Israel Package Tours
Christian Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Masada 3 Day Tour
- 3 days
- Pickup: Tel Aviv, Jerusalem
- 4.4/5 company rating on TourRadar
- Duration3 days
- Starts07:15 AM, hotel pickup
- GuideEnglish
- Group sizeUp to 45 travelers
- CancellationNon-refundable: this tour includes pre-paid hotel nights.
Overview
Start in the desert and finish where the Gospel story ends on this Jerusalem Bethlehem Masada 3 day tour. Day one takes you up to Herod's fortress on Masada and into the Dead Sea for a float. Then you spend two days on Christian sites in Jerusalem and Bethlehem, from the Holy Sepulchre and the Church of the Nativity to the Garden of Gethsemane.
Day 1 drops through the Judean Desert to Masada, passes Ein Gedi and Qumran, and ends on a Dead Sea beach. Day 2 opens with the view from the Mount of Olives, crosses the Old City to the Western Wall and the Holy Sepulchre, then visits the Church of the Nativity and Shepherds' Field in Bethlehem. Day 3 follows Jesus from the Chapel of the Ascension and Dominus Flevit to Gethsemane, the Pools of Bethesda and the Lithostrotos.
This Jerusalem Bethlehem Masada 3 day tour suits Christian travelers, couples and small groups who want faith sites and natural wonders in one short trip. Starting with the desert day eases you in, and keeping Jerusalem for the last two days means the holy sites stay fresh in your mind when you head home. A licensed guide leads every day, so the timing and the stories are taken care of.
Pickup is from your hotel in Tel Aviv (around 07:15) or Jerusalem (around 08:30), with drop-off at your hotel at the end of day 3. Two nights in tourist class hotels with breakfast are included, confirmed on your voucher, in a double, triple or single room. The booking form shows the exact per person price, and the Jerusalem Bethlehem Masada 3 day tour is non-refundable because the hotel nights are pre-paid. Need fewer days? See the Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Masada 2 day tour or the Masada and Dead Sea day tour, or browse more 3 to 5 day Israel tours. Pick an open date on the calendar and reserve your seats today.
Highlights
- Three fully guided days with a licensed English-speaking guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem
- Masada fortress and a float in the Dead Sea
- The Western Wall, the Cardo and the Stations of the Cross
- Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City
- Church of the Nativity and Shepherds' Field in Bethlehem
- Dominus Flevit, Gethsemane and the Pools of Bethesda
- Two nights in tourist class hotels 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 in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem
The air-conditioned vehicle collects you from your Tel Aviv hotel at around 07:15, or from your Jerusalem hotel at around 08:30. Pickups can start 30 to 60 minutes earlier, and we send your exact time the day before. Day 1 heads east and down through the desert toward Masada.
- 2
MorningDown through the Judean Desert
Leaving the hills behind, you head east into the desert. The road drops through the Judean Desert past the Inn of the Good Samaritan to the marker that shows sea level, with ancient Jericho visible in the distance. Soon the white, salt-crusted shore of the Dead Sea comes into view.
- 3
Late morningMasada fortress by cable car
Ride the cable car to the summit of UNESCO-listed Masada, the cliff-top fortress where King Herod built palaces, a bathhouse, storerooms and huge water cisterns. Your guide tells the story of the Jewish rebels who held out here against Rome until 73 CE, and you can still see the Roman siege ramp below. The national park entrance with the cable car ticket is paid on the day and is not part of the package price.
- 4
AfternoonPast Ein Gedi and Qumran
Driving north along the shore, you pass the green oasis of Ein Gedi, where young David hid from King Saul. Further on rise the cliffs of Qumran, where the 2,000-year-old Dead Sea Scrolls were found in hillside caves.
- 5
Late afternoonFloat in the Dead Sea
End the day on a beach at the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth. The water is so salty that you float without effort, even if you cannot swim. Keep the water away from your eyes and rinse off well afterward.
-
EveningOvernight at your tourist class hotel
Check in to your tourist class hotel, which is named on your booking voucher. The evening is yours for dinner on your own or an early night. Breakfast is served before day 2 begins.
- Day 2Jerusalem Old City and Bethlehem
- 6
MorningMount of Olives viewpoint
After breakfast, you are picked up from your hotel. Take in the classic view of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, above the ancient Jewish cemetery linked to the prophecy of Zechariah 14:4. On the drive down toward Zion Gate you pass Gethsemane, the Church of All Nations and the tombs of Absalom and the Hezir family in the Kidron Valley.
- 7
Late morningArmenian Quarter, the Cardo and the Western Wall
Through Zion Gate you cross the Armenian Quarter and follow the excavated Byzantine Cardo, a 1,500-year-old main street now lined with shops. In the Jewish Quarter you reach the Western Wall, part of the walls that surrounded the Temple Mount almost 2,000 years ago. The whole Old City of Jerusalem is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- 8
MiddayStations of the Cross and the Holy Sepulchre
Walk the Via Dolorosa and pause at several Stations of the Cross, as thousands of pilgrims do every year. The route ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, honored as the place of the crucifixion and burial of Jesus. Before leaving, you wander through the busy bazaars of the Christian and Muslim Quarters.
- 9
AfternoonBethlehem: Church of the Nativity and Shepherds' Field
In Bethlehem you enter the 4th-century Church of the Nativity from Manger Square, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You see the Grotto of the Nativity, where a star marks the birthplace of Jesus (when crowds allow a visit), and the cave under St. Catherine's Church where St. Jerome translated the Bible into Latin. The last stop is Shepherds' Field, where the angel brought the news to the shepherds, and you pass the Field of Ruth on the way back.
-
EveningOvernight at your tourist class hotel
Check in to your tourist class hotel, which is named on your booking voucher. The evening is yours for dinner on your own or an early night. Breakfast is served before day 3 begins.
- Day 3In the Footsteps of Jesus
- 10
MorningChapel of the Ascension and the Pater Noster church
After breakfast and hotel pickup, you return to the Mount of Olives. At the summit, the small Chapel of the Ascension holds a rock that tradition says bears the last footprint of Jesus. Nearby, the Pater Noster church marks where he taught the Lord's Prayer, now written on tiles in more than 100 languages.
- 11
Mid-morningDominus Flevit and the Garden of Gethsemane
Walk down the steep lane to Dominus Flevit, the teardrop-shaped chapel where Jesus wept over Jerusalem, with the Old City framed in its altar window. Lower down, the ancient olive trees of Gethsemane surround the Church of All Nations, where Jesus prayed on the night of his arrest.
- 12
MiddayLions' Gate, the Pools of Bethesda and St. Anne's Church
Cross the Kidron Valley and enter the Old City through Lions' Gate. You see the excavated Pools of Bethesda from the Gospel of John and the Crusader Church of St. Anne, built over the grotto honored as the birthplace of Mary.
- 13
AfternoonThe Lithostrotos and the Way of the Cross
Beneath the Convent of the Sisters of Zion you explore a Second Temple era water cistern and the Lithostrotos, Roman paving stones linked to the trial of Jesus before Pontius Pilate. From here you set off along the Way of the Cross, retracing the route toward Golgotha.
- 14
EveningDrop-off at your hotel in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem
The tour wraps up and the air-conditioned vehicle drives you back. You are dropped off at your hotel in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem after three full days of desert, city and Gospel sites.
What's included
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem
- Professional licensed English-speaking guide on all three days
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- 2 nights in tourist class hotels
- Breakfast on days 2 and 3
Not included
- Masada National Park entrance with the round-trip cable car: about $32 per person, paid on the day
- Lunches and dinners
- Drinks and snacks
- Tips for the guide and driver
- Optional Dead Sea spa treatments
- Personal expenses and travel insurance
Pickup & meeting point
- Tel AvivFrom $530 per adult
- JerusalemFrom $530 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 on day 1 is from your hotel in Tel Aviv at around 07:15 or from your hotel in Jerusalem at around 08:30. Pickups can start 30 to 60 minutes earlier, and we confirm the exact time the day before. On days 2 and 3 you are collected from your hotel after breakfast, and day 3 ends with drop-off at your hotel in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. The tour runs six days a week (no Saturday departures), so check the calendar for open dates.
Passport and Area A: Israeli citizens are not permitted to enter Bethlehem, which lie in Area A of the West Bank. If you hold Israeli citizenship, please contact us before booking. Carry a valid passport for the checkpoints.
Accommodation
Two nights in tourist class hotels with breakfast. The hotel names and locations are confirmed on your booking voucher. Pack a small overnight bag, since luggage space in the vehicle is limited.
Rooms and Prices
Prices are per person and depend on room type: double room (2 or more travelers), triple room (3 or more travelers) or single room (solo travelers or anyone who wants their own room). Children pay the same per person rate. The booking form shows the exact price for your date, room type and pickup city. The Masada entrance with the cable car is paid separately on the day.
What to Bring
- Valid passport (carry it every day)
- Comfortable closed walking shoes
- Hat, sunscreen and a refillable water bottle
- Light scarf or shawl for churches
- Swimsuit, towel and water shoes for the Dead Sea
- Overnight bag and personal items
- Cash or a card for meals, extras and tips
Dress Code
Knees and shoulders must be covered for men and women at churches, the Western Wall and some museums. Shorts are not allowed at these sites, and visitors who are not dressed modestly may be refused entry.
Physical Requirements
Day 1 has light walking but Masada is hot and exposed. Days 2 and 3 involve moderate walking over uneven stone streets, slopes and steps, including a steep descent on the Mount of Olives. A normal level of fitness is enough.
Age and Children
Not suitable for children under 4. Children pay the same per person price as adults.
Language
All three days are guided in English by a professional licensed guide. This is a shared group tour, not a private tour.
Cancellation Policy
Non-refundable, because the package includes pre-paid hotel nights. Date changes may be possible on request, subject to availability, so please contact us as early as you can.
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 does the Jerusalem Bethlehem Masada 3 day tour include?
The price covers hotel pickup and drop-off in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem, a licensed English-speaking guide for all three days, an air-conditioned vehicle, two nights in tourist class hotels and breakfast on days 2 and 3. You pay per person, and the rate depends on your room: a double room for 2 or more travelers, a triple room for 3 or more, or a single room if you travel solo or want your own 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. One extra to plan for: the Masada National Park entrance with the round-trip cable car is not included and costs about $32 per person, paid on the day.
What time is pickup, and from which cities?
Choose Tel Aviv or Jerusalem when you book. Pickup from Tel Aviv hotels is usually around 07:15 and from Jerusalem hotels around 08:30. Pickups can start 30 to 60 minutes earlier, and we confirm your exact time the day before. On days 2 and 3 you are collected from your hotel after breakfast.
Where do I stay, and which meals are included?
You spend two nights in tourist class hotels, and the hotel names and locations are confirmed on your booking voucher. Breakfast is included on days 2 and 3. Lunches, dinners and drinks are not included, so bring cash or a card for meals during the day and in the evening.
Can I cancel or change my date?
This package is non-refundable because the hotel nights are paid in advance as soon as you book. If your plans change, please contact us. We may be able to move you to another date, subject to availability.
Which days does the tour depart?
The tour departs six days a week (no Saturday departures), and open dates currently start around the new year, so check the calendar.
Do I need my passport, and is there a dress code?
Yes. Carry a valid passport on all three days, since you may be asked for it at checkpoints. Churches and the Western Wall require modest dress, so men and women should cover knees and shoulders. Shorts are not allowed at these sites.
Can Israeli citizens join the Bethlehem part of the tour?
No. Bethlehem is in Area A of the West Bank, and Israeli citizens are not permitted to enter. If you hold Israeli citizenship, please contact us before booking. All other travelers need a valid passport for the checkpoints.
How much walking should I expect?
Days 2 and 3 involve moderate walking over uneven stone streets, slopes and steps, including a steep walk down the Mount of Olives. Day 1 is lighter on foot, but Masada is hot and exposed, so drink plenty of water.
Can children join the tour?
This tour is not suitable for children under 4, and children pay the same per person rate as adults.
What should I pack for this tour?
Bring your passport, comfortable closed shoes, a hat, sunscreen and a refillable water bottle. Pack a light scarf or shawl for church visits, a small overnight bag and some cash for meals and tips. For the Dead Sea, add a swimsuit, a towel and water shoes.
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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