Frequently Asked Questions - Certified Desert Guide Program
What Is the Background of the Program?
In recent years, participation in long-distance outdoor routes has grown significantly in Israel, including thru-hiking, fastpacking, trail running, challenge routes, and long-distance day routes conducted at higher volumes and faster paces. The development of digital navigation tools, trail infrastructure, and ultralight equipment has expanded participation and increased the number of groups operating in the desert.
The growing interest in desert travel is driven not only by the physical challenge, but also by the search for mental resilience, sharpened attention, and improved well-being. Understanding these dimensions is central to the value people seek in extended desert experiences.
The program was developed in response to growing demand and professional opportunities within the fields of sport and desert tourism. It is the first certification program in Israel focused specifically on guiding long-distance routes in desert conditions, combining academic knowledge in exercise science with practical training in guiding groups during extended movement.
The program focuses on developing the professional skills required to guide groups on long-distance routes in the Israeli desert using an ultralight approach. Emphasis is placed on pace and energy management, decision-making in changing desert conditions, route planning, navigation, and the safe and responsible guiding of long-distance desert routes—from initial planning through field execution and group management.
What Can I Do After Completing the Program?
The program is designed not only to deepen personal knowledge, but also to create professional opportunities in desert guiding and long-distance outdoor activities.
Graduates may go on to guide groups on long-distance desert routes, lead field days and challenge-based workshops, work with hiking and trail running communities, contribute to educational and non-formal learning programs, support organizational outdoor initiatives, and develop independent projects in the fields of desert and adventure tourism.
The training is also suitable for individuals who already lead groups in community or informal settings and wish to establish a more structured professional foundation, as well as for those looking to turn their passion for the outdoors, the desert, and long-distance movement into a meaningful professional path.
What Language Is the Program Taught In?
The program is offered in parallel in two separate cohorts: one conducted in Hebrew and one conducted in English.
Both cohorts follow the same curriculum, academic standards, and certification requirements, and are delivered by the same instructional team.
What Is the Cost of the Program?
The tuition fee is 9,600 NIS.
How Is Guiding in the Desert Different from Guiding in Other Environments?
The desert is a unique operating environment that requires much more from a guide than simply knowing the route. Distances are greater, water sources are limited, temperatures can be extreme, and access to assistance in an emergency is often more restricted. As a result, every decision—from route planning to managing the group's pace—carries greater significance.
A desert guide must combine navigation skills, field operations, water and energy management, risk assessment, and group leadership in changing conditions. It is a unique professional discipline that combines knowledge, responsibility, and decision-making, and goes far beyond traditional trip guiding.
How Do I Register?
Registration is completed directly through the University of Haifa School of Tourism registration system. Applications can be submitted online through the registration form on the program website. For registration: Program Registration Page
For questions and additional information, please contact:
Eliya Zemmour, Course Director, Phone / WhatsApp: +972-54-8175140, Email: info@midbaracademy.com
Do I Need Previous Experience?
Basic outdoor experience and the ability to complete a hiking day of approximately 15 km are required. Previous professional guiding experience is not required.
How Physically Demanding Is the Program?
The program includes long movement days in desert terrain and therefore requires a good level of fitness and the ability to sustain prolonged physical effort. However, this is a professional training program rather than a competitive or extreme endurance framework.
Is the Program Suitable for People Who Are Not Currently Guides?
Yes. The program is intended both for people who currently operate in community settings, lead friends or informal groups, and for those wishing to enter the field professionally.
Is the Program Suitable for Experienced Hikers and Trail Runners?
Absolutely. The program is suitable for trail runners, experienced hikers, outdoor enthusiasts, group leaders, and anyone seeking to deepen their professional capabilities in desert travel and guiding.
What Level of Fitness Is Required?
The program is intended for participants with good hiking ability and basic outdoor experience. There is no need to be a professional athlete, but participants must be capable of completing long hiking days in desert conditions while carrying personal equipment.
As an admission requirement, participants must be able to complete a hiking day of approximately 15 km at a reasonable pace in varied terrain. Fitness naturally improves throughout the program as part of the practical training, but participants are encouraged to arrive with a solid aerobic base and a willingness to engage in challenging field activities.
If you are unsure whether your fitness level is appropriate, please contact the instructional team before registering.
Where Does the Program Take Place?
Online sessions are held via Zoom on Wednesday evenings. Field workshops take place in the Judean Desert, the Arava, and the Negev (see the Course Schedule section).
What If I Cannot Attend One of the Sessions?
Regular attendance is an important part of the professional training process, particularly during field workshops and practical exercises. However, in the case of an isolated absence, a make-up assignment or alternative solution may be considered depending on the nature of the session and at the discretion of the instructional team.
A minimum attendance rate of 80% is required for certification.
What Equipment Is Required?
Basic equipment for field travel and overnight stays is required. Some of the recommended equipment falls within the ultralight category.
A complete equipment list will be provided to registered participants before the start of the program.
Are There Overnight Stays in the Field?
Yes. A significant part of the practical training includes overnight stays during field activities in the desert. Accommodation will take place at organized desert camps and hospitality facilities, with the option of using a personal tent or existing accommodation provided at the site, depending on the location.
As a general rule, facilities will include toilets, showers, and a field kitchen.
Can I Work or Study While Participating in the Program?
Yes. The program is designed to be compatible with work and studies, with online sessions held in the evenings and field days scheduled in advance.
Do I Need a Car?
Not necessarily, although it is recommended. In many cases, participants coordinate shared transportation and carpooling to workshop meeting points.
How Much Equipment Will I Need to Carry?
The program emphasizes ultralight principles and efficient movement during long-distance desert travel. Accordingly, equipment requirements are designed to support comfortable and efficient movement rather than heavy expedition-style loads.
Where will I stay during field modules?
Accommodation during field modules is provided in simple desert guesthouses (khans) or similar field lodging. Further details are provided before each module.
Is Insurance Provided?
Yes. All activities are conducted within the official framework of the program and are covered by the insurance arrangements of the University of Haifa School of Tourism.
Does the program observe Shabbat?
Yes. No field training or online instruction is scheduled on Shabbat. The full course schedule, including all field modules and online sessions, is published on the course page before registration.
Why is the program delivered over multiple field modules instead of a single expedition?
The certification is designed to develop skills progressively. Each field module builds on the previous one, allowing participants to apply new knowledge between sessions, gain experience over several months, and return for increasingly advanced practical training.
Does the Program Award a Certificate?
Yes. Participants who successfully meet the attendance requirements and practical assessment standards will receive a Certified Desert Guide Certificate issued by the University of Haifa School of Tourism.
The program provides professional training and certification in desert guiding and challenge-based field activities. However, it does not replace any licenses, permits, or certifications that may be required by law for specific guiding professions, instructional roles, or outdoor activities
How much time should international participants plan to spend in Israel?
We recommend that international participants remain in Israel throughout the five-month program to fully benefit from the training and the outdoor experience. For those planning to travel to Israel for each practical module, it is important to allow sufficient time before and after every field session for travel, preparation, and logistics. Participants should also plan for the separate final practical assessment and completion of the mandatory Israeli 44-hour First Aid Provider (FAP) certification, which includes a practical assessment in Israel.