Bethlehem, Dead Sea & Jordan River: Private Tour from Jerusalem

You float in the Dead Sea's mineral-rich water without effort, even if you've never swum before.

A private tour from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, the Jordan River, Jericho and the Dead Sea with a guide, air-conditioned vehicle and Dead Sea entry included. Visit the Church of the Nativity (built over the grotto where Jesus was born), then the Milk Grotto and Shepherd's Field Chapel, tour a local olive wood workshop, and end with a float in the Dead Sea's buoyant mineral water at the world's lowest dry point.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Church of the Nativity40m
2. Bethlehem30m
3. Milk Grotto30m
4. Jericho45m

Bethlehem, Jericho and Dead Sea tour

• Guided tour of Church of the Nativity
• Visit Milk Grotto Church
• Visit Saint Catherine’s Church
• Visit Chapel of the Shepherd’s Field
• Visit local olive wood workshop
• Visit Jordan River
• Visit Mount of Temptation
• Visit City of Jericho
• Visit Hisham Palace
• Relax and float in Dead Sea

The experience

The tour runs eight to eleven hours and moves at your pace without waiting for a larger group to catch up. You start in Bethlehem with a guided tour of the Church of the Nativity, one of the oldest working churches in existence, built by Roman Emperor Constantine in the 4th century over the grotto where Mary gave birth to Jesus. From there you visit the Milk Grotto, where the Holy Family took refuge, and the Chapel of the Shepherd's Field, the site where angels announced Christ's birth to shepherds. A stop at a local olive wood workshop gives you a look at how craftspeople work the wood by hand.

The route then takes you to the Jordan River and the city of Jericho, the world's oldest city. The final stop is the Dead Sea, where the mineral-rich, hypersaline water makes floating effortless: your body stays on the surface without any effort on your part. The Dead Sea sits at the world's lowest dry point and has been known for centuries as a health destination. The minerals in the water are said to help with skin and rheumatic conditions. You'll need to bring your passport, as checkpoints require it sometimes when crossing between territories. A vehicle switch happens during the day, and all times are approximate.

Private transportation in an air-conditioned car means no shared stops or group delays. Your guide speaks English and stays with you through Bethlehem. The driver handles the rest of the route. Dead Sea entry is included in the price. Bring swimsuits, sunscreen and water: the Jericho entrance fee and cable car are separate if you want them.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver.
• English-speaking guide in Bethlehem.
• Dead Sea entrance fee.
• tour taxes and all transportation between sites.

Options for this experience

3 options

Bethlehem pick upUp to 4 per booking · Guide in English · 06:30, 07:00, 08:00 and 09:00Bethlehem pickup: includes pickup in Bethlehem and drop-off back to Bethlehem only

Pickup from JerusalemUp to 3 per booking · Guide in English · 07:00 and 09:00Pickup from Jerusalem: includes pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Jerusalem

Pickup and drop-off in Tel AvivUp to 3 per booking · Guide in English · 06:30 and 08:00Pickup from Tel Aviv: hotel pickup and drop-off in Tel Aviv is included

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 06:30, 07:00, 08:00 and 09:00

Book up to2d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 17 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Judah Tours

Is this one for you?Choose pickup from Jerusalem if you're staying in the city and want door-to-door service. If you're based in Bethlehem or Tel Aviv, those pickup options keep you from backtracking. The private format means you set the pace at each stop instead of waiting for a group to move on, which matters most at the Dead Sea if you want time to float and soak without rushing.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

2 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What is the Church of the Nativity and why is it significant?

The Church of the Nativity is one of the oldest working churches in the world, built by Roman Emperor Constantine in the 4th century directly over the grotto where Jesus was born. It marks the exact site of the Nativity in Bethlehem and remains a major pilgrimage destination.

Can I actually float in the Dead Sea without swimming?

Yes. The Dead Sea's water is so mineral-rich and salty that your body floats naturally on the surface without any effort, even if you don't know how to swim. The high salt content makes it physically impossible to sink.

What happens at the Shepherd's Field Chapel?

The Shepherd's Field Chapel marks the place where angels first announced the birth of Christ to shepherds. It's located in Beit Sahur, southeast of Bethlehem, and is a site of religious significance tied directly to the Nativity story.

Do I need my passport for this tour?

Yes, bring your passport. You'll pass through checkpoints when crossing between territories, and officials sometimes require it at these points.

What's included in the price and what do I need to pay extra for?

The tour includes private transportation, the guide in Bethlehem, the air-conditioned vehicle, Dead Sea entry and tour taxes. The Jericho entrance fee and cable car are not included and cost extra if you want them.