2-Day Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Jericho & Dead Sea Tour

Walk the Via Dolorosa, float in the Dead Sea, baptize at the Jordan River

A 2-day guided tour of Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Jericho and the Dead Sea with hotel pickup and an English-speaking guide. Day one covers Jerusalem's Old City (the Western Wall, Church of the Holy Sepulchre and Via Dolorosa), then Bethlehem's Basilica of the Nativity. Day two travels to Jericho's archaeological sites, a cable car ride to the Mount of Temptation, the Jordan River baptism site, and finishes at the Dead Sea for swimming. The tour operates October through May and includes an air-conditioned vehicle, guide fees and time for lunch.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Jerusalem and Bethlehem

• View Jerusalem from Mount Scopus
• Visit Garden of Gethsemane and Church of All Nations
• Explore Kidron Valley and Old City
• See Byzantine Cardo and Western Wall
• Walk Via Dolorosa to Church of the Holy Sepulchre
• Drive to Bethlehem
• Visit Manger Square and Basilica of the Nativity
• See Grotto of the Nativity and 4th-century mosaic
• Visit chapel caves beneath Church of Saint Catherine (if possible)
• Return to hotels

Day 2: Jericho and Dead Sea

• Visit Biblical city of Jericho
• See sycamore tree of Zacchaeus
• Stop at Elisha’s Spring
• Explore Tel Jericho archaeological site
• Ride cable car to Mount of Temptation monastery
• Visit Qaser el Yahud baptism site
• Option to be baptized
• Relax and swim at Dead Sea beach

The experience

The first day moves through Jerusalem's most sacred Christian landmarks with a guide who walks you through the layers of the city. You start on Mount Scopus for a panoramic view, then descend through the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations into the Old City's Jewish Quarter, where the Byzantine Cardo and Western Wall anchor centuries of history. The Via Dolorosa (the path Jesus walked to his crucifixion) leads to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a 12th-century structure built over both Calvary and the burial tomb. From there you drive west through the Judean Hills to Bethlehem, arriving at Manger Square to visit the Basilica of the Nativity, which holds the Grotto where Jesus was born and displays a 4th-century mosaic from when St. Helen built the first church on the site. The chapel caves beneath the Church of Saint Catherine are included when possible.

Day two takes you south past the Inn of the Good Samaritan to Jericho, an archaeological site layered with 23 previous settlements dating back to around 9000 BC. You'll see the sycamore tree from the Biblical story of Zacchaeus and Elisha's Spring, which supplied the city with fresh water for centuries. A cable car carries you to the Mount of Temptation, where a Greek Orthodox monastery sits at the summit. The tour then moves to Qaser el Yahud on the Jordan River, the site where John baptized Jesus: visitors can be baptized here if they choose. The day ends at the Dead Sea, where the mineral and salt content lets you float effortlessly. The black mud and the therapeutic properties of the sun, air and water are part of the experience.

Hotel pickup is included, and the guide speaks fluent English throughout. An air-conditioned vehicle carries the group, and time for lunch is built into both days. The tour runs only from October through May, when the climate makes the lower elevations around Jericho and the Dead Sea comfortable. Guaranteed departures mean your trip planning is confirmed regardless of group size.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• English-speaking professional guide throughout both days.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• entry fees to all sites including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Basilica of the Nativity, Tel Jericho, Mount of Temptation cable car and the Dead Sea beach.
• time for lunch on both days.
• WiFi on board the vehicle.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 18 Jul 2027

Book up to1d before

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Valentina

Is this one for you?Hotel pickup means you don't need a car or navigate to a meeting point. The guide collects you and handles all driving. This works whether you're staying in Jerusalem, Bethlehem or elsewhere in the area, and it frees you to focus on the sites rather than logistics.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and why does it matter to the tour?

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is a 12th-century structure built over two of Christianity's most sacred sites: Calvary, where the crucifixion took place, and the tomb where Jesus was buried. It's the final stop on the Via Dolorosa and the centerpiece of Jerusalem's Old City pilgrimage route.

Can I actually swim and float in the Dead Sea, or is it just a viewing stop?

You can swim and float in the Dead Sea. The tour includes time at one of the best beaches in the area, where the extreme salt and mineral content makes floating effortless. You can also apply the black mud, which is known for its therapeutic properties.

Does the tour include a visit inside the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem?

Yes. You visit the Basilica of the Nativity and see the Grotto of the Nativity, the site where Jesus was born, along with the original 4th-century mosaic from when St. Helen built the first church. Chapel caves beneath the Church of Saint Catherine are included when possible.

What is the Mount of Temptation and how do I get to the top?

The Mount of Temptation is a mountain near Jericho with a Greek Orthodox monastery at its summit. You reach the top by cable car, avoiding a steep climb while still seeing the panoramic views and the monastery itself.

When does this tour operate, and why are there seasonal limits?

The tour runs from October through May. Jericho and the Dead Sea sit well below sea level in a desert climate, making the summer months too hot for comfortable touring and swimming.

Is lunch included, and if so, what kind of food should I expect?

Time for lunch is included in the itinerary on both days, though the specific meal and restaurant are arranged during the tour. You can discuss meal preferences with your guide when you meet.