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Jerusalem, Bethlehem & Masada 2 Days from Tel Aviv

Jerusalem, Bethlehem & Masada 2 Days from Tel Aviv

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2 Days From

~~$360~~

$343

Jerusalem, Bethlehem & Masada 2 Days from Tel Aviv

2 Days Starting in Jerusalem and ending in

Visiting: Jerusalem, Israel

Tour operator:

Bein Harim

Tour code:

391215

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Physical rating:

EASY

Age range:

Interests:

Cultural, History, Religion and Spiritual, Ruins-Archaeology

Activities:

Sightseeing, Walking

From: $360 $343 (USD) Travel Club discount: -$17

NB: Prices correct on 18-Jan-2025 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

On this 2-day tour, you’ll visit the top attractions of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Masada, and the Dead Sea. Walk the narrow lanes of Jerusalem’s Old City and stop at iconic landmarks like the Western Wall and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Travel to Bethlehem to visit the Church of Nativity that encompasses the Holy Grotto where Jesus was born. Tour the remains of King Herod’s fortress complex built on the plateau summit of Masada. Spend free time relaxing on a Dead Sea beach and floating in the mineral-rich salty water. The two days are fully guided by a professional local guide and the tour includes 1 night of bed and breakfast accommodation.

Highlights

On this 2-day tour, you’ll visit the top attractions of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Masada, and the Dead Sea
Walk the narrow lanes of Jerusalem’s Old City and stop at iconic landmarks like the Western Wall and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher
Travel to Bethlehem to visit the Church of Nativity that encompasses the Holy Grotto where Jesus was born
Tour the remains of King Herod’s fortress complex built on the plateau summit of Masada
Spend free time relaxing on a Dead Sea beach and floating in the mineral-rich salty water
The two days are fully guided by a professional local guide and the tour includes 1 night of bed and breakfast accommodation

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Jerusalem And Bethlehem Tour

Location: Jerusalem

Our day begins at the Mount of Olives with a breathtaking panoramic view over Jerusalem then we continue on to the Byzantine Cardo, an ancient main road which runs through the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem. We take a look at the Wailing Wall (Kotel) and then follow the sacred route Jesus took carrying his cross along the Way of Sorrows (Via Dolorosa). We stop as several of the Stations of the Cross and reach the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre where Jesus was crucified and where his burial tomb is located. We take a stroll through the bazaars of the Christian and Moslem Quarters and then depart Jerusalem and make our way to Bethlehem.

In Bethlehem, our main focus is the Church of the Nativity where Jesus was born. Our journey begins at the Mount of Olives overlooking the ancient Jewish cemetery where it is believed that the resurrection will begin when the Messiah comes (Zech 14:4). From this elevated location we can see across the Old City and down to Temple Mount where the Holy Jewish Temple once stood. We continue on towards the Zion Gate by driving passed the Garden of Gethsemane, the Church of All Nations and the Kidron Valley where we see the Jewish burial tombs of Absalom, King David's son; Jehoshaphat and the Hezir family (benei Hazir). At the Zion Gate we enter Jerusalem's Old City and make our way through the Armenian Quarter. Then we follow the 1500 year old excavated Byzantine Cardo which has been restored and is now home to modern shops which line a section of the ancient road.

We carry on through the Jewish Quarter and on to the Western Wall which was part of the outer walls of the Holy Jewish Temple that stood on Temple Mount almost 2,000 years ago.

We then walk where Jesus once walked the Way of Sorrows along the Via Dolorosa, as thousands of pilgrims do each year. We stop at several of the Stations of the Cross where Jesus stopped briefly as he carried his cross to Golgotha (Calvary). The final station on the Way of Sorrows is at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher marking the site where Christ was crucified and where his burial tomb is located. The Basilica was constructed during the Byzantine Era and underwent renovations and reconstruction over the years. Before we leave the Old City we meander through the typically Middle Eastern markets and then set off for Bethlehem, the city of Christ's birth. We arrive in the City of Bread, Bethlehem, which was home to Jesse, King David's father as well as being Christ's birthplace (Matthew 2:1). From Manger Square we enter the 4th century Church of the Nativity which is the oldest church in Israel still in use. Beneath the church is the Grotto of the Nativity where a star indicates the place where Jesus was born. Also in the Orthodox Church is an alter dedicated to the Three Wise Men. This is the place where the well-known story of Christmas night took place and a visit here is a moving experience for all Christians. The Church of the Nativity was neglected for centuries following the expulsion of the Crusaders and was also damaged by an earthquake and fire. However during the British Mandate and more recently under Israeli authority the church has been restored and repaired.

On the way out of the church we see the Armenian Chapel of the Kings or Magi and we visit the Crusader Church. From the Church of St. Catherine we go down into a two room cave which connects with the Grotto of the Nativity. It was here that Saint Jerome spent 30 years translating the Hebrew Bible into the Latin version called The Vulgate. This is the perfect place for us to take a moment and sing some Christmas carols. In Luke 2:8-11 we read of an angel appearing to shepherds who were tending their sheep in a nearby field. We stop to see Shepherds Field, and the contemporary Church of the Angels designed by Antonio Berluzzi with panels retelling the story of Jesus' early life. On our way back towards Jerusalem we pass the Field of Ruth. Here Ruth, King David's great grandmother worked in the fields of Boaz. (Ruth 2:1).

Day 2 : Masada And The Dead Sea Tour

We begin out journey by taking the route down from Jerusalem descending below sea level through the Biblical wilderness towards the Dead Sea. On the way we can see the Inn of the Good Samaritan and stop on route to look out across the desert as we pass the point marking "sea level". The ancient city of Jericho can be seen in the distance where Joshua's troops caused the walls to fall (Joshua 6) and where Jesus healed the blind (Mark 10:46-52).

We reach the shores of the Dead Sea encrusted with white salt and follow the shoreline towards Masada. Although it's possible to climb the ancient Snake Path up Masada as the Romans did 2000 years ago, we take the convenient cable car up to the mountain top plateau. It was here that King Herod built a fortified palace complete with every convenience. Herod had built a swimming pool, water cisterns, two palaces, store rooms and even a synagogue.

Following Herod's death the mountain top was the last outpost of Jewish zealots when the Romans tried to rid the land of Jews in the First Jewish-Roman War of 66-73AD. The Jewish zealots maintained their position for three years before the Romans finally managed to scale Masada using a ramp built by slaves. The 960 Jews didn't wait for the Romans to reach the summit, instead they killed themselves, becoming religious martyrs.

It was on Masada that the first parchment from this era was discovered in an Israeli archaeological excavation. On the parchment was the prophesy of Ezekiel "…I will take the children of Israeli from among the nations…and bring them into their own land…" (Ezekiel 37).

Heading back to the Dead Sea we pass the desert oasis of Ein Gedi where there is lush foliage and gorgeous waterfalls and where David hid from angry King Saul. We also pass by Qumran were the 2,000 year old Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in a number of hillside caves.

To end off a perfect day we stop at the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth and a contender for the title of one of the Seven Wonders of the World. People come from across the globe to enjoy the therapeutic mineral rich waters. And don't worry if you don't know how to swim, the high salt content will keep you afloat.

What's Included

Hotel pickup and drop off
Professional guide
Air-conditioned vehicle
Overnight accommodation
Breakfast

What's Not Included

Food and drinks, unless specified
Gratuities

Know Before You Go

Passport Required

Please Note

A moderate dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. Please refrain from wearing shorts. Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirementsA current valid passport is required on the day of travelPlease note this tour is not suitable for children under the age of 4Due to visitor overload a visit down to the Nativity cave is not always possible

Check out our Q&As

What is the main focus of the visit to Bethlehem?

The main focus of the visit to Bethlehem is the Church of the Nativity, where Jesus was born. The tour includes a visit to the Grotto of the Nativity beneath the church, which marks the place of Jesus' birth.
What historical significance does Masada hold?

Masada is historically significant as the site where King Herod built a fortified palace. It was also the last outpost of Jewish zealots during the First Jewish-Roman War. The zealots held out against the Romans for three years before choosing to become martyrs rather than be captured.
What can visitors expect at the Dead Sea?

Visitors can expect to relax on a Dead Sea beach and float in the mineral-rich salty water. The high salt content of the Dead Sea allows people to float easily, even if they don't know how to swim.
Is there a dress code for visiting religious sites on this tour?

Yes, a moderate dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. Shorts are not allowed, and knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women.
Is the tour suitable for young children?

The tour is not suitable for children under the age of 4.

Is it always possible to visit the Nativity cave in Bethlehem?

Due to visitor overload, a visit down to the Nativity cave is not always possible.

Reviews of this operator

Evelina Reznikovė (Google Reviewer)

Went with excellent guide Yoav...

05-Oct-2023

Went with excellent guide Yoav to Jericho and Dead Sea. It was very safe, very interesting tour without any pressure. Had enough time to enjoy sights and Yoav provided plenty of interesting information. Highly recommend!

Joe Martin (Google Reviewer)

We had such a wonderful...

23-Sep-2023

We had such a wonderful experience touring with Bein Harim! Gershon our driver was fantastic, but our tour guide, Yonatan was the best! His knowledge of history and culture and the ability to speak in so many languages was amazing!

Paola Bravo (Google Reviewer)

This is our first time...

29-Sep-2023

This is our first time booking a shore excursion not with the ship. We were a bit anxious doing the shore excursions independently. I shouldn’t have been as our guide Avi which we had both for a private tour and a non private tour was excellent. He was very professional and was very informative. Also, we were on time both leaving and getting back to the ship. Both these excursions were planned very well. I have also found that the same excursions offered by the ship are far more expensive. I cannot recommend Bein Harim Tours enough. Excellent tours and excellent guide!

Hannah Marshall (Google Reviewer)

We had a great time...

15-Sep-2023

We had a great time in all our tours, thanks to Avi, Itzik, Tomer, Mahmoud, Omri, Boaz and of course Avishai! Incredible hospitality, great knowledge from all the guides, and really really well organised! Would definitely recommend. Highlights were the lunch at the Kibbutz on the Galillee and Nazareth trip, incredible service and knowledge from Shai on the way to the Dead Sea, a comprehensive, funny and smart tour from Tomer in Caesarea Haifa and Acre, and the efficiency of the Jerusalem tour by Avi.

Chris Neuman (Google Reviewer)

Had a terrific time! Orion...

03-Sep-2023

Had a terrific time! Orion (guide) was insightful, friendly, and engaging at least. Jacob (driver) got us there and back safely. Both cared for our safety and input. Loved every minute and will use their services again. Worth it.

ricardo edwards (Google Reviewer)

Yoav and his colleagues was...

05-Sep-2023

Yoav and his colleagues was amazing, I have a lovely time. They were on time and pick you up at the spot as promised. The bus ride wasn’t boring, but it was very informative. If I ever visit Israel again, I would book them to do another tour I highly recommend. Thank you very much.

Ramona Fraedermann (Google Reviewer)

Went 2,5 months ago for...

25-Nov-2024

Went 2,5 months ago for the Jerusalem old city tour. The guide was very knowledgeable about history and also gave us insights of nowadays. Our group was not so big, so it was very relaxed and no rushing. I would not doubt to book the same company again. Also they made us feel safe all the time. And last not least what a magical moment to put your tiny written wish into the western wall 💙🤍💙

Dorian Pluschke (Google Reviewer)

We went on the tour...

01-Oct-2023

We went on the tour to Masada and the Dead Sea. Or tour guide was Michael Altshuler. It was a great experience. Michael is such a nice and knowledgeable man who is incredibly friendly and patiently answers questions. He really seems to be very passionate about the history and stories of the places and manages to convey this feeling as well. Couldn't have asked for a better guide. Perfect. The tour itself was a very pleasant experience as well. The fortress was very impressive and the Dead Sea was great, too. We could have done without the stop at the Dead Sea cosmetics but that's just personal preferences I guess.

Maria Camila Alvarez T (Google Reviewer)

Great company to make tours...

05-Aug-2023

Great company to make tours with. We took 2 tours with them in Spanish (Jerusalem old city and Bethlehem, Masada and dead sea) and we're completely satisfied. The guides and drives are very patient and friendly, everything is very well organized and you don't feel rushed.

Aleksander Ziolkowski (Alek) (Google Reviewer)

I recently embarked on the...

02-Sep-2023

I recently embarked on the Jerusalem and Dead Sea one-day tour with Bein Harim Tourism services in Israel, and I have mixed feelings about the experience. The tour began bright and early, which allowed us to make the most of the day. The organization and timing of transportation and visiting various sites were impeccable. I appreciated that the tour was structured to provide ample opportunities for learning without making us feel rushed. However, one aspect that left me somewhat disappointed was the stops for coffee, food, and souvenirs. While convenient, these stops felt like they had agreements in place to extract more money from tourists. Prices were considerably high, with a shawarma costing £10 and a coffee £5, which I found to be a rip-off. I would advise future travelers to this tour to bring their snacks and plenty of water to avoid overpriced stops. Despite this downside, I must highlight the excellent tour guide who provided valuable insights and made the overall experience very enjoyable. Bein Harim Tourism's organization and the guide's expertise largely made up for the minor inconveniences during the journey.

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~~$360~~ $343 (USD)