Israel Package Tours
Christian Jerusalem and Dead Sea 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
Float at the lowest place on earth one day and pray in Gethsemane the next on this Christian Jerusalem and Dead Sea 2 day tour. Day 1 takes you down through the Judean Desert to King Herod's mountain fortress at Masada and a swim in the salty Dead Sea. Day 2 brings you back to Jerusalem to follow the footsteps of Jesus from the Mount of Olives into the Old City.
On day 1 you descend below sea level past the Inn of the Good Samaritan, then ride the cable car to the top of Masada. Your guide tells the story of Herod's palaces and the last stand of the Jewish rebels against Rome. Heading north, you pass the oasis of Ein Gedi and the caves of Qumran before a relaxing float in the Dead Sea. On day 2 you visit the Chapel of the Ascension, the Pater Noster church, Dominus Flevit and the Garden of Gethsemane, then enter Lions' Gate for the Pools of Bethesda and walk the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
This Christian Jerusalem and Dead Sea 2 day tour is made for travelers who want faith and nature in one short trip. Trying to fit Masada, the Dead Sea and the Mount of Olives into a single day means early alarms and rushed stops. Two days let you enjoy the desert at a calm pace, rest overnight, then give Jerusalem's holy sites a full, fresh morning.
Pickup is from your hotel in Tel Aviv (around 07:15) or Jerusalem (around 08:30), with drop-off back at your hotel on day 2. You stay one night in a tourist class hotel with breakfast, confirmed on your voucher. The Christian Jerusalem and Dead Sea 2 day tour is priced per person for a double, triple or single room, and the booking form shows the exact price for your date and pickup city. Because the hotel night is pre-paid, the package is non-refundable. Prefer a day trip? Look at our Masada Dead Sea tour or the easygoing Dead Sea relaxation tour. Want more time in Israel? See the 5 day Israel tour. Choose your date and book your spot today.
Highlights
- Desert, fortress and faith in one 2-day trip with a licensed English-speaking guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem
- Cable car ride to the summit of Masada
- King Herod's palaces and the story of the Roman siege
- Views of Ein Gedi and Qumran, home of the Dead Sea Scrolls
- Float in the mineral-rich Dead Sea
- Mount of Olives, Dominus Flevit and the Garden of Gethsemane
- Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
- One 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 in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem
Meet your guide at your Tel Aviv hotel at around 07:15, or at your Jerusalem hotel at around 08:30. Pickup windows can open 30 to 60 minutes early, and we confirm your time the evening before. Wear your swimsuit under your clothes to save time at the beach later.
- 2
MorningDown through the Judean Desert
The road drops from Jerusalem into the bare hills of the Judean Desert. You pass the Inn of the Good Samaritan, linked to the parable of the Good Samaritan, and stop at the marker that shows sea level. In the distance you can spot Jericho, where Jesus healed the blind man.
- 3
Late morningMasada by cable car
Ride the cable car up to the flat summit of Masada, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. King Herod built a luxury fortress here, with two palaces, storerooms, water cisterns, a bathhouse and even a synagogue. The views over the Dead Sea from the edge of the cliff are unforgettable.
- 4
MiddayThe last stand on Masada
Your guide tells how Jewish rebels held Masada for about three years during the revolt against Rome. You can still see the huge siege ramp the Roman army built to reach the top. A scroll with the words of the prophet Ezekiel was found here, one of the most moving finds on the mountain.
- 5
Early 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 are the cliffs of Qumran, where shepherds found the Dead Sea Scrolls in hillside caves. Your guide shares the stories as the desert scenery rolls by.
- 6
AfternoonFloat in the Dead Sea
End the day on the shore of the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth. The water is so salty that everyone floats, even if you cannot swim. Lie back, let the mineral-rich water hold you up, and rinse off with fresh water when you come out.
-
EveningOvernight at your tourist class hotel
Check in to your tourist class hotel, as shown on your booking voucher. Your evening is free to relax after a day in the sun. Breakfast is ready the next morning before your Jerusalem day.
- Day 2Jerusalem in the Footsteps of Jesus
- 7
MorningThe summit of the Mount of Olives
Start where the Gospel story of Jesus on earth ends, at the Chapel of the Ascension on the Mount of Olives. Then visit the Pater Noster church, where the Lord's Prayer is written in more than 100 languages. Find your own language on the tiles.
- 8
Mid-morningDominus Flevit and Gethsemane
Walk down past the teardrop-shaped Dominus Flevit chapel, with its famous window view of the Old City. At the bottom of the hill lies Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed on his last night. The Church of All Nations stands beside the olive grove.
- 9
MiddayLions' Gate and the Pools of Bethesda
Cross the Kidron Valley and enter the Old City by Lions' Gate. See the Pools of Bethesda, where Jesus healed a paralyzed man, and the Crusader Church of St. Anne, linked to the birth of Mary.
- 10
AfternoonVia Dolorosa to the Holy Sepulchre
Beneath the Sisters of Zion convent you see the Lithostrotos, Roman paving stones linked to the trial of Jesus before Pilate. From there, walk the Way of the Cross through the Old City lanes. The route leads to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the traditional site of Golgotha and the empty tomb.
- 11
EveningDrop-off at your hotel
Your vehicle brings you back to your hotel in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. Two days, one desert, one holy city, and plenty of photos to share.
What's included
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem
- Professional licensed English-speaking guide on 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
- Optional Dead Sea spa treatments
- Personal expenses and travel insurance
Pickup & meeting point
- Tel AvivFrom $317 per adult
- JerusalemFrom $317 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
Pickup is at around 07:15 from Tel Aviv hotels and around 08:30 from Jerusalem hotels. Pickups can start 30 to 60 minutes early, and the exact time is confirmed the day before.
Accommodation
One night in a tourist class hotel with breakfast, confirmed on your booking voucher.
Rooms and Prices
Prices are per person by room type: double room for 2 or more travelers, triple room for 3 or more, and single room for solo travelers or anyone who wants a private room. Children pay the same rate as adults. The booking form shows the exact price for your date, room type and pickup city.
What to Bring
- Valid passport
- Swimsuit, towel and flip-flops or water shoes
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
- Plenty of drinking water
- Walking shoes for day 2
- Scarf or shawl to cover shoulders in churches
- Small overnight bag
Dress Code
Modest dress is required in churches and some museums on day 2. Men and women must cover knees and shoulders. Shorts are not allowed, and you may be refused entry if you are not covered.
Physical Requirements
Day 1 is easy to moderate, with the cable car at Masada and flat walking on the summit in strong desert heat. Day 2 has moderate walking on uneven stone streets, steps and a steep downhill path on the Mount of Olives.
Age and Children
Not suitable for children under 4. Children pay the same per person price as adults. Keep a close eye on kids in the Dead Sea, since the salty water stings the eyes.
Language
The tour is guided in English by a professional licensed guide.
Cancellation Policy
Non-refundable, because the package includes a pre-paid hotel night. Date changes may be possible on request, subject to availability. Please contact us as soon as you know.
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 Christian Jerusalem and Dead Sea 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, one 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. The price is per person and depends on your room: double (2 or more travelers), triple (3 or more) or single (solo or your own room). Kids pay the same per person rate. The booking form shows the exact price for your date, room type and pickup city.
What time do you collect me?
From Tel Aviv hotels, pickup is around 07:15. From Jerusalem hotels, it is around 08:30. Pickups may start 30 to 60 minutes early, and we confirm the exact time the day before.
What is the hotel like?
It is a tourist class hotel with breakfast included. The name and location are confirmed on your voucher after booking.
What happens if I need to cancel?
The tour is non-refundable because the hotel night is paid for in advance. Contact us if your plans change. We can try to move you to a new date, subject to availability.
When does this tour run?
It currently departs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Open dates vary by season, so check the calendar on this page.
Do I need a passport, and what should I wear?
Bring a valid passport and keep it with you on both days. For churches on day 2, wear clothes that cover your knees and shoulders, for both men and women. Shorts are not allowed inside holy sites. On day 1, light clothes and a swimsuit work best.
Is Masada hard to walk?
No. The cable car does the climb for you, and the summit is fairly flat, though it can be very hot. Day 2 in Jerusalem has more walking, including a steep path down the Mount of Olives and uneven Old City streets.
Can I bring children, and what are the Dead Sea safety rules?
The tour is not suitable for children under 4. At the Dead Sea, keep the water away from your eyes and mouth, do not shave on the day of the swim, and float on your back rather than swim on your front.
Are lunch and dinner included?
No. Only breakfast at the hotel is included. Bring cash or a card for lunch on both days and dinner on the night of your stay.
What should I pack?
Pack a swimsuit, towel, flip-flops or water shoes, sunscreen, a hat and plenty of water for day 1. For day 2, bring walking shoes and a scarf or shawl for churches. Do not forget your passport.
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
