The Jordan River is not only the most famous river in the Bible, but is also a prime kayaking and canoeing destination for Israelis and visitors.
The Jordan begins as several tributaries of snowmelt from Mount Hermon in the north, becoming a single stream near Kibbutz Kfar Blum in the Hula Valley. On its way down to the Sea of Galilee, the Jordan wends through a variety of landscapes, which means that somewhere along the way you’ll find a kayaking or canoeing experience suited to your level of challenge.
Are extreme sports your passion? That famed Spiritual about the river’s dimensions notwithstanding, the Jordan really isn’t wide, but it’s the narrow parts that are the most exciting: the northern “mountainous Jordan” offers a heart-pumping two-to-three-hour white-water experience. In contrast, on the calmer, “family” routes you can paddle at your leisure, enjoying the view of the vegetation, birds and the animals on the banks, and even bodysurf.
Kayak season is March through October, the dry season, when the rushing water slows down. Minimum age for the rougher trips is usually around 10, and for the “family” routes––around five.