Geographical area:​

The Dead Sea, central and southern Judean Desert

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Background:

The Rachaf River is a desert canyon that runs dry most of the year. After the winter flash floods, the canyon’s bedrock fills with water, resulting in deep, crystal clear pools. The narrow gorge, towering stone walls that reach hundreds of meters into the air, and elongated rock pools below together form a breathtaking sight.

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Type of trip:

Medium difficulty level; rappelling required; swimming required (when pools are full)

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Duration:

up to 10 hours

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Trail Outline:

Rendezvous: 7:40am where we’ll leave our vehicles in the parking area adjacent

to the army post overlooking the Rachaf River, which is located about 4km

south of Masada on Highway 90 (Highway 90 between kilometer 220 and

221, MR 236177, 577193) We’ll hand out rappelling equipment and head out

at 8:00am on foot for about 1.5 kilometers, including a slight incline on a dirt

path with trail markings that will lead us to the lower Rachaf River.
Here we’ll sit down for breakfast  between the narrow gorge walls.
After breakfast, we’ll begin rappelling down the gorge.
The lower river consists of 5 dry falls: 8m, 15m, 22m, 20m, 40m in height,

respectively.
In the afternoon, we’ll stop for lunch in the gorge.
After we’ve rappelled our way down the gorge, we’ll ascend on a dirt path with

red trail markings back to where the vehicles await.

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Personal Equipment: 

4.5 liters of water per person (preferably in insulated Jerri cans), medium

backpack (at least 30 liter capacity for personal items, food and rappelling

equipment), walking shoes (closed shoes only), sandals/flip-flops (leave in car

for after the trail), hat, light clothing suitable for swimming (not a swimsuit),

long hiking pants (not jeans), food and snacks, mosquito repellent, sunscreen

(don’t forget we are in the desert), watertight plastic bag for personal or

valuable items (camera, cellphone, etc.), rubber band for long hair,

change of clothes (will be left in the car for after the trail), sunglasses.

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Recommended: Camera, light snacks such as sour/sweet candy, dates,

raisins, almonds

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We provide:

Qualified rappelling instructors, all necessary rappelling equipment,

extra water, first aid kit, coffee & tea kit

The  trip includes insurance, as required by law.

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Cost per Participant:

Determined by size of group