Bethany Baptism Jordan River Visit from Amman Option Iraq Al Amir
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore the historic Bethany Baptism Site
- Discover ancient ruins at Iraq Al Amir
- Enjoy scenic views along the Jordan River
- Learn about Jordan's rich cultural heritage
- Experience a comfortable journey from Amman
Full description
Included / Excluded
- English-Speaking Driver
- Hotel pick up and drop off
- Private Transfer by air-conditioned leisure new vehicle according to number of participants
- On board WI-FI
- Entrance fees Iraq Al Amir; if option selected
- Entrance Fees to Bethany (Baptism Site at Jordan River)
- Local English-Speaking Guide at Bethany Jordan River (collective)
- 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 and Local Guide) – Recommended
- Personal Expenses
- Anything else not mentioned
Itinerary
Meet your driver at your Amman hotel, and travel by private, leisure air-conditioned vehicle to the River Jordan with your own private English-Speaking Driver who doubles up as your guide. On route, soak in views of Jordan’s barren landscapes, and pull up at Bethany Beyond the Jordan River, known as “Al-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. 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. Afterward, reconvene with your driver and return to Amman, where your tour ends with a hotel drop-off. 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.
Upgrade Iraq Al Amir Visit: Alternatively, if you’ve chosen to upgrade, travel to Iraq Al Amir, home to numerous cliff-side caves dating to the Copper Age. Drive through olive groves and pine trees, and after viewing the caves, continue to nearby Qasr al-Abad, a restored pre-Roman building dating from the 2nd or 3rd century B.C. Admire the exterior, pillars, and animal carvings as you walk around the age-old edifice, thought to have been a villa or minor palace. Then, rejoin your driver and conclude your tour with an Amman hotel drop-off.
Important information
Know before you book
- Confirm the tour schedule and availability in advance.
- Check the weather forecast to dress appropriately for the day.
- Inform the tour operator of any dietary restrictions or special needs.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for uneven terrain.
- Bring a hat and sunscreen to protect against the sun.
- Carry a bottle of water to stay hydrated during the tour.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Stroller Accessible
- Infant Seats Available
Good to know
- 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.
- For Jordan Pass holders that purchased tour activity with entrance fees, please inform us to reimburse the entrance fees in destination.
- 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, sunscreen, and comfortable walking shoes.
- Dress code at Churches: Modest.
- Visits to churches are not allowed during prayer times.
Traveler reviews
FABULOUS Day Trip to Bethany!! Rich with Biblical History!
FABULOUS Day Trip to Bethany Our trip to Bethany was perfect. A wonderful day trip to the baptismal sights and the river Jordan. Issa was our driver and host for the day, he was prompt with our hotel pickup, very engaging, and very informative during the drive out to the Bethany. On the way he treated us to some Turkish coffee which was much needed as we had just arrived in Amman the day before. Issa was very helpful with purchasing the tickets and making sure we got on the bus to the baptismal site. After our tour (which is done by a Jordanian government assigned guide) Issa took us to a lovely restaurant where we had a very nice authentic Jordanian meal. We returned to Amman with a tour of old Amman and a stop to try the Jordania’s famous dessert Knafeh I highly recommend this tour if you want an easy lovely day filled with rich biblical history.
Fundamental for Christians
Fundamental site for Christianity .If you visit Jordan you have to see it .Entrance is like 15€ and you are transferred by bus .(in Jordan day pass is not included)It is not worth buying tours that offer everywhere only charge you money for nothing and in the end they take you to the same places (for them it is more important to take you in the souvenir shops 🤪)
Very spiritual
The driver was very friendly and well informed. Just the site itself was very spiritual! The guide was also well informed! I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
Not worth visiting, nothing to see.. cant tour on your own. Expensive
This is really not worth visiting.. first for the price 20 Euro, entrance fee and the remote location. You are not allowed to roam around at you're leisure. You get in a bus with a chaperone at the visitor center. that drive you about 2 km to the Greek orthodox church souvenir shop to buy stuff then walk a about 600 meters to a site of Jesus baptismal a wooden structure and dry river.. then walk another 700 meter to the river jordan.. border with israel.. 5 min.. turn around walk back to another souvenir shop, where you wait for the bus back to the visitor center, you're not allowed to walk around or be out of the chaperone site.. he doesn't really explain anything.. just sit there.. you will pass 2 checkpoint with soldiers.. so not worth it don't waste you're time or money.. oh and the bus leaves on the hour
Best driver/tour service in Jordan
Our driver Mahmoud was most knowledgable and accommodating He messaged the night before to confirm pickup details and was on time to collect. Mahmoud drove us to The Bethany and was super expedient in getting our tickets and onto the shuttle for the tour to the baptism site . He also stopped enroute for us to take pics and bought fresh fennel and roasted nuts for us to taste. He took us to Mount Nevis which was not even included in the tour. Jordanian people are super friendly, helpful and rich with culture. I would recommend all visit Jordan - it’s super safe and full of historical sites to explore.