Jericho & Dead Sea: Guided tour from Tel Aviv with pickup

Summary

Stories from Jericho to the Dead Sea: a day of desert, history & salt

You’ll travel from Tel Aviv through desert landscapes to Jericho’s ancient ruins, taste local dates near Zaccheus’ Tree, visit Mount Temptation and Qasr al-Yahud on the Jordan River with a local guide, then float in the salty calm of the Dead Sea — moments you’ll remember long after rinsing off that last bit of salt.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me was the color — that kind of pale gold you only see in the Judean Desert. We’d barely left Tel Aviv when the landscape started shifting, and our guide Amir (who somehow knew every weird fact about the area) pointed out how we were dropping below sea level. My ears popped a little. I remember thinking, “So this is where all those stories happened?” It’s strange seeing places you’ve heard about since you were a kid actually appear outside your window.

Jericho felt quieter than I expected — not empty, just slow and sun-baked. At Zaccheus’ Tree, Amir told us about its story while an old man nearby sold dates from a faded plastic table. I tried one; it was sticky and almost too sweet, but good. The archaeological site at Tel Jericho looked like a pile of tan stones at first glance, but then Amir traced lines in the dust with his shoe, showing where ancient walls once stood. There was something about standing there with sweat trickling down my back and hearing birds somewhere overhead that made it feel real — not just another “Biblical site” on a checklist.

I’m still laughing at myself for nearly slipping on the path up Mount Temptation (it’s steeper than it looks). The view from up there is wild — you can see so far across the valley that everything feels smaller and bigger at once. Someone in our group tried to say “Qasr al-Yahud” right and totally mangled it; even Amir cracked up. At the Jordan River baptismal site, people were quietly dipping their hands or just standing by the water looking thoughtful. It smelled faintly of mud and reeds.

The Dead Sea was last — hotter than I thought possible, honestly. Floating is as weird as everyone says; your skin tingles and you get this salty film everywhere (don’t shave your legs before coming here, trust me). We all looked ridiculous trying to stand upright again. On the drive back to Tel Aviv I kept thinking about how much history is packed into such a short distance — and how different it all feels when you’re actually there instead of reading about it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Jericho and Dead Sea Highlights

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

Top questions

How long does the Jericho & Dead Sea tour take from Tel Aviv?

This is a full-day tour including travel time between sites and return to Tel Aviv.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included in your booking.

Can I swim or float in the Dead Sea during this tour?

Yes, there’s time to relax and float at one of the Dead Sea’s beaches.

Do I need to bring anything special for this tour?

You should bring hats, sun protection, bathing suit, towels, and your passport.

Is lunch included on this Jericho & Dead Sea day trip?

No lunch is included; you may want to bring snacks or buy food during stops.

Are children allowed on this tour?

This tour isn’t suitable for children under 4 years old.

Will there be a guide during the whole trip?

Yes, a professional local guide accompanies you throughout the day.

Can I be baptized at Qasr al-Yahud during this tour?

You can visit and enter the water at Qasr al-Yahud but organized baptisms aren’t provided by the company.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle, entrance fees for all sites visited along the way, plus guidance from a knowledgeable local expert who’ll share stories as you go — so all you really need is your curiosity (and maybe some sunscreen).