Customizable Itineraries & Expert-Guided Excursions Bringing You into the Heart of Israel’s blissful desert with Architectural, Cultural, Natural, Culinary and Artistic Experiences With Locals

Words on the Arava and Negev Deserts:

Time passes ever so slowly, the desert vibes washing over and inside of you. A deep internal cleansing, as if life’s medicine stems purely from natural sources. Luxury isn’t a high-brow design piece or seat in a coveted restaurant. It is clean air, infinite open space; the sound of silence only to be perturbed by a bird’s chirp or an arid tree whistling with the wind.

With its infinite Mars-like views, inner-silence and empowering sense of natural wonderment, Israel’s Negev and Arava deserts are an untapped and wildly inspiring destination replete with a bevy of architectural gems that yearn to be trekked and absorbed by its visitors.

Let Eager Tourist lead the way.

Israel’s topographic map includes 40% limestone and cragged rock desert, a natural landbridge between Asia and Northern Africa that has long been hosted, conquered and inhabited by major empires from the Philistines, Byzantines to the Romans and Ottomans. In ancient times, this desert was a major passage on the ancient Spice Route, passing through raw “Beresheet” land, a biblical reference possessing an origin of genesis. This is where some of the earliest civilizations began. The unspoiled terrain and respect for its history is a defining reason of what makes this destination unfathomably special. 

A moment in the desert can feel like an eternity. At first glance, rocks, mountains, tumbleweed and the occasional passing car can seem futile. Blazoning past the banality is a glorious beauty with soulful tones that beckon to be unturned. Denizens of the desert are kind, spiritual and hardworking. Manifesting in many forms, and literal walks of life, inhabitants of this Mars-like environment bring forth new ideas of existing in society, with nature and with oneself. .

Eager Tourist guides visitors from abroad to the hidden gems of this majestic land, replete with a distinct language of art, architecture, culture, cuisine, wellness and overall creativity of its own. This “negative city” -- as monolithic as the skyscrapers of Manhattan or the Fjords of Norway -- ensnares intangible life source and oozes an uncontrived aesthetic of mud, rock, rickety wood and heat-scorched flora. The desert offers connection through disconnection. A belief in its powers can only set you free.

Bespoke Services:

• Full-service itineraries where guests do not need to open their wallet or worry about a single thing. Eager Tourist will create A-Z itinerary according to your tastes, interests, budget and time of year.

• Self-guided itineraries including bookings and reservations of activities and accommodations, and transportation (upon request)

• Individual Workshops and Experiences

• Hotel and overnight arrangements

• Detailed “Eager Tourist Insider Guide” to the Arava and Negev Deserts

Experience focuses:

• Architecture and design

• Health, yoga and wellness

• Natural wonders

• Desert agriculture, wine and gastronomy

• Art, music, culture and the creative “desert lifestyle”

Amongst our tour, workshop and experience offerings include:

• Israeli-style Slow-cooking in the desert with a local chef

• Landscape Photography workshops and visits to the desert’s most photogenic locations

• Authentic Bedouin experience learning firsthand about the ancient culture’s heritage, lifestyle and culminating with an epic meal around a campfire

• Desert ecological architecture excursion that brings you to monuments, sculptural parks, natural observatories and edifices that showcase the unique aesthetic language of the desert

• Campfire storytelling and stargazing

• Desert art and ceramics tour including meetings and conversations with desert creatives in their private studios and workshops

• Delectable visits to Desert wineries, cheese producers and family farms offering insight into desert agricultural innovation and with tastings all along the way.