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A fun and fascinating tour to the eternal city of Jerusalem and the breathtaking scenery of the Dead Sea & Masada.
Highlights
- The old city of Jerusalem – Christian and Jewish quarters. Also including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Wailing Wall, Via Dolorosa and more.
- The new city of Jerusalem – Mea’ Shearim ultraorthodox neighborhood.
- The Shrine of the Book – the Dead Sea Scrolls.
- Model of Second Temple Jerusalem.
- Masada – cable car to visit the world heritage site at Masada.
- Dead Sea Resort – a Dead Sea resort on the shore of the Dead Sea that offers beach facilities, hot mineral pools, mud baths, and SPA treatments.
Overview
This wonderful two-day tour covers the most important, not-to-be-missed attractions of Israel – Jerusalem and the Dead Sea. The tour covers both the Old and New parts of Jerusalem together with an evening of leisure in this beautiful city. The second day is a true celebration of breathtaking scenery, history (Masada), and the Dead Sea fun.
Tour Description
Day 1 – Jerusalem Old and New
After meeting our guide in the arrival hall of the Ashdod port we will head to Jerusalem (about an hour drive).
We will begin our tour on the Mountain of Olives with a truly magnificent panoramic view of Old Jerusalem, Temple Mount and the entire city of Jerusalem.
Next, we will visit the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations. From there we will drive through the valley of Kidron to enter the old city through the Jaffa Gate.
We will walk through the Via Dolorosa, also known as the Way of Agony – the path Jesus walked while carrying the cross.
We will follow the stations of the cross coming to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, also known as the Church of Resurrection – the site described in the New Testament as Golgotha where Jesus was crucified and later buried.
At about this time we will have a lunch break at any of the various delicious oriental restaurants in the Christian quarter.
After lunch, we will head to the Jewish quarter and explore its two levels – the current level which was mainly restored after the 1967 war and the ancient 2000 years old level which consists of fascinating ruins from the second temple period that was mostly destroyed during the Roman siege of 70 AC.
Our next stop will be the Wailing Wall (Kotel), the holiest site for the Jewish people and the last remain from the once magnificent second temple that was located on top of the temple mount.
We will head back to the Jaffa Gate where you will have some free time to shop for art and crafts at the local market.
The second part of the day will include site seeing in the New City. We will begin with a drive through the ultra-orthodox Jewish neighborhood of Mea’ Shearim. We will pass by the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) and Supreme Court of Israel until we will arrive at the Israeli Museum. Here we will visit a model of ancient Jerusalem and pay a visit to the Shrine of the Book – the home of the famous Dead Sea Scrolls.
In the afternoon you’ll check in to your hotel and we will be happy to recommend local restaurants for dinner. For those who are still eager to explore, we suggest visiting the Tower of David Night Show.
Day 2 – Masada and the Dead Sea
After breakfast (included) we will head Eastward. Soon after leaving Jerusalem the scenery will change and we will begin our descent through the Judean dessert into the valley of the Dead Sea. On a clear day, we will be able to enjoy the superb view that stretches well into Jordan.
Finally, we will enter the great plateau of the Dead Sea and it will be official – we will be at the lowest place on the face of the earth!
We will drive along the coast of the Dead Sea until we will reach Masada. This world heritage site, on the top of a table-shaped mountain, was once a glorious fortress/palace built by King Harrods. In the last days of the Jewish great rebellion against the Roman empire, it was the last stronghold of a group of Jewish warriors and their families. After a long siege, the Roman managed to build a ramp and it was clear that the battle was lost. The Jewish rebels then made a communal decision to commit suicide and not fall into Roman hands.
We will climb to the top of Mt. Masada by cable car, walk through its magnificent ruins and enjoy its wonderful views.
We will then proceed to a Dead Sea Resort where you will have time to enjoy a lunch buffet. After lunch you’ll get to “float on the sea” and experience its various mineral and health benefits, as well as mud baths and spa treatments
We will stay at the resort between 2-3 hours and then make our way back to the port.
Included in the tour:
- Luxurious, new, comfortable and air-conditioned mini-bus.
- A top-rated tour guide who is an expert for both Jerusalem and the Dead Sea Region.
- A small group of no more than 18 persons.
- An overnight stay at a 3-star hotel in central Jerusalem.
We will be happy to offer 4 and 5-star hotel options in Jerusalem. Feel free to contact us - An Israeli Breakfast on the 2nd Day and one Buffet Lunch
- Entrance fees to all sites including the Israeli Museum & Shrine of the Book, Masada and a Dead Sea resort (a closed, private resort).
Not Included in the tour:
- Food and Drinks which are not included in the “Included” section
- Mud and spa treatments at the Dead Sea Resort
- Optional Jerusalem Night Show
- Tips to your guide and driver (in your discretion)
Additional Information
The Jerusalem, Masada & Dead Sea shore excursion from Ashdod is available for all cruise ships that dock in the port of Ashdod, throughout the year.
We are doing our best to meet the growing demand for our tours and we will open new groups on request, however, we do urge you to book early and secure your place, especially during peak seasons.
Contact Information
14 days prior to your arrival, you will receive your detailed time schedule and more detailed tour information. If you need additional assistance, our office tour manager is available anytime, please do not hesitate to contact us via:
Email: info@israelcruiseexcursions.com
Phone (also for WhatsApp messages): (+972)54-9301499
Arrival and Meeting Point
Once you book your tour, the tour departure time will be stated on your booking confirmation. Upon arrival at the dock in Ashdod, you will meet our tour guide outside the Reception Hall. Your guide will be holding a sign with your name.
The tour guide and driver will guarantee that you make it back to the port in time for your cruise departure or overnight stay. During the tour, our guide will be in touch with ports and ships authority and will be informed and updated of an unlikely event.
Money in Israel
The Israeli currency is the shekel (NIS). We recommend going to www.xe.com for the most up to date exchange rate closer to departure.
You should be able to exchange money on your cruise ship, but also once you arrive at the port there will be a money exchange counter. We recommend walking around with at least some cash since there might be certain places on our tour that do not accept credit cards.
What to Bring
Here are some basic packing tips for your day tour. If you have more specific questions, please contact us directly.
Weather during the summer is hot during the day (26-32 C/ 80-90 F) and gets cooler in the evenings. The good news is that humidity is minimal in Jerusalem.
- Recommended on all tours to bring a hat, water bottle, and sunscreen.
- We recommend bringing a small travel bag to store extra clothing and personal belongings.
- We are doing quite a lot of walking, so be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes.
- Since we will be visiting some sacred sites in Jerusalem, it is worth reminding that the custom in Israel is to keep knees and shoulders covered in the Old City’s Jewish Quarter.
- Don’t forget to bring a bathing suit, towel and changing clothes for the dead sea day.
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Booking The Jerusalem & Masada & Dead Sea Tour
The tour from Ashdod is available for all cruise ships that dock in the port of Ashdod, throughout the year.
We are doing our best to meet the growing demand for our tours and we will open new groups on request, however, we do urge you to book early and secure your place, especially during peak seasons.
Cancellation Policy
Up to 14 days before the tour there will be no cancellation fee, except for a $10 processing fee.
7-13 days before the tour, there will be a 25% cancellation fee, with the additional $10 processing fee.
2-6 days before the tour, there will be a 50% cancellation fee.
48 hours prior to departure, there will be a 100% cancellation fee.
*If there is an unforeseen circumstance, such as your ship does not dock in our port or for any sort of security reason, you will be refunded the full amount.
We Accept The Following Payment Options
