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Tour № 231 (from Tel Aviv)
Tour № 131 (from Jerusalem) |
Pass the Inn of the Good Samaritan on the descent through the Judean Desert to the Dead Sea. Ascend Masada by cable car and see the remains of the Herodian fortress where the Zealots were overcome by the Romans in 73 CE. Enjoy the therapeutic benefits of a mud bath and a swim in the Dead Sea. On the return journey view the oasis if Ein Gedi, the caves in which the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered at Qumran and Jericho, the oldest city in the world.
The tour is available in different languages.
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View the languages schedule table below. |
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* Recommended hats, bathing suits, towels, comfortable shoes and beach thongs.
Places along the tour route:
Inn of the Good Samaritan
The Masada and Dead Sea tour begins by passing the Inn of the Good Samaritan the setting for the parable told by Jesus about a good man who helped a stranger. The tour continues south into the Judean Desert.
Judean Desert
This harsh desert landscape doesn't offer rolling sand dunes but harsh wilderness of ever descending escarpments. There are exquisite views as we take the hairpin bends in the mountainous roads. The Judean Desert is where Jesus was led by the spirit into the wilderness as mentioned in Matthew 4:1.
Dead Sea
 From the heights of the Judean Desert we get our first glimpse of the Dead Sea with it's brilliant blue water and white salt deposits. Floating in the Dead Sea is a once in a lifetime experiences and a not to be missed photo-op! Buy some Dead Sea skin products, lather yourself in black mineral mud and relax in the safest sun on earth. Because of the Dead Sea being 423 meters below sea level there is low ultra-violet radiation from the sun. There is also a beneficially high concentration of oxygen in the air and minerals in the water. In the Bible King David took refuge here and it is mentioned in Chronicles 2:20. Also known as the "Sea of Lot" see if you can spot the Pillar of Lot's wife as you drive away from the Dead Sea towards Masada!
Masada
Lucky for you there is a cable car that will take you up to the top of Mount Masada so there is no need to climb the Snake Path or Roman Ramp. On the plateau of Masada we see the remains of Herod's fortified Palace built in the 1st century BC and later used by Jewish Zealots as the last Jewish stronghold in the Holy land. The Jews were eventually defeated by the Romans in the 1st century AD but instead of surrendering they committed suicide. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has well preserved mosaics, bathhouses and synagogues. The breathtaking view of the Judean Desert and Dead Sea are unbeatable.
Ein Gedi
 This peaceful stop next to the Dead Sea is verdant green in comparison with the stark desert surroundings. Ein Gedi is an oasis with abundant desert wildlife, small streams, natural springs and waterfalls as well as ancient remains. Ein Gedi is a successful Kibbutz and one of the places where you can swim in the Dead Sea. In the Bible Ein Gedi is mentioned several times as a city of the tribe of Judah and a hiding place for King David but it features in the "Song of Songs".
Qumran Caves
Our tour continues to the caves where the Dead Sea scrolls were found. 122 Old Testament scrolls were found in the 11 caves in the Qumran cliff face. Today the scrolls are on display in Jerusalem in the Museum Shrine of the Book.
Jericho
On our way back to Jerusalem we pass Jericho the 10,000 year old city known for it's Biblical history when "Joshua fought the battle of Jericho – and the walls came tumbling down".
 Recommended hats, bathing suits, towels, comfortable shoes and beach thongs.
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