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

The most memorable part of this long day is the sharp change of scene: Bethlehem’s crowded holy places give way to the dry Judean Desert, ancient Jericho, and the cliffside Mount of Temptation Monastery. I like the chance to connect biblical sites with living towns, and I like that the tour includes both a guided Bethlehem visit and a wide sweep of the West Bank.

I also appreciate the small private-group price structure, $600 for up to four people, which can be good value when shared. The drawback is the packed schedule, with eight to eleven hours on the road, extra fees for Jericho and the cable car, and a possible vehicle change at the checkpoint.

Key points to know before you book

• The Bethlehem portion is the most fully guided part, covering the Church of the Nativity, St. Catherine’s Church, the Milk Grotto, and Shepherd’s Field.
• A checkpoint and vehicle change may be part of the day, so allow extra time and expect the transport arrangements to shift.
• Mar Saba is viewed from outside, and women are not allowed to enter the monastery.
• The Mount of Temptation cable car costs 60 NIS per person, paid separately from the tour.
• Ancient Jericho has a separate 10 NIS entrance fee, and access can depend on local conditions.
• The $600 price covers up to four people, making this more attractive for a family or small private party than for one person alone.

Bethlehem begins with the Church of the Nativity

Bethlehem is the emotional center of the day. The Church of the Nativity is traditionally built over the grotto where Jesus was born, and the first church on this site was built under the Roman emperor Constantine in the fourth century. It is also one of the oldest working churches in the world.

You receive a guided visit here, with about 40 minutes listed for the stop. That is enough to get the main story, see the church interior, and understand why the site matters, but it may feel short if the church is crowded or access to the Nativity grotto is slow.

The descent to the cave is not always possible. That is important to know before you go, since the grotto is the focus for many people visiting Bethlehem. Even without going below the church, the building itself carries centuries of worship, repair, and religious use.

The tour also includes a second visit described as the Nativity Church in Bethlehem’s old city. Since the schedule lists both the Church of the Nativity and a later Sanctuary Bethlehem stop, confirm the exact order and whether these refer to separate portions of the same complex. Tour plans in this area can shift when religious sites close without warning.

St. Catherine’s Church and the Milk Grotto

Beside the main Nativity complex, St. Catherine’s Church is a Franciscan monastery. The site is associated with Christ’s appearance to St. Catherine of Alexandria and the prediction of her martyrdom in the early fourth century.

The listed visit is only about 10 minutes, so expect a quick look rather than a long period for prayer or quiet study. Beneath the church is the Cave of Jerome. St. Jerome, a Dalmatian priest who lived from 345 to 420, translated much of the Old Testament from Hebrew and Greek into the Latin Vulgate.

The Milk Grotto takes another 10 minutes. According to tradition, the Holy Family sheltered here during the Massacre of the Innocents before fleeing to Egypt. The name comes from the story that a drop of Mary’s milk fell onto the cave floor and turned the stone white.

These short stops work well if you want a broad introduction to Bethlehem’s religious sites. They are less satisfying if you prefer long, unhurried visits. Keep your expectations practical: this is a full-day route, not a specialist church tour.

Shepherd’s Field brings the story outside the old city

At Beit Sahour, southeast of Bethlehem, the Shepherd’s Field Chapel marks the place traditionally linked with the angels announcing Christ’s birth to the shepherds. The stop lasts about 30 minutes, giving you more time than at the Milk Grotto or St. Catherine’s.

I like this part of the route because it shifts the focus away from one church building. The setting connects the biblical account with the surrounding countryside and the town of Beit Sahour. It also gives the day some breathing room after the tight spaces and religious detail of the Nativity complex.

The Bethlehem guide is included, but the tour information specifies a guide only in Bethlehem. Do not assume you will receive the same level of guided explanation at every Jericho stop. If the history of ancient Jericho or the desert monasteries matters greatly to you, ask in advance how much commentary is planned outside Bethlehem.

Olive wood, art, and modern Bethlehem

Between the major religious sites, the route passes an olive wood factory and Bab idDeir Art Gallery. The gallery is an independent artistic and cultural space in Bethlehem’s historic old city, while the olive wood stop connects with one of the region’s familiar local crafts.

These visits can add useful texture to a day otherwise dominated by sacred sites. They also give you a look at Bethlehem as a living Palestinian city, not just a place preserved in religious memory. The schedule does not say how long you spend at either stop, so treat them as brief visits or pass-bys rather than guaranteed shopping sessions.

The route also passes Aida refugee camp, north of Bethlehem, and Rachel’s Tomb, revered as the burial place of the matriarch Rachel. These stops provide context for the modern and religious geography around Bethlehem, though the itinerary does not promise an extended visit at each one.

One useful detail from the transport arrangements is that a vehicle change may be required at the Israeli West Bank checkpoint. The tour’s air-conditioned vehicle gets you to the area, but local Palestinian guides may meet the group after the crossing. Build patience into your day. This is not necessarily a problem, but it can add waiting and make the morning feel less predictable.

Ancient Jericho at Tell es-Sultan

After Bethlehem, the route turns toward Jericho. Tell es-Sultan, also called Ancient Jericho or Tel Jericho, lies about two kilometers north of modern Jericho and is identified with ancient and biblical Jericho. It is a UNESCO-nominated archaeological site.

The scheduled visit is about 15 minutes, and admission is not included. The stated entrance fee is 10 NIS per person. That short time is enough for an overview, but not for a detailed archaeological visit. If you want to study the remains carefully, take photographs, and read every sign, the schedule may feel rushed.

Jericho is one of the places where the tour’s breadth becomes both its strength and its weakness. You reach several major sites in one day, but you cannot give each one the attention you would on a slower archaeological trip. I would treat Tell es-Sultan as a meaningful introduction rather than the main purpose of the day.

Local closures can also affect this part of the route. The itinerary notes that some places may close at random, with the guide taking you to as many Jericho sites as possible. That flexibility matters, but it also means the exact Jericho program is not fixed.

Mar Saba and the Judean Desert

Mar Saba Monastery dates to the fifth century and was founded by Saint Sabas. Over time, it was expanded and fortified, creating the dramatic monastery complex associated with the desert cliffs east of Bethlehem.

You receive a panoramic view of the monastery, with about 30 minutes at the stop. The setting is likely to be one of the strongest visual moments of the day, especially after the urban streets of Bethlehem. The route description calls this Saint Saba, while the tour title refers to Saint George Monastery. Because those names describe different places, confirm before booking that Mar Saba is the monastery intended for your visit.

There is one firm access restriction: women are not allowed to enter the monastery. Everyone can enjoy the outside view, but women should not expect an interior visit. This is a key point for couples and families planning the day around religious access.

The stop is best for seeing the monastery in its desert setting and hearing its basic story. It is not an extended monastic visit. Wear practical shoes and be ready for sun, dust, and uneven ground, although the supplied details do not specify the exact walking conditions.

The Mount of Temptation and the optional cable car

The final major stop is the Mount of Temptation, about three kilometers northwest of Jericho and roughly 58 kilometers east of Jerusalem. The mountain overlooks the Jordan Valley and is traditionally linked with the 40 days and 40 nights Jesus spent fasting and meditating after his baptism by John the Baptist.

The monastery is set high above Jericho, which gives this part of the tour a strong finish. You can visit the site without paying an entrance fee, but the cable car is optional and costs 60 NIS per person. The ride offers panoramic views of Jericho and the surrounding desert.

For many people, the cable car will be worth the extra charge because it turns the stop into more than a roadside viewpoint. It also reduces the need to reach the monastery on foot, although the tour details do not describe the exact walking route or cable-car operating conditions. Bring extra cash or confirm the accepted payment method before setting out.

Keep the weather in mind. The activity requires good weather, and the cable car may be particularly sensitive to conditions. If the whole experience is canceled because of poor weather, you can receive another date or a full refund under the stated policy.

What $600 means for a group of four

The price is $600 per group of up to four people, not $600 per person. Split four ways, that is $150 each before optional costs, which makes the arrangement attractive for a family, two couples, or a small group of friends.

The price includes an air-conditioned vehicle, tour taxes, and a guide in Bethlehem. It does not include the 60 NIS cable car or the 10 NIS entrance fee at Ancient Jericho. Those charges are modest beside the main cost, but they should still be included in your budget.

The value depends on how much ground you want to cover. You are combining Bethlehem and Jericho with two desert monasteries in one day, which saves you from arranging separate transport. You also get access to places that are awkward to combine independently.

The trade-off is time. Eight to eleven hours is a wide range, and the longer end may be realistic if there is traffic, a checkpoint delay, a vehicle change, or a closure. If you want a slow religious pilgrimage or a detailed archaeology tour, this will feel hurried. If you want a broad first look at the region, the price can make good sense when shared.

Who should book this day?

I would recommend it to you if you have limited time in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv and want to see both Bethlehem and Jericho in one outing. It suits people who value coverage, historical context, and practical transport more than long periods at any single site.

It is also a good fit for a small group of up to four. The fixed group price becomes much easier to justify when shared, especially because the vehicle is air-conditioned and the route covers a large area.

You should think twice if you need guaranteed access to every church grotto, want a fully guided experience in both Bethlehem and Jericho, or dislike changing vehicles at checkpoints. The itinerary is also not ideal for anyone who expects to enter Mar Saba, since women cannot go inside.

The tour has a 4.7 rating from 11 reviews, with 100 percent recommending it. The strongest praise centers on the organization, the guides, the warm welcome in Bethlehem, and the chance to learn about both religious sites and daily life near the border wall. One useful practical detail is that the Bethlehem guides meet the group after crossing, rather than accompanying the entire route from the starting point.

Book at least 24 hours before the start time if you want the option of a full refund. The tour can also be canceled if the minimum number is not met or if weather makes the trip unsafe.

FAQ

How long does the tour take?

The tour lasts approximately eight to eleven hours. The exact duration may vary because of traffic, the checkpoint crossing, vehicle changes, site closures, and weather.

Where can I start the tour?

The tour offers transport from central Jerusalem or Tel Aviv in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Is a guide included?

A tour guide is included for the Bethlehem portion. The supplied details do not state that a guide accompanies every stop in Jericho.

How much does the Mount of Temptation cable car cost?

The cable car costs 60 NIS per person and is optional.

Are there extra fees at Ancient Jericho?

Yes. The entrance fee at Tell es-Sultan, or Ancient Jericho, is listed as 10 NIS per person and is not included.

Can women enter Mar Saba Monastery?

No. Women are not allowed to enter the monastery, but everyone can enjoy a panoramic view of the site.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a big, demanding day that links Bethlehem’s churches with Jericho’s archaeology and desert monasteries. The fixed $600 group price is strongest for up to four people, and the Bethlehem guiding, air-conditioned transport, and broad route add real value.

Skip it if you want a slow visit, guaranteed access to every sacred grotto, or a fully guided experience at every stop. Before paying, confirm the Mar Saba and Saint George naming, ask about the vehicle change, and decide if the optional cable car fits your budget.