6 Days • 5 Nights
Jerusalem & the Dead Sea: Holy City & Ancient Wonders
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- The sacred, atmospheric Old City of Jerusalem, holy to three faiths, is the profound heart of this journey and one of the most extraordinary places on earth. Within its ancient walls you walk the Via Dolorosa, stand before the Western Wall, the holiest site in Judaism, enter the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built over the site of the Crucifixion and Resurrection, and gaze upon the golden Dome of the Rock. The labyrinth of ancient stone streets, bustling bazaars, and the layered history and living faith of Jews, Christians and Muslims create an atmosphere found nowhere else on earth.
- Floating in the mineral-rich Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth, is a remarkable and unforgettable highlight. At more than 400 metres below sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowest point on the surface of the earth, and its waters are so intensely salty that you float effortlessly on the surface, an extraordinary, almost surreal sensation. You bathe in the warm, buoyant, mineral-rich water, coat yourself in the famous therapeutic black mud, and take in the stark, beautiful desert landscape of ochre cliffs and shimmering turquoise water. Floating effortlessly in the mineral-rich Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth.
- Climbing dramatic Masada, the mountaintop fortress of tragic siege, offers spectacular history and views. Masada, a great flat-topped mountain rising dramatically above the Dead Sea and Judean desert, is one of Israel's most spectacular and moving sites, a fortress-palace built by Herod the Great and the scene of the tragic last stand of Jewish rebels against Rome. You ascend by cable car to explore the extraordinary ruins, Herod's palaces, storehouses, cisterns and synagogue, spread across the summit, and take in breathtaking, sweeping views over the Dead Sea and desert. The history is dramatic and moving.
- Visiting Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity, birthplace of Jesus, is a deeply moving highlight. In Bethlehem, just south of Jerusalem, you visit the Church of the Nativity, one of the oldest churches in the world, built over the grotto revered as the birthplace of Jesus, where you can descend to the silver star marking the sacred spot, and take in Manger Square and the atmosphere of this holy town, a profound pilgrimage for many. Your guide brings the history, faith and present-day life of these sacred places vividly to life.
- The moving Yad Vashem memorial and Israel's rich museums deepen the journey with profound history. In Jerusalem you visit the moving Yad Vashem, Israel's memorial and museum to the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust, a profound, essential and deeply moving experience that stays with you. You may also visit the Israel Museum, home to the Dead Sea Scrolls in the Shrine of the Book and a detailed model of ancient Jerusalem, deepening your understanding of the land's extraordinary history. These profound sites add moving depth to your journey. Visiting the moving Yad Vashem memorial and Israel's rich museums.
- Above all, this journey offers a rich, focused immersion in the sacred heart of the Holy Land and the dramatic desert wonders nearby. Jerusalem is one of the most extraordinary cities on earth, and, paired with the Dead Sea and Masada, it offers a profound and focused journey. Over six days you immerse yourself in the sacred Old City, the moving sites of Yad Vashem and Bethlehem, and the dramatic desert wonders of Masada and the Dead Sea, guided by expert local guides who bring the extraordinary history and faith vividly to life.
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 6-day journey.
Your journey begins as your flight arrives at Ben Gurion Airport, where you are met and transferred up to Jerusalem, the golden, holy city set in the Judean hills. Jerusalem is one of the most extraordinary cities on earth, and the sense of arriving in this sacred place is profound. On arrival you settle into your hotel, and, depending on your arrival time, may take a first orientation, perhaps from a panoramic viewpoint such as the Mount of Olives, gazing over the Old City walls and the golden Dome of the Rock as the city takes on its evening glow, a breathtaking first sight. This evening, a welcome dinner introduces you to the flavours of the region and to the journey ahead through the sacred city and the dramatic desert wonders nearby. As you settle in, the extraordinary atmosphere of Jerusalem and the anticipation of exploring it work their magic. Rest well, ready to explore the sacred Old City tomorrow.
Today you explore the sacred, atmospheric Old City of Jerusalem, one of the most extraordinary places on earth, holy to three faiths. With your expert guide, you enter the ancient walls and walk the Via Dolorosa, the path of Jesus's final journey, to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built over the site of the Crucifixion and Resurrection. You stand before the Western Wall, the holiest site in Judaism, where prayers are placed in the ancient stones, and gaze upon the magnificent golden Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount, sacred to Islam and Judaism. You wander the labyrinth of ancient stone streets and bustling bazaars of the Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Armenian quarters, immersed in millennia of history and living faith. As the day ends, you return to your hotel, profoundly moved by the sacred heart of Jerusalem.
Today you explore more of Jerusalem's extraordinary heritage. You visit the moving Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial and museum, a profound and essential experience that stays with you, and the Israel Museum, home to the Dead Sea Scrolls in the Shrine of the Book and a detailed model of ancient Jerusalem, deepening your understanding of the land's history. You visit Mount Zion, with the Room of the Last Supper and King David's Tomb, and may explore the vibrant, atmospheric Mahane Yehuda market, alive with colour, food and the energy of the modern city. The combination of profound memorial, rich history and vibrant life is captivating. As the day ends, you return to your hotel, moved and enriched by the day. This evening, perhaps experience Jerusalem's lively food scene, or the peaceful atmosphere of the Old City by night.
Today you visit Bethlehem, birthplace of Jesus, and explore more of Jerusalem. You cross into Bethlehem, in the Palestinian territories, to visit the Church of the Nativity, one of the oldest churches in the world, built over the grotto revered as the birthplace of Jesus, descending to the silver star that marks the sacred spot, and take in Manger Square and the atmosphere of this holy town. Returning to Jerusalem, you might explore more of the Old City, walk the ramparts, visit the City of David archaeological site, or explore the vibrant markets and quarters. Your guide brings the layered history, faith and present-day life vividly and sensitively to life. As the day ends, you return to your hotel, deeply moved by the sacred sites you have experienced. This evening, savour the atmosphere of the holy city, perhaps at the Western Wall as evening falls.
Today you journey into the dramatic Judean desert to Masada and the Dead Sea. You drive down through the stark, beautiful desert to Masada, the great flat-topped mountain fortress rising above the Dead Sea, ascending by cable car to explore Herod's extraordinary mountaintop palaces, storehouses and the moving site of the Jewish rebels' tragic last stand, with breathtaking views over the desert and sea. You then descend to the shore of the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth, to float effortlessly in its warm, intensely salty, mineral-rich water, coat yourself in the famous therapeutic black mud, and relax amid the stark desert beauty, an extraordinary experience. As the day ends, you settle into your Dead Sea resort, perhaps enjoying its mineral spa. Relax this evening amid the desert stillness, savouring the remarkable landscapes and experiences of the day.
After a final, relaxed morning at the Dead Sea, perhaps a last float in the mineral-rich water or a treatment at the mineral spa, you journey back across the desert and to Ben Gurion Airport for your onward international departure. You leave having experienced the sacred heart of the Holy Land and its dramatic desert wonders, the ancient Old City of Jerusalem holy to three faiths, the moving sites of Yad Vashem and Bethlehem, and the spectacular Masada and the float in the Dead Sea. The images stay vivid long after you land, the golden Dome of the Rock, the prayers at the Western Wall, the ancient Via Dolorosa, the grotto of the Nativity, and the float in the lowest place on earth. Jerusalem and the Dead Sea offer profound history, faith and dramatic beauty in abundance, and you depart deeply moved, already reflecting on your journey to the sacred heart of the Holy Land.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 5 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner
- Airport and land transfers in air-conditioned vehicles
- Touring and sightseeing as per itinerary with expert licensed guides
- Entrance fees to sites, national parks and museums as per itinerary
- private touring with an expert licensed guide, a Jerusalem Old City and holy sites tour, a Yad Vashem visit, a Bethlehem excursion, a Masada and Dead Sea tour, and all entrance fees
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Some lunches and dinners not specified
- Optional experiences and tips for guides and drivers
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa & entry: Many nationalities can enter Israel visa-free for up to 90 days with a passport valid for at least six months; entry and exit records are usually issued on a separate card rather than stamped in the passport. Requirements can change, so we confirm the exact process for your nationality before travel
- Currency: The currency is the Israeli New Shekel (ILS); cards are widely accepted in cities, hotels and restaurants, but carry some cash for markets, small shops, tips and rural areas. ATMs are plentiful in towns and cities, and US dollars are accepted in some tourist settings
- Best time to visit: Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the most pleasant, with warm, dry days ideal for touring; summer (June to August) is hot, especially in the desert and by the Dead Sea, while winter is mild and can be wet, with cooler days in Jerusalem
- Shabbat: The Jewish Sabbath (Shabbat) runs from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset, when many shops, restaurants and public transport (including in Jerusalem) close, though this varies by area (Tel Aviv is livelier). We plan itineraries mindful of Shabbat and holidays, and it is a peaceful, atmospheric time to experience
- Religious sites & dress: Israel's holy sites are sacred to Judaism, Christianity and Islam; dress modestly (cover shoulders and knees, and heads where required), behave respectfully, and follow site rules. Some sites have separate areas or specific customs, and your guide advises fully so your visits are respectful and rewarding
- The Dead Sea: Floating in the Dead Sea is a remarkable experience, but the water is intensely salty, so avoid shaving beforehand, keep the water away from your eyes and mouth, do not submerge your head, wear water shoes, and rinse off in fresh water afterwards. Your guide and hotel advise on safe, enjoyable bathing
- Security & travel: Israel is generally safe and well-organised for visitors, with security checks at sites, airports and public places that are routine and quick; we monitor conditions, use trusted local guides and drivers, and follow official advice at all times to ensure a safe, smooth and rewarding journey
- Getting around & power: Touring is by private air-conditioned vehicle with your guide, with distances generally short. Power is 230V with type C, H and M plugs, so bring an adapter. Hebrew and Arabic are the official languages, and English is very widely spoken, making travel easy and rewarding
Frequently Asked Questions
Is six days enough to experience Jerusalem?
Six days offers a rich, focused and deeply rewarding immersion in Jerusalem's sacred heart, with time for the Old City, the great holy sites, Yad Vashem, the museums, and Bethlehem, plus the dramatic desert wonders of Masada and the Dead Sea. It is ideal for a first, focused visit or a meaningful short journey. If you have more time, we can easily extend to include the Galilee, Tel Aviv, the Negev or Petra in neighbouring Jordan.
Can we visit the Temple Mount and enter the holy sites?
Access to the Temple Mount (with the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa) is possible at certain hours for visitors, though entry to the interiors of the Islamic shrines is generally restricted to Muslims, and access can vary; your guide advises on current arrangements and etiquette. You can freely visit the Western Wall plaza and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. We plan visits mindful of opening times, prayer times and dress codes for a smooth, respectful experience.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included, along with any meals named in the itinerary. Israel has one of the world's great food cultures, from vibrant market stalls and hummus, falafel and fresh salads to fine dining and superb local wines, so we usually leave lunches and dinners free for you to explore the wonderful restaurants and markets, and we are delighted to recommend the best options at every stage.
Are the tours private or in a group?
Your journey is private by default, with your own expert licensed guide and air-conditioned vehicle, giving you flexibility, depth and a pace tailored to you; small-group and shared touring options can be arranged if you prefer. Israel's excellent licensed guides bring the extraordinary history, religion and culture of the Holy Land vividly to life, greatly enriching every visit.
Do I need a visa for Israel?
Many nationalities enter visa-free for up to 90 days with a passport valid for at least six months, with entry usually recorded on a separate card rather than stamped. Requirements can change, so we confirm the exact, current process for your nationality before travel, so there are no surprises. We also advise on any considerations for onward travel in the region.
Is it safe to travel in Israel?
Israel is generally safe and very well-organised for visitors, with routine, efficient security at sites and airports. We continuously monitor conditions, use trusted local guides and drivers, and follow official guidance at all times, adjusting itineraries if ever needed. The vast majority of visits are smooth and rewarding, and millions of travellers and pilgrims visit the Holy Land safely each year.
When is the best time to visit?
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are ideal, with warm, dry, comfortable weather for touring Jerusalem, the Galilee, the desert and the coast. Summer is hot, especially in the desert and by the Dead Sea, and winter is mild and greener, cooler in Jerusalem. We advise on the best timing for your interests and any festivals or holy days you wish to experience.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. We can adjust the balance of religious, historical, cultural, culinary and outdoor experiences, add the Dead Sea, the Negev, Eilat, Petra in neighbouring Jordan, or more time in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv, and tailor the pace, comfort and focus to you, whether your interest is pilgrimage, history, food, or relaxation. Every itinerary is a flexible starting point for your ideal journey.
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