Masada and Dead Sea day trip from Jerusalem: Float and explore

Nine hours, four ancient sites, one unforgettable arc

A nine-hour guided day trip from Jerusalem visits Masada's clifftop fortress and Herod's palace, the Qumran Caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, and the Dead Sea for floating and mud. The tour includes hotel pickup, a professional guide in your choice of English, Spanish, French or German, entrance fees to all sites, cable car access up Masada, and transport in an air-conditioned vehicle. Children are welcome from age 4.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Jerichopassing by
2. Ein Gedi Nature Reservepassing by
3. Qumran Cavespassing by
4. Dead Sea1h 30m · entry included

Explore Masada and Dead Sea

• Travel through the Judean Hills
• Pass by the Good Samaritan Inn
• Ascend to Masada and explore National Park
• Tour the remains of Herod’s palace
• See Ein Gedi natural reserve
• See Qumran caves
• Float and mud yourself at the Dead Sea

The experience

The day starts with a drive through the Judean Hills, passing the Good Samaritan Inn near Jericho before reaching Masada. A cable car carries you up the cliff face to explore the remains of King Herod's palace: a fortress built nearly 2,000 years ago on a plateau 1,400 feet above the desert floor. Your guide walks you through the archaeological layers, explaining the palace's layout and the history of the siege that ended here. The scale of the ruin and the view from the top frame the rest of the day.

After Masada, the route drops into the lowest landscape on Earth. Ein Gedi Nature Reserve sits along the Dead Sea's western shore, a pocket of green fed by freshwater springs where you can see the contrast between the mineral-heavy water and the oasis vegetation. The next stop is Qumran Caves, where Bedouin shepherds found the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947: ancient biblical texts hidden in clay jars for nearly 2,000 years. Your guide explains what was found here and why it matters to understanding early Judaism and Christianity.

The final hours belong to the Dead Sea itself. The water's salt content is so high that floating is effortless. Your body rises without effort. Bring a bathing suit and towel. The tour includes time to float and, if you choose, coat yourself in the mineral-rich mud that lines the shore. The minerals are the draw. Locals and visitors come for the therapeutic soak. An air-conditioned vehicle returns you to your Jerusalem hotel by late afternoon, completing the arc from mountain fortress to ancient caves to the lowest body of water on the planet.

What’s included

• Professional guide in your choice of English, Spanish, French or German.
• entrance fees to Masada National Park, Ein Gedi Nature Reserve and Qumran Caves.
• cable car access up and down Masada.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Jerusalem.

Options for this experience

4 options

Trip in English08:30Day trip to Masada and the Dead Sea from Jerusalem with an English-speaking guide; pickup is included

Trip in FrenchAvailable from 1 Jan 2027Day trip to Masada and the Dead Sea from Jerusalem with a French-speaking guide; pickup is included

Trip in GermanAvailable from 5 Jan 2027Day trip to Masada and the Dead Sea from Jerusalem with a German-speaking guide; pickup is included

Trip in Spanish08:30Day trip to Masada and the Dead Sea from Jerusalem with a Spanish-speaking guide; pickup is included

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

Before you book

Days and timesWednesday, Friday and SundayDeparts at 08:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 40 · max 9 per booking

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and German

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 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 today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Bein Harim Ltd

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you're visiting from Jerusalem and want to see Masada, Qumran, and the Dead Sea in one day with a guide who knows the biblical and historical context of each site.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

In English and Spanish, at 08:30. In French and German.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

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's the best way to get up Masada on this tour?

Masada includes cable car access up the cliff, so you ride rather than hike the steep ascent. The cable car takes a few minutes each way, and your guide meets you at the top to tour the palace ruins and fortress.

Will I actually float in the Dead Sea, or just wade in?

The Dead Sea's salt concentration is so high that floating happens naturally: your body bobs at the surface without any effort. Time is built into the itinerary for floating and for applying the mineral mud if you want to.

What are the Qumran Caves, and why do they matter?

Qumran Caves are where the Dead Sea Scrolls (ancient biblical manuscripts dating back 2,000 years) were discovered hidden in clay jars. Your guide explains the find and its significance to understanding early religious texts.

What should I bring for the Dead Sea portion?

Bring a bathing suit, towel, hat and sun protection. The tour includes time to float and apply mud, so plan to get wet. Shower facilities are available at the Dead Sea site to rinse off the salt afterward.