Places such as Masada, Qumran Cave, Beersheva, City of David and Ein Gedi are all included in this package. And there are many more sites worth visiting! And seriously, $50 is nothing! Let me share more in details and a little bit about the tourist cards (not as good as Annual Pass though).

Annual Pass for National Parks in Israel

Israel, due to safety concerns, is generally an off-beaten country for tourists. But there are numerous sites in this tiny country. Best of all, most of these sites are managed under Israel Nature and Parks Authority. You buy this card, and you have access to all 68 sites! (or is it 55?)

With this Annual Pass, I went to 28 sites in 2 weeks. That’s less than $2 for a site! No way!!!! That’s too cheap! That is why I strongly recommend this pass if you plan to visit at least 5 sites (and if the City of David is one of them).

How To Purchase “Annual Pass”

1. Buy it online!

Simply go to https://fe.sales.parks.org.il/subscriptions

Remember to enter your passport number correctly!

You’ll get the bar code once the purchase is done!

2. Buy it at the park

Go to any national park WITH your passport!

Tell the ticket counter that you wish to purchase the “Annual Pass”. It’s for locals and tourists alike, but you need an Israeli address (a hotel address is fine). The actual card will be sent to that address, but you will get a handwritten card like this and with receipt. This can be used as the annual pass immediately.

 The Fees for Annual Pass

It’s pretty cheap. And the crazy part is…..   For one adult is ₪181 ($50). For two adults is ₪275 ($75)。  (The name of the second person will not be registered) 

And 2 adults with 1 kid is ₪340 ($94), and 2 adults with 2 kids are ₪396 ($109)。 Anyone less than 20 years old is considered “kid”. 

For details please go to their website, English version is available now! 

How to Use Annual Pass?

You present the barcode OR present that handwritten card and receipt at the ticket office, and you’ll get an entrance ticket and possibly a new map!

What’s Included? Is the City of David Included?

Yes, the City of David is included in the annual pass.

The exceptions are the following (not free, but 50% discount is available): Akhziv, Horshat Tal, Gan Hashlosha, Beit Yanay, and Palmachim. Probably tourists won’t find interests in going these parks anyways.

And of course, cable car rides and night activities are not included. And Poleg Nature reserve and Jerusalem Wall Promenade are not included.

What about the Israel Pass?

The new option, Israel Pass, is a combined ticket designed for tourists, you can save some shekels with this pass if you only intend to visit 3/6 parks within 2 weeks! But as a park lover, it isn’t as good as an annual pass in my opinion.

Let’s take a look:

• 3 sites: 78NIS ($22)
• 6 sights:110NIS  ($30)
• Unlimited sites in 2 weeks 150NIS ($42)

Though these combined tickets are transferable, the city of David is NOT included in this ticket, and these tickets  are good for 2 weeks only. 

The City of David ( ₪29) is where the Hezekiah Tunnel and Siloam Pool is, so when you cannot use this ticket for the site, then go for the annual pass!! In terms of pricing, the annual pass is better.

It looks like this (2019)

It can also come with  Israel’s oyster card called Rav-kav card. This is called “Israel Pass& Ride”

But there’s no further discount, you still need to pay 5NIS to get the unloaded card.

There’s a small feature of 20% discount on some sites, which I don’t find so relevant for tourists who are visiting Israel for just 2 weeks. (The logic is, if you have more than 2 weeks, there’s a ton of more important sites that can be used with annual pass). But here’s a list: https://www.israelpass.biz/north

You can buy Israel Pass online, here at https://fe.sales.parks.org.il/tickets 

And since March 2019, you can purchase the new at the airport!

And also from the following places

Conclusion

The Israeli national park annual pass is a GREAT option!! If you are in Israel for more than 2 weeks or if you are traveling as a family, consider the annual pass option!

*Anyone less than 20 years old is considered “kid”. 

En Gedi or Ein Gedi was the place where David hid in the Bible. It’s surprisingly close to the Dead Sea! Over here, you will find a famous Ein Gedi Kubbutz, Ein Gedi Public Beach that has been closed since 2016, and this famous Nature Reserve! This is a perfect place for hiking!

For entry, you can make good use of the Annual Pass of Israel’s National Park. There are some picnic tables at the entrance. You cannot bring food inside!

The Meaning of Ein Gedi

Ein Gedi or En Gedi is two words. The first word “Ein” or “En” in Hebrew עין means source of water. So Ein Gedi basically means the water source of Gedi.

Ein Gedi in the Bible

Ein Gedi was a city assigned to the tribe of Judah in the Bible, along with Secacah, the salt city of Qumran.

After killing Goliath, King Saul got jealous over David.

Now when Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, they told him saying, “Look, David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.” (1 Sam 24:1)

In his pursuit against David, King Saul found hismelf a cave to relief himself. This was the reason I wanted to visit Ein Gedi… I wanted to see a cave!

Ein Gedi was mentioned in Solomon’s Song of Songs

My love is to me a spray of henna blooms
in the vineyards of En-gedi. (Song of Songs 1:14)

The Map of Ein Gedi

There are 9 trails in this park. Find a level that fits you, just note that Israeli men serve 3 years and girls serve 2 years in IDF. So their standard is a bit different! You can find the original map here.

As a tourist, I think you’d only need to consider these 4 routes. Please ignore the Chinese description.

The Lower Section of David’s Waterfall

This is the entrance! Look at this landscape! There is only one way, so you keep going straight!

It is not a difficult climb. And the view is spectacular!

Turn around and take a look of the Dead Sea!

This is the same area where Qumran is. There is plenty of rocks and caves.  It’s very dry, though relatively speaking, it’s greener here.

So, if Saul hid in one of these caves, which one is more suitable for him to go to No.2?

Found a random bird in a bush! (Why?) He looks like a Tristram’s starling.

This is the way for upper waterfall. You can see a temple from Chalcolithic Age as people started to settle here in 3150-4000BC! Treasures made by copper were found in the caves near Nahal Mishmar.  So can you see people hiking in the picture?

Here they are! Hi Wally!

The area is dry, but you see water here! Now this hiking experience is more than just good views! It’s fun!

These people found themselves a good spot to chill! What a good place to bond!

Mini cascade!

Clear water. This is ideal!

The hiking trip involves going through a mini cave! How fun!

And then, a waterfall appeared! In Dead Sea Region! This isn’t David Waterfall yet. I don’t think this waterfall has a name. I put my feet inside the icy water. It was soothing! Some people swam here. That’s why it’s a nice idea to come here in your swim suit.

Keep moving up! Turn right to David Waterfall!

Here we go! The real David waterfall! David has intense love to God. He knew who His God is from an early age. And he was determined in loving God, regardless of what others think of him. This is what he wrote when he was in the wilderness of Judah.

O God, You are my God,
earnestly I seek You.
My soul thirsts for You.
My flesh longs for You
in a dry and weary land, where there is no water.

And this one is my pet Shafan. No his name is not Steven. It’s Shafan. I’ll explain!

If you aren’t satisfied, then keep hiking upwards! 

Saw unidentified fruit. Is it Giant Milkweed?

And finally… I have been looking for these little guys! Can you see what I was looking for?

It’s them! Shafan! This animal is hyrax. Or translated as conies or rock badgers. This animal in the Bible actually exists in the land of the Bible!

coneys are creatures with little power,
yet they make their homes in the cliffs; (Proverbs 30:26)

I thought it would be difficult to find these little creatures…

You could see them everywhere!

They were pocket size perfect! Don’t try to smuggle one!

Where was Jesus immersed (baptized)? Qasr el Yahud, though less commonly known, is more likely to be the historical place where John immersed people.

Qasr el Yahud is located 50 km from Jerusalem. The sight is managed by Israel’s National Park. Entry is FREE! The site was opened since 2011, after cleaning mines placed by Jordan in this area. And when you come here, you can actually see Jordan’s Baptismal site being just a stone’s throw away.

You have to arrange for your own transportation, because no public transportation goes here yet!

The Meaning: Qasr el Yahud

Qasr el Yahud means the fortress of the Jews in Hebrew. So how come the place where Jesus (Yeshua) was baptized was named Qasr el Yahud? It’s possible to suggest that the place was popular for Jews to be immersed, since it’s the closest spot from Jerusalem.

Jordan River in the Bible

Jordan River is mentioned for 176 times in the Bible (Chinese version), it is a significant place both in geography and in miraculous events happened here. Abraham and Lot departed each other from here. After 40 years in wilderness, the children of Israel finally crossed Jordan River to enter the land of milk and honey. This place is very close to Gilgal, where God said to Joshua,

“This day I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.”

Jesus (Yeshua) was baptized in Jordan River by John. After this he went into the wilderness and was tempted for 40 days.

Then Yeshua came from the Galilee to John, to be immersed by him in the Jordan. But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be immersed by You, and You are coming to me?” 

But Yeshua responded, “Let it happen now, for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”

So John yielded to Him. After being immersed, Yeshua rose up out of the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Ruach Elohim descending like a dove and coming upon Him. And behold, a voice from the heavens said, “This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased!” (Matthew 3:13-17) (TLV Version)

Qasr el Yahud Experience

This baptismal site belonged to Jordan until 1967. And then Israel miraculously won the Sixth Day War in 1967. Now the Jordan River became the physical boundary between Israel and Jordan. So naturally, Jordan River is split between 2 countries. The Israeli side of Jesus’ baptismal sight was taken back in 1967, but it wasn’t opened to public until 2011 due to safety issue.

Qasr-el-Yahud is not a big place! And it’s FREE on Israeli side (and 12JOD on Jordanian side, that is $16!) It’s gaining popularity because more people know this is the real place where Yeshua (Jesus) was immersed.

The boundary, well, I guess the exact boundary will be that fence. Don’t try to swim over to the other side! Police are watching from both sides!

How Come Jordan River is so Muddy?

There’s a Israel-Jordan Peace Agreement, so that means the water of Yarmuk River in Jordan will not flow to here, and the water of Sea of Galilee (Tiberias) in Israel will not flow to here either.  So what’s this water we see? It’s agricultural and industrial waste water…. So yes, you need to be determined and literally take the “leap of faith” if you want to be immersed here! 

A small chapel can be found here. And free toilet!!

Transportation Tips

1. No public transportation
2. You can hire a driver from Bethlehem ($100 for a day), come with a tour group, or come with a rented car