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Ein Gedi
Halfway between the Dead Sea and Masada, at the edge of the Judean Desert, is the desert enclave known as Ein Gedi. With its natural springs, lush vegetation and striking caves, the Ein Gedi oasis is one of Israel's foremost tourist destinations, attracting hundreds of visitors annually tanks to its bathing, hiking and idle frolicking facilities.
The two main streams that flow through Ein Gedi - David Stream and Arugot Stream - both originate from natural springs, thus bringing to the oasis some of the freshest and most nutritious waters in the world. Added to these streams, two more natural springs - the Shulamit Spring and the Ein Gedi Spring - are located on the premises. Together these four bodies of water supply the area with enough water for both agriculture and commercial bottling.
Ein Gedi's vegetation is a unique blend of tropical, desert and Mediterranean plants. These lush conditions make Ein Gedi a meeting and mating ground for a wide range of mammals, many of which make their way from the arid desert region around the oasis in hopes of finding food and shelter. Like the animals that come to Ein Gedi for its waters, so do birds flock here for the same reasons. Indeed, Ein Gedi has been dubbed a birdwatcher's paradise, attracting over 400 species of birds during migration seasons.
Being one of the few and certainly the most notable desert oasis on Israeli soil, Ein Gedi was turned into a state-operated nature reserve in 1972. Since that time, close monitoring by local park rangers and meticulous supervision by state appointed environmental specialists, have enabled Ein Gedi's delicate ecosystem to remain intact.
Today, Ein Gedi is a lot of over 6,000 acres that are nothing short of a paradise. They are the perfect destination for anyone on a tour to Israel, wishing to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Ein Gedi in the Bible
Though Ein Gedi's natural beauty far exceeds any historical importance it may have, it is still worthwhile noting that the oasis has been around, and known by its present day name, since Biblical times.
Especially when on a Jewish heritage tour, a Bar Mitzvah tour, or a Bat Mitzvah tour to Israel it is of importance to discover Ein Gedi's significance as a Biblical city.
The Biblical references to Ein Gedi are numerous and often related to either war or places of hiding. The most notable scriptural reference to Ein Gedi pertains to David, where it is said that David hid from King Saul in the caves of Ein Gedi, thus being saved from a brutal death.
Ein Gedi Botanical Garden
Roughly one kilometer from the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve lays a Kibbutz by the same name. Kibbutz Ein Gedi is currently one of the most successful and wealthiest in the country, using the good waters of the nearby springs for agriculture and dairy farming.
Kibbutz Ein Gedi also offers an array of tourist attractions, ranging from homely B&Bs and spas to cycling, hiking and walking tours. Of its many attractions though, the most famous is its botanical garden.
The 25 acres of rare flora and fauna, from tropical trees found in the Brazilian rainforests to species of cactuses originating in the deserts of South America, Kibbutz Ein Gedi's botanical garden is a site not to be missed by anyone on an Israel Tours.
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