Neot Kedumim©

Much of the 625 acres (2500 dunams) of the Neot Kedumim nature reserve, located 10 minutes from
Ben-Gurion Airport, was transformed into replicas of regions in Biblical Israel. Neot Kedumim was
built, so to speak, with the Tanach in one hand and a spade in the other.

Hundreds of Biblical and Talmudic plants and trees were planted. Domestic and wild animals and birds were brought in to enhance the setting.

Upon driving into Neot Kedumim, to your left is a pinewood forest with natural rock gardens covered
in hundreds of cyclamens, rakefet, of different shades of pink and scarlet. [The rakefet season is in
the early spring and is relatively brief.]

The area is a wonderful place to learn about the flowers of Eretz Yisrael since each trail has signs
detailing the plants bordering it, with their relevant pesukim from Tanach. Each placard is numbered,
and the Hebrew, Biblical, and English name and family of the corresponding plant can be looked up
in a plant-identification list that is given to you with your entrance ticket.

Three of the four trails are both wheelchair- and stroller-friendly. The last trail, D, is not suitable for

this type of access. The pergolas and benches, placed in strategic points along each route, provide you with a shaded place to rest and study the displays nearby. For instance, the ascending benches near a Hasmonean village on Trail A can seat a large group. Excavated alleys, houses and courtyards with cisterns and mikvaos from the early period of the Second Temple are seen here. There are also underground getaways which were used in times of danger. On display are a reconstructed arch from the 4th to 7th century CE and a reproduction of a typical Roman sundial. Grape and olive presses can be viewed and examined in great detail, with certain hands-on activities as well.

The view in all directions is pastoral and impresses the viewer with such expansive beauty that it feels liberating. Looking northwest, in the far foreground you can see Petach Tikva, with the tall buildings of Tel Aviv behind it. To its left you can see Cholon and Bat Yam. To the north, you see Arab villages with the security fence around them — perhaps a jarring sight compared to the spectacular scenery. To the east, Jerusalem is hidden from view by high hills; to the far south Kiryat Sefer is visible.

An open-sided tour train takes visitors around to view this beautiful nature reserve in its entirety. Each train seats 50 adults or 70 children. On regular days, the train ride must be ordered in advance, while on Chol Hamoed there’s no need for reservations.

Directions
Neot Kedumim is located on Route 443 between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, 10 minutes from Ben-Gurion Airport. From Jerusalem, one needs to take two Veolia buses. First, take Bus No. 110, whose departure is from Kiryat Hale’um in Yerushalayim (it then has stops at central locations; check with

Veolia for the exact route). Get off at Shilat Junction (before Modiin), and from there take Connex Bus No. 111 (in the direction of Tel Aviv).

The bus stops at the entrance to Neot Kedumim.
For exact times of buses, phone *6686.

Admission Times & Prices
Neot Kedumim is open Sunday-Thursday, 8:30- 16:00; Friday and Erev Yom Tov, 8:30-13:00.
Admission is NIS 25 per adult and NIS 20 per child.
There are special family activities during Chanukah and Chol Hamoed of Sukkos and Pesach, and different entrance fees apply at these times.
For more information, call 08-977--0770.