From Jenin to Jerusalem
EXPERIENCE PALESTINE AS FEW DO THROUGH AN 8-DAY, 7 NIGHT CYCLING PROGRAM COVERING MORE THAN 150 KM OF THE WEST BANK AND JERUSALEM! THIS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED FOR THOSE CYCLING ENTHUSIASTS PREPARED FOR A LIGHT TO MODERATE CYCLING REGIMEN INTERSPERSED WITH EXPOSURE TO THE LOCAL HISTORY AND CULTURE, AND INTERACTIONS WITH LOCAL PEOPLE
Spring: 17 May - 24 May 2021 Autumn: 30 September - 7 October 2021 |
Day 1: Arrival
Arrival at Tel Aviv International Airport. Transfer to hotel in Jenin. Introduction and welcome by Angels Tours & Travel representative. Overnight in Jenin.
Day 2: Jenin to Nablus
Cycle from Jenin, heading south through the upper West Bank cities of Zebabdeh, Missilieh, Sanour, Yassid and Beit Imrin by hilly roads. Arrive at the hilltop village and archaeological heritage site of Sebastia. Lunch and tour in Sebastia with visits with community locals. Continue on to Nablus and dismount for the evening. Visit the Old City and optional visit to hamam (traditional Turkish bath) at participant’s own expense.
Length: 40 km
Terrain: Hills, plains rural, village and urban cycling. Lovely pastoral views
Dinner and overnight in Nablus
Day 3: Nablus to Taybeh
Begin in Nablus heading south through the villages of Huwarah, Beita, Aqraba, Majdal Bani, Fadil, and rest in the village of Duma for lunch. Continue through the villages of Mughayyar and Khirbet Abu Fallah. Dismount and push the bikes up the highest hill in the Ramallah area. (Support vehicle will be present). Continue cycling through the village of Kufur Malik and Deir Jarir. Arrive in Taybeh in the late afternoon. Tour the village center and Ottoman-era church of St. George. ruins of Byzantine to Visit the Taybeh beer factory, and enjoy dinner with local families.
Length: 40 km
Terrain: Gentle hills with one challenging uphill journey. Impressive views of the Jordan Valley
Dinner with local family in Taybeh, and overnight.
Day 4: Taybeh to Jericho and the Dead Sea
Downhill cycle to Jericho. Visit Hisham's Palace and the Mount of Temptation. Cycle through the Judean Wilderness to the Dead Sea. Dramatic landscape changes in a short period of time.
Length: 45 km
Terrain: Almost entirely downhill; however, Jericho is 300 meters below sea level and almost always warm to hot.
Dinner and overnight in Jericho.
Day 5: Jericho to Mar Saba
Cycle from Jericho to Nabi Musa an Islamic pilgrimage site, then walk the dirt road to the Greek Orthodox monastery of Mar Saba Monastery. Transfer with mini Van then Cycle to Bethlehem.
Length: 30 km, both cycling and hiking
Terrain: Gentle uphill ascent with a long stretch of level road, but still warm to hot. The hike to the Greek Orthodox Mar Saba Monastery will take approximately 3 to 4 hours. Water and sun-block needed. Desert to hillside scenery, with of the most open landscape in the country.
Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.
Day 6: Bethlehem to Hebron
Cycle to Hebron and visit the Old City. Walking tour of the Old City and Ibrahimi Mosque. Stop at Hebronite Glass and Ceramic factory en route to Bethlehem by mini-bus. Farewell dinner with Palestinian dabkeh (traditional folk dance) troupe in a local Bethlehem-area restaurant in. Overnight in Bethlehem.
Length: 25 km,
Terrain: light hills with gentle ascents and descents to flat distances; mixed urban to village region.
Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.
Day 7: Bethlehem to Jerusalem
Cycle from Bethlehem to Jerusalem. Visit Jerusalem’s Old City with visits to principal religious, historical and cultural sites such as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Haram-Al-Sharif (depending on accessibility for the day), the Western Wall and the Old City souq (traditional Oriental market).
Length: 8-10 km,
Terrain: A short ride with a few gentle ascents through. Almost entirely urban
Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 8: Departure.
Transfer to Tel Aviv International Airport for departure.