Price Range
From -/- per person
Starting at:
Tel Aviv, Haifa, Jerusalem
Ending at:
Tel Aviv, Haifa, Jerusalem
Blurb right here
Visit the ancient cities of Bethlehem and Jericho, and enjoy the tranquility on the bank of the Jordan River.
• Visit Bethlehem - Jesus' birthplace: Enter the Nativity Church and Shepherds Field.
• Visit Jericho - the most ancient city in the world.
• Touch the water of the Jordan River in the historic baptismal site of Qasr el Yahud.
Gallery of Trip
Visit the cities of Bethlehem and Jericho, follow the footsteps of Jesus, and listen to the echoes of ancient history: Both are ancient towns with rich traditions, drawing lines between Judaism and early Christianity.
Activities:
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Begin your tour in Bethlehem
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Bethelehem - Bethlehem (Hebrew: "House of Bread") is celebrated as the site where Jesus Christ was born. It is a town south of Jerusalem, remembered in the Jewish tradition as the hometown of King David. Joseph and Mary arrived to the city from Lower Galilee during the Roman census - where they had to register, as Joseph was a descendant of King David - "So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child" (Luke 2:4-5).
The first church at the site was built by Helena, the mother of the Roman emperor Constantine around 326 CE. This church later was destroyed and then rebuilt at the beginning of the 6th century in its present form by Emperor Justinian. The Church of the Nativity is thus one of the oldest Christian churches in existence. Visit the traditional birthplace of Jesus' birth. -
Church of the Nativity - Manger Square stands in front of the Church of the Nativity. As you enter the Church, you will proceed down to the Grotto of the Nativity which marks the spot of Jesus’ birth.
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Shepherds Field - View the Shepherd's Fields. In the caves of these fields, you are still able to see the soot marks of fires that shepherds lit to keep warm.
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Drive to Jericho
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Jericho - Jericho is believed to be one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world and the city with the oldest known protective wall around it. The Book of Joshua tells how Jericho was miraculously conquered by Joshua and the Israelites as they entered the Promised Land (Joshua 6:1-27). It is situated in the Judean Desert, 864ft below Sea Level, not far from where the Jordan River flows into the Dead Sea. At the time of Jesus, Jericho was known as an oasis city. In fact, Herod the Great built his winter palace near here - because of its warm climate and freshwater springs. Back then and also today, the conditions in the area are perfect for the cultivation of dates, hence its biblical description as the “City of Palm Trees.” In the New Testament, Jesus passed through Jericho, where, amongst other things, he heals a blind man (Luke 18:35-43).
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Continue to Qsar el Yahud
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Qasr el Yahud - Jordan River - According to tradition, Qasr el Yahud (Arabic: Tower of the Jews) is the baptismal site on the Jordan river, marking Jesus’ spiritual birth. As John the Baptist called the People of Judea to baptize in the Jordan River, he was referring to a long-existing sentiment in Jewish heritage towards the river: present in numerous miraculous stories, this is where the ancient Hebrews crossed to enter the Land of Israel, and where the prophet Elijah ascended to heaven (Joshua 3:15-17, Kings 2 2:1-17). It was regarded as a sacred body of water, prominent in the scripts - it is mentioned 167 times in the Hebrew Bible (!!) - more than any river, stream, lake, or sea in the Old Testament.
Today Qasr el Yahud is an integral part of any pilgrimage tour, and twice a year, mass baptisms are arranged on this site.
FAQ
What's the weather like in Israel?
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In Israel, the northern and coastal areas enjoy a Mediterranean climate, meaning summers are hot and dry, while winters are cool and rainy. Down south and in the east, it's much drier. Rainfall usually comes between October and early May, with the most rain falling from December to February.
It is always best to check the weather forecast beforehand.
Spring (late March – May): Daytime temperatures are generally very pleasant - around 65-70°F, though it can still be hot in some areas (such as the Dead Sea and Eilat). There is a slight chance of rain, but it doesn't happen often. It can be cooler in the evenings in the North and Jerusalem - approximately 45°F.
Summer (late May - late September): Temperatures are usually in the high 80s-90s. At this time of year, humidity will be highest in Tel Aviv and Tiberias. Other areas such as Jerusalem are drier and cooler, particularly at night. The desert, Masada and Eilat are extremely hot, but dry. It will almost never rain in the summer in Israel!
Fall (late September – November): Same as Spring, but the rain can begin towards the end of the season.
Winter (December - early March): Winter can be mild and sunny, or severe and overcast. There's often heavy rain and, in January and February, even snow at times! Temperatures will be in the 50s-60s most places, but in the 40s in Jerusalem and the Galilee hills, and cold at night. Pack layers and be prepared for anything!
Weekly weather forecast
How do I access the internet during my trip?
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Most hotels in Israel have free Wi-Fi available for hotel guests and many restaurants offer complimentary Wi-Fi as well. The city of Tel Aviv offers a city wide free Wi-Fi network, providing 80 free "hotspots" across the city. Other than that - please check your roaming services and international plan before using your cellular data abroad.
How far in advance should I start planning my trip?
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We recommend you start planning your trip/tour to Israel at least 6-8 months in advance to ensure the best prices and availability. If you're planning a tour for a large group, 8 -12 months is best so families can plan around their kids' school schedules. Contact us and we'll talk about it.
What is the situation with regard to COVID-19 in Israel?
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The rules regarding COVID-19 are fluid and change often, based on what is happening around the globe. We will continue to update you regarding current guidelines.
Currently, the State of Israel does not require one to present a COVID-19 vaccination or recovery certificate, or a negative test result in order to enter or leave the country. It is advised that you check with your airline to confirm their requirements, as they may differ. As of October 9, it is no longer required to complete an entry form to enter Israel.
Please note the following:
- Health Insurance It is a condition of your booking through Via Sabra / Israel4All, as well as the State of Israel, that you obtain travel health insurance which includes coverage for COVID-19. Please note that you may be denied boarding of your flight to Israel if you cannot show proof of this when you check in for your flight.
- Travel Insurance In addition, we strongly recommend that you purchase full travel insurance which includes coverage for ‘cancellation under any circumstances and for any reason’. It is recommended to purchase insurance as soon as the booking is made, as this coverage is often dependent on purchasing as close to the time of booking. You can purchase travel insurance through our partner, Travel Insured, an experienced company and one of the largest in the industry, through this link.
Terms of Payment
Deposit is due immediately to secure the booking.
Balance for the trip is due no later than 60 days prior to the first day of trip. An invoice will be sent 90 days before the trip.
Please refer to our full Terms and Conditions here.
Please note:
- The itinerary is subject to change as a result of unforeseen changes from suppliers, weather, etc.
- This proposal is valid for 1 week for private clients and 10 days for groups.
Cancellation Policy
Bookings can be cancelled within 48 hours AFTER REGISTRATION, with a full refund.
For cancellations made:
· Up to 60 days prior to departure, any payments above the deposit towards the trip will be refunded. The deposit is non-refundable.
· 60-30 days prior to departure, 50% of the total tour cost per person will be refunded.
· 29-0 days prior to departure, the client will incur 100% of the cost of the tour.
All cancellation requests must be made in writing.
Starting at:
Tel Aviv, Haifa, Jerusalem
Ending at:
Tel Aviv, Haifa, Jerusalem
Visit the ancient cities of Bethlehem and Jericho, and enjoy the tranquility on the bank of the Jordan River.
What’s Included
A private, licensed, English speaking tour guide and transportation
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Fees for sites and activities listed
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Testimonials
“Trip of a lifetime
It was the most interesting, delicious, fun trip that we have ever had to Israel and quite frankly, anyplace! Our tour guide brought everything alive for us and filled our days with so many adventures. Cannot recommend this enough.
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Know before you go
Helpful articles from our Israel travel blog
