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Canyoning (snapling) tour to wadi Qumran!
The origins of Christianity.
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Photo Gallery from previous tours:
Album 1, Album 2
Interesting facts about Qumran
Canyon description
Tour itinerary
Why choose this tour?
What to bring for the tour?
Interesting facts about Qumran
The name Qumran means "Moon rock" (from the Arabic "qumar" - "Moon"). Arabic legends tell that in the full moon night you can see the whole Moon reflection in the Dead Sea waters while standing on the top of the canyon.
Qumran is widely famous thanks to the sensational discovery of the ancient scrolls that are called Dead Sea Scrolls (or Qumran Scrolls). These manuscripts gave scientists a lot of interesting information about life and customs of the religious sect of ascets - the Essenes. Some of the scrolls today are preserved in the special building - the Temple of the Book in Jerusalem.
At the bottom of the canyon archaeologists have found the ruins of an ancient settlement that everybody now can see in the archaeological park. Scholars have very different views on the question who might been have lived in this place. Some of them say that the ruins belong to Essenes, some say it was a Roman fortress, and some claim that Qumran was an ancient private ceramics factory. Who's right we'll see in time, hopefully with new discoveries.
There are some beliefs that Essens largely influenced the first Christians (their views are remarkably similar) and that Jesus Christ could have been lived among the Essens for a while.
The length of the Qumran canyon is 2 km. It is one of the shortest canyons in Dead Sea area.
There was an ancient aqueduct that supplied the village at the foot of the canyon with fresh water. Curious explorers can easly find the fragments of it in the canyon.
The mysterious Copper Scroll was discovered in Qumran. This Scroll contains list of Second Temple treasures hidden in different places around the country. But still nobody can find a single piece of it.
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Canyon description
Canyon Qumran is situated at the very northern point of the Dead Sea. Its watercourse full of little grotto caves can be seen from a distance. Regular winter floods polished canyon rocks to the sparkling white, created deep ravines that significally increased the hights of the slopes in the recent years to the canyoneers joy.
There are 6 slopes in the canyon with maximum height of 40 meters (130 ft). All the slopes are with "positive" angle (which means that the man descends with his feet on the rocks, as opposite to "negative" angle where the man descends in the air far from rocks). Canyon is naturally divided into two parts: Upper Qumran (first three slopes) and Lower Qumran (another three slopes). This helps shorten the trip by making only one "half" but the true adventurers always choose to go the whole canyon.
There is a short and convenient trail leading to the top of the wadi, the intersections between the slopes are very short (sometimes called "zero distance" meaning that the slopes come one after the other with almost no walking distance). Also, there are lot of shady spaces where we can hide from the Dead Sea sun, and in the afternoon the whole canyon comes into shadow...
Why choose this tour?
Lot of nice and easy descents are suitable for complete newbies in canyoning. Experienced travelers will enjoy the beauty and formation of the slopes.
Easy and short route with no hiking intersections between slopes is suitable even for those who think that they are not in appropriate physical condition, and also for those who think that there is an age limit for canyoning. Qumran invites everybody to enjoy rappelling experience!
Qumran is a Nature Reserve and archaeological park. So it is not only outdoor activity, it is also a historical journey through the ages.
Oh, the view! The astonishing breathtaking view on the Dead Sea and Moab mountains that won't leave you indifferent. Besides, the grotto caves invite you to try and find the next sensational discovery. Who knows...:-)
Q-Terra guarantees:
1. The unusual photographs.
2. The tour you will not forget in the next 10 years.
3. The feeling of envy of those to whom you will tell about the place where you have been.
There is no need in previous experience or special physical training for participation in our tour. Throughout the whole journey you'll be in the good hands of our experienced instructors, who will provide your safety, help you in the difficult places, support you with the kind words, and if you'll behave well they will make a true oriental black coffee. Joke :-)
How the canyonning tour is taking off, read here.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions - here.
Tour starts - Friday 20:00.
Meeting place - 200 meters before Mezukei Dragot. Field parking in the left side of the road.
Approximate tour finish - Saturday 18:00
Tour itinerary
We meet in the evening on our overnight place. Spread the tents, make the table and BBQ. Get to know each other, talk, eat and sing. PLEASE NOTE! We cook and buy all the food for dinner by ourselves. The distribution of the food products for purchasing we do on Thursday after closing the registration.
We rise in the morning (about 7 a.m.). Fold the tents, drink coffee with cookies, take the backpacks and start the trip.
We entrance the Qumran archaeological park (the entrance for rappelling costs 7 NIS, for those with Matmon card - free entrance). Going on the trail to the top of the mountain to enter the canyon. The climb is short but a bit steep in some places. We'll rest if necessary.
We come to the first canyon slope. Get the instructions for the rappelling process, put on the rappelling equipment and start descending! Don't forget to enjoy the view and take pictures!
We rappell down all the canyon until we come to the bottom of it. Come back on the trail and see the famous cave no.4 where Qumran Scrolls were found.
We go back to our cars, return the equipment, share the impressions and celebrate fun day and new friendship by drinking the coffee together on the way home.
What to bring for the tour:
- 4 liter of water for each participant (must have)
- headlamp (must have)
- 3 batteries AAA for headlamp
- protection gloves for descending on rope (in stores like Tambur or ACE)
- sport footgear like sneakers
- headdress for sun protection (must have)
- food for tour day (sandwiches etc.)
- camera
- small backpack for the above
- good mood! (must have)
- tent
- sleeping bag
- sleeping mat
- sun protection eyeglasses
- sun protection cream
Take with you spare clothing and waterproof bags!
The number of participants is limited!
Tour price - 250 NIS for each participant.
Included:
- set of UIAA*/CE certified brand canyoning equipment for each participant
- certified Instructors
- insurance
Not included:
- food
- Entrance to Qumran fee (aproximately 7 NIS)
- transportation
* UIAA - International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation
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