Israel Package Tours
Jerusalem, Bethlehem 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
Walk where Jesus walked, kneel where he was born, then stand on Herod's desert fortress: this Jerusalem Bethlehem Masada 2 day tour links the Holy Land's most loved places in one easy trip. Day 1 pairs the Old City of Jerusalem with Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity. Day 2 heads down to Masada and ends with a float in the Dead Sea, with a hotel night and breakfast in between.
Day 1 opens with the view from the Mount of Olives, then enters the Old City through Zion Gate. You walk the Byzantine Cardo, visit the Western Wall, pray along the Via Dolorosa and reach the Church of the Holy Sepulchre before browsing the Old City bazaars. In the afternoon you cross to Bethlehem for Manger Square, the Church of the Nativity, St. Catherine's Church and Shepherds' Field. Day 2 follows the desert road to Masada, where the cable car takes you to Herod's palaces, then winds up on a Dead Sea beach.
This trip was built with Christian pilgrims, church groups and Bible readers in mind, but anyone curious about the Holy Land will love it. Bethlehem alone deserves an unhurried afternoon, and adding Masada and the Dead Sea to the same day is simply too much. On the Jerusalem Bethlehem Masada 2 day tour each part gets proper time, from singing a carol in the caves under the Nativity church to relaxing in the salty water. Your licensed English-speaking guide handles the checkpoint, the timing and the stories.
Hotel pickup is at about 07:15 in Tel Aviv or about 08:30 in Jerusalem, and on day 2 you are dropped back at your hotel in either city. Your night is in a tourist class hotel with breakfast, named on your voucher. Book a double, triple or single room, and the booking form shows the exact per-person price for your date, room type and pickup city. Because the hotel night is pre-paid, the package is non-refundable. Prefer day trips? See the Jerusalem and Bethlehem day tour, the Christian Jerusalem day tour or our Masada Dead Sea tour. Ready for both days? Reserve your Jerusalem Bethlehem Masada 2 day tour now.
Highlights
- View over the Old City from the Mount of Olives
- Walk the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
- Visit the Western Wall and the Byzantine Cardo
- Church of the Nativity and Manger Square in Bethlehem
- St. Jerome's caves under St. Catherine's Church
- Shepherds' Field and the Church of the Angels
- Cable car ride up to Herod's palaces on Masada
- Float in the Dead Sea at the lowest point on Earth
- Hotel pickup, 1 night hotel and breakfast included
Itinerary & route
Numbers match the itinerary below. Solid lines are walking legs, dashed lines are drives. Map is for orientation only.
- Day 1Jerusalem and Bethlehem
- 1
07:15 AMHotel pickup in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem
Meet your guide at your hotel in Tel Aviv at about 07:15, or in Jerusalem at about 08:30. Pickups can begin 30 to 60 minutes earlier, and the exact time is confirmed the day before. Keep your passport handy, since you cross a checkpoint into Bethlehem later today.
- 2
MorningMount of Olives and the Kidron Valley
Look across the Old City and the Temple Mount from the Mount of Olives, above the ancient Jewish cemetery where tradition says the resurrection will begin. Driving down, you pass the Garden of Gethsemane, the Church of All Nations and the rock-cut tombs of the Kidron Valley, including the Tomb of Absalom.
- 3
Late morningZion Gate, the Cardo and the Western Wall
Enter through Zion Gate and walk across the Armenian Quarter into the Jewish Quarter. Stroll the restored Byzantine Cardo, now lined with shops, then continue to the Western Wall. It was part of the walls around the Temple Mount almost 2,000 years ago and is still a place of prayer today.
- 4
MiddayVia Dolorosa, Holy Sepulchre and the bazaars
Follow the Via Dolorosa and stop at several Stations of the Cross on the way to Golgotha. The last stations are inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which marks the place of the crucifixion and the tomb of Jesus. Before leaving the Old City, wander through the bazaars of the Christian and Muslim Quarters.
- 5
AfternoonBethlehem and the Church of the Nativity
Cross into Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus and home of Jesse, King David's father. From Manger Square you enter the 4th century Church of the Nativity, one of the oldest churches still in daily use. A silver star in the grotto below marks the traditional spot of the birth, though crowds sometimes make the grotto visit impossible. Next door, St. Catherine's Church leads down to the caves where St. Jerome translated the Bible into Latin, a lovely place to sing a carol.
- 6
Late afternoonShepherds' Field
Drive to Shepherds' Field in Beit Sahour, where Luke tells of the angel appearing to the shepherds. The Church of the Angels, designed by Antonio Barluzzi, retells the story of Jesus' early life in its panels. On the way back you pass the Field of Ruth, linked to King David's great-grandmother.
-
EveningOvernight at your tourist class hotel
Settle in at your tourist class hotel, which is named on your booking voucher. Dinner is on your own, so you are free to rest or explore nearby. Breakfast is ready the next morning before you set off for the desert.
- Day 2Masada and the Dead Sea
- 7
MorningDesert road below sea level
After breakfast you leave Jerusalem and descend into the biblical wilderness. Pass the Inn of the Good Samaritan, then stop for photos at the sea level marker. Jericho, where Jesus healed the blind man, shows up on the horizon.
- 8
Late morningHerod's fortress at Masada
Ride the cable car up to the plateau of Masada instead of climbing the Snake Path. Explore Herod's two palaces, his bathhouse and storerooms, and the synagogue on the summit. Your guide tells the story of the rebels who defied Rome here, and of the scroll of Ezekiel found in the ruins.
- 9
MiddayAlong the shore to Ein Gedi and Qumran
Drive north along the shore past Ein Gedi, the oasis of waterfalls where David hid from Saul. You also pass the Qumran caves, where the Dead Sea Scrolls lay hidden for about 2,000 years. Masada and the nearby nature reserves are run by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority.
- 10
AfternoonFree time at the Dead Sea
Wind down on a Dead Sea beach at the lowest point on land. Wade in, lie back and let the salt hold you up, with the mountains of Moab across the water. Leave time to rinse off and change before the drive home.
- 11
EveningDrop-off at your hotel in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem
Your coach brings you back to your hotel in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem in the evening. Drop-off time depends on traffic, so plan dinner with some flexibility.
What's included
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem
- Professional licensed English-speaking guide for both days
- 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
- 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 in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem
Know before you go
Pickup and Start Time
Pickup from your hotel is at about 07:15 in Tel Aviv or about 08:30 in Jerusalem. Pickups can start 30 to 60 minutes earlier, and the exact time is confirmed the day before. You are dropped back at your hotel in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem on the evening of day 2.
Accommodation
1 night in a tourist class hotel, breakfast included. Your voucher confirms the hotel name and location.
Rooms and Prices
- Double room: for 2 or more travelers sharing
- Triple room: for 3 or more travelers sharing
- Single room: for solo travelers or anyone wanting a private room
All prices are per person and depend on the room type. Children pay the same rate as adults. Check the booking form for the exact price for your date, room type and pickup city.
What to Bring
- Valid passport, needed for the Bethlehem checkpoint
- Small overnight bag
- Swimsuit, towel and water shoes
- Sunscreen, hat and water bottle
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Cash or a card for meals and tips
Dress Code
Modest dress is required. Men and women must cover knees and shoulders at churches and the Western Wall, and shorts are not allowed. Without suitable clothing you may be refused entry.
Physical Requirements
Moderate. Plan on several hours of walking on uneven stone lanes and stairs on day 1, and about an hour on foot on top of Masada on day 2. The cable car handles the climb.
Age and Children
Not suitable for children under 4. Children pay the same per-person price as adults.
Language
Your guide is a professional licensed English-speaking guide on both days.
Cancellation Policy
This tour is non-refundable because it includes a pre-paid hotel night. Date changes may be possible on request, subject to availability, so contact us as soon as possible.
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 Jerusalem Bethlehem Masada 2 day tour?
You get hotel pickup and drop-off in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem, a licensed English-speaking guide on both days, an air-conditioned vehicle, 1 night in a tourist class hotel and breakfast. Masada entrance with the cable car is an extra of about $32 per person, paid on the day. Lunches, dinner, drinks and tips are extra.
How does pricing work for double, triple and single rooms?
The price is per person and changes with the room you choose. A double room is for 2 or more travelers sharing, a triple room for 3 or more, and a single room for solo travelers or anyone who wants a room alone. There is one rate for all ages, so children pay the same as adults. The booking form shows the exact price for your date, room type and pickup city.
When and where is pickup?
Pickup is from your hotel in Tel Aviv at about 07:15 or in Jerusalem at about 08:30. Pickups can start 30 to 60 minutes earlier, and we confirm the exact time the day before. On day 2 you are dropped back at your hotel in either city in the evening.
What is the hotel like?
You spend 1 night in a tourist class hotel with breakfast. The hotel name and location are confirmed on your booking voucher. Expect a clean, comfortable room for a good rest between two busy days.
Is the tour refundable?
No. The package is non-refundable because the hotel night is pre-paid. If something comes up, contact us right away. Date changes may be possible on request, subject to availability.
On which days can I book?
The tour is scheduled to run daily, and the calendar on this page shows every date that is open. If the date you want is not open yet, check back or contact us.
Why do I need my passport, and what should I wear?
Bethlehem is in the West Bank, and you cross a checkpoint to get there, so carry your valid passport on both days. Churches and the Western Wall require knees and shoulders to be covered for men and women. Shorts are not allowed, and you may be turned away without suitable clothing.
Can I always go down into the Nativity grotto?
Not always. The grotto under the Church of the Nativity is very popular, and on crowded days the visit down may not be possible. Your guide does everything possible to get you in and makes sure you still see the main church and St. Catherine's.
How fit do I need to be, and can children join?
The walking is moderate, with several hours on stone lanes and steps on day 1 and about an hour on the Masada summit on day 2. The tour is not suitable for children under 4. Children pay the same per-person price as adults.
Are meals included, and what should I bring?
Only breakfast at the hotel is included, so plan to buy lunch on both days and dinner on the first evening. Bring a small overnight bag, your passport, a swimsuit, a towel, water shoes, sunscreen, a hat and a refillable water bottle.
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.
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