Recently Viewed
Jordan River Baptism Site: Private 4-Hour Tour
4.2
9 Ratings
Swemeh
Experience the sacred Jordan River where Jesus was baptized on this private 4-hour trip from Dead Sea. Explore the historic Bethany Beyond the Jordan River Baptism Site and discover ancient ruins and baptismal pools. Upgrade to visit Iraq Al Amir caves and Qasr al-Abad palace. Book now!
Experience the sacred Jordan River where Jesus was baptized on this private 4-hour trip from Dead Sea. Explore the historic Bethany Beyond the Jordan River Baptism Site and discover ancient ruins and baptismal pools. Upgrade to visit Iraq Al Amir caves and Qasr al-Abad palace. Book now!
Duration:
4 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Swemeh - Meet the driver at the Dead Sea hotel and travel in a private, comfortable air-conditioned vehicle to the River Jordan with a personal English-speaking driver who also serves as a guide. Along the way, enjoy the views of Jordan’s stark landscapes and stop at Bethany Beyond the Jordan River, known as “Al-Maghtas” in Arabic. This site on…
- Swemeh - Meet the driver at the Dead Sea hotel and travel in a private, comfortable air-conditioned vehicle to the River Jordan with a personal English-speaking driver who also serves as a guide. Along the way, enjoy the views of Jordan’s stark landscapes and stop at Bethany Beyond the Jordan River, known as “Al-Maghtas” in Arabic. This site on the river’s eastern bank is believed to be where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist.
- The Baptism Site Of Jesus Christ - Join a local guide for a tour of the riverbanks and significant excavated ruins, learning about the site’s sanctification as the place of Jesus’ baptism by the Vatican and the visit by Pope John Paul II in 2000. Experience the profound spirituality and see the remains of Roman and Byzantine churches, caves, wells, and baptismal pools. As you walk, listen to the guide explain why archaeologists believe John the Baptist lived, preached, and baptized here. Discover more about this renowned Christian pilgrimage site, revered in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam as the believed location of the Prophet Elijah’s ascension to heaven. Afterward, meet with the driver again and return to Amman, concluding the tour with a hotel drop-off. Please note: the Bethany on this trip is not to be confused with Bethany in Jerusalem, where it is believed Mary Magdalene lived and Lazarus was raised from the dead.
- Iraq Al Amir - Upgrade Iraq Al Amir Visit: Alternatively, if an upgrade is chosen, travel to Iraq Al Amir, known for its numerous cliff-side caves dating back to the Copper Age. Drive through olive groves and pine trees, and after exploring the caves, proceed to nearby Qasr al-Abad, a restored pre-Roman building from the 2nd or 3rd century B.C. Admire the exterior, pillars, and animal carvings as you explore the ancient structure, thought to have been a villa or minor palace. Then, reunite with the driver and end the tour with a drop-off at the Dead Sea hotel.
What's Included
- English-Speaking Driver
- Hotel pick up and drop off
- Entrance fees to Iraq Al Amir; if option selected
- On board WI-FI
- Private Transfer by air-conditioned leisure new vehicle according to number of participants
- Local English-Speaking Guide at Bethany Jordan River (collective)
- Entrance Fees to Bethany (Baptism Site at Jordan River)
- English-Speaking Driver
- Hotel pick up and drop off
- Entrance fees to Iraq Al Amir; if option selected
- On board WI-FI
- Private Transfer by air-conditioned leisure new vehicle according to number of participants
- Local English-Speaking Guide at Bethany Jordan River (collective)
- Entrance Fees to Bethany (Baptism Site at Jordan River)
What's Not Included
- All type of meals, unless option with lunch selected (Vegetarian meal by request)
- All type of beverages
- All type of gratuities (Tips to the Driver, Local Guide) – Recommended
- Personal Expenses
- Any other service not mentioned
- All type of meals, unless option with lunch selected (Vegetarian meal by request)
- All type of beverages
- All type of gratuities (Tips to the Driver, Local Guide) – Recommended
- Personal Expenses
- Any other service not mentioned
Additional Information
Join a private 4-hour excursion from the Dead Sea to the Jordan River, where Jesus was baptized. Visit the Bethany Beyond the Jordan River Baptism Site, also known as “Al-Maghtas,” and explore the riverbanks, ancient church ruins, wells, and baptismal pools. The package includes entrance fees, a local guide, and round-trip private transportation with a…
Join a private 4-hour excursion from the Dead Sea to the Jordan River, where Jesus was baptized. Visit the Bethany Beyond the Jordan River Baptism Site, also known as “Al-Maghtas,” and explore the riverbanks, ancient church ruins, wells, and baptismal pools. The package includes entrance fees, a local guide, and round-trip private transportation with a knowledgeable English-speaking driver. There is an option to upgrade the tour to include a visit to the nearby Iraq Al Amir caves and the pre-Roman Qasr al-Abad palace. Hotel return is included.
- 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.
- Indicate special dietary requirements at the time of booking.
Location
Swemeh
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.2
(9 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Didiermo5527xw
May 11, 2023
Must-see before the Dead Sea - Must visit before the passage to the Dead Sea. It's definitely worth a visit. The place is emblematic but unfortunately travelers often pass by without going there ( OK you have to pay an entrance ) it will still remain the place where Christ was baptized. You can also soak your feet if your heart likes, for my part no, the water of the Jordan was too loaded with mud or sand.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Martial51
Dec 21, 2022
a place where everything is monitored - a place that is sacred but highly militarized with the nearby Israeli border. The waters of the Jordan are brown and do not engage in swimming. The little church is beautiful and the tours are in English. Good luck to those who don't understand much
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marcoabertoli
Nov 27, 2022
Sublime - The feeling of visiting the place where Jesus was baptized is really exciting - everything very well organized , clean and all well preserved , I recommend making the visit with a guide to be aware of all the details
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Simona040271
Dec 29, 2019
Israel, Jordan, the true site where Jesus was baptized: Bethany beyond the Jordan. - Bethany beyond the Jordan (John 1:28) is the place on the banks of the Jordan River in the West Bank where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist (John 10:40). One of the most important sites for Christians, but accessible for a few years through a strip of land managed by Israel as a protection of parks and nature reserves, the rest is surrounded by anti-personnel and anti-carrammate mines and demining works are being carried out to be able to access serenely, in the area there are beautiful monasteries, some closed, and places of worship of eight Christian denominations. Many baptisms still take place today: Pilgrims plunge into the river to baptize or remember their baptism despite the area being militarized and full of danger signs.
We are facing two banks of the Jordan River, one under Israeli control, Al Maghtas as it is called, the other of Jordan called wadi kharrar, in each to watch L opposite each other, there are a couple of armed soldiers planted next to their flags, they are smiling, talking to each other and I have a good feeling they are friends. The center of the river belongs to both sides and it is here that I seem to understand the tradition wants to place the point where the baptism of Jesus took place, to eliminate all contention.
As we witness the baptisms, we see a group of people, watching them from the other side, they too pray, we are all gathered around one memory. This place is wonderful, a frontier that exists only apparently, political boundaries are made fragile by the sharing of these waters and the memory they bring! It is also the place of Elijah (the hill of Elijah on the Jordan side), the favorite place of John the Baptist and the site where the gospels indicate that the holy spirit descended on Jesus when he was baptized. It is a place still not very superstructured, for this reason it maintains the beauty of its natural existence, after the reclamation who knows what it will become.
Meanwhile, with joy and surprise, I could enjoy it ☺️😊 and it was beautiful, an unforgettable experience, .... I would never leave, and for those who believe it is not just an emotion 👑💖🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sgavoyages
Sep 11, 2024
Spiritual - Place of the baptism of Christ. You can only visit in groups. We have to wait for the bus. Nice place to wait. One hour tour. Be careful it's very hot.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mta1958
Oct 16, 2019
Place with great religious burden - Although most of the area, especially the many churches built, are newly built, the symbology of the place remains intact. Massive baptisms continue to occur.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
David
Nov 19, 2018
Not a Private Tour, but.... - A driver came and picked me up and delivered me to the Baptism Site from the hotel. I then got on a bus with many others for a group tour led by the Baptismal site commission. The driver had to verify with Zaid Tours that the price included admission to the site, which was very expensive. The tour was fun and interesting, but is incorrectly advertised for a ride to the site and the admission ticket. Better to arrange a private tour if that is what you are looking for, of which I saw several during my group tour with the crowd.
Zaid Tours concern with my experience, and their helpful communications have influenced my overall rating of this tour. Zaid Tours has contacted me and offered a partial refund because of the confusion in the tour being advertised as a "private" tour. Their company appears to want to make things right. They are in the process or correcting the tour description so that it will not cause confusion with future travelers.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Brendas127
Apr 5, 2023
Dirty water to clean the soul? - We visited both the northern and southern baptismal sites that Israel has. The southern site near Bethany is also well catered for with facilities towels and changing areas which are clean : unlike the water of the Jordan which seems to be even more foul as it travels. I didn't even want to stick my foot in it is looked so dirty.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jidezel
Jun 10, 2022
The must-see in the Holy Land? - It's hot there! very hot! too hot... 40° in the shade and despite the covered alleys of the site, shade is rare then, hat, sunscreen 50+ and water, lots of water! Which may explain the amount of people in the water despite the unengaging color of the Jordan here
So, this baptismal place, is it here in Jordan or on the other side? Each country claiming its own as authentic... Knowing that the Baptist was beheaded in Madaba I think he had to live on this side of the Jordan so, I vote Jordanian!
Before going down to the river, do not zap the Greek Orthodox Church dedicated to St John the Baptist, it is beautiful and... fresh!
Beautiful panorama of all the churches around.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
More activities from this operator
