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Masada and the Dead Sea Day Trip from Jerusalem

Badge of Excellence

Jerusalem, Israel

9 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.3

· April_N ·

Nov 2025

Bring a hat and sunscreen. Wonderful to see Masada and the Dead Sea was so fun. I ended up buying Dead Sea products afterward because my skin felt amazing after trying the mud. Really fun day.

· Luiz_C ·

Jan 2026

EXCELLENT GUIDE. Driver. Guide and driver. Really nice. He had a very educational approach. He knew history.

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Overview

Combine a Masada tour and Dead Sea trip into one memorable full-day tour from Jerusalem. Travel through the Judean desert by air-conditioned coach and pass the site of the famous New Testament parable of the Good Samaritan. Arrive at Masada and ride the cable car to the legendary mountaintop ruins of King Herod’s palaces. After a guided tour, drive to the Dead Sea. Relish the surreal Dead Sea floating experience and choose to take a therapeutic mud bath. Then, return to Jerusalem, passing the ancient city of Jericho on route.

Full day trip from Jerusalem 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

What's Included

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

Food and drinks, unless specified
Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

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.

Operating hours
.8:30 am

Itinerary

Leave your central Jerusalem hotel by air-conditioned coach and travel through the Judean desert, a barren wilderness in the heart of the Israel.

Pass the site of the New Testament’s famous parable, the Good Samaritan, and enjoy views of the Dead Sea as you near Masada. Some 2,000 years ago, King Herod chose this remote mountain as the site of two vast fortified palaces.

Take the cable car up to mountaintop ruins of the palaces, and set out on a guided tour. Hear about the site’s history as you explore and then descend to drive on to the Dead Sea.

As you travel, pass the Ein Gedi oasis and aeons-old settlement of Qumran. Stop to absorb views of the Qumran caves, where the Dead Sea Scrolls —around 900 ancient parchments of religious manuscripts — were discovered in the 1940s and 1950s.

Continue to the Dead Sea, the salt lake located 1,312 feet (400 meters) below sea level. Enjoy around two hours to relax on a mineral beach and float in the salt-rich waters. If you wish, follow your ‘swim’ with a therapeutic mud bath and perhaps purchase some Dead Sea skin care products (own expense) at duty-free prices.

Back aboard your coach, relax on your return journey. On route, trace some of the route of the old Roman road to Jerusalem and enjoy views of the ancient city of Jericho. Your tour ends with a drop-off at your Jerusalem hotel.

Harei Yehuda

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

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

Masada National Park

1 hour 15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Herod's Palace (Herodium)

1 hour • 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

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

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

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Sarah_M

This was truly the best tour I have ever been on. Eyal and our driver, Joshua, were absolutely amazing, so kind, patient, and thoughtful. I traveled with my mother, who has a disability, and at the start I was very nervous. The walk at Masada is intense, with many ups and downs, and it can be challenging and slippery for anyone with mobility issues. However, Eyal thoughtfully broke the walk into manageable parts, made sure we took regular breaks, and allowed my mom time to rest. To my amazement, she completed the entire walk and still had enough energy to float in the Dead Sea afterward! It was truly incredible. My mom had an unforgettable experience and couldn’t believe she was able to do it. Eyal was also extremely knowledgeable and shared fascinating historical stories throughout the tour. I was completely blown away. I also really wanted to ride a camel and get a photo, and Eyal was so accommodating and made it happen. Our driver, Joshua, was amazing and took a beautiful video of me riding the camel. It’s something I will cherish forever, my heart is truly so full. This experience exceeded all my expectations, and I will definitely be bringing my husband next time. Highly recommended!

Reviews

4.3

based on 781 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

An unforgettable experience!

Sarah_M, Feb 2026

Response from Host, Feb 2026

WOW! This is truelly extremely heartwarming to read you kind sincere words of the amazing tour experience you had with our guide Eyal. We are most honored wthat we have such team members who go all the way and more to provide such a service and with a humane and sincere manner. We are most honored tohave you come away with both you and your mom. AWait to see you again soon with your husband KIndly remind us then!! that you are a satisfied returning traveler! Your sincere recommendation of our services is highly appreciated by all at Bein Harim.

My experience

edward_e, Jan 2026

The tour guide was very experienced and had a lot of information to provide. He was a pleasant person as well. My issue with this tour is the vehicle they used. A small van does not accommodate 11 people with large packs. The seats do not accommodate anyone over 5’9 and make for a very uncomfortable drive. If you have any prior injuries ask the company what van they are using. If it’s a small van avoid this tour ! This tour could be great if not for that. I have always left positive reviews for all of the tours I’ve taken and this one is the first that I’ve had issues with.

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Gld our guide was professional pleasant and competent.(the main part of the tour) WE are always glad to get constructive feeedback MAy I suggest when the issue is ;your own personal one regarding size of vehicle and seating arrangement ,being this is something ;you can easily find out prior to the tour. ,, Vehicle size for each spedicif tour is assigned according to numbers traveling, unless there is prior warning and request. We are regretful that this was the nature of your travel experience in our vehicle.

Historical

krishnamurthy_s, Dec 2025

Should be ready to walk quite a bit excellent experience of going up by cable car . The views were awesome . Would have liked to walk down as anoption

Response from Host, Dec 2025

Thanks so much for sharing that you came away with an awesome tour experience .Becasue of the tour time shedule we cannot acoomodate the walk down option instead of the cable car(takes 45 minutes)Glad you enjoyed it

Well organized … Uval was...

Jacob_M, Dec 2025

Well organized … Uval was an excellent guide. He was very lnowledgeable. I would strongly recommend this tour.

Response from Host, Dec 2025

Greatly appreciate your recommnedation of our services as well as compliments for our guide Yuval.He is most professional and is worthy of your feedback for his skill and interesting commentary.

I really enjoyed this...

Nerissa_B, Nov 2025

I really enjoyed this tour. The guide was very knowledgeable and full of energy. Masada was fascinating, and I learned so much. The bus was airconditioned and comfortable. I did not enjoy the "tourist trap" of going to the tourist shops whereby the guide got a commission for sales. I felt it was very unnecessary and ruined the experience for me a bit. Overall it was a great tour, which I highly recommend!

Response from Host, Nov 2025

Thank you for your kind words and honest feedback! We're delighted you enjoyed the Masada tour and your guide’s energy. Regarding the shop stop – in the Dead Sea area, such stores appear at nearly every site and offer local products and facilities like restrooms and coffee. Of course, shopping is never required. We truly appreciate your recommendation!

Fantastic experience

April_N, Nov 2025

Bring a hat and sunscreen. Wonderful to see Masada and the Dead Sea was so fun. I ended up buying Dead Sea products afterward because my skin felt amazing after trying the mud. Really fun day.

Response from Host, Nov 2025

Thank you for sharing your review! We’re glad to hear you enjoyed visiting Masada and had such a fun time at the Dead Sea. The mineral mud is indeed a unique experience, and it’s great to know you loved it. We appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you on another tour soon.

Excellent tour, guide, and driver

Wesley_S, Oct 2025

It can be hot! Take water and a hat. Jonathan did a great job keeping to the shade when he could and reminded everyone to stay hydrated.

Response from Host, Nov 2025

Thank you for sharing your review! We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the Masada & Dead Sea tour and appreciated Jonathan’s care in keeping everyone comfortable on a hot day. Staying hydrated and protected from the sun is definitely important. We hope to welcome you again on another tour soon.

Beautiful views and great tour guide.

Vicente_D, Oct 2025

The van ride is tougher than the climbing. Take a walking stick and enjoy the views. Our guide, Eyal, was fantastically informative about the regios history. You can tell he loves his job and takes it seriously. We loved it. I didn’t think I was gonna like it but it was well worth the money. Thanks Viator. Great job Eyal. He also speaks 4 languages.

Response from Host, Nov 2025

Great to read how much the experience surprised you in the best way. We’re thrilled that the Masada & Dead Sea tour turned out to be so worthwhile and that Eyal’s knowledge, passion, and multilingual skills made the day even more meaningful. He truly loves what he does, and it shows. Thank you for sharing your impressions — we’re happy you enjoyed the views, the hike, and the journey. Hope to welcome you again!

Well worth it!!

Tom_K, Oct 2025

Highly recommended I would do it again if I ever come back to Israel. The guide Yuval, was fantastic. On top of having a great sense of humor, he provided in-depth history on the entire tour and the many places visited. I have a much better understanding of Israel history.

First time solo traveler

Shari_F, Oct 2025

Avi was a great guide. Really knew the history. Fantastic experience. I would recommend to solo travelers.

Masada cable car closes since August I Brien.

David_P, Sep 2025

Driver competent and patient. Showed good skill set for touring. He should have known cable car was out and not pretend it was a surprise.

Response from Host, Nov 2025

We certainly try our best to be informed, Apologise that this is what you sensed, Ther have been times when ast the last moment with no prior warning,the vcable car service is out of order,They donot inform companies arriving on the day,

Make sure communicate...

Ruby_K, May 2025

Make sure communicate with driver thru what’App. Example booking last minute Confirmed and charged but no one knows I was waiting driver where we requested. Anyway they refund it and I missed visiting Masada

Response from Host, Dec 2025

Sorry there wasw this occurence.It is not something that occurs often as communication is verified numerous t imes.

Dream trip!

Salvatore_S, Sep 2024

Masada is a must! As a history buff, this was a dream! It was over 100 degrees but worth it. Cable car to the top. See everything and take it all in

Response from Host, Dec 2025

Yes indeed this a spectacular region and happy to know you took it all in!

Waiting for refund of cancelled trip

Alan_M, Aug 2024

The trip was canceled the day before. The tour operator instructed me to reach out to you Viator for a refund.. I emailed Viator with my booking info, and was told two days ago you will look into it. I am still waiting for my charge to be credited back and disappointed that there was no communication between theater and the tour operator regarding this cancellation and that I had to do this myself and have to now wait.. extremely disappointed

Response from Host, Dec 2025

We always process refunds!! however they may take a little time!

TRULY DISAPPOINTED!

Robyn_C, Mar 2024

Beyond disappointing! My son and I signed up for the Masada/Dead Sea tour. We only had one day to see these sights and we had many options, but chose Viator. We were left waiting in front of our hotel for an hour and the tour guide never showed up! We messaged the tour guide twice and he never responded. The Viator operator tried calling the driver and he never picked up the phone. My son was so disappointed as this was to be a highlight of our trip. We’re going back to the U.S. and do not know when the opportunity to return to Israel will be, if ever. I should have looked at the other one star reviews for this trip, but didn’t. Don’t trust this tour in booking this experience.

Response from Host, Dec 2025

Sorry that this wasyour experience Wetry our very best.such situations need to br checked out fully

Very disappointing overall

Sally_B, Oct 2023

It was amazing to see Masada and then at lunchtime with Eric went very downhill. We were left at the front door of the shops to find the restaurant whereas all other guides took their clients through. We were left to find the restaurant queue and wait/waste 30+ minutes to enter with less than 30 minutes to eat at a very high price very extremely average food. Then we went to the Dead Sea where nothing but the shop was explained I.e. shuttle, towels etc. All the clients were waiting outside prior to 4.30pm departure when one of us 15 minutes later had to go and find the guide and bus driver in the complex to leave - no apologies given. When we arrived in Jerusalem to bus parked and we were herded off to catch a train with no tickets, the guide hoping we wouldn’t be fined as tourists as the streets were blocked. An extremely harrowing day for us, so not a happy day.

Response from Host, Oct 2023

We're deeply sorry to hear about your disappointing experience, and we apologize for any inconvenience you faced during the tour. Your feedback is valuable to us, and we'll address these concerns with our team. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.

Excellent tour, Excellent guide

Karen_S, Oct 2023

Excellent trip. Masada is a marvel. We were given choice of exploring on our own or following our tour guide. I chose to stay with our guide. Ample time was spent on site for viewing, listening and photographing. This tour spends an hour and a half at the Dead Sea. It was ample time to change into swim suit, enjoy 20 minutes of floating, do the mud, shower , change into clothing and peruse the gift shop before leaving. However, If you are wanting to do all these things with added time to lounge by the sea, I suggest you take the 4 hour Dead Sea tour. There is a large inground swimming pool on site and pick nicking facilities also complete with grills. Our guides name was Dan Porges. Definitely worth seeking him out. He is a very kind good natured, organized but patient man. He is knowledgeable, loves questions and his guiding skills are well honed. He kept the tour flowing even when challenged and it did happen. Please don’t be the person(s) to wander off to do something without telling your guide in case you should get held up or to be late for a meeting point if you’re given time to explore on your own. Not respectful at all to your fellow tourists or of their time. There were also several special requests that Dan was able to work out for individuals. If he knows up front what you’re personally trying to get out of the tour, he has the organizational skills to work it for you as long as he’s able to keep the tour on schedule. Thanks Dan, for a wonderful day!

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're delighted to hear that you had an excellent tour and enjoyed Masada and the Dead Sea. It's great to know that our guide, Dan Porges, made your experience special with his knowledge and excellent guiding skills. We appreciate your valuable insights and suggestions for those seeking a more leisurely experience at the Dead Sea. We hope to see you on another tour soon!

Masada, not to be missed

Melinda, Sep 2023

Masada was amazing! From the cable ride, to the views from the top, to the structural remains - what a unique and interesting place. Our guide, Orion, told the story in an engaging way, holding our interest as we moved throughout the site. The Dead Sea was another unique site and we enjoyed the float.

Response from Host, Sep 2023

We're thrilled to hear that you had an amazing experience at Masada and enjoyed the uniqueness of the Dead Sea. It's great to know that Orion, your guide, made the visit engaging and informative. Thank you for sharing your positive feedback with us!

Poor tour guide

Emma_P, Sep 2023

The tour guide wasn’t interested in the tour , very little energy and wasn’t great at telling you where to be and what time ….the experience could have been so much better

Response from Host, Sep 2023

We're sorry to hear that your tour experience was not up to your expectations due to the tour guide's lack of enthusiasm and communication. Your feedback is important to us, and we apologize for any inconvenience you faced. Thank you for sharing your concerns.

Engage with the tourists gets more tips.

Helen_H, Sep 2023

The trip in general was good, however the guide we had appeared throughout the day to be very uninterested in being there. Although he was certainly knowledgeable about Masada, we got very little general information, example: you can hire towels & there is s beach shuttle. This would of be good to know particularly in 34° heat.

Response from Host, Sep 2023

We appreciate your input, and we're glad to hear that the overall experience was good. We apologize if our guide appeared uninterested and didn't provide some useful general information. We will certainly work on engaging more with our tourists and ensuring they have all the necessary information for a comfortable tour.

Masada and Dead Sea day tour ¬ we had great time

adrienn_m, Aug 2023

We did Masada and Dead Sea 1 day tour from Jerusalem with family. I read previous comments before booked the trip so sort of got prepared what to expect (change buses, too many people travelling together, crowd in Masada and Dead sea, expensive forced lunch, mandatory factory visit and buying products). Then our experience was completely different. Yes, we had to change bus once but it was smooth. Only 19 people travelled together, small group. Guide Aviva was professional and nice, well prepared. Lunch was not forced. Yes, we had 5 minutes at Dead Sea while the guy described their products, but that was all. Dead Sea and Masada was not crowded at all, we had enough time to spend there. Long story in short, we had a great day, worth to do this tour!

Response from Host, Aug 2023

Thank you for your positive review of our Masada and Dead Sea day tour. We're delighted that your experience exceeded your expectations, with a smooth bus transition, a small and enjoyable group, and the guidance of our professional Aviva. We value your feedback and hope to welcome you back for more memorable tours. After all embracing balance is the path to a more enriching journey.

Really unhelpful prior to...

Balaji_A, Jul 2023

Really unhelpful prior to the trip. Way too many bus changes wasting time. Too much time spent at Masada and not enough at Dead Sea. Please make sure to carry your own towels and slippers and water. Everything is extra - a big extra charge…

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Thank you for your feedback. We appreciate your input. Our bus changes are designed to save time, not waste it. Each site is allocated approximately 2 hours on the timetable. your recommendation to bring your own towels and slippers is much appreciated.

Experience this trip.

JONATHAN_G, Jul 2023

This was a wonderful experience. Learning about the history of Masada to its fall. Floating in the Dead Sea was a unique experience given that I can’t even float on my back in a pool. Tour guides were very informative and especially concerned (drink water) about our safety as it was one of the hottest days of the year. The buses were air-conditioned, which is a must. A few side excursions along the way to purchase Dead Sea cosmetics, and a place to get food after. It is a very rocky surface getting to the Dead Sea. Please note, you should bring a towel to dry off after( free showers are available) the Dead Sea plunge and sturdy water shoes like Teva’s. Our Flip-flops got destroyed. ( they sell these shoes there)

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Thank you very much for sharing your wonderful experience and for your satisfaction with Bein Harim Tours services. We're thrilled to hear that you had a memorable time learning about the history of Masada and experiencing the unique sensation of floating in the Dead Sea. And thank you for sharing helpful tips for future travelers.

Amazing Trip

99natalya, Jul 2023

Our Guide was Amazing. Beautiful Interesting stories I had heard from him. Looked like he really enjoyed what he is doing 👍 Thank You 🌸🙏🌸

Response from Host, Jul 2023

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

Great tour.

MICHAEL_C, Jul 2023

Michael was the best tour guide ever. The tour was organised very well. Highly recommended. Restaurants and coffee time just when you needed them.

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Thanks for sharing that you had a great memorable tour experience with Michael. Always good to receive such feedback.

Not enough time spent at...

Hailey_B, Jun 2023

Not enough time spent at Masada, didn’t get to see majority of the sights. Whole day feels like they’re trying to sell you on something or another. Lunch is forced at a restaurant/gift shop in Qumran which is overpriced and not good. Overall a cheaper way to see Masada and the Dead Sea than a private tour but you have to put up with a lot of nuisances.

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Thank you for sharing your feedback about your recent tour experience. We apologize for any dissatisfaction caused by the limited time spent at Masada and the rushed nature of the itinerary. In group tours, time constraints can sometimes prevent us from fully exploring all the sights at each destination. Group tours often offer a more cost-effective way to visit popular destinations like Masada and the Dead Sea. However, we understand that they may come with certain limitations and nuisances. We continuously strive to balance affordability and convenience while ensuring a fulfilling experience for our guests.

Overall, a great day out

Sieun_C, Jun 2023

I was impressed by our tour guide, Dorit. Her passion for her work and the destinations she showcased was evident throughout the tour. The tour itself has room for improvement. The Dead Sea beach was a bit of let down. Too small for a swim, the facility not great. I also found that I needed to be picked up by 7.55am but the actual tour didn't start until 9am, waiting at the city view cafe, was a bit of waste of time. Other than these, it was a well organised tour and I did enjoy the day.

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Thank you for sharing your feedback and for joining us on the tour. We're glad to hear that you had a great day overall and that you were impressed by Dorit, your tour guide, and her passion for her work and the destinations visited. We appreciate your constructive feedback regarding the Dead Sea beach. We understand that the size of the beach and the facilities may not have met your expectations. Regarding the pick-up time, it is important to note that the designated pick-up time often includes a window frame to account for traffic conditions and the logistics of picking up other guests.

Marvelous

Jose_O, Jun 2023

Masada was awesome. The man made structure was built in the 1st century and is very impressive. The tour guide was informative, but the museum had a propaganda film that we should have been warned about. It spoke of the Jewish soldiers and civilians who mostly committed suicide instead of surrendering to the Romans. The source is mainly from Josephus, which is not entirely accurate. The tour guide should have mentioned other reliable sources such as modern scholars. The Dead Sea was marvelous. The extremely salty water is a natural phenomenon and allows you to be buoyant in the water. I enjoyed having a mud bath. Very therapeutic.

Response from Host, Jun 2023

Thank you for your review and for sharing your experience of the Masada and Dead Sea tour. We're glad to hear that you found Masada to be an impressive and awe-inspiring man-made structure. We're delighted to hear that you found the Dead Sea to be marvelous and enjoyed the unique experience of floating in extremely salty water. The mud bath is indeed known for its therapeutic properties, and we're glad that you had the opportunity to indulge in it. Thank you again for your valuable feedback.

Recommendations

Paula_F, Jun 2023

Very well organized, comfortable transportation and our guide, Erez, was outstanding. First stop is the dead sea, they don’t advise this but bring water shoes. The beach is all rocks and very painful to walk on. They have lockers and showers so bring some soap and towels with you because you’ll end up covered in mud from the dead sea (recommended). The lunch stop is very busy and you spend one hour there. In Massada I would have liked more time to walk around and really enjoy the site. It was a bit rushed. Bring a hat and sunglasses if you go in the summer

Response from Host, Jun 2023

We're delighted to hear that you found the tour to be well-organized and the transportation comfortable. We also appreciate your kind words about our guide, Erez. Thank you for your feedback and for choosing our tour. We value your input as it helps us improve our services.

Dead Sea = good!

Jennifer_C, May 2023

Loved spending time at the Dead Sea. The Masada tour was interesting, too. Did not like the lunch stop/food. Expensive and tasteless.

Response from Host, May 2023

Thank you for sharing your review. I'm glad to hear that you loved spending time at the Dead Sea and found the Masada tour interesting. However, I'm sorry to hear that you did not enjoy the lunch stop and found the food to be expensive and tasteless.