DEAD SEA, MASADA, EIN GEDI TOUR
Beautiful drive through the world’s smallest desert.
Option for a Jeeping tour through the desert- Anyone with a driver’s license can take the front wheel.
Option for Camel Rides.
Qumran- Dead Sea scrolls were found here. We will tour the remains of the breakaway Jewish Sect called the Yachad (Josephus calls them the Essenes) who lived a monastic life here.
Masada- We will take the cable car up to Israel’s 2nd most visited site, famous for the Great Jewish Revolt which will climax with the destruction of the Second Temple. The last stand of the revolt took place here and with Masada’s fall came the Jewish Exile which continues to affect us to this day. Beautiful view of the Dead Sea from the top.
Swimming in the Dead Sea - More like floating. Feel free to read a newspaper while floating on the water. The saltiest body of water on earth and rich in minerals, the water is great for the skin. The Dead Sea's therapeutic waters have been known since the Roman Times.
Cleopatra had this sea seized for her. Dead Sea skin products
are sold all over the world.
Ein Gedi - An easy, family friendly hike in a desert, freshwater oasis. Although the Judean desert is barren (50 mm of rain a year), plenty of water is found here. Besides the beautiful plants and usual spotting of Hyraxes (type of rodent) and Ibex (gazelles), there is an option for swimming in its cool natural pools. See why when King David fled from Shaul, he came here.
Some of the other sites we can visit that day include:
Lot’s Wife at Mount Sodom - Biblical Mount Sodom which in Bereshis (book of Genesis) was turned into a pillar of Salt. We will see the mountain completely made of Salt and “Lot’s wife” who turned around after being warned by G-d not to look and was converted into a pillar of salt. For more on this site, check out this article I wrote: Mount Sodom
Ein Gedi Talmudic Synagogue- Ancient synagogue with original
mosaic floor. For more on this site, check out this article I wrote: Ein Gedi
Tour package options:
* Full day tour including your private tour guide, personalized itinerary, and having us take care of the logistics. Admission & car rental is extra. Bring as many participants as you would like. This tour costs $650.
** Full day tour including your private tour guide, personalized itinerary, private driver, luxurious vehicle, pickup/drop off at your door, personalized itinerary, and having us take care of the logistics. Starts at $1095 (dependent on size of vehicle needed).
Admission extra (but minimal).