Beach & Mountains

Introduction
North Israel
The Carmel Seaside and Caesarea
We have created four challenging days of horseback riding which include climbing Mt. Carmel, enjoying Druze hospitality, gallops along Mediterranean beaches and a visit to the ancient city of Caesarea. This trip is designed for horse lovers who are coming to Israel to sightsee and would like to experience Israel in a different and gratifying way.
A most enjoyable horseback riding vacation. 
 

Accomodation

Accommodations
This is a stationary ride, so all nights are in the same location.

Description
We have carefully chosen our sleeping location for cleanliness and comfort. Amenities in the lodge always include hot showers and running toilets. WIFI is available. Laundry is not available.
On this ride, you are accommodated at a Country Lodge in Kibbutz Dalia.

Room Occupancy
Triple occupancy possible.
Single supplement is mandatory if we are unable to find another rider to share.



Meals
All meals from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 4 are included.

Our staff prepares healthy, fresh, filling meals so no one ever rides on an empty stomach. 

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. When dining in Arab restaurants, no alcoholic beverages are allowed.

Dietary Restrictions
We can accommodate vegetarians and other special dietary (including kosher) requests if given prior notice.
No pork is served on any of our trips.

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding


Riding Level
The overall success of a horseback holiday depends on all riders having the skills to safely perform at the pace expected. Riders with insufficient skills are a danger to themselves and to others. As a result, it is crucial that you be experienced and fit enough to ride 30 km a day.
This horseback vacation is designed for riders with good intermediate riding skills.

Horses
Our horses are mostly local Arabian horses trained in Western riding but that can easily adjust to English riders. They are well groomed, in great shape and perfectly suited for horseback vacations (many of them are trained for Endurance). 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 can be provided.

Tack
Quality Western tack for comfort and ease. In general, we use Western tack made in the USA. In our experience with trail riding vacations, riders who are used to English tack quickly adapt to riding Western style. Nevertheless, we can arrange for English tack if given notice ahead of time.
If you would prefer to use your own tack, this is possible only if it fits the horse we have assigned you. You are welcome to bring your own tack but we cannot guarantee you will be able to use it.

Staff
The tour is led by at least 1 licensed certified trail riding guide. All of our guides are skilled horsemen, specializing in trail riding. They combine their passion for horses with a deep knowledge and love of Israel. They all speak English.

Safety
Safety is of utmost importance on all our horseback vacations.
Before every trip, our guides make a run through to ensure the trails are safe. In addition, we always carry a first aid kit.
It can get very hot in Israel, especially in the summer and in the desert. We have strict rules regarding weather conditions, including never riding in temperatures over 90°F (32°C).

Itinerary


Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival / Ride through Ramot Menashe National Park
Pick-up from the airport/ hotel.
Arrival by 12 pm (noon) at Kibbutz Dahlia in the stunning Ramot Menashe region for introductions and a brief explanation. Immediately after, we will drive to the Ranch and after matching horses and tack with riders, we will set off for an introductory ride in the Riding Adventure Park in Kibbutz HaZorea. This will give us an opportunity to bond as a group and to get to know the horses. Then we will head out for our first trail ride to HaZorea Stream and Shalom Valley – giving you your first taste of Israel’s beautiful natural landscape. We will sleep in a cozy country lodge located on Kibbutz Dahlia.
Riding approx. 10 km/ 6.2 miles 
Meals included: Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Kibbutz Dalia

Day 2: Ride across Carmel Region
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 continue to the Druze village Daliyat al-Karmel. Daliyat al-Karmel is a vivacious town whose main street is lined with colorful stores selling local handicrafts. There we will learn about the unique culture and traditions of the Druze, a sect of Islam. Leaving, we will ride toward Maarote Stream through areas of the Carmel Forest and through Maharal Valley. Following the stream, we will come to caves Neanderthals inhabited 60 thousand years ago. Interesting paleoanthropological discoveries have proven that this area was continuously populated from the Neanderthals until ten thousand years ago. After a short tour of the site, we will head west towards the Mediterranean Sea. Riding on beautiful beaches at sunset, we will arrive at our camp site where we will spend the night. 
Riding approx. 27 km/ 16.7 miles
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Kibbutz Dalia

Day 3: Beach Ride & Taninim Stream Visit
Beach, beach, beach! Today we will open our day by riding, swimming and bathing in the Mediterranean Sea. Experienced riders will have the exhilarating opportunity for long, fast gallops on the beach. In the spring and fall, flocks of migratory birds fly over Israel in the thousands. If your tour is during the migratory season, you will get to see this impressive ornithological event. Towards midday, we will visit Taninim Stream and the site of an amazing water project from Herod’s time. In the afternoon, we will ride to the ruins of Caesarea where we will set up our tents and conduct a walking tour of the ancient ruins. At sunset, we will take a ride on a speedboat to explore the ancient port of Caesarea, one of the largest ports in the area during Roman times.
Riding approx. 18 km/ 11 miles  
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Kibbutz Dalia

Day 4: Ride to Kibbutz HaZorea
We will leave Caesarea for the pastoral vineyards of the beautiful Alona Valley. Near Moshav Amikam, we will visit an ancient water project. Crawling and swimming in underground tunnels, we will explore the 2000 year old water system which still has water flowing through it. We will then ride through the chalk plains of Dahlia Stream. In the winter and spring, these plains bloom with wildflowers. In the afternoon, we will reach Kibbutz HaZorea and the end of our trip. The tour officially ends at 4 pm. We can drop participants off in Tel Aviv or at the airport.
Riding approx. 27 km/ 16.7 miles
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch



Non-Riders
Non-riders can join this trips by riding in the escort car. We must know ahead of time if non-riders will be joining.

Rates and Dates for Beach & Mountains

Dates Note: Best months for this trip are from March to May and from September to November

Other Info
Meeting: Kibbutz Dahlia
Airport: Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport.
Transfer: Tel Aviv hotel or airport

Climate:
                                            Nazareth area