Highlights
- 2-Day Best of Israel Tour
- Professionally guided tours of Old Jerusalem and Bethlehem
- Garden of Gethsemane and Western Wall
- Enjoy views of the Dome of the Rock - an iconic Jerusalem landmark
- Cable-car ride to Masada
- Dead Sea Scrolls at Qumran
- Relaxing visit to the Dead Sea
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Useful Information
2-Day Best of Israel Tour: Old Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Masada and the Dead Sea
Visit Masada by cable-car, and see the ruins of King Herod's mansion, followed by an overview of the Dead Sea Scrolls at the Qumran caves. The tour concludes at the Dead Sea, where you will have time to relax on the mineral beach and float in the salt-rich sea before heading back to Jerusalem.
Itinerary
Departing from Jerusalem in your air-conditioned coach, stop at the Mount of Olives for scenic views of the Dome of the Rock at the Temple Mount Esplanade in Old Jerusalem.
Pass the Garden of Gethsemane before continuing into the Old City. See the famous Western Wall (Wailing Wall) which functions as an open-air synagogue, before walking the pilgrimage route of the Via Dolorosa. Look out for the 14 Stations of the Cross as you trace Jesus' steps to the site of his crucifixion at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
A short 6-mile coach journey takes you to Bethlehem, where you will see the Manger Square - flanked by the Church of the Nativity and also the Mosque of Oman. From here you will go on to explore the Milk Grotto (where Mary was said to feed the baby Jesus) before visiting the Shepherd Fields where the 'shepherds watched their flocks by night'. You will then be driven to your overnight accommodation at the following hotel (or one of a similiar tourist grade standard):
- Park Plaza Hotel, Jerusalem
Day 2
After breakfast the next morning, you wil set off through the Judean desert before arriving at the cable car which will take you to the mountaintop site of Masada. It was here that King Herod built two fortified palaces over 2,000 years ago.
Continue to the Dead Sea past the Ein Gedi oasis to the ancient caves of Qumran where you will see the fabled Dead Sea Scrolls.
Final stop is the Dead Sea, where you'll have approximately two hours to relax on the mineral beach and opportunity to float in the salt-rich water, 400m (1,312 ft) below sea level! Don't miss the chance to have a mud bath in the world's richest source of natural salts.
The drive back to Jerusalem and see the ancient city of Jericho, referred to in the Hebrew Bible as the 'City of Palm Trees' from the distance, before your multi-day tour concludes in the early evening.
Reviewed by Jeff, USA, October 2012
The tour of the Old City, Masada and Bethlehem were great. Our tour guide with Bein Harim (his name is Aharon Yahav) did a fantastic job. HOWEVER, I sent a email to support@viator.com on October 8 (enquiry #4082080) and a follow up email on October 13 (enquiry # 4092121) about an issue that needs to be resolved. You can call me at 480-239-6721. Thank you, Jeffrey Sloan
Reviewed by Alice N, May 2011
Many parts were fabulous-Jerusalem with the Wailing Wall etc, and the trip to the Dead Sea and Masada.--and a great guide-Osi
However we were promised a visit to the Milk Grotto and Shepherds Fields and only went to the Church of the Nativity and a gift shop! We stood in line for over an hour in the church and this time could have been used for touring. This was very disappointing. I asked our guide and he assured me that extra places were only included in the morning tour.
I signed up and paid for everything. I am not sure I will use you again
