Masada and the Dead Sea - Shore Excursion from Ashdod

Masada and the Dead Sea - Shore Excursion from Ashdod

Shore Excursion Itinerary:

- Depart from the Port

- Drive towards Masada, this will take approximately 2.5 hours

- Drive down the Masada visitors center. Take a cable car to the top of the cliff

- Panoramic View of the Dead Sea

- Walk to King Harrods Palace, The Roman Bath and the Water Model

- Continue to the Dead Sea Beach

- Lunch at a local self service restaurant

- Free time for around 1.5 hours for swimming or floating experience

- Return back to the Port

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Masada National Park, Masada, Israel

You will be met in the port of Ashdod by one of our Cruising Excursion’s representatives who will show you to you transportation. En route, your Tour Guide will inform you of the history behind Masada, with a more detailed explanation and guided tour upon arrival at the site.

A scenic 2 hour drive from the port of Ashdod will bring you to Masada. Along the way you will be amazed by the rocky desert surroundings and seemingly arid conditions. The main highlight of this drive will be the salt factory which spans for miles along the coast line of the Dead Sea. As you drive past you will be able to see the different sections of the plant and the machinery used for mineral separation and extraction.

When you arrive at the site, a short cable car ride will take you to the top of the mountain.

The fortress was built in 42 BC by Herod the Great as a potential refuge for the Jews. Nearly 1000 Jews, including soldiers, women and children barricaded themselves inside the fortress to protect themselves from attack by the Roman army.

The fortress was very well developed and included a communal bath house and sauna, living quarters, a school, synagogue and look-out towers. Not to mention the surprisingly advanced water retention system and supply tunnels.

When the Romans learned of the fortress, they attacked by building a ramp to reach the top. Aware of their imminent arrival the Jews killed themselves, preferring mass suicide to slavery.

The next part of the tour is the Dead Sea. A 30 minute drive from Masada will see you arrive at the Dead Sea where you will be able to experience the fantastic sensation of floating.

Please note that the high temperature of the water and salt concentration could cause your bathing suit to fade. It is also advisable to remove any jewelry before entering into the sea. The maximum time for bathing in the Dead Sea is 20 minutes due to the very high salt concentration as is the recommended time for direct exposure to the sun given its strength.

It is very important that you shower thoroughly when you get out ensuring you remove all of the salt crystals from your skin. Et Voilà….baby-smooth skin and looking and feeling 20 years younger!

The tour concludes with a very scenic drive back to Ashdod port in plenty of time to rejoin your ship before its departure.

Basic Itinerary:

- Depart from the Port

- Drive towards Masada, this will take approximatley 2.5 hours

- Drive down the Masada visitors center. Take a cable car to the top of the cliff

- Panoramic View of the Dead Sea

- Walk to King Harrods Palace, The Roman Bath and the Water Model

- Continue to the Dead Sea Beach

- Lunch at a local self service resturant

- Free time for around 1.5 hours for swimming or floating experience

- Return back to the Port

What should I take on the Tour: There is a lot of walking involved with this tour, please ensure you wear comfortable footwear, Sunglasses and a hat, drinking Water. Please do not forget a towel and your swimwear should you wish to swim in the dead sea.

Dress Code: Women should cover their shoulders while visiting the Holy Sites. Men and women should not wear shorts.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is there a dress code for this tour?

Generally there is no dress code, however please ensure you take a towel and swimwear if you wish to go into the dead sea.

2. Do you have to cover your head, or wear a hat?

No, this is not required. However you may require a sun hat for protection.

3. Are jeans acceptable?

Yes, jeans are fine for the tour, although in the summer months it may ba advisable to wear thin cotton trousers.

4. Is this a shared tour, if so what is the maximum number of passengers on the bus?

Yes, this is a shared tour, only for people who pre-book this tour. The maximum on the tour would be 30 passengers.

5. We are met at the port, what happens if we cannot locate the tour guide?

No problem, we provide emergency telephone numbers for all of our guides on the confirmation voucher which you will need to print of and take with you.

6. Is there a tour guide included in this tour?

Yes, we have a professional English speaking tour guide on this tour.

Duration: 9 hours