Masada Fortress, Qumran, and the Dead Sea
Cross the Judean Desert to Masada, then climb by cable car to visit the remains of Herod's Palace and the fortress. See the storehouses, the inclined Citadel, the water cisterns, the Roman ramp, the columbarium towers, the synagogue, the Byzantine church, the casemates, Herod's private bathhouse, mosaic floors, the walls, and more.
Descend from Masada and drive to Qumran with your Israel tour guide. Some 2,000 years ago, the Essenes, or BeYahad, a Jewish sect, lived here and wrote the famous Dead Sea Scrolls, now exhibited in the Shrine of the Book in Jerusalem.
Stop on the shores of the Dead Sea, at the foot of the Judean Hills, for a unique experience: a "swim" in the Dead Sea. The healing properties of the Dead Sea's waters have been known for millennia, and today the area is used as a center for health and beauty.
Travel back to your destination after the tour.
