Israel Package Tours
Jerusalem, Masada and Bethlehem 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
See Israel's biggest names in one easy trip with this Jerusalem Masada Bethlehem tour, three fully guided days with two hotel nights. You explore the Old City of Jerusalem and Yad Vashem, travel to Jericho, the Jordan River and Bethlehem, and finish with Masada and a float in the Dead Sea. It is a full picture of the country's history, faith and landscape in a short break.
Day 1 covers the Mount of Olives panorama, the Cardo, the Western Wall, the Via Dolorosa, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and Yad Vashem. Day 2 crosses the Judean Desert to Jericho, continues to Qasr al-Yahud on the Jordan River, and ends at the Church of the Nativity and Shepherds' Field in Bethlehem. Day 3 heads south to Masada, passes Ein Gedi and Qumran, and closes on a Dead Sea beach.
This Jerusalem Masada Bethlehem tour is a good fit for first-time visitors, families with older children and travelers of every faith who want the essentials without renting a car. Three days keeps each stop unhurried, and ending with the Dead Sea gives you a relaxing last afternoon before you head back. Your licensed guide takes care of timing, checkpoints and the stories behind each site.
Pickup is from your hotel in Tel Aviv (around 07:15) or Jerusalem (around 08:30), and you are dropped back at your hotel at the end of day 3. You stay two nights in tourist class hotels with breakfast, confirmed on your voucher, in a double, triple or single room. Entrance fees are included except at Masada, the booking form shows the exact per person price, and this Jerusalem Masada Bethlehem tour is non-refundable because the hotel nights are pre-paid. Want a different mix? Try the Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Masada 2 day tour or the Jericho, Dead Sea and Jordan River day tour, or compare all Israel package tours. Pick an open date on the calendar and book your seats today.
Highlights
- Three fully guided days with a licensed English-speaking guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem
- The Western Wall, the Via Dolorosa and the Holy Sepulchre
- A visit to Yad Vashem, Israel's Holocaust memorial
- Jericho and Qasr al-Yahud on the Jordan River
- Church of the Nativity and Shepherds' Field in Bethlehem
- Masada fortress and a float in the Dead Sea
- Entrance fees included at every site except Masada
- 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 1Jerusalem Old and New
- 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. The day begins on the Mount of Olives, with the whole Old City spread out in front of you.
- 2
MorningMount of Olives panorama
From the lookout above the old Jewish cemetery on the Mount of Olives, the Old City and the Temple Mount fill the view, where Solomon's Temple and the Second Temple once stood. Below you lie the Garden of Gethsemane, the Church of All Nations and the ancient tombs of the Kidron Valley.
- 3
Late morningZion Gate, the Cardo and the Western Wall
Enter the UNESCO-listed Old City through Zion Gate and walk through the Armenian Quarter into the Jewish Quarter. You stroll the 1,500-year-old Byzantine Cardo, where restored Crusader-era shops now house modern stores. Then you stand at the Western Wall, the Herodian retaining wall where Jews have prayed since the Temple fell in 70 CE.
- 4
AfternoonVia Dolorosa and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Follow the Via Dolorosa, the Way of the Cross walked by pilgrims from all over the world. It leads to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built over the traditional sites of the crucifixion and the tomb of Jesus. Your guide explains how the Crusaders rebuilt the damaged Byzantine church while keeping much of the original.
- 5
Late afternoonJaffa Gate, modern Jerusalem and Yad Vashem
Leave the Old City through the market and Jaffa Gate for a short drive through the new city. The day ends at Yad Vashem, Israel's Holocaust memorial, which documents the destruction of Europe's Jewish communities and honors the Righteous Among the Nations. Children under 10 are not admitted to the museum, and on Fridays the order of the day may change because the site closes early.
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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 2Jericho, the Jordan River and Bethlehem
- 6
MorningInto the Judean Desert
After breakfast, you are picked up from your hotel. Heading toward the Dead Sea, you pass the Inn of the Good Samaritan from Luke 10 and look into Wadi Kelt, where the 5th-century St. George's Monastery clings to the cliff. A short stop at the sea level marker comes just before the descent to Jericho.
- 7
Late morningJericho and the sycamore of Zacchaeus
Jericho, about 258 meters below sea level, appears in both the Old and New Testaments, from Joshua's falling walls to the visit of Jesus. You stop at the old sycamore tree linked to Zacchaeus, the tax collector who climbed a tree to see Jesus, with the Mount of Temptation rising behind the city.
- 8
MiddayQasr al-Yahud on the Jordan River
Continue to Qasr al-Yahud, the traditional site on the Jordan River where John baptized Jesus. The river is narrow here, and the Jordanian bank is only a few meters away.
- 9
AfternoonBethlehem: Church of the Nativity and Shepherds' Field
Back in the Judean hills, you step through the low door from Manger Square into the Church of the Nativity, built over the grotto honored as the birthplace of Jesus. When crowds allow, you go down to the Grotto of the Nativity, then see St. Jerome's cave under St. Catherine's Church. The last stop is Shepherds' Field, where the angel told the shepherds about the birth.
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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 3Masada and the Dead Sea
- 10
MorningSouth along the Dead Sea shore
After breakfast, you are picked up from your hotel. This time the road runs south along the Dead Sea, squeezed between the water and the tall cliffs of the Judean Desert. Along the way you see the salt-crusted shoreline before the cliffs of Masada rise ahead.
- 11
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.
- 12
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.
- 13
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.
- 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, salt still on your skin from the Dead Sea.
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
- Entrance fees to all sites on the itinerary, except Masada
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 $575 per adult
- JerusalemFrom $575 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 daily, so check the calendar for open dates.
Passport and Area A: Israeli citizens are not permitted to enter Bethlehem or Jericho, 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 the most walking, over uneven stone streets, slopes and steps in the Old City. Days 2 and 3 have shorter walks, but the Jordan Valley and Masada are hot and exposed. A normal level of fitness is enough.
Age and Children
Not suitable for children under 4. Children under 10 are not admitted to the Yad Vashem museum. 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 Masada Bethlehem tour price 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, plus entrance fees to the sites on the itinerary except Masada. 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 runs daily, with open dates currently starting in January 2027. Check the calendar for the dates available right now.
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 and Jericho are 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?
Day 1 has the most walking, over uneven stone streets, slopes and steps in the Old City. Days 2 and 3 have shorter walks at each stop, but the Jordan Valley and Masada can be very hot, 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. Yad Vashem does not admit children under 10 to the museum, so please contact us before booking if you travel with younger kids.
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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