Eizareya - Jabal al Baba Camping tents

Jabal Al Baba (The Pope Mountain) is a Bedouin community located in East Jerusalem heights in the town of Eizariya. its 350 population groups in 70 families that came from Bir As-Sabe’ and mainly depend on livestock for their living. They live on 36000 square meter area of the mountain space that was gifted by Late King Hussein Ibin Talal- King of Jordan in 1964 to Pope Paul VI during his visit to Palestine and was named after him to be called Jabal Al- Baba.

Jabal Al Baba is considered to be one of Jerusalem’s hills that overlooks the city of Jerusalem and the Dead Sea, and it is characterised by the beautiful environmentalism as it has a water spring next to the Roman archaeologist ruins, which proves that the Roman lived there.

Women has an important main role in their community there, they have recycling skills and techniques; they use animal leather to sew bags and purses and utilizes other materials in their surroundings to make benches and flowerpots. Together, the community established different institutions such a mobile medical clinic, Kindergarten and a playground, women centre and a community centre not only serving them but also other surrounded communities.

The Palestinian Heritage Trail signed a cooperation agreement with Jabal Al Baba Cooperative Society in 2018 (within a project funded by AFD). The project aimed at building four concrete platforms and providing them with four camping tents, two restrooms and two showers in order to enhance and increase the community hosting capacity space and service where the guests can enjoy a new experience and spend the night in tents that oversees Jerusalem. 

This project helped Jabal Al Baba Bedouin community to introduce their society, traditions, culture and food to guests from all over the world.

While visiting the area, merge yourself in the wilderness and climb the mountains with spectacular views for miles.  Leading Eizareya and hiking towards Wadi Abu Hindi, you will find yourself walking on the “Sugar Trail”, which is an old trade route that used to transport spices and condiments up from the Dead Sea towards Jerusalem. The landscape will become different, and you will encounter Bedouins from the “Jahhalen Tribe” throughout your journey. Emerging more into nature, you will cross another valley that is called Wadi Mukallak until you make all your way to the Sea Level Bedouins.

Reaching the tent and meeting with the local community, you will get a rich cultural experience and get the chance to hear more about Bedouins and their lifestyle and get to participate in different activities during your stay.