Journey through the Valley of Thorns

With Atta Manasra

About the Tour:

In Aramaic, the mother language of Arabic and Hebrew, Wadi Fukin is known as the Valley of Thorns. It has a unique agricultural landscape, shaped by the use of traditional methods from the Canaanite times. This unique trip will enable you to walk through beautiful fields, see the farmers cultivating their land and try local delicacies. The Valley of Thorns is one of the few areas that continues to be a home of the indigenous trees of the Holy Land. See the country as it was thousands of years before.

Curated By:
Atta Manasra

Tour Duration:
Half-day tour. Optional overnight with local families

What to Bring:
Sun protection in the summertime (caps, cream). Wear modest clothing (no shorts or miniskirts) to show respect for the local culture, and good walking shoes. Bring enough water and cash money if you would like to buy honey or fruit from the farmers.

About the Guide

Atta Manasra

With Atta grew up in the village of Wadi Fukin, where he learned to be a good farmer. Working for more than 20 years as a tour guide, he is still part of this rural community. When not working his fields, he is happy to show visitors the rural life of his home area and share with them the customs and amazing hospitality of the Palestinian people.

Tour Highlights

See the beautiful countryside Meet the farmers in their field Enjoy the beauty of nature Taste traditional organic food including the best honey in the world Learn about local culture and rural life Sit under trees that are over a thousand years old and drink herbal tea. The shade of these trees has witnessed the weddings, community reconciliation meetings, feasts and birth of the community folklore

Tour Details

Starting from Bethlehem (30 min.) our first stop is the village center, after which we will walk down to the fields. Here we have the chance to meet and talk with the farmers. Depending on the season, we may have an opportunity to help farmers with their harvest. After time with the farmers, we can have a chat at the location of the Roman pool and a cave inhabited thousands of years ago by the Canaanites and which is still used by shepherds as shelters and farmers as a threshing floor to separate straw from seeds. We will also meet the beekeepers and taste their organic honey – a perfect souvenir to take home! Over a delicious meal you can talk with the hosts about the challenges living in this unique area. After taking in the beautiful sights and filling our stomachs, we will head back home.

Testimonials

I enjoyed walking in the fields. The sound of birds and the wind moving the leaves of the tree is a great reminder of the beauty of God’s creation. The food tasted different, much tastier, and I am sure because it’s organic.

I loved to see all the donkeys in the fields. Everything seems so genuine and real, completely different from the city where holy sites, museums and the market are the center of attraction.

Atta incorporates local stories about Palestinian rural life throughout the tour that really made the countryside come alive. The walk through the countryside is so peaceful and absolutely breathtaking. It was a nice break from the noise and traffic of Jerusalem.