My friends and I travelled to southern Israel to experience the rugged beauty of the Arava Desert and hike along the Zin River’s estuary.
From the very first steps, we were greeted by open space, a boundless horizon and a thrill that stirred the soul. Rocky steps gave way to sandy ridges and ruts stretching towards the horizon. Every ascent revealed new views: layered slopes, whitish wadis and a sky into which the heat seemed to dissolve.
I was riding with my youngest daughter, Tali. Hearing her laughter over the radio and her enthusiastic “Look!” at every ford, as well as holding her confident hand, were the moments we had set out for.

At a rest stop, we brewed tea from a flask, ate dates and experienced the silence where you can hear your own heartbeat and the rustling of lizards in the bushes. By evening, the light had turned coppery and the shadows were longer. We carefully navigated the last stretch of the riverbed.

The extreme terrain was the real deal: diagonal tracks, short, sharp descents, a bit of sand and a lot of concentration. There was plenty of adrenaline, and even more emotion.

We returned home tired, dusty and absolutely happy, with the feeling that we had lived through a little adventure with friends.

And one important thing:
Off-road driving is a dangerous activity that requires thorough preparation and vigilance, including reliable equipment, proper tyre pressure, navigation and communi