Masada Sunrise Day Tour from Tel Aviv: Hike, Float & Explore

Sunrise hike, desert oasis, mineral-rich waters: three landscapes in twelve hours

A full-day tour from Tel Aviv combines a guided hike up Masada's Snake Trail to catch the sunrise over the ancient fortress, a stop at Ein Gedi Nature Reserve to walk among waterfalls and springs, and an afternoon float in the Dead Sea's mineral-rich waters. Transportation from Tel Aviv and an expert English-speaking guide are included. The day ends with a return to your hotel.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Masada2h
2. Ein Gedi Nature Reserve1h 30m
3. Dead Sea2h · entry included

Explore Masada, Ein Gedi, and Dead Sea

• Hike Snake Trail to Masada summit
• Watch sunrise at Masada fortress
• Explore Ein Gedi Nature Reserve
• Relax and float in Dead Sea

The experience

You leave Tel Aviv early to reach Masada before dawn. The hike up the Snake Trail (an uneven desert footpath that climbs to the fortress summit) takes place as the sun rises, so you see the ancient ruins and the surrounding landscape light up together. An expert guide leads the way and explains the site's history while you take in the views across the southern desert. The hike demands moderate fitness and solid footing on rocky terrain, but the payoff is the fortress at first light rather than in the midday heat that crowds the cable car route.

From Masada you head to Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, a pocket of green in the arid landscape where springs feed waterfalls and pools. The reserve sits on the Dead Sea's western shore and holds wildlife you won't see in the surrounding desert. You have time to walk the trails, cool off in the water, and step away from the heat before the final leg of the day.

The Dead Sea is where the day slows down. The mineral content is so high that you float without effort, no swimming required. Bring a bathing suit and towel, wade in, and let the water hold you while you take in the stark desert hills on both sides. The salt stings if it reaches your eyes, but the sensation of floating in water so dense it defies the usual physics of swimming is the kind of moment people remember. You return to Tel Aviv in the late afternoon, having moved through three entirely different landscapes in a single push.

What’s included

• Transportation from Tel Aviv to Masada, Ein Gedi and the Dead Sea.
• an expert English-speaking guide for the full day.
• access to all three sites.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 Mar 2027

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (under 12)

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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.

Paid on siteUS$ 45

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Tourist Israel

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're visiting Tel Aviv for a few days and want to see the southern desert in a single push: the early start and the three-stop itinerary pack a lot into one day, so it suits travelers who prefer a full immersion over a leisurely pace.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 12).

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 is the Snake Trail hike at Masada actually like?

The Snake Trail is an uneven desert footpath that climbs uphill to the fortress summit. It requires moderate physical fitness and solid footing on rocky terrain, but you reach the top as the sun rises rather than in the midday heat.

Can I float in the Dead Sea even if I'm not a strong swimmer?

Yes. The Dead Sea's mineral content is so high that you float without effort. You don't need to swim at all, just wade in and let the water support you.

What wildlife might I see at Ein Gedi?

Ein Gedi Nature Reserve holds wildlife adapted to the desert oasis environment, though sightings depend on the time of day and season. The waterfalls and springs are guaranteed, and the pools offer a chance to cool off.

How much time do I spend at each stop?

The day is structured around the sunrise at Masada first, then a mid-morning visit to Ein Gedi's trails and water, and an afternoon float at the Dead Sea before the return drive to Tel Aviv. The full day runs twelve hours from pickup to drop-off.

What should I bring for this tour?

Bring a hat and sunscreen for the desert sun, walking shoes for the Snake Trail and Ein Gedi's rocky terrain, water shoes for the Dead Sea, a bathing suit and towel, plus water and snacks to stay hydrated through the hike and the day.