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Masada and the Dead Sea Day Trip from Tel Aviv

Badge of ExcellenceTel Aviv, Israel

From $120.00

Select Date and Travelers

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

12 hours
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Visit Masada and the Dead Sea on a full-day trip from Tel Aviv. Travel by air-conditioned coach through the Judean desert from Tel Aviv to the Dead Sea, and visit Masada on route. Ride the cable car to the mountaintop for a guided tour of the 2,000-year-old ruins, and continue to the Dead Sea to ‘swim’ in its salt-rich waters and, if you wish, take a therapeutic mud bath. The day trip also passes the site of the New Testament parable of the Good Samaritan, and ancient city of Jericho.

Full day trip from Tel Aviv to Masada and the Dead Sea
Guided tour of the popular Holy Land sights by local experts
Ascend to the top of Masada by cable car
Float in the famous salt-rich waters of the Dead Sea
Transport by air-conditioned coach
Hotel pick up and drop-off

Why Travelers Choose This Tour

Unlike many Masada trips, this includes a tour of the mountaintop so you get the full scoop on its 73 AD siege.

What's Included

Hotel pickup and drop off
Professional guide
Air-conditioned vehicle
Entrance fees
Cable Car up to Masada

Food and drinks, unless specified
Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Start time

06:40 AM

Pickup details

Please note that our pickup/drop-off is available from a few central hotels only. Please select the hotel closest to your address from the drop-down menu on the tour page. If you are not sure which of the listed hotels is a good fit, please choose the option “I don’t see my pickup location” and insert enter your accommodation address. After the booking is approved by the local tour operator, a confirmation email from Bein Harim will be sent to you mentioning the final pickup point closest to your address. Please read the email with the attached booking confirmation carefully to make sure you are waiting for the pickup at the correct location. Please make sure to wait for the pickup at the hotel entrance.

What To Expect

Start your day trip with a pickup from your central Tel Aviv hotel. Settle into your air-conditioned coach and travel into the Judean desert, the rugged wilderness in the heart of Israel.

Enjoy the views of the desert, and pass the site of the Inn of the Good Samaritan. Then, get glimpses of the Dead Sea as you approach Masada, a mountain topped by a ruined fortress-palace built by King Herod more than 2,000 years ago.

Ride the cable car to the mountaintop and take a guided tour of the fascinating archaeological ruins. Soak up the awesome views as you inspect the crumbled remnants and hear about the site’s history.

Descend the mountain and drive to the Dead Sea past the Ein Gedi oasis and ancient settlement of Qumran. Stop to enjoy views of the famous Qumran caves, where approximately 900 ancient parchments, many incorporating the earliest known manuscripts of the Bible were discovered - the fabled Dead Sea Scrolls.

Continue to the Dead Sea and enjoy roughly two hours to relax on a mineral beach. This salt-rich lake sits at around 1,312 feet (400 meters) below sea level — the Earth’s lowest point. Wade into the waters to experience the bizarre floating sensation, enjoy a therapeutic mud bath, and if you wish, take the opportunity to buy some rejuvenating Dead Sea skin products (own expense) at duty free prices.

Afterward, return to your coach and pass the ancient city of Jericho as you travel back to Tel Aviv, where your trip ends at your hotel.

Harei Yehuda

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Khan Al-Hatruri - The Good Samaritan Inn (Pass By)

Masada National Park

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Herod's Palace (Herodium)

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

En Gedi Nature Reserve (Pass By)

Qumran Caves (Pass By)

Dead Sea

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Recommended to bring hats, bathing suit, towels, sun protection.
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation

Most travelers can participate
Please note this tour is not suitable for children under the age of 4
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 40 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Massimo_L

Very nice tour, competent and prepared guide. Masada and the Dead Sea are beautiful. I recommend this excursion to discover these magnificent places

Reviews

4.5

1,002 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 1,002 reviews

I will start with the...

Charlotte_B, Apr 2024

I will start with the good part: our guide, Eyal, was very informative and professional. The tour was both in English and in Spanish and he switched effortlessly from one language to the other. He was ponctual and everything was well organized. The less good part: instead of accessing the Dead Sea in Ein Bokek, in Israel, you access it in Kalia beach, which belongs to an illegal Israeli settlement in the West Bank. This should be clearly stated in the description of the tour, as it can raise concerns both for security and ethical reasons.

Great experience

Vincenzo_N, Sep 2023

Masada is a magical place and the Dead Sea experience will be a lasting,very well organized tour and very professional and friendly guide

Response from Host, Sep 2023

We're delighted to hear you found Masada magical and enjoyed the well-organized tour, along with our professional and friendly guide. Thank you for your positive feedback!

Awesome experience

Karim_S, Sep 2023

This was probably one of my favorite trips/experiences I’ve been on. I enjoyed the Dead Sea and Masada. They gave you ample time for both (especially for the Dead Sea) and I definitely felt that they did a good job organizing it. I highly recommend to others.

Response from Host, Sep 2023

Thank you very much for sharing this info as well as your satisfaction with Bein Harim Tours services. Your sincere recommendation of our services is much appreciated by all at Bein Harim.

Masada & Dead Sea Ben Harim operator

Iris_G, Sep 2023

Try & take this trip late fall or spring, otherwise it’s too hot. We were taken to a south area of the Dead Sea. The place had bathrooms showers and a place to buy cold beverages. The water area was sectioned off by rope. The water were nasty and murky. I am an Israeli, and we’re ashamed!!!!! There were better places to visit & impress travelers. Masada has an area to walk up, or area to ride in a wire car. Waking is a long and tough distance, so make sure what you choose. Ben Harim was the company that were in charge of the trip. Not sure why everyone expect a tip, they verbally ask for it, while they are paid very well for their services. We stopped at a restaurant Elvis Presley. Make sure, owner rips people off by charging them for a take away mug. Insist on paper cup if you get coffee!!! It a long day , be prepare. Masada has different food options to purchase.

Response from Host, Sep 2023

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us. We appreciate your feedback, as it helps us enhance our services and create a better experience for our guests. Your input is valuable, and we look forward to the opportunity to impress you on your next adventure with us.

Amazing guide, bad itinerary

NageswaraRao_v, Sep 2023

Our guide and driver were fantastic and did their best to make our trip memorable. However, it is disappointing to know that they spend too much time at tourist traps and didn’t leave any time to explore the magnificent Masada visitor center

Response from Host, Sep 2023

We appreciate your feedback regarding your recent tour. While we are delighted to hear that your guide and driver made efforts to ensure a memorable experience, we understand your concerns about the itinerary. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to provide you with a more satisfying experience in the future.

Wonderful

Biwen_F, Sep 2023

Our tour guide Dima is very knowledgeable and really reminds me of a professor conducting a lecture in school. Masada is amazing and we walked 1.5 hours. Super cool.

Response from Host, Sep 2023

Really appreciate you sharing your satisfaction with Dima. He deserves your praise for his professional efforts.

Besutiful experience

Serena_D, Aug 2023

Jonathon (yonathon)wS very informative and funny made sure we were safe hydrated an overall excellent tour and guide!

Response from Host, Aug 2023

We are delighted to hear that Jonathon provided you with a Beautiful and informative tour experience.

The tour guide was...

Jessica_W, Jul 2023

The tour guide was amazing! Masada was incredible to walk through, and to end the tour with a relaxing time at the Dead Sea was just perfect!

Response from Host, Jul 2023

So happy you came away with a tour experience that was well worth it and is cherished always.

Masada/Dead Sea trip

Daniel_B, Jul 2023

The Masada/Dead Sea tour was certainly the highlight of my time in Israel: Yonatan, our guide, was knowledgeable, interesting and fun to be with. Itzik, the bus driver, is more than just an excellent driver-he organizes all the other buses and the passengers at the meeting point! Masada was an amazingly moving experience that I really wasn't prepared for. Whether you're Jewish or not (I happen to be), you can't help but admire the heroic efforts of the rebels there at their final battleground. The Dead Sea was ...well, exactly what I expected. Nonetheless, it was fun finally making it to the lowest place on Earth All in all, worth the price and then some!

Response from Host, Jul 2023

We're delighted that the Masada and the Dead Sea tour was the highlight of your time in Israel! Jonathan, our knowledgeable and fun guide, and Itzik, the excellent driver, made the experience even more enjoyable. We're thrilled you found it worth every penny and more! Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to see you again for more incredible experiences!

Dead Sea (bucket list) / Masada (nice surprise)

Ryan_M, Jul 2023

This is a 5 star trip but I wanted to outline a few things. - the first half of the day is a wonderful but strenuous hike around Masada so don't wear flip flops. - the lunch stop is not included in the price so bring extra money. - you get 1.5 - 2 hours at the Dead Sea. It does not sound long but trust me it will be. Wear sandals down to the water or you will burn your feet. - bring lots of water. The trip is nice and floating in the Dead Sea is really cool and weird but a must do.

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Thank you for your 5-star review! We appreciate your feedback. We're delighted that you found floating in the Dead Sea to be a cool and unique experience, and we agree that it is a must-do. Thank you for choosing our tour and sharing your insights. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back in the future for more memorable adventures.

Breathtaking.

Stefan_J, Jul 2023

Wonderful tour and great guide. Michael our tour guide, was super helpful and informative throughout the whole tour. Definitely, recommend.

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Thanks for sharing that you had an informative and wonderful tour experience with Michael. Your sincere recommendation of our services is much appreciated by all at Bein Harim.

Heaven

Julia_B, Jul 2023

The best guide! The best experience! We enjoined our trip. Would recommend to all my friends and family!!!

Response from Host, Jul 2023

We are most appreciative of you sharing your sentiments of satisfaction and that you have a memorable tour to cherish.

A Fantastic Tour Almost Ruined by Some Rude Group Members

Bryan_B, Jul 2023

I had the privilege of taking this tour with a wonderful guide named Omri and a great driver named Mohammad. I felt really bad for Omri and Mohammad as there were a bunch of extremely rude members in our group. I was picked up on time and shuttled to a meeting location, where I boarded a bus with about 50 other people. Of course, one member of my group was late and held up the entire bus. We drove through Jerusalem and the West Bank to a small shop where another group member attempted to pay by credit card. Her card didn't go through, but she claimed it did. A temporary hold doesn't mean the merchant was paid. She complained and refused to pay, holding us up again. Next, we stopped at one of the Ahava stores to shop for Dead Sea Mineral Products. I could have done without this stop, but I understand that Ahava is well known and many people enjoy shopping. The problem was one woman bought three bags of products, once again holding us up another fifteen to twenty minutes. We finally arrived at Masada, and I was excited to learn about this historical site. As a teacher and travel writer, I wanted as much knowledge as possible. A bunch of rude people complained the entire time that it was "too hot" and that our guide was "talking too much!" He is supposed to be talking, as most of us wanted to learn about Masada. The entire tour was rushed because a few people were too hot and disinterested. Anyone booking this tour in July should know that it is going to be hot and sunny. If you cannot handle it, don't book the tour! I would have loved an hour to walk around Masada by myself, but we were behind schedule due to people not arriving at the bus on time at previous stops. We then went to lunch, which I thought was excellent. For $19, I had rice, noodles, potatoes, chicken, and beef. Lunch was limited to 30 minutes due to being behind schedule. The final stop was the Dead Sea. We had 90 minutes which was more than enough time. In my opinion, the Dead Sea is a "must-see," and it was a surreal feeling to be floating in the water. At the same time, it was over 100 degrees, and the water felt like hot bath water. Don't expect the Dead Sea to be refreshing in July. After about fifteen minutes in the Dead Sea, I got out and enjoyed walking around and taking photos. Overall, this was a fantastic tour that was slightly less fun than it could have been due to a few extremely rude group members. I felt so bad for Omri and Mohammad as they tried their best to ensure everyone had a good time. I look forward to writing about my experience on my travel website.

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Thank you for sharing your feedback about your tour experience with our guide Omri and driver Mohammad. We're glad to hear that overall, you had a fantastic tour, despite the unfortunate behavior of some members in your group. We appreciate your understanding and recognition of the efforts made by Omri and Mohammad to ensure everyone had a good time.

Good Tour - Great Guide

Jarrod_A, Jul 2023

Great tour with a fantastic guide. Udi was great and he had vast knowledge of all the sites and surrounding areas. Everything was perfect timing and we had a great day. The only negative was the beach at Dead Sea. It was very dirty and the experience wasn’t good. I was hoping for a more isolated option. Overall well worth it and recommended if you can look past the beach.

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback on your recent tour experience. We're glad to hear that you had a great day and that Udi, our fantastic guide, provided you with extensive knowledge of the sites and surrounding areas. It's important to note that the condition of the Dead Sea's beaches can vary due to natural factors such as sinkholes. We acknowledge that the drying out of the Dead Sea is an ongoing concern.

Tourguide was terrible, organisation of the company was vasting our time

Jobst_M, Jun 2023

Tourguide was terrible (for example he recommended to read about „en gedi“ on Wikipedia instead of telling about it while we drove by), organisation of the company was vasting our time due to bad structure of the tour. Furthermore, stop at really bad and over priced restaurants, coffee shop and souvenir shop included. Death sea and masada are great to visit. But that‘s not because of the tour operator).

Response from Host, Jun 2023

We apologize for the negative experience you had on our tour. We regret that the tour guide did not meet your expectations and that you felt their approach to sharing information was inadequate. Regarding the choice of stops and venues, we regret that they did not meet your expectations. We always aim to include quality places that offer value for money. We're glad to hear that you found the Dead Sea and Masada to be great destinations to visit. While the natural beauty and historical significance of these sites are undoubtedly remarkable, we also strive to complement the experience with our expertise and service.

Definitely worth it! Sababa!

Ovidiu_C, Jun 2023

Definitely worth it! Great day trip from Tel Aviv. Left early in the morning and we got back around 5pm. More than enough as we did a lot. Stopped in the desert first which was an experience on it’s own. Then the Dead Sea, which is interesting to say the least. After that lunch and Masada. Very beautiful scenery everywhere we went. Our guide, Tomer, was very friendly and extremely funny. Great atmosphere the whole trip. Gave us information on everything and answered every question we had. To sum up the trip in one word, Sababa!!

Response from Host, Jun 2023

Thank you for your amazing review! We're thrilled to hear that you found the tour to be definitely worth it and had a great day tour. We're delighted that our guide, Tomer, provided you with a friendly and funny atmosphere throughout the trip and we're glad that Tomer shared valuable information and answered all your questions. The word "Sababa" perfectly sums up your experience, and we love that you used it to describe the trip. It's a testament to the enjoyable and positive nature of the tour.

Great tour content. Great tour guide.

Katerina_C, Jun 2023

Joseph, the guide, and Isaac, the driver, were wonderful. Joseph has such a warm and friendly personality, so thoughtful about food, bathroom stops, photo opportunities, and he is great at providing an interesting and informing tour. So well worth the money. I felt like a made a great investment into myself. I saw amazing views, heard interesting stories, and felt that I visited places unlike anything else I had seen before.

Response from Host, Jun 2023

Thank you for sharing your wonderful review of our tour. We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the tour content and that both Joseph, the guide, and Isaac, the driver, made your experience memorable. We're pleased to know that you felt the tour was well worth the investment. It's rewarding to hear that you saw amazing views, heard interesting stories, and visited unique places that left a lasting impression.

Great views from atop Masada

Justin_K, Jun 2023

Great day trip that includes Masada and the Dead Sea. It was a very long day, but I did like stopping at Kalia beach early, before the packed crowds arrived. Our guide was great with the info and seeing some of the views from atop Masada were incredible.

Response from Host, Jun 2023

Thanks for this complimentary review of your tour experience and about your tour guide, we could pass it on, if you would mention his name.

Masada and dead sea

Morgan_K, May 2023

Good day trip. Long though in duration but got ample time at Dead Sea and Masada. Lunch was okay - just standard food. Stopped at a place with small museum, I was able to speed through but if you were slow you couldn’t have time.

Response from Host, May 2023

We're glad to hear that you had ample time to explore the Dead Sea and Masada, as these are the highlights of the tour. We appreciate your comments about lunch and will take them into consideration for future improvements.

Great one day tour

Jared_S, May 2023

Well-organized travel from Tel Aviv. Great tour guides, and a good mix of guided tour of Masada and free time at the Dead Sea. Highly recommended!

Response from Host, May 2023

Highly appreciate such sincere rave sentiments about your tour with Bein Harim. This is indeed the standard and quality we strive to maintain.

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