Day 1 in the Dead Sea

Welcome to the Dead Sea! Upon arrival at the airport, you will go through customs and immigration. Should you opt to purchase a transfer to your hotel; a representative will be waiting for you as you exit immigration. Arrive at your hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to see and do!

We recommended you get acquainted with the area, visit one of the Dead Sea beaches such as the popular Ein Bokek Beach, a public beach located in the main hotel and tourist area. Here you will find bucket loads of the famous Dead Sea mud, smear your body with this natural black mud providing many health benefits, sit back and relax in the sun and let the mud dry. Then take a dip (or rather float) in the salty waters of the lake where you can relax and absorb the beneficial minerals and take some iconic photos floating in the famous turquoise waters.

After a relaxing soak in the Sea head to one of the many restaurants located along the beachfront and enjoy lunch and some refreshments while taking in the magical views. After lunch, you can do some shopping in the area; the Ein Tchelet Mall is located here along with other shopping centers, beauty product stores, and spas.

If time allows, head to one of the many spas for an invigorating spa treatment where salts, scrubs, and lotions are made from the Dead Sea. Enjoy soaking in the hot sulfur pools, coat yourself in mud and enjoy relaxing beauty treatments.

As evening time approaches, wander around the main tourist area which features numerous restaurants and bars along the waterfront and a promenade. Here you will find traditional restaurants serving unique Israeli dishes and snacks such as grilled meats, hummus, shakshuka, and baklava. Live entertainment at some of the eateries includes traditional belly dancing. Stroll along the promenade after dinner and enjoy the region lit up by the sparkling night skies.

Day 2 in the Dead Sea

Start your day with a full breakfast and make your way to the Qumran Caves on the north-western shore of the Dead Sea. It is here that one of the greatest religious discoveries of modern times was discovered, The Dead Sea Scrolls. A Bedouin shepherd came across a cache of parchment and papyrus documents which date back to the 1st Century BC, they are the oldest surviving manuscripts of the Bible.

The Qumran National Park is situated along Route 90 which is the main road leading to the Dead Sea, the area includes the fascinating archeology collection, the story, and remains of the ancient village of Qumran, the caves all of which are situated on mountainous desert land. There are a visitor`s center, a store and a restaurant on site where you can grab a bite to eat as well as refreshments.

Make your ways back to the shores of the Dead Sea and visit the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve in the Judean Desert. The reserve is filled with waterfalls, walking trails, wildlife and breathtaking scenery decorated with flora and fauna and fruit trees. Take a walk on one of the five trails found in the reserve, dip your feet or paddle in the streams to cool off.

Next walk around the vibrant beautiful Ein Gedi Botanical Gardens decorated with beautiful plants and gardens and walking trails. There is an African Sycamore Fig tree here which is one of the oldest trees in the garden, there is an observatory boasting great views of the Moab Mountains, the Dead Sea, and the Desert.

As evening time approaches, make your way up to the Dead Sea Panoramic Complex perched at the edge of the Zara Mountains. Enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the entire Kingdom from the lookout point which is a simply breathtaking location to watch the sunset. You can dine at the restaurant located at the complex.

Day 3 in the Dead Sea

Start your morning early and make your way to Masada. The UNESCO World Heritage Site which is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country. The Fortress sits on top of a rock plateau, you can climb to the top (about a 30-minute hike, tours are available) or take a ride on the cable car and arrive at the top in time to be rewarded by a stunning sunrise over the Dead Sea. The area dates back over 2,000 years when King Herod built a palace here and was later home to a group of Jews who took refuge here from the Romans. Explore the ruins of the fortress including ancient storehouses, homes, a synagogue and a Byzantine church. You can grab a bite to eat at the restaurant located at the visitor's center as well as other facilities.

Spend your afternoon in the Ma`in Hot Springs which translates to `Hammamat ma`in` in Arabic where a series of hot mineral springs and waterfalls can be found. These natural hot springs and stunning cascading falls flow into hot pools, some that reach 145 F. The pools sit 393 feet below sea level and the area features over 63 different springs with varying temperatures which are heated by the hot water from the top of the basaltic mountain. Walking and hiking trails maze through the area and the pools here provide treatment for chronic ailments and circulatory issues and provide healing properties.

As evening time approaches head to the town of Madaba which is filled with restaurants, shops, and Shisha bars. A popular elegant restaurant in the small town is the `Haret Jdoudna` situated in the heart of the town with beautiful outside seating in the courtyard gardens under big umbrellas. Enjoy some dinner and do some shopping. Make your way back to the hotel for a good night`s rest.

Additional Days in the Dead Sea

Should you be able to spend additional days in the Dead Sea region visit Lot`s Cave, the ruins are found at the top of 300 steps where a Byzantine Church and a cave date back to the early Bronze Ages.

Visit Mount Sodom, the salt-rock mountain stands 742 feet above the Dead Sea and continues to grow at 3.5 millimeters a year. A popular landmark for hiking and mountain biking and to explore the longest salt cave in the entire world.

The Nahal David stream is filled with caves and a deep history; this is the location where King David hid from the pursuing King Saul over 3,000 years ago. A popular place for hiking, swimming and cascading falls.

Last Day in the Dead Sea

Depart from your hotel to the airport for your return flight home. We recommend that you purchase a private transfer to the airport if so the representative will meet you at your hotel with plenty of time to get you to the airport for your flight out.