Practical Information The shopping center on your right as you come into town from Be’er Sheva includes Bank HaPoalim (open Sun., Tues., Thurs. 8:30am-noon and 4-6pm, Mon. 8:30am- 12:30pm, Wed. and Fri. 8:30am-noon) as well as the post office (open Sun.-Tues. and Thurs. 8am-12:30pm and 3:30-6pm, Wed. 8am-1:30pm, Fri. 8am-noon), supermarket (open Sun.-Thurs. 9am-lpm and 4-7pm, Fri. 8:30am-lpm), and a fabulous indoor pool with a large waterslide (open daily 10am-6pm; admission NIS20, children NIS5). Bus #60 runs from Be’er Sheva to Mitzpeh Ramon (5:30am-9:30pm every 1-l^hr., N1S13). Bus #392 continues to Eilat, and #391 to Tel Aviv. Call (03) 537 5555 for Egged intercity information.

The large rock and glass structure that teeters on the edge of the crater houses the new visitors’ center (tel. (057) 58 86 20 or 58 86 91). Inside, a circular exhibit displays reconstructions of the rock beds and provides information on the flora and fauna of the surrounding area. (Open Sun.-Thurs. and Sat. 9am-4:30pm, Fri. 9am-3pm; admission NIS10, children NIS5.) The free maps aren’t very descriptive, but good topo maps are available at the gift shop for NIS10. There you can also find the Guide to Ramon Park for NIS12. The visitors’ center is the best place to start if you want hiking information. The staff is more than willing to suggest the best places to go, and point out trails and places of interest on your Hebrew map. The SPNI field school (tel. 58 15 16) is also an excellent resource for hiking information. The school is 3km outside of town or a 0.5km hike. The SPNI offers guided hiking tours but you must arrange in advance. Maps are available.

The best season to explore the crater is late fall or spring, when temperatures are tolerable and you can hike all day. The heat of day in mid-summer tends to sap any motivation to descend into an infernal pit-it’s best to hike very early in the morning or in late afternoon and evening. Consult the visitors’ center for safety tips. Bring many liters of-you guessed it-water. Wear one of those things on your head.

While walking is the most natural way to explore the crater, there are others. Desert Shade (tel. (057) 58 62 29, fax (057) 58 62 08) specializes in all modes of desert exploration. A two-hour jeep tour runs US$18, or a jeep can be rented at US$160 per day. Camels cost US$12 per hour (US$16 per hour for the 2-seater). Mountain bikes run US$6 for two hours or US$18 for a full day. Don’t expect to do much shredding off-road-these clunkers weigh as much as a compact car and brakes generally work by prayer. For those inclined to dangle, rappelling is offered but only for groups (10-person min.). Hiking guides can be hired for US$120 per guide for a full day. Desert Shade also provides accommodations in Bedouin-inspired tents for US$14 a night including breakfast (US$22 will get you dinner as well, dinner alone is US$10). Call in advance to arrange tours; spaces fill quickly.