4 Days: Jerusalem, Massada, Dead Sea

Tour overview:

The religious center of the world’s three greatest monotheistic religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities in the world. Ancient quarters wedge in among soaring high-rise towers and every corner and winding walkway leads to centuries of history.

Day 1 - Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport

Meet and assist by representative and private transfer to your hotel in Jerusalem. Overnight: Arthur Jerusalem Hotel (Jerusalem)

Day 2 - Jerusalem – City Sightseeing

Breakfast at hotel. This Jerusalem Full Day Tour with a breathtaking panoramic view of the city’s skyline from Mount Scopus, overlooking the golden Dome of the Rock, the ancient walls, and the blend of old and new Jerusalem. We then descend toward the Old City, entering through the Zion Gate, part of the magnificent 500-year-old Ottoman walls that encircle the ancient heart of Jerusalem. Strolling through the Armenian Quarter, we absorb the rich heritage of one of the city’s oldest Christian communities before continuing into the Jewish Quarter. Here, we see the Cardo, the main street of Byzantine Jerusalem, once bustling with shops and traders, now beautifully restored. Next, we arrive at the Western Wall (the Kotel), the holiest site in Judaism and a deeply moving place of prayer and reflection. From there, the tour follows the path of Via Dolorosa, the route Jesus is believed to have walked on the way to his crucifixion. Along the way, we pass the Stations of the Cross and reach the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a magnificent 4th-century church that contains both the site of the crucifixion (Golgotha) and the tomb of Jesus. After exploring the church, we wander through the vibrant Old City bazaar, filled with colorful stalls, spices, souvenirs, and the sounds and scents of centuries-old trade. Leaving the Old City, we visit the Garden of Gethsemane, where ancient olive trees still grow, and the beautiful Church of All Nations, which stands beside it. From here, we enjoy a view across the Kidron Valley, dotted with monumental Jewish tombs that date back over two millennia. Finally, the tour passes by the Dormition Abbey on Mount Zion, the site traditionally associated with the Virgin Mary’s eternal rest, before visiting the Room of the Last Supper (Cenacle), where Jesus shared his final meal with his disciples, and King David’s Tomb, one of Jerusalem’s most significant spiritual landmarks.

On Mondays and Thursdays (except during Jewish holidays), the tour includes a visit to the Holocaust Museum instead of the Church of All Nations at the Garden of Gethsemane, King David’s Tomb, and the Hall of the Last Supper on Mount Zion.

Overnight: Arthur Jerusalem Hotel (Jerusalem)

NOTES: Modest dress is obligatory for visits to holy sites, covered knees and shoulders This tour includes a reasonable amount of walking; comfortable walking shoes are recommended

Day 3 - Jerusalem – Massada & Dead Sea

Breakfast at hotel. We start this exciting Masada and Dead Sea tour traveling south of Jerusalem through the Judean Hills. The Masada tour passes the Inn of the Good Samaritan and pauses by the sign indicating sea level. From that point, the tour descends beneath sea level to the Dead Sea at the lowest point on the planet. The tour travels along the edge of the Dead Sea where the turquoise water is lined with a white salt crust. Our first stop on this tour is Masada, a “mesa” or flat-topped rock outcrop rising 450m from the desert plains. We take a cable car to the plateau summit of Masada where there are breathtaking views of the Dead Sea. Thanks to the dry climate and remote location the structures have been well preserved. About 100 years later during the First Jewish–Roman War (66–73 CE), a group of Jewish zealots took refuge on Masada. They held off the Romans for several months until the Romans built an earthen ramp to scale the steep cliffs. When Roman troops reached the plateau they found that all of the 960 Jews had killed themselves rather than be captured and forced to forsake their God. This event in Jewish history has made Masada a symbol of Jewish determination not to relinquish their independence. The tour leaves Masada and takes you to the nearby Dead Sea past Ein Gedi and Qumran, the site of the Dead Sea Scroll discovery. If time permits, we will stop for refreshments at the Dead Sea Mineral Cosmetic factory. Our final stop on this tour is the Dead Sea where you can relax on the beach and unwind. Enjoy the natural health benefits of the Dead Sea environment including the salt-rich water, oxygen-rich air, and mineral-rich black mud that you can use as a natural skin mask. Don’t leave before you have a shot of yourself floating in the Dead Sea. Return to Hotel.

Overnight: Arthur Jerusalem Hotel (Jerusalem)

NOTES: When visiting the Dead Sea, we recommend that you bring hats, bathing suits, towels, and sun protection

Day 4 - Jerusalem / Depart to airport

After breakfast check out of the hotel and private transfer to Ben Gurion airport for your flight back home.