Certified Desert Guide Certification Program - The University of Haifa

 

The Certified Desert Guide program at The University of Haifa’s School of Tourism provides its participants with the professional skills required to guide groups in the Israeli desert using an ultralight approach. The program emphasizes energy and pace management, navigation, route planning, decision-making in the changing desert conditions, and safe guiding of long-distance routes.

 

This is the first certification program in Israel which focuses on guiding long-distance routes in desert conditions. The program was developed in response to the rising demand for the fields of sport and desert tourism, and the various professional opportunities this demand opens. The program is fully taught in English.

 

 

The Certified Desert Guide program prepares students for a career in guiding groups in long-distance routes in the Israeli desert environment. It provides the knowledge and skills required to plan travel routes, navigate the complex desert terrain, manage risk, and responsibly guide groups in remote settings, whilst emphasizing efficient movement and decision making. In addition, the program integrates research-based knowledge in the fields of exercise physiology, endurance performance, and outdoor leadership.

 

Field Training - The practical component of this program takes place in the following areas: the Negev Highlands, the Judean Desert, and the Arava area. Participants apply the knowledge acquired in the classroom through hands-on workshops in real-world desert environments, allowing them to develop group guiding and route planning skills. Additional topics covered during field training include lightweight equipment systems, water management, effort and pace management, group leadership and dynamics, and more. Participants conclude their field training through a final practical assignment in which they independently plan and guide a long-distance desert route.

 

Online Instruction - The online instruction component of this program is delivered via Zoom, and covers subjects such as long-distance route planning, navigation, physiology and performance, risk management, group leadership and resilience, and more.

 

 

The program spans five months and includes 140 academic hours (60 hours of online studies and 80 hours of field training). Studies combine weekly online academic instruction during the evening (18:00-21:00) with four field modules in different desert regions in Israel.

 

- Read more about: Professional Training Courses in Israel.

- Read about: Programs for Visiting Students in Israel.

 

 

The program is aimed at those aspiring to guide groups on long-distance desert routes as a profession. It is suitable for future desert guides, group leaders, and outdoors educators who wish to build a career in desert tourism. In addition, the program is suitable for those already active in educational, community, or outdoor settings.

 

 

Admission requirements are as follows:

- The ability to complete 15 km of outdoor terrain hiking per day.

- 18 years of age or older.

- Submission of a health declaration.

- Completion of an admission interview assessing suitability, learning capacity, and responsibility for the well-being and safety of others.

- This program is not limited to those holding an academic degree or previous guiding certifications.

 

Upon successful completion of the program, students receive a professional certification as a Certified Dessert Guide granted by The University of Haifa.

 

Eligibility for this certification is contingent upon:

- Attendance of at least 80% of all activities.

- Completion of the mid-course assignment in which students design a field activity.

- Completion of the final assignment which consists of guiding a desert route under professional evaluation.

- Completion of a recognized Israeli First Aid Provider certification (44 hours).

 

 

Successful completion of this program opens various career opportunities in desert guiding and long-distance outdoor activity guiding. Graduates can guide groups on long-distance desert routes, field days, challenge-based workshops, and other activities. They may work with educational programs, non-formal learning programs, hiking and trail running communities, outdoor initiatives, and more. Moreover, they can choose to develop their own initiatives and projects in desert tourism and adventure tourism.