Live Trip Updates – August 5, 2014

Every day we will post live trip updates. Check for the group code (starting with TL-30-) for a specific group…

TL-30-410: Today the group enjoyed a highlight – camel trekking through the Negev Desert! They then went hiking in the desert and then said goodbye to their new Israeli friends. In the evening, they headed to Netanya where they will be spending the night. Check out some photos from today…

TL-30-411 and TL-30-412: The group awoke extra early this morning to climb Masada and view the incredible sunrise over the Israeli desert. They hiked the mountain using the Roman Ramp and learned about the amazing history of Masada from the top. The view from the top was a highlight of the trip for many participants. After returning to the bottom of the mountain, the group had a delicious breakfast and some much needed coffee. Later in the day, the group walked the Nahal David path to visit the desert oasis Ein Gedi and enjoyed some time in the cool waterfalls. Then, they drove to the Dead Sea to have their first float in the salty water at Ein Bokek Beach. The group had a great time floating in the water and had fun covering themselves with mud. After leaving the Dead Sea, the group headed to the Bedouin tents where they are spending the night. They learned about traditional Bedouin music, ate a delicious traditional Bedouin meal, and enjoyed a festive evening lit by bonfire.

TL-30-413: After waking up early to climb Masada, this group enjoyed watching an incredible sunset from the top of the mountain. They hiked down via the Snake Path and enjoyed breakfast at the bottom. They then went on a short nature walk to the desert oasis Ein Gedi and took a dip in the cool waterfalls. In the afternoon they had fun covering themselves with mud floating in the Dead Sea. In the evening, they learned about traditional Bedouin music and ate a delicious traditional Bedouin meal. They are spending the night sleeping in a Bedouin tent.

TL-30-414 and TL-30-415: Today was a banner day for this group! They woke up very early for a morning hike to trek up Masada in time for the sunrise. They hiked up using the Roman Ramp and viewed the incredible sunrise over the Israeli desert. After the sunrise, the learned about the amazing history of the mountain. After hiking back down via the Snake Path, the participants enjoyed a delicious breakfast at the base. They then went on a nature walk via the Nahal David path and jumped in the cool waterfalls in the desert oasis Ein Gedi. They continued the fun at the Dead Sea where they floated in the water and covered themselves with mud! The group then headed to the Bedouin tents where they enjoyed a traditional Bedouin meal. After a festive evening lit by bonfire, the group will sleep at the Bedouin tents.

TL-30-416: TL-30-416 had an amazing fun-filled, action-packed day! This Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta trip began this morning with a hike in the Golan Heights. The weather and view was beautiful! Next, they headed to an Olive Press where the participants tried out the olive soap, tasted olive oil, and more! They enjoyed lunch in Katsrin where they tasted their first real Israeli falafel and schawarma. In the afternoon, they explored Mt. Bental and swam in a water spring. Check out some photos from today…

TL-30-417 and TL-30-418: The group started their first full day of touring with a beautiful hike up Mount Merion. This was followed by a visit to mystical Tzfat where they learned about the birth of the kabbalah movement. After some shopping in the artist colony in Tzfat the group headed back to Tiberias, beautiful city overlooking the Sea of Galilee, where they will be spending the night. Check out a photo from today…

TL-30-419 and TL-30-791: TL-30-419 visited Mount Bental and enjoyed the beautiful overlook of northern Israel and the Golan Heights. They then hiked the challenging Nahal Zavital path. In the afternoon, TL-30-791 arrived in Israel and headed up north, where they met up with TL-30-419. Together, they spent time at a beautiful grassy overlook in Tiberias of the Kinneret, or Sea of Galilee. Here, they enjoyed their first view of Israel’s natural beauty and played some fun icebreaker games to get to know one another and begin bonding as a group. Afterward, the group continued on to their hotel in Tiberias. They settled into their rooms, enjoyed their first dinner together, and finished the night with some group introductions. Tomorrow, they will visit the mystic city of Tzfat, followed by some fun water activities in the Kinneret. Check out some photos from today…

TL-30-420 and TL-30-422: This group landed earlier today at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport and met their Israeli tour guide, Irad, and headed north for the first leg of their trip. Emily, one of their American staff, reported that the participants are mixing well and moral is extremely high. On their bus ride north, the group stopped at a beautiful lookout in Tiberias. Here, they enjoyed their first view of Israel’s natural beauty and said shehecheyanu, a Hebrew prayer that offers thanks for new and special experiences. Then, the group continued on their way. They arrived at their hotel in Tiberias this evening, tired but happy, and enjoyed their first Israeli dinner together! The group was very excited about tasting their first authentic Israeli hummus and falafel. Then, they met for some evening introductions and icebreakers, to get to know one another, and headed to bed for a much needed night’s sleep.

Want to see Monday’s updates? Read the updates from August 4 here!