48 Hours of Desert Enchantment in Ramon Crater
If there’s one thing I’ve learned during my travels, it’s that truly magical places can be found closer than one would expect. We just need to know where to look.
We tend to think that we can only experience a unique and peaceful atmosphere in exotic destinations, overseas. But even in a small country like Israel, there are enchanted places that you may not have thought to visit.
For me, there is something almost therapeutic about the Israeli Negev desert, which allows seeing and experiencing relaxing and enjoyable attractions. Most of them can easily be enjoyed during a single weekend in Ramon Crater (or as it’s called in Hebrew: Makhtesh Ramon), and the nearby city Mitzpe Ramon, in the South of Israel.
Connecting with yourself, nature and fantastic people
If you live in Israel, most chances are you live in an urban area. If you feel the need to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and connect with yourself, mother earth and wonderful people, you don’t have to go far. The magic is right there, in the Mitzpe Ramon area.
This time I want to share with you, a unique glamping experience and a visit to some of the most worthwhile sites in the Makhtesh Ramon and Mitzpe Ramon area, in the south of Israel.
It’s perfect for a weekend. And maybe you’ll want to extend it to a long weekend. Because you really won’t want to leave the place. At Ramon Crater, you can enjoy accommodation with an extraordinary atmosphere. While the surrounding area is filled with interesting activities to see and take part in.
I went there with my good friends T. and M., along with T’s sweet 4-year-old daughter. We all had a fantastic time! Filled with equal amount of relaxation, fun and interest. So, it’s definitely an enjoyable weekend that’s suitable for a group of friends, and even for young children.
Ramon Crater Attractions
After you’ve settled in the campground, it’s time to start your weekend with an adventure and discover what’s around Ramon Crater. Here you will be exposed to unique natural phenomena, impressive landscapes, and connect with an inner peace.
Getting to know the surrounding desert
Haminsara (The Prism)
Located in the heart of the crater, and only a few minutes’ drive from Selina Ramon by Glow, you can find Haminsara (“The Prism” in English). This site shows a rare geological phenomenon, which has resulted in the formation of multi-faceted prism-like rocks. Their chiseled look may appear man-made. But are completely the work of nature. Take the short pathway around the hill, where you can admire the view.
Getting there using Waze app: HaMansera – Ramon Crater
Stone, Wind, Water (Even, Ruach, Mayim)
Prepare your very own bottle of colored sand at the Stone, Wind and Water site
At Ramon Crater, there are various minerals that give the sand special colors in shades of green, yellow, orange and red, making it worth visiting this “sandpit of nature”.
Unlike other nature reserves and national parks, where you are prohibited from taking anything with you, here you are definitely welcome to take some of the colored sand with you, as a souvenir.
A fun-filled activity for adults and children alike:
Bring bottles, a seif and metal spoons from home
This will allow you to crush the sand from the rocks and prepare your own artistic creation. A kind of home-version of the colored sand bottles that were once sold as souvenirs in Israe’s southernmost city of Eilat.
During the rainy season, you will find a pool that you can walk around, a few hundred meters behind the sand site. A surprising and refreshing break surrounded by vegetation in the middle of the arid landscape.
To get there with Waze, enter: Stone, Wind, Water
Ramon Colours National Park
Another place that allows you to get to know the magic of the desert and its landscapes in a comfortable way is Ramon Colours National Park.
The site has a vehicle route that takes you to the middle of the crater. Here you will encounter spectacular geological phenomena and quarries of the crater.
Along the route, there are stop points and trails accompnied by explanotry signs.
Fun fact:
Located at 500 meters below sea level, Makhtesh Ramon is the world’s largest erosion crater of it’s type in the world.
Among the places to see, are the Purple Canyon, a sinkhole that got its vibrant colors from aluminum oxides. You will also be able to see the enterances to caves, formerly used for storage by nomadic tribes. Should luck be on your side, you may be able to view desert wildlife, such as the Nubian ibex, or the Caracal.
The Incense Roads Quarter in Mitzpe Ramon
The Incense Road in Mitzpe Ramon: worth a visit
The Incense Roads Quarter, in the nearby city of Mitzpeh Ramon is a place I was pleased to discover. It has, among other things, galleries, second-hand shops, pubs and craft stores. The people I came across here exuded a care-free vibe. When events and festivals are held here, it fills up with lively crowds. Such as festival visitors, artists, musicians and students of the Music School.
Lasha Bakery
I recommend stopping at Lasha Bakery, which offers wonderful pastries made on site. It is likely that there will be a bit of a queue at the checkout, but the quality and freshness of what’s on offer are worth the wait.
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Note: the Quarter is closed on Shabbat (Saturdays).
Where to stay in Mitzpe Ramon?
Accommodation close to nature
Perfect glamping in the heart of the crater
I love unique places of accommodation. Admittedly, basic camping is not quite my default choice. Which is why I chose a more pampering tenting option – by staying at Selina Ramon by Glow, a glamping hotel inside the crater itself, which allows you to connect with nature and the desert, to feel the simplicity and love around you. Unfortunately, Selina is no longer in operation, there are other “desert-chic” vibe alternative accommodations within a reasonable driving distance from Mitzpe Ramon you may be interested in staying in.
Learn about other unique places to stay in the South of Israel that you should know about
Kedma Hotel (Sde Boker)
If you want to enjoy the calm aesthetic beauty of the desert, combined with the comfort of a well known Israeli hotel chain (Isrotel), Kedma Hotel, may be for you. Although I am yet to stay in Kedma, it is on my bucket list for my next stay in the Negev desert. This Nabatean-style hotel offers a distinctive desert hospitality experience, suitable for families and travelers. The hotel also features a desert-style restaurant, a spa with a Turkish hammam and heated pool, and peaceful relaxation spaces to enjoy after a day of adventure. The rooms and suites are arranged around a spacious inner courtyard, featuring a swimming pool, fruit trees, and lush greenery. The ancient-inn-inspired layout blends seamlessly into the surrounding landscape, inviting guests to unwind in quiet lounging areas and relax in a tranquil oasis of water and shade.
Location: Sde Boker (within walking distance of the Hut of Israel’s iconic Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion).
Drive time from Mizpe Ramon: about 30-35 minutes
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An easy trail on the way back to the center of Israel
En Avdat National Park
An easy trail alongside spectacular canyons, and water stream
On the way back to the center of Israel, stop over at the desert oasis of En Avdat National Park. Located at the foot of Midreshet Ben-Gurion (the home of Israel’s legendary first Prime Minister, David Ben Gurion) is deep and stunning canyon with springs and a stream that flows all year round.
There are different points of interest and trails in En Avdat:
- A short trail of about 800 meters to the spring and back, which we did (about an hour to an hour and a half’s walk)
- A long trail to the poplar grove and back (about two to two and a half hours’ walk)
- A long straight trail to Upper En Avdat (about two and a half hours’ walk)
We chose taking the short trail that led us between the impressive canyons. It included reaching the En Avdat waterfall: with a cool water pool in the stream bed. It is very hot in summer, so remember to bring hats, sunscreen and drinking water bottles with you.
For wildlife lovers, from November to August (nesting season) there is a chance that you will see the vultures nesting on the cliffs of the wadi, or calmly soaring above you.
Getting there with Waze: En Avdat National Park
Map of attractions around Ramon Crater mentioned in this post:
To sum up
A weekend in Makhtesh Ramon and Mitzpe Ramon offers attractions for the whole family, and all ages. The visit here can suit those who want a family vacation, a romantic vibe or a perfect getaway for a group of friends, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
