Day Trip to the Dead Sea Valley with GaryTheGuide
Description
A Dead Sea day with GaryTheGuide is geared to your needs. I will pick you up at your hotel or agreed upon location, bring you to the sites you are interested in, and make the day last as long or short as you desire. We will not just embed ourselves in dramatic stories, explain the history, and delve in to the nature of the Dead Sea and it's sites, but we will discuss the effects these sites have had on our societies today. Geopolitics and ecology will be present alongside history archeology, and religion. All of this is in addition to the relaxation and wonder of the Dead I will take care of you along the way and make sure you know all of your options so you can make the most informed decisions: lunch or snacks, shops that fill your needs, and experiences that most interest you. Personalize this tour by choosing 3-4 of the sites listed. Make this your dream day in one of the most unique locations in Israel. Come enjoy the Dead Sea with me!
Tour Options
Itinerary
At Kalya Beach you will stand at the lowest spot on the Earth. You will wade in the unique waters of the Dead Sea, where you float and feel almost weightless. In addition, you can ride a camel, drink at the lowest bar on Earth, and enjoy shops that display the wonders of the Dead Sea: Salts, mud, and dates. After this experience, your muscles will feel relaxed and your skin will be healthy and soft. Who could pass this up?
Masada is a mountain with steep cliffs, amazingly preserved archeology, over 2000 years of history, and drama that dates from King Herod through the 20th century. You can alight the mountain by foot or cable car. Above you will see ancient beauty, hear of life and death decisions, and discuss how Masada's meaning has evolved in modern times. The views are stunning, and they inspire discussions of ecology, international relations, and spirituality.
Two natural springs from the Judean hills converge here and form the most lush oasis in the Judean Desert. A short walk will bring you to several waterfalls where you can dip your feet or wade in to the falls themselves. Longer hikes can take you to ancient temples, pools, and caves that appear in stories of Biblical kings. Whether you are looking for a refreshing stop or an exhilarating hike, Ein Gedi is a gem that you won't forget.
Two thousand years ago a very unique community settled in Qumran. Using the water from the river bed, they created a society based on purity, comradeship, study, and writing texts. In modern times, almost by chance, the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, most written here in Qumran. Walking through the archeological remains of their village, we see how they survived in the desert, using water where there is almost none, and searching for God far away from any city or distraction.
The "mighty" Jordan is actually a slow meandering river, with plants and greenery abound. Just above is the stark desert, almost void of life. This is the scenery of both John the Baptist and Joshua. Here, one of them baptises Jesus, and the other leads the Children of Israel in to the promised land. You can go in to this same water and view people who have come to be baptised on both the Israeli and Jordanian banks.
Entering one of the oldest cities on the Earth is simply intriguing. Here, you will visit the ancient archeological site where agricultural first begins, seeing a 9000 year old tower, and possibly the spot where the walls came tumbling down. Just a few minutes away you will find one of the most amazing mosaic floors in the world in a 1300 year old Umayad Period palace. Explore Jericho's connections to the Bible, the stories of Jesus, and modern politics. This city seems to remain relevant to this day.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
I will pick you up from any location in the Jerusalem and Tel Aviv areas, and most other central places in Israel. Locations that are more remote may require an additional fee.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(6)
Tremendous trip with Gary. Highly recommend him. Gary is extremely knowledgeable and flexible. He is kind and considerate as he guided our family on multiple tours during a heat wave of historic proportions. I was so impressed that Gary took the time to scout out hikes in the Red Canyon and Timna the day before we went together. The man cares deeply about safety and the best experience. Gary has deep knowledge of history and geology that was a terrific combination in the Negev, Mitzpe Ramon, The Dead Sea and Masada. Looking for a family friendly and extremely knowledgeable and friendly guide, choose Gary. He’s the man.
Thank you! Your family is truly amazing, and the heat wave during the week you were here was truly of historic proportions. It was fun to tour in the south of Israel. Although many people visit the Dead Sea, very few tour the Negev Desert. You were able to enjoy amazing desert landscapes and walk through stunning scenery, not to mention the Ibex and other animals we were lucky enough to spot. You also enjoyed the best camel rides Israel has to offer. I hope we get a chance to explore the north of Israel, the Galilee and Golan Heights next time. You are always welcome to tour with GaryTheGuide.
We have toured twice with Gary - a day tour of Jerusalem several years ago, and this year a day tour of the Dead Sea area. Both times we are really grateful to have gone with Gary. Gary is super knowledgeable and also a really nice guy. He is a font of detailed historical knowledge. On this most recent trip, we encountered some unexpected weather obstacles, such as excess wind that on short notice closed access to Masada. Gary gave us great historical overview from the at the museum, and then offered us some fascinating alternate options. Ein Gedi was also closed, so he took us to Qumrun where the Dea Sea Scrolls were found and shared a lot of knowledge. With our unexpected remaining time, he also then offered an option more frequently appealing to his Christian guests (we are Jewish) - he took us to the area on the Jordan River where John was baptized. It turned out to be really interesting and cool, and we even brought back some water from that spot on the river for a Christian friend back home (who was really happy to receive it). All in all Gary is great. He's a lovely guy and knows a ton. Highly recommended for both tours.
Thank you! It was a day filled with unexpected circumstances by the Dead Sea. It was fun to be with you, and I thank you for your openness and flexibility. We were able to see some off the beaten track sites and feel the deep connection that the Dead Sea and the Jordan River have to our history. It's a unique landscape that seems to draw in dramatic events. I'm looking forward to your next adventure with GaryTheGuide.
Gary is a terrific guide. He is a historical expert and knows many behind the scenes of living in Israel. Our tour was fascinating. Thanks Gary!
Thank you so much for your kind words. This tour was truly interesting since we visited an off the beaten path site in the Armenian Quarter and had the chance to see a wedding taking place by the Western Wall. You never know what gems you will find on any day in The Old City of Jerusalem. I appreciate your flexibility. It was fun to experience something different. Feel free to contact me when you come back to Israel. There are always new things to see. Thanks, GaryTheGuide
Gary led us on a tour with a wide variation of ages, levels of athleticism and expectations. He managed a tough crew with lots of different needs with a degree of extraordinary calm and optimism. We learned a great deal, more than just the surface, but the deep history, presented from a number of different perspectives that allowed us to form our own opinions. Strongly recommend Gary for all your Israel tour needs. He is the best.
We had an amazing experience with Gary the Guide! We spent several days in the Dead Sea region including an overnight stay in Ein Gedi. We got to see this ancient site and hike through the trails and my son had his bar mitzvah at the site. Gary is so incredibly knowledgeable as well as just a pleasure to be with. The sunrise hike up Masada and his tour among the ruins were absolutely incredible as well. I wish I could do it all over again! He did a really good job of balancing information for the younger and older generations (our group was aged 11-75). He planned a trip that was loved by us all. This was truly a trip of a lifetime.
Gary is the real deal. A most personable soul who travelled with us for 7 days from the Golan Heights all the way down to Eilat and everything in between. His knowledge(Judeochristian) is superb and fascinating. I would never consider going back to Israel with any other guide service. The only negative about Gary is that he is a die hard Cubs fan!
