Day Tour to Bethany Baptism Jordan River Site, Madaba & Nebo Visit from Dead Sea
Overview
Stand beside the Jordan River where Jesus was baptized on this private 8-hour trip from Dead Sea. Travel to the Bethany Beyond the Jordan Baptism Site, also known as “El-Maghtas”, and tour the riverbanks and ruins of ancient churches, wells, and baptismal pools. Proceed to Madaba’s mosaic city to visit Saint George’s Church, home to beautiful Byzantine mosaic map depicting the Holy Land and Jordan; besides other mosaics at Madaba’s Archeological Park, as well as visit Saint John Church with its Bell Tower. Continue to Mount Nebo to enjoy panoramic views over the Jordan Valley to Jericho and Jerusalem. Explore the ruins of a Byzantine church that once stood on the hilltop, and gain insight into biblical legend for which this ancient corner of the world is famous.
Inclusions
- Hotel pick up and drop off
- English-Speaking Driver
- Entrance fees to Bethany, Madaba St George Church, Archaeological Museum, St John Church, and Nebo
- Local English-Speaking Guide at Bethany (collective), and Madaba Saint George Church (in private)
- On board WI-FI
- Entry/Admission - Madaba Archaeological Park
- Entry/Admission - St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church
- Entry/Admission - Mount Nebo
- Entry/Admission - The Baptism Site Of Jesus Christ
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Swemeh, Swemeh, Dead Sea Region
Meet your driver at your Dead Sea hotel, and travel by private, leisure air-conditioned vehicle to the River Jordan. On route, soak in views of Jordan’s barren landscapes, and pull up at Bethany Beyond the Jordan River, known as “El-Maghtas” in Arabic, the site on the eastern bank of the river where it’s believed Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist.Meet up with a local guide, and take a tour of the riverbanks and key excavated ruins, learning how the site was sanctified as the place of Jesus’ baptism by the Vatican and a visit by Pope John Paul II in 2000.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: The Baptism Site Of Jesus Christ, Site, Juwafat al-Kafrayn Jordan
Drink in the powerful sense of spirituality, and see the remnants of Roman and Byzantine churches, caves, wells, and baptismal pools. As you walk, listen as your guide explains why archaeologists believe that it was here that John the Baptist lived, preached, and performed baptisms. Hear more about this famous Christian pilgrimage spot and how it is held holy in all three major religions — Christianity, Judaism, and Islam for being the believed site of the Prophet Elijah’s ascension to heaven. Please note: the Bethany in this trip should not be confused with Bethany in Jerusalem, where it's believed that Mary Magdalene lived and Lazarus rose from the dead.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Madaba, Madaba, Madaba Governorate
Travel to Madaba, known for its exquisite Byzantine mosaics. Arrive in Madaba and head inside Saint George’s Church with a local guide. This 19th-century Greek Orthodox Basilica is home to the famous Madaba Mosaic Map, a 6th-century A.D. floor mosaic that depicts the ancient Holy Land and Jordan. Gaze at this masterpiece and its richly detailed renderings of Jerusalem, Jericho, the Dead Sea and other biblical sites as your guide explains how it was unearthed in 1897 A.D A.D.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Madaba Archaeological Park, Hussein bin Ali Street, Madaba 17110 Jordan
Proceed to the open-air museum known as the Archaeological Park, which houses a collection of ruins and mosaics like the Church of Virgin Mary and other floor house mosaics. Visit the historic Catholic Church of Saint John the Baptist, with its beautiful Bell Tower for a breath-taking view of Madaba.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, Princess Haya St., Madaba 17110 Jordan
Visit its underground museum memorial of Saint John the Baptist. Having admired the mosaic.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Mount Nebo, Madaba Jordan
drive to Mount Nebo, the hill where, according to the bible, Moses was not only granted a view of the Holy Land but also died. Take in the stunning views from the summit that extend over the Jordan Valley, and on a clear day, can stretch as far as Jericho and Jerusalem. Go inside the excavated remains of the Byzantine church that once graced the hilltop. Here, archaeologists have uncovered a series of floor mosaics dating from between the 4th and 6th century A.D. Marvel at these intricate artworks with their still-vivid illustrations of peacocks, soldiers, horses and hunters, as your guide shares facts about their creation and discovery. After your visit of this marvelous Franciscan Monastery of Mount Nebo, return to your vehicle and make the drive back to Dead Sea. Your tour concludes with a drop-off at your Dead Sea hotel.
Duration: 1 hour
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Swemeh, Swemeh, Dead Sea Region
Meet your driver at your Dead Sea hotel, and travel by private, leisure air-conditioned vehicle to the River Jordan. On route, soak in views of Jordan’s barren landscapes, and pull up at Bethany Beyond the Jordan River, known as “El-Maghtas” in Arabic, the site on the eastern bank of the river where it’s believed Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist.Meet up with a local guide, and take a tour of the riverbanks and key excavated ruins, learning how the site was sanctified as the place of Jesus’ baptism by the Vatican and a visit by Pope John Paul II in 2000.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: The Baptism Site Of Jesus Christ, Site, Juwafat al-Kafrayn Jordan
Drink in the powerful sense of spirituality, and see the remnants of Roman and Byzantine churches, caves, wells, and baptismal pools. As you walk, listen as your guide explains why archaeologists believe that it was here that John the Baptist lived, preached, and performed baptisms. Hear more about this famous Christian pilgrimage spot and how it is held holy in all three major religions — Christianity, Judaism, and Islam for being the believed site of the Prophet Elijah’s ascension to heaven. Please note: the Bethany in this trip should not be confused with Bethany in Jerusalem, where it's believed that Mary Magdalene lived and Lazarus rose from the dead.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Madaba, Madaba, Madaba Governorate
Travel to Madaba, known for its exquisite Byzantine mosaics. Arrive in Madaba and head inside Saint George’s Church with a local guide. This 19th-century Greek Orthodox Basilica is home to the famous Madaba Mosaic Map, a 6th-century A.D. floor mosaic that depicts the ancient Holy Land and Jordan. Gaze at this masterpiece and its richly detailed renderings of Jerusalem, Jericho, the Dead Sea and other biblical sites as your guide explains how it was unearthed in 1897 A.D A.D.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Madaba Archaeological Park, Hussein bin Ali Street, Madaba 17110 Jordan
Proceed to the open-air museum known as the Archaeological Park, which houses a collection of ruins and mosaics like the Church of Virgin Mary and other floor house mosaics. Visit the historic Catholic Church of Saint John the Baptist, with its beautiful Bell Tower for a breath-taking view of Madaba.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, Princess Haya St., Madaba 17110 Jordan
Visit its underground museum memorial of Saint John the Baptist. Having admired the mosaic.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Mount Nebo, Madaba Jordan
drive to Mount Nebo, the hill where, according to the bible, Moses was not only granted a view of the Holy Land but also died. Take in the stunning views from the summit that extend over the Jordan Valley, and on a clear day, can stretch as far as Jericho and Jerusalem. Go inside the excavated remains of the Byzantine church that once graced the hilltop. Here, archaeologists have uncovered a series of floor mosaics dating from between the 4th and 6th century A.D. Marvel at these intricate artworks with their still-vivid illustrations of peacocks, soldiers, horses and hunters, as your guide shares facts about their creation and discovery. After your visit of this marvelous Franciscan Monastery of Mount Nebo, return to your vehicle and make the drive back to Dead Sea. Your tour concludes with a drop-off at your Dead Sea hotel.
Duration: 1 hour
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Infant seats available
- Most travelers can participate
- Clients are advised to bring hats, sun screen, and comfortable walking shoes.
- Confirmation will be received at the time of booking.
- Mobile SIM cards including internet bundle are available with assistance of our team upon request and can be subject to a small additional charge approximately: 15 USD. (Prices subject to change by the communication company).
- Most local tourist restaurants in Jordan do not serve alcohol, if you do not want a dry restaurant please contact us.
- Tour activity is provided in English. For other languages (Spanish, Portuguese, French, and German) by request.
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level.
- Order of visits may change for day tours with more than one visit as long as all sites completed.
- Airport Pick-up and Drop-off by request.
- Contact your local operator (phone number, emergency mobile number, or email address) a day before to reconfirm pick-up arrangements provided in your voucher.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
Angelique
August 2023
Absolutely enriching experience. Appreciate the tour guides, especially at Bethany (Baptism) and my driver w/Zaid Tours, Mahmoud. Highly recommend
Absolutely enriching experience. Appreciate the tour guides, especially at Bethany (Baptism) and my driver w/Zaid Tours, Mahmoud. Highly recommendAzzalini82
March 2022
The actual tour i would definitely recommend, all the places were extremely interesting and the tour guide at Baptism River site was very informative and did not rush us at all. Nebo had amazing views and i highly suggest the "lunch option" as it is a very filling feed and great tasting food The ...
The actual tour i would definitely recommend, all the places were extremely interesting and the tour guide at Baptism River site was very informative and did not rush us at all. Nebo had amazing views and i highly suggest the "lunch option" as it is a very filling feed and great tasting food The driver was on time and very informative but....... he insisted after Nebo visit to take me to a Mosaic store where i spent 30 mins having people trying to sell me stuff whilst he had coffee with his friends (pretending to fake interest is your best bet) and then after Madaba on the way back to the hotel he took me to another mosaic store but this time for 1hour and 10 minutes, what a complete waste of time. Obviously being a Westerner i was meant to have a black AMEX as for the whole time i was trying to be sold items worth over $600 with "free shipping" and the more i buy the better discount i would get. It wasn't until i left the store and stood beside the car did my driver actually get up from seeing his friends and took me back to my hotelJimZerbe
March 2019
This tour was excellent. The driver picked us up on time and delivered us to these three amazing sites and back to the hotel. The driver provided water and a friendly conversation throughout our trip.
This tour was excellent. The driver picked us up on time and delivered us to these three amazing sites and back to the hotel. The driver provided water and a friendly conversation throughout our trip.Vera_S
January 2017
Very informative. The tour guide was accommodating to a couple of specific stops we wanted to make.
Very informative. The tour guide was accommodating to a couple of specific stops we wanted to make.
Elmarie P
March 2016
GREAT day! Shadi was an excellent driver and made sure we saw a few extra highlights along the way. Thank you! In addition, Shadi and the tour company was willing to pick us up in Amman and drop us off at our Dead Sea hotel...very helpful and made the day much more relaxing and enjoyable!
GREAT day! Shadi was an excellent driver and made sure we saw a few extra highlights along the way. Thank you! In addition, Shadi and the tour company was willing to pick us up in Amman and drop us off at our Dead Sea hotel...very helpful and made the day much more relaxing and enjoyable!