Difference between revisions of "Dead Sea (Israel)"

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Revision as of 13:38, 8 October 2017

Dead Sea (Israel)
<map lat='31.4' lng='35.3' zoom='9' view='3' country='Israel' height='350'/>
Information
Country:
Flag of Israel
Israel
District (mahoz): Southern District
Major roads: 90
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The Dead Sea, the lowest point on the face of planet Earth and one the most saltiest bodies of water on the planet, is shared between Israel, Jordan and the West Bank. The Israeli and Palestinian side has only one road, Road 90, which continues south towards Eilat and Egypt, and north towards Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and northenr Israel (Beit She'an, Tiberias, Sea of Galille, Golan Heights etc).

Hitchhiking out

To Jerusalem

Wait at any point on Highway 90 (preferably a bus station) head north to the Beit Ha'arava Junction. Get off at the Beit Ha'arava Junction, and continue at the trempiada at the beginning of Highway 1 going west to Jerusalem. Having said that, most probably your ride will be already going to Jerusalem (most do) so there won't be any need to change rides at Beit Ha'Arava junction. If you do neet to change ride, from Beit HaArava junction it is best to wait for a ride that is going directly to Jerusalem without any stop, unless your goal is not actually to get to Jerusalem, but a town along the way, such as Ma'ale Adummim, in which case there should be people headed there as well.

To Eilat and Taba (Egypt)

Just stand on any point on the road, on the bus station heading south. Continue south till you reach Eilat.

To the Golan Heights

Wait at any point on Highway 90 (preferably a bus station) head north to the Beit Ha'arava Junction. From the Beit Ha'arava Junction, head north on highway 90 until you reach the Tsemach Junction at the bottom of the Kinneret (unless you found a ride that goes directly to northern Israel, e.g. to Beit She'an). From there, there is a trempiada up to the Golan. People either drive up to Highway 92 or Highway 98 from there. Highway 98 goes right up to the Golan, and Highway 92 runs along the east coast of the Kinneret from where you can pick up Route 789 at the Kursi Junction, or Highway 87 to the Golan. Route 789 connects to Highway 98 from where you can chose to either continue north or head south. Highway 87 also connects to 98, but a bit later, and it also turns west over the Kinneret or east through the center of the Golan until it picks up 98 at its end.

Hitching in

From Jerusalem

Get to the French hill junction. The place is usually crowded with hitchhikers, and drivers stop often. Most likely they will go only half ways, in which case you should ask to go down in the entry junction to their settlement, and continue hitchhiking from the bus station.

Craig found it easy to get a lift even from inside Jerusalem. A bus stop in front of the Hebrew University looked perfect to set off. Since recently you can get there hitchhiking from in front the Damascus gate (sounds strange, but worked numerous times: 10 mins, 5 mins).

When reaching the Beit-HaArava junction, next to the border with Jordan, the road turn south and from there you can ask to get off in any location at the shore of the Dead Sea.

See Jerusalem article for more details.

Sleep and Eat

The Dead Sea does not offer too much accommodation options for the budget traveler. One obvious option on the Israeli side is the Ein Gedi Youth Hostel, Masada Youth Hostel or Ein Gedi field school (it's a hostel). Another option is Camping, which is possible in all the seasons of the year. Camping can be done only in designated areas:

  1. Ein Bokek beach (a very good option, toilets, shower and lots of cafes and restaurant around) - two sites: in front of David hotel, in front of Isrotel Dead Sea hotel.
  2. Desert camping sites (no services at all) such as near the foot of Masada National Park, or at Nahal Rahaf (Rahaf (dry) stream) close to highway 90, between Masada and Ein Bokek,