«Dead» Sea?
The name Dead Sea doesn’t really reflect on the fact that it’s actually full of life! The Dead Sea shore is located 400 meters below the sea level, which makes it the lowest place in the world, it’s waters are a natural pantry of mineral substances. Along the desert sandy and in some places rocky shores one may find many thermal springs and reservoirs of black mud. All of this, combined with the sunny, dry climate and the fresh air makes the Dead Sea shore — a world known resort.
The unique properties of the Dead Sea shore, as a resort are only the tip of an iceberg out of all of his virtues that attract tourists from all over the world. The Dead Sea shore is one of the most ancient centers of civilization. Visiting the Dead Sea you will enjoy it’s exotic nature and will feel the live breath of the ancient history. You will have the opportunity to do it all, year long since this is the place of everlasting summer, as we can enjoy 330 days of sun, every year. Your true Israel-Experience is never complete without visiting this unique resort and rest on his shores.
Beauty Bestowed by Nature
An important advantage of the Dead Sea as a place of recreation and tourism which is pleasant, interesting and substantial pastime at the same time, will improve your state of health and will provide beneficial effect on your appearance. In particular the Dead Sea water, water of the hot springs and mud wraps will give your skin tenderness, elasticity and smoothness. All rich in minerals and natural elements that benefit your well-being and general state of health.
This property of salts and minerals of the Dead Sea is known by humanity since the days of Queen Cleopatra. Archaeological excavations found ancient remains of what resembles cosmetic fabrics, that probably meant to fulfill the whims of the known Egyptian queen.
Along the Dead Sea shore, from the Jordan river estuary up north, ’till Sodom at its south, are located many resorts and hotels with mineral springs providing different classes of service. Even a short visit to this magnificent place will allow you to enjoy bathing in the waters of the Dead Sea and appreciate the properties of mud applications. Recently cosmetic products for skin care were put to industrial basis. Simultaneously, very few companies produce effective bath salts, face masks, soaps, creams and lotions. Naturally, only your actual presence at the Dead Sea will allow you to touch the source of these riches.
Health is Fundamental
It’s a fact, that our ancestors knew about the healing properties of the Dead Sea. Treatment at the Dead Sea resort area absolutely changes the way we look and feel about curing a disease. Here the treatment may remind one of pampering relaxation and entertainment rather than a set of therapeutic procedures. Staying at the Dead Sea resorts is most useful to people suffering from skin disease and diseases of the joints including psoriasis, arthritis, rheumatism, and the effects of sports related injuries..
In order to really appreciate the value of the Dead Sea, its necessary to remember the important facts about it. The Dead Sea also called the Sea of Salt due to the very high concentrations of natural salts (30%). The Sea is called «Dead» because its high salinity prevents macroscopic aquatic organisms, such as fish and aquatic plants, from living in it, though minuscule quantities of bacteria and microbial fungi are present. the high concentration of the salt explains the ability of the dead sea water to hold your body above the water, as if it’s weightless, even if you do not know how to swim..
Some of the mineral substances come to the surface from the depths of earth’s crust. The thermal water, when reaching the surface keeps their temperature consistent and stable, they flow into the Dead Sea and hot Springs such as Mazor in Ein-Gedi and Zohar at Sodom.
Besides the mentioned above springs, the Dead Sea is also fed by freshwater springs near its coast and mountain streams, all of them contain mineral muds that settle later at certain coastal areas, this is peloid-mud has healing properties when applied onto the skin and joint areas.
In addition to all of it, the hot desert climate provides intensive evaporation created by that high concentration of oxygen and bromine in the seaside air. This unique combination lacks air-pollution, and has a relaxing effect on the body and all of it systems and helps to treat some allergies.
Most skin diseases are basically treated by measured levels of exposure to sun rays. It has been proven that the harmful effect of the ultraviolet radiation are significantly, if not almost fully reduced by the thicker atmospheric layer (extra 395 meters). The evaporation of the mineral dead sea water creates something like an dome shaped mineral-aerosols filter that provides a unique protection. All of that gives you the option to sunbathe for much longer without getting serious sunburns.
According to the recommendations of the local Center of climate therapy, Ten days of sunbathing cleanses the skin fully, and this effect is kept for a long period after your return home. Those who suffer from diseases of the joints, being in the warm and dry climate of the Dead Sea will bring a significant relief from pain; the bathing in the Dead Sea water will reduce the soreness due to the weightlessness that reduces the burden on the joints.
The therapeutic effect can also be developed with the assistance of peloid-mud Applications, mud wraps and immersing into mineral pools Fed by natural sulfur springs.
The Glory of The Past
In ancient times, those who’ve searched for some solitude and spirituality could get to the Dead Sea from Jerusalem in one day. It was here at the estuary of the Jordan river, where Jesus was baptized. Nowadays, people travel across Israel, in just a few hours! Whether if it’s by car, by public transport or plane!
Moat fascinating are the Qumran caves, where the the appropriately named Qumran Caves Scrolls were discovered. They are a collection of some 980 different texts discovered between 1946 and 1956 in eleven caves from the immediate vicinity of the ancient settlement Khirbet Qumran in the West Bank. The caves are located about 2 kilometers inland from the northwest shore of the Dead Sea, from which they get their name. Some of the caves are possible to visit and some are big enough only for some animals to enter.
Further south you can find the amazing fortress of Masada, Herod the Great built palaces for himself on the mountain, and fortified Masada between 37 and 31 BCE. According to Josephus, the Siege of Masada by the troops of the Roman Empire towards the end of the First Jewish Roman War, ended in the mass suicide of the 960 Sicarii rebels and their families hiding inside the fortress. Masada is located 20 kilometers (12 mi) East of the town of Arad. Masada is one of Israel’s most popular tourist attractions.
Masada was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. Visitors can pay to enter and hike up, or pay more to take a cable car to the top of the mesa. There are two very steep hiking paths up the Snake Trail leading from the eastern (Dead Sea) side at the Masada Museum and gains approximately 300 meters (980 ft.) in elevation. The Roman Ramp trail is also very steep, but has less elevation gain, and is accessed from the western side of the mountain (with access by car from the Arad road). Hikers frequently start an hour before sunrise when the park opens, to avoid the mid-day heat, which can exceed 43 C (109 F) in the summer. While a dawn hike up the Snake Path on the eastern side of the mountain (access via the Dead Sea Highway) is considered part of the «Masada experience,» a cable car operates at the site for those who wish to avoid the physical exertion, but does not open until 8am. There is a visitor’s center and museum at the base of the cable car. Visitors are encouraged to bring drinking water for the hike up; however, water is available at the top. An audiovisual light show is presented nightly on the western side of the mountain (access by car from the Arad road or by foot, down the mountain via the Roman ramp path). Masada is an Israeli National Park and there is a park entrance fee. In 2007, a new museum opened at the site, in which archaeological findings are displayed in a theatrical setting.
Some Salt, and A Bit Of Pepper
The Dead Sea resort located in an isolated area from any cities, and this is why the hotels and small shopping centers do all they can, to provide all the needs of those who chose to come here. It’s important to mention that the hotels do a great job providing comfortable rooms, have rich culinary choices and many kinds of entertainment.
There are various types and rates of accommodations for you to choose from, from small Bungalows to 5 stars hotels. It’s important to mention that due to the regular hot climate, even the simplest resort will have air conditioning included.
You might enjoy and get impressed by unique tours at interesting sites along the shore.
Experienced guides will take you to the desert and will include rock climbing, cave and canyon explorations and more. Take a Jeep tour through the desert for an unique experience and a long lasting impression! The tour route includes a visit to the Sodom Mountain, a location mountain so remarkable it is made almost entirely of halite, or rock salt. You can watch the bedded halite at Mount Sodom, the Salt deposits inside the caves and at a pillar that has been labeled «Lot’s wife», a reference to Lot’s wife in the biblical account of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. but salt and sand are not the only reason the dead sea area is known for, when king David was hiding from king Saul, his hiding place was the Ein-Gedi oasis, Which is located near sweet water springs. Nowadays, you can find amazing nature reserves in this place, the «David River «and «Arugot River» were created especially to reserve this natural oasis. Strolling along the creek you will discover hidden waterfalls in which you can go inside and enjoy the cool water in a hot summer day. The more experienced tourists will bravely climb on the precipitous rocks and visit the places that are not so easy to get to, and discover archaeological sites and view from above overlooking the incredible landscapes where rare animals can be found.
The dead sea area gives you unlimited options for a perfect Vacation. Visiting is encouraged throughout the entire year as there are always exciting things to see and new places to visit! If you’re staying for longer than a few days, maybe take a guided tour to other sites in Israel.
Travel distance by car or tour bus: 2 Hours from Tel Aviv, less than two Hours from Ben Gurion airport, one Hour from Jerusalem, half Hour flight from Tel Aviv. There are multiple bus lines going from and to Ein-Gedi and all over the country.
Localization: from affordable inns to luxury hotels, sanatoriums, camping sites and Resort villages.
Weather: precipitation- less than 40mm a year, relative humidity- 23-41%, average maximum temperature in January 20C(68F) and in July 39C(102F). It is rarely cold or even cool at the resport, as the weather goes from warn to very hot throughout the entire year.
Height: 400m below the sea level.
This is the lowest spot at the planet.