Mar Saba & Orthodox Monasteries Private Tour

Top rated 4.98 64 website reviews
Mar Saba & Orthodox Monasteries Private Tour Mar Saba & Orthodox Monasteries Private Tour Mar Saba & Orthodox Monasteries Private Tour Mar Saba & Orthodox Monasteries Private Tour Mar Saba & Orthodox Monasteries Private TourView all 8 photos

Private Orthodox pilgrimage from Bethlehem to Mar Saba and St Theodosius monasteries, the Orthodox Shepherds Field, the Church of the Nativity and a Bethlehem olive wood workshop.

Description

The Orthodox Bethlehem and Desert Monasteries Private Tour is a full-day Orthodox pilgrimage from Bethlehem into the Judean Desert and back to the holy sites of the Nativity, led by a licensed local guide. Pickup is from your hotel, and the day moves at a private, unhurried pace built around veneration and prayer.

  • Monastery of St Theodosius (Deir Dosi)
  • Mar Saba, the Holy Lavra of St Sabbas
  • Orthodox Shepherds Field, Beit Sahour
  • Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem
  • Olive wood factory and Cooperative Souvenir Store

The morning begins in the desert east of Bethlehem at the Monastery of St Theodosius the Cenobiarch, the 5th century house where communal monasticism in the Holy Land began, with the cave remembered as the shelter of the Magi. From there the road climbs to Mar Saba, the Holy Lavra of St Sabbas the Sanctified, which has clung to the cliffs of the Kidron Valley for more than fifteen centuries and still guards the incorrupt relics of St Sabbas. Mar Saba is a living monastery that men may enter, while women take in the monastery and gorge from the Women's Tower and have full access to every other stop on the day.

Returning toward Bethlehem, you stop at the Orthodox Shepherds Field in Beit Sahour, where tradition holds the angels announced the birth of Christ, with its cave church and gardens. You then enter the Church of the Nativity, built over the grotto revered as the birthplace of Jesus. The day closes in Bethlehem at a family olive wood workshop and the Cooperative Souvenir Store, where you watch Christian artisans carve by hand and can choose a blessed piece to carry home, supporting the families who keep this craft alive in Bethlehem. The itinerary is a proposal and can be customized for your private group.

Highlights

  • Mar Saba, the Holy Lavra of St Sabbas, over fifteen centuries old
  • Venerate the incorrupt relics of St Sabbas the Sanctified
  • Monastery of St Theodosius and the cave of the Magi
  • Orthodox Shepherds Field and cave church in Beit Sahour
  • Church of the Nativity over the grotto of the birth of Jesus
  • Bethlehem olive wood workshop with Christian artisans

Includes

Included
All taxes, fees and handling chargesPrivate air-conditioned vehicle for your groupLicensed local guide registered by the Ministry of TourismHotel pickup and drop-off at your selected pickup pointOlive wood factory and souvenir store visitBottled waterPrivate tour
Not included
Food and drinksSite entrance fees where they applyGratuitiesPersonal purchases

Important information

Know before you go

  • Mar Saba is closed on Wednesdays and Fridays, so this tour runs on the other days.
  • Mar Saba may be entered by men only; women view the monastery from the Women's Tower and have full access to every other stop.
  • Modest dress is required at all holy sites, with knees and shoulders covered.
  • Bring your passport and keep your valuables close to you at all times.
  • The Grotto of the Nativity is undergoing restoration, so access to the Grotto itself may be limited or closed through 2026, while the Church of the Nativity and the rest of the tour remain open.
  • 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 drawn to desert monasticism and relic veneration.
  • Travelers who prefer a private, customizable full-day itinerary.
  • Visitors who want Bethlehem's holy sites beyond the standard stops.
  • 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.
  • Modest dress is required for monastery and church visits, covered shoulders and knees.
  • Duration is approximately 8 to 10 hours, available most days except Wednesday and Friday.
  • 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 women enter Mar Saba Monastery?

No. Mar Saba admits men only, a rule the monastery has kept for centuries. Women view the monastery and the Kidron gorge from the Women's Tower and have full access to St Theodosius, the Shepherds Field, the Church of the Nativity and the olive wood workshop.

What days does this tour run?

Most days of the week. Mar Saba is closed on Wednesdays and Fridays, so the tour runs on the other days.

Can I attend an Orthodox Divine Liturgy at the monasteries?

The monasteries hold their own services. To attend a Divine Liturgy, please arrange it directly with the monastery in advance. The tour itself visits during normal opening hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel or address pickup and drop-off are included for the pickup city you select at booking.

Is lunch included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. You can buy lunch or snacks along the way, and there is time at the olive wood workshop near the end of the day.

Elijah Tours

$400.00 USD
$400.00 USD
Sale Sold out
Pick up
Group Size
View full details

Explore More Holy Land Tours

View all