Bethlehem
The Palestine Heritage Trail continues through the wilderness between the shrine of An-Nabi Musa and Mar Saba Monastery with scenery full of breathtaking views on remote desert mountains and valleys. Afterward, the way meanders steeply up the hills towards Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus. The town is a natural rest and recovery point for hikers. From there, the path continues to Artas, passing near ancient aqueducts, Solomon’s Pools, and the picturesque convent of Hortus Conclusus. This section ends in the historical village of Tuqu’ with a view on the Herodium (Jabal al-Fourdis), a fortress built by King Herod the Great.
Day Stages
In Arabic, Tal al-Qamar means Hill of the Moon. The site, remote from the hustle and bustle of the city life, is a perfect spot to watch a full moon or stargaze.
Follow this beautiful hike that leads through the picturesque Wadi Quelt and view the clings on the side of the rocky canyon Deir al-Quelt (St. George’s Monastery).
This journey follows through large uninhabited areas, filled with beautiful panoramic vistas.
This journey follows through large uninhabited areas, filled with beautiful panoramic vistas.
5: Jab’ah to Battir (10.2KM)
This journey follows through large uninhabited areas, filled with beautiful panoramic vistas.
| Name | Area | Language spoken | Contact information | Other services | Particular Interests |
| Riziq Ghayda | Bethlehem | Arabic , english | Mobile: 0568640522
E-Mail Address: riziq4ever@hotmail.com |
Flora/fauna, history, archaeology | |
| Ibrahim Mashalla | Bethlehem | Arabic English | Mobile: 0598955748
E-mail address: moa_bethleehem@yahoo.com |
Flora/fauna, history, archaeology | |
| Muhammad Al Qurna | Bethlehem | Arabic , English | Mobile:059-958-8849
Email Address: alqornah31@yahoo.com |
Flora/fauna, history, archaeology | |
| George Gacaman | Bethlehem | Arabic , english | Mobile: 0598448822
E-Mail Address: georgio_gacaman@hotmail.com |
Flora/fauna, history, archaeology | |
| Nidal Rishmawi | Bethlehem | Arabic , English | Mobile: 0598951013 E-Mail Address: abusimon.14@hotmail.com |
Flora/fauna, history, archaeology | |
| John Atick | Bethlehem | Arabic , English | Mobile Number: +972 (0)569804080
Email Address: wildpalestine@gmail.com Website: www.wildpalestine.org |
Flora/fauna, history, archaeology | |
| Usama Zughbi | Bethlehem | Arabic , English | +970 (0)599774749
Email: uzoughbi@gmail.com |
Flora/fauna, history, archaeology | |
| Wi’am Al Mashahla | Bethlehem | Arabic , English | Mobile: 0568125526
E-Mail Address: wiam.dakrat@gmail.com |
Flora/fauna, history, archaeology | |
| Nadine Yatim | Bethlehem | Arabic , English | Mobile: 0568601030
E-mail address:nadinealyateem@gmail.com |
Flora/fauna, history, archaeology |
| Location | Name | Price Range | Contact info |
| Bethlehem city | Tal Al Qamar Guest house | $ | Facebook
Email: alkarmel48@hotmail.com Phone number: 0568 903 502 |
| Beit Sahour, Bethlehem region | al Beit Guesthouse | $ | 02 277 5857 or 059 856 3341 Email: info@arabwomenunion.org or info@elbeit.org |
| Bethlehem city | Host Al Syrian Guest House | $ |
Telephone +970 2 2747529 Email reservations@hoshalsyrian.com http://www.hoshalsyrian.com |
| Bethlehem city | Manger Square hotel | $ | Phone number: 02 277 8888
Website: http://www.mangersquarehotel |
| Bethlehem city | Lorrette & Nicola Zoughbi Homestay | $ | Phone: 0599774749 |
| Bethlehem city | Dar Sitti Aziza | $ | +972 2 2744848
+972 2 2744343 |
| Tuqu’ | Rabiha HomeStay | $ | Phone:(0)597827866 |
| Tuqu’ | Mussa Al Shaer HomeStay | $ | Phone: (+970) 599087068 |
| Tuqu’ | Zariefa Homestay | $ | Phone: 0595177620 |
There are no exact schedules for the following transportation options. Buses and services (orange shared taxis for up to seven people; pronounced servees) usually start driving when they are full. Most transportation stops operating at sunset. The transportation might be less frequent on Fridays, especially between 12-2pm. Prices are subject to change.
| FROM / TO BETHLEHEM | DISTANCE | TRANSPORTATION | PRICE |
| Jerusalem | 10km | Bus | 6-28NIS |
| Ramallah | 50km | Bus | 18NIS |
| Jericho | 45km | Bus | 25NIS |
| Mar Saba | 15km | Bus or taxi | 5NIS |
| Beit Sahour | 2km | Bus | 3NIS |
| Tuqu’ and Harmala | 9km | Taxi | 5NIS |
| Artas | 4km | Taxi | 5NIS |
| Al-khader | 4km | Bus | 3NIS |
| Location | Name | Contact | Mission | Products |
| Dar Salah, Bethlehem Region | Dar Salah Women’s Association | Jawaher Salah 0599896661
Email: g_m-kh@hotmail.com |
Focusing on women and community empowerment and targeting children, youth, poor people and special needs | Bread (shrak), embroidery and pickles |
| Aizarieh,Bethlehem region | Cooperative of Rural Development- Aizarieh | Yara Ghbash 0597939497 | enhancing and changing the situation of the women in the village | Jam,Labneh,Chilli,Makdous,and Zaatar. |
| Shawawreh, Bethlehem Region | Shawawreh Women’s Association | Shifa Salem
Tel: 0598907239 |
Focusing on women and community empowerment and targeting children, youth, poor people and special needs | pickles, jam, sweet, cheese, yogurt, oil as well as embroidery and straw. |
| Beitsahour,Bethlehem Region | Arab Women’s union | Basma Jacaman
2772022/0598225190 |
targeting children, youth, poor people and special needs | Food products, and hand products,carpet weaving, paper recycling and use as colored and decorated cards |
| Bethlehem | Nabd Women Center | Samerah Odeh::0598321720 | Pickles, Jam, Pastries, Desert Palestinian food, Handicrafts (embroidery, and straw) | |
| Tuqu’ Bethlehem region | Tuqu’ Women’s Center | Head Woman: Alia Shaer
Phone number: 0599964789 Email: alia_alshaer@live.com |
Focusing on women and community empowerment and targeting children, youth, poor people and special needs | Handicrafts |
| Al-Ubeydiya, Bethlehem Region | Al-Ubediya Sabaya Center | Sara Hasasneh
Tel: 0598799128 |
Focusing on women and community empowerment and targeting children, youth, poor people and special needs | Bread (shrak), embroidery and pickles |
|
Artas, Bethlehem Region |
Artas Women Committee | head women: Fida’ Rabaya : Tel: 0592807499 | Focusing on women and community empowerment and targeting children, youth, poor people and special needs | jam, pastries, maftoul, and sweets |
