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Jericho Culture & history

Our most recommended Jericho Culture & history

From Jerusalem: Tour to Bethlehem, Jericho, and Jordan River

1. From Jerusalem: Tour to Bethlehem, Jericho, and Jordan River

After being picked up from Jerusalem, travel to Bethlehem where you will meet your guide before heading into the old city of Bethlehem. Enjoy a guided visit to the Church of the Nativity.  Continue your tour with a visit to the Milk Grotto Church before riding to the city of the shepherds, Bayt Sahur where you will visit the Chapel of the Shepherds Field before getting to visit an olive wood factory where you will see artisans crafting wooden sculptures.  Then journey through the wonderful Judean Desert to the lowest point on earth. Have chances to stop and take pictures at the sea level point in the desert overlooking the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, Jericho.  Stop and have lunch then pass the Mount of Temptation and drive into Jericho where you will see some of the famed sights in the city including Zaccheus's Tree which is mentioned in the bible.

Bethlehem, Jericho and Jordan River from Tel Aviv

2. Bethlehem, Jericho and Jordan River from Tel Aviv

After your 6:30 AM pick-up from Tel Aviv, head to Bethlehem to explore the city before it becomes bustling with other groups. Discover the birthplace of Jesus and the Church of the Nativity. Descending through the Judean Desert, reach Jericho, the lowest city on Earth, and explore the Mount of Temptation.  Explore the Mount of Temptation, ascending by cable car. The cable car ticket is not included and costs approximatel $16. Stop at the Jordan River, Qasr al Yahud Baptismal Site, where according to tradition, Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist.  Return to Tel Aviv at around 6:30 PM. Note that the order of sites is subject to change.

From Jerusalem: Bethlehem, Jericho & Qasr al-Yahud

3. From Jerusalem: Bethlehem, Jericho & Qasr al-Yahud

Descend to the Judean desert, and see the Inn of the Good Samaritan on route. Look out over the remarkable moonscape of the breathtaking Judean desert. Continue on to Jericho, the oldest city in the world. Stop at Zacchaeus' Sycamore to see one of the oldest Sycamore trees, which Zacchaeus climbed in order to spot Jesus. Visit the Mound of Ancient Jericho, where 25 ancient cities were uncovered. Enter Jericho, which was founded in 8,000 BC, and is the oldest Jewish settlement, captured by Joshua and Israel in 1,200 BC. Stop for an overview of Mt. Temptation, where Satan endeavored to tempt Jesus, and see of the oasis of Jericho and Elisha's Spring. Depart Jericho to travel to the Judean mountains and the city of Bethlehem. Visit Bethlehem, the birthplace of King David, whose name literally translates as “City of Bread,” due to the wheat crop that grew in the region, the city where according to Christian tradition, it is the birthplace of Jesus, and undoubtedly one of the most biblical sites on earth. Discover the Church of the Nativity, and the cave where Jesus was born. See Manger Square, where Jesus was placed after his birth. Explore the Greek and the Catholic Church before continuing with an overview of Shepherd's Fields.  Enjoy round-trip transfers from Jerusalem and the services of an English-speaking guide, on this essential tour of biblical sites and fantastic panoramic views.

From Jerusalem: Tour of Jericho, Jordan River & the Dead Sea

4. From Jerusalem: Tour of Jericho, Jordan River & the Dead Sea

Take a day to explore the city of Jericho. Learn the historical significance of this ancient city and its biblical role. Climb the Mount of Temptation by cable car and witness stunning views. Visit the Jordan River and see where Jesus was baptized before ending the day bathing in the Dead Sea. Find yourself amongst a biblical story in the city of Jericho. Learn how the city walls fell in the Battle of Jericho and visit the ancient sycamore tree that Luke climbed for a chance to see Jesus over the crowd. Admire Elisha's Spring, the fresh-water source that has nourished the city for thousands of years. Explore the original Jericho settlement that dates back to 9000 BC and see up-close a Neolithic watchtower. Continue with a cable car ride up the Mount of Temptation, biblically known as the place where the Devil tried to tempt Jesus to forsake God. Admire the Greek Orthodox monastery there, which seems to defy gravity on the precarious cliffs. Arrive at the Jordan River, said to the be the location where John baptized Jesus. Learn of the thousands of visitors seeking baptism in the same place and how it may be where the Israelites crossed into the Promise Land. End a perfect day relaxing at the Dead Sea. Float in the water that has 8.5 times more salt than the ocean. Lather your skin with mineral-rich mud and soak up the sun on the beach before heading back to Jerusalem.

From Tel Aviv: Jericho, the Jordan River and the Dead Sea

5. From Tel Aviv: Jericho, the Jordan River and the Dead Sea

Visit the city of Jericho, the most ancient city in the world, the city in the Bible where Joshua and his troops caused the city walls to fall in the Battle of Jericho. See the ancient sycamore tree that features in the Biblical story in the Book of Luke, where Zacchaeus climbs a sycamore tree to see Jesus over the crowds that had come out to greet him as he entered Jericho. Tour Elisha’s Spring, which supplied the city with fresh water over the course of thousands of years. Marvel at the spring, without which people would not have been able to survive in this harsh environment. Travel 2 km from Jericho to the archaeological mound of Tel Jericho, the site of the original Jericho settlement, where archaeologists have uncovered 23 layers from previous settlements in Jericho dating back to 9000 BC. See one of the most fascinating finds, a Neolithic watchtower dated c. 8000 BC. Continue the tour to the Mount of Temptation, where the devil tried to tempt Jesus to forsake God. Go up to the top of the mount by cable car and take in the stunning views, and see the Greek Orthodox Monastery seeming to defy gravity by clinging to the cliffs. Make a stop at Qasr el Yahud, a site on the Jordan River where John baptized Jesus, where the Jordan River has been made accessible to visitors who want to be baptized here., and which may also be where the Israelites crossed the Jordan into the Promised Land. End off a perfect day with a stop to the Dead Sea, to float in the water that is 8.5 times saltier than the ocean; lather skin with mineral-rich Dead Sea mud, and soak up the sun on the beach.

From Tel Aviv: Bethlehem, Jericho and Qasr al-Yahud Tour

6. From Tel Aviv: Bethlehem, Jericho and Qasr al-Yahud Tour

Decent to the Judean desert, you will see the Inn of the Good Samaritan on route. Look out over the remarkable moonscape of the breathtaking Judean desert. Then continue to Jericho, the oldest city in the world. Stop at Zacheus Sycamore to see the oldest Sycamore tree, which Zacheus climbed in order to spot Jesus. Visit the Mound of Ancient Jericho, where 25 ancient cities were uncovered. Founded in 8,000 BC, Jericho is also the oldest Jewish settlement and was captured by Joshua and Israel in 1,200 BC. Stop for overview of Mt. Temptation, where Satan endeavored to tempt Jesus and get an overview of the oasis of Jericho and Elisha's Spring. Next, get back to the Judean mountains and the city of Bethlehem, the birthplace of King David, and literally translates as “City of Bread,” due to the wheat crop that grew in the region. According to Christian tradition, it is the birthplace of Jesus, and undoubtedly one of the world's important most biblical sites. Visit the Church of the Nativity and the cave where Jesus was born. Also see Manger Square, where Jesus was placed after his birth. Explore the Greek and the Catholic Church. Continue with an overview of Shepherd's Fields.  With round-trip transfers from Tel Aviv and the services of an English-speaking guide, this is an essential tour of the biblical sites and offers fantastic panoramas as you drive.

From Tel Aviv: Highlights of Jerusalem & the Dead Sea Tour

7. From Tel Aviv: Highlights of Jerusalem & the Dead Sea Tour

Your first stop in Jerusalem is the Mount of Olives where you can look out across the ancient city. As you descend the Mount of Olives you'll see the Garden of Gethsemane, the Church of All Nations with its colorful mosaic pediment, and the Jewish burial tombs of Zechariah, Absalom and BeneiHazir. Pass through the Kidron Valley and follow the walls of the Old City to the entrance to the Armenian Quarter. Walk along the Cardo where Crusader shops once lined the street, now home to modern up-market stores. Next, visit the Jewish Quarter and the Western Wall (Kotel or Wailing Wall). This wall is the last remaining wall of the Jewish Temple which was destroyed in 70 A.D. Jews gather here at all hours of the night and day to pray. You can place a prayer note in the cracks between the huge stones of the wall. Then, walk the Via Dolorosa or the Way of the Cross. The Via Dolorosa wends its way through the Old City lanes and markets. Each of the 14 Stations of the Cross where Jesus paused is marked with an explanation of the events. We reach the last point on this holy route at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, constructed on the site where Jesus was crucified at Golgotha. After seeing the highlights of Jerusalem, your journey takes you out of Jerusalem and past the city of Jericho to the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth at about 400 meters below sea level. After an exciting day of sightseeing, relax with a refreshing swim in the famous sea. The Dead Sea is 9.6 times saltier than the ocean and the high saline content will keep you afloat so you can pose for a classic photo while reading a newspaper. At the end of your tour, you'll be transferred back to your hotel in Tel Aviv.

Other Sightseeing Options in Jericho

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What people are saying about Jericho

Overall rating

3.8 / 5

based on 643 reviews

The tour was jam-packed but organized (only minor delay at start due to bus assignment). Organizers did their best to meet the itinerary. There are some additional entrance fee at Monastery at Mt. Temptation via cable car (~40 NIS), and Old Jericho Ruins (~20 NIS). Overall, the event was worth it.

Guided tours saves a lot of holiday time, don't need to worry about safety, transport, etc. You can know a lot interesting information from local guides :)

It's one of the best tours we booked so far. You'll get a different glimpse/view of the culture and history behind this area.

Great tour - there is so much to see that it is a very busy day.

Nice people, great planning. We learned a lot about the area