Practical Information (See above for bus information.) There are several bus stops and turn-offs in the Ein Gedi area. Traveling south on the main highway, the first (northernmost) stop is at the Ein Gedi youth hostel, Beit Sara, which is visible slightly north and uphill, set back a bit from the highway. The Ein Gedi Field School “Jn by the SPNI is a short walk uphill from the hostel. The nature reserve at Nahal David is also nearby; the access road is just south of the hostel.

Farther south down the main highway is the Ein Gedi beach and campsite, which also has a gas station ^d store. Nahal Arugot nature reserve is at the end of an access road 500 miles ^uth of the youth hostel. Kibbutz Ein Gedi is up on the slope several kilometers south of the youth hostel; buses stop at the kibbutz via the access road. The spa complex is the southernmost stay at Ein Gedi, and the bus will pull out at the park-"ttg lot. There is a first-aid station at the campground.

The Ein Gedi Field School (tel. 58 42 88) has maps and information. Guided tours ust be arranged in advance, and are for groups only. The field school rents out rooms at MS138 for a double, including breakfast. Check out the museum which has artifacts and rocks; you may want to see the live snake display only after you’ve gone hiking in the desert.