The Hidden Villages of Palestine

Did you hear about Sanour, Sebastia & Der Debwan? Well this is your opportunity to visit these picturesque villages where nature, history, and local traditions meet. They offer a real chance to immerse yourself in Palestine in the most authentic way, without missing the most remarkable sites of the beautiful city of Alquds-Jerusalem.

7 DAYS/6 NIGHTS FROM$790 MINIMUM 10 PAX Includes: 6 nights’ accommodation, 7 breakfasts, 6 dinners, 4 lunches, English speaking expert guide, entrance fees to the sites, round trip transfer from Ben Gurion Airport /Allenby Bridge to hotel, transportation in air conditioned m otor coach

Day 1: Arrival - Transfer to Jenin – Overnight at a Homestay in Sanour We will welcome you at the airport and take you to your homestay in Jenin where you will meet your hosting family and enjoy a traditional dinner with them. D a y 2 : R u m m a n a t o B u r q i n T r a i l – T r a d i t i o n a l D i n n e r – O v e r n i g h t a t a H o m e s t a y i n S a n o u r

A f t e r b r e a k f a s t , k i c k o f f y o u r f i r s t d a y i n P a l e s t i n e w i t h a h i k e i n t h e c o u n t r y s i d e . T o d a y ’ s 1 7 k m l o n g t r a i l s t a r t s f r o m t h e v i l l a g e o f R u m m a n a a n d e n d s i n B u r q i n , t h e v i l l a g e w h e r e J e s u s c u r e d t h e l e p e r s w h o w e r e k e p t i n a w e l l , h e n c e i t s n i c k n a m e " t h e C i s t e r n o f L i g h t " . R u m m a n a , m e a n i n g p o m e g r a n a t e i n A r a b i c , i s l o c a t e d o n a h i l l s l o p e w h i c h c o n c e a l s t r a c e s o f a n c i e n t r e m a i n s a n d o f f e r s s u p e r b v i e w s . A s w e w a l k t h r o u g h o u r r o c k y t r a i l w e w i l l r e a c h a n o t h e r h i l l o v e r l o o k i n g t h e t o w n o f T i ’ i n n i k , l o c a t e d j u s t n e x t t o t h e a n c i e n t C a n a a n i t e s i t e o f T e l l T a ’ a n n e k . F r o m t h e r e , t h e c o l o r f u l f i e l d s o f M a r j I b n A m e r ( J e z r e e l V a l l e y ) a r e c l e a r l y s e e n i n t h e b a c k g r o u n d . W e w i l l m a r v e l a t t h i s b r e a t h t a k i n g v i e w w h i l e s i p p i n g f r o m o u r f r e s h l y m a d e m i n t t e a . O u r t r a i l e n d i n t h e v i l l a g e o f B u r q i n , w h e r e J e s u s h e a l e d t h e l e p e r s a n d w h e r e o n e o f t h e o l d e s t C h u r c h e s o f t h e w o r l d s t a n d s , t h e c h u r c h o f S t . G e o r g e .

V i s i t C a n n a n F a i r T r a d e t o l e a r n m o r e a b o u t a g r i c u l t u r e i n P a l e s t i n e f r o m l o c a l f a r m e r s a n d s h a r e a n a u t h e n t i c d i n n e r w i t h t h e m . R e t u r n t o y o u r h o m e s t a y i n S a n o u r f o r o v e r n i g h t .

D a y 3 : S e b a s t i a – N a b l u s – o v e r n i g h t i n R a m a l l a h

A f t e r b r e a k f a s t , s a y g o o d b y e t o y o u r h o s t a n d f a m i l y a n d g e t r e a d y t o e x p l o r e N a b l u s . O u r f i r s t s t o p t o d a y i s S e b a s t i a , a t r e m e n d o u s t r e a t f o r t h e l o v e r s o f o l d r u i n s . S e b a s t i a : t h e “ C o l u m n s o f H e a v e n , ” r e f e r r i n g t o t h e c o l u m n s o f t h e b a s i l i c a , a r e t h e f i r s t t o b e s e e n a s o n e a s c e n d s f r o m t h e v i l l a g e t o w a r d s t h e S e b a s t i a a r c h e o l o g i c a l p a r k . W e w i l l w a l k t h r o u g h t h e r u i n s w h e r e e v e r y s t e p b r i n g s a s t o r y w o r t h l i s t e n i n g t o ! D o n ’ t m i s s t h e m !

Next is Nablus; a mix of wonderful architecture, lively streets, colorful sights and delicious kunafeh. We will take through it all; from visiting Turkish baths to tasting kunafeh in one of the city’s oldest shops. The best part? You’ll enjoy the city like a local, with a local.

In the afternoon we drive to Mount Gerizim. It’s one of the highest peaks in the West Bank and the place where Samaritans have been dwelling for thousands of years. They have a remarkable lifestyle and a rich history that we will learn about in the Samartian Museum. Drive to Ramallah for overnight. In Ramallah ww will enjoy Palestinian folk music followed by a traditional dinner.

Day 4: Ramallah – Food crawl – Deir Debwan – overnight Ramallah Breakfast at the hotel. Our day starts with a tour around the museums of Ramallah to get a better vision of the Palestinian history and culture. First is Mahmoud Darwish Museum, built in honor of the cherished Palestinian poet. Then, Yaser Arafat Museum, a museum of the Palestinian contemporary national memory. Afterwards, we will go on a walking culinary tour. You’ll get to taste the most famous Palestinian dishes and discover the best spots to grab a bite in the city. Your taste buds will dance of joy!

In the afternoon, we drive to Deir Debwan. This town has often been referred to as the Beverly Hills of Palestine. We will visit an ancient Canaanite city located in the area, the "Lamsat Umi" Center in Deir Dibwan, where visitors can explore the heritage and culture of the local community in addition to the gift shop that supports girls education. Then its time to enjoy a Palestinian dish with a local family. Return to Ramallah for overnight.

Day 5: Nabi Gheith Sufi Shrine Trail – Traditional Lunch – overnight in Ramallah

Another day, another hike! Put on your hiking shoes and get ready to see the rural side of Ramallah. The Nabi Ghaith trail is a great day’s walk from the medieval Sufi shrine of Nabi Ghaith down along the remote Wadi Natuf and ending at the natural springs of Ein Zarqa. You can expect spectacular natural landscape, sacred Sufi shrines, as well as idyllic old villages, hence, their nickname "the maqmas (shrines) of the Natuf valley".

Once the hike ends we will treat you with a delicious Palestinian lunch at a local’s home. Bon Appetite! Return to Ramallah for overnight.

Day 6: Alquds (Jerusalem) – overnight in the City

After breakfast at the hotel we journey to Jerusalem. No tour in Palestine is complete without Jerusalem. There are lots of places to see in this contested city, but we will make sure you get far more than simple views. Our city tour starts with a splendid panoramic view of the city from Mt. of Olives. As we descend from the Mount of Olives we’ll stop by some sites located at the foot of the Mount.

Afterwards, we head to the old city to visit its prominent holy sites, discover the gems hidden in its various neighborhoods, and of course try the renowned hummus and falafel. We spend the rest of our day strolling in the old market to experience its bustling authentic vibe and get a glimpse of the daily life of Jerusalemites. Dinner and overnight in the city.

Day7: departure

After breakfast, We’ll bid you farewell and take you to the Airport/Allenby.