Academics

Timna Trip

Timna Park is a unique natural park located in the Syrian-African rift valley about 30 km north of Eilat. It contains dramatic geological formations, and many remnants of primitive cultures.

The Arava Institute Timna trip offers a fascinating desert experience. During the trip students are exposed to geological phenomena such as the famous King Solomon's Pillars and the Mushroom, as well as the history of ancient human activity in the area. Timna contains the world's earliest copper mine as well as copper furnaces and ancient rock carvings. Students will also engage in an interesting discussion on sustainable tourism.

During the trip students are exposed to and are invited to experience the special spiritual qualities of the desert. The trip is an overnight trip where students camp out in the park.

Dead Sea - Jerusalem Trip

The Dead Sea Jerusalem Trip is an over night trip. The first day is designated to the Dead Sea basin and the second to the City of Jerusalem. Students spend the night in a youth hostel in Ein Gedi.

The Dead Sea is the lowest place on earth and a unique body of water. Being a fascinating desert region it offers an interesting perspective on issues of sustainability including human settlement, agriculture, industry and tourism.

The Dead Sea basin is shared by three riparian nations - Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority. The special political conditions in the area make the challenges of sustainability in the Dead Sea even more complex and interesting.

During the Dead Sea portion students are exposed to issues of sustainable development in the Dead Sea region as a study case for management of shared environments. Students also learn the consequences of failing water management and the Dead Sea phenomena such as sink holes that are a result of this poor management.

During the Jerusalem component of the trip students are exposed to historic and modern environmental issues in Jerusalem. These issues include water management in ancient Jerusalem, environmental involvement of certain communities city planning and others.

Eilat Aqaba Trip

The Eilat Aqaba trip runs for two consecutive days (students spend the night in the student dorms in Ketura) and offers a comparative look on the two neighboring cities Eilat in Israel and Aqaba in Jordan.

The two cities share almost identical environmental conditions, yet national policies have set them in a very different path of development. The comparison between the two cities offers an interesting look at issues of sustainable tourism, city planning, industry and other issues of sustainability.

On the second day of the trip students cross the border to Jordan via the famous Arava Border Crossing (where the peace treaty between Israel and Jordan was signed by the late Prime Minister Rabin and the late King Hussein) and spend the day in Aqaba.