Day Trip to the Dead Sea Valley with GaryTheGuide

At Kalya Beach you will stand at the lowest spot on the Earth. You will wade in the unique waters of the Dead Sea, where you float and feel almost weightless. In addition, you can ride a camel, drink at the lowest bar on Earth, and enjoy shops that display the wonders of the Dead Sea: Salts, mud, and dates. After this experience, your muscles will feel relaxed and your skin will be healthy and soft. Who could pass this up?

Masada is a mountain with steep cliffs, amazingly preserved archeology, over 2000 years of history, and drama that dates from King Herod through the 20th century. You can alight the mountain by foot or cable car. Above you will see ancient beauty, hear of life and death decisions, and discuss how Masada's meaning has evolved in modern times. The views are stunning, and they inspire discussions of ecology, international relations, and spirituality.

Two natural springs from the Judean hills converge here and form the most lush oasis in the Judean Desert. A short walk will bring you to several waterfalls where you can dip your feet or wade in to the falls themselves. Longer hikes can take you to ancient temples, pools, and caves that appear in stories of Biblical kings. Whether you are looking for a refreshing stop or an exhilarating hike, Ein Gedi is a gem that you won't forget.

Two thousand years ago a very unique community settled in Qumran. Using the water from the river bed, they created a society based on purity, comradeship, study, and writing texts. In modern times, almost by chance, the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, most written here in Qumran. Walking through the archeological remains of their village, we see how they survived in the desert, using water where there is almost none, and searching for God far away from any city or distraction.

The "mighty" Jordan is actually a slow meandering river, with plants and greenery abound. Just above is the stark desert, almost void of life. This is the scenery of both John the Baptist and Joshua. Here, one of them baptises Jesus, and the other leads the Children of Israel in to the promised land. You can go in to this same water and view people who have come to be baptised on both the Israeli and Jordanian banks.

Entering one of the oldest cities on the Earth is simply intriguing. Here, you will visit the ancient archeological site where agricultural first begins, seeing a 9000 year old tower, and possibly the spot where the walls came tumbling down. Just a few minutes away you will find one of the most amazing mosaic floors in the world in a 1300 year old Umayad Period palace. Explore Jericho's connections to the Bible, the stories of Jesus, and modern politics. This city seems to remain relevant to this day.