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.
9h
Step-by-step itinerary
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.
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'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.
Is this tour suitable for children?
The tour welcomes children from age 4 and up. The cable car to Masada, the cave exploration and the Dead Sea float are all accessible for kids, though you'll want to bring hats, sun protection and extra towels.
What language options are available for the guide?
You choose your guide's language at checkout: English, Spanish, French or German. The same itinerary and sites apply regardless of which language you select.
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.
Masada and Dead Sea day trip from Jerusalem: float and explore
9h · EN · DE +2 · at your hotel
from US$ 111 per person
★★★★★★★★★★4.28784 reviews
