Negev Desert Adventure &#8211; &#8220;Inn to Inn&#8221; Trek

ABOUT THIS TREK

A challenging trek that connects some of the biggest highlights of the Negev Desert. You will be hiking on secluded desert trails absorbing the desert’s unique atmosphere, and visit:

Maktesh Ramon
Zin Valley
Hod Akev
Mount Ardon
Ramon Tooth
Darroch Horseshoe
Ein Akev

The best time of year for this trek is December-March’s winter months. With mostly pleasant temperatures and still a very low chance for rain. It is still possible to hike in November and April, but with a higher risk of “suffering” hot weather.
Pay attention to the weather forecast regarding the risk of flash floods. In case of such a threat, we will guide you with the necessary changes in the route to stay safe.

HOW DOES IT WORK ?

Your hike from one accommodation the next with a small day back-pack. We transfer your luggage from “Inn to Inn”.
Handpicked Hikers-Friendly Accommodations.
Hiking Maps. (See Sample1 & Sample2).
Trek Guidebook (e-book – See Sample)
GPS mobile Navigation App. (See Sample)
Briefing meeting. You can select one of the below options:

1) Video Chat (Zoom or Skype):

2) Face to Face Meeting:

* Possible locations for the meeting:

24/7 Customer service support.

Are you a Single Hiker?

The standard price with full service is very expensive for single hikers. The reasons are that many costs are not split, and many of our standard selected accommodations charge from a single in a room almost the same price as for a couple.

We have a solution for you if you are willing to reduce the service level:

Settle for a phone/Skype briefing instead of a face-to-face briefing.
Sleep in Shared Dorms instead of private rooms.
Use a public bus or hitchhike instead of a taxi in some cases.

Low-Cost lodgings:

Sde Boker Field School. (Modest Private Room).
Meever Hostel. (Shared Dorms).

Select a “LowCost” Trek from the Treks list in the price calculator to get the budget price

Testimonials on Google from Real Hikers

Julia (UK)

Going with Israel by Foot was really helpful

Going with Israel by Foot was really helpful, esp. when you're coming from Europe & unfamiliar with what to expect. Our Negev trek was certainly one of the highlights of our whole trip

Read Full Review

Mike (USA)

I highly recommend doing the trek through Israel by Foot

It was helpful to read Erez’s notes at the start of the day to see which color trails I would be on, so when I came to an intersection I had full comfort knowing which color trail to turn on

Read Full Review

Check out all our reviews on Google, A total of 40+ reviews with an Average Score of 4.9/5

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 – Midrshet Bet Gurion

Arrive in the afternoon at Midreshet Ben-Gurion.
Midreshet Ben Gurion is a desert village easily reached by bus from Tel-Aviv, Jerusalem, and Ben Gurion Airport.
Although a small village, it provides a decent supermarket and several tasty dining options.
Preferred Lodging: A Zimmer at Midreshet Ben Gurion.
Breakfast is not included, but the Zimmer has a small kitchen, and food can be purchased at the supermarket.
The hike will start the next morning.

Day 2 – Daroch Horseshoe and Zin Valley

Overview:

Distance: 15 or 21 Kilometers (7-10 Hours) / Climb: 550 m
Starting Point: Near Merchav Am
End Point: Midreshet Ben-Gurion
Overnight: Midreshet Ben-Gurion
Preferred Lodging: A Zimmer at Midreshet Ben Gurion. (same as yesterday)

Itinerary:

Take the early morning (07:00) bus to the trailhead near the religious community of Merchav Am.
If you want to start later, we can book a taxi for you. Extra charge 150-400 NIS for up to 4 persons. (The exact cost depends on the availability of taxis and is paid directly to the driver.)
The walk starts in the wide Hatzatz Wadi. If you are lucky and make this walk in January, you have a good chance to encounter fields of beautiful Narcissus flowers. The scenery of the flowers blooming in the middle of the desert is truly unique!
From the ridge, at the end of the wadi, the trail descends into the Darroch canyon. The canyon features many unique rock formations, including the magnificent “Darroch Horseshoe”.
Shortly after the horseshoe, suddenly, the view opens up on the Zin valley below.
After a steep descent, you reach a dirt road at the bottom of the valley.
At this point (after 15 Km), you can end the hike and travel the remaining 6 Km with a “Jeep Taxi”. Must be prearranged at an additional cost of 300-600 NIS for up to 6 persons. (The exact cost depends on the availability of jeeps and is paid directly to the driver.)
Or follow the dirt road and reach on foot your accommodation at Midreshet Ben-Gurion.

Day 3 – To Ancient Avdat via Akev Spring

View from Hod Akev, Negev Desert, Israel

Overview:

Distance:15 or 20 Km / Climb: 550 m
Starting Point: Midreshet Ben-Gurion
End Point: Ancient Avdat
Overnight: Mitzpe Ramon
Preferred Lodging: Even Derech Hotel
Breakfast is not included, But on the hotel’s ground floor, there is a Cafe that serves breakfast and a bunch of additional restaurants.

Itinerary:

The hike starts directly from the accommodation.
The full walk is 20 km long. However, you can shorten it to 15 Km, by omitting Hod Akev and head directly to Ein Akev.
The first highlight of the day is a climb to “Hod Akev” (translates to “Needle of the heel”). It is steep and, at times, technical and vertiginous ascend. Many hikers find it very exciting; others might prefer to avoid it. (For those that prefer to avoid, there is a comfortable bypass).
The summit is a tiny flat area with cliffs on all sides and a breathtaking view of the Negev Desert.
The easier descent to the other side takes you to another desert gem. Ein Akev spring. A magical desert spring with a deep pool and icy cold water. A fantastic swimming opportunity in the middle of the desert.
The trail continues up the Akev wadi to the upper Akev spring. A Much smaller spring but still a great resting point.
Another 5 km further, you reach the end of the trail and the ancient Nabatean town of Avdat. This archeological site is well worth a visit. (Closes at 16:00)
Take the bus to Mitzpe Ramon (25 minutes ride / Bus every 30 minutes), or ask us to book for you a taxi (Extra charge of 280 NIS for up to 4 persons).

Day 4 -From Mitzpe Ramon to “Ramon tooth”

Overview:

Distance: 13 Km (6-7 Hours) / Climb: 350 m.
Starting Point: Makhtesh Ramon visitors center.
End Point: Road #40, Makhtesh Ramon.
Overnight: Mitzpe Ramon
Preferred Lodging: Same as the previous day.

Itinerary:

The hike starts directly from the accommodation.
On the edge of the Ramon, Crater cliff sits the visitors center. A mandatory station before a visit to the Makhtesh area. The visit includes observation from a panoramic window. A dynamic and interactive exhibit that combines videos and a 3D model of Makhtesh. Another section is dedicated to the story of Ilan Ramon (The first Israeli astronaut). It includes films and a display of exhibits from his journey to space. It is recommended to book ahead of time (English tour). Phone: +972-8-6216859
From the Visitors center, you descend rather steeply down to the bed of the crater.
After several kilometers, you reach the foot of the southern wall of the crater.
The trail now climbs to the top of the wall to the “Shen Ramon” summit (The “Tooth of Ramon”) where you get a 360° panorama of the Makhtesh and the surrounding Negev desert.
After a steep descent to the other side of the mountain, you reach another impressive landmark: The Ammonite wall.
From here, it’s a short distance to the main road #40 that crosses Makhtesh Ramon, where a Taxi will take you back to the accommodation in Mitzpe Ramon.
If you still have some power go on a Star Gazing tour. A fantastic night’s experience.

Day 5 – Mount Saharonim and Nekraot Horseshoe

The colorful Makhtesh Ramon viewed from the summit of Mount Ardon

Overview:

Distance: 12 Km (5-7 Hours) / Climb: 250 m
Hardcore hikers can add Mount Ardon and extend the hike to 21 Km (8-11 Hours)
Starting Point: Road #40, Makhtesh Ramon.
End Point: At Beerot campground

Itinerary:

The morning starts with a short taxi shuttle to the heart of Mitzpe Ramon (Where the previous day ended).
After a few flat warm-up kilometers, you make a short but steep climb to Mount Saharonim. A knife-shaped ridge that is part of the crater’s wall.
To the left, you get great views of the Ramon crater. The trail follows the ridge near the top of the “knife” and descends on the other side to Nekarot Wadi.
The hike continues through the beautiful horseshoe-shaped Nekarot canyon with its unique colors and rock formation.
At the end of the canyon, you have a choice to either head directly to Beerot Campground or extend the hike with a circuit to Mount Ardon. (This extension is recommended for hardcore hikers).
Our Taxi will wait for you near the Beeron Campground and take you back to Mitspe Ramon to pick up your luggage.
Mitspe Ramon is connected by bus service to Tel-Aviv, Jerusalem, and Ben Gurion Airport.