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A visit to the Dead Sea should be at the top of your list when visiting Jordan or Israel. When I lived in Jerusalem, often I would take a day to recoup and plan a “spa” day at the Dead Sea. I was truly amazed to witness almost miraculous healing for various diseases such as psoriasis and cystic fibrosis.
On the Israel side, you can visit the Ahava Factory en route to the Dead Sea, where you will receive a lecture on the manufacturing of their exclusive skin care products. You can visit their store and pick up products not available in other stores.
The Dead Sea is the lowest point in the world, at 1269ft below sea level. Climate can vary depending on the season – ranging from 86F in the spring up to 104F in summer.
Sunlight also brings healing to the sunbather, as the sunlight is actually weaker due to the low altitude and extra atmosphere – natural phototherapy. It is still advisable to bring your sun block.
FACTS:
- Salt concentration is high – similar to the US Great Salt Lake in Utah – which allows you to float with no effort! Just be sure you float on your back and not try to swim in the lake! Be careful with your eyes and mouth – as it will sting and taste is dreadful.
- Prior to entering the water, cover yourself with the mud by lakeside; your skin will feel like velvet after you bathe in the water!
- Dead Sea is actually a lake where water cannot flow out. Seven million tons of water does evaporate per day leaving behind all the dissolved minerals and salt.
- It is slowly drying up – at 3 feet per year – though scientists are trying to resolve this issue.
- You can spend a day (as there are outside showers and changing rooms if needed). Taxi is expensive and if you are not driving yourself, I would recommend taking a bus (Egged bus line from Jerusalem); Bus 421 from Tel Aviv.
- Compared to tourist hotels which can be pricey – often I would on my day visit, and if I wanted a true spa experience, I recommend the Ein Gedi Spa. Prices are good and many of the locals visit.
Side Trips:
Close to the Dead Sea are two sites I highly recommend you visit prior to your visit to the Dead Sea. They include:
- Masada – the mountaintop fortress which King Herod transformed in 35 BC into a 3 tiered winter home. The story of Masada and what happened there –the sacrifice of the leaders – is heart wrenching and I shall leave for your visit! A very special place to visit.
- Qumran – the ancient caves where the young sheepherder came across the Dead Sea Scrolls – where the oldest biblical documents ever found trace the history of the Essenes, a Jewish sect that fled Jerusalem over 2000 years ago. When in Jerusalem, you can see what is on public display in the Israel Museum.
- Ein Gedi Oasis/Natural Reserve: a real oasis and lush vegetation. Fresh water from the spring is available. Take a breathtaking hike following two riverbeds past trails and waterfalls, caves and canyons! Also Ein Gedi have many medicinal skin care products available for purchase (also at the airport in duty free I hear prices are also better)
If you wish to see all of the above in one day – it is possible for I often did it. You just need to begin your day very early and end with a dip in the Dead Sea!
Happy Travels!
August 29, 2023
