Mount of Temptation, Saint George Monestary, Saint Saba & Bethlehem One Day Tour

This is the kind of one-day route that packs huge spiritual landmarks into a single, guided circuit, starting in Bethlehem and ending with views from the Mount of Temptation. You’ll hit major places tied to both the Old and New Testaments, plus a few real-world stops that show what daily life looks like in the Bethlehem area.

I especially like how the Bethlehem portion includes a guided tour, so you are not just walking from church to church wondering what you are seeing. I also like the optional cable car at Jericho, because it adds a practical, non-church moment with big panoramas over the Jordan Valley. One thing to keep in mind: the day is long, and you may have to accept some last-minute changes if sites close or if a specific access point like the Nativity Cave is limited.

Key things to know before you go

• Guided time is mainly in Bethlehem, so plan to focus your questions there.
• Cable car is optional and paid separately at the Mount of Temptation.
• Jericho has an extra site fee for Tel Jericho, Tell es-Sultan, which is not included.
• Mar Saba has strict entry rules for women, so check that before you book.
• The day runs about 8 to 11 hours, and checkpoint timing can affect your pace.
• Most major Bethlehem churches are free to enter, but some access is not guaranteed.

A full day that stitches Bethlehem and Jericho into one story

If you want biblical sites without hopping cities for multiple days, this tour makes a strong case. You start with Bethlehem’s best-known holy sites, then work your way toward Jericho and the Judean Desert, finishing with a monastery viewpoint connected to the story of Jesus’ 40 days and 40 nights.

What makes this itinerary feel practical is the structure: churches and religious landmarks in Bethlehem (with guidance), then a shift into archaeology and desert scenery in Jericho. It is not just a checklist. The route is built so you see sacred places in context, from the Nativity area to the older layers of Jericho.

The max group size is 55, and the tour runs from central Jerusalem or Tel Aviv by A/C vehicle. That matters because on a day like this, heat, crowding, and timing can either make the experience comfortable or exhausting. The A/C transport helps you reset between stops, especially when you are moving through busy areas.

Bethlehem’s anchor stops: the Church of the Nativity and the Old City flow

Your day in Bethlehem starts with the Church of the Nativity, and it is a logical first stop. This is one of the oldest working churches in existence today, traditionally linked to the grotto associated with Jesus’ birth. The tour gives you a full guided visit here, which is key, because this church is busy, visually complex, and easy to get turned around in.

After the big arrival stop, the itinerary keeps moving through nearby sites in a way that is actually efficient. You do not waste the day with long gaps of travel and dead time. Instead, you get a steady stream of Christian landmarks that connect to specific stories:

• Church of St. Catherine of Alexandria, described as a Franciscan monastery connected to early fourth-century traditions.
• Milk Grotto, tied to the story that a drop of Mary’s milk made the cave floor whiten.
• Shepherd’s Sanctuary, marking the place associated with the angels’ announcement to the shepherds.

These visits are mostly quick, and that is a feature, not a bug, for a full-day tour. Expect you will see the main point of each location, learn the short version of the story behind it, then move on.

A practical tip: dress for church visits, and plan for crowds. Even if entry is free, these sites can be packed, and your comfort depends on simple things like covered shoulders and patience.

The Nativity Church area, plus a few stops that feel more human

Another strong part of the Bethlehem schedule is that it includes more than only the famous churches. You also get time at the Nativity Church in Bethlehem’s old city area, plus a pass by an Olive Wood factory. You may also stop at Bab idDeir Art Gallery, an independent artistic space in Bethlehem’s Deik quarters.

These smaller stops do two useful things:

1. They break up the heavy church intensity with something more everyday.
2. They help you understand that Bethlehem is not just a museum of sacred stops. It is a living town with art, crafts, and local spaces.

You also have a stop at Aida, the Palestinian refugee camp north of Bethlehem and near Beit Jala. That is not listed as a long visit, but it is included. If you choose this tour, you should be comfortable with that reality and ready for a reminder that this region’s stories are still unfolding.

Finally, Rachel’s Tomb is part of the route. It is a place revered as the burial site of the matriarch Rachel. For many people, this is where the trip starts to feel less like religious tourism and more like history you can stand inside.

Cave of Jerome and Mount Carmel spirituality, quick stops with clear meaning

Between the big Nativity anchor sites and the move toward Jericho, you also pass through religious locations that connect to older scriptural traditions.

One of these is the Cave of Jerome, located beneath the Church of St. Catherine according to the tour description. St. Jerome is associated with translating much of the Old Testament from Hebrew and Greek into the Latin Vulgate. Even if you only get a short visit, it is an easy stop to appreciate because it links a modern church visit to the history of how texts were preserved and translated.

Another is the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, described as tied to a group of hermits living close to the Spring of Elijah on Mount Carmel, with spirituality rooted in both the Prophet Elijah and the Virgin Mary. If you like seeing how religious traditions connect across time, this short stop gives you that thread.

The catch with short visits like these is that you need to be present. If you treat every stop like a photo sprint, you will miss the meaning. If you slow down for a few minutes, even small locations can feel like real context.

Tel Jericho and Tell es-Sultan: archaeology time with a practical fee

When you reach Jericho, you shift from churches to an archaeological site. The tour includes Ancient Jericho, also known as Tell es-Sultan. It is described as a UNESCO-nominated archaeological site located about two kilometers north of the center of Jericho.

This stop is not included in the ticket price for entry. The tour lists an entrance fee of 10 NIS per person for Tel Jericho / Tell es-Sultan. So if you are budgeting, do not forget this, since it adds a direct cost on top of the base price.

Expect the time here to be around 15 minutes. That is enough to orient yourself, see major features of the site, and connect it to the biblical setting. It is not enough to go deep into archaeology like you would on a dedicated dig-and-museum day, but it is a solid hit if your priority is the broader spiritual route.

Mar Saba Monastery: one of the most memorable moments, with a clear rule

Mar Saba Monastery is a fifth-century monastery that has been expanded and fortified over the years. Even with a limited visit, monasteries like this tend to hit you in the gut, because you get a sense of how long the place has been shaped for endurance, not comfort.

You get a panoramic view of the site as part of the visit, and you spend about 30 minutes there. That combination, the architecture plus the view, is exactly what makes the stop worthwhile.

There is one major planning detail you must know: women are not allowed to enter the monastery. That is a hard constraint stated for the tour. If that affects you, you should either confirm your eligibility before booking or choose a different tour option.

If you are allowed to enter, bring attention to the rules and dress expectations at religious sites. They can be strict, and you will have the best time if you follow the guidance quickly.

Mount of Temptation Monastery: desert views and the optional cable car

The day’s desert-side finale is Mount of Temptation Monastery. The itinerary describes it as about 3 km northwest of Jericho, overlooking the Jordan Valley, in the Judean Desert. This is the place associated with Jesus retreating to the wilderness and spending 40 days and nights in spiritual contemplation.

You get about 30 minutes at this stop, and there is an optional cable-car ride for an additional cost of 60 NIS per person. The tour notes that the cable car lets you look toward the city, with panoramic desert views. This is a smart add-on if you want the spiritual sites plus a scenic angle that does not depend on church interiors.

If you skip the cable car, you can still appreciate the viewpoint from the monastery area. But if you are the type who likes to understand geography, the cable car helps you map the region quickly.

Price and value: what $600 per group really means

The price is $600 per group up to 4 people. In the best-case scenario, that breaks down to about $150 per person when the group is full. If you travel with fewer than four, your per-person cost will be higher, but you still get the advantage of private-group style comfort in an A/C vehicle.

What is included is helpful:

• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Tour guide only in Bethlehem
• Tour taxes

What is not included includes the two items that can surprise people if they are only thinking in dollars:

• Cable car fee of 60 NIS per person at the Mount of Temptation (optional)
• Entrance fee for Tel Jericho / Tell es-Sultan in Ancient Jericho at 10 NIS per person

Also, the tour notes that entry to the Nativity Cave is not always possible, and some places may randomly close. That means part of your value comes from how flexibly the tour handles real-world changes. The company states they will take you to as many Jericho places as possible when closures happen.

Logistics that matter: A/C transport, checkpoint realities, and pacing

This tour runs roughly 8 to 11 hours, which is a big day. It is doable, but you should plan for a day where you will be moving at each stage and you will not have long independent wandering time.

You can start from either central Jerusalem or Tel Aviv by A/C vehicle. That flexibility is convenient if you are staying outside downtown Jerusalem. Also, the tour is described as having a mobile ticket, which helps on paperless days.

Because this is a West Bank and holy sites day, you should expect timing changes. The tour description itself flags that weather matters, and the experience requires good weather. That is important for desert viewpoints and for minimizing disruptions.

One more practical note: the itinerary includes a mix of free entry sites and paid entry sites. The Bethlehem churches are generally listed as free for your visit, which helps you stay on budget during the day, and then the paid fees show up as you transition toward Jericho and optional attractions.

Who this tour suits best

This is a strong fit for you if:

• You want a one-day Bethlehem plus Jericho plan without a second overnight.
• You value guided interpretation in Bethlehem, not just self-guided church hopping.
• You like the combination of sacred sites and scenery, especially with the optional cable car.

It may be a weaker fit if:

• You want long, slow museum-style time at a single site.
• You need a strict schedule with zero site changes, since some access can be limited.
• You are traveling with someone affected by the Mar Saba women entry restriction.

Should you book this Bethlehem and Jericho day tour?

I’d book this tour if your top priority is seeing the key Bethlehem holy sites with actual guidance, then getting Jericho and Mount of Temptation in the same day. The mix of quick but meaningful stops, plus the option to add panoramic views by cable car, makes the long day feel purposeful rather than chaotic.

I would think twice if you are sensitive to long days and variable site access. The itinerary is built around many locations and changing conditions, so your best experience will come from a flexible mindset, good walking shoes, and dressing comfortably for church visits and monastery rules. If that sounds like you, this is a solid way to connect the big biblical sites into one coherent day.

FAQ

How long is the Mount of Temptation, Saint George Monastery, Saint Saba & Bethlehem one-day tour?

The duration is listed as approximately 8 to 11 hours.

Where does the tour depart from?

You can travel comfortably from either central Jerusalem or Tel Aviv by A/C vehicle.

Is there a tour guide during the whole day?

The tour includes a tour guide only in Bethlehem.

What is included in the price?

Included are the A/C vehicle, a tour guide in Bethlehem, and tour taxes.

What extra fees should I expect?

Cable car fee at Mount of Temptation is 60 NIS per person if you choose it. Tel Jericho, Tell es-Sultan, also has an entrance fee of 10 NIS per person.

Is the Nativity Cave visit guaranteed?

No. The visit down to the Nativity Cave is not always possible.

Are there any restrictions for visiting Mar Saba Monastery?

Yes. Women are not allowed to enter the monastery.

How large are the groups?

The tour has a maximum of 55 travelers.

Is cancellation free?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.