Join us for a powerful weekend of Crusader legends, underground tunnels, and panoramic Galilean views — Thu–Shabbat, 23–25 October 2025. Our home base is the comfortable Akko Youth Hostel in the Old City, footsteps from some of Israel’s most iconic sites.
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Thursday – Explore the Hidden Treasures of Akko
We’ll kick things off with an immersive afternoon in Akko’s magical Old City.
Your special entrance ticket (₪49) gets you into five unforgettable sites:
• The Knights’ Halls – wander through grand Crusader chambers, prison cells, and secret rooms
• The Turkish Bathhouse – an elegant 18th-century spa turned story-rich museum
• Templars’ Tunnel – a 350-meter underground escape route to the sea!
• Treasures in the Walls Museum – traditional Galilean life and craft on full display
• Ramchal Synagogue & Jewish Heritage Center – discover Akko’s vibrant Jewish roots
You’ll have maps in hand and time to roam at your own pace. The adventure starts at the Knights’ Halls — and there’s plenty to explore until check-in opens at the hostel around 15:00.
Dinner that evening is at a kosher restaurant nearby (optional; extra cost). Come early — and come curious!
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Friday – Hike the Hills Where Galilee Begins
Just outside Akko, a short drive brings us to Beit HaKerem Valley, where the Upper and Lower Galilee meet.
This circular trail offers breathtaking views of mountain ridges, olive groves, and patchwork villages nestled in the hills. You’ll hike along the rim of the Galilee with flexible options:
• Take the short, flat route to a scenic lookout and return to the cars
• Or choose the longer loop, with some scrambles and rolling paths through nature’s best
Our guide will help match you to the right pace and route for your group. Plenty of pauses to catch your breath — and your photos!
Note: Hike at your own risk. Choose your level honestly when registering. Exit points are available throughout the trail, and the guide reserves the right to redirect hikers for safety.
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MEET YOUR GUIDE: Aliza Avshalom
I am a Galilean, local - living, hiking, exploring, and loving the Galil. Made Aliya from the US. Licensed guide with academic degrees in Land of Israel Studies and Rabbinic Literature. Over 30 years’ experience in showing the beauty and wonder of this great land. I live with my husband and family in Hoshaya, Lower Galilee.
Prices, Accommodations and Meals
Registration includes the hike, 2 nights Thu-Fri, through Shabbat at the hostel, Friday breakfast and full board over Shabbat: Friday dinner, Saturday “Botzer” brunch (meat-fish-vegetarian) and a dairy supper (Seudat Shlishit). The rooms have coffee and small refrigerators.
• 5% discount for valid Matmon or IYHA Hostel card (please present a copy).
• An additional 3% ILS discount if the entire amount is paid by bank transfer or Bit.
1. NOT Included: Entry fees and other out of pocket costs for Thursday program and Thursday dinner out, and lunch on Friday.
2. Transportation: Please share petrol costs with your driver (not included in price). We will match carpools for those coming for the full weekend. We will email a suggested amount for passengers to pay their drivers directly closer to the event.
Payment Policy
1. Couples or singles taking their own room pay in full upon registration.
2. Others pay a deposit of 600 ILS to reserve their place and pay the balance three weeks before the event.
3. You can pay by Credit Card in 3 payments or get a 3% discount if paying by bank transfer or Bit.
4. An additional discount of 5% for those who send us either their Matmon or IYHA hostel card together with payment. Discounts are individual based on the number of memberships on your card.
5. We will try our best to accommodate room and ride/driving requests but cannot promise. Your final price will be based on your final room arrangement.
6. We will email you a tentative price and a secure payment request based on how you filled out the registration form.
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Cancellation Policy: Cancellation and refunds are only through Friday Friends Outdoors. It is not possible to cancel directly with the hostel.
• Until 15 August: 10% cancellation fee
• Until 2 October: 30% cancellation fee
• Until 10 October: 50% cancellation fee
• No refunds after 10 October
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Prices Per Person
Full program (Thu-Sat)
• Single Room 1,466₪
• Double Room 1,113₪
• Triple Room (3) 1,016₪
• Quad Room (4) 968 ₪
Shabbat Only without hike--per person prices if you cannot join us from Thursday:
● Single 860 ₪
● Double 667 ₪
● Triple 617 ₪
● Quad 592 ₪
Shabbat Only with hike--per person prices if you cannot join us from Thursday:
● Single 957 ₪
● Double 765 ₪
● Triple 715 ₪
● Quad 690 ₪
Thursday night Only with hike--per person prices if you cannot join us for Shabbat:
● Single 604 ₪
● Double 444 ₪
● Triple 397 ₪
● Quad 374 ₪
100₪ Friday Hike Only - no discounts, accommodation, or meals. No matching for carpools.
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WHAT TO EXPECT AND BRING—Hat, 3 liters water, and comfortable walking shoes. Weather in March can be warm or cool and very breezy so bring warm clothing but also sandals, shorts/swimwear, "just in case" .
HEALTH, WEATHER, AND SAFETY—The weekend is in cooperation with Pikud Haoref (Army Home Front Command). For everyone’s safety please take a combined Covid and Flu home test if you feel ill.
We reserve the right to postpone or cancel this event and issue a full refund if either the hostel or hike organizers deem it necessary for everyone’s safety, or if we do not receive the minimum number of registrations. We also reserve the right to prevent anyone from hiking or continuing the hike if, in the opinion of either the guide or coordinators, there is a risk to that hiker or the group safety and wellbeing. No refunds or credits will be given in such a case.
In case of rain or extreme heat (above 33°C), we will plan an alternative activity for Friday. If the weather is very warm but below 33°C we may start our hike earlier in the morning.
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REGISTRATION - Space is Limited:
https://forms.gle/a2PwxTF2kk3ZpXxd9
Facebook “Going” tells your friends to join you, but does not hold you a place.
Any questions? Call our coordinators:
FE 050-5290775 / 02-6563369 or Itamar 054-433-6879
For Thursday program Ronni 054-571-3676
SEE YOU SOON OUTDOORS … in the Beautiful Galilee!
Also check out other Trips & Adventurous Activities in Akko, Health & Wellness events in Akko.
