Judean desert to the River Jordan - Day tour from Jerusalem

We will descend from the top of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, from a beautiful observatory above the desert at 805 m (2641 ft) and roll down in into the Judea Desert. Stunning views of the desert and the Jordan Valley. It is a descent of 1240 m (4068 ft) into the lowest place on the planet at -430 m (1410 ft) underneath sea level. It is a beautifully haunting wilderness where the men of faith throughout history: Abraham, the prophet Elijah, John the Baptist and Jesus have escaped too for a vision of God. In some places, the desert looks like the surface of Mars, with only some biblical shepherds and their flocks crossing the roads. I will take you in through these roads to see where hermits of all religions lived. They have left behind some magnificent monasteries and sanctuaries. The tour is suitable for adults, young people and teenagers.

• Mount of Olives observation over Desert • Stop for a look at St. George's Abbey in Wadi Qelt. • Maqam Nabi Musa, a monument honoring prophet Moses. • Monastery of St. Gerasimus lunch break. A picnic is advisable. We will tour the monastery and I will tell you the story of the saint the monastery was named after. • Into the wilderness of the desert to visit an ancient solitary cell of a monk. • Qasr al Yahud, the location where according to tradition, Joshua and the tribes of Israel crossed the Jordan, the place where Elijah ascended to heaven in a chariot of fire and the place Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. More options for end: • Qumran archeological site, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. • We could visit "Gallery Minus 430" at the entrance to Qalia Beach: Street artists who created art on an abandoned military base (free admission). Or • The ending time of the tour is ideal for bathing in one of the nearby Dead Sea beaches. Tour is customizable upon request