Highly recommend staying in the Ein Gedi Kibbutz hotel. Mountain goats there graze between hotel buildings.
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The swimming pool in the middle of the desert, overlooking Dead Sea is great! (40x20x2m)
The main attractions at Ein Gedi are Wadi Arugot, Wadi David, the ancient synagogue, and the dead sea spa. We had very limited time, so we went to Wadi Arugot at 8.00AM. Despite the fact that 8AM is an official opening time, rangers were surprised to see us there, and refused to sell a ticket - "We open the counter later, you may pay on your way back".
So all the trail was for ourselves for quite some time...
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The mountain goats are wild there so they are wary of humans.
( Read more... )
On the way back we met many people doing the hike. It was 11AM, +40C and the sun was approaching the zenith. Fortunately, there is shade and water all along the trail.

There are crabs in the pools, beware!
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This one is guarding a golden chain lost by previous bathers. I decided not to bother the crab but if you do, I guess you can return the chain to a ranger.
( Read more... )
The swimming pool in the middle of the desert, overlooking Dead Sea is great! (40x20x2m)
The main attractions at Ein Gedi are Wadi Arugot, Wadi David, the ancient synagogue, and the dead sea spa. We had very limited time, so we went to Wadi Arugot at 8.00AM. Despite the fact that 8AM is an official opening time, rangers were surprised to see us there, and refused to sell a ticket - "We open the counter later, you may pay on your way back".
So all the trail was for ourselves for quite some time...
( Read more... )
The mountain goats are wild there so they are wary of humans.
( Read more... )
On the way back we met many people doing the hike. It was 11AM, +40C and the sun was approaching the zenith. Fortunately, there is shade and water all along the trail.
There are crabs in the pools, beware!
( Read more... )
This one is guarding a golden chain lost by previous bathers. I decided not to bother the crab but if you do, I guess you can return the chain to a ranger.