Private Tours in Israel
Private Judean Desert Jeep Tour
- Full day
- Pickup: Tel Aviv, Jerusalem
- 4.4/5 company rating on TourRadar
- DurationFull day
- Starts08:30 AM, hotel pickup
- GuideEnglish
- Group sizeUp to 16 travelers
- CancellationFree cancellation up to 48 hours before the start time.
Overview
Leave the city behind and bounce along rocky tracks to cliffs that drop hundreds of meters to a dry canyon. This private Judean Desert jeep tour gives your group its own guide for a full day of biblical wilderness, ancient caves and real off-road driving, then ends with a float in the Dead Sea.
You descend from the hills past the Inn of the Good Samaritan and the sea level marker, with Jericho on the horizon. At Qumran you see the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were hidden for 2,000 years. Then you switch to a 4x4 jeep and climb to the Dragot cliffs and the square-cut Murabba'at caves, where Bar Kochba era documents were found.
After the dust and adrenaline, you wash off in the mineral-rich water of the Dead Sea and try its famous black mud. Because this private Judean Desert jeep tour is just for you, the guide can slow the pace, add photo stops or spend longer at the beach.
Pickup is from your hotel or home in Tel Aviv, with Herzliya and Jerusalem also possible, and this private Judean Desert jeep tour lasts about 10 hours. Prefer a shared group? See our Judean Desert jeep tour. For a calmer day by the water, try the Dead Sea relaxation tour, or browse all private tours in Israel.
Highlights
- Private guide for your group with door-to-door transport
- Off-road 4x4 jeep ride through the Judean Desert
- The Dragot cliffs and views into the Dragot canyon
- The square-cut Murabba'at caves, home to Bar Kochba era finds
- Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered
- The Inn of the Good Samaritan and the sea level marker
- Floating in the Dead Sea and a natural black mud treatment
- Flexible start time with hotel pickup in Tel Aviv, Herzliya or Jerusalem
Itinerary & route
Numbers match the itinerary below. Solid lines are walking legs, dashed lines are drives. Map is for orientation only.
- 1
08:30 AMPrivate pickup in Tel Aviv
Your guide and driver collect you from your hotel or home in Tel Aviv. Herzliya and Jerusalem pickups are possible too. You drive east past Jerusalem into the Judean Desert as your guide sets the scene.
- 2
09:45 AMInn of the Good Samaritan
Pass the Inn of the Good Samaritan, linked to the famous parable from the Gospel of Luke, on the old road between Jerusalem and Jericho.
- 3
10:00 AMSea level marker and Jericho view
Stop at the marker where the road drops below sea level and look out toward Jericho, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
- 4
10:45 AMQumran caves
See the cliffs and caves of Qumran, where shepherds found the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947. The dry desert air kept the scrolls in good condition for 2,000 years, and they include the oldest known copies of books of the Hebrew Bible.
- 5
11:45 AMSwitch to the 4x4 jeep
Climb into a desert 4x4 built for rough terrain. The ride goes up steep slopes, down into gullies and across sand and rock, so hold on and enjoy the views.
- 6
12:30 PMDragot cliffs lookout
Reach the cliff edge above the Dragot stream at Metzoke Dragot. The stream only flows during winter flash floods, and the drop into the canyon is spectacular.
- 7
01:15 PMMurabba'at caves
See the square openings of the Murabba'at caves, explored in the 1950s. Finds here reach back to the Chalcolithic period and include letters from the time of the Bar Kochba revolt and an ancient set of tefillin.
- 8
02:30 PMDead Sea float and mud
Wash off the desert dust with a float in the Dead Sea, the lowest place on Earth, and cover yourself in its mineral-rich black mud. Lunch is usually at the beach. Want more time by the water? See our private Masada and Dead Sea tour.
- 9
04:30 PMReturn to your hotel
Drive back up through the desert to Tel Aviv, Herzliya or Jerusalem. Drop-off is usually around 18:00 to 18:30, depending on traffic. Planning a city day too? See our private Jerusalem tour.
What's included
Included
- Private licensed tour guide for your group
- Private air-conditioned vehicle and 4x4 jeep ride in the desert
- Pickup and drop-off at your hotel or private address in Tel Aviv
- Dead Sea beach stop with time to float and use the mud
- Flexible start time on request
- All taxes and service charges
Not included
- Lunch and drinks
- Entrance fees to national parks if you choose to go inside
- Towels and beach facilities
- Tips for the guide and driver
- Travel insurance
Pickup & meeting point
- Tel AvivNo pickup fee
- JerusalemNo pickup fee
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: Return to your hotel
Know before you go
Pickup and Start Time
Standard pickup is around 08:30 from your hotel or private address in Tel Aviv. Herzliya and Jerusalem pickups are available. A different start time can be requested when you book, and we confirm the details the day before.
What to Bring
- Shoes with a good grip
- Hat, sunscreen and sunglasses
- At least 2 liters of water per person
- Swimsuit, towel, flip-flops and a change of clothes
- Passport or ID
Dress Code
Light clothing that covers the shoulders. No shorts. Swimwear for the Dead Sea.
Physical Requirements
Moderate. The 4x4 ride is bumpy, with steep climbs and descents. Not recommended for guests with back or neck problems, recent surgery, heart conditions, or during pregnancy. Short walks over rocky ground at the viewpoints.
Age and Children
Suitable for ages 4 and up. Children must stay with an adult at all times, especially in the Dead Sea.
Language
The tour is guided in English.
Cancellation Policy
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before the start time. Cancel between 48 and 24 hours before the tour: 25% cancellation fee. Cancel within 24 hours of the start time, or no-show: 100% cancellation fee.
Cancellation policy
| When you cancel | Cancellation fee |
|---|---|
| 48+ hours before the start time | Free cancellation |
| 24 to 47 hours before | 25% fee |
| Less than 24 hours before, or no-show | 100% fee (no refund) |
Need to change your date instead? Message us before the tour and we will do our best to move your booking. If we cancel or materially change a tour, you can choose an alternative date, a credit or a refund. Read the booking terms.
Frequently asked questions
How does private pricing work?
You pay one total price for your whole group. The price per person drops as your group grows, and the booking form shows the exact total for your group size before you pay. There is no sharing with strangers.
How many people can join?
From 1 to 16 guests. Everyone in your booking travels together with your private guide. For larger groups, message us and we will arrange more jeeps. See all private tours in Israel for more options.
How bumpy is the jeep ride?
The 4x4 section is a real off-road ride with steep climbs, drops and bumps. It is exciting but not extreme. It is not recommended for guests with serious back or neck problems, recent surgery, or during pregnancy. If you are unsure, ask us before booking.
How hot does it get?
The Judean Desert and the Dead Sea are very hot from May to October, often above 35 degrees Celsius. Bring plenty of water, a hat and sunscreen. Winter days are pleasant. You can check the Israel Meteorological Service forecast before you go.
What should I wear and bring?
Wear shoes with a good grip, a hat and light clothes that cover your shoulders, and avoid shorts. Bring a swimsuit, a towel, flip-flops and a change of clothes for the Dead Sea. Don't shave on the morning of the tour, because the salty water stings.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Children aged 4 and up are welcome and usually love the jeep and floating. Keep salty water away from their eyes, and keep a close eye on them in the sea. Safety tips for the beaches are on the Israel Ministry of Tourism site. For a gentler family day, see our Dead Sea relaxation tour.
Can I choose the pickup time?
Yes. The standard start is 08:30, and we can adjust it on request. Pickup is from your hotel or home in Tel Aviv, and Herzliya or Jerusalem can be arranged.
Which language is the tour in?
This tour is guided in English. Contact us if you need another language and we will check what is possible.
Is lunch included and can we change the route?
Lunch is not included. There is a break at the Dead Sea beach where you can buy food. The route can be adjusted, for example to spend longer at Israel Nature and Parks Authority sites like Qumran. For a group day with the same desert feel, see our Judean Desert jeep tour, or add Jericho on our Jericho and Jordan River tour.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancel for free up to 48 hours before your start time. Cancelling between 48 and 24 hours before the tour carries a 25% fee, and cancelling within 24 hours or not showing up carries a 100% fee. Private guides and vehicles are reserved only for you, which is why the window is a little longer than on our shared day tours. You can read general visitor guidance from the Israel Ministry of Tourism when planning your dates.
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
