The Nativity Trail is an eleven day walking journey of approximately 160 km from Nazareth, the City of the Annunciation, to Bethlehem, the City of the Nativity, where the Christian faith had its beginning.
The carefully researched route is the first leg of the new Palestine Trail.
Day one: Arrival
Initial meeting point will be at the hotel in Nazareth. Groups can arrange to be picked up from Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) or other arrival destination and transferred to Nazareth. Dinner and overnight in Nazareth.
Day two: Nazareth and Mount Tabor
Day three: Faqu’a to Zababdeh: 20 km
Walk from Faqua through the villages of Jalbun and Mughayir to Zababdeh.
Overnight accommodation in community center.
Day four: Zababdeh to Fara'a: 15 km
Walk through olive groves and forests, descending to the spring of Ain Fara’a.
Arrive in Fara'a, visit the archeological sites of Jacob and his family.
Dinner and overnight with local families.
Day five: Fara'a to Nablus: 15 km
Walk through orchards to the broad sweep of Wadi Bidan, a picturesque valley.
In Nablus, visit the Greek Orthodox Church of Jacob’s Well and Tel Balata, and tour the old city. Try the famous kanafeh!
Relax with a the Turkish Bath along with a Palestinian traditional meal and music.
Overnight in the old city of Nablus.
Day six: Nablus to Duma
Walk through the Huwara checkpoint to Awarta, with its beautiful ancient old buildings
Visit the famous Maqams and continue to Mt. Awrma to rest and enjoy views of Palestine and the ancient archeological site.
Continue past Aqraba and Majdal Bani Fadil to the agriculture hilltop town of Duma with its ample olive groves.
Overnight village accommodation with families
Day seven: Duma to Ain Auja: 18 km
Cross deep valleys and high hills before descending a rocky gorge to sea level at Auja Spring, one of the largest water sources in the Jordan valley.
Overnight camping with Bedouin shepherd’s near Al Auja
Day eight: Auja to Jericho: 13 km
Visit the Greek Orthodox Monastery of Mt. of Temptation, clinging to the cliffs.
Explore Jericho, the oldest city on Earth.
Drive to the Dead Sea and enjoy swimming and floating in the unique water.
Overnight either camping in an orange grove or at a hotel in Jericho
Day nine: Jericho to Nabi Musa: 14 km
The spectacular canyon of Wadi Qelt to St. George Koziba Monastery.
Hike the arid mountains of the Bethlehem wilderness to the remote and dramatically situated Nabi Musa.
Overnight in Nabi Musa guest house or camping.
Day ten: Nabi Musa to Mar Saba: 8 km
Follow desert tracks through Hyrcania, one of Herod’s mountain-top fortresses, to the legendary ancient Greek Orthodox Monastery of Mar Saba in its wild canyon setting.
Overnight either camping near the Monastery, at a local Bedouin camp or with local family in Beit Sahour
Day eleven: Mar Saba to Bethlehem: 9 km
The trail’s final segment:
Ascend the hills of the Bethlehem wilderness reaching Beit Sahour and Bethlehem's Manager Square and the Church of the Nativity.
Dinner and overnight with local families.
Day twelve: Departure
Please note that journey segments and distances are approximate.
ATG and Siraj reserve the right to amend the program.