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Southern District, Israel Archaeology

Our most recommended Southern District, Israel Archaeology

From Tel Aviv: Masada & Dead Sea Full Day Tour with Pick Up

1. From Tel Aviv: Masada & Dead Sea Full Day Tour with Pick Up

Embark on a full-day guided tour from Tel Aviv to the Judean Hills and the shores of the Dead Sea by bus. Visit the ancient palace of Masada, ride a cable car, and admire the Qumran caves on your drive back. Perched on a high plateau, the ancient fortified palace of Masada became a refuge for Zealots who took a stand against the Romans, until the mass suicide of the zealots in 73 AD. The ruins sit precariously on a plateau some 1,300 feet above sea level and measure 2,000-foot long by 1,000-foot wide. They boast extraordinary views of the Dead Sea and the Judean Desert. It is an exhausting climb, but we will ascend by cable car to make life easier. Explore the fortress built by King Herod in around 37 BC. Visit the remains of the palaces and see mosaic floors, Roman baths, and other findings. Masada was also home to the oldest synagogue in Israel, but one of the most remarkable features is the 12 water cisterns, each with a capacity of up to 140,000 cubic feet. Following the tour of Masada, you will drive to the Dead Sea Mineral Beach located in the Jordan Rift Valley, between Jordan and the West Bank. It is the lowest place on earth and its high density of salt makes for a unique experience as you float on the beautiful aquamarine surface. Take a mud bath and benefit from the therapeutic qualities of the natural Dead Sea mud. You will then drive back to Tel Aviv, with an on-route view of the Qumran cave, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found.

Jerusalem/Tel Aviv: Bethlehem, Jericho and Jordan River Tour

2. Jerusalem/Tel Aviv: Bethlehem, Jericho and Jordan River Tour

After being picked up from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem depending on your booking option, travel to Bethlehem where you will meet your guide before heading into the old city of Bethlehem. Enjoy a guided visit to the Church of the Nativity.  Continue your tour with a visit to the Milk Grotto Church before riding to the city of the shepherds, Bayt Sahur where you will visit the Chapel of the Shepherds Field before getting to visit an olive wood factory where you will see artisans crafting wooden sculptures.  Then journey through the wonderful Judean Desert to the lowest point on earth. Have chances to stop and take pictures at the sea level point in the desert overlooking the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, Jericho.  Stop and have lunch then pass the Mount of Temptation and drive into Jericho where you will see some of the famed sights in the city including Zaccheus's Tree which is mentioned in the bible.

From Jerusalem: Masada & Dead Sea Full Day Tour with Pick Up

3. From Jerusalem: Masada & Dead Sea Full Day Tour with Pick Up

Enjoy a full-day bus tour from Jerusalem to ancient ruins in the Judean Hills and the shores of the Dead Sea. See the archeological site of Masada and a fortress built by King Herod. Go for a dip at the Dead Sea Mineral Beach and uncover the cave where the dead sea scrolls were found. Visit the Masada National Park ruins which are perched on a high plateau. View the ancient fortified palace of Masada which became a refuge for zealots who took a stand against the Romans, which ended in the mass suicide of the zealots in 73 AD. Follow your guide and ride up on a cable car to 1,300 feet above sea level to the plateau where the immense Masada ruins rest precariously. Look out at extraordinary views of the Dead Sea and the Judean Desert. Explore the fortress built by King Herod in Masada in around 37 BC. Stroll through the remains of the palaces and see mosaic floors and Roman baths. Uncover the oldest synagogue in Israel and admire remarkable features like the 12 water cisterns that each had a capacity of 140,000 cubic feet. Drive to the lowest point on earth at the Dead Sea Mineral Beach which is located in the Jordan Rift Valley. Experience the high density of the salt in the water as you float with ease on the surface of the aquamarine water. Take a mud-bath and benefit from the therapeutic qualities of the natural Dead Sea mud before heading to the Qumeran cave, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Return to your accommodation in Jerusalem at the end of your tour.

From Tel Aviv: Masada, Ein Gedi, and Dead Sea Guided Tour

4. From Tel Aviv: Masada, Ein Gedi, and Dead Sea Guided Tour

Embark on a guided tour of the Masada Fortress and take in the sweeping views of the Judean Desert. Travel in a comfortable and airconditioned van to the nature reserve of Ein Gedi before floating in the salty waters of the Dead Sea. Depart Tel Aviv. Be driven through the Judean Desert to the Dead Sea region, the lowest on earth. Heading south alongside the Dead Sea, reach the foot of Mount Masada, the ancient fortress which was constructed in Roman times and is famous as the location of an iconic story of heroism. At 9:00 AM ascend Masada by cable car and explore the site. At 11:00 AM continue to Ein Gedi, a beautiful nature reserve and oasis where you will have a chance to take a short hike or walk through the cooling and beautiful surroundings. After Ein Gedi, continue to the Dead Sea where you will access a private beach and have a chance to float in the famous waters and immerse in the muds that are so famous all around the world. Return to your hotel in Tel Aviv in the early evening.

From Jerusalem: Masada, Ein Gedi, and Dead Sea Day Tour

5. From Jerusalem: Masada, Ein Gedi, and Dead Sea Day Tour

After being collected from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem, you will make your way to Masada On. This area is an isolated clifftop in the heart of the desert, a lofty plateau overlooking the Dead Sea and the untamed landscape of the Judean Desert. Whilst in this area you will learn how there was once a magnificent palace that stood there. You will then venture toward Ein Gedi, a wonderful nature reserve which contains various natural wonders. You will encounter David Waterfall, a year-round waterfall along the course of the David Stream, to which there is access by a hiking trail. You will also discover Arugot Stream, a hiking trail for walkers which runs along the length of the stream and flows all year round. Next you will explore the En Gedi Spring, which rises from the mountainside and sustains abundant vegetation. By the spring you will also discover the remains of an ancient flour mill. Next up you will encounter the Dodim Cave, a small and intimate cave at the head of the David Waterfall, before you finally explore the Chalcolithic Temple. Following some free time for relaxation in the Dead Sea, you will return to your point of origin.

From Tel Aviv: Masada Sunrise, Ein Gedi, and Dead Sea Tour

6. From Tel Aviv: Masada Sunrise, Ein Gedi, and Dead Sea Tour

After a pre-sunrise departure from Tel Aviv, drive through the rolling hills of the Judean desert. At 5:30 AM, you’ll arrive at Masada, a set of mountaintop fortifications that date back to the 1st century BCE. Hike to peak to watch the sunrise from the summit, painting the surrounding valleys in rich hues. Continue to the En Gedi Nature Reserve, which covers an astounding 3,500 acres. A massive oasis in the desert, it includes vast streams and rivers that spill out from impressive waterfalls. Amble through the mountainous terrain, marvelling at the lush greenery in the heart of the desert. To cap things off, head to the Dead Sea, where you’ll have 1.5 hours to relax. Coat yourself in its iconic black mud, famed for its restorative qualities, and float in the highly saline water. After your time at the lowest point on earth, you’ll head back to Tel Aviv.

From Eilat, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv: Petra & Wadi Rum 3-Day Tour

7. From Eilat, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv: Petra & Wadi Rum 3-Day Tour

Day 1: Start your tour from Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, or Eilat, depending on the option selected. Cross the border into Jordan and travel to the port city of Aqaba. Enjoy some time to relax in the city, before continuing to Wadi Rum. Arrive at the Bedouin campsite accommodation in Wadi Rum and take in your new surroundings and the scenic views. Once settled into the campsite, head out on a jeep safari tour in the afternoon as the sun begins to set and the air becomes cooler. Enjoy an overnight stay in the camp where you will indulge in an authentic Jordanian meal for dinner. Day 2: As the sun rises in the morning, enjoy breakfast and the view before traveling to Petra. Upon arrival, take a guided tour of this iconic site and get a deeper insight into the history of the ancient Nabatean city. See the most important structures of the site including the famous treasury, the Khazneh. Stay overnight at a hotel in Petra. Day 3:  Depart from Wadi Rum in the morning and explore Petra at your own pace. Revisit sites from the previous day, or uncover new ones. Hike to the Monastery and explore some lesser-visited parts of the complex. After the final day of sightseeing, travel back to the border and return to your original starting point.

Masada & Dead Sea Tour: Full-Day from Jerusalem

8. Masada & Dead Sea Tour: Full-Day from Jerusalem

Start the day with pick-up from your hotel in Jerusalem and head to the Dead Sea, via the Judean hills. Your drive continues from there along the shores of the Dead Sea, to the desert fortress of Masada. Arrive at Masada, where your guide will tell you about the heroic story of the Jewish fighters. You’ll ascend Masada by cable car and then tour the mountain fortress that was built by King Herod. This is the spot where the Zealots of the 1st century made their last stand against the Roman troops. You’ll explore the site to see the remains of the walls, palaces, synagogue, water cisterns, mosaic floors and Roman baths. When you've completed this part of the tour, descend Masada by cable car. Your next destination is the Dead Sea. Its shores are the lowest point on dry land on earth! You’ll have the opportunity to float and swim in the Dead Sea waters that many believe have special therapeutic effects.

From Eilat: Petra Tour with Transfer and Lunch

9. From Eilat: Petra Tour with Transfer and Lunch

Petra is an inherritance, that was left to us by the Nabataens over 2000 years ago. The Nabataens were very industrious, creating one of the greatest water systems of their time. Petra was occupied by over 20,000 residents, and was very prosperous. They built water cisterns and collected the water from the flash floods, then went on to sell the water to caravans and merchants, passing through . The Nabataens created great facades in the sandstone in the typical Roman archetectual manner, the most famous of them is "The Treasury". There is a Roman theater, in which you can see the tombs still standing there between the seatings. The amphitheater once held over 4000 seats. There are many temples, statues, facades (numbering about 800) in Petra for you to view. A driver will pick you up from your hotel at 08:15 - 8:30 in Eilat, and take you to the Jordan border. You will be assisted with border proceedings and continue on to Petra. Tour Petra with a qualified licensed guide. Enter through the Siq (the pathway, a crack in the sandstone), to arrive at "The Treasury". Included in your package is an optional horse-back ride. Ride for the first 200 meters of the route ("Tipping" the carrier is required, ranging from 2-5 dollars at your discretion). Continue the tour to see the Roman theater, the facades, the tombs, the cisterns, the crypts, and the temples. After the tour - lunch in a local restaurant. Travel back to the Jordan border, begin our return trip towards the border. This route includes a few stops along the way at certain observation points in order for you to enjoy the beautiful landscapes, that Wadi Ram has to offer. Arrival back at your hotel in Eilat : between 19:00-19:30.

From Tel Aviv: Jerusalem Boutique Tour

10. From Tel Aviv: Jerusalem Boutique Tour

Depart from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and learn about the history of Israel and the Jewish people on the way. After about an hour of driving, arrive at the Mount of Olives from which you can admire the magnificent views of the Old City of Jerusalem and the very first city; the City of David. Walk down to the Dominus Flevit Church and see the hundred thousand Jewish graves towards Gethsemane, the place of the Judas kiss. Stop here for a refreshing tea, coffee, or juice.  From the valley, the bus will bring you back up to the Dung gate from where you will ascend to the Temple Mount (not possible on Fridays, Saturdays, and religious holy days). Up next, visit the last stations of the Via Dolorosa inside the Church of The Holy Sepulcher. Gaze at the location of both Golgotha, the place of the crucifixion, and the resurrection of Jesus. Next, continue to the Jewish Quarter to see the Wailing Wall, the Roman Cardo, part of the Via Dolorosa and Golgotha, the place of the crucifixion, and the Holy Sepulcher.

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What people are saying about Southern District, Israel

Overall rating

4.1 / 5

based on 919 reviews

What an amazing experience!! Our tour guide Yonathan was knowledgeable about any and every topic we could come up with - we learned so much about history, archeology, religion, culture, and general social topics of the area. He was extremely accommodating and helped us tailor our day based on our interests and our needs with our young toddler. We had an incredible day and visit thanks to this private, personalized tour and our wonderful guide! I highly recommend doing a private tour to get the most of your trip

The guided tour is amazing! If you spent few days in Israel and you want to visit as much as you can it’s perfect! In one day you have the chance to visit 3 fantastic sites and enjoy them. You have approximately 2 hours to visit each site and sometimes you need to rush and jump from one amenity to the others…but still it worth it!

The tour was jam-packed but organized (only minor delay at start due to bus assignment). Organizers did their best to meet the itinerary. There are some additional entrance fee at Monastery at Mt. Temptation via cable car (~40 NIS), and Old Jericho Ruins (~20 NIS). Overall, the event was worth it.

Perfect organisation, enough time to enjoy both sites. Short commercial visits, nice to buy small gifts. Don't forget to bring towels and sandals for the beach.

Nice people, great planning. We learned a lot about the area