Amirim, the vegetarian-vegan village, is an attraction in itself for those interested in a quality, pampering vacation. Its geographical location is ideal to combine your stay with high quality trips that include nature, wonderful views and a range of attractions while staying in one of the most beautiful places in Israel.
Going on a vacation for two or a family holiday? Why not include a kayaking trip?
Before you partake in sailing on the Jordan River, a few words about the difficulty levels of the river. There are several parameters that define the difficulty level of each section of the river. You should understand this before commencing your trip, especially if you have small children or are not proficient swimmers. The different difficulty levels are determined according to the height differences (depending on whether there are waterfalls and the height of their slope incline in relation to the river), the strength of the water flow and the structure of the river and its slopes (are there tree roots, rocks, dense forage?) These details provide information about the difficulty level of the river.
If the water flows without any obstruction, the difficulty level will be low but if the water flow has many obstacles, the difficulty level will be higher. When the water flows freely and the flow is slow with no obstructions in the way or at least only small obstructions, you can sail without the need for a guide. In denser, more complicated areas it is important to make sure that all participants know how to swim and are properly prepared. In segments where there are high or steep rapids or many rocks – it is recommended to get out of the water and continue this section by foot. In any event, irrespective of your swimming abilities or the difficulty level of the route, a lifebelt must be worn at all times when kayak sailing on the Jordan River even when the current is low or you feel that “nothing bad can happen”.
A little about the Jordan River
The Jordan River begins at the interface of the Banias River with the Hasbani River (next to Sadeh Nechamia Kibbutz), and from there continues and passes over an area that was once the Hula swamp. Part of this area was dug up in order to drain the swamp, and it continues to the Benot Ya’akov bridge from where the natural course of the Jordan River begins. It continues on a steep drop through the mountainous Jordan canyon and reaches Hadodot bridge. There, the river becomes less steep until it reaches the area of Haftacha park and there it flows into the Kinneret.
The Jordan in the Summer Months
By the end of the summer months, the natural flow of the Jordan is very slow (depending of course on the weather conditions of the previous winter). When we say the flow is “slow”, we mean 5 cubic meters an hour compared to a “fast” flow that is around 200 cubic meters an hour (during a flood, for example).
Where should you go rafting?
You can do commercial rafting when the current is less than 30 cubic meters an hour. You should be prepared accordingly as rafting in the Jordan sometimes requires coping with obstacles, trees, rocks and flow holes. It is therefore important to know what difficultly levels are involved and make sure that the difficulty level is suited to your swimming proficiency, irrespective to whether you are wearing a lifebelt. There are some places where commercial rafting cannot take place as the difficulty level is too high. There are places where one cannot stop while rafting. Please note, we are not providing this information in order to scare you but in order to provide the necessary information in order to prevent surprises and unexpected unpleasantness.
Sailing on the Jordan – Pure Pleasure
Irrespective of the difficulty level you choose, you will be able to enjoy the view around you as you sail. The vegetation around the Jordan River is Mediterranean vegetation including willow, raspberry bushes, fig trees, sabra fruit bushes and reeds. The Jordan region is abundant in animals such as the rock hyrax, gazelle, wild pigs, birds of prey and seabirds. If you go sailing in the migration season, it is possible that you will see flocks of storks, cranes, cormorants and pelicans.
Once you have finished rafting, you are invited to stay and rest in one of our zimmers in Amirim intended for couples or families, to enjoy our wonderful vegetarian-vegan restaurants and to experience all that nature has to offer.
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