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

The most memorable part of this long day is the sharp change in scenery and meaning: Bethlehem’s churches and refugee camp give way to the dry Judean Desert, ancient Jericho, and monasteries built into cliffs. I like the guided Bethlehem visit, especially the Church of the Nativity, and the chance to see Mar Saba and the Mount of Temptation in one outing.

I also like the practical group price of $600 for up to four people, which can work well for a small party. The main drawback is the packed schedule, plus the border crossing and vehicle change between Jerusalem and Bethlehem. The title mentions Saint George Monastery, but the listed monastery stop is Mar Saba, so confirm that point before booking.

Key points to know before booking

• Church of the Nativity: Allow about 40 minutes for the main church, with access to the Nativity Cave not always possible.
• Bethlehem guide: The guided portion covers major religious sites and also gives context about local life and the separation wall.
• Desert monasteries: Mar Saba offers a panoramic view, but women cannot enter the monastery.
• Mount of Temptation: The cable car costs 60 NIS per person and is optional.
• Extra entrance cost: Ancient Jericho requires a 10 NIS entrance fee per person.
• Long, full day: Expect roughly 8 to 11 hours, with a maximum group size of 55.

Bethlehem begins with the Church of the Nativity

The tour’s Bethlehem portion gives you the strongest historical and religious focus of the day. The Church of the Nativity is traditionally identified as the birthplace of Jesus, and the present church traces its roots to the first building commissioned by the Roman Emperor Constantine in the fourth century.

You get about 40 minutes at the church, with a guide leading the visit. That time is enough to see the main interior and understand why this remains one of the most important Christian pilgrimage sites in the world, though it may feel short if access to the Nativity Cave is available and a queue forms.

The cave is beneath the church, and entry is not guaranteed. This is worth knowing before you go. If seeing the exact traditional birthplace is the main reason you are booking, treat access as a possibility rather than a promise.

The Church of St. Catherine of Alexandria is next. This Franciscan monastery is linked to the tradition that Christ appeared to St. Catherine and foretold her martyrdom in the early fourth century. The stop lasts about 10 minutes, so expect a brief visit rather than a long period for quiet reflection.

Beneath St. Catherine’s is the Cave of Jerome. St. Jerome was a Dalmatian priest who lived from 345 to 420 and translated much of the Old Testament from Hebrew and Greek into the Latin Vulgate. The cave adds a scholarly side to Bethlehem’s religious story, connecting the site not only with Jesus’ birth but also with the preservation and translation of biblical texts.

The Milk Grotto and Shepherds’ Field

The Milk Grotto is a small church built over a cave associated with the Holy Family’s flight from Herod’s Massacre of the Innocents. According to tradition, Mary’s milk fell on the cave floor and turned the stone white, giving the site its name.

You have about 10 minutes here. It is a quick stop, but the story is distinctive, and the site offers a quieter contrast to the larger Church of the Nativity. The tour treats these Bethlehem churches as connected places, so you get a useful sense of how different traditions cluster around the old city.

At Shepherd’s Field, near Beit Sahur southeast of Bethlehem, the focus shifts to the beginning of the Christmas story. The chapel marks the place where angels are said to have announced Christ’s birth to shepherds. The scheduled visit lasts about 30 minutes, giving you more time than at the Milk Grotto or St. Catherine’s.

The Bethlehem guide is included, but the guide does not cover the entire day. This matters because the most detailed explanations come during the Bethlehem section. After you leave the city, the day becomes more about seeing important places and scenery than receiving a continuous guided lecture at every stop.

Bethlehem beyond the churches

One useful feature of the Bethlehem visit is that it does not stop at religious buildings. The route includes a pass by an olive wood factory, Bab idDeir Art Gallery, the Aida refugee camp, and Rachel’s Tomb.

The olive wood stop reflects a local craft tradition and gives you a chance to see one of Bethlehem’s familiar products. The description does not promise a formal workshop or a set amount of shopping time, so think of it as a brief cultural stop rather than a hands-on activity.

Bab idDeir is an independent artistic and cultural space in the Deik quarter of Bethlehem’s historic old city. Its presence adds a modern creative note to a day otherwise centered on ancient religious sites.

Aida refugee camp is about two kilometers north of Bethlehem’s historic center. Passing through or near it helps place the city’s religious importance alongside present-day Palestinian life. The border wall and local conditions were also part of the Bethlehem experience described by the provider’s previous customers, so you should expect some social and political context, not only biblical sites.

Rachel’s Tomb is revered as the burial place of the matriarch Rachel. The tour lists it as a pass-by stop, so do not count on entering or spending significant time there.

Crossing into Bethlehem and choosing your departure city

You can start from central Jerusalem or Tel Aviv in an air-conditioned vehicle. The transport is one of the tour’s practical strengths, especially because this itinerary covers a large area and would be difficult to manage by public transport in a single day.

The border crossing requires some patience. Information from the tour indicates that a vehicle change is required at the West Bank checkpoint, with Palestinian guides meeting the group in Bethlehem. This is normal for the route, but it can add uncertainty to the morning and evening schedule.

The crossing also means the tour is not a simple uninterrupted drive. Keep your passport and booking details accessible, and leave room in your plans after the tour because the total duration can stretch from 8 to 11 hours.

The maximum group size is 55. That is a large group for narrow religious sites, where the guide may need to keep the explanation moving and where the group can split around entrances. The $600 group price is attractive for up to four people, especially if you are traveling with family or friends. For one or two people, the price feels much less economical than the same rate shared by four.

Ancient Jericho and the oldest part of the day

After Bethlehem, the itinerary heads toward Jericho. Tell es-Sultan, also called Ancient Jericho or Tel Jericho, is about two kilometers north of modern Jericho and is identified with biblical and ancient Jericho.

The scheduled stop is only about 15 minutes, and admission is not included. The entrance fee is listed as 10 NIS per person. That short visit means you should not expect a full archaeological tour or a long walk across the site.

Still, this stop matters because it gives the biblical geography a physical setting. You are not only hearing about Jericho in a church. You are standing at an archaeological site associated with one of the world’s oldest urban centers, according to the site’s description.

The itinerary lists a second Bethlehem Nativity Church stop, lasting about 40 minutes, even though the main Bethlehem visit already includes the Church of the Nativity. This may reflect a duplicated itinerary entry or a return to the same area. Ask the operator how this portion is handled so you know how much time is actually spent in Jericho and Bethlehem.

Some sites in Jericho can close without warning. The operator notes that the route may change and that the group will visit as many places as possible. That flexibility is useful, but it also means the day is not fully fixed.

Mar Saba and the Judean Desert

Mar Saba Monastery is one of the day’s most dramatic stops. Founded by Saint Sabas in the fifth century, it has been expanded and fortified over the centuries and is set among the dry hills of the Judean Desert.

The tour allows about 30 minutes and includes a panoramic view. That time is enough to appreciate the setting and take photographs, but it is not a full monastery visit.

The most important rule is simple: women are not allowed to enter Mar Saba Monastery. Everyone can enjoy the view, but women must remain outside the monastery itself. If entering an Orthodox monastery is central to your plans, this restriction may affect your decision.

The monastery is also listed under a title that refers to Saint George Monastery, while the detailed stop describes Mar Saba. Because those are different sites, I would confirm the exact destination with Judah Tours before paying. A simple message can prevent disappointment.

The desert setting is a major reason to keep this stop on the itinerary. After the dense religious sites of Bethlehem, Mar Saba gives you space and a different sense of place. The contrast makes the day feel less like a series of churches and more like a journey through the region’s varied religious traditions.

The Mount of Temptation and optional cable car

The Mount of Temptation lies about three kilometers northwest of Jericho and overlooks the Jordan Valley. Christian tradition identifies it as the mountain where Jesus spent 40 days and 40 nights fasting and meditating after his baptism by John the Baptist.

The monastery on the mountain is scheduled for about 30 minutes. The tour includes the stop, but the cable car is optional and costs 60 NIS per person. If you choose it, you get a different view of Jericho and the dry country around it.

I would consider the cable car worthwhile if you enjoy broad views and want more than a roadside glimpse of the mountain. The extra cost is modest compared with the overall tour price, but it is not included, so carry local currency or confirm accepted payment methods before departure.

If you skip the cable car, the stop still has value. You can see the mountain and monastery from below and connect the site with the biblical account. The limited 30-minute schedule may also make the optional ride feel rushed if there is a queue.

The Mount of Temptation is a fitting final stop because it brings together the day’s main themes: scripture, monastic life, desert geography, and the long history of pilgrimage in the Jordan Valley.

What the $600 group price really covers

At $600 per group for up to four people, this tour can be good value for a small group that wants private-cost sharing and organized transport across several difficult-to-link locations. The vehicle is air-conditioned, tour taxes are included, and the Bethlehem guide is part of the package.

You still need to budget for the 60 NIS cable car per person if you want to ride it and 10 NIS per person for Ancient Jericho. The Nativity Cave may not be accessible, and some Jericho sites may close, so the price does not guarantee every listed stop in full.

The tour is best value for four people who want to see Bethlehem and Jericho in one day without arranging separate transport. It is less compelling for someone focused only on Bethlehem, since the long drive, border crossing, and broad itinerary take up much of the day.

The 34-day average advance booking period suggests that you should not wait until the last minute if your dates are fixed. The tour requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels for either reason, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Who will get the most from this day

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a broad introduction to Bethlehem, Jericho, and desert monasteries, and you prefer a vehicle to arranging several separate rides. It suits people who enjoy religious history but also want to see refugee camp areas, local art, olive wood work, archaeological remains, and the changing scenery between cities.

It is also a practical choice for a group of up to four. Sharing the $600 cost changes the value considerably.

I would hesitate if you want a slow, contemplative visit at each church. The schedule is full, several stops last only 10 to 15 minutes, and the group can include as many as 55 people. You should also reconsider if entering Mar Saba is essential for every member of your party or if the exact identity of the monastery in the title matters to you.

Should you book the Mount of Temptation and Bethlehem tour?

Book it if your priority is seeing a lot in one day: Bethlehem’s main churches, Shepherd’s Field, local cultural sites, Ancient Jericho, Mar Saba, and the Mount of Temptation. The Bethlehem guiding, air-conditioned transport, and optional cable car make the outing easy to understand and fairly flexible.

Before booking, confirm the Mar Saba and Saint George wording, ask how the repeated Nativity Church entry is handled, and plan for the border crossing and possible site closures. For a small group that wants a wide-ranging biblical tour rather than a relaxed single-city visit, the $600 group rate can make sense.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 8 to 11 hours.

Where can I start the tour?

You can start from central Jerusalem or Tel Aviv.

Is transportation included?

Yes. An air-conditioned vehicle is included.

Is a guide included?

A tour guide is included for the Bethlehem portion of the day.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $600 per group for up to four people.

Is the Mount of Temptation cable car included?

No. The cable car is optional and costs 60 NIS per person.

Is Ancient Jericho included?

Ancient Jericho is included as a stop, but its entrance fee is not included. The listed fee is 10 NIS per person.

Can I enter the Nativity Cave?

Access to the Nativity Cave is not always possible.

Can women enter Mar Saba Monastery?

No. Women are not allowed to enter the monastery, although everyone can enjoy the panoramic view.

What happens if the tour is canceled?

If poor weather or an insufficient minimum number of participants causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund. Free cancellation by you is available up to 24 hours before the start time.