Elifaz: Greenhouse, Friday Dinner and Nearby Timna Trail

Elifaz offers several distinct experiences: at the kibbutz, “Five Senses” takes you into a seasonal greenhouse; the Elifaz kitchen invites you to a Friday dinner; and the village has a bicycle service and wash station. Nearby, the Timna Trail in Timna Park adds a two-day desert trekking tour to these offerings. When choosing your holiday apartment, it helps to distinguish between experiences right in Elifaz and a trekking tour in the surrounding area.

Harvest and taste in the “Five Senses” greenhouse

The seasonal tour of the “Five Senses” greenhouse at Kibbutz Elifaz runs from October to May. You pick herbs and taste seasonal vegetables such as corn, tomatoes, spinach and peppers. A demonstration adds to the tour: vegetables from the greenhouse are cooked in vacuum tubes using solar energy. Alongside growing and harvesting, tasting and a special method of preparation are also part of the experience. The seasonal tour and the Elifaz kitchen’s Friday dinner are separate culinary occasions. If you plan to take the tour, check the current season and visitor arrangements in advance.

Desert trekking and practical information

The Timna Trail in Timna Park is located near Elifaz. The desert trekking tour can be completed as a two-day tour with an overnight stay in the park, or split into two separate hiking days. The difference for your planning is therefore in the itinerary: one tour with an overnight stay in the park or two separate hiking days.

For cycling travelers, Elifaz has a bicycle service and wash station with a covered shaded area, compressor, pressure washer and basic tools. If you plan to use this service, confirm its availability with the operator before your trip. The station and the Timna Trail cater to different practical interests: bicycle service in the village on the one hand, and a multi-day hiking option nearby on the other.

Southern District: more nature and history

The wider destination of the Southern District has other places with their own distinctive nature and history. Avdat National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site along the route of the ancient Incense Route in the Negev Highlands. Ein Gedi Nature Reserve encompasses Israel’s largest oasis, with springs, waterfalls and flowing streams; ibex and hyraxes are also among the animals found there. In Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, a hiking trail along the perennial Nahal Arugot leads to a hidden waterfall and pools in the upper reaches. Avdat and Ein Gedi thus offer different highlights: ancient trade history and a nature reserve shaped by water.

In the wider destination of the Southern District, Masada stands as a symbol of the ancient Kingdom of Israel, its violent destruction and the last stand of Jewish patriots against the Roman army in 73 CE. The site preserves the remains of Herod’s palaces, as well as intact Roman siege works, which are among the most complete of their kind in the Roman world. By registering in advance through the visitor coordination system, you can reserve a place at Masada National Park for your selected visit date. Check the current registration process before making plans.

The visitor center at the Ramon Crater in the wider destination of the Southern District combines the life story of Israel’s first astronaut, Lieutenant Colonel Ilan Ramon, with an introduction to the world’s largest crater and its unique natural phenomena. The Ramon Crater is part of the Zin Cliffs and Negev Highlands nature reserves. By registering in advance through the visitor coordination system, you can reserve a place at the visitor center at the Ramon Crater for your selected visit date.

In the wider destination of the Southern District, Besor Park (Eshkol) lies on the eastern bank of the river at the Ein Besor spring. The oasis includes extensive lawns, picnic facilities and children’s playgrounds; marked cycling paths and a disc golf course add to the activities. In the wider destination of the Southern District, Ashkelon combines archaeological history with a protected dune landscape: the Canaanite Gate was built from mud and kurkar bricks, dates to 1850 BCE and is considered the oldest vaulted gate in the world. The southern part of Ashkelon National Park is a nature reserve for the distinctive flora and fauna of the sand dunes. Tel Be’er Sheva in the wider destination of the Southern District also offers a view of modern Beersheba.

Discover more destinations: Kokhav Michael, Idan, Amatzia, Eilat, Mishmar HaNegev, Hatzeva, Giv'ot Bar, Ashkelon.

Go to the wider travel overview: Southern District.