Masada, Ein Gedi & Dead Sea Guided Tour – Exploring the Southern District from Jerusalem

Exploring the sites of Masada, Ein Gedi and the Dead Sea often fills visitors to Jerusalem with excitement and curiosity. These three destinations, within easy reach of the holy city, add another layer of biblical history and beauty to any trip to Israel.

This guide aims to answer the question “What’s the best way to experience Masada, Ein Gedi and the Dead Sea in southern Israel from Jerusalem?” and offers a range of ideas for a fantastic guided tour.

What to See

Masada

The ancient fortress of Masada is located in the Judean desert in the southern district of Israel. It is situated on the edge of a mountain overlooking the Dead Sea and is one of Israel’s most iconic sites.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site was recently named one of the 7 Wonders of the World. It is the symbol of Jewish heroism in the ancient world and is sure to make an impression on everyone who visits it. The site includes defensive walls from several historical periods, a theatre, aqueducts and a synagogue.

There are also ancient remains such as palaces, bathhouses and storerooms in addition to historical remnants from later periods like a Byzantine Catholic monastery. The most famous of all remains, however, is the Herod Palace which was built around 40 BC.

Ein Gedi

Not far from Masada lies Ein Gedi, an oasis with impressively green valley overlooked by barren cliffs. This lush palm oasis is home to a vast variety of plant species and animals. It is home to several popular waterfalls and a few small lakes.

Ein Gedi highlights the unique beauty of Israel’s desert landscape. Although the surrounding land has been developed for agriculture in recent years, the landscape still looks much like it did when it was described in the Bible. Ein Gedi is known for its tranquility and serenity and offers an unforgettable experience of nature.

Dead Sea

Last but certainly not least there’s the Dead Sea – a salt lake located between Jordan, the West Bank and Israel. It is 9.6 times as salty as the ocean and has many therapeutic properties due to its naturally high concentration of minerals such as magnesium, calcium and potassium.

Visitors to the Dead Sea are encouraged to bathe in its highly salty waters because these can help to heal various skin conditions such as psoriasis or dry skin. It is also a popular spot for sunbathing due to its high temperatures which range from 18 °C (64 °F) in winter to 40 °C (104 °F) in summer. Floating on the surface of the Dead Sea is another unique experience which visitors are sure to never forget!

How to Get There

Visitors travelling from Jerusalem can reach Masada, Ein Gedi and the Dead Sea easily via public transport or a private car.

1) Public Transport: The best way to get from Jerusalem to Masada, Ein Gedi and the Dead Sea is by taking a bus from Jerusalem Central Bus Station (Migdal Shaul) on Bar Ilan Street to Arad and then switching onto another bus for Masada. The entire journey takes about four hours with buses leaving about every two hours during daytime depending on the day of week.
From Masada visitors can then take a bus to Ein Gedi which runs between the two sites three times daily. This bus continues onwards to the Dead Sea before returning back to Arad. It is possible to return to Jerusalem from Arad via public transport as well although this journey will take longer.

2) Private Car: Another way of getting from Jerusalem to Masada, Ein Gedi and the Dead Sea is by taking a private car. This can be done either by renting a car or hiring a taxi or private driver. The advantage of this option is that it offers more flexibility in terms of arrival times and stops on route. However, it will also be more expensive than taking public transport for a larger group.

What Else?
The idea of exploring these top attractions from Jerusalem can be further enhanced with a winning combination of knowledge, scenery and fun activities via a professionally guided tour!

A guided tour can encompass a variety of experiences from rafting through rapids at Ein Gedi National Park, splashing around in springs at Ein Bokek (located on the southern shore of the Dead Sea), learning about ancient traditions at Masada where King Herod constructed a mountain-top fortress or simply floating on the water at the highly salinated Dead Sea – the lowest point on earth! Visiting with a small group means trips are tailored to individual needs and guests can wave goodbye to worry that sights might be missed or not enjoyed properly without expert help!

Get Your Guide (https://www.getyourguide.com/activity/-t119056?partner_id=UWJ1LS2) offer convenient access to all these experiences via their comprehensive package which caters to every traveler’s whim – whether it’s riding in style on modern air-conditioned coaches or exploring three incredible sites with experienced guides ready to answer any questions! Whatever your needs, GetYourGuide has all angles covered!

Conclusion
Exploring Masada, Ein Gedi and the Dead Sea from Jerusalem gives you the chance to behold incredible biblical attractions up-close and personal! Each site offers its unique features which will capture each traveler’s attention in its own way. Making sure you have all essential information for your trip makes a huge difference in terms of enjoyment so don’t forget to book a professional guide through GetYourGuide whose tour packages include plenty of extras! With their help you will be able to make sure that your trip is hassle-free, organized and informative taking away any stress of not enjoying all that these three must-see attractions have to offer!