Red Canyon, Desert & Kibbutz Life
On this tour, we will visit some of the most breathtaking natural landscapes in the south of Israel. We will begin with a hike along the walls of the Red Canyon, sculpted over millions of years by water and wind, and featuring magnificent backdrops and undisturbed desert trails.
Continuing on our journey, we will sink into the white and yellowish sand of the Kasui Dunes, made up of tiny marine fossils from when the area was completely covered by ocean. We will also tour the archaeological remains of the Tiger Temple, an ancient open-air ritual site.
At Kibbutz Neot Semadar, we will explore its iconic arts complex and learn about Kibbutz life from one of the most ecologically minded communities in the Arava Valley. Taste the wines made here using grapes from the local organic farm, where harsh desert conditions and heightened altitude contribute to the complex and full bodied flavors.
Continue on to Ketura Kibbutz and enjoy lunch in the traditional shared dining hall (40 ILS pp)
Kibbutz Ketura will offer us insight into the transformation from traditional agriculture to technological farming. Here, we will see the ‘Methuselah’, an endangered date palm tree which was cultivated and planted from a seed that was found during the Masada archeological excavations dating back 2000 years, and the Ketura Sun, the first solar farm generating clean electricity in the Middle East.
The tour will conclude after our final stop at Kibbutz Yotvata, the first Kibbutz in the Arava region, famous for its sustainable dairy farming and excellent ice cream!
From here, we will return to Eilat through the Arava Valley.
**This tour runs with cooperation with Aravaway***
Highlights
- Walk through the Red Canyon
- See the spectacular sand dunes within the Ovda Valley
- Taste local, desert-produced wines at Kibbutz Neot Semadar
- Learn about the lifestyle and values of collective communal kibbutzim
- See transformations from Kibbutz’s traditional agricultural lifestyle to the booming technology of today
Tour Itinerary
DAY TOUR08:00 – Depart from Eilat
08:30 – Red Canyon
10:30 – Kasui Dunes
11:30 – Kibbutz Neot Smadar – Unique ecological community
12:30 – Head to Ketura for lunch in the Kibbutz shared dining hall (40 ILS pp)
14:00 – Kibbutz Ketura – home to the first solar field in Israel
15:30 – Kibbutz Yotvata – the first Kibbutz in the Arava region
17:00 – Arrive back in Eilat
Good to Know
- This tour is led by one of our experienced drivers who will take you to each site, and a local member of each Kibbutz will meet us and guide us through their respective communities.
- This tour operates only in the winter
- In cases of extreme weather conditions, the itinerary will be adjusted accordingly
- Pickup Points: Eilat - Be Unique Hotel
- Things to bring: Hat, Sunscreen, water, snacks, camera
WHAT'S INCLUDED
INCLUDED
- Guiding
- Full transportation
- Tastings at the Kibbutz Neot Semadar winery
EXCLUDED
- Lunch and Drinks
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FAQ'S
Does the tour include lunch?
Lunch is not included in the price, but there is a lunch break in Kibbutz Ketura at the shared dining hall for 40 ILS per person
How difficult is the hiking trail on the Red Canyon?
This hike is an easy trail, that’s great for beginners or the whole family!
How to get to Eilat from Jerusalem using public transportation?
The distance from Jerusalem to Eilat is 314 km (195 miles), you can easily travel to Eilat using the bus run by Egged Public Transportation. The ride from Jerusalem to Eilat is around 4-5 hours long. Unfortunately, there is no train service at the moment but direct domestic flights are available from Ben Gurion Airport Terminal 1.
The selected tours will be reserved for you for 30 minutes. If you do not complete the reservation, after 30 minutes, the tours will be released for purchase by others.