THE DEAD SEA
The Dead Sea is the lowest place on earth, famous for its salty waters in which you’ll float, and its mineral rich mud. The Dead Sea is surrounded by the cliffs of the Judean Desert (and on the Jordanian side, the Moab Mountains), as well as nature reserves offering beautiful water hikes into the surrounding desert.
Top Attractions
- Floating in the Dead Sea – The Dead Sea’s water is so rich with salt that instead of swimming, you’ll float. The minerals that are unique to these waters have healing properties and its’Â a tradition to cover bodies in the rich black mud.
- Watching Sunrise from Masada – Masada is a fortress which stands over the Dead Sea, in the Judean Desert. A symbol of the last stand of Jewish patriots in the face of the Roman army. The Palace was was built in the year 73 A.D. by King Herod. Climbing the Masada Snake Path and watching the sun rise over the Jordanian mountains is one of Israel’s best experiences.
- Ein Gedi National Park and Nature Reserve – in the heart of the Judean Desert is Ein Gedi, a real oasis with two streams which flow all year long – Nahal David and Nahal Arugot. The water has created magnificent rock structures, waterfalls and pools you can swim in. Home to ibex and conies, it’s a magnificent site.
- Kibbutz Ein Gedi Botanical Gardens – The kibbutz at Ein Gedi has collected and planted over 900 species of plants from all over the world within the village.
- Ein Bokek Spring Trail – a hiking trail at Nahal Bokek, in the southern Dead Sea. A pretty canyon with upright cliffs, and an abundant spring all year long. The wadi is easy and comfortable to hike, and pretty soon, you arrive at a true oasis in the middle of the desert.
