Beyond Your Travel

Day Tour to Bethany Baptism Jordan River Site, Madaba & Nebo Visit from Dead Sea

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Duration

6 hours

Group Size

1 to 7 people

Ages

0 - 99 yrs

Languages

English

Tour 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.

Additional information

Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Confirmation will be received at the time of booking.
Airport Pick-up and Drop-off by request.
Contact your local operator (office phone number, emergency mobile number – out of office hours, or email address) a day before to reconfirm pick-up arrangements provided in your voucher.
Tour activity is provided in English. For other languages by request.
Clients with mobility issues, please contact us.
Strollers and car seats for infants, please contact us.
Most local tourist restaurants in Jordan do not serve alcohol, if you do not want a dry restaurant that does not serve alcohol, please contact us.
Clients are advised to bring hats, sun screen, and comfortable walking shoes.
Dress code at Churches: Modest.
Indicate special dietary requirements at the time of booking.

Pickup

•Your local contact is Zaid Tours and Travel on + 962 6 4622197. •Zaid Tours and Travel opening hours are between 09:00 and 17:00 hours, Saturday to Thursday except Friday the weekend and local bank holidays. •For emergencies you can contact the 24-hour mobile number on + 962 79 5635222. •By email at info@zttint.com •You can present either a paper or an electronic mobile voucher for this activity. •Complimentary pick-up is offered for this tour activity from your centrally located hotel in Dead Sea •At least 24 hours prior to your tour activity date to verify your pick-up time and pick-up location. If you are not arriving within the specified time frame, please contact Zaid Tours and Travel prior to your travels, or immediately upon arrival at your destination. •If your hotel has changed from the original schedule advised, please contact Zaid Tours and Travel emergency mobile at least up to 12 – 6 hours in advance. •We are following hygienic- safety measurements and procedures required in Jordan by the Ministry of Health at the sites and during the visits.

What's included

English-Speaking Driver

Local English-Speaking Guide at Bethany (collective), and Madaba Saint George Church (in private)

Entrance to Madaba Archaeological Park

Entrance to Madaba Saint George Church and Saint John Church

Private Transfer by air-conditioned leisure new vehicle according to number of participants

On board WI-FI

Entrance to Bethany (Baptism Site at Jordan River)

Hotel pick up and drop off

Entrance to Mount Nebo Memorial Church of Moses

Other

Itinerary

Stop 1: 0.5 hours

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.

Stop 2: 2 hours

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.

Stop 3: 1 hours

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.

Stop 4: 0.5 hours

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.

Stop 5: 0.5 hours

Visit its underground museum memorial of Saint John the Baptist. Having admired the mosaic.

Stop 6: 1.5 hours

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.

FAQ

Can I get the refund?

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Min 1 days: 100%
From 0 to 1 days: 0%

Tickets

Adult (12 - 99 years)

Minimum: 1, Maximum: 7

Children (6 - 11 years)

Minimum: 0, Maximum: 7

Infant (0 - 5 years)