Pine forests with cyclamen peeping from behind rocks. Rocky hills covered in purple and red anemones. Bubbling springs and rustling fields of cotton, corn and wheat. The pastoral lower Galilee is one of the most gorgeous areas of Israel.
Located in the north, the Galilee is the perfect horseback riding vacation destination. Whether you are interested in culture, archeology, history or natural beauty – the Galilee has it all. Sparsely populated and with rocky terrain, this area is best explored on horseback.
Few roads connect the communities populating the Galilee. This remoteness has allowed distinct cultures to continue on uninterrupted for generations. There are cities, past and present, of biblical importance calling to be explored. Druze and Circassian villages maintaining their unique ways of life. And many Arab towns who welcome visitors with their friendly smiles and culinary delights. All of this occurs against a backdrop of vivid natural scenery. This land rewards adventure tourists with unparalleled opportunities for challenges and discoveries.
Horseback riding in the land of Galilee
This is a mounted adventure packed with intensive riding through the beautiful landscapes of the Menashe plain, Carmel mountain range and the Jezreel Valley. We will ride up majestic Mt. Tabor and Mt. Carmel, explore the ruins of Tel Meggido – the site of Armageddon, and swim with our horses in the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River. We will get to know the different ethnic groups inhabiting this area including the charming Druze and engaging Circassians. This trip also includes walking tours of Nazareth and the Old City of Jerusalem and their colorful markets.
AVAILABLE DATES
ITINERARY
DAY 1 (SATURDAY)
Arrival in early evening at Moshav Sharona in the lower Galilee. After introductions and explanations followed by dinner, you will enjoy an enlightening lecture on the history of Israel.
We will sleep in a cozy country lodge located on the Moshav.
DAY 2 (SUNDAY)
Today, we will set off for our first day of trail riding in the Galilee’s beautiful natural landscape. After matching horses and tack with riders, we leave the stables in Shedmoat Devora to ride along the tributaries of the Tabor Stream, going past Kfar Keesh. We will eventually come to the Tabor Stream and visit Tel Rechesh where, according to some sources, part of King Solomon’s legendary stables were located. Afterwards, we will canter in almond orchards and fields, returning to Shedmoat Devora. Following a short break, we will drive to Mt. Tabor to visit the Church of Transfiguration. Afterwards, we will continue on to Nazareth for a walking tour of the holy sites and markets. You will enjoy the unique sights, aromas and tastes of this intriguing city. A delicious dinner will be served in an authentic Bedouin village. We will return to Sharona for the night.
Length of riding day – 18 km
DAY 3 (MONDAY)
Our day will begin with a ride in the remarkable Sirin Heights to enjoy the stunning natural scenery along its streams and around its springs. We will ride to the lookout point of Mitzpe Ayloat for a breathtaking view of the Jordan Valley. We will turn west and explore Ulem and Sirin springs, we will arrive to our stable in Kfar Kish, and then driving by car to the Jordan veally we will swim in the holly water of the Jordan (without the horses) and then drive to Kibbutz Degania. Kibbutz Degania was the world’s first kibbutz. There we will learn all about this unique way of life. We will sleep in the lodge on Sharona.
Length of riding day – 25 km
DAY 4 (TUESDAY)
In this day we explore the area of Hitin horns, and Arbel stream. Actually, we will ride today on the Jesus Trail which is one of the most famous historical trails, the trail that connect between Nazareth and Capernaum. Then we will Driving to the Carmel pick and will arrive to El-Muharrakah, the site where the Prophet Elijah supposedly slaughtered the prophets of Baal. The views are as amazing as the biblical stories. After touring the Carmelite Monastery located there, we will have a traditional lunch in the nearby Druze village of Osafia.
WE will sleep in the cozy country lodge of Kibbutz Dalia.
Length of riding day – 15 km
DAY 5 (WEDNESDAY)
The western Carmel region is the location of this day full of adventure.
We will leave our western stable at Ramot Menashe (changing horse today) and then we will ride west toward the beautiful Mediterranean’s forest of Mt.Horshan , we will explore the trails of this all year green area, then we will be heading south toward Tzabarin spring which was the water source for Caesarea at the Roman times. We will cross the village of Amikam and canter east along Taninim (crocodile) stream back to our stable.
After the ride we will visit the archeological site of Tel Megido (Armageddon)
Night sleeping in Dalia
Length of riding day – 18 km
DAY 6 (THURSDAY)
This day will be devoted to the to the west Carmel region and to the Mediterranean beach area.
We will start our ride the prehistoric archeological site of Nahal Mearot!
We will visit this amazing site and then we will start to ride toward the Mediterranean beach, we will cross the Hof Carmel agriculture area and then we will arrive to the beach we will canter across this amazing beach toward Habonim National Park then we have the chance to have a swim in the Mediterranean Sea we will continue to ride along the beach we will cross the fisherman village of Jeser el Zarka and then we will finish our beach adventure in Caesarea beach.
Night sleep in Dalia
Length of riding day– 25 km
DAY 7 (FRIDAY)
This day is dedicated to Jerusalem. We will travel by car from the Galilee to Jerusalem. We will drive to the Old City to follow the Via Dolorosa, the path that Jesus walked on his way to crucifixion. Along the way, we will visit the holy sites of the three monotheistic religions.
We will enjoy the legendary Humus of the old city , We will see the western Jerusalem – The Israeli Museum and the Kneset (the Israeli Parlament). At the end of the Jerusalem day we can drop off the riders in TLV Airport or in TLV city or in Jerusalem.
All INCLUSIVE RIDING HOLIDAY DETAILS
What’s included:
Accommodation
Horses & Tack
All meals and beverages
Guides
Taxes
There will be no additional charges or hidden costs in any of our horseback riding vacation packages!
What’s not included:
Insurance
Flights
Personal Expenses
Airport transfers (see additional information tab for more details)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
On the first day of the trip, participants have the option of being picked up at 3.30 pm from a hotel in Tel Aviv or at 4:20 pm from Ben Gurion International Airport*. Pick up service costs an additional 40$ per person. It is necessary to notify us ahead of time where to pick you up. It is also possible to arrive independently at Moshav Sharona by 6:00 pm.
On the last day of the riding tour, we will drop participants off in Tel Aviv or at Ben Gurion International Airport at around 5.00pm.
We reserve the right to change the itinerary as necessary to accommodate weather conditions or additional unforeseen events.
(*) the meeting point is at Ben Gurion airport terminal 3 (the main international terminal), at the coffee shop, which is on the left side as you exit the arrival hall, just after the sliding door. It is recommended to text Yair when you are in the meeting point via text message, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or E-mail.
