Masada and Dead Sea Tour: Cable car, fortress and mineral bath

The Dead Sea is far below sea level, so floating there requires no effort at all.

A full-day tour from your hotel combines two of the Judean Desert's most visited sites: Masada, a 2,000-year-old fortress and palace built by King Herod that you reach by cable car, and the Dead Sea, where the mineral content is so high you float without swimming. The tour includes hotel pickup, a government-licensed guide in English or Spanish, all entrance fees, and return transfer to your hotel or another location of your choice. Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or poor cardiovascular health.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Dead Sea3h · entry included
2. Masada2h · entry included

Masada and Dead Sea tour

• Ascend Masada by cable car
• Tour Masada fortress and palace
• Float in the mineral-rich Dead Sea
• Enjoy therapeutic natural mud-bath

The experience

The tour starts with a drive to Masada, where you board a cable car to the summit. Once at the top, you explore the 2,000-year-old fortress and palace complex built by King Herod, with your guide explaining the site's history and the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. The cable car does the climbing for you, so the focus stays on the ruins themselves rather than the ascent.

After Masada, you head to the Dead Sea for the second half of the day. The mineral concentration in the water is so high that your body floats naturally: no swimming ability required. You'll also have time for a natural mud bath, which the operator notes carries therapeutic qualities. Bring a towel and plan to rinse off afterward. The minerals leave a residue on your skin. The entire outing runs about ten hours from pickup to return.

A government-licensed guide travels with you throughout, handling all the logistics and commentary. Hotel pickup is included, as are all entrance fees and transfers in air-conditioned vehicles. If you prefer to be dropped at a different location at the end of the day, you can request that when you book.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return transfer to your hotel or another location.
• government-licensed guide in English or Spanish.
• all entrance fees to Masada and the Dead Sea.
• all transfers in air-conditioned vehicles according to the itinerary.

Options for this experience

2 options

Masada and Dead Sea tour conducted in English07:00Hotel pickup in Tel Aviv, Herzliya, Netanya, Ramat Gan and Jerusalem is included

Masada and Dead Sea tour departing from JerusalemGuide in English or Spanish · 08:30English-language Masada and Dead Sea tour with pickup from Jerusalem hotels included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00 and 08:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (2 to 11 years) · Infant (under 2)

GroupUp to 16

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 10 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Compass Travel Israel

Is this one for you?The cable car means you see Masada's ruins without a strenuous climb, and the Dead Sea's buoyancy does the floating for you. Book this if you want both sites in one day without high physical demand.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years); Infant (under 2).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly is at Masada that I'll see on the tour?

Masada is a 2,000-year-old fortress and palace built by King Herod. You'll tour the ruins at the summit, which you reach by cable car, and your guide will point out the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered.

Will I actually float in the Dead Sea without doing anything?

Yes. The Dead Sea's mineral content is so high that your body floats naturally without any effort or swimming ability required. You'll also have time for a mud bath during the visit.

How long is the whole tour and what's included in the price?

The tour runs about ten hours from hotel pickup to return. Included are the government-licensed guide, all transfers in air-conditioned vehicles, entrance fees to both Masada and the Dead Sea, and return transfer to your hotel or another location you choose.

What should I bring for the Dead Sea part of the day?

Bring a towel, comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and drinking water. The mineral mud will coat your skin, so you'll want to rinse off after your time in the water.