En Gedi National Park - Water and Wine Tours

En Gedi National Park

After Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the Desert of En Gedi.” ²So Saul took three thousand able young men from all Israel and set out to look for David and his men near the Crags of the Wild Goats.

1 Samuel 24:1

One drives south-bound along the Dead Sea, and the cliffs tower above to the right. Then suddenly the road flattens out and to the right the canyons of Ein Gedi come into view. This is the place to get out of your car, stretch your legs and take a 20 minute hike. After a few initial minutes you begin to hear the gentle flow of water. Here we find the best quality water, bottled by the local Kibbutz and marketed as Ein Gedi water. But for us the award awaits at the end of the hike. Amidst green overgrowth a waterfall cascades down the cliffs. On our way down the trail we come across waist-deep pools and it is here that we stop to cool off. Refreshed, we continue down the trail, refreshed for the rest of our journey. As we exit we keep an eye out for the Ibex and Hyrax which inhabit the crags and rocks above the water.

In ancient times En Gedi was known for the quality of its perfume, manufactured with a secret formula from the locally grown Balsam plant. The formula has been lost to time but the perfume was so alluring that it fetched extraordinary prices and it’s control was fought over by Herod the Great and Cleopatra. Close to the canyon an ancient synagogues mosaic floor is well preserved. In the mosaic the townsfolk are warned not to reveal their town’s ancient secret, the perfume’s formula!

How to put together your Water and Wine tour of Israel

On our Water and Wine Tours website you will not find standard tours.

Don’t worry. We’ll make sure that you experience the must-see sites in the country. But we’ve also included a comprehensive list of sites, by region for people with many different interests, with enough description for you to ascertain whether it’s the sort of place you want to spend your time.

You know your budget and how much time you have to spend here.

So here are our recommendations, based on years of leading all sorts of tours throughout the country.

Ask yourself if this trip is a vacation. Do you want to see sites but also feel really relaxed at the end of each day? So that you don’t need a few days of sleep upon your return home? If this is the case then try to restrict yourself to three major sites per day. Between the sites, travel and lunch 8-10 hours will pass quickly.
If you’re more inclined to describe yourself as a pilgrim or someone who wants a survey of sites, then expect to visit up to five sites per day. You’ll be spiritually satisfied but you’ll also need to get a good night’s sleep every night.

Your Tour Guide

Water & Wine Tours specializes in individually tailored tours catering to the interests of its clients. Our founder, Zach Levin, is an experienced, licensed tour guide who majored in Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures at Columbia University in the City of New York.

Our tour guides make the history and culture of Israel come alive. They understand that the customer is always right and want you to experience an unforgettable Israel. We’ll take you to places which you’ll love and never forget. When you need to be left alone we’ll sense it. When you need an extra hand we’re there for you.