Dead Sea and Masada tour from Jerusalem: Float and fortress

You float on the Dead Sea while reading a newspaper, then climb the fortress where the last Jewish resistance ended.

A private tour from Jerusalem to Masada and the Dead Sea with a live guide in English, Russian or Hebrew, including a stop at Sea Level Point on the way down. The guide leads you through the ancient fortress that Herod built and the Romans destroyed in 73 CE, then takes you to the Dead Sea beach where your body floats without effort on water so salty it holds you up. You can order a cold beer at the lowest bars in the world, 420 meters below sea level. Transportation is your own. The guide meets you at the starting point.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Masada and Dead Sea

• Stop at Sea Level Point
• Visit Masada fortress
• Enjoy Dead Sea beach

The experience

How do you get from Jerusalem down to the lowest place on earth without a car? This tour solves that by pairing a private guide with your own transport. You drive, and the guide meets you at Masada to lead you through the fortress and down to the Dead Sea. The route takes eight to nine hours total. On the way down from Jerusalem, you stop at Sea Level Point, the marker where elevation hits zero before dropping into the Dead Sea basin.

Masada is the main event of the morning. The fortress sits on a high plateau in the desert, built by Herod the Great and later the site of the final Jewish stronghold against Rome. Your guide walks you through the remarkably preserved ruins and explains what happened in 73 CE when the Romans ended the revolt. The archaeology and the history are both visible in the stone. After Masada, you descend to the Dead Sea beach itself. The water is so saturated with salt that your body floats without any effort. The famous moment is floating while reading a newspaper, and it actually works. The lowest bars in the world sit right there at minus 420 meters, so you can order a beer while you float.

Your guide speaks English, Russian or Hebrew, so you pick the language when you book. Bring modest clothing for the fortress visit, as it is a holy site. Infants sit on an adult's lap. The guide is included in the price. You arrange your own transportation to the meeting point, though public transit options run to the area if you need them.

What’s included

• Private guide in your choice of English, Russian or Hebrew.
• entrance to Masada fortress and access to the Dead Sea beach.
• the stop at Sea Level Point on the descent from Jerusalem.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to3h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Hebrew and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Israel in Color with Dr. David Gurevich

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you speak English, Russian or Hebrew comfortably: the guide delivers the history and the route in your language, so you follow the story of Masada and the geography of the descent without translation. You bring your own transportation or use public transit to the meeting point, which keeps the price down and gives you flexibility on timing.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Russian and Hebrew.

Can I actually float on the Dead Sea without swimming?

Yes. The water is so salty that your body floats on the surface without any effort or skill required. You can read, relax or take photos while floating. The salt concentration is what makes it one of the saltiest lakes on earth.

What happened at Masada in 73 CE?

Masada was the last Jewish stronghold during the Great Revolt against Rome. The fortress, built by Herod the Great, was the site of the final struggle between the Jewish defenders and the Roman army, which ended the revolt that year. The ruins are remarkably well preserved and your guide walks you through the story on site.

Do I need to arrange transportation, or is it included?

You arrange your own transportation to the meeting point. The guide does not provide it. Public transportation options are available to the area if you do not have a car, and your guide will meet you at Masada to begin the tour from there.

What should I wear to visit Masada?

Dress in modest clothing for the fortress, as it is a holy site. You will also be floating in the Dead Sea, so bring swimwear and a towel. The lowest bars in the world are right on the beach if you want a drink after floating.

Is the Sea Level Point a separate stop, or just a marker?

It is a stop on the way from Jerusalem down to the Dead Sea. Your guide takes you there to mark the point where elevation reaches zero before the terrain drops into the Dead Sea basin below.