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Israel: Dead Sea, Masada, Ein Gedi, more

We are in the process of planning a trip to Israel. As part of that, we want to explore this area. So far, all the tours I've seen originate in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv. Our plan is to rent a car and drive to this area, staying at a hotel near Ein Gedi for two days or so, and visiting sites from there.. Are there any tours that originate from that area? We're also interested in exploring the Qumran site, and I saw a tour that included a rappelling experience there, but again, it originates in Jerusalem.

Posted by
1206 posts

I haven't taken an organized tour of the Dead Sea area, but several years ago rented a car in Jerusalem and drove to the Dead Sea and then up the highway to Tiberias and Safed. If you haven't made your hotel reservations yet, I loved Kibbutz Ein Gedi. Their guesthouses are set in a nature preserve area; it's magnificent! It's a very short drive from the kibbutz to the Ein Gedi nature preserve (go early, before the heat of the day). You can also easily drive from there to Masada, and to spas along the Dead Sea. Kibbutz Ein Gedi also has a no frills spa at which kibbutz guesthouse guests have privileges, as their guests also do at the beach run by the kibbutz. I believe that Qumran is no more than a 30 minute drive, also (probably closer). It would be quite easy to base yourself at Kibbutz Ein Gedi and tour on your own to many places along the Dead Sea. One last suggestion: Driving out of the Jerusalem metro area is convoluted. The taxi driver that we hired to drop us at the Jerusalem car rental we also paid to lead us out of J'lem to the highway east! It sure made it easier to find our way.

Posted by
136 posts

Thank you! We ARE booked at the Ein Gedi kibbutz! I'm looking for an organized tour based or starting from that area to provide information about what we're seeing, and to guide us to specific areas of historic, geologic, or other interest.

Posted by
8293 posts

Contact the kibbutz to see if they can offer advice about tours.

Posted by
15560 posts

Day tours only originate in the cities. I wouldn't worry about a guide unless you are really really interested in delving deeply into specifics. Qumran has a very good introductory movie and the site has good explanations in English. At Masada you will park underground in the large modern visitors' center. Watch the movie before taking the cable car up to the ruins. Take the very good audio guide. There are also lots of explanations in English as you walk around. Be sure to visit Herod's ruins there too. The natural trail at Ein Gedi doesn't need explanations (unless you want information on the geology or flora/fauna). Keep your eyes open for the animals. It's probably best early morning or late afternoon for spotting them - and certainly better than mid-day heat.

Hiking in the area is usually strenuous. Since you're staying at the kibbutz, you should have free entrance to their beach. Be sure to take swimming shoes and do not shave for at least 24 hours before going in the water.