Explore the Dead Sea, Masada, Ein Gedi and the Judean desert

Dead Sea, Masada, Ein Gedi and
Qumran caves tours,from Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Eilat or the Sinai.

Only in the desert do we see the birth of these fierce, indomitable souls who rise up in rebellion
even against God himself and stand before Him fearlessly, their minds in resplendent
consubstantiality with the skirts of the Lord.
Report to Greco, Nikos Kazantzakis- 1965

{related Mitzpe Ramon Area|From Jerusalem to Eilat: Options|Jerusalem to the Judean Desert jeep tour}

Dead Sea from the top of Masada

The New York Times is recommending Desert Eco Tours' desert trips.

We received the 'Tripadvisor Award of Excellence' of 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014.

Dead Sea, Masada, Ein Gedi, Qumran One day  tour
Departing from the Dead Sea  Jerusalem or Tel Aviv 
This day trip takes in the natural and historic highlights of the Dead Sea area. As we start our tour and head south from Jerusalem to the Judean Desert and the ruins of Qumran a 2,000-year-old village most notable as the site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found (in nearby caves). We tour the site and caves before continuing to the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, We enjoy a walk through the reserve visiting the springs and waterfalls and taking in the contrast between this lush oasis and the stark desert scenery which surrounds it. From here we make our way along the Dead Sea shores to one of Israel's most remarkable historic sites Masada. We ascend Masada by cable car and tour it's fascinating ruins. Masada was a palace of King Herod and it was on Masada that nearly 1,000 Jews resisting Roman rule held out against the forces of the Roman armies before taking their own lives rather than surrendering to the Romans. We take in the spectacular Dead Sea views before heading back down to the Dead Sea and on to the Ein Gedi Spa. He we bathe in the spa's whirlpools of natural mineral water, get caked in the healing Dead Sea mud and take a swim in the salty waters. We complete our tour and begin our return journey to your Dead Sea hotel, Jerusalem or Central Israel.

Incl: guide and car

Tours to the Dead Sea area
 

We leave Eilat and drive through the Great Rift Valley that leads us through the southern Negev towards the Judean Desert and includes the Dead Sea area. Masada overlooks the Dead Sea and is one of Israel's most remarkable historic sites. We take a cable car from the foot of the towering cliffs to begin our tour of Masada's ruins. We tour Masada taking in the Northern Palace, Bathhouse (King Herod's spa), The Great Pool, Byzantine church, the Synagogue and the Roman villa. We see the snake path and the Roman ramp. Your guide will brief you on the fascinating history of Masada, which was originally constructed over 2 thousand years ago. Throughout history Masada has most notably been a luxurious Palace of King Herod and the site of the valiant Jewish resistance against the forces of the Roman army (and ultimate mass suicide.) We enjoy the spectacular views over the Dead Sea and Jordan's Edom mountains before descending by cable car to the shores of the Dead Sea. We continue to the oasis of Ein Gedi in the Ein Gedi Nature reserve. Ein Gedi is renowned for its springs and waterfalls and we take a short walk into the reserve, enjoying the oasis scenery and it's largest waterfall. We visit the Dead Sea's famous Ein Gedi Spa where we bathe in the natural mineral rich waters, we also bathe in the Dead sea itself and get caked in the rejuvenating Dead Sea mud. Following our visit to the En Gedi Spa we complete our trip and leaving the Dead Sea and Masada behind us, we begin our return journey to Eilat. Arriving in Eilat by evening.

Starting and ending in Eilat: Small car: 2 people- 830$ in total, 3 people- 980$ in total, 4 people-275$ p.p.
                                                 6 seater car:  4 people: 385$ p.p.
                                                 8 seater car: 5 people- 320$ p.p. 6 people- 280$ p.p.  7 people- 245$ p.p. 8 people– 262$ p.p.

Eilat to Tel Aviv/ Jerusalem: Small car: 2 people- 990$ in total, 3 people- 1190$ in total, 4 people-330 $ p.p.
                                                 6 seater car:  4 people: 440$ p.p.
                                                 8 seater car: 5 people- 360$ p.p. 6 people- 320$ p.p.  7 people- 285$ p.p. 8 people– 262$ p.p.

Incl: guide and car

 

Accommodation on tours / trips: Camping outdoors, desert inns, or hotels.
The best time for touring the Negev Desert is from November through to April.
 

Ibex in the Negev desert
 

 

Read what our clients had to say about their Israel tour with us.

Long tours of Israel

Tours to Jerusalem

Other options of  1 & 2 day tours in the Negev  

Negev Map 

Desert Photographs of the Negev Desert

 

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