Meeting Time:8:00
Completion Time: 19:00
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Trip Type:Hiking & Sightseeing
Autumn is almost here, and at the higher altitudes of the high-Negev (800-1000m above sea level), the desert is returning to life. This is the perfect time for our annual, Sukkot, 3-day trek, taking us to some of the most remote corners of the Negev and just a stone’s throw from the Egyptian border. At the heart of this trek is the ascent to Mt. Arif: an iconic peak overlooking most of the Negev with 2 of the smallest erosional craters in the world.
This trek is extremely isolated, and is within IDF training zones, approachable for civilians only during the high holidays, making this a rare opportunity to hike in an amazingly remote area far away from civilization!
Trip itinerary:
Thursday October 9th: meet up at 8AM with our logistics team in Mitzpe Ramon, load our vehicles with our gear, and drive the trail head near the Egyptian border. Hike from the highst peak of the Negev (Mt. Ramon +1035) to the rim of the ramon crater, up Eliav creek strewn with ancient Pistachio trees to the cliffs of Lutz for an amazing panoramic view of the Negev & Sinai, descent to our campground for the first night.
15Km +200/-420
Friday October 10th: hike down Ma’azer creek, the iconic ascent to the peak of Mt. Arif with its 2 craters overlooking vast amounts of the Negev desert, a scenic trail on one of the most untouched wilderness in the Negev, Oded wells: hopefully full of water, camp on Be’erot Oded campground for the second night.
21Km +480/-565
Saturday October 11th: hike to Mt. Ido overlooking the Ramon crater, descent to the crater on an ancient nomads path, hike the black prism canyon carved in an ancient volcano, hike up to the other side of the crater, into the land of wild donkeys, meet our logistics team and drive back to Mitzpe Ramon.
15Km +470/-280
Trip cost: 950 NIS
Please contact +972526733716 for payment and further details
In case of extreme weather conditions, the trip will be canceled, or moved to a different location. In this case, full refunds will be available for those who wish to cancel.
Guide
Logistics team bringing our gear to camp at the end of each day
Transport from the end point back to Mitzpe Ramon
Vegetarian dinner each night
Wood for fire in the evening
Water refill
Gas stoves for cooking
Coffee
Transport, arrival to Mitzpe Ramon (reachable by public transport)
Gear
Food (except dinners)
Water for the first day of hiking
Transport, arrival to Mitzpe Ramon (reachable by public transport)
Gear
Food (except dinners)
Water for the first day of hiking
We will meet at Mitzpe Ramon on Thursday morning (some people prefer to camp the night before in Mitzpe) and load the logistics jeep with our gear, from there we’ll start our 3 day trek into the desert.
We will meet our logistics team each evening , bringing us our gear, water refill and wood for fire.
On saturday we will drive back from the trail end point to Mitzpe Ramon, where public transport is available.
Water for the first day
Good shoes for mountain walking
Day pack
A bag for carrying all the gear you don’t need for hiking
Food for the duration of the trek except for dinners
Sleeping mat
Sleeping bag
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS
* This trip requires sturdy shoes (no flip flops) suited for rocky terrain. Participants will remain off the trail should their footwear not be suited for the terrain.
* 4 Litres of water per person + hat + sunscreen
* Each participant is responsible for his or her own personal security and health.
REFUND, CANCELATION & TRIP-ADJUSTMENT POLICY
*** Included in the price of the ticket is a non-refundable deposit fee. This fee is 50 NIS
*** Full refund including deposit fee will be issued upon request no later than 7 days prior to the scheduled start time.
*** Partial refunds will be issued no later than 3 days prior to the trip (50 NIS fee not refunded)
*** No refunds will be issued within 72 hours of the scheduled trip
*** Should a participant request a refund within 72 hours of the scheduled departure time, a full refund can be specially issued if that ticket will be purchased by another participant or someone on the Finjan waiting list.
*** Full refund will be issued should the trip be cancelled or postponed for any reason at the discretion of the trek leader(s).
*** The trek leader(s) has the right to change the location of the trip prior to or throughout the trip based on weather conditions without issuing a refund to participants.
*** The trek leader(s) have full discretion in not allowing a participant to fulfil the trek based on certain health considerations and or lack of proper footwear/water.
*** Price includes fully licensed guides and outdoor specialists, and lots of coffee! Price does NOT include food and other beverages
This trip is part of the Hiking in Israel community. https://www.facebook.com/groups/HikingInIsrael/
