Masada Sunrise Tour: the Snake Path or the Cable Car
A Masada sunrise tour from Tel Aviv leaves at 2:30 or 3:00 AM and climbs the Snake Path in the dark; the daytime tour rides the cable car. The path's rules, the heat cut-offs and which to book. November 2026.
A Masada sunrise tour from Tel Aviv means leaving in the middle of the night and climbing Masada’s Snake Path in the dark, because the cable car does not run that early. Abraham Tlalim Tours LTD’s From Tel Aviv: Masada at Sunrise, Ein Gedi and Dead Sea Tour is that day: from US$112 per adult (checked November 2026), leaving at 2:30 AM on 29 November and at 3:00 AM on 2 December 2026 and 13 January 2027, self-guided, with Ein Gedi and a Dead Sea beach after the climb.
The calendar above is the sunrise tour. Two adults paid US$112 each on each of those three dates. Masada’s and Ein Gedi’s entrance fees are not included; the Dead Sea beach entrance and the transport are.
The Snake Path, by the park’s rules
The Snake Path climbs the east face of Masada, from the Dead Sea side. The Israel Nature and Parks Authority gives it as about 2 km long with about 900 steps and a 350 m climb, about an hour up, and rates it difficult. It opens about one hour before sunrise, every day, and entry to the path stops two hours before the park closes (Israel Nature and Parks Authority, November 2026).
Heat shortens it. In normal hot weather the last ascent is at 10 AM and the last descent at 11 AM; when it is very hot, 8 AM and 9 AM; in extreme summer heat, 7 AM and 8 AM. The Authority sets these by the Israel Meteorological Service forecast and says opening times can change in heat, wind or rain.
The sunrise tour is listed for moderate fitness and is not suitable for pregnant travellers or people with mobility impairments. Bring hiking shoes, water and a sun hat for the walk, and swimwear and a towel for the beach later.
Why the sunrise tour cannot use the cable car
The park opens at 08:00, and the cable car with it. A reviewer on 30 July 2026 found the cable car closed when the sunrise group arrived; Abraham Tlalim Tours LTD’s reply under that review says the climb on this tour is always the Snake Path and the cable car can only be taken down. At the park’s prices a one-way cable car ticket is NIS 32 for an adult, and Masada’s entrance NIS 37 (Israel Nature and Parks Authority, November 2026); neither is in the tour price.
The Authority also runs a “sunrise for everyone” cable car on set dates through the year, booked with the park. It is not part of any tour on this page.
Sunrise or the daytime cable car
From Tel Aviv: Masada at Sunrise, Ein Gedi and Dead Sea Tour
Abraham Tlalim Tours LTD: a night start from Tel Aviv, the Snake Path up for sunrise, then Ein Gedi and a Dead Sea beach. Self-guided; Masada and Ein Gedi entrances paid on top.
Check dates →From Tel Aviv: Masada & Dead Sea Full-Day Tour with Pickup
Bein Harim Israel Tours: hotel pickup at 7:15 AM, a guide at Masada, the cable car up and down, Masada and beach entrances in the price; no Ein Gedi.
See the tour →Prices, ratings and review counts from the listings (GetYourGuide checked November 2026); operators price by date, so treat them as the shape of the market, not a quote.
The sunrise day suits walkers who want the climb and the light, and do not mind an alarm in the small hours. Anyone who would rather ride up, sleep until a 7:15 AM hotel pickup and have a guide explain the ruins is better off on the daytime Masada and Dead Sea tour, US$125 for one adult on 2 December 2026.
Ein Gedi after the climb
After Masada the sunrise tour goes on to the Ein Gedi nature reserve and then to a Dead Sea beach. A reviewer on 1 September 2026 found parts of Ein Gedi closed by flooding. The Dead Sea beaches and Ein Gedi covers those stops.
Masada at Sunrise, Then Ein Gedi
Abraham Tlalim Tours LTD's self-guided day from Tel Aviv: the Snake Path up Masada for sunrise, Ein Gedi, then a Dead Sea beach. Masada and Ein Gedi entrances are paid on top.
Check dates