Masada, Ein Gedi & Dead Sea tour from Jerusalem

Ride the cable car up Masada's cliffs, walk an oasis, then float the Dead Sea

A full-day guided tour from Jerusalem to three Judean Desert landmarks: Masada's mountaintop fortress (reached by cable car), Ein Gedi's nature reserve with waterfalls, and the Dead Sea's mineral-rich waters where you float. Transportation from Jerusalem, a live English-speaking guide, and the route between sites are included; entrance fees to each location are separate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Masada, Ein Gedi, and Dead Sea

• Arrive at Masada
• Ascend Masada via cable car
• Explore Masada ruins with guide
• Travel to Ein Gedi nature reserve
• Explore Ein Gedi waterfalls and wildlife
• Visit Dead Sea
• Float in Dead Sea waters

The Experience

The tour leaves Jerusalem in the morning and heads south into the Judean Desert. You arrive at Masada and take the cable car up to King Herod's fortress, where the guide walks you through the ruins while the Dead Sea and surrounding desert stretch out below. The site sits on a plateau 1,300 feet above the surrounding terrain, and the views frame the scale of what you're standing in.

From Masada, the group moves to Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, a lush oasis fed by freshwater springs. You walk among date palms and past waterfalls—a stark contrast to the arid landscape around it. The reserve is home to ibex and other wildlife adapted to the desert, and the water here is cold enough to swim in if you choose. After Ein Gedi, the tour continues to the Dead Sea's private beach, where the high salt content makes floating effortless; most people spend an hour here, though the exact time depends on the group's pace and the guide's schedule.

The full day runs about 10 hours from pickup to return. You'll want walking shoes for the ruins and nature reserve, a bathing suit and towel for the Dead Sea, and water shoes if you plan to wade into the mineral water. The guide manages the timing and the route, so you move between three very different environments without arranging transport or worrying about which road to take. Entrance fees to Masada, Ein Gedi and the Dead Sea beach are not included in the tour price and are paid separately at each site.

What’s included

• Transportation from Jerusalem to Masada, Ein Gedi and the Dead Sea.
• a live English-speaking guide for the full day.
• cable car access up Masada's cliffs.
• entry to Ein Gedi Nature Reserve and time to explore the waterfalls and oasis.
• floating time at the Dead Sea's private beach.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Tourist Israel

Is this one for you?Book this if you're based in Jerusalem without a car—your guide drives you to all three sites and leads the hikes, so you skip arranging transport and navigating each location independently.

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Top questions

What's the cable car ride up Masada like?

The cable car ascends the cliff face in about 3 minutes, carrying you from the base to the plateau where the fortress stands. It's a straight climb with views opening as you rise, and it's the standard way most visitors reach the ruins rather than hiking the steep Snake Path.

Can I actually float in the Dead Sea, or is that just a saying?

You float naturally in the Dead Sea because the salt concentration is so high—about 10 times saltier than the ocean. The mineral-rich water supports your body without effort, though the salt stings if it gets in your eyes or any cuts, so rinse off in the fresh-water showers at the beach afterward.

How much walking is involved at Ein Gedi?

Ein Gedi Nature Reserve includes walking trails past waterfalls and through the oasis, but the exact distance depends on which paths your guide chooses and how the group moves. The terrain is manageable for most fitness levels, and you're moving through shade and near water rather than exposed desert.

Do I need to bring my own towel and bathing suit?

Yes—bring a bathing suit, towel, and water shoes if you have them. The Dead Sea beach has fresh-water showers to rinse off the salt, but you'll need your own towel to dry off, and water shoes protect your feet on the rocky beach and in the mineral water.

Is this tour suitable if I'm visiting Jerusalem for just one day?

The 10-hour tour departs daily from Jerusalem and returns the same day, so it works as a full-day excursion from the city. You'll need to arrange your own hotel pickup or meet the group at the departure point; public transportation options are available nearby if you're staying in central Jerusalem.

What happens if the weather changes during the day?

The itinerary may shift due to unpredictable weather, so your guide will adapt the route or timing if conditions require it. The cable car at Masada can close in high winds, and the nature reserve trails may become unsafe in heavy rain, so the guide makes those calls on the day.