Enjoy the natural beauty and history of Masada and the Dead Sea, two of the most popular sites in the Judean Desert, on this full-day guided tour from Ashdod port. Take a cable car to the top of UNESCO-listed Masada, an ancient mountain fortress, and explore the excavations of King Herod’s palace complex. View of Qumran, best known as the place where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered not so long ago. SMALL GROUPS UP TO 18 PEOPLE ONLY 

Discover the Dead Sea at the best part of the day, when the water is cool and inviting, and the beach is comfortable and relaxing. Float on the water or cover yourself in mineral-rich mud at a private beach at the north end of the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth, surrounded by the stunning landscape of the Negev Desert.

INCLUDES Masada & Dead Sea tour from Ashdod Port

  • Tour available according to all 2027 cruise ship arrival schedules at Ashdod Port
  •  Pickup from Ashdod Port coordinated with your cruise ship’s docking time
  •  Return transfer to Ashdod port coordinated with your cruise ship’s departure time
  •  All transfers in A/C vehicles according to the tour itinerary
  •  Government licensed tour guide in English
  •  Entrance fees to Masada & Dead Sea beach according to the tour itinerary
  •  Tour duration – In correlation with ship’s anchoring schedule up to 8-10 hours
  • RISK FREE RESERVATION POLICY – IN CASE OF CRUISE SCHEDULE CHANGE – FULL REFUND

Masada & Dead Sea Group Tour from Ashdod Port

Pickup is at Ashdod Port, where your guide will be waiting at the arrival terminal exit with a COMPASS sign. After all participants are collected, the tour will depart and take you on a journey through the Wilderness of Judea.

Along the way, you will see Bedouin settlements and pass by the Inn of the Good Samaritan. The tour will culminate with a descent to the lowest point on earth, the Dead Sea, located 400 meters below sea level.

Proceed south along the Dead Sea west coast, view of Qumran and its caves where the famous Dead Sea scrolls were found, to arrive at Mt. Masada.

Experience the beauty and history of Masada, a mountaintop fortress in Israel that was built by King Herod the Great in the 1st century BCE. Take a cable car ride to the top of the mountain to see the impressive ruins, which include the remains of a palace, defensive walls, and other buildings. While there, you can also enjoy the stunning views of the Judean Desert and learn about the site’s significance as the last stronghold of the Jewish rebels during the Great Revolt against the Roman Empire in the 1st century CE. Masada is a must-see destination for anyone interested in history and culture.

Masada is an ancient fortress located on a plateau in the Judean Desert in Israel. It was built by King Herod the Great in the 1st century BCE as a palace and a refuge in case of attack. The fortress is well-known for its dramatic location on top of a rocky plateau overlooking the Dead Sea, and it is considered one of the most important archaeological sites in Israel.

Masada is also famous for the story of the Jewish rebels who took refuge there in the 1st century CE, during the Jewish Revolt against the Roman Empire. The rebels held out against the Romans for several years, but eventually committed mass suicide rather than be captured. Masada has become a symbol of Jewish resistance and self-determination.

Descend by the cable car and travel to a nearby beach of the Dead Sea – stop for a swim in its therapeutic waters, experience the black mud and enjoy these unforgettable feelings of floating on the water.

A visit to the Dead Sea is an opportunity to relax and rejuvenate in a unique and beautiful setting. The high salt content of the water makes it very buoyant, so it is common to float in the lake or to use its therapeutic mud on the skin.

Dead Sea is known for its high salt content, which makes it one of the saltiest bodies of water in the world, and for its therapeutic properties, as the minerals in the water are believed to have health benefits.  After visiting the Dead Sea, you will be transferred back to Ashdod port.

VISIT Masada & Dead Sea tour from Ashdod Port

  • Masada
  • Wilderness of Judea
  • Judean Desert 
  • View of Qumran 
  • Dead Sea Beach 
  • AHAVA Dead Sea cosmetics shop

  Important Info Notes   

  • Minimum 2 people per reservation required 
  • 100% Guaranteed departures according to all 2027 cruise schedules from Ashdod port
  • Recommended for this tour: Comfortable walking shoes, swimming suite, hats, towels, sun glasses, sun screen.
  • A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements. Dress code is smart casual
  • Dead Sea part of the tour: Recommended to take/have towels, swimming suites, comfortable walking shoes, sun screen and slippers, hats, and drinking water.
  • One step booking system – Book Now Online
  • Instant payment and reservation request confirmation
  • Final detailed confirmation sent within 72 hours
  • If group tour not confirmed within 72 hours, full refund issued back
  • 24/7 WhatsApp Assistance +972 58 707 66 11  

Israel Port Cruise Group Tour  – Terms and Conditions – Cancellation policy:

  • Cancellation at any time 10% of the total price is nonrefundable
  • Cancellation less than two months before the arrival day 50% of total price charge will be applied
  • Cancellation less than a month before the arrival day 75% of total price charge will be applied
  • Cancellation less than a week before the arrival day 100% of total price full charge will be applied
  • Cancellation / Reschedule terms are the same
  • Any unused services fully nonrefundable
  • All not mentioned in includes – excluded
  • RISK FREE RESERVATION POLICY – IN CASE OF CRUISE SCHEDULE CHANGE – FULL REFUND

Masada & Dead Sea Group Tour from Ashdod Port
4.9 rating based on 273 ratings
Overall rating: 4.9 out of 5 based on 273 reviews.

Mass IN THE TOMB-Once in a Lifetime
★★★★★
“ We personalized a 5 day tour of Catholic Sites in Jerusalem Bethlehem Jordan River and Sea of Galilee . Compass was informative, communicative, responsive, and flexible . Our tour guide Avi Ofek was amazing. He was personable and funny and extremely knowledgeable about not only the history but the New Testament and how it relates to the Old Testament and Jewish history . He was efficient yet not rushed to soak in the spiritual aspects properly . We felt safe and journeyed to Bethlehem without having to transfer out of his car. Our number one experience was 5 am mass IN THE TOMB at the Holy Sepulchre with a total of ten people allowed (due to space) and our family able to lead a reading and a responsorial section . ONCE IN A LIFETIME.”
- Franco M

Israel tour
★★★★★
“ We had an excellent experience with Compass Travel Israel. Everything was seamless from airport pickup to hotel transfers and touring. Enrique was an incredible guide—friendly, knowledgeable, and spoke multiple languages fluently. Benjamin was also wonderful to work with—professional and very helpful. We felt safe, well taken care of, and truly enjoyed every moment. Highly recommend.”
- Isabel M

Very interesting
★★★★★
“ Enrique is a great guide, he brings charm and knowledge to the imposing landscape and the complexity of the areas covered.”
- Addamo T

Wonderful day with Avi
★★★★★
“ Avi was absolutely wonderful!! We had such a great day with him visiting Masada, Ein Gedi, and the Dead Sea. He was kind, patient, and incredibly knowledgeable, and he made the whole experience feel easy, interesting, and fun. He adapted perfectly to our family and kept our two kids engaged, even in the heat. He always knew where to stop, where to find shade, and how to share the history in a way that was fascinating but never too heavy. His car was also very comfortable, which made the long drive to and from Tel Aviv so much easier. It was a long, hot day, but it went by so fast because we were having such a good time. We would absolutely book Avi again and are already looking forward to more adventures with him!”
- Kelly L

Amazing experience!
★★★★★
“ I had an amazing experience at the Dead Sea and Masada tour, and a huge part of that was thanks to our guide, Enrique. He was incredibly knowledgeable and shared so much fascinating history throughout the entire trip you could tell he genuinely loves what he does and knows the subject inside and out. Enrique was extremely kind, welcoming, and friendly from start to finish. He made everyone feel comfortable and taken care of, and his hospitality really stood out. The whole experience felt organized, fun, and personal because of him. If you’re thinking about doing a Dead Sea and Masada tour, I highly recommend it and if you get Enrique as your guide, you’re in great hands.”
- Leor Amar

A Meaningful and Well‑Guided
★★★★★
“ Compass Travel Israel delivered an outstanding Holy Land tour experience. The entire schedule was thoughtfully planned, with excellent timing for pick‑ups, travel, and time spent at each site. The guides were knowledgeable, engaging, and provided throughout the journey valuable historical and cultural context. Their explanations added depth to every place we visited. A heartfelt appreciation to Mr. Eyal, Mr. Avi, and Mr. George for making the tour both educational and memorable. It was an experience we will never forget, and Impactful”
- Norman Tagle

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Contact us on WhatsApp +972 58 707 66 11 for instant assistance or info@compasstravel.co.il 

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