Jordan Baptism, St Gerasimos & Dead Sea Private Tour
Private Orthodox tour to the Jordan River: renew your baptism at Qasr al-Yahud, visit the lion monastery of St Gerasimos at Deir Hajla, and float in the Dead Sea.
Description
The Jordan River Baptism, St Gerasimos and Dead Sea Private Tour is a full-day Orthodox pilgrimage into the Jordan Valley with a licensed local guide. Pickup is from your hotel, and the day joins the river of Christ's baptism, a beloved desert monastery and the shores of the Dead Sea at a private, unhurried pace.
- Qasr al-Yahud, the Jordan River baptism site
- Monastery of St Gerasimos (Deir Hajla)
- Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth
The day begins at Qasr al-Yahud on the Jordan River, the site honored as the place of Christ's baptism by John, where Orthodox pilgrims renew their baptismal vows and many enter the water in white robes. From the river the road turns to the Monastery of St Gerasimos at Deir Hajla, founded in the 5th century and loved for the story of St Gerasimos and the lion, and honored as a resting place of the Holy Family on the flight to Egypt, with its gold domed church set in green gardens at the desert's edge.
The tour then continues to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on the surface of the earth, where there is time to float in the mineral rich water, rest on the shore, and cover yourself in the famous mud before the return drive. The itinerary is a proposal and can be customized for your private group.
Highlights
- Qasr al-Yahud, the Jordan River site of Christ's baptism
- Renew your baptismal vows at the river, robes available locally
- Monastery of St Gerasimos and the story of the lion
- A traditional resting place of the Holy Family at Deir Hajla
- Float in the mineral rich water of the Dead Sea
- Private, unhurried full day in the Jordan Valley
Includes
Important information
Know before you go
- Bring swimwear and a towel for the Dead Sea, and water shoes are helpful on the stony shore.
- Do not shave the morning of the tour and avoid getting Dead Sea water in your eyes, the salt stings.
- For baptismal renewal at the Jordan, white robes can usually be rented at the site.
- Modest dress is required at the monastery, with knees and shoulders covered.
- Bring your passport and keep your valuables close to you at all times.
- To attend a Divine Liturgy, please arrange it directly with the monastery in advance; the tour visits during normal opening hours.
Who this tour is for
- Orthodox and other Christian pilgrims who wish to renew their baptism at the Jordan.
- Travelers who want to pair a holy site with the Dead Sea in one private day.
- Visitors who prefer a private, customizable full-day itinerary.
- Small private groups of 2 to 18 people traveling together.
Good to know
- A valid passport and a B/2 entry visa (Israel entry permit) are required.
- Bring swimwear, a towel and sun protection for the Dead Sea.
- Duration is approximately 8 to 10 hours, available all days of the week.
- Guiding is provided in English.
- Private tour, your own group only, no other travelers join.
- You return to the same pickup point you selected at booking (Bethlehem, Jerusalem, or Tel Aviv).
Frequently asked questions
Can I renew my baptism in the Jordan River?
What is the Monastery of St Gerasimos?
Can I swim in the Dead Sea?
Is hotel pickup included?
Is lunch included?
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