Masada and Dead Sea Private Tour

The Masada and Dead Sea tour is an enthralling adventure that travels south from Jerusalem, through the rolling Judean Hills and along the edge of the Dead Sea. The tour is an exciting journey, steeped in history and natural wonders of Israel.

Passing the ‘Inn of the Good Samaritan’, the tour briefly stops by the sign showing the sea level before descending below sea level towards the turquoise waters and the salt crusted banks of the planet’s lowest point Dead Sea. Travelling along the banks of the sea, the tour reaches its first stop at Masada.

Masada is an ancient fortification sitting on top of a rock plateau or “mesa” some 450m above the plains of the desert below. A cable car will take you to the summit of Masada where you will be welcomed by picturesque views of the Dead Sea.

Masada is home to the ancient ruins of King Herrod’s palace-fortress constructed in 37-31 BC. Our expert tour guide will showcase the excavations of this historical site and you – the palace, bathhouses, storerooms, water cisterns and guardhouses, as well as impressive mosaics and murals.

Masada is more than just a palace-fortress. It is an important place in Jewish history. Some 100 years after King Herrod, occurring in the First Jewish-Roman War (66-73 CE), 960 Jewish zealots, seeking refuge, occupied Masada. Atop Masada, they bravely resisted the attacking Romans for months until the Romans commenced building an earthen ramp in an effort to reach the summit. When the Roman troops arrived, they soon discovered 960 bodies, every one of the Jewish zealots, had taken their lives rather than surrender to the Romans and be forced to renounce their God.

The siege at Masada is now an important symbol of Jewish determination to never relinquish their independence.

Leaving Masada, the tour passes Ein Gedi and Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1946. The tour’s final stop is the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea, its water’s rich in salt and surrounded by oxygen-rich air and black mud rich in minerals (which is perfect for a natural skin mask), making the Dead Sea a natural wonder famous for its healing properties. Of course, no trip to the Dead Sea is complete without taking a photo of yourself calmly floating in it’s salty waters, enjoying the Dead Sea’s beautiful environment.