Jericho & Dead Sea from Tel Aviv: Jordan River & Mount Temptation

Down into the desert, then into the water

You travel from Tel Aviv through the Judean Desert to Jericho's archaeological layers and Zaccheus' Tree, ride a cable car to Mount Temptation monastery, wade in the Jordan River at the baptismal site, and float in the Dead Sea for an hour. Hotel pickup, guide, and all entry fees are included; the full day runs 10–12 hours.

Is this one for you?A good fit if you want to see the Dead Sea and Jericho in one day without arranging your own transport or managing multiple entry tickets — the fixed itinerary and included pickups mean you focus on the sites instead of logistics. Plan for a full day out, roughly 10–12 hours, which is what fits all four main stops and the Dead Sea float into a single departure.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Jericho and Dead Sea region

• Travel through the Judean Desert
• Visit the Biblical city of Jericho
• Stop at Zaccheus' Tree in Jericho
• Visit the archaeological site Tel Jericho
• Arrive to the top of Mount of Temptation
• Visit Qasr al-Yahud Baptismal Site
• Visit the Jordan River
• Relax and float in the Dead Sea

The Experience

The vehicle picks you up at your Tel Aviv hotel and heads east into the Judean Desert, dropping elevation steadily until the landscape turns dry and sculptural. Within a couple of hours you're at Tel Jericho, the archaeological site where the original settlement sits layered under centuries of habitation — your guide walks you through what the excavations have revealed, and you stand where people lived eight thousand years ago. From there it's a short stop at Zaccheus' Tree, the sycamore mentioned in the Bible, gnarled and still rooted in the town center.

Mount Temptation comes next, and you ride a cable car up the cliff face to a monastery perched on the slope, with views that stretch across the Jordan Valley toward the Dead Sea. The air thins and the scale of the desert becomes real. After that, the tour moves to Qasr al-Yahud, the baptismal site on the Jordan River itself — the water is narrow and slow here, nothing like the postcards suggest, but the weight of the place is immediate. You can wade in if you want; bring a bathing suit and a towel because the next stop is the Dead Sea, where you float on your back without effort, the salt holding you up while the sun beats down and the lowest point on Earth settles around you. Most people spend an hour here, drifting and adjusting to the strangeness of it.

The drive back to Tel Aviv takes the same route in reverse, and by evening you're back at your hotel. The whole day is structured around the geography — you go down, you visit, you float, you come back up — and the guide handles the pacing so you're not checking your phone to figure out what's next. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, as are all entrance fees and the air-conditioned transport, so logistics don't pull your attention away from the landscape itself.

Top questions

Do I need a passport for this tour?

Yes, a current valid passport is required on the day of travel.

What should I bring?

A bathing suit, towel, hat, and sun protection. The Dead Sea time is the main reason for the swimwear.

Is the baptism organized by the tour company?

No. The tour visits the baptismal site, but the company does not arrange a baptism with a priest. You can wade in the Jordan River on your own.

How long do we spend floating in the Dead Sea?

Around one hour, though the exact time depends on the day's schedule and group pace.

Is this suitable for young children?

The tour is not recommended for children under 4 years old.

What is the fitness level required?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels. The cable car takes you up Mount Temptation, so no strenuous climbing is needed.

Does the price include lunch?

The inclusions listed are hotel pickup and drop-off, professional guide, entrance fees, and air-conditioned vehicle. Lunch is not mentioned; confirm with the operator.

How many people are in a typical group?

The tour requires a minimum number of participants to run, but maximum group size is not specified. Ask the operator for typical group numbers.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Tel Aviv, a professional guide, entrance fees to Tel Jericho, Mount Temptation, Qasr al-Yahud, and the Dead Sea beach, plus air-conditioned transport throughout. You travel through the Judean Desert, visit the archaeological site and Zaccheus' Tree in Jericho, ride a cable car to Mount Temptation monastery, wade in the Jordan River at the baptismal site, and float in the Dead Sea.