Itinerary

Day 1: Meeting and transfer North
Meet your guides at 14:00 at Ben Gurion Airport. Begin your 2 ½ to 3 hour transfer north to Kfar Tavor, your base for the next three days. En route, you can expect a refreshment break at Afula, and a visit to the breathtaking observation point at Giv’at Hamoreh. On a clear afternoon, you may be able to see your entire cycling route of the coming days. A group briefing of the week ahead will take place in the lounge of your cyclists’ hotel, before a welcome dinner at a winery. D (Meal inclusions provided for guided trips. Self-guided trips include breakfast only)
Hoo Ha Cyclists Hotel, Kfar Tavor

Day 2: The Northern Valleys. 46km
Start your ride with some easy cycling along comfortable unpaved and semi-paved roads. You’ll ride through the orchards and fields of Kfar Tavor to the road of Kfar Kish and onto the Kibbutz Gazit. You’ll then cycle around the Valley of Nahal Tavor to the famous Crusader fortress of Belvoir. There will be a short visit to the Biblical, Egyptian, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine ruins at Beith' She'an, before you remount the bikes for more afternoon cycling, including an optional climb up Mt. Gilboa. BLD
Same lodging

Day 3: Exploring the Lower Galilee
Start your day early, with a before breakfast climb up Mt. Tabor to visit the Catholic and Greek churches of the Transfiguration. Early in the morning, before the hoards of pilgrims and tourists arrive, is a magical time to visit the top of Tabor. The steep 6 ½km climb (and descent) involves 16 hairpins, and is rewarded by stunning views of the Jezreel Valley. Return to your inn for breakfast and to meet those who decided to sleep in. You will then transfer by van to the outskirts of Nazareth, for a short bike ride among the town’s narrow roads and alleys, often congested with slow moving cars, trucks, buses, pedestrians, donkeys, and other cyclists, to visit the Basilica of the Annunciation – the largest Catholic Church in the Middle East. Spend some time visiting other sites of Nazareth before departing by bike on the road to Zipporri, and the site of Israel’s most beautiful and well preserved ancient mosaics. From here you will transfer by van to Mt. Arbel to explore 6 km of hiking trails until sunset, which is best viewed for the summit observation balcony. Dinner this evening will be at the unique Circassian Village of Kfar Kama. BD BL
Same lodging

Day 4: The Golan Heights. 87km
Leaving Kfar Tavor to the north, you will spend the day cycling hilly roads across the Jordan Valley and climbing to the Golan Heights. In the morning you will skirt the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) then climb to the plateau of the Golan Heights to enjoy a well-earned cool drink at the Peace Observation Point. A picnic lunch will be prepared in the Gamla Nature Reserve, where you may catch a glimpse of a Griffon Vulture, before descending back to the Lake and transferring to your well-appointed resort in the eastern Galilee. You will be resting here for the next two nights, and may consider booking some spa indulgences during your stay. BLD
Mizpe Hayamim, Rosh Pina

Day 5: North of the Golan. 61km
Today you will cycle smooth roads, visiting battle sites and the famous fossilized volcanic cinders at Mt. Bental. You will start your cycling from the memorial monument at Mitzpe Gadot. A long gradual climb to the top of Mt. Bental is followed by a quick descent to Merom Golan for lunch. Then it’s on to the caldera lake of Birquat-Ram. Enjoy Druze coffee and sumptuous baklava before descending to the Jordan River and a visit at the impressive remains of the medieval Nimrod Fortress. Return to your hotel in time for optional spa treatments, and an independent dinner, either at your resort or in the artist’s town of Rosh Pina – one of the oldest Zionist settlements in Israel. BL
Same lodging

Day 6: The Upper Galilee and The Hula Valley. 63km
More cycling on smooth roads visiting unique natural sites including the Middle-Bronze and Biblical aged city of Dan. Today’s ride includes some hilly roads, a visit to the origin of the Jordan River at Tel Dan, as well as the gate and Acropolis of the ancient city. Fresh fish is on the menu for lunch, before cycling to Manara, near the Lebanese border. This section includes a steep 6km climb rewarded by the expansive view behind you. Then it is into the lush Hula Valley, the winter and summer retreat of more than 5000 migrating whooping cranes. You will spend some time walking the leisurely trails of the park, then transfer back to your hotel. This evening you will have a night tour and dinner through the alleys of the mystical town of Tzeffat. BLD
Same lodging

Day 7: The Upper Galilee – The Mountains. 47km
You will cycle through the Upper Galilee mountains westward today on excellent roads with lots of vistas, climbs and descents. You will pass through several Druze, Circassian, and Jewish villages, tasting local wines, delicacies and cuisines in each.  Visit the old Synagogue of Bar’am, and the abandoned Maronite village. Lunch will be served in one of two Druze villages: Hurfeish or Peki’in. The cycling concludes in Rama, then you’ll transfer about 50 minutes into Haifa. BLD
Carmel Forest Resort Spa; or
Leonardo Hotel, Haifa

Day 8: Morning exploration and transfer to Tel Aviv
You will have the morning to explore the walls and tunnels of Acre, learning about the conquests of Alexander the Great, Richard the Lion-Heart, Salah-E-din, and Napoleon. Your adventure concludes with a mid day departure from Haifa for Tel Aviv and Ben Gurion Airport. B

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