Walk across to help raise money for Medical Aid for TREK PALESTINE 2021 11 – 19 SEPTEMBER

“The trek provided a fantastic opportunity for me to visit Palestine and to experience the warmth, generosity and plight of the Palestinian people first hand. It was an eye opener in more ways than one – unusual, educational and interesting. I would recommend it unreservedly. APPLY NOW ONLINE Tess Fletcher, 2019 Trekker www.map.org.uk/trek2021

Visit us online: www.map.org.uk Medical Aid for Palestinians, Call today on: 020 7226 4114 33a Islington Park Street, London N1 1QB Follow MAP on Twitter @MedicalAidPal and email: [email protected] Facebook www.facebook.com/MedicalAidforPalestinians Registered Charity no: 1045315 TREK PALESTINE 2021 11 – 19 SEPTEMBER

WALK ACROSS PALESTINE AND HELP RAISE FUNDS FOR MEDICAL AID FOR PALESTINIANS

Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) works for the health and dignity of Palestinians living under INDEX occupation and as refugees. Route Map Page 2 Following the success of our 2019 events, Itinerary Pages 3–5 Trek Palestine is back for 2021. You will be asked to raise a minimum sponsorship of £2,500 that will Fitness and training requirements Page 6 support MAP projects in , Gaza and the Why trek with MAP Page 7 refugee camps in Lebanon. Challenge Q & A Pages 8–9 The trek includes ancient trade routes and historical landmarks. You will also witness for yourself the challenges Palestinian communities face living under occupation. You will discover the dramatic landscape of the Valley. Visit , Bethlehem and many other fascinating and troubled cities. There will be a huge amount of fun and friendship along the way, beautiful scenery and rich history as you take up this inspirational challenge.

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APPLY NOW ONLINE www.map.org.uk/trek2021 TREK PALESTINE 2021 11 – 19 SEPTEMBER

ROUTE MAP

DAY 1

AWARTA AQRABA DAY 2

DUMA

AIN SAMIA

AUJA DAY 3

JERICHO

AUQBET JABER DAY 8 DAY 4 NEBI MUSA JERUSALEM MAR SABA DAY 7 BETHLEHEM BATTIR TUQU

DAY 5 DEAD SEA HEBRON RASHAYDEH

DAY 6 BANI NAIM

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Join MAP for an unforgettable experience in Palestine. THE ITINERARY SIGN UP TODAY! Join MAP for a stunning 90km DAY 2 walking challenge across the West Bank, Palestine. This trekking NABLUS TO DUMA adventure is a once in a lifetime Transfer to Awarta – Start walking from Awarta opportunity to do something amazing towards Duma – Lunch in Aqraba – Continue walking and raise vital funds for Medical Aid to Duma – Overnight with local families in Duma. for Palestinians. Walk from village to village and encounter the stunning views of the Jordan Valley in the background. DAY 1 We will start the trek at Awarta where the trail leads out of the village following a ridge with expansive ARRIVAL IN NABLUS views of the Palestinian hilly countryside. We will pass Journey to Palestine and our first overnight stay in a by Mount Orma where the remains of an ancient – hotel in Nablus. likely Roman – watchtower and spacious cisterns cut into the mountain’s face. A few kilometers ahead, the trail passes through Aqraba, a village whose name (scorpion in ), according to oral tradition, came from Canaanites who compared Aqraba’s inhabitants’ strength to that of scorpions. From Arqaba, the route takes hikers along the rim of the Jordan Valley with incredible views of Jordan and Al-Qarn (or Sartaba), an ancient mountain- top fortress. Continuing through the village of , the trail ends in Duma, a Palestinian village whose name comes from the Canaanite word for quietness or rest.

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DAY 3 DAY 4 AIN SAMIA TO AUJA AND NEBI MUSA TO MAR SABA ON TO JERICHO TO BETHLEHEM Transfer to Ain Samia start walking to Auja – Lunch by Transfer to Nebi Musa – Walk to Mar Saba – Lunch the Bedouin community in Auja – Transfer to Jericho – on route – Transfer to Bethlehem – Tour at the Visit Jericho – Transfer to Auqbet Jaber. separation wall in Bethlehem – Visit the Wall Off hotel – Overnight at a hotel in Bethlehem. Jericho, one of the oldest cities in the world, with a calm atmosphere and rich heritage is a true oasis to all walkers. The section begins in an area of spacious plains in the Jordan Valley and passes by the tents of the Bedouin community of Wadi al-’Auja. The trail enters Jericho, one of the oldest cities in the world. Visitors can enjoy a visit to the Mount of Temptation.

The winding trail will take you down into the Kidron Valley full of caves of various sizes which, in the Byzantine times, were inhabited by monks. Tal al-Qamar means in ‘Arabic Hill of the Moon’. The site, which is remote from the hustle and bustle of the city life is a perfect spot to watch a full moon or stargaze. The trek starting at Tal al-Qamar will lead across the serene landscapes of the Jerusalem Wilderness towards the famous Bethlehem. On the way, hikers will climb some rocky hills but will also have some time to sit, close their eyes, and feel the relaxing atmosphere of the surrounding space. After leaving the Bedouin desert, the Masar (the trial) will take walkers step-by-step though rural Palestinian life, discovering meadows and serene villages. Then more urban life awaits in Beit Sahour and Bethlehem, the place of Jesus’s birth. Walkers will have time to visit the Church of the Nativity. 4

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DAY 5 DAY 6 RASHAYDEH – BANI NAIM – HEBRON Short walk to Bani Naim – Lunch in Bani Naim – Transfer to Hebron – Tour at the Old City of Hebron – Transfer to Jerusalem – Overnight at a hotel in Jerusalem. After leaving the desert, you will head towards Beni Na’im, a tranquil village famous for the grape groves surrounding the area. There, your hosts will treat you with freshly made grapes molasses called dibis for breakfast or serve a platter of savory Palestinian grape leaves stuffed with a mixture of meat and spiced rice for lunch. This section of the Masar takes you from the mountainous region where Ibrahim intereceded on behalf of Lot’s people in Sodom and Gomorrah and brings you to the Cave of the Patriarchs and the Ibrahimi TUQU’ TO Mosque in Hebron. RASHAYDEH You will be travelling on rocky roads and Transfer to Tuqu’ – Walk to Rashaydeh – uneven ground but will come to an Lunch on route – Continue walking to the Bedouin agricultural region with groves of olive community in Rashaydeh – Overnight at Rashaydeh trees. A tour of the old city of Hebron and Bedouin community. the Ibrahimi Mosque will introduce you to the rich complexities of the historical and Encounter the generous Bedouin hospitality. cultural heritage and the current political Your hosts will make sure to take you to the best situation. Enjoy the opportunity to eat a lookout on the Dead Sea in the area. traditional meal in the centre of Hebron. This hike will take you from Tuqu’ through Wadi el-Jihar to ‘Arab ar-Rashayida village. Here in Bedouin lands you will see their camels and livestock in pastures. The DAY 7 path descends into the spectacular Wadi el-Jihar, a deep limestone canyon in the desert. The caves there have BATTIR been used for homes for a long time. Walk through the olives The hike from Tuqu’ to Wadi el-Jihar will take about and vines of Battir, a major 4 hours; the terrain is rocky, with a few small climbs. Palestinian cultural landscape. Once you emerge from the valley and come to ‘Arab Enjoy lunch while taking in the ar-Rashayida village, you will have the opportunity to ancient terraces, archaeological try a traditional Palestinian meal with a Palestinian sites and rock-cut tombs. Transfer to Jerusalem in the afternoon. family in their Bedouin tents. 5

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DAY 8 WHAT SUPPORT WILL THERE JERUSALEM BE AND WHAT IS INCLUDED Walking tour of Jerusalem ON THE TREK? in the morning. Afternoon and evening to do your own thing. SUPPORT ON THE TREK MAP has partnered with Siraj Centre, a local DAY 9 non-profit tour group based in Bethlehem who specialise in treks and bike rides in Palestine. Their DEPARTURE local knowledge, experience and expertise will Transfer to the airport and flights home. ensure that Trek Palestine will be a memorable experience for everyone.

LAST YEAR’S PARTICIPANTS The team at Siraj will have expert guides on hand, with support vehicles to carry everything that’s needed for the trek. The local team are well trained In October 2019 we held our 2nd Trek Palestine. and prepared for any emergency or disruption to the For one of participants, Peter, this was his first trek. Your safety is our main priority. fundraising challenge for MAP. “The trek exceeded my already high expectations FITNESS AND and turned out to be one TRAINING REQUIREMENTS of the most stimulating Trek Palestine is a challenge event with heat, hills and weeks of my life! distance. The route will require you to be fit, healthy A really well travelled and well trained to successfully and safely participate. group of fellow trekkers, excellent guides and There will be fitness targets for you to reach before overall organisation, I the trip. These will need to be achieved by each simply cannot recommend this too highly participant and evidenced before leaving for the trip. (and have already encouraged my friends Your health and safety is our priority. Meeting these to join next year’s trek!)” set fitness goals will only make you better prepared for the trek. If you have questions or concerns about meeting these fitness targets, please contact us to discuss. Call us on 020 7226 4114, or email [email protected]

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APPLY NOW ONLINE www.map.org.uk/trek2021 TREK PALESTINE 2021 11 – 19 SEPTEMBER

WHY TREK WITH MAP?

We aim to raise £300,000! WHY YOUR SUPPORT In 2019 Cycle Palestine raised over £100,000 for MAP. This year we are looking to raise £300,000 IS SO IMPORTANT through our various challenge events, with Cycle Hasan* is seven years old Palestine once again being our biggest fundraiser. and from Burj el Barajneh refugee camp in Lebanon. With your fundraising efforts you will be helping When Hasan was four, his Palestinians who are living under occupation and mother noticed that he as refugees. was not doing things his brother did when they were Thank you his age. This concerned her, so she brought him to the MAP-supported Habilitation preschool for assessment. Hasan with his light box, used The initial interview for sensory stimulation showed that Hasan has all the behavioural and communication signs of autism. The team then conducted a comprehensive assessment, and an intervention plan was designed for Hasan in agreement with his family. “When I first brought my son to the preschool, he didn’t communicate, express himself, or have eye contact with anyone. When he wants something, he used to cry; this was the only way he communicated with us,”. During the three years he spent at the pre-school, Hasan overcame many difficulties with the support of the team and progress with his physical, cognitive, and social development. Thanks to your support, in the summer, Hasan completed his preschool programme, and the developmental assessment results showed that he is ready to move to advanced classes. His mother told MAP that the preschool has made a major difference to her family’s life. *All names have been changed to protect identities 7

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CHALLENGE Q & A

How much do I need to fundraise? What impact will COVID-19 Once you have paid your deposit of £350 you restrictions have on the trip? will need to raise an additional minimum of £2,500 The trip will be subject to current COVID-19 regulations in sponsorship. and restrictions. You will be contacted about any changes to the trip, or additional requirements for the trip, at the How does registration work? earliest possible opportunity. Please also continue to check our webpage for the most up to date information. To take part, you are required to pay a non-refundable Thank you for your patience and understanding. registration fee of £350, which is used to administer the event and secure your place. Is there an age restriction on those taking part? Cost Breakdown All participants must be 21 or over on the first Deposit £350 day of the trip. (non-refundable) Total to fundraise Minimum £2,500* How fit do I have to be? *£920 of which will go towards accommodation, meals and ground support This is a challenging trek, so it is very important you follow a course of training before the event. This trek is Optional Extras for walkers with some experience of long distance, and Single bedroom supplement £230 rough terrain trekking. MAP will provide a professionally designed, comprehensive training plan. You will need to Do I book my own flight? evidence your training using STRAVA app or equivalent We will pre-book a limited by certain dates before the trek. You must be able to number of return flights comfortable walking at least 4 hours consecutively. from London to . If you choose to fly from What are the trails like? another city, you will be The trails in the West Bank are in a good condition. However, asked to book your own there will be many hills to climb and pathways along steep flights, though you can ravines, sometimes on tough terrain. The heat also affects claim a £350 discount from the ability to walk, so if you can, we recommend training in your sponsorship target. summer and hot gyms. Where will we sleep overnight? Can I pay the costs of the trip so all We will stay in hotels in shared twin rooms unless you donations are going to MAP? request the single supplement. Hotels and homestays Yes. You can pay the £920 to cover the cost of the trip range from basic to resorts. The Bedouin tents are that would otherwise be taken out of your £2,500 sheltered, with mattresses and blankets, but very basic. fundraising total. Should you choose to pay the travel All hotels, meals*, snacks, ground support and airport costs, all funds will go directly to MAP projects. transfers are covered. 8

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What is NOT included? Sponsorship Targets • Any additional fees with your flight 25% of target income raised by 11 May 2021 (checked luggage, extra legroom, etc.) (3 months before trek) – £625 (25%) • Insurance. All trekkers must obtain and provide 50% of target income raised by 11 July 2021 evidence for their own travel insurance which (2 months before trek) – £1,250 (50%) must superficially cover touring and the Palestinian Occupied Territories. 75% of target income raised by 11 September 2021 (1 month before trek) – £1,875 (75%) What about insurance? 100% of target income raised by 30 October 2021 You must take out your own personal travel (1 month after trek) – £2,500 (100%) insurance covering emergency health care, accident, loss and repatriation. Please ensure your insurance I have more questions about the trek. specially covers multi-day walking touring. How do I contact MAP? You can contact us at [email protected] Will I need a Visa to travel to Palestine? Or call 020 7226 4114. Access to Palestine is controlled by . British citizens do not need a visa to enter Israel, but the Israeli authorities require all visitor passports to be HOW DO I APPLY? valid for at least six months from the first day of the trip. You will need to supply a copy of your full To apply for this amazing opportunity passport, including details of any stamps or visa and make a difference for Palestinians you have, to MAP. If you are a supporter of BDS living under occupation and as (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement) the refugees, please submit an Israeli authorityies may deny you entry. online request www.map.org.uk/trek2021 Is it safe to visit the West Bank? We take every precaution to ensure you are safe while travelling in the West Bank. MAP has been working in the West Bank for over 20 years. For this trek we will be guided at all times by the experience and knowledge of our local partners. The safety and well being of the group is our priority.

Is there a cancellation policy? Yes. This is outlined in our terms and conditions document.

How many people are going on the trip? We estimate between 20 – 30 people. PLEASE NOTE that some details of the Trek Palestine, as advertised in this pack, might change. 9

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