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Southern District, Israel National parks

Our most recommended Southern District, Israel National parks

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.

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

2. 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 Sunrise, Ein Gedi, and Dead Sea Tour

3. 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 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 Eilat: Timna Park Guided Jeep Tour

5. From Eilat: Timna Park Guided Jeep Tour

This fascinating four-hour tour will open up the wonderful world of the Arava desert and one of its pearls, Timna.  See bizarre colored rocks, natural sculptures, the blue of the sky and the ocher of the surrounding mountains. Your guide will tell you about the amazing history and geology of this unique place. Inside the park, stop a few times and see the incredible history of the copper-related area. Along the way, see the natural mudflats of sandstone and a few pillars of Solomon, Borg Hill, the famous mushroom and arches. Take your hike at a stop near Lake Timna where you can fill up bottles with colorful sand for a souvenir. From there, head back towards Eilat.

From Ashdod Port: Masada and Dead Sea Guided Day Trip

6. From Ashdod Port: Masada and Dead Sea Guided Day Trip

The moment you disembark from your cruise ship in Ashdod port you’ll be in the capable hands of a professional tour guide. The day begins with a drive south through ever-changing landscapes until you reach the Judaean Mountains. Then enjoy the thrill of the winding road that takes you down below sea level to the lowest point on Earth. We pause for a moment to enjoy the view and take a photo of the sign indicating that we are now going beneath sea level. Our first stop is at Masada, a massive rock outcrop 434m-high (1,424ft). Ride the cable car to Masada’s flat summit where there are incredible views of the desert and the Dead Sea below. Your guide will give you a tour of the remaining structures from King Herod’s palace-fortress. Find out about the history of Masada, and how it served as an untouchable refuge for Herod and later for Jewish rebels. Learn how King Herod built this palace complex in 37BC-31BC, and see mosaics and archaeological remains of a Roman bathhouse, storerooms, guardhouse, palaces, and more. At the end of the Masada tour, you can spend time in the Masada Museum located at the foot of the mount. The museum holds more than 500 artifacts discovered at Masada, and there is an informative movie about Masada’s history. We continue from Masada to Ein Bokek, a hotel and resort area on the shore of the Dead Sea. Here you can enjoy the Ein Bokek beach. The tour will stop for a lunch break either at a restaurant at the foot of Masada or at the beach. Spend the remaining time relaxing on the beach, and enjoying the unique environment of the Dead Sea. Try smothering your skin in the mineral-rich black Dead Sea mud, or float in the hypersaline water. The water is so thick with salt that you can’t sink! The Dead Sea water, mud, and even the Dead Sea sun are known to be therapeutic to the body and soul. After a satisfying day of new experiences, we drive via the city of Arad back to your cruise ship in Ashdod port.

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

7. 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 Jerusalem: Masada at Sunrise, Ein Gedi & Dead Sea Tour

8. From Jerusalem: Masada at Sunrise, Ein Gedi & Dead Sea Tour

From the Old City of Jerusalem, drive to Southern Israel for a brilliant day amongst nature. Hike in the cool darkness to the very top of the ancient desert fortress of Masada before bathing in the healing, salty waters of the Dead Sea. You will watch the day begin with a spectacular sunrise over the Moab Mountains and the Judean Desert. Then at the top of the mountain, discover the history of one the greatest Jewish symbols of hope and pride. You will ascend and descend the mountain fortress by the famous Snake Path. Then, continue on to the real highlight of the tour, a walk through the stunning Ein Gedi nature reserve with its natural springs, waterfalls and amazing desert plants and wildlife. After your long walk you will be ready to rest your tired feet and float effortlessly in the healing waters of the Dead Sea or take a bath in the therapeutic mud at the lowest place on Earth: A truly unique experience that will leave you relaxed and fortified. Once fully refreshed and treated, you will be ready to make your homeward journey to Jerusalem.

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

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

You will be picked up early in the morning at 2:00 AM from Tel Aviv. Travel to Masada mountain arrive at 5:30 AM and begin your hike to the top. On the way up to the top, enjoy the extraordinary desert sunrise, one that can only be seen in the right place at the right time. Once at the top you will enjoy some time to experience the site. Head back down the mountain and travel to Ein-Gedi Nature Reserve. At 8:00 AM arrive at the Ein-Gedi Nature Reserve. Enter the reserve to watch the desert wildlife in the magnificent green Ein-Gedi Oasis. 10:00 AM continue your journey to the Dead Sea. Arrive at the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth and enjoy bathing and floating on it's therapeutic waters. After floating and covering yourself with mud your driver will begin the trip back to Tel-Aviv. At approximately 2:00 PM arrive back in Tel-Aviv.

Masada & Dead Sea Tour: Full-Day from Jerusalem

10. 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.

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What people are saying about Southern District, Israel

the guide took us to the mining place from this century, what was very nice experience even before the Timna… then we went to Timna park where we stopped on some nice places, like the ancient mining spots, solomon pillars, the mushroom rock and finally near to the lake to make some color sand bottles. To go by jeep on the main road - with strong wind against you is cool experience. I would prefer to spend little more time on the stops… especially on the solomon pillars and for us personally we would love if the tabernacle tour was included in the trip - or have it as a option. Because of not having time to go to the tabernacle, we visited the park day after on our own.

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!

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.

We enjoyed the tour, interesting history, we liked going off road in the Land Rover Defender. Alex was great.