Private Tours in Israel
Private Masada and Dead Sea Tour
- Full day
- Pickup: Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Herzliya, Netanya
- 4.4/5 company rating on TourRadar
- DurationFull day
- Starts08:30 AM, hotel pickup
- GuideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Russian
- Group sizeUp to 16 travelers
- CancellationFree cancellation up to 48 hours before the start time.
Overview
Picture the desert at its most dramatic, with nobody else setting the pace. This private Masada and Dead Sea tour gives you your own licensed guide and air-conditioned vehicle for the day, so you stand on King Herod's mountaintop fortress, hear the full story of its last defenders, and then float in the saltiest water on Earth. It is the same iconic pairing as our group tour, built around your family or friends.
On this private Masada and Dead Sea tour, the drive from Tel Aviv climbs through the Judean Hills and drops into the Judean Desert, past the Inn of the Good Samaritan and the turn to Jericho. At Masada you ride the cable car to the summit, walk through Herod's storerooms, bathhouses and the Northern Palace, and look down on Roman siege camps that have barely changed in 2,000 years.
Then the mood changes. Your guide takes you to a Dead Sea beach where you float without effort, try a mineral mud treatment and rinse off in fresh water showers. Because the tour is private, you decide how long to stay at each stop, when to eat and when to head home.
Pickup is from your hotel or home in Tel Aviv, with Herzliya and Jerusalem pickups available, around 08:30 by default and flexible on request. Plan for about 10 hours for the full private Masada and Dead Sea tour. Prefer to share the day with other travelers? See the Masada Dead Sea tour from Tel Aviv. Want a slower beach day instead? Try the Dead Sea relaxation tour, or browse more private tours in Israel.
Highlights
- Your own licensed guide and private air-conditioned vehicle for the whole day
- Cable car ride to the summit of Masada, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- King Herod's Northern Palace hanging off the cliff edge
- Roman siege ramp and camps still visible on the desert floor
- Float effortlessly in the Dead Sea, the lowest place on Earth
- Time for a mineral mud treatment and fresh water showers
- Hotel or home pickup in Tel Aviv, with Herzliya and Jerusalem on request
- Flexible start time and pace set by your group
Itinerary & route
Numbers match the itinerary below. Solid lines are walking legs, dashed lines are drives. Map is for orientation only.
- 1
08:30 AMPickup in Tel Aviv
Your private guide and driver meet you at your hotel or home in Tel Aviv. Pickup from Herzliya or Jerusalem can be arranged, and the start time is flexible if you prefer an earlier or later day. Along the way your guide sets the scene for Masada and the Dead Sea region.
- 2
09:30 AMJudean Desert drive and the Good Samaritan
Leaving Jerusalem behind, the road drops quickly below sea level into the Judean Desert. You pass the Inn of the Good Samaritan, linked to the parable in the Gospel of Luke, and see the turn to Jericho, one of the oldest towns in the world.
- 3
10:30 AMCable car to Masada
At the foot of the mountain you board the cable car for a quick ride to the summit, with wide views over the desert and the Dead Sea. Fit walkers can ask to climb the Snake Path instead, which takes about an hour each way. Masada is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- 4
10:45 AMHerod's fortress on the summit
Walk through the storerooms, bathhouses, synagogue and the three-level Northern Palace that King Herod built on the cliff edge. Your guide tells the story of the Jewish rebels who held out here during the Roman siege of Masada, and you can still see the siege ramp and camps below.
- 5
12:30 PMLunch break
Take a break for lunch at the Masada visitor center or on the way to the beach. With a private tour you decide when you are hungry, and your guide suggests good options for your group.
- 6
01:30 PMDead Sea beach and floating
Next stop is a Dead Sea beach with showers and changing rooms. The water is so salty that you float without trying, at the lowest point on dry land on Earth. Learn more about the Dead Sea from your guide, then relax in the water as long as you like.
- 7
02:30 PMMineral mud and free time
Cover yourself in mineral-rich black mud, let it dry in the sun, then rinse off in the sea and the fresh water showers. If you prefer a full spa day by the water, compare this with our Dead Sea relaxation tour.
- 8
04:00 PMDrive back to Tel Aviv
On the way back your guide can add a short stop if time allows, such as a desert viewpoint. Want to see the Judean Desert in a 4x4 another day? Take a look at the private Judean Desert jeep tour.
- 9
06:00 PMDrop-off at your hotel
Arrive back at your hotel or home in Tel Aviv, Herzliya or Jerusalem in the early evening, depending on traffic and the pace your group chose during the day.
What's included
Included
- Private licensed tour guide for your group
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver
- Pickup and drop-off at your hotel or private address in Tel Aviv
- Herzliya or Jerusalem pickup on request
- Flexible start time and route pace
- All taxes and service charges
Not included
- Entrance to Masada National Park and the cable car
- Dead Sea beach entrance and mud treatment
- Lunch, snacks and drinks
- Tips for the guide and driver
- Travel insurance
Pickup & meeting point
- Tel AvivNo pickup fee
- JerusalemNo pickup fee
- HerzliyaNo pickup fee
- NetanyaNo 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: Drop-off at your hotel
Know before you go
Pickup and Start Time
Pickup is from your hotel or private address in Tel Aviv at around 08:30. Herzliya and Jerusalem pickups are available. The start time is flexible, so tell us if you want to leave earlier, especially in summer.
What to Bring
- Valid passport (keep it with you all day)
- Comfortable walking shoes, hat and sunscreen
- Plenty of drinking water
- Swimsuit, towel and flip-flops for the Dead Sea
Dress Code
Casual, comfortable clothing suited to hot desert weather. Bring a light layer for the air-conditioned vehicle.
Physical Requirements
Moderate walking on uneven ground at the top of Masada. The cable car removes the climb. The Snake Path is optional and only for fit hikers.
Age and Children
Suitable for all ages. Children must be supervised at all times in the water and should keep the salty water away from their eyes.
Language
Your private guide speaks English as standard. Spanish, French, German and Russian speaking guides can be arranged on request for a supplement. Please message us before booking so we can confirm the guide.
Cancellation Policy
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before the start time. Cancelling between 48 and 24 hours before the tour carries a 25% fee. Cancelling within 24 hours of the start time, or not showing up, carries a 100% 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 the price of a private tour work?
You pay one total price for your whole private group, not a price per seat on a bus. The total depends on group size, with price bands for 1 to 3, 4 to 6, 7 to 13 and 14 to 16 guests, because a bigger group needs a bigger vehicle. Pick your date and the number of travelers, and the booking form shows the exact total for your group.
How many people can join this private tour?
The tour runs for 1 to 16 guests, all in your own vehicle with your own guide. Groups larger than 16 can contact us for a custom quote. For a shared group option, see the Masada Dead Sea tour from Tel Aviv.
Where is the pickup and can we change the start time?
Pickup is from your hotel or private address in Tel Aviv by default, and Herzliya or Jerusalem pickups are also possible. The standard start is around 08:30, but a private tour is flexible, so let us know if you want to leave earlier to beat the summer heat. Check the official Israel tourism site for seasonal weather tips.
How long is the tour?
Plan for about 10 hours door to door. The exact length depends on your pickup point, traffic and how long your group chooses to spend at Masada and on the beach.
Can we walk up the Snake Path instead of taking the cable car?
Yes, fit walkers can ask to climb the Snake Path, which usually takes 45 to 60 minutes each way. In hot months the path closes early in the day, so ask us for an early start. See Masada for background on the site.
Is floating in the Dead Sea safe?
Floating is easy and safe if you follow a few rules: do not dunk your head, keep the water away from your eyes and do not swim if you have cuts or recent shaving. Learn more about the Dead Sea and its very salty water.
What should we wear and bring?
Wear comfortable walking shoes, a hat and sunscreen for Masada, and bring plenty of water. For the Dead Sea bring a swimsuit, towel and flip-flops. A valid passport is essential and should stay with you all day. Masada is a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site, so please follow the park rules on the summit.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes, families love this day. The cable car makes Masada easy for kids, and young children can paddle at the beach with close supervision. Keep the salty water away from their eyes and bring extra drinking water. Read about the siege of Masada together before you go, and if your kids just want beach time, the Dead Sea relaxation tour is a great alternative.
Which languages are available?
English is included. Spanish, French, German and Russian speaking guides can be arranged on request for a supplement, so please contact us before booking.
Can we customize the route?
Yes, that is the beauty of a private day. You can ask to add a stop such as Ein Gedi, spend longer on the beach or shorten the day. Some changes may affect the price, so ask us first. If you would rather combine the desert with the city, see the private Jerusalem tour.
What is the cancellation policy?
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before the 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. We recommend travel insurance for any trip abroad.
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
