Ramah Galil Ride 2011 Itinerary

May 15-24, 2011 (includes international travel days)

Itinerary as of April 14 and is subject to change

Sunday, May 15: Departure for Israel

Make sure to leave ample time for check-in, especially if you are checking-in a bicycle.
All flights should arrive in Israel by 12:30 pm on Monday, May 16

Notes:

Breakfast is provided daily at each hotel. Lunches and dinners as indicated each day.
Riding days will include snacks and lunch provided at pre-arranged rest-stops during the day.
On any day, riders can choose one of two options: BOGRIM and SHOAFIM. Bogrim (from the Hebrew word for mature) will ride a full day covering approximately 250 miles (400 km) over the five days. Shoafim (from the Hebrew for aspiration) will experience both cycling and touring. Most days, they will ride in the morning, and after lunch travel by bus with a dedicated tour guide to explore the cultural and historical sites in Israel which are near our route.

Monday, May 16: Bruchim HaBa’im! Arrival and Travel North

12:30 PM: Depart airport for Kibbutz Ein Gev after landing, passport control and collecting luggage. Those who will be in Israel before the 16th should meet the group by this time.
Stop en-route at the charming town of Zichron Yaakov (dating back to the First Aliya, 1882) for lunch and a brief tour; take in a breathtaking view of the Kinneret and Jordan River Valley from Upper Betaniya as we drive to Ein Gev.
Dinner; Welcome and general orientation with the staff of Ramah-Israel and Galgalil

Overnight: Ein Gev Kibbutz Hotel, Sea of Kinneret

Tuesday, May 17: Bike Preparation and Tour

Enjoy a leisurely morning while our staff assists you in assembling your personal bikes or receiving and fitting your rental bike.
Lunch at the hotel
Depart for Optional Tour: Ascend to the Golan heights via the Hamat Gader road; lookout point over the Yarmuch river. View the fascinating ancient city of Gamla – Was it the “Masada of the Golan?” Light walk to the nesher (vulture) observation pavilion.
Orientation to the bike tour– including an introduction to tomorrow’s route and safety and security procedures.
Dinner
Optional evening activity

Overnight: Ein Gev Kibbutz Hotel, Sea of Kinneret

Wednesday, May 18 — Pesach Sheni: Bike Ride Day #1: Katzrin to Merom Golan

Overview: The first day consists of classic riding: serene highway biking in the scenic roads of the Golan Heights. It begins in Katzrin, where we will explore the Eastern Golan Heights: challenging ridges, water, dormant volcanoes, and more. We end in the northern Golan at Kibbutz Merom Golan and, along the way, learn of the importance of the Golan Heights to Israel and the Jewish people from Biblical times to today.
Bogrim Option: Distance: 70 km (43.4 miles); Elevation Gain: 1134 m (3720 ft)
Shoafim Option: Distance: 49 km (30.38 miles); Elevation Gain: 746 m (2447 ft)

Check in to the hotel; time to refresh; dinner and a brief orientation to tomorrow’s ride.
Optional evening activity

Overnight: Merom Golan Holiday Village

Thursday, May 19: Bike Ride Day #2: Merom Golan-Mt. Hermon-Galil Panhandle

Overview: Our second day will take us far north to the majestic Mt. Hermon, Israel’s highest point. It includes steep ascents, but stunning views throughout. We end the day south in the Hula Valley, with its tremendous bird sanctuary at Agmon HaHula, and then north to K’far Giladi Kibbutz (by bike or by bus).
Bogrim Distance: 94.9 km (58.8 miles); Elevation Gain: 1,600 m (5400 ft)
Shoafim Distance: 73.2 km (45.4 miles); Elevation Gain: 609 m (2000 ft)

Check in to the hotel; time to refresh; dinner and a brief orientation to tomorrow’s ride
Optional evening activity

Overnight: Kfar Giladi Kibbutz Hotel

Friday, May 20: Bike Ride Day #3: Kfar Giladi to Maalot in Western Galil

Overview: The third day is our most challenging. We will make our way across the Upper and Western Galil – stopping at ancient synagogues, learning about valor during the War of Independence, climbing high mountains (the highest outside Mt. Hermon), enjoying the lush green landscape as we cycle and look forward to what will surely be a well-deserved Shabbat.
Bogrim Distance: 72 km (44.6 miles); Elevation Gain: 2283 m (7490 ft)
Shoafim Distance: 48 km (29.8 miles); Elevation Gain: 1315 m (4315 ft)

Check-in to the C Hacienda Forestview Hotel and prepare for Shabbat
Kabbalat Shabbat services as a group, or join the Kehilla Masortit in Kfar Veradim (walking distance of the hotel)
Shabbat Dinner and Oneg

Overnight: C Hacienda Forestview Hotel (near Maalot)

Shabbat, May 21: Shabbat in the Western Galil

Overview: This hotel has a beautiful pastoral setting and has ample room for us to arrange our own Tefillot and activities. Services will be organized by the Ramah-Israel staff at the hotel or we can join the Masorti synagogue. Afternoon — walking tour of the area: Torah Lishma (study session); Rest; Ramah-style Minha organized by the Ramah-Israel Staff.
Seuda Shlisheet, Ramah-style Maariv and Havdalla
Orientation to tomorrow’s ride, followed by a Lag BaOmer Bonfire.

Overnight: C Hacienda Forestview Hotel (near Maalot)

Sunday, May 22 — Lag Ba’Omer: Bike Ride, Day #4: From Maalot to the Kinneret

Overview: Our fourth day of riding takes us from the Upper to the Lower Galil—cycling with breathtaking views of the Mediterranean along the route. We will enjoy lunch at Kibbutz Hannaton and meet with some members of the re-established Masorti community there. Later we will be transported to Upper Tiberias/Poriya at which point we will board mountain bikes to ride through an enchanted off-road area by the Kinneret.
Bogrim Distance: Part 1: 68.3 km, (42.3 miles) Part 2: 23 km (14 miles);
Elevation Gain: Part 1: 1115 m (3658 ft) Part 2: 245 m (804 ft)
Shoafim Distance: Part 1: 49.3 km (30.6 miles) Part 2: 23 km (14 miles);
Elevation Gain: Part 1: TBD; Part 2: 245 m (804 ft)

Check in to the hotel; time to refresh; dinner and a brief orientation to tomorrow’s ride.
Optional evening activity

Overnight: Holiday Inn, Tiberias

Monday, May 23: Bike Ride Day #5: Circling the Kinneret (and more!)

Overview: Our last day of riding has us circling the Sea of Kinneret, one of Israel’s national treasures, and includes our final climb in the Golan to take in one last view of the country from a scenic lookout point. We will make a stop at the Kinneret Courtyard and Cemetery in order to pay homage to the Halutzim of the Second Aliya and to other Israeli personalities, such as the songwriter Naomi Shemer. We end the day where we started, back in Tiberias, where we reflect on the beautiful land upon which we traveled over the week.
Bogrim Distance: 82.7 km (51.3 miles); Elevation Gain: 1626 m (5335 ft)
Shoafim Distance: 62 km (38.44 miles); Elevation Gain: 307 m (1007 ft)

Ceremony marking end of the Bike Tour; Final, festive Dinner
Transfer to Ben Gurion Airport
For those leaving tonight:
- 01:00am (May 24) El Al Flight LY001 departs Ben Gurion Airport
- 05:40am (May 24) Arrival at JFK Airport

Total Raised