In partnership with Masar Ibrahim/Abraham’s Path
Autumn: 05 November - 29 November 2021 Spring: 2 march - 25 march 2022 It’s possible for people to join for one-week or full program You can join for several days, one-week or do the full program |
Masar Ibrahim al-Khalil is a long distance cultural walking route in Palestine. The 330 km long-trail extends from the village of Rummana northwest of Jenin to Beit Mirsim southwest of Al-Haram al-Ibrahimi (Ibrahimi Mosque) in Hebron. The trail passes through 53 cities and villages where hikers, walkers and travelers can experience the legendary Palestinian hospitality.
The Masar Ibrahim is more than just a hiking trail. It is a means of meeting and making connections with Palestinians and hikers from all over the world. You can explore Bedouin villages and experience a fundamental Palestinian tradition: Hospitality. The Masar Ibrahim not only invites hikers to experience nature but also to change their perspectives by sharing common values and tolerance for acquaintances along the way. Join us on an unforgettable journey and wander through the country’s hidden treasures, explore the heights and depths of its wonder and encounter the local hospitality, rich history and heritage.
Note: This program can be offered by regions and in a reduced number of days. Please contact us for more information.
First Week Highlights:
- Picturesque Landscapes
- Olive Harvest Atmosphere
- Traditional Hospitality and Delicious Homemade Meals
- Famous landmarks: Burqin Church, Ottoman Palaces of Arraba and Sanur, Sebastiya
- Visit to the Vibrant City of Nablus
Second Week Highlights:
- Natural wonders - two natural valleys
- Bedouin hospitality
- Visit to Jericho and Bethlehem
- Adventurous climbs in the Jerusalem Wilderness
- Famous landmarks: Nabi Musa Sanctuary, Wadi Quelt Monastery, Mar Saba Monastery
- Sleep in a Cave
Third Week Highlights:
- Bedouin hospitality
- Agricultural Landscapes of Hebron area
- Architectural and Archaeological Heritage
- Famous landmarks: Old City of Hebron, Adh-Dahriya Old City
Arrival Day: Arrival to Tel Aviv international airport. Meet Angels Tours & Travel representative and program orientation. Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Jenin
Day 1: Rummana to Burqin
Rummana, “the place of the pomegranates” in Arabic, is approximately 17 km northwest of Jenin in the northern West Bank. This hike is one of the most amazing challenge and extremely superb hikes in Palestine. Hikers start walking through the ancient village on a hill slope and come across traces of ancient remains, including cisterns and caves carved into rock. After that, hikers come across a village called Ta’ennek in the northwest of Jenin, where they will be welcomed and hosted by their village consulate and some local people. Ta’ennek is a very calm and quiet village with a very simple way of living.
The hikers continue walking towards Burqin, a small agricultural village. Hikers will have the chance to purchase fresh fruit, olive oil and other organic products locally produced. Burqin hosts the Church of St. George, said to be one of the oldest in the world.
Length: 17.8 km
Duration: 5 - 7 hours
Category: Difficult (https://masaribrahim.ps/en/trail/jenin/1-rummana-to-burqin/ )
Dinner and overnight with local families in Burqin.
Day 2: Burqin to Arraba
The hike starts from Burquin, a small agricultural village in the northern West Bank. Walkers will have the chance to purchase fresh fruit, olive oil and other organic local produced cause most people depends mainly on olive growing and olive oil as a living.
The hikers continue towards Arraba, where they can witness the beautiful old antiquities from the Ottoman Era, irresistible views of mountains and hills, and amazing plains and valleys from all around, making it hard for anyone to resist taking pictures and having the chance to run and breathe the fresh air of the villages. In Arraba hikers will also be welcomed and hosted by the village consulate, having a tour in the old city and have a chance also to meet with local people.
Length: 14.17 km
Duration: 4-5 hours
Category: Moderate (https://masaribrahim.ps/en/trail/jenin/2-burqin-to-arraba/ )
Dinner and overnight with local families in Arraba.
Day 3: Arraba to Sanur
The hike begins from Arraba, walking from the ancient stately palace in the village historic center, and then crosses through serene countryside, olive groves and orchards to Sanur’s hillside lookout tower approximately 26 km south of Jenin. In Sanur there will be a tour of the city and a meeting with the village consulate, with a cultural evening to follow.
Length: 12.70 km
Duration: 2 - 3 hours
Category: Moderate (https://masaribrahim.ps/en/trail/jenin/3-arraba-to-sanur/ )
Dinner and overnight with local families in Sanur.
Day 4: Sanur to Sebastia
The walk begins in Sanur, and from there, travel by donkey to the south to Sebastia, approximately 12 km northwest of Nablus. There will be a visit the ancient city of Sebastia. Sebastia is home to several important archaeological sites which date back to the Canaanite, Israelite, and Hellenistic, Herodian, Roman and Byzantine eras.
Length: 15.50 km
Duration: 4 - 7 hours
Category: Challenging (https://masaribrahim.ps/en/trail/jenin/4-sanur-to-sabastiya/ )
Dinner and overnight at Sebastia Guesthouse.
Day 5: Sebastia to Nablus
The walk begins in Sebastia and ends in the Old City of Nablus. The Old City is host to a number of sites of archaeological importance. Nablus is well-known for its delicious sweet, kanafeh, as well as its olive oil soap.
Length: 12.10 km
Duration: 2 - 3 hours
Category: Easy (https://masaribrahim.ps/en/trail/nablus/1-sabastiya-to-nablus/ )
Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Nablus.
Day 6: Awarta To Duma
The day begins with a transfer from Nablus to Awarta, where the hike begins with a walk through the beautiful hills of Nablus region from the picturesque village of Awarta to Duma. Awarta, 8 km southeast of Nablus, has been inhabited since Biblical times and is 560m high above the sea level. The village territories are a mix of plains and mountains interfere with the neighboring villages. It is well known for its olive trees, almonds, corn, lentils, and a variety of summer vegetables such as tomatoes and zucchini.
The hike ends in Duma, located 25 kilometers southeast of Nablus. Duma's residents still mostly rely on irrigated crops, fruit orchards, olive groves and livestock for food. There are four water springs in Duma that provide water for the residents.
Length: 18.6 km
Duration: 5 - 6 hours
Category: Moderate to Difficult (https://masaribrahim.ps/en/trail/nablus/3-awarta-to-duma/ )
Dinner and overnight with local families in Duma.
Day 7: Duma to Kafr Malik
The walk begins from Duma to Kufr Malek passing through the village of Mughayyar and alongside the deep, rocky wadi to the natural springs and archaeological site of Ain Samia. There will be a vehicle transfer to Taybeh, a mainly Christian village, where visitors enjoy the visit the brewery and the ruins of the 4th century ancient church of St. George.
Length: 14.80 km
Duration: 5 hours
Category: Moderate to Difficult (https://masaribrahim.ps/en/trail/nablus/4-duma-to-kafr-malek/ )
Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Taybeh.
Day 8: Kafr Malik to Al Auja
Following a small road from Kafr Malek to Ein Samia Valley, the path drops down into Wadi al-’Auja, a deep, rugged wadi that runs from Ein Samia (Samia Spring) down to Ein al-’Auja in the Jordan Valley. From Ein Al-’Auja, the trail follows the wadi and ancient Roman aqueducts, used divert water from Ein al-’Auja to Jericho, past the ruins of a Byzantine church and onto the Al-’Auja Bedouin community. In the evening, a cultural evening with a delicious traditional meal will be arranged.
Length: 14.10 km
Duration: 4 - 5 hours
Category: Difficult (https://masaribrahim.ps/en/trail/nablus/5-kafr-malek-to-al-auja/ )
Dinner and Overnight in the Bedouin community at Al Auja.
Day 9: Al Auja to Jericho
The section begins in the broad plains of 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. Its calm atmosphere and rich heritage is a true oasis to all hikers. Visitors can enjoy a visit to the Mount of Temptation, Tell es-Sultan, and the winter palaces of Hisham and Herod the Great. Nearby Jericho, members of the Aqbat Jaber Refugee Camp Women’s Center invite hikers for warm home-cooked meals and offer overnight stays in a 0ne-of-a-kind mudbrick guesthouse. Hikers can also have their passports stamped at the guesthouse.
Length: 14.10 km
Duration: 4 - 5 hours
Category: Moderate (https://masaribrahim.ps/en/trail/jericho/1-al-auja-to-jericho/ )
Dinner and overnight at the Aqbat Jaber Refugee Camp Women’s Center.
Day 10: Jericho to Sea Level
A long and beautiful hike leads through the picturesque Wadi Quelt where hikers will have a chance to discover the ruins of King Herod’s winter palace and then see the vines and foliage clinging to the sides of the rocky canyon Deir al-Qelt (St. George’s Monastery).
The road becomes easier as it leaves the monastery and heads towards the Roman aqueduct - another spectacular landmark located along that section of the Masar. Then the trail passes through the remote lands and the wilderness of the Jordan Valley on the historic road from Jericho to Jerusalem, and leads to the Bedouin’s camp located exactly at the sea level.
Walking distance: 18.70 KM
Walking time: 5 - 7 hours
Difficulty: Moderate (https://masaribrahim.ps/en/trail/jericho/2-jericho-to-sea-level/ )
Dinner and overnight in the Bedouin community at sea level.
Day 11: Sea Level Community to Khirbet al-Mird
This section of the trail begins at the desert sanctuary of Nabi Musa, an Islamic pilgrimage site dating to the 13th century. According to local tradition, the site is the final resting place of the Prophet Moses. The journey follows through large uninhabited areas, the trail starts in a deep valley along old pilgrim routes. Then from the mountain which overlooks Jericho and the Dead Sea hikers can view beautiful landscapes below. Along the route hikers will meet Bedouins with their camels and sheep. This section of the trail finishes at Khirbet al-Mird (Hyrcania in Greek), a mysterious fortress commonly attributed to the Hasmonean leader John Hyrcanus, who is said to have built it toward the end of the second century BC.
Walking distance: 15.10 KM
Walking time: 5-6 hours
Difficulty: Difficult(https://masaribrahim.ps/en/trail/jericho/3-sea-level-to-khirbet-al-mird/ )
Dinner and overnight at the Grotto in Khirbet El Mird.
Day 12: Khirbet al-Mird to Tal El Qamar
The winding trail takes hikers down into the Kidron Valley full of various in size caves that in the Byzantine times were inhabited by monks. The spectacular Mar Saba Monastery and a few Byzantine wilderness monasteries are to be found here; the cluster was named after Saint Savvas (439-532 CE), who settled in a cave opposite the site to lead a life of prayer. The area is an ideal spot to take a break and enjoy the view and the atmosphere. The trail then takes the hikers through hills and valleys leading to the Tal al-Qamar area.
Walking distance: 11.20 KM
Walking time: 4-5 hours
Difficulty: Difficult (https://masaribrahim.ps/en/trail/bethlehem/1-khirbet-al-mird-to-tal-al-qamar/ )
Dinner and overnight at Tal El Qamar.
Day 13: Tal El Qamar to Bethlehem
Starting at Tal al-Qamar, the trek will lead across the serene landscapes of the Jerusalem Wilderness towards 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 trail will take hikers step by step through rural Palestinian life. Here you will discover the meadows and serene villages. More urban life awaits in Beit Sahour and Bethlehem, the place of Jesus’ birth. There are many historical and sacred sites to visit such as the Church of Nativity, Milk Grotto, and Shepherds Fields.
Walking distance: 14.60 KM
Walking time: 4-5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate (https://masaribrahim.ps/en/trail/bethlehem/2-tal-al-qamar-to-bethlehem/ )
Dinner and overnight at a guesthouse in Bethlehem.
Day 14: Friday 17/11/2017 Bethlehem to Tequa
The walk will start with a city walk from the Manger Square in Bethlehem towards Artas to visit the monastery and the spring. A leisurely hike on mainly flat terrain with only one ascent to enjoy stunning views from Khirbet Tequa. The walk will then continue through the fertile valley until it reaches Tequa.
Length: 14.50 km
Duration: 4 - 5 hours
Category: Moderate (https://masaribrahim.ps/en/trail/bethlehem/3-bethlehem-to-tuqu/ )
Dinner and overnight with local families in Tequa.
Day 15: Tequ to Rashaydeh
This walk begins from Tequ’ through Wadi Jihar to Rashaydeh village, located about 20 km east of Hebron. This is a wonderful desert hike through the Jerusalem Wilderness, descending into the spectacular Wadi Jihar, a deep limestone canyon that winds down into the desert. The hike from Tequ’a through Wadi Jihar will take about 4 hours. The terrain is rocky desert tracks, with a descent and few small climbs. Hikers will emerge from the valley reaching Rashaydeh village, and then continue walking toward the Bedouin Tent in Rashadydeh.
Length: 24.30 km
Duration: 4 - 5 hours
Category: Easy to Moderate (https://masaribrahim.ps/en/trail/bethlehem/4-tuqu-to-arab-ar-rashayida/ )
Dinner and overnight with the Bedouin community in Rashadydeh.
Day 16: Rashaydeh to Bani Naim
The hike begins from the Rashayda wilderness to Beni Naim, which is a mountain area from which Abraham watch the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in the Jordan Valley below. The terrain is rocky and uneven. By the end of the day there will be a tour at Bani Naim city, with a cooking class with the women of Bani Naim.
Length: 22 km
Duration: 6- 7 hours
Category: Difficult (https://masaribrahim.ps/en/trail/hebron/1-arab-ar-rashayida-to-bani-naim/ )
Dinner and overnight with local families in Bani Naim.
Day Seventeen: Bani Naim to Hebron
This hike starts from Bani Naim to Hebron, This section of the path traverses through the hilltop region where Ibrahim interceded on behalf of Lot’s people in Sodom and Gomorrah. The day concludes with a traditional meal with a local family.
Length: 7 km
Duration: 2-3 hours
Category: Easy (https://masaribrahim.ps/en/trail/hebron/2-bani-naim-to-hebron/ )
Dinner and Overnight at lamar Guest House in Hebron.
Day 18: Hebron to Dura
The Hebron to Dura day stage takes hikers from the busy streets of Hebron It begins in front of the Ibrahimi Mosque (Al-Haram al-Ibrahimi), the most important landmark in Hebron, where Ibrahim (Abraham), revered by three religious traditions, was buried alongside his wife, his son, grandson, and their wives. The path leads further through the souq (traditional Oriental market) and alleys of Old City of Hebron, heading towards Dura city.
Walking distance: 12.40 km
Walking time: 4-5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate (https://masaribrahim.ps/en/trail/hebron/3-hebron-to-dura/ )
Dinner and overnight at a guesthouse in Dura
Day 19: Dura to As Sura
In Dura, hikers can start their day by visiting Dura Cooperative Association for Agricultural Production, where they can stamp their hiking Passport and support the women’s cooperative by purchasing some aromatic herbs or sweet raisins or malban (dried grape juice rollups) - a tasty snack for the way.
After leaving Dura the trail passes through scenic valleys covered with the abundant pine trees. Along the way, there are some hills to climb. The final part of this section leads up the hill to As-Sura, a small agricultural village in the Hebron Governorate.
Walking distance: 11.2 km
Walking time: 4-5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate (https://masaribrahim.ps/en/trail/hebron/4-dura-to-as-sura/ )
Dinner and Overnight at Lamar Guest House in Hebron
Day 20: As-Sura to Adh-Dhahriya
After passing through the rural areas surrounding As-Sura, the path to Adh-Dhahriya, leads through evergreen pine forests. It continues towards Khirbet Rabud, the only major Late Bronze Age archaeological site in the mountains around Hebron.
Walking distance: 13.5 km
Walking time: 4-5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate (https://masaribrahim.ps/en/trail/hebron/5-as-sura-to-adh-dhahiriya/ )
Dinner and Overnight at Lamar Guest House in Hebron
Day 21: Adh-Dhahriya to Beit Marsam
The final stage of Masar Ibrahim takes hikers on an interesting 19-kilometer hike between Adh-Dhahriya, located 23 kilometers southwest of Hebron, and Beit Mirsim, located 30 kilometers southwest of Hebron.
Walking distance: 19.8 KM
Walking time: 5 - 7 hours
Difficulty: Moderate (https://masaribrahim.ps/en/trail/hebron/6-adh-dhahiriya-to-beit-mirsim/ )
Dinner and final night in Palestine, and prepare for departure.
Day 22: Departure Day. Transfer to Tel Aviv international airport for departure.