Masada and the Dead Sea

Cross the Judean desert and descend to the Jordan valley. Drive along the Dead Sea to Massada. Ascend by the cable car to the top of the hill. Visit the bathhouse, the palace and the cisterns built by King Herod the Great. Learn about the battle of the Jewish Zealots against the Romans, about the myth of Massada and how it affects the life of the Israelis today.

On the way back, stop for a unique experience:
“swimming” in the Dead Sea. (Because of its unusually high concentration of salt, anyone can easily float in the Dead Sea). The Dead Sea is rapidly shrinking due to diversion of incoming water. We will see what effect it has on the ecology so far.