Private Tours in Israel
Private Golan Heights Tour
- Full day
- Pickup: Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Herzliya, Netanya
- 4.4/5 company rating on TourRadar
- DurationFull day
- Starts08:30 AM, hotel pickup
- GuideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Russian
- Group sizeUp to 16 travelers
- CancellationFree cancellation up to 48 hours before the start time.
Overview
Stand on the edge of a volcano and look straight into Syria, then walk through a village that has not changed much in 1,500 years. This private Golan Heights tour takes you north from Tel Aviv with your own licensed guide and an air-conditioned car, so the day moves at your pace and the stops fit your interests.
You follow the coast north, then climb above the Sea of Galilee for wide views over the lake, the Jordan Valley and the hot springs of Hammat Gader. On the plateau you visit the ancient synagogue and Talmudic village of Katzrin, ride up Mount Bental for the famous lookout over the Quneitra Valley, and stand inside a former Syrian army position that tells the story of 1967.
Because the whole private Golan Heights tour belongs to your group, you can linger at a viewpoint, swap a stop, or add Banias waterfall or Nimrod Fortress when time and season allow. Families, couples and photographers all get a day that feels made for them, not for a bus timetable.
Pickup is from your hotel or home in Tel Aviv, with Herzliya and Jerusalem also possible, and this private Golan Heights tour lasts about 10 hours. Prefer to join a shared group? See our Golan Heights tour, or pair the north with a private Galilee tour. Browse all private tours in Israel for more ideas.
Highlights
- Your own licensed guide and private air-conditioned car for the whole day
- Panoramic views over the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan Valley from Poriya
- Lookout over the hot springs of Hammat Gader and the Yarmuk gorge
- The 6th-century synagogue and restored Talmudic village of ancient Katzrin
- Mount Bental, a dormant volcano with views across the Quneitra Valley
- A former Syrian army position that brings the 1967 war to life
- Optional Banias waterfall or Nimrod Fortress when time allows
- Flexible start time and hotel pickup in Tel Aviv, Herzliya or Jerusalem
Itinerary & route
Numbers match the itinerary below. Solid lines are walking legs, dashed lines are drives. Map is for orientation only.
- 1
08:30 AMPrivate pickup in Tel Aviv
Your guide and driver meet you at your hotel or home in Tel Aviv. Herzliya and Jerusalem pickups can also be arranged. On the drive north along the coast your guide gives a short history of the Golan Heights so the day makes sense from the first stop.
- 2
10:15 AMPoriya viewpoint over the Sea of Galilee
Stop on the ridge above Tiberias for a wide view over the Sea of Galilee, the Jordan Valley and the Golan cliffs on the far shore. It is one of the best photo spots in the north. To explore the lakeshore itself, see our Nazareth and Sea of Galilee tour.
- 3
11:00 AMHammat Gader overlook
Climb the southern Golan road to look down on Hammat Gader, home to hot springs used since Roman times, and the deep Yarmuk gorge along the border with Jordan.
- 4
11:30 AMShalom Observatory
At Mitzpe HaShalom your guide explains what the Golan looked like from the lake before 1967, when the villages below lived within range of the guns on this ridge.
- 5
12:30 PMAncient Katzrin and its synagogue
Walk through the restored Talmudic village of Katzrin, with stone houses, an olive press and a basalt synagogue from the 6th century. Lunch can be arranged in modern Katzrin nearby. If you like history, you can also visit the Golan archaeological museum in town.
- 6
02:00 PMMount Bental lookout
Drive up Mount Bental, an extinct volcano with old bunkers on its summit. From the top you look across the Quneitra Valley into Syria and see why this high ground has always mattered.
- 7
03:00 PMFormer Syrian fortification
Visit a former Syrian army position such as Tel Faher, where trenches and memorials tell the story of the 1967 battles for the Golan.
- 8
03:45 PMOptional: Banias or Nimrod Fortress
If there is time and you would like more nature or history, add the waterfall at Banias Nature Reserve or the Crusader-era walls of Nimrod Fortress. Tell your guide in the morning and they will plan the day around it.
- 9
04:30 PMReturn via the Jordan River
Head south through the Hula Valley and along the Jordan River on the way back to your hotel. Drop-off in Tel Aviv is usually around 18:30. Want another day in the north? Try our Christian Galilee tour.
What's included
Included
- Private licensed tour guide for your group
- Private air-conditioned vehicle for the whole day
- Pickup and drop-off at your hotel or private address in Tel Aviv
- Flexible start time and route adjustments on request
- Bottled water in the vehicle
- All taxes and service charges
Not included
- Lunch and drinks
- Entrance fees to optional sites such as Banias or Nimrod Fortress
- Tips for the guide and driver
- Travel insurance
- Anything not listed as included
Pickup & meeting point
- Tel AvivNo pickup fee
- JerusalemNo pickup fee
- HerzliyaNo pickup fee
- NetanyaNo pickup fee
You choose your pickup city when you book. We confirm the exact pickup time and place by email or WhatsApp the day before the tour.
Tour ends with: Return via the Jordan River
Know before you go
Pickup and Start Time
Standard pickup is around 08:30 from your hotel or private address in Tel Aviv. Herzliya and Jerusalem pickups are available. A different start time can be requested when you book, and we confirm the exact time the day before.
What to Bring
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Hat, sunscreen and sunglasses
- Water
- A warm layer or jacket from November to March
- Passport or ID
Dress Code
Casual clothing is fine. Bring modest clothing covering shoulders and knees if you would like to enter an active synagogue or church.
Physical Requirements
Easy to moderate. Short walks on uneven basalt paths and a few steps at viewpoints and bunkers. Let us know about mobility needs and we will adapt the route.
Age and Children
Suitable for all ages. Children ride free of extra charge only if counted within your group size in the booking form. Child seats can be requested in advance.
Language
English is included. Spanish, French, German and Russian guides are available on request for a supplement.
Cancellation Policy
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before the start time. Cancel between 48 and 24 hours before the tour: 25% cancellation fee. Cancel within 24 hours of the start time, or no-show: 100% cancellation fee.
Cancellation policy
| When you cancel | Cancellation fee |
|---|---|
| 48+ hours before the start time | Free cancellation |
| 24 to 47 hours before | 25% fee |
| Less than 24 hours before, or no-show | 100% fee (no refund) |
Need to change your date instead? Message us before the tour and we will do our best to move your booking. If we cancel or materially change a tour, you can choose an alternative date, a credit or a refund. Read the booking terms.
Frequently asked questions
How does private pricing work?
You pay one total price for your whole group, not per seat on a bus. The price steps up with group size, for example 1 to 3 guests, 4 to 6, 7 to 13 and 14 to 16, because larger groups need a bigger vehicle. Pick your group size in the booking form and it shows the exact total before you pay.
How many people can join?
From 1 up to 16 guests. Everyone in the booking travels together in one private vehicle with one guide. For larger groups, message us and we will arrange more vehicles. More ideas are in our private tours in Israel.
Can I choose the pickup time?
Yes. The standard start is around 08:30 from Tel Aviv, but we can adjust it by request when you book. Pickup is from your hotel or private address in Tel Aviv, and Herzliya or Jerusalem can also be arranged.
How long is the tour?
Plan for about 10 hours door to door. The Golan is roughly two and a half hours north of Tel Aviv, so the drive is part of the day, with a short break on the way.
Is the Golan Heights safe to visit?
Tourist sites in the Golan are open and visited daily, and your guide follows current security guidance. Some areas near the border can close at short notice, and in that case your guide swaps to another site. Check the latest advice from the Israel Ministry of Tourism before you travel.
What is the weather like in the Golan?
The Golan is cooler and windier than Tel Aviv, and in winter it can rain or even snow on high ground. Bring a jacket from November to March, and a hat, sunscreen and water in summer. The Israel Meteorological Service has a reliable forecast.
What should I wear and bring?
Comfortable walking shoes, a hat, water and layers. Some stops involve short walks on uneven basalt paths, like those in reserves run by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. Modest clothing is a good idea if you want to enter an active place of worship.
Is the tour good for children?
Yes. Kids usually love the bunkers on Mount Bental and the old village at Katzrin. Because the tour is private, you can add breaks or ice cream stops whenever you need them. For a lake-focused day, see our Nazareth and Sea of Galilee tour.
Which languages are available?
English is included. Spanish, French, German and Russian guides are available on request for a supplement, subject to guide availability. Contact us before booking if you need another language.
Is lunch included and can we change the route?
Lunch is not included, but your guide will stop at a good local place, often in Katzrin or at a winery restaurant. The route is flexible, so you can swap or add stops such as Nimrod Fortress. See our shared Golan Heights tour if you prefer a fixed group day.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancel for free up to 48 hours before your start time. Cancelling between 48 and 24 hours before the tour carries a 25% fee, and cancelling within 24 hours or not showing up carries a 100% fee. Private guides and vehicles are reserved only for you, which is why the window is a little longer than on our shared day tours. You can read general visitor guidance from the Israel Ministry of Tourism when planning your dates.
Why book with Booking-Tours
- Local operator in Eilat since 2008Our own office and team on the ground, not a call center abroad.
- Licensed local guidesSmall details, good pacing and real stories at every stop.
- Real people on WhatsAppHelp in English, Russian and Hebrew before and during your trip.
- Secure online paymentPay by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay through Stripe.
“We had a great experience during our tour in Petra. Our tour guide, Ahmed, was very friendly and kind…”
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