Masada sunrise times

What time is sunrise at Masada each month?

Between about 5:34 AM and 6:38 AM in Israel time. Winter sunrises are the latest, and the clock changes in March and October shift them by an hour overnight.

The table gives sunrise for the 1st and the 15th of each month, with the Snake Path opening for that mid-month date. These are astronomical times for Masada, worked out for its exact position and Israel's clock changes, and they agree with published sunrise tables to within a couple of minutes. The sun still has to clear the mountains of Moab, so the first rays reach the top a few minutes later than the table says.

Two dates cause confusion every year. On 26 March 2027 the clocks go forward and sunrise jumps from about 5:37 AM to about 6:36 AM. On 31 October 2027 they go back, so the last days of October have the latest sunrises of the year, close to 6:52 AM.

When does the Snake Path open at Masada?

One hour before sunrise, every day. The Roman Ramp on the western side opens half an hour before sunrise.

The Snake Path starts at the eastern entrance, the one on the Dead Sea road, and zigzags up the cliff to the summit. Its ascent opens one hour before sunrise, and the descent closes one hour before the park shuts. The ticket office is not open at that hour, and walkers who arrive before the park opens pay the entry fee at the top. The adult fee is 37 NIS in 2026, and 21 NIS for children.

The cable car does not run at dawn. It works in the park's daytime hours, which start at about 8 AM, so the paths are the only way up for sunrise. In summer the heat sets the limits: on very hot days the Snake Path ascent closes at 9 AM, and in extreme heat at 8 AM. The Roman Ramp is shorter but sits on the far side of the mountain, reached from Arad rather than from the Dead Sea road.

How long does the Snake Path climb take?

About an hour for most people, and up to 1 hour 30 minutes at an easy pace. The path is about 2 km long with about 310 m of climb.

The path is steep and well trodden. Fit walkers do it in 40 or 50 minutes. Most people stop often to catch their breath and look back at the sea, and that is half the point. Coming down takes 30 to 40 minutes, and your knees will notice.

Bring a head torch, at least a litre of water, and a layer for the top, where it is cool before dawn. Wear proper shoes. A guest on the sunrise trip put it well: "The sunrise hike on Masada was beautiful. Be prepared as it is a challenging climb up but worth it." If the climb is too much, the sunrise trip is not for you; the cable car tours below are the better fit.

The Snake Path in the dark, the sunrise from the top, then Ein Gedi and a float, with transport and the Dead Sea beach paid.

★ 4.5 · 10 hours · from $106

Explore the Masada sunrise trip → Tour details

How do Masada sunrise tours from Jerusalem work?

A driver takes you from central Jerusalem to the foot of the Snake Path in the dark, you climb for sunrise, then the day continues to Ein Gedi and a beach.

The Masada sunrise trip is the one sold here. It leaves from Abraham Hostel on HaNevi'im Street, lasts 10 hours and costs from $106. It is self-guided transport: the price covers the air-conditioned vehicle and the Dead Sea beach, while the Masada fee of 37 NIS and the Ein Gedi fee of 31 NIS are paid on the day. You go up and down by the Snake Path. Guests name Shmuel as the driver and say he answered all their questions.

The timing follows from the table. The drive to Masada takes about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours, and the path opens an hour before sunrise, so pickup is roughly three hours before sunrise: around 3:30 AM in December, nearer 2:30 AM in June. The operator confirms the exact time for your date. Breakfast is on you, so pack it the night before.

Which month is best for a Masada sunrise?

November to March. Sunrise is later, so the alarm is kinder, and the climb is cool. Summer sunrises mean a 2:30 AM pickup and real heat by 8 AM.

In January the path opens at about 5:38 AM, which is early but human. The air on top can be cold before dawn, so a fleece earns its place in the bag. Late March is a trap for the unwary: the clock change makes sunrise an hour later from one day to the next, and an old timetable will have you waiting in the dark.

From May to September the sun is up before 6:30 AM and the path opens between about 4:30 AM and 5:20 AM. The views are just as good, and the heat makes the early start a must rather than a choice. Once you are on top, stay for Herod's northern palace on its three terraces before the sun gets high.

Is the sunrise worth it, or is the cable car better?

The sunrise is worth it if you like to walk and can manage an early night. If not, a cable car tour gives you the same summit in daylight with less effort.

Sunrise rewards hikers and photographers. You get the cool air, the light on the sea and a summit that is still quiet. The cost is a very short night and a long day on your feet.

The Masada and Dead Sea tour goes the other way. A guide takes you up by cable car, the entry fees are included, and the day ends with a float, from $115. The Masada and Ein Gedi bus trip is the self-guided version with the cable car at your own expense, rated 4.7 by guests. For help deciding, see whether the Dead Sea is worth it.

Up Masada by cable car with a guide, then a float in the Dead Sea, with pickup and every entry fee in the price.

★ 4.4 · 10 hours · from $115

Explore the Masada and Dead Sea tour → Tour details

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