Not every guide can take you “off the beaten track” but I can.

En Prat instead of En Gedi

Just upgraded my website subscription with WordPress and now I have twice as much space for photographs, blog posts and new webpages, pretty exciting and I’ve gotten rid of the random advertisements that used to appear, also a big plus so this marks an opportunity to add new material to my website.

Yesterday on Shabbat a new sinkhole opened up near En Gedi so authorities have closed Highway 90 from Mitzpe Shalem until further notice. The reserve is basically closed after a freak storm in May that dumped 1.4 inches of rain on En Gedi, flooded the archaeological site with the ancient synagogue and destroyed the trails in Nahal David and Arugot. Sad that we won’t be able to enjoy En Gedi.

Don’t be disappointed, a guide always has an alternative plan so I’d be happy to take you to the En Prat Nature Reserve.

Definitely a magical place with water all year round, running streams and pools in the Judean desert. Yes, it’s in the Shomron, you enter through the settlement of Almon (also known as Anatot, one of the Levitical cities given to “the children of Aaron” in the tribe of Benjamin (Joshua 21:13–18).

July and August are hot in Israel, Africa hot but the pools are cool. The tree in the photograph is a fig tree and we were able to eat fresh figs off the tree. We hiked following the stream bed all the way to the gorge and waterfall.

I’m looking forward to your next visit. I hope I’ll see you soon – I’ll be ready.