Israel Package Tours
Bethlehem, Jericho and Masada 2 Day Tour
- 2 days
- Pickup: Tel Aviv, Jerusalem
- 4.4/5 company rating on TourRadar
- Duration2 days
- Starts07:15 AM, hotel pickup
- GuideEnglish
- Group sizeUp to 45 travelers
- CancellationNon-refundable: this tour includes a pre-paid hotel night.
Overview
Ride a cable car up to King Herod's desert fortress, float in the Dead Sea, and stand where tradition places the baptism and the birth of Jesus on this Bethlehem Jericho Masada 2 day tour. It skips the crowded Jerusalem walking day and puts the desert, the Jordan Valley and Bethlehem at the center instead. You travel with a licensed English-speaking guide, with hotel pickup from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem and a night in a tourist class hotel with breakfast.
Day 1 drops below sea level through the Judean wilderness to Masada. The cable car takes you to the summit plateau to explore Herod's palaces, cisterns and synagogue and to hear the story of the last Jewish rebels against Rome. You then drive past the oasis of Ein Gedi and the Qumran cliffs to finish with a float in the Dead Sea. Day 2 brings you into the Bible lands of the Jordan Valley: Wadi Qelt, Jericho and the sycamore of Zacchaeus, the baptism site at Qasr al-Yahud, and finally the Church of the Nativity and Shepherds' Field in Bethlehem.
This Bethlehem Jericho Masada 2 day tour is a great match if you have already seen Jerusalem or plan to tour it on another day, and you want to cover the south and the West Bank in one go. Masada and the Dead Sea alone fill a full day, and so do Jericho and Bethlehem. Trying to combine them in one day would mean watching most of it through a bus window. With a hotel night in the middle, both days keep a comfortable pace.
Choose Tel Aviv or Jerusalem for pickup when you book. Your per-person price depends on room type, double, triple or single, and the booking form shows the exact price for your date and pickup city. The package includes a pre-paid hotel night, so this Bethlehem Jericho Masada 2 day tour is non-refundable. Prefer to see Jerusalem too? Look at the Jerusalem and Bethlehem day tour, the Masada Dead Sea day tour from Tel Aviv, or our 5 day Israel tour. Check the calendar and book your seats today.
Highlights
- Cable car ride to the top of Masada, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Herod's cliffside palaces, bathhouses and ancient synagogue
- The dramatic story of the Roman siege and the last Jewish rebels
- Views of the Ein Gedi oasis and the Qumran caves
- Float in the Dead Sea at the lowest point on Earth
- Jericho, the sycamore of Zacchaeus and the Mount of Temptation
- Qasr al-Yahud baptism site on the Jordan River
- Church of the Nativity and Shepherds' Field in Bethlehem
- 1 night in a tourist class hotel with breakfast
Itinerary & route
Numbers match the itinerary below. Solid lines are walking legs, dashed lines are drives. Map is for orientation only.
- Day 1Masada and the Dead Sea
- 1
07:15 AMHotel pickup
Your guide picks you up at around 07:15 from Tel Aviv hotels or about 08:30 from Jerusalem hotels. The pickup window can open 30 to 60 minutes earlier, and the exact time is confirmed the day before. Have your passport ready for the checkpoints on this route.
- 2
MorningDescent into the Judean wilderness
The road from Jerusalem winds down through the desert past the Inn of the Good Samaritan. You stop where a sign marks sea level and look out over the bare hills, with Jericho visible far below.
- 3
Late MorningCable car to Masada's summit
Follow the salt-white shore of the Dead Sea south to Masada. Instead of climbing the steep Snake Path, you ride the cable car to the plateau. Up top you explore Herod's palace complex, his swimming pool, storerooms, water cisterns and one of the oldest synagogues in the land.
- 4
MiddayThe siege of Masada
Your guide tells how Jewish rebels held the mountain for three years during the revolt against Rome, until the Roman army built a huge ramp up its side. Look down at the ramp and the remains of the Roman camps. A scroll with the vision of Ezekiel was found here, one of the most moving finds on the site.
- 5
AfternoonEin Gedi and Qumran from the road
Heading north along the shore, you pass the green oasis of Ein Gedi, where young David hid from King Saul. Further on are the Qumran cliffs, where the Dead Sea Scrolls lay hidden in caves for 2,000 years.
- 6
Late AfternoonFloat in the Dead Sea
End the day at a beach on the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth. The mineral-rich water holds you up like a raft, so you can lie back and float even if you have never learned to swim.
-
EveningOvernight at your tourist class hotel
Check in at your tourist class hotel and spend the evening as you like. The hotel name and location are confirmed on your booking voucher. Breakfast is served before you set out on day 2.
- Day 2Jericho, the Jordan River and Bethlehem
- 7
MorningWadi Qelt and the road to Jericho
After breakfast you return to the desert road toward the Jordan Valley. Pause above Wadi Qelt to spot the 5th century Monastery of Saint George hanging from the canyon wall.
- 8
Mid-MorningJericho and the Mount of Temptation
In Jericho, the City of Palms, see the old sycamore linked to Zacchaeus and hear the story of Joshua and the walls. Above the town rises the Mount of Temptation, where tradition says Jesus fasted for 40 days and resisted the devil.
- 9
MiddayQasr al-Yahud baptism site
Walk down to the Jordan River at Qasr al-Yahud, the spot linked to the baptism of Jesus by John. The narrow river is the border with Jordan, and the opposite bank is only a few meters away.
- 10
AfternoonChurch of the Nativity
Drive up to Bethlehem, the hometown of King David's family and the birthplace of Jesus. Bend through the low entrance of the Church of the Nativity and, crowds permitting, go down to the grotto where a star marks the place of his birth. Then visit Saint Catherine's Church and the cave where Saint Jerome produced the Latin Bible.
- 11
Late AfternoonShepherds' Field and return
The final visit is Shepherds' Field, where the angel brought the news of Christ's birth to the shepherds. From here you start the drive back to Tel Aviv or Jerusalem.
- 12
EveningDrop-off at your hotel
Drop-off is at your hotel in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem, usually in the early evening depending on traffic. It is a full two days, so plan a quiet dinner that night.
What's included
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem
- Professional licensed English-speaking guide
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- 1 night in a tourist class hotel
- Breakfast on day 2
Not included
- Masada National Park entrance with the round-trip cable car: about $32 per person, paid on the day
- Lunches and dinners
- Drinks
- Tips for the guide and driver
- Optional Dead Sea spa treatments
- Personal expenses and travel insurance
Pickup & meeting point
- Tel AvivFrom $347 per adult
- JerusalemFrom $347 per adult
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: Drop-off at your hotel
Know before you go
Pickup and Start Time
Hotel pickup at around 07:15 in Tel Aviv or 08:30 in Jerusalem. The pickup window may start 30 to 60 minutes earlier. We confirm the exact time the day before.
Accommodation
1 night in a tourist class hotel with breakfast. The hotel name and location appear on your booking voucher.
Rooms and Prices
Prices are per person by room type: double (2 or more travelers), triple (3 or more travelers) or single. Children pay the same rate as adults. The booking form shows the exact price for your date, room and pickup city.
What to Bring
- Valid passport for both days
- Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen
- At least 1.5 liters of water per person
- Swimwear, towel and flip-flops
- Modest clothing for the Bethlehem churches
Dress Code
To enter churches, men and women must cover knees and shoulders. Shorts are not allowed, and you may be turned away if the dress code is not met. Light, breathable clothes are best for Masada.
Physical Requirements
Moderate. The cable car handles the climb, but Masada's summit involves 1 to 2 hours of walking on uneven ground in strong sun. Day 2 has short walks and some steps at each site.
Age and Children
Not suitable for children under 4.
Language
English-speaking professional licensed guide.
Cancellation Policy
This package is non-refundable because it includes a pre-paid hotel night. Date changes may be possible on request and depend on availability, so please contact us.
Cancellation policy
| When you cancel | Cancellation fee |
|---|---|
| Any time after booking, or no-show | 100% fee (no refund) |
This tour includes flights or accommodation that are booked for you as soon as you book, so it is non-refundable, including no-shows. Border and visa fees are also non-refundable once paid. We strongly recommend travel insurance that covers trip cancellation. If we cancel or materially change the tour, you can choose an alternative date, a credit or a full refund. Read the booking terms.
Frequently asked questions
What is included in the Bethlehem Jericho Masada 2 day tour price?
The price is per person and depends on the room you choose: double room (2 or more travelers), triple room (3 or more travelers) or single room for solo travelers or anyone who wants a private room. Children pay the same per-person rate as adults. The booking form shows the exact price for your date, room type and pickup city. You get hotel pickup and drop-off, a licensed English-speaking guide, an air-conditioned vehicle, 1 hotel night and breakfast. Masada entrance with the cable car is an extra of about $32 per person, paid on the day.
When and where does pickup happen?
We collect you from your hotel in Tel Aviv at around 07:15 or in Jerusalem at around 08:30. Pickups may begin 30 to 60 minutes earlier, and we confirm your time the day before. Day 2 begins at your overnight hotel after breakfast.
Where do we spend the night?
You stay one night in a tourist class hotel with breakfast. The name and location of the hotel are confirmed on your booking voucher.
What is the cancellation policy?
The tour is non-refundable because the hotel night is pre-paid. If something changes, contact us and we will try to move your booking to another date, subject to availability.
Which days does the tour depart?
The tour currently runs every day of the week on open dates. Seats and dates change through the year, so check the calendar in the booking form.
Do I need my passport? Is there a dress code?
Yes, bring your passport on both days. Jericho, Qasr al-Yahud and Bethlehem are in the West Bank, and the route passes checkpoints. Knees and shoulders must be covered for men and women at churches, so wear long trousers or a long skirt on day 2. Shorts can mean refused entry.
Is Masada hard on the legs?
No climbing is needed, because the cable car takes you up and down. On the summit you walk about 1 to 2 hours over uneven ground and some steps, in strong sun. Day 2 has short walks at each site. Average fitness is enough.
Can kids come along?
Yes, from age 4. The tour is not suitable for children under 4. Children pay the same per-person rate as adults because prices are set by hotel room. Masada can be very hot, so bring extra water and hats for kids.
Are lunch and dinner included?
Only breakfast on day 2 is included. Lunches, dinners and drinks are at your own cost, and your guide stops where food is available.
What should I bring?
Bring your passport, a sun hat, sunscreen, at least 1.5 liters of water, comfortable shoes, swimwear and a towel for the Dead Sea, and modest clothes for Bethlehem. Pack an overnight bag and some cash for meals.
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…”
N. M., Mexico · Trustpilot
