Private Tour Madaba, Mount Nebo, Bethany Baptism Site & Dead Sea from Amman
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore Madaba's ancient mosaics
- Visit Mount Nebo's panoramic views
- Experience the Baptism Site's spiritual significance
- Float in the mineral-rich Dead Sea waters
- Enjoy a comfortable private tour from Amman
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Entrance to the Dead Sea Spa Hotel for the use of the hotel facilities beach, pool & changing rooms
- English-Speaking Driver
- Hotel pick up and drop off
- Local English-Speaking Guide at Bethany (collective), and Madaba Saint George Church (in private)
- Entrance to Madaba Archaeological Park
- Entrance to Madaba Saint George Church and Saint John Church
- Showers in Dead Sea
- On board WI-FI
- Entrance to Bethany (Baptism Site at Jordan River)
- Private Transfer by air-conditioned leisure new vehicle according number of participants
- Entrance to Mount Nebo Memorial Church of Moses
- Towel in Dead Sea
- 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
- Spa use and treatments at Dead Sea
- Any other service not mentioned
Itinerary
Depart your Amman hotel by a leisure air-conditioned vehicle with English-Speaking Driver who doubles up as your guide, and set off on your private tour, traveling to Madaba the city of mosaics.
Arrive at Saint George’s Church, the 19th-century basilica in the heart of the town. This famous church houses the Madaba Mosaic Map, an intricately detailed floor mosaic of the Holy Land believed to have been created in the 6th century A.D. Admire the church interior and marvel at the stunning floor map, with its evocative depictions of ancient Jerusalem, Jericho, and lands including the Lebanon, Sinai, and Egypt.
Proceed to the open-air museum known as the Archaeological Park, which houses a collection of ruins and mosaics like the Church of Virgin Mary and other floor house mosaics.
Visit the historic Catholic Church of Saint John the Baptist, with its beautiful Bell Tower for a breath-taking view of Madaba. Visit its underground museum memorial of Saint John the Baptist.
Continue to Mount Nebo, the hill where Moses is believed to have gazed out over the Holy Land. Absorb the sweeping views over the Dead Sea and Jordan Valley, and visit the Byzantine Church on the summit to see its fabled mosaics. Behold the luminous pieces of early art and their vivid recreations of animals, people, and hunting winemaking scenes in this beautiful Franciscan Monastery.
On route, soak in views of Jordan’s barren landscapes, and pull up at Bethany Beyond the Jordan River, known as “El-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 A.D. 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. 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.
Drive to the lowest point on earth for free time to swim in the therapeutic waters of the Dead Sea for an experience not to be missed, as it the first world’s natural spa! Afterward, reconvene with your driver and return to Amman, where your tour ends with a hotel drop-off.
Important information
Know before you book
- This tour is wheelchair accessible; please inform us in advance for necessary arrangements.
- Stroller accessibility is available; please notify us ahead of time for appropriate accommodations.
- Service animals are permitted; please contact us prior to booking to ensure proper arrangements.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes and attire suitable for warm weather.
- Bring swimwear, a towel, and waterproof footwear for the Dead Sea.
- Carry a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect against the sun.
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.
- 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.
- Swim suit is required.
- Dress code at Churches: Modest.
- Visits to churches are not allowed during prayer times.
Traveler reviews
A very comprehensive trip...
A very comprehensive trip including most of the highlights of the area. Great driver/guide Mr Basel who made the effort to deliver a memorable visit.
Highlights around Amman with Basel
We had a wonderful tour with our knowledgeable guide and driver, Mr. Basel. All the sites were spectacular and Mr. Basel explained the historical significance of every place we passed. We spent enough time at every stop that it was a full day trip and Mr. Basel was patient throughout. We were worried about the heat but we didn't have to. The car itself is air-conditioned and there was cold water for us. I highly recommend this tour with Mr. Basel.
Great informative day!
Basel was excellent and very flexible! He provided a lot of information to us as we drove and at the various sitws. His car was clean and he had water available for us. We felt like the whole day was private with very few other travelers on our stops. I would recommend this tour!
Great day trip from Amman
Our driver Mahmoud was wonderful. He personalized our trip, shared information about each place, and helped us find specific items. He had WiFi in the car, water, AC, very comfortable.
Request Basel as your tour guide
Basel picked us up on time, and was actually early, which was good because there are a lot of places to visit. We started in Madaba, which is amazing. The mosaics that have stood the test of time, and tell the stories of the Holy Land are amazing, but to also see the mosaics being used to decorate St. George's is incredible as well. Basel handed us off to a fantastic guide, George, who explained the mosaics within St. George, as well as the mosaics at the Madaba Archeological Park, which houses the remains of the Virgin Mary Church. It is almost overwhelming how much is there. Once done in Madaba, Basel took us to Mt. Nebo, to have the same views that Moses had right before his death, and they are incredible. The Byzantine church on top of Nebo houses even more, and much larger mosaics. After this, we headed down into the Jordan Valley, and arrive at Beyond the Bethany. We are able to visit, what is believed to be the original baptism site of Jesus Christ, but as the River Jordan has moved in the last few decades, we walked to the new location to see Christian pilgrims being baptized along the shores of the River Jordan. It was amazing to see. We then proceeded to the Dead Sea resorts, and were able to go to the water, as we chose not to actually get in the water, but the option was there. We instead opted for a beer, and enjoying the view before heading back to Amman. Definitely recommend this trip. The conversation was great the entire time.