Certified Desert Guide

In recent years, Israel has seen significant growth in long-distance desert travel, including hiking, fastpacking, trail running, desert races and high-tempo day expeditions. Advances in digital navigation, the expansion of the national trail network, and the widespread adoption of ultralight equipment have made these activities more accessible and contributed to a growing number of groups exploring the Israeli desert.

This growing interest in desert travel is driven not only by the physical challenge, but also by a desire to build mental resilience, improve focus, and promote overall well-being. Understanding these motivations is an important part of creating meaningful and rewarding long-distance desert experiences.

The program was developed in response to the growing demand and expanding career opportunities in desert tourism and outdoor adventure. It is the first professional certification program in Israel dedicated to guiding groups on long-distance desert routes, combining academic knowledge in exercise science with extensive practical training in planning and leading groups on extended desert journeys.

The program focuses on developing the professional knowledge and practical skills required to guide groups safely and responsibly on long-distance routes in the Israeli desert using a lightweight approach. Emphasis is placed on pace and workload management, decision-making in dynamic desert conditions, route planning, navigation, and the safe leadership of extended desert journeys - from the initial planning stage through on-the-ground group management.

The desert presents a unique operating environment that requires far more from a guide than simply knowing the route. Distances are long, water sources are limited, temperatures can be extreme, and access to emergency assistance is often restricted. As a result, every decision - from route planning to managing the group's pace - has a direct impact on both safety and the overall success of the journey.

A desert guide must integrate navigation, field logistics, water and energy management, risk assessment, and group leadership while adapting to constantly changing conditions in the field. It is a distinct professional discipline that combines technical knowledge, sound judgment, and responsibility, extending well beyond traditional hiking or trekking leadership.

• A pioneering professional certificate program focused on guiding long-distance desert journeys.

• University of Haifa certification based on practical field performance and professional competence.

• An intensive combination of online (zoom) learning and field training across three Israeli desert regions.

• A research-informed curriculum integrating navigation, leadership, risk management, exercise science, and desert heritage.

• Transferable skills for guiding and leading groups in desert environments worldwide.

• Taught entirely in English for an international group of participants.

   

The program consists of 162 academic hours, including 72 hours of theoretical instruction delivered online via Zoom and 90 hours of practical field training.

The program is delivered over six consecutive weeks, alternating between:

• Three theoretical weeks, each consisting of four days of online instruction via Zoom and totaling 24 academic hours
• Three practical weeks, each consisting of three intensive field-training days and totaling 30 academic hours, held in diverse desert regions across Israel

This structure allows participants to develop the theoretical foundations of desert guiding, apply them directly in different desert environments, and progressively build their professional and practical skills throughout the program.

Online Instruction (72 Academic Hours)

A. Route Planning & Navigation

• Planning long-distance desert routes: methodology and practical tools
• Topographic map reading and the geography of Israel's desert regions
• Weather forecasting for desert travel
• Traditional and digital navigation techniques

B. Exercise Physiology & Performance

• Endurance and strength training
• Exercise physiology for prolonged activity in hot environments
• Energy management, pacing, and pack weight
• Ultralight equipment, nutrition, and clothing for long-distance travel

C. Safety & Risk Management

• Heat stress, dehydration, and common field injuries
• Night travel and flash flood awareness
• Principles of wilderness rescue
• Decision-making in technical terrain

D. Group Leadership & Resilience

• Participant briefing and expectation management
• Group dynamics during extended journeys
• Guide responsibilities and risk assessment
• Nature, mental well-being, and resilience

E. The Israeli Desert: Land, History & Identity

• The geography and natural landscapes of Israel’s desert regions
• The desert in Jewish history and the Zionist development of the Negev
• Ancient routes, settlement, trade, and human adaptation to desert environments
• Bedouin communities and the diverse societies of the Negev, Arava, and Judean Desert
• Israeli achievements and challenges in desert settlement, agriculture, water management, and conservation
• The role of the desert in modern Israeli culture and identity
• Encounters with Israelis living and working in the desert, accompanied by guided reflection on participants’ relationship with Israel and Jewish community

Practical Field Training (90 Academic Hours)

• Practical training across Israel's diverse desert regions
• Advanced desert navigation using both traditional and digital techniques
• Efficient movement in desert terrain and group pace management
• Route logistics, including water planning, daylight management, and water cache planning
• Leading groups through technical terrain and changing environmental conditions
• Workload management, trekking pole techniques, and ultralight equipment
• Nutrition strategies for long-distance routes
• Safety scenarios and decision-making in dynamic field conditions
• Pre-trip preparation, including participant briefings, expectation management, and group organization
• Planning and leading a long-distance desert route, including a comprehensive practical assessment

Program Begins: December 21, 2026 | Program Ends: January 31, 2027

The program is delivered over six consecutive weeks, alternating between online theoretical instruction and practical field training.

Each theoretical module is delivered online via Zoom over four days, totaling 24 academic hours. Each practical module consists of three intensive field-training days, totaling 30 academic hours. No activities are scheduled on Fridays or Saturdays (Shabbat).

Theoretical Instruction Schedule

The theoretical modules are delivered online via Zoom from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM Israel Time.

December 21–24, 2026
Online theoretical instruction via Zoom – 24 academic hours

January 4–7, 2027
Online theoretical instruction via Zoom – 24 academic hours

January 18–21, 2027
Online theoretical instruction via Zoom – 24 academic hours

Practical Field Training Schedule

December 28–30, 2026
Negev Highlands – Movement techniques, equipment, pace management, fundamental navigation, and terrain interpretation

January 11–13, 2027
Arava – Advanced navigation, safety, and logistics for extended desert travel

January 25–27, 2027
Judean Desert – Group leadership, group dynamics, and decision-making under physical and environmental stress

The final practical assessment will take place during the concluding field module in the Judean Desert. Participants will be assessed on their ability to plan and safely guide a long-distance desert route under field conditions.

*Exact schedule may be subject to changes due to weather and other unforeseen conditions.

• Ability to hike approximately 15 km (9 miles) per day over varied desert terrain.

• 18 years of age or older.

• A completed medical clearance form signed by a licensed physician in the applicant’s country of residence.

• Sufficient English proficiency to participate fully in online classes, field instruction, written assignments, and practical assessments.

• A personal interview to assess the applicant's suitability for the program, learning potential, and sense of responsibility for the safety and well-being of others.

• Travel and medical insurance valid for the duration of the course.

Certification is awarded based on a professional evaluation of each participant's ability to plan and lead groups safely, responsibly, and effectively in the desert environment.

Participants who successfully complete all program requirements will receive the University Certificate in Desert Guiding and Long-Distance Route Leadership, awarded by the University of Haifa School of Tourism.

To qualify for certification, participants must:

• Maintain a minimum 80% attendance rate.
• Successfully complete the mid-program assignment, which includes designing a guided field day incorporating route planning, participant briefing, logistical planning, and risk assessment.
• Successfully pass the final practical assessment, demonstrating the ability to safely and professionally lead a group on a long-distance desert route under faculty evaluation.
• Hold a valid first-aid certification appropriate for outdoor group leaders, issued by a recognized training provider in Israel or abroad. The qualification must include practical training and assessment and is subject to approval by the program team. Recommended English-language courses offered by recognized Israeli providers will also be made available to participants.

Certification is awarded based on a professional evaluation of each participant's ability to plan and lead groups safely, responsibly, and effectively in the desert environment.

Program Director

Professor Sharon Sznitman
Head of the Master of Public Health (MPH) Program in Physical Activity and Health, School of Public Health, University of Haifa.

Lead Instructor

Eliya Zemmour
Certified Trail Running Coach, outdoor educator, and author of 50 of the Most Beautiful Routes in the Israeli Desert

Program Tuition: USD 6,500

Early Registration Tuition: USD 5,900
Available to participants who register and pay the required deposit by September 15, 2026. After this date, the standard tuition of USD 6,500 will apply.

Tuition includes:

• 162 academic hours of professional training
• Online theoretical instruction delivered entirely in English
• Practical field training in the Negev, Arava, and Judean Desert
• Instruction and supervision by the program faculty
• Course materials, assignments, and professional assessment
• Final practical assessment
• The Certified Desert Guide certificate, awarded by the University of Haifa School of Tourism upon successful completion of all program requirements

A non-refundable registration fee of USD 350 is payable upon application and is included in the total tuition fee. Upon acceptance, an additional deposit of USD 1,000 is required. Both payments will be credited toward the total tuition balance.

Flights, accommodation, meals, transportation within Israel, personal equipment, travel and medical insurance, and any costs associated with obtaining the required first-aid certification are not included in the tuition fee and are the responsibility of the participant.

Participants may explore potential funding opportunities through Masa Israel Journey and other scholarship providers, subject to the eligibility criteria and approval processes of each organization.

The program is designed to develop professional skills relevant to desert guiding, outdoor leadership, and adventure tourism in Israel and in desert environments worldwide.

Graduates will gain transferable skills in route planning, navigation, field logistics, risk management, group leadership, and movement in hot and remote environments. These skills can support work with hiking and trail-running communities, educational programs, outdoor organizations, tourism operators, and companies offering adventure-based experiences.

The program is suitable both for participants who already guide or lead groups in community and informal settings, and for those seeking to turn their interest in deserts, outdoor travel, and long-distance routes into a professional pathway in Israel or internationally.

Career Pathways

• Guiding long-distance routes in Israel and other desert regions
• Working with adventure and desert tourism operators
• Leading outdoor workshops and challenge-based programs
• Designing outdoor experiences for organizations and companies
• Outdoor leadership in educational and community programs
• Leading hiking, fastpacking, and trail-running communities
• Developing independent ventures in desert and adventure tourism

Professional guiding activities may be subject to local licensing, certification, and insurance requirements in each country.

Daniel Naor

"I came into the program with plenty of field experience, but without a clear methodology. What I gained was a structured way of thinking—from the initial planning stages all the way to completing the route. I learned how to lead groups professionally, with confidence instead of improvisation. It has completely changed the way I guide today."

Bruno Sutnik

"Before the program, I would lead friends and small hiking groups, but I was never completely confident in my decisions. The training gave me real confidence, especially when it comes to making decisions in the field. Today, I feel much more capable and intentional in the way I lead."

Dr. David Immanuel

"I've always been drawn to the desert, and at one point I decided I wanted to become involved in Israel's desert tourism industry. This program gave me the professional tools I needed—not only for planning and logistics, but also for understanding what people are truly looking for in the desert: quiet, vast open landscapes, and a sense of purpose through the journey itself."

The program is conducted entirely in English.

All online lectures, practical field instruction, safety briefings, course materials, assignments, and assessments are provided in English. Online lectures are recorded and can be reviewed by participants throughout the program.

No knowledge of Hebrew is required to participate. Sufficient English proficiency is required to participate fully in online classes, field instruction, written assignments, and practical assessments.

The program is delivered over six consecutive weeks, from December 21, 2026, to January 31, 2027. International participants should plan to remain in Israel throughout the full program period, as online theoretical weeks alternate with practical field modules in different desert regions.

Participants should arrive in Israel before the opening session and schedule their departure after the concluding practical module and final assessment in the Judean Desert.

Participants who require a visa to enter Israel will receive an official admission letter from the University of Haifa School of Tourism to support their visa application. The participant remains responsible for confirming the applicable entry requirements and obtaining the required visa before travelling.

Certification also requires a valid first-aid qualification appropriate for outdoor group leaders, issued by a recognized training provider in Israel or abroad and approved by the program team. Participants who need to obtain certification in Israel will receive information about recommended English-language courses before the program begins.

We spend a lot of time in the desert—trail running, paragliding, hiking, and guiding groups. Along the way, we've also had the opportunity to write about these experiences. Here are a few articles on the desert, ultralight travel, and long-distance movement:

• At 40, in the Heart of the Desert (Ynet)

• 50 of the Most Beautiful Routes in the Israeli Desert (Shvoong)

• Trail Running in the Desert: Key Principles Every Runner Should Know (Outpanel)

Do I need previous guiding experience?

No previous professional guiding experience is required. Participants should, however, have basic hiking experience and be comfortable completing hikes of approximately 10–15 km (6–9 miles) over varied natural terrain.

The program is suitable both for practicing guides and for individuals who currently lead friends, community groups, hiking groups, or informal outdoor activities and wish to develop professional guiding skills.

How physically demanding is the program?

The program includes extended hiking days in desert environments and requires a good level of physical fitness and the ability to sustain prolonged physical activity while carrying personal equipment.

Applicants must be able to comfortably complete a hike of approximately 15 km (9 miles) over varied terrain. You do not need to be a competitive athlete, but you should arrive with a solid aerobic base and be prepared for consecutive days of field training.

This is a professional training program, not a competitive or extreme endurance event. If you are unsure whether your fitness level is suitable, we encourage you to contact the program team before applying.

Is the program taught entirely in English?

Yes. All theoretical instruction, practical field training, safety briefings, course materials, assignments, and assessments are provided in English. No knowledge of Hebrew is required.

Where does the program take place?

The theoretical component is delivered online via Zoom during three four-day modules, from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM Israel Time.

The three practical modules take place in the Negev Highlands, the Arava, and the Judean Desert. Exact routes and meeting points may be adjusted according to weather, safety, and field conditions.

Where can I stay during the program?

As the theoretical modules are delivered live online via Zoom, participants may choose to stay anywhere in Israel. However, we recommend selecting accommodation with convenient access to southern Israel to simplify travel to the practical field modules in the Negev Highlands, the Arava, and the Judean Desert.

Participants are responsible for arranging and paying for their own accommodation, which is not included in the tuition fee. Further information about meeting points and recommended areas to stay will be provided before the program begins.

Do international participants need to remain in Israel throughout the program?

Yes. The course is delivered over six consecutive weeks, with theoretical and practical modules alternating throughout the program. International participants should plan to remain in Israel from the beginning of the first theoretical module through the completion of the final practical assessment.

Can I work or study while participating in the program?

The program is intensive and should not be combined with full-time work or study. Theoretical modules run from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM Israel Time, while practical modules include full days in the field.

Some days and weekends are free of scheduled instruction, but participants should remain available throughout the six-week program.

What if I cannot attend one of the sessions?

Regular attendance is an essential part of the professional training. A minimum overall attendance rate of 80% is required for certification.

Because practical skills are assessed progressively, attendance at all practical field modules and the final assessment is mandatory. Any exceptional absence or make-up arrangement must be approved in advance by the instructional team.

What happens if weather or security conditions affect a field module?

Routes, meeting points, and field locations may be adjusted in response to weather, flash-flood risk, extreme heat, security considerations, or other operational conditions. Where necessary, the instructional team may substitute an alternative route or desert region while preserving the module’s learning objectives.

What equipment is required?

Participants must have the basic personal equipment required for hiking and overnight stays in the field (camping gear). The program emphasizes lightweight and ultralight principles for efficient long-distance desert travel.

A detailed equipment list will be provided before the program begins. Participants are not expected to carry the heavy loads commonly associated with expedition-style trekking.

Are there overnight field trips?

Overnight stays are an integral part of the practical modules. The program team will designate the required field accommodation or campsite and provide booking instructions in advance. Accommodation and camping fees are not included in tuition and are paid by the participant.

Field accommodation will typically be at organized desert camps, khans, or other designated facilities. Depending on the location, participants may camp in their own tents or use accommodation available at the site. Facilities generally include restrooms, showers, and a shared field kitchen.

Are accommodation, meals and transportation included in the tuition?

No. Flights, accommodation, meals, transportation within Israel, personal equipment, and personal travel and medical insurance are not included in the tuition fee.

Participants are responsible for arranging their accommodation throughout the six-week program and for reaching the designated meeting points for practical modules. Specific logistical information will be provided in advance.

Do I need a car?

No. A personal vehicle is not required. All designated meeting points for the practical modules will be accessible by public transportation.

Participants may also choose to coordinate carpools with other members of the group. Transportation costs are the responsibility of the participant.

Do I need first-aid certification?

Yes. To receive the program certificate, participants must hold a valid first-aid qualification appropriate for outdoor group leaders, issued by a recognized training provider in Israel or abroad.

All qualifications are subject to approval by the program team. Participants may be asked to provide a copy of their certificate and a brief course description in English.

Participants who do not already hold an approved qualification may complete a recommended 44-hour First Aid Provider course in English in Israel. This option combines online study with a face-to-face practical assessment in Israel. Information about recognized providers, dates, and registration will be provided before the program begins.

Will the University provide documentation for a visa application?

Yes. Participants who require a visa to enter Israel will receive an official admission letter from the University of Haifa School of Tourism to support their application.

Participants remain responsible for checking the applicable entry requirements and obtaining the necessary visa before travelling.

Is the program insured?

The instructional and field activities are conducted within an organized and insured framework in accordance with the policies of the University of Haifa School of Tourism.

This coverage does not replace personal travel and medical insurance. International participants are responsible for obtaining appropriate coverage for the entire period of their stay in Israel.

What happens if political instability or a flight cancellation prevents me from attending?

If the program is cancelled because of political or security conditions in Israel, or if a documented airline cancellation prevents a participant from travelling to Israel, all tuition payments—including the registration fee—will be refunded in full. Supporting documentation may be required.

Will I receive a certificate?

Yes. Participants who meet the attendance requirements, complete all course assignments, hold an approved first-aid certification, and successfully pass the final practical assessment will receive the University Certificate in Desert Guiding and Long-Distance Route Leadership, awarded by the University of Haifa School of Tourism.

The certificate confirms successful completion of professional training in desert guiding and long-distance route leadership. It does not replace any licences, permits, or qualifications required by law for regulated guiding activities in Israel or other countries.