Bethlehem, Jericho & Jordan River: Full Day from Jerusalem

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/23

Duration8h–11h

GroupUp to 55

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Three Thousand Years in a Single Day

You visit the Church of the Nativity and Milk Grotto in Bethlehem with a guide, then move through the Jordan Valley to the baptism site and ancient Jericho on your own. Transport, water, and Bethlehem guidance are included; Jericho entry fees (10 NIS each for Tel es-Sultan and Hisham's Palace) are separate. Plan for a full day and bring your passport for checkpoint crossing.

8h–11h

Step-by-step itinerary

Bethlehem, Jordan River, and Jericho Tour

Visit Shepherds Field with guide
Tour Church of the Nativity
Visit Milk Grotto Church
Stop at Olive Wood Factory and store
Visit Jordan River Baptism Site
View Jericho from old city
See Zacchaeus Sycamore Tree
Visit Elijah Spring
Explore Hisham’s Palace
Tour Old City of Jericho

The Experience

What does it actually feel like to stand where Jesus was baptized, then walk through the oldest city on earth, all before sunset? The Bethlehem, Jericho & Jordan River tour from Jerusalem packs that into roughly eight hours, and the rhythm matters more than you'd think. You start in Bethlehem with a Palestinian guide who takes you through the Church of the Nativity—the real one, built over the grotto in the 4th century—and then the Milk Grotto, a smaller Catholic chapel that sits quieter and less crowded. There's a 25-minute stop at an olive wood factory where locals carve and sell pieces; no pressure, just a chance to see the craft and support families in town.

After Bethlehem, the vehicle switches and you head down into the Jordan Valley, crossing a checkpoint where you'll need your passport. The Jordan River baptism site at Qasr Al-Yahud is where the tour shifts from guided to self-paced—you walk the grounds yourself, see the spot where pilgrims wade into the water, and stand at the lowest point on earth. It's quieter than you expect. Then comes Jericho, the ancient city that archaeologists say is the oldest continuously inhabited place in the world. You'll see the Sycamore Tree of Zacchaeus at a major intersection in town, visit Tel es-Sultan (the archaeological mound, 10 NIS entry), Elisha Spring, and if you want, Hisham's Palace with its Umayyad mosaics—another 10 NIS. The guide is with you in Bethlehem only; Jericho is self-guided, which means you set your own pace through the old city.

One thing to know: the line to see the birth grotto can stretch 1–2 hours during peak season, especially on Sundays and holidays. If that matters to you, book a small group instead of a large one—it helps. The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, and the guide's time in Bethlehem; bring your passport, wear comfortable shoes, and add the operator on WhatsApp after booking so they can confirm your driver and vehicle type the morning of the tour. The vehicle switch between Bethlehem and Jericho is built in, so don't be surprised when you change cars at the checkpoint.

What’s included

Your day includes air-conditioned transport, one bottled water per person, and a Palestinian guide for the Bethlehem portion (Church of the Nativity, Milk Grotto, Shepherds' Field, and olive wood factory).
You'll cross into the Jordan Valley to visit the baptism site at Qasr Al-Yahud, then explore Jericho on your own—the Sycamore Tree of Zacchaeus, Tel es-Sultan, Elisha Spring, and Hisham's Palace.
Entry fees to Tel es-Sultan and Hisham's Palace are separate (10 NIS each).
Passport required for checkpoint crossing.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Elijah Tours & Travel

Is this one for you?Right for travelers based in Jerusalem who want to see Bethlehem, the Jordan River, and Jericho in one full day without arranging separate transport and guides. Expect a vehicle switch at the checkpoint and self-guided exploration in Jericho—that's what fits three major biblical sites into a single outing.