SECRETS OF THE NABATEANS

Service Description

Following the traces of the Past – Nabatean Cities of Negev This very special tour will take us from Tel Aviv to the South of Israel – to Negev, to visit three towns which used to belong to the Nabateans, a disappeared nation. These are Avdat, Mamshit, and Shivta, proclaimed as being of outstanding universal value by UNESCO. Nabateans were a desert nation originated in Arabia. They built beautiful cities, created highly successful international trade, became outstandingly rich, but still not much is known about them or their culture, beyond the fact that they've been the masters of the Incense Route which once connected Arabian Peninsula to the Roman World. Nabatean capital city was the legendary Petra, built in the best of Hellenistic influences and Roman traditions. With the time the Nabatean wealth and influence started sliding down. Sometime probably during the fourth century CE, Petra was abandoned by the Nabateans. No one really knows why. But, at the same time, the Nabatean cities in Negev, turned Roman and Christian, continued their existence. But finally they also have been abandoned, being slowly covered by sand, and the very trace of the great Nabatean civilization was blown away with the desert winds. It has taken dozens years of excavations, and finally the Israeli archeologists have managed to recreate the history of the Nabateans, piece by piece, stone by stone, secret by secret. And today beautifully excavated and turned into the Israeli National parks Nabatean towns provide an outstanding insight of the ancient desert civilization and attract everyone who loves history and its mysteries. We shall visit three famous cities, will walk between the churches and along the water channels; will enjoy the breathtaking views of the Desert and will try to solve some of the secrets of the ancient history. Finally, we shall drive to Tel Aviv – back to Modern Civilization. ​Tour Price excludes relevant entance fees to the paid sites.