Bethlehem Dead Sea Jericho Tour Church of Nativity from Jerusalem

Eight hours crossing the Judean Desert to float in the Dead Sea and stand in the Church where Jesus was born.

A private tour from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, the Dead Sea, and Jericho with a live English-speaking guide, hotel pickup and air-conditioned transport. The itinerary centers on the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, then descends to the Dead Sea for swimming and mud bathing, passes through Jericho, the world's oldest city, and visits the Jordan River and Mount of Temptation. You'll also see the Milk Grotto, Shepherds Field, and the Cave of St. Jerome. The tour runs eight to ten hours and requires a valid passport for checkpoint crossings.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Dead Sea2h · entry included
2. Bethlehem15m
3. Old City of Jerusalem
4. Church of the Nativity1h
5. Milk Grotto15m

Bethlehem, Dead Sea, Jericho and Jordan River

• Drive from Jerusalem to Bethlehem
• See Old City Walls of Jerusalem from bus
• Visit St. Catherine Church with guide
• Visit Cave of St. Jerome with guide
• Nativity Church visit
• Visit Milk Grotto with guide
• Visit Shepherds Field with guide
• Pass by Olive Wood Factory
• Visit Mount of Temptation in Jericho
• Visit Jordan River
• Visit Dead Sea with driver only
• Bathing and floating in Dead Sea
• Return to Jerusalem or Tel Aviv drop off

The experience

The route starts from your Jerusalem or Tel Aviv hotel and heads north through the Judean Desert toward Bethlehem. Your guide walks you through the Church of the Nativity, the site of Jesus's birth, then continues to the Milk Grotto and the Cave of St. Jerome. You'll pass the Olive Wood Factory and stop at Shepherds Field before heading back toward the city, where you see the Old City walls from the vehicle as you return.

The second half of the day takes you down to the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth. You have time to swim and float in the salty water, and to cover yourself in the mineral-rich mud. From there, the tour moves to Jericho for an overview of the world's oldest city, a stop at the Jordan River, and a view of Mount of Temptation. The return journey ends with drop-off in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv depending on your pickup option.

A vehicle switch happens during the day as part of the standard routing. Bring your passport: it's required sometimes when passing the checkpoint between Jerusalem and the West Bank. The tour suits all fitness levels, though the Dead Sea swimming and mud bathing are optional. Public transportation options exist nearby if you prefer to arrange your own way to the meeting point.

What’s included

• Transport in an air-conditioned vehicle with a driver.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv.
• a live English-speaking guide at the Church of the Nativity, Milk Grotto, Shepherds Field, and Cave of St. Jerome.
• stops at the Dead Sea, Jericho, the Jordan River, and Mount of Temptation.
• and views of the Old City walls and the Olive Wood Factory.

Options for this experience

2 options

Pick-up and drop-off in JerusalemGuide in English · 9 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 10:00Pick-up and drop-off in Jerusalem: Private pick-up and drop-off from your hotel or address; pickup is included

Pick-up and drop-off in Tel AvivGuide in English · 9 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 10:00Pick-up and drop-off in Tel Aviv: Private pick-up and drop-off from your address or hotel; pickup is included

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day9 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 10:00

Book up to2d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Elijah Tours & Travel

Is this one for you?Choose the Jerusalem pickup if you're staying in the city and want to start early in the morning. Choose Tel Aviv pickup if you're based there and prefer the tour to end with a return to the coast. Either way, the eight-to-ten-hour span fits the full route (Bethlehem, the Dead Sea swim, and Jericho) inside one day without rushing the major stops.

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Top questions

What exactly is inside the Church of the Nativity that the guide shows?

The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is the site of Jesus's birth. Your guide leads you through the church itself. The tour also includes the Milk Grotto and the Cave of St. Jerome, both nearby sacred sites in Bethlehem.

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

You have time to swim and float in the Dead Sea's salty water. The mineral content makes floating effortless, and you can also cover yourself in the mud before rinsing off in the water. Swimming is included. The entrance fee to the Dead Sea is separate.

Do I need a passport for this tour?

Yes, bring your valid passport. It's required sometimes when passing the checkpoint between Jerusalem and the West Bank, so have it with you even if you don't end up needing it.

What's included in the price, and what costs extra?

Transport by air-conditioned vehicle, hotel pickup and drop-off, and a live English-speaking guide at the Church of the Nativity are included. Food and drink, gratuities, souvenirs, and the Dead Sea entrance fee are not included in the tour price.

How long does the whole tour take?

The tour runs eight to ten hours from pickup to drop-off. All times are approximate because the route crosses checkpoints and passes through multiple sites, so the exact duration varies by traffic and how long you spend at each stop.

Can I book pickup from Tel Aviv instead of Jerusalem?

Yes. You can choose either Jerusalem hotel pickup and drop-off, or Tel Aviv pickup and drop-off at checkout. The tour itself is the same. Only the start and end points change.