You can carry a backpack because there is an "eruv" in Safed - as there is in all towns in Israel - allowing you to carry in the street on Shabbat. Smoking, if you indulge, or taking photos or writing, is something else though.
21
mbgg
Re Safed: it's your vacation ......
Ein Gedi: I wouldn't count on getting a taxi there but Shuffaluff posted this on another thread:
Here are a couple of local taxi firms (no personal experience; I found the numbers in the Hebrew "Yellow Pages"):
Dead Sea Taxis, 050-408-5000; Einavi Taxis, (08) 658-4144.
Try calling several days in advance.
If there are no taxis, the first bus (from Jerusalem) leaves Ein Gedi at 8:15 and arrives at Massada at 8:35 (these are approximate times so you should be at the stop earlier). Verify this at the Jerusalem CBS and ask the people at the hostel.
22
amirico
Bus #444 stops at the Ein Gedi junction at 08:00 arriving in Masada at 08:16.
Since Masada only opens for visitors at 08:00, there's no real point in taking a taxi.
23
mbgg
Massada opens at 8AM but you can start your climb much earlier and get to the top before 8 and rest (I have also heard that those who climb on foot are allowed into the site before 8 AM - perhaps someone can confirm this). The cable car starts operating at 8. It will be very hot by 8:30 in June and I strongly recommend getting there early if you want to climb. Be sure to drink plenty of water along the path - several liters (you can refill your bottle at the top). Note that you dehydrate very quickly in the desert heat and dryness so you have to drink continuously, even if you don't feel thirsty.
24
esf
Yes, I would like to start earlier than 8am, so a taxi might be better. I'll talk to the people at Ein Gedi. Thanks again!
25
sandyfoot
#23 http://www.parks.org.il/BuildaGate5/general2/data_card.php?Cat=~25~~736559308
It does not say that in the link but, Masada's Snake Path is open to hikers one hour before sunrise. Their museum, cable car etc. opens at 08:00
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