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Ancient Jericho, West Bank

Ancient Jericho, West Bank: Our most recommended tours and activities

Jerusalem/Tel Aviv: Bethlehem, Jericho and Jordan River Tour

1. Jerusalem/Tel Aviv: Bethlehem, Jericho and Jordan River Tour

After being picked up from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem depending on your booking option, travel to Bethlehem where you will meet your guide before heading into the old city of Bethlehem. Enjoy a guided visit to the Church of the Nativity.  Continue your tour with a visit to the Milk Grotto Church before riding to the city of the shepherds, Bayt Sahur where you will visit the Chapel of the Shepherds Field before getting to visit an olive wood factory where you will see artisans crafting wooden sculptures.  Then journey through the wonderful Judean Desert to the lowest point on earth. Have chances to stop and take pictures at the sea level point in the desert overlooking the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, Jericho.  Stop and have lunch then pass the Mount of Temptation and drive into Jericho where you will see some of the famed sights in the city including Zaccheus's Tree which is mentioned in the bible.

From Jerusalem: Bethlehem, Jericho & Qasr al-Yahud

2. From Jerusalem: Bethlehem, Jericho & Qasr al-Yahud

Descend to the Judean desert, and see the Inn of the Good Samaritan on route. Look out over the remarkable moonscape of the breathtaking Judean desert. Continue on to Jericho, the oldest city in the world. Stop at Zacchaeus' Sycamore to see one of the oldest Sycamore trees, which Zacchaeus climbed in order to spot Jesus. Visit the Mound of Ancient Jericho, where 25 ancient cities were uncovered. Enter Jericho, which was founded in 8,000 BC, and is the oldest Jewish settlement, captured by Joshua and Israel in 1,200 BC. Stop for an overview of Mt. Temptation, where Satan endeavored to tempt Jesus, and see of the oasis of Jericho and Elisha's Spring. Depart Jericho to travel to the Judean mountains and the city of Bethlehem. Visit Bethlehem, the birthplace of King David, whose name literally translates as “City of Bread,” due to the wheat crop that grew in the region, the city where according to Christian tradition, it is the birthplace of Jesus, and undoubtedly one of the most biblical sites on earth. Discover the Church of the Nativity, and the cave where Jesus was born. See Manger Square, where Jesus was placed after his birth. Explore the Greek and the Catholic Church before continuing with an overview of Shepherd's Fields.  Enjoy round-trip transfers from Jerusalem and the services of an English-speaking guide, on this essential tour of biblical sites and fantastic panoramic views.

From Jerusalem: Tour of Jericho, Jordan River & the Dead Sea

3. From Jerusalem: Tour of Jericho, Jordan River & the Dead Sea

Take a day to explore the city of Jericho. Learn the historical significance of this ancient city and its biblical role. Climb the Mount of Temptation by cable car and witness stunning views. Visit the Jordan River and see where Jesus was baptized before ending the day bathing in the Dead Sea. Find yourself amongst a biblical story in the city of Jericho. Learn how the city walls fell in the Battle of Jericho and visit the ancient sycamore tree that Luke climbed for a chance to see Jesus over the crowd. Admire Elisha's Spring, the fresh-water source that has nourished the city for thousands of years. Explore the original Jericho settlement that dates back to 9000 BC and see up-close a Neolithic watchtower. Continue with a cable car ride up the Mount of Temptation, biblically known as the place where the Devil tried to tempt Jesus to forsake God. Admire the Greek Orthodox monastery there, which seems to defy gravity on the precarious cliffs. Arrive at the Jordan River, said to the be the location where John baptized Jesus. Learn of the thousands of visitors seeking baptism in the same place and how it may be where the Israelites crossed into the Promise Land. End a perfect day relaxing at the Dead Sea. Float in the water that has 8.5 times more salt than the ocean. Lather your skin with mineral-rich mud and soak up the sun on the beach before heading back to Jerusalem.

From Tel Aviv: Jericho, the Jordan River and the Dead Sea

4. From Tel Aviv: Jericho, the Jordan River and the Dead Sea

Visit the city of Jericho, the most ancient city in the world, the city in the Bible where Joshua and his troops caused the city walls to fall in the Battle of Jericho. See the ancient sycamore tree that features in the Biblical story in the Book of Luke, where Zacchaeus climbs a sycamore tree to see Jesus over the crowds that had come out to greet him as he entered Jericho. Tour Elisha’s Spring, which supplied the city with fresh water over the course of thousands of years. Marvel at the spring, without which people would not have been able to survive in this harsh environment. Travel 2 km from Jericho to the archaeological mound of Tel Jericho, the site of the original Jericho settlement, where archaeologists have uncovered 23 layers from previous settlements in Jericho dating back to 9000 BC. See one of the most fascinating finds, a Neolithic watchtower dated c. 8000 BC. Continue the tour to the Mount of Temptation, where the devil tried to tempt Jesus to forsake God. Go up to the top of the mount by cable car and take in the stunning views, and see the Greek Orthodox Monastery seeming to defy gravity by clinging to the cliffs. Make a stop at Qasr el Yahud, a site on the Jordan River where John baptized Jesus, where the Jordan River has been made accessible to visitors who want to be baptized here., and which may also be where the Israelites crossed the Jordan into the Promised Land. End off a perfect day with a stop to the Dead Sea, to float in the water that is 8.5 times saltier than the ocean; lather skin with mineral-rich Dead Sea mud, and soak up the sun on the beach.

From Jerusalem: Jericho, Jordan River and the Dead Sea Tour

5. From Jerusalem: Jericho, Jordan River and the Dead Sea Tour

This tour begins with a drive through the hills of the Judean Desert descending south from Jerusalem down winding mountain roads until you are below sea level. On route you will see the Inn of the Good Samaritan, where Jesus set his famous parable. You will also get to stop at the sign indicating Sea Level. From here there are stunning views across the desert. The tour takes you to the ancient city of Jericho located at the northern end of the Dead Sea. This desert oasis city is the lowest city in the world and said to be the oldest continually inhabited city in the world. Entering Jericho the tour takes you to the site of notable biblical events. You see the famous sycamore tree which Zacchaeus climbed to get a better view of Jesus as he entered the city surrounded by followers. Leaving Jericho the tour takes you to the Mount of Temptation which overlooks Jericho. This is said to be where Jesus retreated to meditate in the wilderness. Halfway up the side of this 1200 foot (366m) high peak the Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Temptation clings to the cliffs. A cable car takes you up to the top of the mount where you can tour the monastery and enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views of the desert and the Dead Sea. The next stop is at the authentic site of Jesus’ baptism. Qar el Yahud or the Castle of the Jews is on the River Jordan not far from Jericho. This is also thought to have been the place where the Israelites crossed the Jordan into the Promised Land and where the Prophet Elijah ascended to heaven. Here you may have the opportunity to be baptized in the Jordan River. The last stop on this tour is at the Dead Sea. You are taken to one of the best Dead Sea beaches where you can relax and enjoy the benefits of the Dead Sea’s natural minerals. With the Dead Sea’s high saline content you can float on the water. Also, try smothering your skin with the black Dead Sea mud for a natural health and beauty treatment. At the end of the day, after seeing and experiencing once-in-a-lifetime sites the tour returns you to the pick-up point.

From Tel Aviv: Jericho, Jordan River, and the Dead Sea

6. From Tel Aviv: Jericho, Jordan River, and the Dead Sea

Departing from Tel Aviv, this tour begins with a drive through the hills of the Judean Desert, descending south from Jerusalem down winding mountain roads until you are below sea level. On the way, you will see the Inn of the Good Samaritan where Jesus set his famous parable. You will also get to stop at the sign indicating sea level. From here, there are stunning views across the desert. The tour takes you to the ancient city of Jericho, located at the northern end of the Dead Sea. This desert oasis city is the lowest city in the world and said to also be the oldest continually inhabited city in the world. The Old Testament states that the walls of Jericho fell when Joshua’s troops marched around the walls for seven days. Jericho also features in the Book of Mark when Jesus healed a blind man as he left the city. Entering Jericho, the tour takes you to the site of another Biblical event. See the famous sycamore tree which Zacchaeus climbed to get a better view of Jesus as he entered the city surrounded by followers. Leaving Jericho, head to the Mount of Temptation which overlooks the city. This is said to be where Jesus retreated to meditate in the wilderness. While here, the Devil tried to tempt Jesus to forsake God. Halfway up the side of this 366-meter high peak, the Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Temptation clings to the cliffs. A cable car takes you up to the top of the mount where you can tour the monastery and enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views of the desert and the Dead Sea. The next stop is at the site of Jesus’ baptism. Qar el Yahud (or the Castle of the Jews) is on the River Jordan not far from Jericho. This is also thought to have been the place where the Israelites crossed into the Promised Land and where the Prophet Elijah ascended to heaven. Here, you may have the opportunity to be baptized in the Jordan River. The last stop on this tour is at the Dead Sea. You are taken to one of the best Dead Sea beaches where you can relax and enjoy the benefits of the Dead Sea’s natural minerals. Try smothering your skin with the black Dead Sea mud for a natural health and beauty treatment. At the end of the day, after experiencing must-see sites, you will return to the pick-up point.

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What people are saying about Ancient Jericho, West Bank

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 136 reviews

Everything organized with the minimum of perfection and attention to detail. Maximum punctuality on departure, we were pampered for the entire duration of the journey with air-conditioned buses and bottled water always available. The guides were very well trained. Extra lunch was brought to us at an average price. Really recommended tour!

The tour was jam-packed but organized (only minor delay at start due to bus assignment). Organizers did their best to meet the itinerary. There are some additional entrance fee at Monastery at Mt. Temptation via cable car (~40 NIS), and Old Jericho Ruins (~20 NIS). Overall, the event was worth it.

The guides were extremely witty and explained really well. Loved the experience especially getting to know fellow companions which allowed us to have lots of fun. Definitely recommend

Great tour - there is so much to see that it is a very busy day.

Nice people, great planning. We learned a lot about the area