Over the past two weeks, I had the opportunity to work as a staff guide for Israel Outdoors during the Israel By Bike cultural trek, part of Taglit Birthright Israel. Years ago, I actually participated as a guest in this exact same trip, and it was an exciting honor to now have the opportunity to lead it. Israel Outdoors calls this itinerary “Israel By Bike“, but it’s a lot more than just that. Overall, staffing this trip was an incredible experience. I had two co-leaders, and a group of about 40 participants 18-22 years old. The group was great, and I sincerely enjoyed meeting everybody, and the opportunity to contribute my enthusiasm and views on the region as we traveled through the entire country. 

During the trip, I took about 1400 photos, and edited down to a small set. View the full set on Flickr, as well as on my Instagram feed. I shot on my iPhone 5, and Sony RX-100ii cameras, allowing me to both post photos throughout the day, and shoot in raw for later editing. The full set is displayed here, and I’ll also be publishing a series of theme-specific posts in coming weeks.

Photos, Full Screen

Daily Itinerary

Day 1

• Arrival at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport
• Meet Israeli guide and group intros at Haas Promanade
• Transfer to Jerusalem
• Checkin to Hotel Accommodations -Jerusalem Gold Hotel

Day 2

• Visit to Davidson Center, Jerusalem
• Tour of Old City Jerusalem Jewish Quarter
• Visit to Kotel, reflection at Western Wall
• Explore Mahane Yehuda market and lunch
• Afternoon relaxation on Ben Yehuda Street
• Overnight at Jerusalem Gold Hotel

Day 3

• Travel North
• Scenic stop at Steia Maris Lookout and education about the Bahai Faith and Bahai Gardens
• Visit to Arbel and Lunch
• Checkin to hotel Savyonei Hagalil
• Preparation for Shabbat and festive Shabbat Dinner

Day 4

• Shabbat learning opportunities
• Hike to lookout point
• Havdallah Ceremony and cultural activity
• Overnight at Savyonei Hagalil

Day 5

• Hike up Mt. Meiron
• Cultural tour of Tzfat, including dip in Mikve
• Return to Hotel

Day 6

• Visit to Banias and lunch
• Rafting the Jordan River and relaxing on the water
• Camping in desert near Masada

Day 7

• Early morning wakeup in desert
• Sunrise ascent of Mt. Masada
• Breakfast at Masada Visitors Center
• Floating in the Dead Sea
• Camel Trekking with Bedouin
• Sleeping at Negev Bedouin Camp and Campfire

Day 8

• Biking at Nahal ZIn
• Visit to Sde Boker
• Shvil Hasalat
• Dinner at Blue Bay Hotel

Day 9

• Drive to Tel Aviv
• Visit Rabin Square
• Visit Independence Hall
• Swim at Tel Aviv beach
• Wrap up session and departure

A selection of photos taken during the trip – many were posted on Instagram during the trip.

Initial assembly of the group at JFK Airport – this was our initial meetup, and the first time my co-staffer Allie and I made group introductions.

Let’s jet!
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We connected through Zurich, Switzerland

Zurich Airport – great piece of architecture

Ice Breakers at the Old City, Jerusalem

Tour of the Old City’s Jewish Quarter
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Visit to the Kotel
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Meeting our Israeli Soldiers
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Mt. Hertzel and Yad Vashem – very heavy
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Architecture of Yad Vashem

Driving North
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Bahai Gardens
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Hiking Mr. Meron

Shabbat
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Hiking on Shabbat

Exploring Tzfat

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Candles in Tzfat

More exploring
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The trip’s first bike trip
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Sunrise hiking up Mt. Masda
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Swimming in the Dead Sea

Camel Riding and Desert Living with the Bedouin
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Second Biking Trip

Exploring the Market in Tel Aviv

Final Sunset