QUMRAN, EIN GEDI NATIONAL PARK AND RELAXING AT THE DEAD  SEA

Scrolls of Qumran, Hike in the desert oasis of Ein Gedi and Relax at the Dead Sea

Today we drive through the Judean desert to Qumran, where in 1947 Bedouins discovered 2000-year old scrolls in a cave. These scrolls, which contained biblical texts as well as sectarian texts of the the Essenes, a Jewish sect based in Qumran, are among the most important archaeological finds of the 20th century. Christian and Jewish theologians continue to discuss their interpretations to this day.

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Then we drive to the Nature Reserve of Ein Gedi, a desert oasis not far from the Dead Sea. Several springs have their source here, and water flows here all year round. While the surrounding desert landscape is almost devoid of vegetation, the oasis, with its abundance of water, offers the prerequisites for a lush flora and fauna. If we are lucky, we will see ibex or rock hyrax. We hike along the David River to the David waterfall and enjoy the impressive landscape into which King David once fled to hide from King Saul.

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Then we drive to one of the Dead Sea beaches where we have time to swim and relax.

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Duration: Day tour, approx. 8-9 hours