Private Day Tour: Jericho, Mount of Temptation, Hisham's Palace and Bethlehem

Bethlehem, PS
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Excellent (28 reviews)

Included

  • inclusion
    Private tour
  • inclusion
    Pickup from Checkpoint 300 or Bethlehem hotel
  • inclusion
    In-vehicle air conditioning
  • inclusion
    Drop-off at Checkpoint 300 or Bethlehem hotel

Excluded

  • exclusion
    Public transportation to the meeting point and back to your hotel
  • exclusion
    Lunch
  • exclusion
    Gratuities
  • exclusion
    Cable car to mount of temptation in jericho
  • exclusion
    Entrance fees

Meeting Point

Tour departs from the Palestinian side from Checkpoint 300 between Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Your guide will be waiting for you near the yellow taxi parking lot.

Meeting point

End point

End Point

Tour departs from the Palestinian side from Checkpoint 300 between Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Your guide will be waiting for you near the yellow taxi parking lot.

Meeting point

End point

What to expect

1
Bethlehem

Greet your private guide-cum-driver at 8am your Bethlehem hotel or the Bethlehem side of Checkpoint 300 if coming from Jerusalem: Checkpoint 300 is about 30 minutes from Damascus Gate by bus. Relax in air-conditioned comfort as you drive for around 45 minutes to Jericho. Along the way, you'll pass by various religious sites: St. Theodosius' Monastery, where some believe the wise men hid from Herod the Great after they visited the baby Jesus in Bethlehem, and al-Eizariya, which many believe to be Lazarus' Bethany village.

2
St. George's Monastery

Enjoy a panorama view St. George Monastery is believed to be the site where the Prophet Elijah hided from Queen Jezebel and was fed by ravens. before driving a few minutes towards Jericho to Mount of Temptation.

Duration 90 minutes
3
Mount of Temptation Monastery

In Jericho, take the cable car and overview ancient Jericho that dates back to 10,000 years BC. Walk to Mount of Temptation, the place where Jesus was tempted by the Satan while he was fasting for 40 days in the desert. The Monastery dates back to the Byzantine period, the current building dates back to 1892 AD. There you will have a nice panorama view looking over Jericho.

Duration 60 minutes
4
Hisham's Palace

Next you will visit Hisham's Palace, this is a spot not to be missed. The sprawling winter hunting retreat of Caliph Hisham Ibn Abd al Malik must have been magnificent on its creation in the 8th century, with its baths, mosaic floors and pillars – so much so that archaeologists have labelled it the ‘Versailles of the Middle East’.

Duration 60 minutes
Admission Admission Not Included
5

Chapel of the Shepherds’ Field

Your next stop is Beit Sahour, considered the city of the shepherds. Visit the Shepherd's Field, where the angel appeared to the shepherds and told them about Jesus' birth, then drive to a local restaurant for a classic falafel lunch.

Duration 35 minutes
6

Church of the Nativity

From here it's not far to Bethlehem proper, where you'll start at the famous Church of the Nativity, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that's built on the spot where many believe Jesus was born: it's the world's oldest church in regular daily use. You'll also visit the Cave of St. Jerome, below the church, where many believe he translated the bible.

Duration 90 minutes
7
Church of St. Catherine

Finally, you'll visit the Church of St. Catherine and the Milk Grotto shrine, and see Banksy's graffiti pieces, before you drive back either to Checkpoint 300 or your Bethlehem hotel, where your tour will finish at 4pm.

Duration 20 minutes

The experience can be subject to change due to bad weather or unforseen circumstances. We always endeavour to give you the best possible experience.

Additional Information

  • Additional information
    A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
  • Additional information
    Dress code is smart casual
  • Additional information
    Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Additional information
    Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants
  • Additional information
    Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Additional information
    Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Additional information
    Walking is involved
Provided by Michael Tours

What our experts say

  • icon
    Try local falafel at Beit Sahour.
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    Visit Banksy's graffiti art in Bethlehem.
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    Wear comfortable shoes for walking.
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    Bring a valid passport for entry.
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    Check out St. George's Monastery views.

More About this Experience

Enjoy a comprehensive overview of historic Jericho and Bethlehem. You'll visit religious monuments, including an overview of St. George's Monastery, visit to Mount of Temptation Monastery, ancient Jericho the oldest city in the world, Hisham's Palace, the Church of the Nativity, the Church of St. Catherine, the Milk Grotto Shrine, the Cave of St. Jerome, and Shepherd's Field, where the angel appeared to the shepherds and see some of Banksy's graffiti art.

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