Be'er Sheba to Eilat- Off Road Bike Ride in Israel

March 14, 2009 - PRLog -- Day 1
Bee’r Sheba to Mash'abe Sade- Last city you’ll see for a week.  Approx. 55 Km.

Leave Be'er Sheba North towards Omer on road # 60. Travel 1.5 Km north of Omer, turn east on a dirt road heading south east towards the Bedouin town of A’roar. You will cross many small Bedouin communities, eventually leaving the rolling hills of the northern Negev and entering the central Negev region.
Cross Wadi (dry river bed) Gez, Wadi Yatir, and Wadi Anim and follow Wadi A’roar until reaching road # 25. From there follow the dirt road along Wadi Nevatim to the town of Yeruham.
Turn west in Yeruham, past the water reservoir, and follow Wadi Revivim to Kibbutz Mash'abe Sade.
Overnight in Mash'abe Sade.

Day 2:
Mash'abe Sade to Sde Boker - The land of Ben Gurion. Approx. 35 Km.

Head south from Mash'abe Sade towards Kibbutz Tlalim.
After Kibbutz Tlalim, follow the dirt road parallel to road # 40 southbound. You will pass a few independent desert farms, growing grapes for wine and raising goats for cheese, while continuing south.
Cross under road # 40 at Wadi Haroa and follow it through the remains of Nabatical agriculture to the Sde Boker Campus.
Overnight in Sde Boker.


Day 3
Sde Boker to Mitspe Ramon- Where caravans crossed the desert. Approx. 45 Km

Leave Sde Boker and head into the Tsin Valley. Pass the fresh water pools of Ein Avdat and continue into Ein Akev, the largest oasis in the Negev.
From Ein Akev, turn back to the Tsin Valley and follow the “Oil Road”, a dirt road following the Eilat-Ashkelon pipeline.
Continue past the Zik and Shviv Oases and begin your ascent towards the Machmal ruins on the edge of the Ramon Crater, where you will get your first glimpse of this unique and colorful place. From the Machmal ruins you can either continue along the cliff following the Israel Trail into Mitspe Ramon, or follow the path into the crater towards the Bedouin hospitality site located there.
Overnight in Mitzpe Ramon


Day 4: The Ramon Crater- All the colors of the earth.
Approx. 30-55 Km.

Spend the day exploring the dirt roads and single tracks of the crater. Pay a visit to the Nabatical Inn at Ein Saharonim, where caravans of the Incense Route used to stop during their travels thousands of years ago.
Visit the beautiful sand sites and see the geological phenomena. Overnight in Mitspe Ramon.

Day 5
Mitzpe Ramon to Pharan. Approx. 60 Km

Follow the “Israel Trail” out of the Crater heading south, towards the southern Negev Region. The trail will take you along the limestone hills of the area, crossing some large and dry river beds that rush a few times each year with flash flood water.
Continue south until you reach Wadi Pharan, the largest basin of flash flood water in the entire Negev. Follow the dirt road in the wadi to the Nabatical Fort. Continue west, gradually going downhill to the modern Pharan, a desert agricultural community.
Overnight in Pharan.


Day 6
Pharan to Shaharut -A different kind of Living. Approx. 40-55 Km

Begin the day by climbing out of the Arava Valley, slowly approaching the magmatic mountains of Eilat.
Follow the dirt path along road 13 to Tsihor. Continue south past the alternative heeling center at Shitim, to Ein Yael. Lodging is optional at this point.
Alternatively, continue about 15 Km down the road to Shaharut, an Ecological desert community. Lodging also available in Shaharut.


Day 7
Shaharut to Eilat- Welcome to the Red Sea.
Approx 50-65 Km.

Follow the Israel Trail south west of the Yotveta and Timna Cliffs, until you reach the dirt road leading to Sayarim Accent.
Follow the Jeep path through the narrow canyons of Wadi Atek to Be'er Ora. At Be'er Ora, cross the Arava Highway and turn south on the patrol road at the Israeli- Jordanian Border. Pass the nature reserves of the Southern Arava, the salt pools of northern Eilat, until you reach the beach. Relax.

Associated Websites:
   http://israeltravelcompany.com
   http://www.israeltravelcompanytours.com
   http://www.zeltours.com

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A small tour company specializing in custom designed ,family or small group travel experiences in Israel (min 4 - max 18 persons) ,with an off the beaten track emphasis and highlighting personalized bike and walking tours of Israel.