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
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
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