From Dead Sea to Bethany, Madaba and Mount Nebo day trip

“Then Jesus came from Galilee to Jordan to be baptized by John” (Matthew 3:13)

The baptism site of Jesus Christ, Bethany (not to be confused with the Jerusalem village Bethany, where Lazarus was raised from the dead) lies on the River Jordan, just 15 minutes north of the Dead Sea. This site holds great significance for Christians and thousands of them gather every year in January for the feast of Epiphany.
We pick you up from your hotel and take a short 40-minute drive to Bethany. First we stop by the visitor centre as it is a border zone; only shuttle buses are allowed entry, which run every half-hour. You will briefly pass by Mar Elias where it is believed that Prophet Elijah was born and rose to heaven in a whirlwind.

You will then be driven closer to the Jordan River and the tour continues on foot, bypassing a small
byzantine church. Close by is the site where Jesus was believed to be baptized by John.

The walking trail will eventually lead you to the Jordan River. The walking tour will take approximately 90 minutes accompanied by a guide and audio guide that is included in the ticket fee.

1 hour away, Mount Nebo is where you can stand in Moses’s shoes when he first gazed upon the ‘Promised Land’. The area is located at the summit and where you will undoubtedly feel a surge of calm and peace flow through you. On a clear day, you will be able to see Bethlehem, Jericho and the Holy City of Jerusalem, as well as the Dead Sea. The view is powerful, special, and something you will surely never forget.

As we carry on toward Madaba, we will take you to experience Jordan Jewel for Art & Mosaic. Here you will have a chance to visit their workshop and learn about the intricately detailed craftwork that goes into the production of mosaics and other interesting arts of this region.

Haret Jdoudna represents an authentic village in the city of Madaba, offering everything from amazing traditional food, to entertainment, to local crafts, mosaics and souvenirs. The restaurant is a 19th century house, with historical-like rooms and floors. Its menu is absolutely exquisite, offering local mezza dishes, oven-baked delicacies, and home-made meals. The restaurant also hosts special events with oriental music and entertainment for a lovely night out, or for a relaxing winter afternoon by the fireplace, where you can unwind to old tunes and a hot cup of mint tea.

Madaba is a city known for its spectacular Byzantine era mosaics. Possibly the most famous of these mosaics lies within the 19th century Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George. Unearthed in 1864, this map constructed in the 6th century once contained millions of mosaic pieces and depicts lands from Palestine to Egypt. Today one third of the map survives and shows the earliest surviving representation of the city of Jerusalem.

After a full day exploring Madaba & Mount Nebo, time to return back to Dead sea, the drive once again will be around 1:00hr.