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| En Gedi, Ein Gedi | ||
| province | Tamar Regional Council, Southern District | |
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| Residents | about 800 | |
no value for residents on Wikidata:  | ||
| height | unknown | |
| no value for height on Wikidata: | ||
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
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En Gedi or A Gedi (Hebrew עין גדי "source of the kid") is a kibbutz in Israel to the southwestern coastline of Dead Sea. However, the kibbutz, which opened in 1972, is less known Natural park near the village: En Gedi is one of the largest oases in the surrounding desert area. In the area of En Gedi you can also swim in the Dead Sea and enjoy thermal baths; appropriate facilities are available.
background
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The oases of En Gedi were already settled before the turn of the ages; during excavations, settlements from different historical periods were discovered. En Gedi is also mentioned several times in the Bible: For example, it is reported in the 1st book of Samuel that the later King David hid in the fertile and inaccessible area when he was on the run from Saul (1 sat 24 ).
After there had been no permanent settlements in En Gedi since late antiquity, the area of today's location was repopulated in 1949, initially as a military post, later a kibbutz was founded here. The oasis is known for turkey breeding, the cultivation of date palms and pomelos and the mineral water of the same name bottled here, as well as for the nature park, in which ibex live.
En Gedi is still in the Israeli heartland, the border to West Bank runs just north of the village, parts of the nature park are already on the other side of the green line. Geographically, the place belongs to Judean desert.
getting there
By plane
The closest airport is the Ben Gurion Airport
(IATA: TLV) at Tel Aviv; From there you can reach En Gedi by rental car or by bus via Jerusalem. For a day trip, Ein Gedi is also from Ramon Airport Eilat Airport(IATA: ETM) reachable from.
By train
There are no rail connections to the Dead Sea, so En Gedi cannot be reached by train.
By bus
En Gedi and the Dead Sea are best served by public transport Jerusalem to start off; there is a fairly regular bus service. Individual buses also go to En Gedi Eilat and Beer Sheva (Beersheba). It should be noted that there are several destinations (and bus stops) in the En Gedi area:
- The northernmost stop (first on Main Street / Street 90 when coming from Jerusalem) is 1 Bus stop at Ein Gedi Field School; This is where the youth hostel “Beit Sarah” is located, you can walk to the nature park area at Nachal David in a few minutes;
- One and a half kilometers further south the road branches off to the kibbutz (with hotel); there is one here 2 Bus stop on the main street, two more in town;
- It is almost four kilometers to the bathing complex 3 Bus stop at En Gedi Spa; There is a stop at the junction and one directly at the bathroom.
Some bus routes operate not all Stops; If you want to be on the safe side, you should find out exactly where the bus stops or which additional footpath you have to take into account for a specific destination in En Gedi before you set off.
| aim | Bus routes | Connection density during the day | Duration approx. | Price NIS | Hints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jerusalem | 421, 444, 486, 487 | irregular, approx. every 1-2 hours | 1:30 | 36,00 | 444 only stops along road 90, 487 from Jerusalem only in the kibbutz |
| Beer Sheva | 384 | 3-4 connections daily | 2:15 | 47,00 | |
| Eilat | 444 | 5 connections daily | 3:30 | 65,00 | 444 only stops along road 90 |
| Arad | 384 | 3-4 connections daily | 1:30 | 33,00 | |
| Masada | 384, 421, 444, 486 | irregularly, about every hour | 0:15 | 18,30 | 444 only stops along road 90 in En Gedi |
| Notes: In some cases, not all lines to the destination are mentioned here (e.g. if there are many different lines between two cities or very few journeys on one line). However, the specified cycle density refers to all available connections. Links in the table lead to the mobility information of the respective location. Swell: Egged and Otobusim.co.il; Status: 08/2010 - * Lines with a star are not served by Egged, but by another company. | |||||
In the street
En Gedi is on the west bank of the Dead Sea south of the border with West Bank. The only way to get to En Gedi is by road 90.
From Jerusalem to Ein Gedi one takes the road1 towards the east over Jericho and then switch to the street 90 further south. You cross the West Bank, which is usually possible without any problems. If you are traveling by rental car, you should find out beforehand whether there are any restrictions on trips to the Palestinian territories or which ones.
If you are coming from the south, there is no need to cross the West Bank. You then also choose the street 90, but to the north (e.g. from Eilat). The road is an important feeder to road 90 in the south 31 of Arad or the streets 60 and 31 of Beer Sheva (Beersheba).
mobility
In the Ein Gedi kibbutz itself, people move on foot; vehicles are only allowed in a few exceptional cases. It is too far to walk to the beach of the Dead Sea at En Gedi Spa, kibbutz guests are transported by a private bus that runs every hour.
Between Ein Gedi "Field-School" / Youth-Hostel, Ein Gedi-Kibbutz Hotel and Ein Gedi-SPA, the distances are difficult to manage, especially on hot summer days, your own vehicle (rental car) is not a luxury here, especially since you are from Jerusalem or Arad or Beer Sheeba is otherwise dependent on public buses (or taxis). The public bathing beach of Ein Gedi on the Dead Sea, which used to be reached on foot from the "Field School", is no longer accessible due to the sinkholes.
Tourist Attractions
"En Gedi Nature Reserve"
The main attraction in Ein Gedi is the vast one "En Gedi Nature Reserve" north of the actual place. The park includes two streams, namely the so-called Nachal (or "Nahal", Hebrew for "Bach") Arugot and the Nachal David. Both streams run in deeply indented valleys and carry water all year round, hence the lush vegetation.
- En Gedi Natural Park. Tel.: (08) 658-4285. Open: Apr-Sept 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Oct-Mar 8 a.m.-4 p.m., last admission in winter: 3 p.m. Nachal David, 2 p.m. Nachal Arugot.Price: Adults 25 NIS, children 13 NIS; there are various discounts, the entrance ticket is valid for both valleys.At the entrance to Nachal Arugot, the supervisor will check whether you are bringing acceptable footwear and sufficient water supplies with you on the hike.
For those traveling in an individual vehicle, it is advisable not to park the vehicle under one of the shady trees near the parking lot, otherwise the ibex will like to climb onto the roof of the vehicle and try to get over the roof into the branches of the trees - ibex traces on the roof of the rental car can be found on return lead to discussions.
- The 1 Nahal David is the more northerly of the two watercourses; this stream valley is very often visited by tourist buses as part of a short visit and by Israeli school classes, so it is relatively overcrowded. The 2 Shulamit - waterfall can be reached after a relatively short walk (approx. 30 minutes one way), and you can swim in the pond under the waterfall. The experience of nature can clearly suffer from the rush; Nature also lost something due to a large landslide a few years ago in which a long section of the slope slid down.
- Here the path branches off in the manner of a One-way regulation up, along the northern bank you ascend to the David Waterfall, on the opposite side you go back again. Along the Nachal David there are various small waterfalls and ponds, in which people bathe diligently in the summer heat, partly in bikini and partly in the full costume of the Orthodox Jews.
- The path ends on 3 David Waterfall, Part of the water flows here through a rock hole, another falls 10-15 m below it. Swimming is prohibited in the pond below this waterfall, you are not allowed to picnic at the rest area, you are only allowed to take drinks. Below the David Waterfall, the path on the southern bank of the Nahal David, well secured with steps and handrails, leads back to the park entrance.
- If you still have energy, you can go south in front of the David waterfall to the Chalcolithic temple ascend and from there to the 4 Rock window get above the waterfall.
- It's much quieter in the 5 Nachal Arugot further south to; the trail is a little steeper and makes certain demands on the hiking suitability. On the red and white marked path you hike into the canyon-like valley, the stream initially on the left.
- At a 6 You can branch off on a blue and white marked path that leads along the stream, which has to be crossed in part on stepping stones to the 7 "Hidden Waterfall" reach.
- From the junction, the red and white marked path leads further into the whale, which partially widens; sometimes you hike on the valley flank, sometimes the stream is crossed on stepping stones on the valley floor. The path ends in one 8 cauldron-like rocks where the stream rises as a source.
If you are lucky, you can see not only impressive vegetation in both valleys, but also different animals. In the nature park there are among others Nubian Ibex, Foxes and leopards (the latter are only out and about at night), perhaps the one that is reminiscent of a marmot crosses Hyrax the way of the wanderer. These roughly rabbit-sized animals, which are very numerous in En Gedi, look like rodents, but their closest relatives are elephants and manatees.
More Attractions
The remains of one lie in the flat coastal strip between the two stream valleys 9 synagogue; beautiful mosaics have been preserved here.
Further up on the slope, also between Nachal David and Nachal Arugot, are the remains of one 10 Chalcolithic temple; this temple is thought to be well over 5000 years old. In the Chalcolithic period, the moon may have been worshiped here. Not far away are the ruins of an old water mill. In the vicinity of the temple there are two other springs on the slope: the Schulamit and the En-Gedi springs.
Finally, the one is worth seeing Botanic Garden at the En Gedi Country Hotel in the place itself.
activities
- most of the day visitors come to the hike according to Ein Gedi. Maps are available in the nature park that not only show the tours in the two stream valleys "Nahal David" and "Nahal Arugot", but also paths into the surrounding desert. The longest tours take several hours and lead from the stream valleys far up to the plateau of the Judean desert. Before such hikes, however, you should inform yourself in detail, good equipment and taking enough drinking water with you is imperative.
- with the closure of Ein Gedi Beach due to subsidence and collapse of the shore area Bathing in the Dead Sea got difficult here:
- 1 En Gedi Beach: the small beach directly in the coastal road 90 was definitely closed due to collapse of the subsoil (the facilities were almost "swallowed by the ground") and is no longer available.
- A long way south of En Gedi (about 4 km) is the chargeable and unfortunately quite expensive 2 A Gedi Spa (approx. 100 NIS per person!). Originally (1985) located directly on the coast, it is now a good kilometer from the current coastline. The thermal center has thermal springs, the sulfur content of which can be smelled from afar. The thermal bath has a temperature of approx. 37 ° C and a salt concentration similar to that of the Dead Sea. A massage room and a relaxation room are connected, there is a restaurant with a simple buffet and a kiosk, and towels and bathrobes can also be borrowed. A swimming pool is attached outside. A lot of fun is rubbing the Dead Sea shore mud in the garden and then using the hot showers.
- Guests at the Hotel - Kibbutz von Ein Gedi who want to bathe in "En Gedi Spa" in the Dead Sea can use a free shuttle service to take them to the sun loungers by the water. Don't forget your bathing shoes, the salt crystallizes out in the bank area, which is at least unpleasant. Entering the shore area outside the markings should be avoided, signs warn of earth collapses in the shore area.
- An alternative for those traveling with a rental vehicle is a path with access to Dead Sea Beach immediately south of the checkpoint on Road 90 north of Ein Gedi. The vehicle can be parked above the street. Fresh water sources allow the salty water to be washed off after the bath.
- for most are likely to be the beaches of A bokek be the best alternative.
shop
There is a grocery store in the kibbutz itself; the opening times are posted in the lobby. There is pretty much everything you need there (the selection of fruits and vegetables is limited). Even those who have forgotten toiletries at home can buy essentials. There is a large selection of drinks. The prices for tourists are slightly higher than those for the kibbutzniks.
kitchen
There is a kiosk at each of the places of interest for tourists (beach, En Gedi Spa, access to Nachal David), usually also a small restaurant. The kibbutz hotel has its own 1 restaurant.
nightlife
Nightlife is less exciting in En Gedi. There is a bar in the kibbutz that usually only closes when the last guest leaves. Other events are posted on the bulletin board.
accommodation
- 1 Youth hostel En Gedi "Beit Sarah", D.N. Dead Sea 86980. Tel.: 972-2-5945600 (National reservation number: 1-599-510-511), Fax: 972-8-6584445, Email: [email protected]. - Bookings must be made in advance for at least two nights during the high season (e.g. during the Passover period). The guest houses are located on a hill in the immediate vicinity of Nachal David. Several hundred meters to the south is the public beach, which can be reached on foot from the youth hostel.Open: Reception manned: Sun - Fri: 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
- 2 A Gedi Hotel, M.P.DEAD SEA 86980 Israel. Tel.: 972-8-6594230, Fax: 972-8-6584231, Email: [email protected]. - The "Ein Gedi Hotel" with rooms in single bungalows is located on the plateau of Kibbutz En Gedi; Due to its elevated position, En Gedi has beautiful views of the Dead Sea.
- 3 En Gedi Field School. Tel.: 972-8-6584288. Another possibility to stay overnight is in the "En Gedi Field School" of the SPNI (Society for Protection of Nature in Israel) above the youth hostel.
security
There are no particular security risks in En Gedi. However, one should observe the usual precautionary measures for this area of the Dead Sea as well as for the desert:
- Since spontaneous earth collapses can occur in the northern part of the Dead Sea, one should under no circumstances bathe outside the public beaches (one should not do that anyway, as one can drown in the Dead Sea if, for example, one accidentally swallows water and in Panic device).
- When hiking in the desert you definitely have to think about adequate sun protection and enough drinking water!
- In the parking lots at the national park entrances, it is better not to park the (rental) car under trees, as the ibexes use the roof of the car as an aid to climbing up the trees, the risk of such damage is greater than that caused by vehicle breaking into the vehicle, but not leaving valuables open in the vehicle .
Directly north of En Gedi is the border with the West Bank. A few kilometers to the north, at a checkpoint on road 90, checks are carried out on entry from the West Bank, but these are usually not particularly time-consuming for tourists.
health
There is a doctor in the kibbutz. He also speaks English, Russian and understands some German.
Practical advice
Usually everyone speaks English. Until a few years ago there was an extra office for German vacationers; today there is only occasionally ONE German-speaking employee. French and Russian are also understood. There are tours in different languages in the kibbutz. Here, too, the bulletin board can help.
You can post your mail in the lobby of the Guest House. Stamps and postcards are available during the opening hours of the small souvenir shop, also in the lobby. Telephone cards (Telecard) can also be bought in the souvenir shop. Two telephones are available. Those who live in the guest house can also make or receive calls from their bungalow.
trips
- North of En Gedi lies on the west bank of the Dead Sea with the excavations of Qumran one of the main tourist destinations in the Judean desert (35 km). Qumran is best known for the very old scrolls that were found in caves there.
- 11 Enot Tsukim Nature Reserve, near Road 90. Tel.: (0)2994 2355, Fax: (0)2994 7815, Email: [email protected]. Nature reserve around fresh water springs with a belt of reeds on the shores of the Dead Sea.Open: Winter Sa-Thu 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Fr 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Summer Sa-Thu 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (July / August to 7 p.m.), Fr 8 a.m.-4 p.m.Price: 29/15 NIS.
- The is just a little south Enot Tsukim Nature Reserve (or Ein Feshkha), an oasis on the edge of the Dead Sea with high vegetation growing around freshwater sources, with a nature trail and freshwater pond to splash around, no access to the Dead Sea! In the area of the protected area there are also archaeological finds of an agricultural property of the Essenes and residential buildings from the time of Herod.
- Another 20 km further north is the Palestinian city Jericho; a visit here is usually possible without any major problems; Jericho is considered to be one of the quietest Palestinian cities on the West Bank.
- The famous rock fortress is located south of En Gedi Masada (20 km). The large complex on the summit plateau of a mountain, which dates back to Herod, is one of the country's most important sights.
literature
- Israel National Parks & Nature Reserves, Azaria Alon, engl., ISBN 978-965-220-705-0
