wonderful to tour with and has an amazing knowledge of Maale Adumim. From the planning via email before to the actual day, she went the extra mile and was happy to answer any questions. She planned the best day from ATVing , a bedouin experience which was amazing, to gorgeous look out points, the mosaic museum and a wonderful meeting with an Ethiopian family who invited us to their home so we could hear their Aliya story and eat with them. This was beyond special and I would highly recommend it. If you want a meaningful day, definitely book in with Shelley. You will love it, I promise.
LessWe did an amazing outing with Tour Adumim. Shelley Brinn put together a fascinating program - including Bedouin pita and tea, a tour of the mosaics at the Good Samaritan, a picnic at Ein Mabua and a stunning view over St. George Monastery. Shelley knows so much about the area she calls home and...
MoreWe did an amazing outing with Tour Adumim. Shelley Brinn put together a fascinating program - including Bedouin pita and tea, a tour of the mosaics at the Good Samaritan, a picnic at Ein Mabua and a stunning view over St. George Monastery. Shelley knows so much about the area she calls home and brings it alive for her guests, with attention to detail, patient answers to all our questions and lots of humor. This is the kind of tour that goes beyond the usual tourist spots. Highly recommended whether it’s your first or fifty-first visit to Israel. Here are some pictures.
LessWe had a great experience both with Shelley Brinn taking us on a personalized tour, and coordinating with the ATVing which was fantastic. There are more activities to do in the area but you have to tailor your visit to your age group and time limitations. we wish we could have done more. Shelly...
MoreWe had a great experience both with Shelley Brinn taking us on a personalized tour, and coordinating with the ATVing which was fantastic. There are more activities to do in the area but you have to tailor your visit to your age group and time limitations. we wish we could have done more. Shelly is enormously patient and helpful and great to work with. I highly recommend her company and would use her again myself in the future.
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