Masada and Dead Sea day trip from Tel Aviv: Private guide

What fits into one day: a mountaintop fortress, ancient caves, and the world's lowest body of water

A private day trip from Tel Aviv to Masada and the Dead Sea combines two of Israel's most significant sites in a single 10-hour tour with a guide in English, Spanish, French or German and hotel pickup included. You ascend Masada by cable car to explore the UNESCO-listed ruins, stop at the Qumran Caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, float in the salt-dense Dead Sea, and travel through the Jordan Valley and Ein Gedi Nature Reserve. The itinerary is customizable, and the tour suits all fitness levels.

Options for this experience

4 options

From US$ 624.50 per person, depending on the option and date you choose.See dates & book

Tour in English 08:30 English-language guided tour, pickup is included

Tour in French 08:30 French-language guided tour, includes pickup

Tour in Spanish 08:30 Spanish-language guided tour, includes pickup

Tour in German 08:30 German-language guided tour, pickup is included

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Step-by-step itinerary

Masada and Dead Sea day trip

• Travel through the Jordan Valley
• Ascend to Masada by cable car
• Explore Masada National Park ruins
• Visit Ein Gedi Nature Reserve
• Stop at Qumran Caves
• Relax and float in the Dead Sea

Stops and time spent at each 4 stops

1. Masada 2h
2. Ein Gedi Nature Reserve 50m
3. Qumran Caves 20m
4. Dead Sea 2h

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle with a private guide in your chosen language.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Tel Aviv.
• cable car access to Masada National Park.
• stops at the Qumran Caves and Ein Gedi Nature Reserve.
• time to float and bathe in the Dead Sea.

Times

• Every day 08:30

Another time? ›

Before you book

Group Private 7 group tours ›

Live guide English, Spanish, French and German

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup included.

Book up to Start time

Ages Adult (4 and older) · Under 4: can't be booked

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

Good to know

Low physical effort Wheelchair accessible Accessible transport Stroller-friendly Infant seats available Public transport nearby

Operated by Bein Harim Ltd

Prices and times updated today

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The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Tel Aviv hotel and a drive through the Judean Desert toward Masada. The cable car carries you up to the mountaintop fortress-palace built by King Herod, where you explore the ruins of the last Jewish stronghold against the Romans. From there, the route continues to the Qumran Caves, the archaeological site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found centuries ago, before heading to the Dead Sea itself.

At the Dead Sea, you float in water so salt-dense that your body stays buoyant without effort, then soak in the therapeutic mud. The Ein Gedi Nature Reserve sits along the route, adding another layer to the landscape. A private guide travels with you the entire day, personalizing the pace and stops to your interests. The tour runs 10 hours total, and you can ask the operator to adjust the itinerary before you book.

You'll want to bring comfortable walking shoes, swimwear, a towel, water and sun protection. The vehicle is air-conditioned, and the tour is wheelchair accessible. On Saturdays and holidays, an additional charge of $125 applies. Entrance fees to the sites are not included in the tour price.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and German.

What exactly is Masada and why is it significant?

Masada is a UNESCO-listed mountaintop fortress-palace built by King Herod that served as the last Jewish stronghold against the Romans. You explore the ruins by cable car, which carries you to the top of the mountain.

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

The Dead Sea's salt content is so high that you float naturally without any effort, and you also have time for a therapeutic mud bath in the water.

Does the tour include entrance fees to Masada and the Dead Sea?

Entrance fees to the sites are not included in the tour price and are paid separately when you arrive.

What are the Qumran Caves, and how much time do we spend there?

The Qumran Caves are the archaeological site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. The tour includes a stop there as part of the full-day itinerary through the region.

Is there flexibility to customize the itinerary, or is it fixed?

The itinerary shown is a proposal, and you can customize the tour according to your wishes when you arrange it with the operator.