Tuqu’ To Ar-Rashayida
After a visit to world heritage sites, the Old City of Bethlehem and Nativity Church, follow the fertile valley of Artas towards Tuqu’.
This hike will take you from Tuqu’ through Wadi el-Jihar to ‘Arab ar-Rashayida village. Here in Bedouin lands you will see their camels and livestock in pastures. The path descends into the spectacular Wadi el-Jihar, a deep limestone canyon in the desert. The caves there have been used for homes for a long time.
The hike from Tuqu’ to Wadi el-Jihar will take about 4 hours; the terrain is rocky, with a few small climbs. Once you emerge from the valley and come to ‘Arab ar-Rashayida village, you will have the opportunity to try a traditional Palestinian meal at one of the homestays there.
Service Providers
Bethlehem Guides
Bethlehem – Wi’am Al-Masalha
“life is a game we have to win “ Wi’am began working as a guide on The Palestinian Heritage Trail, and found her passion and love for the environment which made her study tour-guiding in the university and develop herself by taking various courses in leadership and first aid. She is known for being a
Bethlehem – Usama Zughbi
"Making you fall in love with my country is my mission… I am looking forward to meeting you!" “The walkers I guide is my home guests and my joy comes from their happiness” Usama. Usama is married and a father of three children. He is an English-speaking tour guide in Bethlehem as well as different
Bethlehem – Riziq Ghyada
“Your patriotism lies in your knowledge of your country and the way you talk about it.” Riziq, “The national guide”, so called by many people, is an agricultural engineer and a community tour guide in all areas of the West Bank. Riziq cares about various environmental plants, and his love for nature and land has
Bethlehem – Nidal Rishmawi
Working as a guide means responsibility towards my country. I love my work for it gives me the opportunity to meet new people from different cultures and nationalities. It also gives me the opportunity to spend as much time as possible in nature with people who are interested and who appreciate it. Nidal Rishmawi is
Bethlehem – Muhammad Al-Qurna
Help people, enjoy nature, get to know your country, and reflect a beautiful picture of it to the world. Muhammad Al-Qurna lives in Handaza, which is east of Bethlehem, with his wife and three children. He graduated from Hebron University in 2013 with a Masters Degree in Agriculture. One day he read an announcement on
Women Associations in Bethlehem
Tuqu’ Women’s Center
They meet together in their office space on the second floor of the municipal building in Tuqu’ and proudly open their doors to visitors. Around the room many different handcrafts are displayed. Among the various embroidered dresses, shirts, purses and pillows, a display of handwoven rugs catches your eye. The rugs are made by women who know the time-honored
Shawawreh Women’s Association
:“Shwawreh Women Center”, When reaching Shawawra village, located east of Bethlehem, make sure that you will pass by the women cooperative in which visitors are always welcome. The women offer special breakfast containing al Duqqa that contains wild thyme which is seasonal. The women at the cooperative say that “the Duqqa is found in each
Ezariya – Cooperative of Rural Development
aizariya-women-center-1[1]DSC03222-e1636710810132[1] “Al Eizariya Cooperative for Rural Development” Due to the fact that women of al- Aizaria village are suffering Economically and Socially, the women of Cooperative for Rural Development have been working on enhancing and changing the situation of the women in the village. They are happy to meet new people, to share their stories
Dar Salah Women’s Association
“Dar Salah Women’s Association”. Focusing on women and community empowerment and targeting children, youth, poor people and special needs, the women’s center of Dar Salah has been networking with other women centers, cooperating with many local authorities as well as centers for special needs to make a change in the society. It has been arranging
Bethlehem – Nabd Women Center
“Nabd women center”. Their main activities: food processing- pastries, trainings on handicrafts and Palestinian Labor Law. Their products: Pickles, Jam, Pastries, Desert Palestinian food, Handicrafts (embroidery, and straw) Facebook Page Samerah Odeh/ Head Women Telephone Number:0598321720 Email: popw.bethlehem@gmail.com Accommodation Guides {{ vc_btn: title=Next&color=success&link=url%3Ahttps%253A%252F%252Fphtrail.org%252F2018%252F07%252F25%252Fdar-salah-womens-association%252F }}
Beit Sahour – Arab Women’s Union
IMG_0666IMG_0579 – CopyIMG_0586IMG_0587IMG_0597IMG_0649 The Arab women union is one of the pioneer organizations in the area of Beit Sahour that aims for supporting women and advocating for their rights through offering different programs reflecting their needs. It was established in 1956. The programs varied with their purpose including economic, social, cultural and rehabilitative such as
Photos of Bethlehem Region
Tuqu’ To Ar-Rashayida
- Distance: 24.3km
- Time: 7-9 hours
- Challenge: Difficult
Stage Logistics
For the hike take:
at least 3 liters of water
snack
Tuqu’ can be reached from Bethlehem with a shared taxi for around 5 NIS.
‘Arab ar-Rashayida can be reached with a private taxi or car.
Remember about sun protection (sunscreen, hat, sunglasses)