Desert Safari Jeep Experience 1 Day Tour
Take an exciting trip through the Judaean Desert (Photo courtesy of Bein Harim)
Explore the beautiful desert landscapes (Photo courtesy of Bein Harim)
The dry stream of Wadi Dragot (Photo courtesy of Bein Harim)
See the ancient Murabba'at Caves of Wadi Dragot (Photo courtesy of Bein Harim)
Take in the vast picturesque views of the Judaean Desert (Photo courtesy of Bein Harim)
The wonderful desert landscapes (Photo courtesy of Bein Harim)
Meet the wild Judaean Desert Mountain Goats (Photo courtesy of Bein Harim)
A wild Mountain Goat overlooking the Dead Sea valley (Photo courtesy of Bein Harim)
Camels near the Dead Sea (Photo courtesy of Bein Harim)
An expansive view of the Dead Sea valley to the Jordan Mountains (Photo courtesy of Bein Harim)
The Judaean Desert Highway with the Dead Sea in the distance (Photo courtesy of Bein Harim)
The rocky Wadi Dragot Trail (Photo courtesy of Bein Harim)
See the Qumran Caves, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered (Photo courtesy of Bein Harim)
A memorable photo opportunity before going down to the lowest place on earth (Photo courtesy of Bein Harim)
A distant view of the Dead Sea shore from Metzoke Dragot (Photo courtesy of Bein Harim)
The sparkling white Dead Sea salt formations (Photo courtesy of Bein Harim)
Have a relaxing and rejuvenating dip in the Dead Sea waters (Photo courtesy of Bein Harim)
- Duration
1 day - Departure days
Mon, Sat - Languages
English
Overview
Take an experiential trip into the desert, riding the terrain in a 4X4 while learning about the fascinating history of the area and then floating in the Dead Sea.
Highlights
We begin by driving through the Judean Desert south towards the Dead Sea, on the way we pass the Inn of the Good Samaritan and the caves of Qumran where the Dead Sea scrolls were found. We change to a desert vehicle (4X4) and enter the desert, driving to Dragot Cliffs and the Wadi Murbaat. To finish off our adventurous day we relax with a swim in the Dead Sea.
Itinerary
We drive south of Jerusalem descending through the biblical wilderness. On the way we pass the Inn of the Good Samaritan, the site of the biblical parable. We continue our descent passing the point indicating that we are now descending beneath sea level.” From here we can see the biblical city of Jericho in the distance. Jericho is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world and most know it as the city conquered by Joshua (Joshua 6) when his troops circled the city walls, causing them to fall.
As we reach Qumran we can see the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. The scrolls (which are now kept in the Shrine of the Book in Jerusalem) were kept in good condition for 2,000 years due to the lack of humidity in the Dead Sea region. The scrolls contain invaluable insights into the ancient Essenes sect and include the oldest copy of the First Testament.
At this point we transfer to a 4X4 jeep which is suitable for the rough desert terrain. We take an exciting ride through the desert up steep inclines, down ravines and over sand and rock. With our adrenaline pumping we reach the Cliffs of Dragot where we can look down on the Dragot River. This river only flows when there are winter flash floods. We also see the Murbaat Caves with their fascinating square entrances.
The Murbaat Caves were explored in the 1950s and artifacts from the Chalcolithic era and Bronze era were found. Also discovered in the caves were documents dating back to the 2nd century. The writings gave details of the second Jewish revolt (132 – 135CE). One of the texts was penned by the revered Rabbi Shimon Bar Kochba who led the revolt. One of the most important discoveries was a set of tefilin (phylactery). This confirmed that the Jewish traditional tefilin prayer ritual dates back thousands of years.
We end our adventure by washing away the dust of the desert and cooling off in the Dead Sea. We change into our bathing suits and float in the mineral rich water which is 35% salt. We can also use nature’s natural face mask, the Dead Sea black mud, and covering our faces and bodies with it to gain benefit from the mud’s therapeutic qualities.
Departure times
- Jerusalem: 8:30 am
- Tel Aviv: 7:15 am
- Herzliya: 7:00 am
- Netanya: 6:30 am
TOUR LANGUAGES BY DAY
PICKUP CITIES AND PRICES
Special notes
- Change of vehicle is required for pick up/drop off destinations to save time, avoiding traffic delays.
- This tour requires a minimum number of 2 participants.
- Bring a hat, a bathing suit, a bottle of water, a light meal and comfortable shoes.
- Age: 4+
Cancellation Policy
- No refunds will be provided for no-shows or cancellations on the day of travel
- No refunds for tours that include flights and accommodation
- Payments by credit card or PayPal incur an additional 4% credit card commission fee
Have any questions about this tour?
FAQ about Desert Safari Jeep Experience 1 Day Tour
Can I bring along my luggage on the tour?
Yes, you can bring your luggage with you on the tour for no additional cost, it will be stored in the trunk of the van or bus during the tour.
Please be advised as we do not take any responsibility for any damage or loss of luggage.
It is recommended that you let us know that you are travelling with luggage.
Can I be dropped off in a different city from where I was picked up?
Yes, when booking you can select a different drop-off location when booking, though there maybe an additional fee depending on where you need to be dropped off.
Can I get picked up and dropped off at my hotel?
Yes. When booking, you can select the hotel where you will be staying at, for pick-up and drop-off.
If you are not staying at a hotel, you can choose the hotel closest to you on the list provided, when booking.
Can I be dropped off at the Dead Sea?
Yes. Once you have completed your booking, please write in the Comments section that you would like to be dropped off at Kalya Beach by the Dead Sea.
From Kalya Beach, you can catch a bus to Eilat that stops at many places on the way where you can get off.
What languages is the tour in, and how do I choose?
The language the tour is in is English.
When booking, you are able to select the language you want, and it will show you which days it is available.
What choices do I have for lunch?
Snacks and coffee are included on the tour, but it is recommended that you bring water and sandwiches for lunch.
Is there a tour discount for children or students?
Yes, for both children under the age of 12, and students (with a valid student card) receive a 10% discount. This is automatically applied when booking.
How long will the day tour take?
The tour is approximately 10 hours long.
What should I do if I don't receive a confirmation email?
We work hard to make sure that you receive a confirmation e-mail after booking, but on the off-chance, you don’t receive it:
- Please check your Spam or Promotional folder.
- If you still don’t find the email confirmation, there may have been a mistake in your email address. Please double-check by contacting our customer support team at the following number or email.
Telephone: +972-3-542-2000
Email: [email protected]
Will we be taking a dip in the Dead Sea?
Yes, taking a dip in the Dead Sea is included in the tour.