Located in southern Israel, the Negev, a wide area mostly covered with desert, belongs to the global chain of deserts. The Negev has very little rainfall during the year and a changing variety of landscapes. The north-western Negev is a region of sand dunes; in the central area there are rocky mountains furrowed with craters and canyons; towards the East there is the Harava desert savanna and finally at the southern tip, the Negev turns into the red-grey granite mountains that surround Eilat. Although it accounts for 60% of Israel, it is habited by only 8% of the total population. Traveling through the Negev you will come across agricultural oases. By making the desert blossom, Israel is a leader in agronomic engineering in the desert and the Negev is one of the best examples of desert agriculture in the world. There are agricultural fields in the heart of the desert open to visitors.

 

The Negev is no exception to the ancient history of the country. There are traces of communities dating back to the Stone Age (10,000 – 8,000 B.C.) and of settlements dating to the Cupper Era (4,000 B.C.), settlements that might have established the foundations for the first planned city in the world! It is also the desert where the Israelites crossed, led by Moses, on their way to the Promised Land.

 

The tour in the Negev offers a variety of possibilities: trips through awesome desert views, discovery of the Bedouin lifestyle and camel rides, visits to the archeological sites, magnificent panoramic views over the craters including the largest crater in the world! The Negev offers you breathtaking surroundings and the opportunity to take part in various adventurous tours suitable for all ages: camel rides, Bedouin hospitality, jeep tours, variety of hikes and walks in the canyons and visits to the agricultural fields in the desert. 

 

The private tours include various sites and can be tailored to meet your interests and time schedule.

 

Beer Sheva

Beer Sheva is with 200,000 inhabitants the capital of the Negev. It is situated in the northern region of the Negev, has an important university and petrochemical industries. In the surroundings, you can visit the biblical town of Tel Sheva and its thousand year old ruins. According to the Bible, Abraham reached this place during his journey in the Promised Land; it was here that Abimelech swore to Abraham the well belonged to him, hence the Hebrew name for Beer Sheva, meaning the well that "was sworn" to Abraham.

 

Air Force Museum

Near Beer Sheva there is a museum, unique in its kind, of the Israeli Air Force. Large numbers of aircrafts, dating back to the 40s and up to our days, are exhibited in it. The tour in the museum invites you to take a look at the Israeli Air Force, its establishment and its participation in the wars of Israel.

 

Ben Gurion Home

David Ben Gurion, the first prime minister of the State of Israel, had a vision of making the desert flourish, transforming it into an economical blossoming and inhabited area. In the early 50's, Ben Gurion decided to move to the desert and become part of the kibbutz Sde Boker where he lived together with is wife Paula in a little hut until his death. The hut is nowadays open to visitors. It is a beautiful opportunity to see how this influential and prominent man lived up to his vision of making the desert bloom, while keeping a modest and simple lifestyle. In the surroundings the David and Paula tombs lie in front of a virgin desert landscape.

 

The Craters' land

The craters of the Negev are an exceptional and unique phenomenon inherent to this region. They were created by an unusual combination of natural and geological processes. A wall of mountains encloses the craters completely, leaving only one small opening for water drainage. As a result of geological erosions and volcanic activity, the creation of the crater was accompanied by the creation of impressive and colorful formations. During your visit in the craters you can enjoy the unique views from above, out of the observation points, and from beneath where it is possible to tour the crater in a car or by foot. There are hiking trails adapted to all ages on which you can meet the nature in all its glory.

 

You can choose to visit one, two or all of the craters:

• With its 400m/1312ft depth, its 9km/ 5,58ms width and its 40km/24,8ms length, the Ramon Crater is the largest in the world.

• The Great Crater is known for its colorful rocks.

• However according to many, the Small Crater is the most beautiful of the three.

 

Near the Ramon Crater you can visit an alpacas and llama farm. The farm has over 500 creatures which wool is for sale. As they wander freely around the farm, these animals will approach visitors looking for something to nibble on. There are also llama tours for children and for adults.

 

Bedouin life in the desert and Camel rides

During thousands of years, The Negev desert has been inhabited by nomadic Bedouin tribes. The Bedouins adapted to a way of life suitable to this dry and arid area (that covers the desert of Egypt, the Sinai Peninsula, the Negev and the Arabian Desert) by relocating themselves on a seasonal basis. In the winter they lived in their tents while cultivating wheat, barley and gathering their herd. In the summer they used to wander with their herd in a constant search for water; they also controlled important crossroads and the traffic of caravans.

 

You will have the opportunity to meet Bedouins, enjoy the Bedouin hospitality (they will receive you in their tents for some food and a cup of tea/ coffee) and hence learn more about their lifestyle. For transportation purposes and the transportation of goods they use what is known as “the ship of the desert” – the camel. You will understand how the camel manages to survive in the desert with little water and food and of course you can enjoy the lifetime experience of riding a camel!

 

 

Nabataean city – archaeological site

In the Negev desert there are remains of four Nabataean cities dating back from 2200 B.C to 1500A.D. The Nabataeans lived in the Southern area of the Land of Israel and belonged to a kingdom situated along the caravan route, in the Southern border of the Judean kingdom (which later became a Roman province). Caravans coming from the Far East and Arabia conveyed spices and perfumes towards the Roman and Byzantine Empires. In the Negev, the Nabataeans established stations along the caravan routes and crossroads in order to provide services to the merchants such as food, water and protection. Nabataean cities that were established along the route have nowadays become interesting archaeological sites, giving you a glance at the intriguing lifestyle of the Nabataeans. You will learn about the supply facilities they established for the caravans, the agricultural and water storage systems, the architecture, their culture and religion.