Our Destinations

Why travelling with Randocheval ?

ISRAEL : HORSE RIDING TRAIL IN THE HOLY LAND...

The unique combination of fascinating history, breathtaking scenery and sunny weather make Israel the perfect tourist destination. And there is no better way to experience Israel’s magic than on horseback. We offer you two different trails to make you experience Israel on a week or for a thorough discovery : Galilee Discovery Trail Galilee and the Dead Sea Trail

ITINERARY

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 tour – 18 km/ 11 miles

Day 3

Length of tour – 22 km/ 15 miles

Day 4 Today’s horseback riding adventure will begin in the pastoral Jordan Valley. We will again cross the Jordan River to climb up Yavniel Stream to return to the Galilee. We will drink from the “holy” waters of Yavniel spring and then ride past Ulem Spring towards Ein Hida (Hida Spring). From there we will enjoy the breathtaking scentary of the Galilee while we cantor to our riding center in Shadmot Devora. We will spend the night at the beautiful lodge on Kibbutz Dalia. Length of day – 25 km 13.5 miles

Day 5
In the morning we will ride through the rolling hills and groves of the Ramot Menashe National Park. On our way back, we will stop to explore a cave used for training in 1947 by the Palmach, the elite fighting unit of the underground Hagannah army. In the afternoon, we will drive to Tel Megiddo, the supposed site of Armageddon – the epic battle associated with the end of time. Once an important city on an ancient trade route, today only ruins remain as testimony to the peoples that inhabited this site for centuries. We will investigate the archeological ruins, learning about life in biblical Israel. We will spend the night at Kibbutz Dalia.

Length of tour –15 km/ 9.5 miles

Day 6
The majestic Carmel region is the location of this day full of adventure. A ride up Mt. Carmel will bring us 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 go down into the Jezreel Valley to the Kishone Stream and then back to HaZorea. We will sleep on Kibbutz Dalia.

Length of tour – 25 km/ 15.5 miles

Day 7
This day is dedicated to Jerusalem. We will travel by car from Kibbutz Dalia 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. Being Friday, we will experience the special atmosphere of the Holy City getting ready for the Sabbath. Jerusalem on Friday evening is the perfect time to end your Israeli experience. At around 5 o’clock, we will finish our program.
Possibility to be driven back to Tel Aviv international airport.

Galilee and the Dead Sea Trail

We will ride in the mountainous Galilee into the Jordan River and the Sea of Galilee. We will follow in the footsteps of ancient pilgrims to Jerusalem on horseback. And we will explore the desert expanses and climb majestic Masada.

This trip also includes a walking tour of Nazareth and a visit to a thermo mineral spa on the banks of the Dead Sea.

Rendez-vous at Tel Aviv international airport for transfers to Galilee or meet 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

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 tour – 18 km/ 11 miles

Day 3

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. Riding in the direction of Jordan, we will pass through the Yaela Grove, the site where Jael, wife of Heber the Kenite, killed Sisera. We will then cross the fertile Jordan Valley heading towards the Jordan River. Upon reaching the Jordan River, we will cross with our horses (in the summer time we will swim in the river) and then ride 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 tour – 22 km/ 15 miles

Day 4

Length of tour – 22 km/ 13.5 miles

Day 5

Length of tour – 25 km/ 15.5 miles

Day 6

This day is dedicated to Jerusalem. We will travel by car from Kibbutz Dalia to the city of 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. After the tour and a typical Israeli lunch, we will drive to the Judean Desert to spend the night in a very special place.

Day 7 Today our desert adventure begins – we will ride in the desert expanses, experiencing the fresh air and open space that only the desert can provide. We will pass the morning riding in the area around the Tselim Stream learning about the hardships the Bedouin nomads face in the desert. We will see an ancient water systems and then ride up Mt. Tselim to take in the beautiful view. From here we’ll go down to where the stream runs through canyons and finish by following an ancient camel route which will lead us to our camping site in Kanaim Valley. Under the starry desert sky, we will sit around a camp fire, relaxing after our day of intensive riding. Length of tour – 27 km/ 17 miles

Day 8

Another day of exhilarating desert riding ahead of us. After breakfast, we will ride through the expansive plains of the Kanaim Valley. Then we will head east riding above the Tselim Stream until we again reach cliffs overlooking the Dead Sea. Along an old mule path, into the Dead Sea Valley, we will ride north until we come to a trail once used by the Roman Legion forces. Suddenly, Masada will stand majestically before us. Parting with our horses and trail guides, we will walk up the monumental site of Masada. Immediately following, we will drive to a spa on the banks of the Dead Sea. As a treat after many days of hard riding, we will cover ourselves in the black mud of the Dead Sea and go for a dip in its healing waters. In the late afternoon, we will drive to Tel Aviv to spend the night in a 4 star hotel. Dinner this evening is not included.

Length of tour – 14 km/ 8.7 miles

Day 9

Today you have the option of either exploring Tel Aviv on your own or resting. Tel Aviv is a modern, vivacious city with lots of fun things to do including a colorful market, great shopping and beautiful beaches. After breakfast, the trip is officially over. You can relax in the hotel until the afternoon or our staff will be happy to advise you on what to see in the city.

EXTEND YOUR TRIP

HORSES AND REQUIRED RIDING LEVEL

Horses We use only well trained horses accustomed to trail riding in our equestrian vacations. Our horses are a mixture of Quarter horses and local (Arabian) horses and trained in Western riding. They are well groomed, in great shape and perfectly suited for horseback vacations.We match you with a horse and tack according to the information you provide when signing up for a riding holiday. For riders with greater riding proficiency, we can provide a more spirited horse; for less experienced riders, we pair horses that are easily handled. Also, upon request, pure Arabians from our breeding program, Sirin Arabians, can be provided.

YOUR GUIDES

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation It may vary on our horse riding holidays from enchanting, rustic wooden bungalows to authentic Bedouin tents. We have carefully chosen our sleeping locations for cleanliness and comfort. Amenities always include hot showers and running toilets. When camping, we often stay deep in the wilderness. Being this close to nature sometimes means cold showers and no toilet facilities. We will do our best to provide hot showers every other day. Single room are available with extra coast. Please ask on booking. Catering Riding makes you hungry. Our staff prepares healthy, fresh, filling meals so no one ever rides on an empty stomach. Our tours are not kosher. However, no pork is served on any of our trips. We can accommodate vegetarians and other special dietary (including kosher) requests if given prior notice. As for drinks, we know there is nothing more satisfying than a cold beer after a long ride. Some of our meals, usually dinner, include beer, wine or liquor. These drinks are free of charge. When dining in Arab restaurants, no alcoholic beverages are allowed.

DATES AND RATES

- Single room supplement : + 160€ on the Galilee Discovery Trail, + 240€ for Galilee and the Dead Sea Trail.
Applies for all riders booking individually. If you accepts to share your room and if we find someone to share these extra fees will be refunded.

- Discount for non riders : - 260€ for he Galilee Discovery Trail, -520€ for Galilee and the Dead Sea Trail.

- the trail as described on full board basis including drinks during the meals,
- the financial guarantee of all deposits sent to Randocheval.

- flights and airport taxes,
- airport transfers,
- tips,
- the organization of a possible visit of the country before or after the trail,
- any other services,
- optional insurance: more informations.

BOOKING - INFORMATION

Contact Claire for any inquiry !

PRACTICAL INFORMATIONS

Israel is known for its sunshine, with climate ranges from temperate to tropical. For most of the year, the weather in Israel is conducive to horseback riding tours. However, there are itineraries which are more appropriate in certain seasons.

The Israeli winter, from December to February, is short and mild winter. Most of our trips can be conducted during these months with a chance that we will have to ride in the rain. Even in the worst of conditions, temperatures do not generally fall below 10°C (50°F). In fact, winter is the best time for planning equestrian vacations that include riding in the desert.

The Israeli summer reaches its peak in July and August. During this time we do not conduct trips south of Jerusalem. Likewise, we don’t ride if temperatures rise above 32°C (90°F). As a result, in the summer there may be days in which we ride early in the morning, in the evening and at night when there is a full moon.