Gallop to Galilee

An exciting riding challenge through Israel that will take you from the Mediterranean Coast over the mountains to the Sea of Galilee. Going through scenic countryside filled with historic and religious interest. The challenge is not for the faint hearted, it will involve riding Quarter horses on Western saddles for about 30 km a day for 5 days.

The fundraising ride is being organised by the Treborth Riding for the Disabled group. The Trek is an opportunity to raise funds for your own local RDA branch or for the Treborth RDA group.

The ride will take place in October 2001, to participate riders need to raise a minimum sponsorship, a proportion of this will cover the travelling and tour costs and the rest will go to the RDA group of your choice.

Places are limited, to get more details please contact:

Lesley Wilson, Volunteer Fundraiser,

Treborth RDA Group,

2 Glan y Gors, Dinorwic, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 3EW,

01286 870 261, lesleywi@dialstart.net

Treborth RDA Group acknowledges that Riding for the Disabled Association, Charity No 244108, does not accept responsibility or liability in regard to this event in any way.

ITINERARY

Riding for the Disabled

Horse Trek to the Sea of Galilee

13th – 21st October 2001

Day 1 – 13th October 2001

Night flight London Heathrow – Tel Aviv

Day 2 – 14th October 2001

Transfer to Kibbutz Guest House Nachsholim located on the Mediterranean coast just north of Caesaria. After breakfast we will visit the stables and meet the horses.

P.M. – Time permitting we will take an optional tour to either:

The ancient city/port of Acco. Settled by the Greeks in the 3^rd Century B.C., then conquered by the Romans before being converted by the Crusaders in the 11^th Century. Six hundred years later, Napoleon reached its gates only to be defeated by the British before being able to enter this fascinating city.

or:

The ancient Roman Capital Caesaria with its wonderful amphitheatre and extraordinary aquaduct.

Day 3 – 15th October 2001

Nachsholim – Kibbutz Hasolelim 32km

Short ½ hour transfer to the stables. Then start our ride along an ancient Roman road to the Druz Villages of Daliat, El Carmel and Usafia where we will undoubtedly receive a warm welcome. Then on to Muchraka the highest peak of Mount Carmel and the traditional spot of Elijah’s altar. From here wonderful views of the Jezreel Valley where many of the biblical battles took place. We descend into the valley crossing the small river Kishon to our night stop at Kibbutz Hasolelim.

Day 4 - 16th October 2001

Kibbutz Hasolelim – Beit Keshet 31km

Today we ride through this fertile valley visiting Zipori (which means my bird). This was one of the most important ancient cities of the Galilee it served as a spiritual Talmudic centre and possesses a Crusader Church with Hebrew inscriptions dating back to the 3^rd Century A.D. We pass along side of the hills of Nazareth before reaching our overnight accommodation at Beit Keshet.

Day 5 - 17th October 2001

Beit Keshet - Migdal 26km

Today’s ride takes us from the lower Galilee hills down towards the Sea of Galilee over 200 metres below sea level. En route we pass some of the famous Crusader battlefields, the most important of which is Karnei Hittin where the Moslem’s leader Saladin defeated the Crusaders in 1187. We also pass the Tomb of Jethro (Moses’ father in law) one of the most holy sites for the Druze. We overnight in a kibbutz on the shores of the Sea of Galilee at Migdal – birthplace of Mary Magdalene – situated 6 kms north of Tiberius.

Day 6 - 18th October 2001

Ginnossar – Nahal Zaki 27km

We ride along Nahal Salmon through Ginossar’s orchard to Nahal Amud. We ascend back to sea level. We cross the Tiberias-Rosh Pina road to Mount of Beatitudes with its beautiful lookout of the Sea of Galilee. We visit the monastery where Jesus delivered the Sermon and continue to Nahal Zaki, one of the rivers, which flows into the Sea of Galilee from the Golan heights. We camp overnight at the entrance of the Wadi

Day 7 – 19th October 2001

Nahal Zaki – Kursi 25km

On our last day’s ride we climb up Nahal Kanaf and find ourselves on the Golan Heights, viewing the sea from the East. The panoramic sights are stunning as we descend to Kursi where the Pope recently held a huge gathering. It is also the traditional site of the miracle of the swine and hosts the remains of the largest Byzantine Monastery in the Holy Land. This is a fitting end to our Israel horse riding experience, not dissimilar in some ways to how the population travelled through this country 2,000 – 3,000 years ago. After saying our goodbyes to the horses we transfer to Jerusalem for two nights stay close to the Old City.

Day 8 – 20th October 2001

A free day to visit Jerusalem or join an optional guided walking tour of the Old City. We will enjoy a celebratory evening meal.

Day 9 – 21st October 2001

Transfer to airport for return flight Tel Aviv to London Heathrow.

This itinerary is complex and maybe subject to change.