2016 Cycle the Galilee Information Pack

The Nazareth Trust -EMMS Nazareth-

Cycle the Galilee 2016 6 to 13 November 2016

The Nazareth Trust -EMMS Nazareth-

Cycle the Galilee 2016 Join the Nazareth Trust for an exhilarating and challenging cycling experience across Northern Israel in November 2016.

Ride through ancient valleys, up and down mountain slopes, and along the dirt tracks of Israel’s farming communities as you explore the Land of the Bible.

Sail across the Sea of Galilee and then cycle into Nazareth, in celebration, as you cross the finish line at the Nazareth Hospital EMMS. You will discover dramatic landscapes stretching from the Mediterranean to the Sea of Galilee, including the foothills of Galilee, the Naphtali Mountains and the Hula Valley. Visit the ancient ruins of Capernaum, the Jordan River Baptismal site and have a full day free to experience Nazareth. You’ll have loads of fun and an opportunity to make new friends as you take in the sights and sounds of Northern Israel.

The Nazareth Trust works to provide healthcare, education and Christian service through the Nazareth Hospital EMMS, the School of Nursing, Nazareth Village and SERVE Nazareth. The Hospital also conducts vital outreach work in the West Bank through mobile clinics for those unable to travel to the Hospital. Our work is based on the principles and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth.

The Nazareth Trust is currently running a £2m appeal to raise money to expand and refurbish the Paediatric Ward at the Nazareth Hospital EMMS. So what will we do with the Sponsorship?

The Paediatric Ward is in urgent need of expansion and refurbishment to improve standards of care, and to adequately serve a growing population.

We aim to: Transform our wards, waiting rooms and outpatient areas to create bright, cheery child-friendly spaces.

Provide toys, play equipment and activity areas where children can play and be active, or study and finish their homework.

Provide more family-friendly facilities so parents can stay with their children.

For the experience of a lifetim e, sign up today, or find out m ore at: www.nazarethtrust.org/diary/cycle2016 or em ail: info@ nazarethtrust.co.uk Cycle the Galilee in 2016 and raise funds to help our work in Jesus’ hometown Each participant will raise a minimum of £2000 / $3000 / 11000 ILS in sponsorship to help us transform the Nazareth Hospital’s Paediatric Ward.

2

1 2

The Nazareth Trust -EMMS Nazareth-

Cycle the Galilee 2016 W ha t is inc lu de d ?

- Airport transfers to and from Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv (shuttle service available at specific times only) - Accommodation on a shared basis - Meals as included in the itinerary - Luggage transfer for each leg of the journey - Support team and licensed Tour Guide for the cycling days - Bike rental

Bike whe re Je su s live d!

‘Leaving Nazareth, He went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali – to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: ‘Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles – the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned’

Are the re an y ag e or he alth res trictions ?

Matthew 4:13-16

Israel, the land of the Bible, is now a modern, bustling and vibrant country.

We expect this opportunity will attract people of all ages as we Cycle the Galilee and raise funds for the Nazareth Hospital.

The expected age range is likely to be 18 70’s.

As well as the religious and historical sites there is a lot to offer to the traveller - vast stretches of clean, sunny beaches, modern cities, hotels, kibbutzim (collective villages), markets, health resorts, theatres - all within a compact geographical circle.

All participants are required to complete a medical declaration on the Application Form. Participants with an existing medical condition or aged 65+ must have a doctor’s approval and signature on their medical form.

H ow c an you join this e xciting ad ve nture ?

W ill I ne e d a Pa s sp ort or V isa to e nte r Is ra el?

Complete the enclosed Registration Form and return it with your registration fee of £150 / $250 noting your preferred option of either: - To include return flights from Heathrow for which you will need to raise a minimum of £2,500 / $3,750 by September 30, 2016, or: - Excluding flights and you join the group at Tel Aviv for which you will need to raise a minimum sponsorship of £2,000 / $3,000 / 11,000 NIS.

Participants must have at least 6 months validity on their passport from the date of return. If not, they should obtain a new one between now and the bike ride.

The majority of visitors, (UK and US citizens) do not require a prearranged visa and will be issued 3 month visa upon entry to Israel.

To find out if you need a Visa, please contact us or see Israel’s Ministry of Tourism website.

3

1 2

The Nazareth Trust -EMMS Nazareth-

Cycle the Galilee 2016 Frequently Asked Questions What will a typical day be like?

What about Bicycles?

We’ll begin the day with breakfast and then set off for an early start. We will stop every 15 to 20km for water depending on temperature and needs of the group.

The cycles provided will be high quality mountain bikes such as Specialised Surris or Trek FX 7.2.

A mechanic will be on hand to ensure everyone has an appropriately sized bicycle. The standard sized frame is 18 inches. Any participants who require a larger or smaller framed bicycle should indicate this on the Application Form.

We’ll have short water/snack breaks mid morning and mid afternoon, and an hour for lunch. Our guide will also stop at times to tell us about interesting sites along the way.

We advise participants to bring their own saddle (do not bring a seat pole) or a gel seat cover to avoid getting saddle sore on the first few days.

We will reach our accommodation venue around dusk (5pm in November).

Each evening we will have dinner together followed by a briefing on the next day’s journey.

Each participant must bring his/her own helmet to be worn at all times when cycling.

What will the weather be like?

Will I be on my own?

In November the weather will be pleasant with a slight chance of rain. The average daytime temperatures will be around 20 25ºC. Nighttime temperatures will fall to 10 - 12ºC.

Please don’t worry about this! There will be a number of people who join ‘Cycle the Galilee 2016’ on their own, so you will have the opportunity to meet new people, many of whom will become and remain friends long after you share this extraordinary experience.

Where will we spend the night?

We will spend our nights in Kibbutz Guest Houses, which offer clean, comfortable, basic facilities. Plan to share a twin room unless you’ve reserved a single (available for an additional charge).

Once Registration is final you will receive a list of all Participants.

4

The Nazareth Trust -EMMS Nazareth-

Cycle the Galilee 2016 Frequently Asked Questions Day 1: Sunday 6th November- Welcome to Israel!

Upon arrival in the early hours of the Sunday morning at Ben Gurion Airport you will be met by our driver and transferred by bus to the Carmel Region. On the way we will stop for short introduction and Bible reading at the Horn Of Carmel, the site of Elijah's altar. From there we will continue to Kibbutz Beit Oren where we will have a bike fitting and opening briefing.

Meals – D Accommodation - Kibbutz Beit Oren Hotel D ay 2 : Monday 7th November- Carmel to the Sea

We will begin the ride from our hotel heading north through the Zebulun Valley, making our way on dirt tracks to the Mediterranean coast.

We will bike through the farming communities of the region, and arrive at Kibbutz Gesher Ha Ziv, at the foothills of the Galilee where we will spend the night.

Meals – B,L,D

Accommodation - Guest House Kibbutz Gesher Haziv

Day 3: Tuesday 8th November- Sea to Summit Our day will begin with a challenging climb up to the region of the Galilee.

We will pass a lookout of the Montfort Crusader castle and stop to visit Pekiin, a unique village of Christians, Muslims, Druze and Jews who have coexisted for hundreds of years. From there we will continue (with optional shuttle) to the ruins of the ancient village of Bir’am and then follow the border road to Kibbutz Malkia.

Meals – B,L,D

Accommodation - Guest House Kibbutz Malkia

5

The Nazareth Trust -EMMS Nazareth-

Cycle the Galilee 2016 Day 4: Wednesday 9th November - To the Sea of Galilee Today’s ride will take us down the slopes of the Naphtali Mountains and on to the Hula Valley. From there we will follow the Jordan River and then climb to the Mt of Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount, before heading to the Sea of Galilee. We’ll visit Capernaum (the ruins of a 1st century village that was home to Jesus, the disciples and the first believers) and then on to Kibbutz Ginnosar where we will spend the night.

Meals – B,L,D Accommodation - Guest house Kibbutz Ginnosar

Day 5: Thursday 10th November - Jordan River to Mt Gilboa On this morning we will swap our bikes for a boat and sail across the Sea of Galilee.

Once we are back on land we will ride our bikes south and pay a short visit to the Baptismal site on the Jordan River. We will continue south and arrive at Beit Shean, the ruins of a Roman City frozen in time since the year 749. From there we will ride to the Springs of Harod, where King David collected soldiers for his army, and then continue on to our hotel at the foot of Mt Gilboa.

Meals – B,L,D Accommodation - Guest House Kibbutz En Harod Ihud

Day 6: Friday 11th November - The final Climb to Nazareth Our last day of riding will take us from the Gilboa Mountains to Nazareth.

We will begin by crossing the Jezreel Valley and the head towards Mt Tabor.

We will climb Mount Tabor and visit the site of Jesus's transfiguration. From there we will follow a forest road leading us up to Nazareth were we will cross the finish line at the Nazareth Hospital. In the evening we will enjoy a festive dinner together to mark the end of this incredible journey.

Meals – B,L,D Accommodation - Either Nazareth Hospital or a local hotel.

Day 7: Saturday 12th November - Free Day in Nazareth Enjoy the day at your leisure or take part in an organized tour of Nazareth before spending the evening with a local family and then leaving in the early hours of Sunday morning for the flight to Heathrow.

Meals – Dinner with a host family 6

The Nazareth Trust -EMMS Nazareth-

Cycle the Galilee 2016 Application & Registration Form Personal Details (please give your FULL NAME as it appears on passport): Title:

Surname:

Forename(s):

Preferred name:

Address: Post Code: Home Telephone:

Daytime Telephone:

Mobile Telephone:

Email address:

Passport Details (your passport must be valid for 6 months after the date of exit from country you are visiting): Date of Birth:

Place of Birth:

Passport No:

Place of issue:

Date of issue:

Date of expiry:

It is essential that we have the above information for our records. If you do not have a passport at the moment, just send in your entry form and let us have the details as soon as you can.

Church Connection:

Do you belong to a Church or Fellowship? YES / NO.

If ‘yes’ which one: Dietary Requirements Please let us know if you have any special dietary requirements e.g. vegetarian / vegan etc:

Fundraising Please indicate how you aim to raise your sponsorship:

What is your personal sponsorship target?

£/$

Next of Kin (for emergency use, someone contactable while you are away) Name:

Relationship:

Address: Post Code: Home Telephone: Mobile Telephone:

Daytime Telephone: Email address:

7

The Nazareth Trust -EMMS Nazareth-

Cycle the Galilee 2016 Application & Registration Form Participation Option

qOption 1 - too include return flights from Heathrow q

Option 2 – excluding flights

T-Shirts We will provide you with a T-Shirts for the Bike Ride, please indicate which size you require:

q

Small

q

Medium

q

Large

q

Extra Large

q

Extra Extra Large

Bicycles Bicycles will be a standard size unless you indicate your desired size of frame here: Medical History and Fitness Confirmation Cycle the Galilee 2016 will be a 5 day bike ride covering 280km / 175 miles. The terrain will cover some challenging countryside including numerous climbs up the Galilean hills as described in the itinerary.

And shown in the daily ride profiles. Whilst this event is achievable for those in general, good health, it may be that for some this will also require some training. This event is not recommended for those with any infirmity. If you are in good health but take medication, you must let us know. If you suffer from any medical condition which could be adversely affected by exercise, particularly a heart condition, or suffer from an allergy, you must let us know, and you must have had your participation confirmed by your GP or family Doctor.

Conditions of Entry 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

You must enclose a non-refundable registration fee of £150.

You must undertake to raise a minimum level of sponsorship and 75% of this should be forwarded to The th Nazareth Trust by September 30 2016 with any remainder due within 6 weeks after completion of the walk.

If you are unable to meet these sponsorship requirements you may forfeit your place, or you may choose to make up the balance yourself.

All funds must be payable to The Nazareth Trust.

Should you be unable, for whatever reason, to take your place in the Cycle the Galilee 2016, after registering, all sponsorship monies collected should be donated to The Nazareth Trust.

You must be at least 18 years of age before the departure date of the event or else have made specific arrangements with The Nazareth Trust.

You must enjoy a state of health that will enable you to complete Cycle the Galilee.

You must not suffer from alcohol or drug dependence nor have any criminal record.

Your passport must have at least 6 months to run at the time of exit from the countries you are visiting.

If you are refused passage and/or entry to or from the countries you are visiting, any additional costs will be borne by you.

You participate at your own risk and you must be covered by travel insurance suitable for the activity you are undertaking. The Nazareth Trust does not offer insurance so you must make your own arrangements and must provide proof of insurance to The Nazareth Trust at least 4 weeks before departure.

All dates, itineraries and arrangements are subject to change without notice.

You must be committed to the ethos of Cycle the Galilee and to making it a success in every way. You must uphold the interests and good reputation of The Nazareth Trust during your fund raising activities and on the ride itself.

You consent to your name being added to The Nazareth Trust database and receiving information from The Nazareth Trust.

You consent to the use of any photographs taken of you whilst on the ride being retained in the Photo depository which may then be used in future publicity. q q q q

Name:

I apply to take part in the Nazareth Trust's Cycle the Galilee 2016 and accept the rules and conditions of this event.

I enclose two recent passport-sized photographs, with my name clearly printed on the back.

I have read, understood and agree to all the conditions of entry and I acknowledge that 'neither The Nazareth Trust nor their agents or contractors, shall be liable in respect of personal injury, sickness , or death, arising out of, or any way connected with, the Nazareth Trust's Cycle the Galilee 2016.'

I enclose my registration fee of £150.00 (cheques are to be made payable to The Nazareth Trust or payment made online at: https://mygive.net/NHEChildren).

Signature:

Date:

8