Bethlehem, Jericho & Jordan River tour from Jerusalem

Church of the Nativity, Milk Grotto, Shepherd's Field and Jericho in one day

A guided tour from Jerusalem through Bethlehem, Jericho and the Jordan River, led in English with air-conditioned transport. You'll visit the Church of the Nativity (built over the grotto where Jesus was born), the Milk Grotto where the Holy Family sheltered, the Chapel of the Shepherd's Field, an olive wood factory, and biblical sites in Jericho. The tour runs 8 to 11 hours. A vehicle switch is required at the border, and you'll need your passport. Entry to the Church of the Nativity can involve a wait of 30 to 90 minutes on regular days, and visits are not guaranteed on Sundays or holidays.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Church of the Nativity40m
2. Bethlehem30m
3. Milk Grotto25m
4. Jericho30m

Guided tour of Bethlehem and Jericho

• Drive through Judean hills to Bethlehem
• Ride through Bethlehem city attractions
• Guided visit to Church of the Nativity
• Walk to the Church of Milk Grotto
• Visit Chapel of the Shepherd’s Field in Beit Sahour
• Visit olive wood factory and cooperative store
• Visit biblical and historical sites in Jericho
• Visit Jordan River

The experience

The route starts in Jerusalem and climbs through the Judean hills into Bethlehem. Once there, you'll ride through the city to Manger Square and enter the Church of the Nativity for a guided visit to the underground cave where Jesus was born: one of the oldest working churches in existence, first built by the Roman Emperor Constantine in the 4th century AD. A short walk with the guide takes you to the Milk Grotto, the cave where the Holy Family found refuge during the Massacre of the Innocents before fleeing to Egypt, named for the white stone said to mark where a drop of milk from the Virgin Mary fell.

From Bethlehem you'll travel to Beit Sahour, the city of the Shepherds, for a guided visit to the Chapel of the Shepherd's Field, which marks where the angels first announced Christ's birth. A 25-minute stop at an olive wood factory and cooperative store follows, then the tour moves on to Jericho. There you'll explore the most important biblical and historical sites in the city on your own, including a 15-minute visit to the Jordan River. An air-conditioned vehicle carries you throughout. A vehicle change is required at the border checkpoint, and you'll need to bring your passport.

Wait times at the Church of the Nativity can stretch 30 to 90 minutes on regular days as visitors queue to enter the grotto. The tour does not include visits to the Mount of Temptation cable car, Hisham's Palace, or Tel Jericho's entrance fees. Your guide speaks English and travels with the group through Bethlehem and the guided sites. Jericho and the Jordan River are self-guided.

What’s included

• Guided tour of Bethlehem including the Church of the Nativity and Milk Grotto.
• visit to the Chapel of the Shepherd's Field in Beit Sahour.
• 25-minute stop at an olive wood factory and cooperative store.
• self-guided exploration of Jericho and the Jordan River.
• air-conditioned vehicle throughout.
• live English-speaking guide for the guided portions.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:45

Book up to2d before

GroupUp to 55

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go 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.

Paid on siteUS$ 3.23

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Judah Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you're based in Jerusalem without a car. The tour picks you up in the city and handles the border crossing as part of the route, so you won't need separate transport arrangements to reach Bethlehem and Jericho.

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Top questions

How long does this tour take from start to finish?

The tour runs 8 to 11 hours total, including travel time through the Judean hills, guided stops in Bethlehem and Beit Sahour, the olive wood factory visit, and time in Jericho and at the Jordan River.

What exactly is the Church of the Nativity and why is it important?

The Church of the Nativity is one of the oldest working churches in the world, built by the Roman Emperor Constantine in the 4th century AD directly over the grotto where Jesus was born. You'll descend into the underground cave as part of the guided visit, though entry can involve a wait of 30 to 90 minutes on regular days.

Do I need anything special to cross into Bethlehem and Jericho?

You must bring your passport. A vehicle switch is required at the border checkpoint, so you'll change vehicles as part of the tour logistics.

What happens in Jericho? Is it guided or on my own?

Jericho and the Jordan River are self-guided, giving you freedom to explore the biblical and historical sites at your own pace. The tour includes a 15-minute visit to the Jordan River and access to the city's main attractions, but you're not led through them.

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

The tour includes the guided visits to the Church of the Nativity, Milk Grotto, Shepherd's Field Chapel, the olive wood factory stop, and transport in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking guide. Entrance fees to Tel Jericho and Hisham's Palace, and lunch, are not included.