Right when we reached the top of Masada we saw the sunrise; a view that most of us will always remember. We learned a lot about the incredible history that took place at Masada thousands of years ago. Afterwards, many of the participants had a joint bar and bat mitzvah ceremony together.
 

There is only one way to appreciate the essence of the desert. With the sun shining bright, we held on for dear life as we were led by Bedouins on the backs of camels!

It was a beautiful hike to a waterfall and up to a gorgeous view. Like all Israeli trails, it ended with a giant staircase and ice cream (for some reason hikes in Israel all seem to end that way).

Unforgetable sights and memories!

"The sunrise from the top of the mountain was more legendary than any of Barney Stinson's charades."

It was a very difficult hike -- completely uphill (a few people counted the stairs and settled on a number between 962-976). The trek was definitely worth it because the sunrise from the top was absolutely beautiful.

"Climbing Masada and floating in the Dead Sea were two of the most memorable experiences I've had so far. I was looking forward to doing both of these and I'm so glad that I finally did it!"

It made hitting the snooze on our 3:00 alarms a little less tempting. Hiking up the snake path under a full moon, which flooded every ancient crevice filled any void in our motivation. Some of us were ascending in groups, listening to Miley's "The Climb" while others chose a more solitary and peaceful journey.

As we get ready to say goodbye from #Shorashim #Taglit #Bus572, we reflect on this amazing journey! It's been a great ride!