MASADA AND DEAD SEA

Judean  Desert with the Fortress of King Herod & Relaxing at the Dead Sea

Today we go down through the Judean Desert to the Dead Sea, which is 430 m below sea level and thus represents the lowest point on earth on solid land. Due to the extremely strong UV filtering as well as various minerals in the air and in the water, the Dead Sea has real healing powers. Thanks to its extremely high salt content, you float on the water surface without sinking.

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We first visit the Inn of the Good Samaritan . According to tradition, this is the place where Jesus' parable about the Good Samaritan took place. Today the rest area between Jerusalem and Jericho houses a museum with wonderful archaeological finds, mainly from the Judean desert. Various mosaics from ancient synagogues and churches are particularly worth seeing.

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Then we drive past Jericho, the oldest city on earth, and further along the Dead Sea to the Desert Fortress of Masada. Here the cable car takes us up to the huge table-shaped cliff of Masada, where King Herod's palaces, his bathhouse  and also located his throne room. We also recall the dramatic story of the last bastion of Jewish freedom fighters against the Romans in 73 CE. We will see the Roman ramp which enabled the Romans finally to conquer Masada after months of siege.  Departure by cable car and on to one of the beaches on the Dead Sea. Opportunity to swim and relax. Return to Tel Aviv or Jerusalem.

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Alternative options : Instead of the Good Samaritan Inn, we can visit the Qasr-El-Yehud Baptismal Site , which is located directly at the Jordan River. This site at the Jordan River is traditionally regarded as the place where Jesus was baptized by John, the Baptist. This is also considered to be the place where the Israelites crossed the Jordan on their way to the Promised Land.

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Duration: Full day tour (approx. 8 - 9 hours)