WALKING UPHILL TO JERUSALEM 8 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS | 6 TOURING/WALKING DAYS
Day 1 – Sunday – Arrival Meet and assistance at the airport and transfer to Ruth Daniel Hotel in Jaffa. Dinner and Overnight, Tel Aviv (Jaffa) Day 2 – Monday – Old Jaffa - Karmei Yosef to Naveh Shalom We will start the day with a short walking tour of Old Jaffa, the 5000 year-old historic part of Tel Aviv. We will see the artist colony, the house of Simon the Tanner, the beautiful St. Peter Church and the old Port. From there we will transfer to Moshav (Village) Karmei Yossef where we will start our walk. The wonderful experience of the "Walking to Jerusalem” hiking tour begins in the Valley of Ayalon which for generations was an important axis on the way to Jerusalem. From the Biblical battle where Joshua asked the Lord to lengthen the day by uttering the command: "Sun, stand thou still on Gibeon, and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ayalon" and defeated five Canaanites kings to the modern age of the "Six-Days War" where Israel won a decisive war in defending its borders – Ayalon valley has been the location of many bloody battles between invaders and natives throughout history. Go 5,000 years back in time to the ancient Kingdom of Israel and Middle Bronze age at Tel Gezer National Park and its impressive waterworks and archaeological remnants. Ascend to the peak of the Gezer hill for a nice picnic overlooking the spectacular landscape or grab a snack while wading in the tiny fresh water of the Ein Vered spring. Discover the elegant architecture of the Latrun Monastery, also known as the Monastery of Silence built in 1861 along the pilgrims' road from Jaffa to Jerusalem and visit the large church, "Garden of Brotherhood", winery and gift shop. Embark a hike to our stop for the night at Neve Shalom, a village of an intentional community jointly established by Jewish and Palestinian Arab citizens of Israel located in the Judean Mountains. Dinner and Overnight, Neve Shalom | 6-7 hours (16 km/10 miles)
Gil Tours Travel, Inc. 1511 Walnut St. 2nd fl, Philadelphia PA, 19102 w: www.giltravel.com t: 215-568-6655 t: 1-800-223-6655 f: 215-568-0696 www.facebook.com/giltravel 1 of 6 WALKING UPHILL TO JERUSALEM 8 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS | 6 TOURING/WALKING DAYS
Day 3 – Tuesday – Neve Shalom to Moshav Shoresh After breakfast, the third day of the journey will lead you to discover the triumph and determination story of a young country by walking through the main leg of the Israeli Burma Road. Inspired by the historical road from Burma (known today as the Republic of Myanmar) to China during the second Sino-Japanese War, the Israeli Burma Road was built in the Judean mountains as an alternative route for freeing Jerusalem and breaching the siege which blocked the supply convoys' way from the center of the country to the Jewish population in the capital. As you walk along the trail signposts, soldiers' images, armored vehicles, memorials, and explanatory signs are like breathing war memorial revives the courageous battles held for building this road by Israeli forces in incredibly difficult circumstances during the 1948 Israeli War of Independence. Pause at the observation points dotted along the road to marvel at the magnificent forest and the breathtaking view of Judean lowland and even the Mediterranean Sea on a clear day. Overnight, Shoresh 6-7 hours | (15.5 km/10 miles) Day 4 – Wednesday – Moshav Shoresh to Kibbutz Tzuba Set out on foot to ascend from the Shoresh “Green Hill" hotel and arrive the departure point just beyond the roundabout. Your hike will begin in a trail leading through the Martyrs' Forest planted in 1951 on the Kisalon River banks in the Jerusalem corridor to commemorate the Holocaust's victims. 600 meters above sea level the six million pines, cypress, eucalyptus, carob, Kermes oak, Terebinth, and Styrax trees are an eternally living monument of green memorial candles for the six million of the Jewish people who perished during World War II. Elapse the Martyrs' Cave use to commune with the victims and the short path “Story of a Girl and a Tree" next to it at the Anne Frank Memorial, which commemorates the girl whose diary is one of the known symbols for the Holocaust and Heroism. Absorb the elegant beauty of shy cyclamens, delicate flowers of sage and a profusion of other wildflowers adorn the forest with many colors in springtime. See the vines and bindweed's heart-shaped leaves climbing the trees in shady areas. The enchanted forested trail and its beautiful landscape lead up to the picturesque Arabic village Ein Rafa. Continue from Ein Rafa to Kibbutz Tzuba where you will spend the fourth night of your self- hiking tour at Hotel Tzuba and reveal the Kibbutz unique way of life founded in Israel at its early days on the principles of equality and cooperation in order to better absorb new immigrants in the young state. Dinner and Overnight, Kibbutz Tzuba | 8-7 hours (19km/12 miles)
Gil Tours Travel, Inc. 1511 Walnut St. 2nd fl, Philadelphia PA, 19102 w: www.giltravel.com t: 215-568-6655 t: 1-800-223-6655 f: 215-568-0696 www.facebook.com/giltravel 2 of 6 WALKING UPHILL TO JERUSALEM 8 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS | 6 TOURING/WALKING DAYS
Day 5 – Thursday – Kibbutz Tzuba to Ein Karem Today's fantastic route combines easy walking mostly through shady forest and beautiful hilltop scenery dotted with several interesting sites. Our trail passes Tel Tzuba which was an ancient Jewish town during the time of King David, in the "Sataf" National Park famed in its stunning hiking trails, ancient agricultural terraces and natural beauty of olive groves, almond orchards and vineyards coloring the view in green, as well as in the Franciscan Monastery of St. John in the Wilderness, which built south of Jerusalem on a wooded slope to celebrate the childhood of John the Baptist as well as the Ein Hindak spring right next to it. Finally, we will arrive in Ein Karem; one of Jerusalem's most picturesque neighborhoods nestles in a magical green valley of forest and natural groves, at the foot of mount Ora, which despite time and modernization managed to retain its special nature. The neighborhood, which considered a pilgrimage site is the home of Mary's Fountain, the Franciscan church of the Visitation and the Russian Orthodox Gorny church or "Moscovia" Monastery. Also, according to Christian tradition Ein Karem was the place where Elizabeth miraculously became pregnant and gave birth to John the Baptist. Walk around the neighborhood's charming ancient narrow passageways, cobbled streets and stone-built houses adorned with arches. Visit the impressive churches listening to their bells chime in the clear air. Indulge yourself with a nice cup of coffee, tasty chocolate praline, refreshing ice cream, or a good meal at the coffee shops and restaurants scattered around the neighborhood or buy a cherished souvenir in one of the tempting gift shops and galleries. We will spend the fifth night of our self-guided tour here at the charming "Sisters of Notre Dame De Zion" guesthouse. Overnight, Ein Karem | 4-5 hours (12 km/7.5 miles) Day 6 – Friday – Ein Karem to Jerusalem Set out on a morning hike passes through the upper part of the Nahal Sorek (Sorek stream) which is 70 km long, starting north of Jerusalem flows all the way to the Mediterranean Sea. The Sorek stream is the central axis of the Jerusalem National Park, which is the largest urban park in Israel and includes bicycle paths and 25 km paved walking trails which partly we will walk today. While walking drop by the ancient winery and Yvel Jewelry factory in Lower Motza, learn about the area from the signed rocks surrounding the Telem Spring, visit the September 11 monument built in memory of the Twin Towers victims. Continue to the picturesque abandoned Arabic village of Lifta, which its quiet beauty is a tangible contrast to the busy highway above it. Dinner and overnight, Jerusalem-The Jerusalem Tower Hotel | 4-5 hours (12km/7.5 miles)
Gil Tours Travel, Inc. 1511 Walnut St. 2nd fl, Philadelphia PA, 19102 w: www.giltravel.com t: 215-568-6655 t: 1-800-223-6655 f: 215-568-0696 www.facebook.com/giltravel 3 of 6 WALKING UPHILL TO JERUSALEM 8 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS | 6 TOURING/WALKING DAYS
Day 7 – Saturday – Full Day Walking Tour of Jerusalem Breakfast then a full day walking tour with our guide of the old city of Jerusalem. We leave our hotel and walk along the Jaffa road to the Mamilla Blvd. leading to the Jaffa gate. Enter the old city gates, view the great citadel called the Tower of David and walk on top of the city ramparts towards the Zion Gate, enjoy the unique views from this high view point. Visit the Jewish Quarter and see the great Cardo the Hezekiah broad wall and more. Reach Mount Zion and visit the room of the last supper, King David Tomb and the Dormition Abbey where Mary fell into eternal sleep. From here downhill to the Valley of Kidron, visit the Garden of Gethsemane with the beautiful ancient olive trees in it and the Church of Agony. Also view the beautiful great ancient tombstones of Absalom and Zachariah the high priest. Go uphill to the Dung Gate and reenter the Old City where we will visit the Western Wall, see the Temple Mount and the golden-dome Muslim shrine called the Dome of the Rock. From here we go via the great Arab Market to see the pools of Bethesda and the Church of St. Ann, now we will walk along the Via Dolorosa and arrive at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Visit the site of the tomb of Jesus. The tour ends here with an evening at leisure to enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants around the hotel, or you may choose to participate in optional activities (additional fees may apply). Optional activity: Visit the Tower of David Museum and remnants of the King Herod’s Palace, have dinner at one of the tasty Middle Eastern restaurants near the Jaffa Gate After dinner enjoy the amazing Sound and Light show at the Citadel (after sunset). Overnight, Jerusalem Day 8 – Sunday – Departure This morning will terminate our 74.4 km (46 miles) self-hiking "walking to Jerusalem" tour. After breakfast and check out of hotel and return to Ben-Gurion airport and depart on your flight back home. Have a great trip! Detailed itinerary will be provided upon reservation and tour booking! We look forward to see you walking along Israel’s nature trails, come share with us the beauty of our land!
* All itineraries are subject to availability and change. ** Visit subject to weather conditions
All Tours are subject to availability and should be confirmed within 72 business hours.
Gil Tours Travel, Inc. 1511 Walnut St. 2nd fl, Philadelphia PA, 19102 w: www.giltravel.com t: 215-568-6655 t: 1-800-223-6655 f: 215-568-0696 www.facebook.com/giltravel 4 of 6 WALKING UPHILL TO JERUSALEM 8 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS | 6 TOURING/WALKING DAYS
Included services in our tour rates: There is NO credit for unused services or joint transfers Meet and assist at airport upon arrival Transfer to your hotel in Tel Aviv – Jaffa Transfer from Jaffa to the starting point of our walk tour on Day 2. Transfer from Jerusalem to the airport at the end of the tour 7 nights’ accommodation in comfortable 3-stars hotels / hostels located along the trail. Transferring the participants luggage every morning to the next hotel so one can walk freely without carrying a heavy back pack 6-days service of an English speaking guide who will walk with the group and guide on the history, archaeology, fauna and flora of the area along and around the trails we will walk along. Our guide will also have a first aid kit with him and cell phone connectivity 24/7 to our headquarters. Each member will get a special flower guide booklet in English and a map of the trail and the area. The package includes 7 breakfasts and 4 dinners (on day 2, day 4, day 6, and day 7)
Not included services in our tour rates: Tips to guide/driver and Hotel staff Lunches en route on sightseeing days Water (there are water bottles available for purchase at each overnight site) Items of a personal nature (laundry, souvenirs, film/toiletries) Travel Insurance: www.giltravel.com Israel cell phone rental: http://phones.giltravel.com
Gil Tours Travel, Inc. 1511 Walnut St. 2nd fl, Philadelphia PA, 19102 w: www.giltravel.com t: 215-568-6655 t: 1-800-223-6655 f: 215-568-0696 www.facebook.com/giltravel 5 of 6 WALKING UPHILL TO JERUSALEM 8 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS | 6 TOURING/WALKING DAYS
HOTELS ON TOUR: 3-star hotels or guesthouses along the trail. Hotels will be confirmed upon reservation.
Hotel City Nights Ruth Daniel Tel Aviv 1 Neve Shalom Guest House Neve Shalom 1 Green Hills Shoresh 1 Hotel Tzuba Kibbutz Tzuba 1 "Sisters of Notre Dame De Zion" Ein Karem 1 guesthouse Jerusalem Tower Hotel Jerusalem 2 *Accommodations in the hotels listed above or similar. Additional fees may apply.
DATES and RATES Departure from origin should be one (1) day before tour start date.
Rates are land only based on double occupancy
Date Double Occupancy Single Supplement Sunday, Oct 11 $ 1380 $ 629 Sunday, Nov 1 $ 1380 $ 629 Sunday, Dec 13 $ 1380 $ 629
Tour requires a minimum of 8 passengers for operation In case of not meeting the minimum for service, all passengers who have booked will be notified 60 days prior to arrival that the tour is not operating and we will give an alternative date or reimburse the full amount for those who want to cancel.
Private guided tours are available and can choose their own private departure date (groups of 8 passengers or more). Please inquire for more details.
Gil Tours Travel, Inc. 1511 Walnut St. 2nd fl, Philadelphia PA, 19102 w: www.giltravel.com t: 215-568-6655 t: 1-800-223-6655 f: 215-568-0696 www.facebook.com/giltravel 6 of 6