A brief overview of the tour
Start with an overview of Jerusalem from Mount Olives, looking down at the Old City and the Temple Mount. See the Garden of Gethsemane and the monumental burial tombs while driving along the Kidron Valley. Walk past the Armenian Quarter and along the 1500 year old Byzantine Cardo to the Jewish Quarter and on the Western Wall (Kotel). Follow the Stations of the Cross (Via Dolorosa) to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Enjoy the bazaar in the Christian and Moslem Quarters.Drive through the Judean Desert, passing Jericho, to the northern coast of the Dead Sea to swim and float in the mineral rich waters and enjoy a mud bath.
Important and useful notes
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The private tour price is determined by distance, vehicle size, language and duration of the tour.
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The base price includes 10 hours a day , Each additional hour- $40
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Entrance fees, meals, parking fees, toll roads and tips are NOT included.
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Accommodation is not included in the price.
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Guide's overnight is not included in the price.
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On Saturdays and Jewish holidays a supplement of $125 per day will apply.
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Visit Jericho is required change of vehicle and a local Palestinian guide and therefore
available for an additional cost.
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Modest dress and comfortable shoes required.
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Recommended bathing suit, towel, hat, sun protection & beach thongs.
A detailed description of the tour
As this is a private tour you can tailor make the itinerary for Jerusalem and the northern part of the Dead Sea to your liking. Here is a suggestion of how you could spend your day. Start by taking in the panoramic view across Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. Many Biblical events took place on this mount including Jesus' arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. The Mount of Olives is the site of an ancient Jewish burial ground with about 70,000 tombs dating back 3,000 years.
Drive down the mount and through the Kidron Valley to enter the Old City on foot. Walk through the Armenian Quarter where you can see their exquisite Armenian brightly colored painted ceramic tiles. In the Jewish Quarter see the excavated Byzantine Cardo which was once the main thoroughfare of Jerusalem. Continue to the Western Wall, the most sacred site in Judaism. The wall is the only remaining part of the ancient Jewish Temple which was destroyed in 70AD. In the Christian Quarter you could follow the Via Dolorosa retracing Jesus' route to his crucifixion and then visit the beautiful Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Before leaving Jerusalem spend some time exploring the Old City market.
Drive south through the Judean Desert and pause for a photo op at the sign indicating that you are now passing below Sea Level. From the road you will be able to see the ancient city of Jericho in the distance and the mountains on the Jordanian side of the Jordan River. When you reach the Dead Sea you can enjoy the beach and float in the saline-rich water. The Dead Sea region is known to have therapeutic benefits due to the high oxygen level of the air, diminished UV sun rays, the mineral rich Dead Sea water, Dead Sea mud which can be used as a face and body mask and the sulphur pools. After a relaxing time on the shore of the Dead Sea you will be returned to your hotel rejuvenated.
