Madaba, Mount Nebo & Mukawer: Private Christian Tour from Amman

The 6th-century Mosaic Map of the Holy Land, laid out in stone at Madaba's Saint George Church.

A private Christian tour from Amman to three biblical and early medieval sites: Madaba's Saint George Church, home to a detailed 6th-century mosaic map of the Holy Land; Mount Nebo, where Moses is believed to have seen the Promised Land before his death; and Mukawer, the hilltop fortress where John the Baptist was imprisoned and beheaded. The tour runs eight hours with hotel pickup and drop-off, a private air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking driver who serves as guide, and admission to all three sites. You can book the tour alone or add lunch.

Step-by-step itinerary

Christian heritage tour from Amman

• Pick up from Amman hotel
• Drive to Madaba city
• Visit Saint George’s Church mosaic map
• Explore Madaba’s medieval mosaics with guide
• Drive to Mount Nebo
• View Holy Land from Mount Nebo
• Tour Mount Nebo Franciscan Church mosaics
• Continue to Mukawer fortress
• Explore Mukawer hilltop palace ruins
• Return to Amman hotel drop-off

The experience

The day starts at your Amman hotel with pickup in a private, air-conditioned vehicle. The drive takes you to Madaba, an early medieval city known for its mosaics. Once there, a local English-speaking guide meets you at Saint George's Church, a 19th-century Orthodox building with a deceptively plain exterior. Inside, the 6th-century Mosaic Map covers the floor: a richly detailed rendering of the Holy Land and Jordan as they were known in that era. You'll walk the map itself, tracing the colorful depictions of the Dead Sea, Jericho, and Jerusalem, and spotting the biblical place names woven into the design.

From Madaba, you drive to Mount Nebo, a mountain ridge where Moses is believed to have stood before his death, looking out over the Holy Land. On a clear day, the view stretches across the Jordan Valley and into the distance. The modern sculpture of Moses stands at the summit. You'll tour the Franciscan Church of Moses Memorial, a shrine built in the modern era but housing 6th-century floor mosaics: scenes of soldiers, horses, hunters, peacocks, and lions still vivid after fourteen centuries. The guide explains how these mosaics were discovered and what they reveal about life in that period.

The final stop is Mukawer, a fortified hilltop palace built by Herod the Great on the eastern edge of the Dead Sea. According to the 1st-century historian Flavius Josephus, this is where John the Baptist was imprisoned and, in 32 A.D., beheaded. The ruins show the walls, baths, and the hall where tradition holds that Princess Salome danced before Herod Antipas. After exploring the fortress, you return to your vehicle for the drive back to Amman and hotel drop-off.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Amman.
• private air-conditioned vehicle for the full day.
• English-speaking driver and local guide at Madaba.
• admission to Madaba Archaeological Park, Saint George Church, Mount Nebo Memorial Church, and Mukawer Fortress.
• on-board Wi-Fi.

Options for this experience

2 options

Madaba, Mount Nebo and Mukawer tourGuide in English · 09:00Day trip to Madaba, Mount Nebo and Mukawir from Amman, pickup is included

Tour with LunchGuide in English · 09:00Day trip from Amman to Madaba, Mount Nebo and Mukawir, including lunch at a local restaurant and pickup

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats available

Operated by Zaid Tours and Travel

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want a private vehicle and dedicated guide for the day, allowing you to move at your own pace through three major biblical sites without coordinating group schedules. The fixed itinerary covers all three locations in eight hours, so the sites fit into a single day from Amman.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Mosaic Map at Madaba, and why is it significant?

The Mosaic Map is a 6th-century floor mosaic in Madaba's Saint George Church depicting the Holy Land and Jordan of that era. It is one of the oldest surviving maps of the region and shows biblical locations like the Dead Sea, Jericho, and Jerusalem in colorful, detailed renderings that reveal how the land was understood and named in early medieval times.

Can I see the views from Mount Nebo on this tour?

Yes. Mount Nebo is the mountain ridge where Moses is believed to have seen the Holy Land before his death. On a clear day, the views stretch across the Jordan Valley and toward the Holy Land. The tour includes time at the summit and a visit to the Franciscan Church of Moses Memorial, which houses 6th-century mosaics.

What is Mukawer, and what happened there?

Mukawer, also called Machaerus, is a fortified hilltop palace built by Herod the Great on the eastern edge of the Dead Sea. According to historical records, John the Baptist was imprisoned there and beheaded in 32 A.D. The tour includes a walk through the ruins, where you can see the walls, baths, and the hall where Princess Salome is said to have danced.

Is a guide included, and what language do they speak?

An English-speaking driver accompanies you for the entire day and serves as your guide. At Madaba's Saint George Church, a local English-speaking guide joins to lead you through the mosaic and explain its history and significance.

Does the tour include meals?

The standard tour does not include meals. You can add lunch when you book by selecting the "Tour with Lunch" option. Vegetarian meals are available by request at the time of booking.

What should I bring or wear for this tour?

Wear modest clothing when visiting the churches, and bring a hat, sunscreen, and comfortable walking shoes. Note that church visits are not allowed during prayer times, so the guide will time your visits accordingly.