The 3 Negev Craters – “Inn to Inn” Trek

Hike the 3 Negev Craters (Makhtesh) in one “Inn to Inn” Trek. Visit amazing viewpoints, canyons, and magical desert springs. A real desert experience!!

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Trek Metrics
Hiking Days	3 - 5
Distance	43 - 77 Km
Full Version	5 Days 70 - 90 Km
Short Version	3 Days 40 - 55 Km Days #2, #3 and #4 of the full trek.
Level	Difficult
Best	Dec - Mar
Possible	Nov - Apr
Price From:	000 USD / Person Based on: 3 Days version. Group Size of 4. Two hikers in a room. Trek is on Weekdays. Check Your PriceGet an Instant Detailed Quote
LowCost:	Optional LowCost version for Single hikers in shared dormitories. (From 000 USD for one hiker)
Price Includes:	Accommodation (3/5 Nights) Breakfast.(2/3 Mornings) Daily luggage transfer from one accommodation to the next. Car Shuttles during the Trek. Hiking Map. Trek Guidebook. GPS Mobile App for navigation. 24/7 Phone support Detailed "one on one" Briefing meeting at your accommodation on the 1st day. Free consultation on all your other activities during your stay in Israel.
Accommodation Class:	Hotels and local B&B
/ Start Point
/ End Point

Overview Map

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Day by Day Itinerary

Day 0 – Dimona

• We will meet in the afternoon/evening for a detailed briefing meeting to discuss all aspects of the trek, provide you with maps, and make sure that the GPS app function properly.
• Preferred Lodging: Drachim Hotel, Dimona
• The next morning a taxi will take you to the trailhead.

Day 1 – The small & Big Makhtesh

Itinerary:

• Our accommodation is in the small desert town Dimona
• A short taxi ride will take us to the trailhead at the head of the Scorpion Pass.
• If you opt for the more extended version, start by making the short 4 Km (Out and back) walk to a fantastic viewpoint over the Small Maktesh (Crater).  If you prefer to walk only 14-16 Km, you can skip this side trip.
• The route then takes us through an ancient small fort and interesting rock formations down to the deep Hatira Canyon.
• In the Hatira Canyon, we will pass two amazing spots: The “Nakeb el Yahud” pass & Yorkeam Spring.
• For dessert, we will climb to the top of the eastern wall of the crater for a great view of the Big Makhtesh.
• After descending into the Big Makhtesh, a short taxi ride will take us back to the hotel in Dimona.

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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: Sde Boker Field School.
  Regular version: Private Rooms.
  LowCost version: Shared Dorms.

Itinerary:

• A short taxi ride will take us to the trail-head near the religious community of Merchav Am.
• We start the walk in the wide Hatzatz Wadi. If you are lucky and making 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 wadi Hatzatz we descend into the Daroch canyon. The canyon has a narrow and exciting section, featuring the beautiful rock formation nicknamed the “Daroch Horseshoe”.
• Shortly after, all of a sudden, the view opens up on the Zin valley below.
• After a steep descent, we reach a dirt road at the bottom of the valley.
• At this point (after 15 Km), you can end the hike and go the remaining 6 Km with a “Jeep Taxi”. (Must be prearranged at an additional cost of 300 NIS for up to 6 persons)
• Or follow the dirt road and reach by foot your accommodation at Midreshet Ben-Gurion.

Booking Form

Day 3 – To Ancient Avdat via Akev Spring

Overview:

• Distance:13 or 19 Km / Climb: 550 m
• Starting Point: Midreshet Ben-Gurion
• End Point: Ancient Avdat
• Overnight: Mitzpe Ramon
• Preferred Lodging:
  Regular Version: 4 Zimmers Guest House.
  LowCost Version: Meever Hostel. (Shared Dorms)

Itinerary:

• Today’s hiking starts directly from our accommodation.
• The total walking distance is 19 km. However, you can “save” the first 6 km which are on a dirt road with a “Jeep Taxi” (Must be pre-arranged and has an extra cost of 300 NIS for up to 6 hikers)
• 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 will find it very exciting; others might prefer to avoid it. (For those that prefer to avoid, there is a comfortable bypass).
• The top is a tiny flat area with steep cliffs on all sides and a breathtaking view of the Negev Desert.
• The much easier descend to the other side takes us 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, we reach the end of the trail and the ancient Nabatean town of Avdat, definitely worth a visit. (Closes at 16:00)
• A short shuttle will take you from Avdat to our Hotel in Mitzpe Ramon.

Booking Form

Day 4 -From Mitzpe Ramon to “Ramon tooth”

Itinerary:

• 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 observation 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 exciting 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, we descend rather steeply down to the bed of the crater.
• After several kilometers, we reach the foot of the southern wall of the crater.
• One of the highlights of the day is the climb to the top of the wall to the “Shen Ramon” summit (The “Tooth of Ramon”) where you get a 360 degrees panorama of the Makhtesh and the surrounding Negev desert.
• After a steep descent to the other side of the mountain, we reach another impressive landmark: The Ammonite wall.
• From here, its a short distance to the main road #40 that crosses Makhtesh Ramon, where a Taxi will take us back to our hotel in Mitzpe Ramon.
• If you still have some power go on a Star Gazing tour. A fantastic night experience.

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Day 5 – Mount Ardon and Nekraot HorseShoe

Overview:

• Distance: 16 Km (7-8 Hours) / Climb: 600 m
• Starting Point: Road #40, Makhtesh Ramon.
• End Point: At the foot of Mount Ardon.

Itinerary:

• The morning starts with a short taxi shuttle to the heart of Mitzpe Ramon (Where the previous day ended).
• After a few smooth and flat kilometers, we will make a short but steep climb to Mount Saharonim. A knife-shaped ridge that is part of the crater’s wall.
• To our left, we get a great view of the Ramon crater. We follow the ridge near the top of the “knife” and descend on the other side to Nekarot Wadi.
• We walk through this beautiful horseshoe-shaped canyon with its unique colors and rock formation.
• Another few kilometers further, we reach the foot of Mount Ardon, the final highlights of the trek and a perfect dessert for our adventure.
• The ascend is tough and steep, but worth every bit of effort. The views of the Makhtesh from the summit are amazing.
• After the descent to the other side of the mountain, a “Jeep Taxi”  will take us back to Mitspe Ramon.