SIRAJ Center is pleased to introduce the very first bird-watching tour in the West Bank of Palestine.
Palestine is a bird-watchers haven; with over 40 indigenous species and along a global migratory path, it has more than enough to interest any ornithology enthusiast.
In cooperation with regional conservation partners, the Siraj Center Bird-Watching Tour will be a 08-Day experience, offered twice through the year to match migratory bird patterns: late winter to mid-spring, and then in the month of November.
Our program will visit carefully selected regions in the West Bank idea for bird-watching and include both stationary observation as well as hiking tours in places such as Cremisan Valley, Mahkrour, Artas and the UNESCO heritage village of Battir in Bethlehem, Wadi Qelt near Jericho, Wadi Quof in the southern West Bank, and Jenin district in the northern bank.
Program participants will visit the Talitha Kumi Bird Ringing and Monitoring Station in Beit Jala; the first of its kind in the West Bank of Palestine, for lectures on the birds of Palestine and learn of the important work that is being done to monitor bird migration patterns and head up preservation efforts. At the newly-founded Palestinian Museum of Natural History, program participants will learn of the biodiversity of the Holy Land and ecological efforts being undertaken to preserve its fragile ecosystem. Our guided bird-watching experiences will also offer a rare view into the beauty of the Palestinian countryside. Tours of the Old City of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Hebron, Jericho, Nablus and other Palestinian cities will complement bird-watching excursions, with plenty of opportunities to encounter local culture, cuisine and more all throughout the program.
Join us in making ornithological history by taking part in Palestine’s first bird-watching program in 2023. To register for the program, or for more details, please contact Mayada This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Siraj Center Palestine Birdwatching Tour 2025
Program Cooperation: Talitha Kumi Environmental Education Center (EEC)/ Simon Awad, Palestinian Museum of Natural History (PMNH)/Dr. Mazin Qumseyeh
Program Itinerary
Day 01: March 26TH 2025
Arrival from the airport. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.
Day 02: March 27th 2025
After breakfast, visit Talitha Kumi EEC. Have a General lecture on birds of Palestine followed by a hike from Makhrour to Battir. Lunch in Battir village. Return to Bethlehem city and visit the walled off hotel, Nativity Church and the old city of Bethlehem. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.
Day 03: March 28th 2025
Hike through Artas to Solomon’s Pool in the morning followed by a visit to the Museum. Have a tour in Mar Saba at noon. Followed by a visit to the Palestinian Museum National Center and have lecture on ecological concerns in the west bank late afternoon. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.
Day 04: March 29th 2025
After breakfast, visit the Bird-watching station in Wadi Quof. Transfer to Hebron and have a tour in the old city including the Abraham Mosque. Transfer to Rashaydeh community in the Afternoon and enjoy the sunset at the Dead Sea cliff. Dinner and Overnight with the Bedouin community in Rashaydeh.
Day 05: March 30th 2025
Transfer to Jericho for a morning bird watching around Wadi Quilt followed by a visit the Eco Center in Jericho; visit the old city of Jericho, Hishams Place, Tel Alsultan and Ein Auja. Swim in Dead Sea afterwards. Dinner and overnight in Jericho.
Day 06: March 31st 2025
Jenin bird watching at Umm at-tut Nature reserve, followed by a visit to Wadi al makta’, Balama, the old city of Jenin and Burqeen church. Transfer to Nablus city for lunch followed by a tour in the old city. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 07: April 1st 2025
Free day in Jerusalem.
Day 08: April 2nd 2025
After breakfast, have a morning tour with the Israeli Committee against House Demolish (ICAHD) in Jerusalem. Departure to the airport.