Israel Bike Tour
- Admire marvelous archaeological treasures in Beit She'an and the Judean Hills
- Savor Israeli, Lebanese and Druze cuisine - as delicious as it is diverse
- Taste wine in a land where grapes have been cultivated since biblical times
- Get to know the old city of Jerusalem on a private walking tour
- Bookend your bicycling trip with extended stays in vibrant Tel Aviv and historic Jerusalem
From the Sea of Galilee to the Golan Heights & Jerusalem
A dazzling fusion of past and present, Israel will captivate you at every turn. With Backroads, you'll delve deeply into this ancient and holy land - a place shaped by prophets, kings and crusaders, whose epic history is etched into the very consciousness of Western civilization. You'll discover a rich tapestry of cultures. And explore a diverse landscape, from the azure waters of the Mediterranean to the green hills of the Golan Heights, via the unique perspective that only a bicycle can offer.
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Read the Straight Talk
Straight Talk
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.Accommodations
Our Premiere Inns on this trip are luxurious and offer top-notch amenities. We've also included a one-night stay at the more humble Kibbutz Merom Golan, which is much simpler than the Backroads standard, even for our Casual Inns. Though quirky, Merom Golan offers a great location, warm hospitality, strong cultural character and phenomenal views. We hope you’ll appreciate its unique charm as much as we do.Biking Routes in Israel
Biking in Israel is a different experience than biking in Europe. You won't find an extensive network of interconnecting roads like in Italy, for example. So we often shuttle to get to the starting points of the best routes, to reach our hotels at the end of a ride or to visit some of the most intriguing cultural and historical sites on our itinerary. And while biking is becoming more popular, many Israelis are still learning how to share the road, so stay alert!Rest assured that we've designed some fantastic routes. Most of the busier roads have wide shoulders, and you can chose to shuttle past the sections that don't. No matter what, you can count on a culturally enriching and fascinating journey through Israel.
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Accommodations
Our Premiere Inns on this trip are luxurious and offer top-notch amenities. We've also included a one-night stay at the more humble Kibbutz Merom Golan, which is much simpler than the Backroads standard, even for our Casual Inns. Though quirky, Merom Golan offers a great location, warm hospitality, strong cultural character and phenomenal views. We hope you’ll appreciate its unique charm as much as we do.Biking Routes in Israel
Biking in Israel is a different experience than biking in Europe. You won't find an extensive network of interconnecting roads like in Italy, for example. So we often shuttle to get to the starting points of the best routes, to reach our hotels at the end of a ride or to visit some of the most intriguing cultural and historical sites on our itinerary. And while biking is becoming more popular, many Israelis are still learning how to share the road, so stay alert!Rest assured that we've designed some fantastic routes. Most of the busier roads have wide shoulders, and you can chose to shuttle past the sections that don't. No matter what, you can count on a culturally enriching and fascinating journey through Israel.
Itinerary
Days
1-2 Experience an authentic and intimate connection to this epic land and its people 
Visit Ein Hod, a communal artist's village overlooking the Mediterranean coast, where you'll find some of the best Israeli art in the country Pedal through kibbutz orchards and Druze Arab villages Bask by the sea or walk with our local guide through Caesarea's Roman ruins, originally built by Herod the Great Savor healthful kosher cuisine at our tranquil forest spa retreat.
Days
3-4 An exclusive wine tasting in a land where grapes have been cultivated since biblical times Witness the fertile Kharod Valley, West Bank villages and the mountains of Jordan as you spin to historic Beit She'an Once a center of Egyptian rule, this timeless site overflows with archaeological treasures Engage in an enlightening chat with members of the Arab-Israeli community Bike past vineyards near the Lebanese border With our colorful local friend, wander the cobblestone lanes of entrancing Safed, the highest city in Israel and one of Judaism's four holy cities.
Day
5 Savor Israeli, Lebanese and Druze cuisine - as delicious as it is diverse
Explore the secret passageways of medieval Nimrod Fortress, perched on the slopes of Mount Hermon Ride east with views of Syria, passing tanks and a memorial from the Yom Kippur War A unique experience at an authentic kibbutz awaits.
Days
6-8 Get to know the old city of Jerusalem on a private walking tour Enjoy a mostly downhill spin to the Sea of Galilee Arriving in Jerusalem, see the Western Wall as the sun sets, marking the beginning of Shabbat Pedal into the Judean Hills along with a multitude of local bicyclists Picturesque Ein Karem village is a delight to explore on foot.
Premiere Inns*
Carmel Forest Spa Resort
Haifa (2 nights) Nestled high in the mountains, this resort is acclaimed for its spa and excellent kosher cuisine. (pool, spa, tennis)
Bayit Bagalil
Rosh Pina (2 nights) A Mediterranean-style boutique hotel overlooking the Sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights. (pool, spa)
Kibbutz Merom Golan
Golan Heights (1 night) Enjoy the simple guest cabins on this kibbutz, ideally located in the northern part of the Golan Heights on the slopes of Mount Ben Tal. (pool)
Mamilla Hotel
Jerusalem (2 nights) A chic contemporary hotel in the heart of Jerusalem, just steps from the historic Old City. (pool, spa)
Guest Reviews About This Trip
This was the only way I ever wanted to see Israel and the complexities of Jerusalem. I couldn't be more pleased. It will take a lot to top this trip!- Atlanta, GA
This was our 12th Backroads trip and truly one of the most memorable! This trip had it all: great biking, extraordinary cultural experiences, inspired and informative local and Backroads guides, and fabulous food and wine. Truly a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.- Jackson, WY
Trip Dates & Prices
Please click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.
2015 CLASSIC DATES
April 2015
- 4/12 - 4/19 ( $5698 per person, double occ., +$1210 for single occ.
May 2015
- 5/24 - 5/31 ( $5798 per person, double occ., +$1210 for single occ.
September 2015
- 9/27 - 10/4 ( $5398 per person, double occ., +$1210 for single occ.
October 2015
- 10/11 - 10/18 ( $5398 per person, double occ., +$1210 for single occ.
- 10/25 - 11/1 ( $5398 per person, double occ., +$1210 for single occ.
November 2015
- 11/8 - 11/15 ( $5398 per person, double occ., +$1210 for single occ.
Don't see your ideal travel date? Call us at 800-462-2848 for Private Trip date availability.
This Trip Is Rated Level 1-4
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of
interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one
day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat
from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each
day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Daily Route Options | ||||||||||
| Day | EASYGOING | ACTIVE | AVID | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | ||||||
| miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | |
| 1 | 16* | 600 | 22 | 1400 | ||||||
| 2 | 25* | 500 | 38* | 600 | 51 | 1700 | ||||
| Walking Tour of Caesarea Ruins (1 Hour) | ||||||||||
| 3 | 18 | 1700 | ||||||||
| 25 | 1700 | |||||||||
| Walking Tour of Beit She’an (1 Hour) | ||||||||||
| 4 | 14* | 600 | 34* | 2600 | 51 | 5800 | ||||
| Walking Tour of Safed (1 Hour) | ||||||||||
| 5 | 17* | 1200 | 39* | 3100 | ||||||
| 6 | 35 | 300 | ||||||||
| 7 | 32 | 2000 | 47 | 2400 | ||||||
| 8 | Walking Tour of Jerusalem (2 to 4 Hours) | |||||||||
To make for the most comfortable ride to this particular trip, we've outfitted our titanium road bike with slightly wider tires. You'll appreciate this on those stretches of the route with hard-packed dirt (approximately 15% dirt and 85% paved).
* Includes a shuttle
Private Trips Options & Pricing
Gather your favorite people to share a Backroads adventure on a ready-to-book Private Trip - featuring all the legendary Backroads hallmarks from expert leaders to unforgettable activities.
You can pick from a large selection of dates for your group of 8 or more. Call us for date availability.
If your party has fewer than 8 guests, or if your preferred date is not available, we'll create a departure just for you.
Pricing for Private Trips (prices may vary based on departure date)
2015
| 8 - 9 guests from $6,198 pp dbl. occ. | 12 or more guests from $5,398 pp dbl. occ. |
| 10 - 11 guests from $5,698 pp dbl. occ. |
All Private Singles-Solos trips require a minimum of 16 guests.
For groups of 2 to 7 guests, please call for Custom Trip pricing.
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For 35 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the Israel tour experts. See our award-winning Europe At Large biking tours, Europe At Large walking and hiking tours and Europe At Large multisport tours.
