The Salt Wonder

(This is exceptional since it's a combination of a canyon and salt cave - hiking underground. )An underground natural phenomena, the Salt Wonder is one of the most unique, adventurous, and exciting tours in Israel. With a desert hike scaling sheer cliffs using ladders and stairs, breathtaking scenery, dramatic rappelling, and spelunking in the sublime underground salt cave, this tour leads you through an incredibly diverse range of activities. Our adventure will start at the lowest spot on earth 1,370 feet below sea level with a steep, uphill hike to the top of a natural salt mountain. As we make our way up we will marvel at the awe-inspiring views of the Dead Sea spread out beneath our feet and the Mountains of Jordan just beyond. Our hike will reach a cozy canyon, where a mysterious and substantially sized hole will lead us deep into the belly of the earth. Here, your guide will set up ropes to belay each person – one at a time – nearly 300 feet down through a gradually widening chimney made of pure salt to the cave floor. One of the most unique rappels – if not the best – in Israel, your eyes will pop with wonder at the multi-hued salt-crystal walls. Once everyone has gathered at the bottom, a real spelunking hike begins into the depths of this huge natural salt cave. Natural salt caves are a rare geological phenomenon that exists only in one other place in the world besides Israel – Iran! Unlike limestone caves, where stalactites and stalagmites form into nearly shapeless cones, the salt crystals of this cave grow into beautiful and extraordinary shapes sparkling with different colors in the beam of your headlamps. During our adventurous spelunking through this unique cave, we will crawl through tight spots, climb into huge chambers, and see rare sights that limited humans have seen. You will even need to crawl on your belly in two short spots! Our exploration of the Salt Wonder's surreal underground beauty will end when we eventually pop out of the cave by the beach of the Dead Sea. The rappelling is mandatory. Caving is challenging but anyone in decent shape can do it. No experience is necessary. This tour can be done as a day hike, as an amazingly beautiful night hike, or for a special treat, at sunrise. During the day you have the full impact of the panoramic desert views. At night you feel the mystery of hiking by starlight and moonlight, and if we start at about four in the morning, we get to the peak of the mountain just at dawn. We will stop for tea or coffee and watch the glorious blues, oranges, pinks, and greens of the sunrise over the desert. After sunrise, we will enter the cave. Estimated time for the day: 4 ½ - 6 hours