Jericho, Jordan River & Dead Sea tour from Jerusalem: Small group

Three sacred sites and the Dead Sea in one day from Jerusalem

A full-day guided tour from Jerusalem explores Jericho, the Jordan River baptism site, and the Dead Sea's private beach in a small group with a professional English-speaking guide. You visit the ancient walls of Jericho and the Spring of the Prophet Elijah, pass the Mount of Temptation, and float in the mineral-rich Dead Sea waters before returning to Jerusalem.

Step-by-step itinerary

Jericho, Jordan River and Dead Sea tour

• Pick up from Jerusalem hotel
• Drive to Dead Sea level point
• Take camel selfie and enjoy desert view
• Drive through Judean Desert to Jericho
• Visit Ancient Wall of Jericho
• See Spring of the prophet Elijah
• Stop at Mount of Temptation for views
• Optional cable car to Mount of Temptation
• Walk to Greek Orthodox cave (optional)
• Lunch and refreshment stop
• Visit Dead Sea products center
• Photo stop at Sycamore tree
• Drive to Jordan River baptism site
• Overlook Jordan River baptism site
• Optional baptism experience
• Arrive at Dead Sea private beach
• Relax and float in Dead Sea
• Enjoy Dead Sea mud treatment
• Return to pickup point
• Drop off at Jerusalem hotel

The experience

The tour departs from the David Citadel Hotel in Jerusalem between 7:45 and 8:00 am and moves through three distinct landscapes. First comes the Dead Sea level viewpoint, where you pause for photos against the Judean Desert backdrop. Then the route climbs into Jericho itself (the oldest city in the world at 10,500 years old), where a local guide shows you the ancient walls and the Spring of the Prophet Elijah. The Mount of Temptation stands next, accessible by cable car (paid on-site, optional) with a 15-minute walk to the Greek Orthodox cave where Jesus spent forty days. The viewpoint alone requires no climbing.

A rest stop in Jericho gives you time for lunch, coffee, and a visit to a Dead Sea products center. You pass the sycamore tree of Zacchaeus on the way to the Jordan River, where the baptism site of Jesus by John the Baptist sits. Baptism in the river itself is optional and available for those who want to follow that path. The final stop is the Dead Sea's private beach, where you float in the buoyant, mineral-rich water and can coat yourself in the healing mud. The beach has a restaurant, bar, pool, and shops selling swimwear and Dead Sea products, plus showers to rinse off afterward.

The full day runs 9 to 11 hours depending on traffic and weather. An air-conditioned vehicle with WiFi carries the small group throughout, and your guide speaks English. You'll need to bring your passport, visa, and ID to cross the border into the West Bank. Wear modest clothing at religious sites, bring a swimsuit and sunscreen for the Dead Sea, and pack a hat and sturdy shoes for the walking involved.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle with WiFi throughout the day.
• guided tour in English with a professional local guide in Jericho.
• entry to the private Dead Sea beach with access to the mineral-rich water and mud.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:45

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 19

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.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by JeruTours

Is this one for you?The tour involves moderate walking, an early 7:45 am start, and optional water entry at the Jordan River and Dead Sea, so come prepared with sturdy shoes, sunscreen, and a swimsuit if you plan to float. The cable car and baptism experiences are optional, so you control how much physical activity you take on.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What is the ancient wall of Jericho and why is it significant?

The ancient wall of Jericho is one of the oldest defensive structures in the world, dating back thousands of years to the Bronze Age. The tour includes a guided visit to this archaeological site, where your local guide explains its historical importance and the layers of civilizations that built and rebuilt the city over millennia.

Can I actually swim and float in the Dead Sea on this tour?

Yes. The tour ends at a private beach on the Dead Sea where you float in the water (the high salt content makes you buoyant naturally), and can apply the mineral-rich mud to your skin. The beach has showers, a restaurant, and a bar, so you can rinse off and rest afterward.

Is the Jordan River baptism site something I have to do, or is it optional?

The Jordan River baptism site is optional. The tour passes the location where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, and you can choose to enter the water and perform a baptism ritual if you wish. Allow about 30 minutes for this experience if you decide to participate.

What happens at the Mount of Temptation stop?

The Mount of Temptation is where Jesus spent forty days and forty nights according to Christian tradition. You can ride a cable car to the mountain (paid directly on-site, optional) and walk 15 minutes upstairs to reach a Greek Orthodox cave with views over Jericho and the Jordan Valley. The viewpoint itself requires no climbing if you prefer to skip the cable car.

Do I need to bring my own swimsuit and towel for the Dead Sea?

Yes, bring your own swimsuit, towel, and sunscreen. The private beach has shops selling swimming clothes and accessories if you need to purchase anything on the day, and showers are available to rinse off the salt water and mud afterward.

What documents do I need to bring to cross into the West Bank?

You must bring your passport, visa, and ID to pass through the border checkpoint between Jerusalem and the West Bank. Have these documents ready when the group crosses, as border procedures can add time to the journey.