3D2N Moses' Footprint by 4x4

Itinerary

Day 1:  Aqaba - "Haqil" - Durra  Border Crossing Point - Haqil - Golden Calf Alter - Moses' Alter & Twelve Pillars - Elijah's Cave - Jebal Al-Lawz - Al Bade

Note: Border crossing is between Aqaba in Jordan and Haql in Saudi Arabia, and about 30 km (19 mi) from Aqaba

Our Jordanian driver will meet you in Aqaba at 7am then transfer you to "Haqil" Durra Border.  After crossing the border, meet the 4x4 drivers and guide and continue the drive through the scenic city of Haqil which is near the head of the Gulf of Aqaba. The coasts of Egypt, Israel and Jordan can be seen from Haql. 

Then continue to Mt. Sinai to explore the Golden Calf Alter lying 800m from the foot of the mountain. According to the bible, when Moses went up into Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments, he left the Israelites for forty days and nights. The Israelites feared that he would not return and demanded that Aaron make them "a god to go before them". Aaron gathered up the Israelites' golden earrings and ornaments, constructed a "molten calf" and they declared it a god. Aaron then built an altar before the calf and proclaimed the next day to be a feast to the LORD. So they rose up early the next day and "offered burnt-offerings, and brought peace-offerings. God told Moses what the Israelites were up to back in camp, that they had turned aside quickly out of the way which God commanded them and he was going to destroy them and start a new people from Moses. Moses besought and pleaded that they should be spared. Moses went down from the mountain, but upon seeing the calf, he became angry and threw down the two Tablets of Stone, breaking them. Moses burnt the golden calf in a fire, ground it to powder, scattered it on water, and forced the Israelites to drink it. 

Nearby, explore Moses' Alter & Twelve Pillars and glimpse at Elijah's Cave.   Moses built this stone altar and 12 marble pillars representing the 12 tribes of Israel after writing down God’s Laws in the Book of the Covenant. Of the original 12 pillars, 10 are still there to this day.  According to God's instructions, it was to be constructed without steps, and without cut or chiseled stone. The two animal corrals in the shape of a chevron lead up to the altar, where one large room is followed by three adjoining rooms. From here, you can also catch a glimpse of Elijah's Cave. This is where the prophet Elijah stayed when he was fleeing Ahab and Jezebel in fear of his life. The next day, God instructed Elijah to “go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” There was then a tremendous wind that caused rocks to fall, an earthquake, and a fire. Elijah was protected as the Lord was not “in” the phenomenon. After the dangerous weather was over, Elijah heard a “gentle whisper” from God and then “pulled a cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.” 

We then drive to the summit of Jebel Al Lawz - it offers  magnificant views in all directions. - and is the most mythical mountain in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  Most people think that Saudi Arabia is just a vast extent of sand dunes but with its summit at 2 549 meters above sea level, Jebel Al-Lawz is the highest mountain of Tabuk Province, and is probably the only place in Saudi Arabia where snow falls nearly every year. End the day in Al Bade with overnight at Al Bade Town Apartment Motel 3* or similar.

Day 2:  Ancient City of Madyan - Moses' Well - 12 Springs of Moses (Maqna) - Tayyib Ism Canyon - Elim Oasis - Al Bade

In the morning, the 4x4 driver will meet you at 830am and coninue to the ancient city of Madyan (or Midlan), the territory bordering the eastern shore of the Gulf of Aqaba where monumental tombs were later sculpted by the Nabatean people. Dating back to the end of the 2nd millennium BCE, Madyan is the land where Moses spent ten years in voluntary exile after fleeing from Egypt.  

After a short drive, arrive to Maqna - a charming coastal town located on the Gulf of Aqaba that faces Egypt and the Sinai mountains and famous for its wells and springs. It is believed that Moses crossed the Red Sea and arrived in Maqna and went to a well to drink (Moses' Well).  The sprouting of water and its flow against gravity in the middle of the desert appears to be nothing less than magical. Even today there is a well in Maqna where crystal clear water comes out of the ground in several places. The well is surrounded by beautiful palm trees and its water runs downhill towards a lush palm grove.  

Next stop is Tayyib Ism Canyon or  "The Valley of Moses" where we will hike for 2 hours. It is one of the magical natural wonders of Saudi Arabia that will take you by surprise. This incredible natural feature of Tabuk Province is located on the Gulf of Aqaba,. When approaching by the road that runs along the turquoise waters and white beaches, what will strike you first is the imposing shape of the 600-meter-high granite massif of the Tayyib Ism, whose sharp edges fall into the Gulf of Aqaba. While getting closer to a nice little palm grove ornamenting the bottom of the cliffs, the mountain side that looks towards the Gulf suddenly reveals the stunningly high edges of a narrow canyon whose entrance is just few dozen meters from the sea. There the granite massif looks like it's been torn in two by a supranatural force. This oasis has been a paradise for locals for thousands of years. The grandiosity of Tayyib Ism has another dimension as it is directly related to religion as passage of the great "Exodus".  It is believed that when Moses brought the people out of Egypt through the Red Sea they reached the land of Madyan at Tayyib Ism, the reason why it is also called the Valley of Moses. 

Next stop is Elim Oasis. This is where the Israelites, after exodus and crossing the Red Sea, continued walking for three days. Yet they did not find water. They blamed it on Moses, but God had already prepared an amazing place called Elim, where there were 12 streams and 70 palm trees. Then end the day in Al Bade with overnight at Al Bade Town Apartment Motel 3* or similar.

Day 3:  Split Rock of Horeb - Haqil Border - Aqaba

In the morning, the driver will meet you at 8am and continue to Split Rock of Horeb. God had brought the Israelites safely through the Red Sea after delivering them from slavery in Egypt. He had provided pure, clean water for them at the Springs of Elim, and He miraculously provided food to eat as they journeyed toward Mount Sinai and beyond, but then, they “camped at Rephidim, and there was no water for the people to drink". And the multitudes were ready to kill Moses, until he split the rock and water came gushing out of it. After, transfer to Haqil order. 

NOTE:  Breakfasts will be a small buffet at the hotels and eaten in your room.  Dinners will be at a local farm or Bedouin tent.