Jerusalem, Negev, Red Sea.
A ride from Jerusalem to Eilat, is a great point to point ride that takes you through southern Israel. The tour is designed for groups, but can also be taken as a self guided tours., we do not offer set departures for this ride. The program below is, based on our experience, the best way to ride from the ancient city of Jerusalem to the warm beaches of the Red Sea. See our picture gallery bellow for pictures from past tours.
Day 1- Jerusalem City Tour
Our tour will start with a bike ride through some of the various neighborhoods Jerusalem has to offer. We will pass the Prime ministers home, Valley of the cross, Israeli Parliament, and Supreme Court before heading through the market to Jaffa Gate for lunch. From here we will leave our bikes and continue by foot into the alleyways of the Old City visiting the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and the Western Wall. After passing through the famous Arab Souq you will be free to choose whether to return to your hotel or tour on your own in the Old City. We will meet again for dinner and to go over the program for the following days.
Cycling Distance 20 Km
Overnight- Jerusalem
Our tour will start with a bike ride through some of the various neighborhoods Jerusalem has to offer. We will pass the Prime ministers home, Valley of the cross, Israeli Parliament, and Supreme Court before heading through the market to Jaffa Gate for lunch. From here we will leave our bikes and continue by foot into the alleyways of the Old City visiting the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and the Western Wall. After passing through the famous Arab Souq you will be free to choose whether to return to your hotel or tour on your own in the Old City. We will meet again for dinner and to go over the program for the following days.
Cycling Distance 20 Km
Overnight- Jerusalem
Day 2- Jerusalem to Ashkelon
The hills surrounding Jerusalem hold some of the best cycling routes in Israel, and we will probably see dozens of other cyclists as we head on our way. We will ride through the Adullam Park, where we will get a glimpse of the famous caves where Bar Kochba and his supporters hid from the Romans in the year 135 AD. From here we will ride to the Ella Valley, the Biblical site of David and Goliath’s battle, and continue for a picnic lunch at Beit Guvrin National Park. From here we will head west and bike to the town of Ashkelon. Our day will end overlooking the sandy shore of the Mediterranean Sea.
Cycling Distance 80 Km
Overnight- Ashkelon
Day 3 Ashkelon to the Desert
Today we head south, leave the coast, and entering the Western Negev, following small road connecting the farms in the region. The road follows the last section of the spice route, used in past times by the Nabateans. We will stop to explore some of the pioneer landmarks of those who settled the Negev. At the end of the ride, we will arrive at a Kibbutz, a collective farming community, where we will spend the night.
Cycling Distance 85 Km
Overnight- Negev Kibbutz
Today we head south, leave the coast, and entering the Western Negev, following small road connecting the farms in the region. The road follows the last section of the spice route, used in past times by the Nabateans. We will stop to explore some of the pioneer landmarks of those who settled the Negev. At the end of the ride, we will arrive at a Kibbutz, a collective farming community, where we will spend the night.
Cycling Distance 85 Km
Overnight- Negev Kibbutz
Day 4: Ben Gurion’s Home and the Ramon Crater
Today’s ride will take us into the heart of the Negev Desert and will end at the town of Mitzpe Ramon, overlooking the Ramon Crater. We will start our morning by heading southwards through the Northern Negev towards Sde Boker, where we will visit the burial site of Israel's first Prime Minister, David Ben Gurion at the outskirts of this pioneer desert research center. Following our visit to Sde Boker, we will continue to the ruins of the Nabateans City of Ovdat which was a caravan station on the Spice Route 2,000 years ago. We will stop for a light lunch independently, after exploring the ancient site, before continuing our ride on the desert roads. We will finish our day in Mitzpe Ramon with a breathtaking view over the Ramon Crater before heading to our hotel.
Cycling Distance 65 Km
Overnight- Mitzpe Ramon
Today’s ride will take us into the heart of the Negev Desert and will end at the town of Mitzpe Ramon, overlooking the Ramon Crater. We will start our morning by heading southwards through the Northern Negev towards Sde Boker, where we will visit the burial site of Israel's first Prime Minister, David Ben Gurion at the outskirts of this pioneer desert research center. Following our visit to Sde Boker, we will continue to the ruins of the Nabateans City of Ovdat which was a caravan station on the Spice Route 2,000 years ago. We will stop for a light lunch independently, after exploring the ancient site, before continuing our ride on the desert roads. We will finish our day in Mitzpe Ramon with a breathtaking view over the Ramon Crater before heading to our hotel.
Cycling Distance 65 Km
Overnight- Mitzpe Ramon
Day 5: Through the Crater
Today’s ride will take us from the high desert plain above the Ramon Crater down to the Arava Valley where Kibbutz Lotan sits. Early in the morning we will bike out of Mitzpe Ramon and across the Ramon Crater. Once we exit the crater we will ride through the dry riverbeds of the Southern Negev, past the village of Shitim to Kibbutz Neot Smadar. (Optional shuttle from Km 19 to Km 59.) We will stop for a short lunch break at the Kibbutz Café, one of Israel’s pioneers in organic farming, where we will also take a short tour and visit the local art center. From here we will continue down the road to Kibbutz Lotan where we will be spending the night. Overnight: Kibbutz Lotan, Arava Desert
Cycling Distance 100Km
Overnight- Arava Kibbutz
Today’s ride will take us from the high desert plain above the Ramon Crater down to the Arava Valley where Kibbutz Lotan sits. Early in the morning we will bike out of Mitzpe Ramon and across the Ramon Crater. Once we exit the crater we will ride through the dry riverbeds of the Southern Negev, past the village of Shitim to Kibbutz Neot Smadar. (Optional shuttle from Km 19 to Km 59.) We will stop for a short lunch break at the Kibbutz Café, one of Israel’s pioneers in organic farming, where we will also take a short tour and visit the local art center. From here we will continue down the road to Kibbutz Lotan where we will be spending the night. Overnight: Kibbutz Lotan, Arava Desert
Cycling Distance 100Km
Overnight- Arava Kibbutz
Day 6- To Eilat
The last stretch of the tour is long yet very rewarding. We will ride along the border with Egypt, looking into the Sinai Desert. This small road will take us from the Southern Negev to the Eilat Mountains. The road will climb up to the pass near Mt Shlomo and from there we will descent towards Eilat on the shores of the Red Sea. We will ride straight to the beach and celebrate our arrival with a cold beer and a swim in the cool water. From here you can return with the bus to Tel Aviv or extend your stay at one of Eilat’s great hotels. Post tour options include a free day in Eilat or a trip to Petra before you return.
Cycling Distance 65 Km
Overnight Eilat
The last stretch of the tour is long yet very rewarding. We will ride along the border with Egypt, looking into the Sinai Desert. This small road will take us from the Southern Negev to the Eilat Mountains. The road will climb up to the pass near Mt Shlomo and from there we will descent towards Eilat on the shores of the Red Sea. We will ride straight to the beach and celebrate our arrival with a cold beer and a swim in the cool water. From here you can return with the bus to Tel Aviv or extend your stay at one of Eilat’s great hotels. Post tour options include a free day in Eilat or a trip to Petra before you return.
Cycling Distance 65 Km
Overnight Eilat