I highly recommend hiking up Masada in the early morning, rather than taking the cable car. The hike is only about 45 minutes and snakes up the mountain via switchbacks, which makes the 1000 foot (350 meters) vertical much easier to handle. The Snake Path opens every day just 1 hour before sunrise, so make sure that you check the time before you go. Also, I would recommend that you bring plenty of water and snacks because you will not have access to any facilities until you reach the top. 

The history and story behind Masada is also fascinating, so make sure you read up on the information before you go or hire a guide for the journey. Masada was built sometime between 31 and 37 BCE by Herod the Great who was granted King of Judeo by the Roman Senate. The Siege on Masada was one of the final events that ended the "Great Revolt" of the Jews against the Roman Empire. It is estimated that 960 defenders of Masada died during the siege.

At the summit, you have a full view of the valley and lands around you. At sunrise, the experience is magical watching the sun rays shine across the Dead Sea and all the way into Jordan. I promise you will want to spend some time up here taking everything in. This was the first place that I visited where I felt a connection between the sky and earth. If you are Jewish and never had a Bar / Bat mitzvah, you can hold a ceremony at the top of Masada for an unforgettable experience

I would recommend making this UNESCO World Heritage Site a priority for anyone traveling to Israel or the Middle East. This has been one of my favorite sites that I have visited thus far, and I would go back in a heartbeat. This site is also close to the Dead Sea, so after the hike you can take the stairs (or cable car if you are feeling tired) down the other side of Masada and head to the Dead Sea for some rest and relaxation at a spa.