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!

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

Visit to the Kotel

Meeting our Israeli Soldiers

Mt. Hertzel and Yad Vashem – very heavy

Architecture of Yad Vashem

Driving North

Bahai Gardens

Hiking Mr. Meron

Shabbat

Hiking on Shabbat

Exploring Tzfat

Candles in Tzfat

More exploring

The trip’s first bike trip

Sunrise hiking up Mt. Masda

Swimming in the Dead Sea

Camel Riding and Desert Living with the Bedouin

Second Biking Trip

Exploring the Market in Tel Aviv

Final Sunset