BICYCLE TOURS & MOUNTAIN BIKING

Israel: Jerusalem to the Eilat Red Sea

Beginning your adventure with an informed introduction to the sites and sounds of Jerusalem, you will then see David and Goliath’s field of battle before riding into the Judean desert in Arad and on to the Roman fort at Masada. You will see stunning views of the African Rift Valley, the Dead Sea and the Mountains of Moab. You will float in the Dead Sea, and will see Israel's largest national park. Finally, you will descend to the shores of the Red Sea, getting glimpses of the Sinai Desert, Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, stopping to explore the Red Canyon and other secret places. You will finish riding in Eilat, where you can enjoy beaches, warm water, and world famous scuba diving. You may continue to Egypt or Jordan, both just a short trip away. This adventure will let you experience fascinating new and old world pleasures. The lodging ranges from luxury hotels to humble kibbutz guest homes allowing you proximity to remote hidden treasures. You will be pleased by the wonderful people and magical places, and may deepen your understanding of the marvelous complexity of Israel.

Chosen one of the world’s best trips - by Bicycling and Outside magazines, and Men’s Journal

Tour Details

Day 1: Arrival
6:00pm meeting at your hotel in Jerusalem, for introductions, technical briefing, and dinner (included).
Lodging: Hotel Kessem Hadafna, Ein Karem, Jerusalem

Day 2: Walking in Jerusalem
Jerusalem is (and always was) a small town by international standards. Yet, 75% of humans round the globe have heard its name; people who never heard the names of New York, London, Paris, Tokyo, Rome or Beijing- know something about the city that saw 87 regime changes – two thirds of them by battle. Your guided tour in Jerusalem is an essential introduction for those whose knowledge of Israel’s history is not complete. In the morning, you will visit observation points around the city, then you will visit the old city to see the important sites that draw the attention of millions of tourists, pilgrims, poets, artists, philosophers, politicians, worriers, and media correspondents over the ages. In the afternoon you will see the caves of David’s City. Breakfast.

Lodging: Same as Day 1

Day 3: 30 km/19 miles of cycling
One medium ascent (4 km, 200 meters vertical); the rest – flat or descents! Today you will transfer from Jerusalem (elevation – 800 meters ASL) to the "flat land" or "Eretz Pleshet" as it is named in the Bible (250 meters ASL). You will see the Judea Mountains – and descend to "Emek Ha'Ella" (The Goddess' Valley) where young David defeated Goliath some 3000 years ago. You will spend the morning visiting the Roman City of Eleutropolis, wandering through breathtaking man-made caves of Tel Maresha, and taking pictures in the famous Bell-Shaped Caves of Beith-Guvrin. After emerging into light again, a short transfer south will allow you to mount your bike and descend from the Southern tip of the Judean Mountains straight into the Judean Desert, and to the desert town of Arad. Today’s highlights include Beit Guvrin, Amatsiya, (ancient Hebrew ruins, Maccabee period, caves, natural and manmade, along Tefer (pre ‘67 border patrol road), views of Arab and Jewish villages, forests, Yattir forest, Sussiya (time permitting), beautiful views of Judaean desert, Tel Arad (very ancient ruins), modern city of Arad. Breakfast and lunch are included.

Lodging: Hotel Margoa Arad, Arad

Day 4: Cycling: 60 km, flat or descent
Two hours in Masada by foot, two hour round Mount Sodom by foot. Optional: 67 km cycling including the great descent from Arad to Ein Bokek (22 km, 900 meters vertical!) Nine out of ten visitors to Israel will see Masada: a fascinating archeological site. It has breathtaking views from the mountain to the desert and the Dead Sea; it has a heroic story to tell; it unfolds a very strong folkloristic and ideological debate; and it has a lot to do with the spirit that made the only independent Jewish state exist. You will enjoy an awe inspiring early-morning ride from Arad to Masada. You can climb up Masada via Roman ramp, see the lately found and reconstructed sites, and enjoy views of the Dead Sea, Ein Gedi, the Moab mountains, and Jordan across the African Rift Valley. You can descend from Masada by foot on the Snake Path, or by cable car, to Ein Boqeq on the Dead Sea below, where you can have a light lunch at a lovely private spa, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the water’s healing power, and to laugh in the amazing experience of buoyancy. Enjoy a relaxed ride from the Dead Sea to Idan and Hatzeva – both villages on the Jordanian border, both surviving well on agriculture, but both struggling desperately to persuade their second and third generations to stay put. Dinner possibilities include Fata Morgana (historically an Arthurian enchantress, but in this case a mirage) and your unique moshav. BLD

Lodging: Ya'arat Hade'vash Hatzeva or Lilach Gottfeld Hatzeva

Day 5: Cycling: 134km/83 mi
Flat morning, very hilly afternoon. This morning you can challenge the Akrabim (Scorpion’s) Ascent where biblical and Roman roads crossed the mountains. This is Israel’s steepest road- 5km, 500 meters vertical. Of course, you can take the support vehicle if you prefer! You will then cycle through the odd geological formation – the Machtesh (that resembles a giant crater, only it's not a volcano…). If time permits before sunset, you can pay a short visit to the beautiful mosaics and wall painting of Byzantine Mamshit. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.

Lodging: The Ramon Inn, Mitzpe Ramon

Day 6: Cycling: 83 km/52 mi.
The Mountains of the Negev, across the desert. Early morning optional hike on the edge of the cliff will let enthusiastic nature lovers see the 1500 feet cliff at sunrise with a good chance of meeting the wild ibex (kind of a local mountain goat) and griffons (a majestic vulture, condor size). The cycling begins with a magnificent descent from the hotel into the Machtesh Ramon crater, followed by a wonderful road through the Eilat Mountains Nature Reserve. This fabulous ride through wide open Uvda wilderness is real des real desolation, and real cycling in a wonderful landscape. BLD
Lodging: Kibbutz Ketura, Hevel Eilot or Kibbutz Lotan, Arava Valley

Day 7: 60 km/37 mi.
Take an early morning optional camel ride in the desert then cycle through the outstanding landscape of the Eilat Mountains Nature Reserve. The colors of the granites and sandstones look as if an uncensored hallucinating artist painted them all. Ancient Copper miners left their camps, shrines, melting workshops and mysterious rock engravings here. You can ride through all these, pushing your pedals towards Eilat where you will have a luxurious last night. BLD

Lodging: Royal Beach or Le Meridien, Eilat

Day 8: Snorkeling, transfers and farewells
Sleep in late or wake early with an option to snorkel and explore some of the most beautiful reefs of the world. The narrowing of the red sea rift valley makes for a spectacular natural wind tunnel, perfect for wind surfing. Finish after lunch, in time for afternoon flights back to the center of the country, some 300km north, where your Freewheeling Adventure started. Breakfast and lunch are included.

Ask about Freewheeling Adventures’ multisport adventure in Northern Israel, available for custom groups.

Custom groups or self guided group trips are available at any time.

Route Notes:
A moderately easy ride, punctuated frequently with interpretive stops. Advanced riders may pursue longer options and challenges.