Bethlehem, Jerusalem Desert and Monasteries Tour from Jerusalem or Tel Aviv

5.0 (2 reviews) 8–11 hours Free cancellation

out of 5

2 reviews

5.0

Bethlehem, Jerusalem Desert and Monasteries Tour from Jerusalem or Tel Aviv — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Bethlehem, Jerusalem Desert and Monasteries Tour from Jerusalem or Tel Aviv, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

The Tour of the Monasteries is one of the most informative and history intensive tours we have. in addition to the visit to Bethlehem Old City, This tour is one of our new tours that covers most historical places in the Judean Desert. We recommend this tour for you if you prefer learning more about the history and see archeological sights.

We will Cover the most important biblical sites in Bethlehem City and the neighboring city Beit Sahour. Our tour will cover a guided tour to the Chapel of the Shepherd's field. Then we will continue to visit the old city of Bethlehem where lies the Church of the nativity, the place where Jesus Christ was born. Then we will visit the Church of the Milk Grotto. A short but refreshing stop at a local olive factory is provided before we continue our tour through the Judean Desert to go visit Saint Saba Monastery, Saint George Monastery and Mount of Temptation Monastery.

All times are approximate, Switch of vehicles are Required

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At a glance

Duration: 8–11 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 55 people
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: English
Operated by: Elijah Tours & Travel

Ages: Adults (1–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: In-vehicle air conditioning: Air-conditioned vehicle
Included: Tour Guide in Bethlehem City Only

Not included

Not included: A visit down to the Nativity Cave isn't always available
Not included: Monasteries We usually visit in afternoon , not always open even during opening hours
Not included: Cable Car 60 NIS Each

Itinerary

Church of the Nativity

40 min

"The Church of the Nativity, or Basilica of the Nativity, is a basilica located in Bethlehem. The grotto it contains holds a prominent religious significance to Christians of various denominations as the birthplace of Jesus. The grotto is the oldest site continuously used as a place of worship in Christianity, and the basilica is the oldest major church in the Holy Land."
St. George's Monastery

40 min

"The Monastery of Saint George of Choziba, also known as Monastery of Choziba (or Hoziba) or Mar Jaris,is a monastery located in Wadi Qelt. The cliff-hanging complex, which emerged from a larva established in the 420s and reorganized as a monastery around AD 500, with its ancient chapel and irrigated gardens, is active and inhabited by Greek Orthodox monks. It houses the relics of saint George of Choziba, after whom the monastery is named, as well as the relics of saint John of Choziba.
Mount of Temptation Monastery

one hour

The Mount of Temptation is the supposed location of part of the Temptation of Jesus described in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke in the New Testament, during which the Devil took Jesus to a "high mountain" and offered him rule over all the kingdoms of the world.
Shepherd's Sanctuary

40 min

"The Shepherds' Field Chapel or the Sanctuary of the Gloria in excelsis Deo, dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima and St. Theresa of Lisieux, is a Roman Catholic religious building in the area of Beit Sahour, southeast of Bethlehem. The chapel marks the place where, according to Catholic tradition, angels first announced the birth of Christ.
Bethlehem

5 hours

"Bethlehem is the cradle of Christianity, the site of the Church of the Nativity, which contains an underground cave where Christians believe Mary gave birth to Jesus in a stable. A 14-pointed silver star beneath an altar marks the spot and the stone church is a key pilgrimage site for Christians and Muslims alike."
Mar Saba Monastery

one hour

"The Holy Lavra of Saint Sabbas, is a Greek Orthodox monastery overlooking the Kidron Valley in the Bethlehem at a point halfway between Bethlehem and the Dead Sea. The monks of Mar Saba and those of subsidiary houses are known as Sabaites.

Mar Saba is considered to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited monasteries in the world, and it maintains many of its ancient traditions.
Blessings Gift Shop and The Olive Wood Factory

Passing by

Pass By Blessings Gift Shop and Olive Wood Factory.
Milk Grotto

30 min

"The Chapel of the Milk Grotto of Our Lady also called Grotto of Our Lady or Milk Grotto, is a Catholic chapel in Bethlehem, erected in 1872. Since Byzantine times, the place has been a center of Christian pilgrimage.

Christian tradition says is the place where the Holy Family found refuge during the Massacre of the Innocents, before they could flee to Egypt. The name is derived from the story that a "drop of milk" of the Virgin Mary fell on the floor of the cave and changed its color to white."

The space, which contains three different caves, is visited by some in hope of healing infertile couples,[8] the shrine allegedly being a place where prayers for children are miraculously answered.[9]
St. Jerome's Cave

Passing by

"Set among a maze of subterranean chambers under the Church of Nativity, here, in the late 4th century, Saint Jerome devoted 30 years of his life to translate the Hebrew and Greek bibles into Latin."
Tomb of Rachel (Kever Rachel)

Passing by

"Rachel's Tomb is a site revered as the burial place of the Biblical matriarch Rachel. The tomb is held in esteem by Jews, Christians, and Muslims. The tomb, located at the northern entrance city of Bethlehem, next to the Rachel's Tomb, is built in the style of a traditional maqam, Arabic for shrine."
Tel es-Sultan

Passing by

"Tell es-Sultan, also known as Tel Jericho or Ancient Jericho, is a UNESCO-nominated archaeological site in the West Bank, located adjacent to the Ein as-Sultan refugee camp two kilometres north of the centre of Jericho. The tell was inhabited from the 10th millennium BCE, and has been called "the oldest town in the world", with many significant archaeological finds; the site is also notable for its role in the history of Levantine archaeology."

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Pick up from Walled off hotel in Bethlehem at 8:15 and return only there when tour finish
Pick up from Jerusalem: 7:45-8:00 Pick up from Jerusalem David Citadel Hotel ( Front of the Hotel ) King David 7, Jerusalem, 9410119, Israel
Tel Aviv Pick up: Pick up from Tel Aviv: 6:30 A Pick up from Tel Aviv Grand Beach Hotel ( Front of the Hotel ) HaYarkon St 2

End point

Pick up from Walled off hotel in Bethlehem at 8:15 and return only there when tour finish
Pick up from Jerusalem: 7:45-8:00 Pick up from Jerusalem David Citadel Hotel ( Front of the Hotel ) King David 7, Jerusalem, 9410119, Israel
Tel Aviv Pick up: Pick up from Tel Aviv: 6:30 A Pick up from Tel Aviv Grand Beach Hotel ( Front of the Hotel ) HaYarkon St 2

Using your ticket

Make Sure the Driver has your name on his phone before going into the vehicle, any help you need contact me on Whatsapp +972 59-398-3488

Return drop-off is to the original pick-up location you selected at checkout.

Example: If you chose Bethlehem pick-up, you will be returned to Bethlehem only (no return to Jerusalem or Tel Aviv).

Please don't forget to bring your passports
Please Wear Modest clothing covered shoulders and knees for Entrance to Nativity church only

*Please go to www.elijahtours.com to read about the Itinairy Details and FAQ at bottom of your Tour

only Bethlehem with the guide the monasteries is self guided tour with the driver only and usually they do not open to the public we visit them from outside
We do not include a visit to the Birth Grotto unless you have booked the VIP option, as waiting times typically range from 1 to 3 hours, depending on the season and make sure it is not on sunday morning and or holidays as the grotto will be usually closed

Cancellation

Free cancellation

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

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Pick Up at 7:45 in front of the David Citadel Hotel - All our Drivers have your main booking name on their phones, make sure to see your name on the phone before you go to the Viechle/bus - Add us on WhatsApp for easier pickup we can tell you type of vehicle/driver name in the early morning only .
You can check the ticket details for the phone number if you have question and queries before the tour/ about the meeting and pick up!!!
We do not include a visit to the Birth Grotto unless you have booked the VIP option, as waiting times typically range from 1 to 3 hours, depending on the season and make sure it is not on sunday morning and or holidays as the grotto will be usually closed

Options

Jerusalem pick up and drop off

David Citadel hotel pick up : David Citadel hotel pick up and drop off in Jerusalem only

Starting point:

David Citadel Hotel, King David St 7, Jerusalem, 9410119, Israel
Bethlehem Pick Up & Drop Off

Bethlehem pick up and drop off: Walled off hotel at 8:15 pick up and return only there after tour finish

Starting point:

The Walled Off Hotel, Caritas Street 182, Bethlehem