Private Tour
Private Day Tour: St. George's Monastery, Wadi Qelt, Mar Saba, and Bethlehem
Overview
Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
Enjoy a comprehensive overview of historic Bethlehem and around on this 8-hour private tour. You'll visit religious monuments, including St. George's Monastery, Mar Saba Monastery, the Church of the Nativity, the Church of St. Catherine, the Milk Grotto Shrine, the Cave of St. Jerome, and Shepherd's Field, where the angel appeared to the shepherds. Along the way, enjoy a falafel lunch and see some of Banksy's graffiti art.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants
Walking is involved
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Private tour
Drop-off at Checkpoint 300 or Bethlehem hotel
Driver/guide
Pickup from Checkpoint 300 or Bethlehem hotel
Gratuities
Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
Food and drinks
Public transportation to the meeting point
What To Expect
Greet your private guide-cum-driver at 8am your Bethlehem hotel or the Bethlehem side of Checkpoint 300 if coming from Jerusalem: Checkpoint 300 is about 30 minutes from Damascus Gate by bus. Women should dress modestly and bring a scarf to ensure admission to St. George's Monastery. Relax in air-conditioned comfort as you drive for around 45 minutes to St. George's Monastery in Wadi Qelt. Along the way, you'll pass by various religious sites: St. Theodosius' Monastery, where some believe the wise men hid from Herod the Great after they visited the baby Jesus in Bethlehem, and al-Eizariya, which many believe to be Lazarus' Bethany village. Stroll a short way down Kidron Valley to reach the monastery, which dates back to the fourth century, when monks first settled in the desert. They believed the site was where the Prophet Elijah was fed by ravens. Explore the complex with your guide, before driving a few minutes towards Bethlehem to Mar Saba. The largest monastery in the Jerusalem Wilderness, Mar Saba Monastery dates back to the fifth century AD, and perches amid the southern cliffs of the Kidron Creek. Founded by Saint Sabas (Mar Saba in Arabic), it's been extensively expanded and fortified over the years. Please note: women are not allowed to enter the monastery. Everyone will enjoy a panoramic view of the site, but only men will be allowed to go inside and tour the monastery. Your next stop is Beit Sahour, considered the city of the shepherds. Visit the Shepherd's Field, where the angel appeared to the shepherds and told them about Jesus' birth, then drive to a local restaurant for a classic falafel lunch. From here it's not far to Bethlehem proper, where you'll start at the famous Church of the Nativity, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that's built on the spot where many believe Jesus was born: it's the world's oldest church in regular daily use. You'll also visit the Cave of St. Jerome, below the church, where many believe he translated the bible. Finally, you'll visit the Church of St. Catherine and the Milk Grotto shrine, and see Banksy's graffiti pieces, before you drive back either to Checkpoint 300 or your Bethlehem hotel, where your tour will finish at 4pm.
Options
Private Day Tour: St. George's Monastery, Wadi Qelt, Mar Saba, and Bethlehem
Reviews
39 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
An authentic and insightful tour - an unforgettable day
laura wingrove,
Jun 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Michael took me on a journey I will never forget. I highly recommend his tours to anyone seeking a truly authentic experience. It was a full day of customized sightseeing that also gave me a deeper understanding of life in Palestine. Michael has a remarkable ability to adapt his vast knowledge to his audience, making each tour both relevant and uniquely personal. He is flexible, patient, and deeply passionate. He shows immense respect for the land and its rich history. Although Michael has visited these sites countless times, he still approaches each one with awe and curiosity. His personal, long-standing friendships with the monks allow doors and hearts to open for him—and his guests. Visiting the monasteries was my favourite part of the tour. It was very special to see these sites preserving their essence and still operating today. I am still absorbing all the information Michael shared with me, and I can only hope I have the opportunity to tour with him again in the future.
Great Biblical Adventure
Dianne C,
Jun 21, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We are a pastor and wife from Grand Rapids Michigan. We hired Michael for the day and had a wonderful time with him. He is warm, personable, and very wonderful. His knowledge and understanding of the Bible and history helped our ministry in great ways. We highly recommend him.
Pearl of the Judean desert ☦️
863strahinjas,
Apr 20, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Thank God who led us to our brother in Christ Michael, he is full of life and I highly recommend his tour, his knowledge is paved with historical and biblical facts that can only strengthen your faith and knowledge depends what are you seeking for. We saw everything that was part of tour and if time allows Michael will stop at additional places if you are interested in something extra. Thanks for everything God bles you and your family, thanks for quickies we are waiting for recipe. 🤣🙏🏻
Do NOT miss the opportunity of touring with Michael! He is fantastic!
X6608COalisonm,
Mar 18, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What an amazing experience of Bethlehem and the monasteries of the Judean desert. Michael even adjusted the tour for some closings to include the Herodion. Michael has an intimate knowledge of these sites, a wonderful appreciation of them and he is personally connected with the entire region. What a gift to have found him! We not only had a day of wonderful and meaningful experiences, but gained an insight into the region that we never would have acquired without him.
WALK THE JERICHO ROAD AND EXPERIENCE THE 'GOOD SAMARITAN' PLACES
N137NRpeterc,
Mar 14, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Michael was an EXTRAORDINARY tour leader - ESPECIALLY MEETING MY REQUIREMENT TO 'WALK ON THE JERICHO ROAD'. Starting at St. George Monastery , I was able to walk both directions up to Jerusalem and the opposite direction down to Jericho along the often narrow original trail between the ancient cities. FIVE other tour agencies said NO - Jericho Road was dangerous they said, stay away. ABSOLUTELY not true. Michael clearly demonstrated Road VERY safe and accessible for hiking - met several other hikers on the Jericho Road. His recommendations on local bus travel to/from West Bank/Bethlehem were perfect - no time wasted. Michael was without question the FINEST and most professional guide I've had over many years of travel to Middle East.
Highlight of my first trip to Israel/Palestine
John T,
Mar 11, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I toured Israel in a rental car for a couple of weeks, but decided it would be much easier to hire a guide for a day in the West Bank. It wound up being one of the highlights of my trip. Michael was incredibly personable and eager to tailor our day to what interested me - even working with me to swap one destination for another on the fly. He had a very broad range of knowledge (historical, political, and Scriptural, depending on what interests you) on every site. If I had known how good Michael’s tour was, I would’ve rearranged my whole itinerary to spend more days with him. Highly, highly recommended.
Excellent Tour of the Monasteries and Bethlehem with Michael
sara662,
Feb 4, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We went for a fantastic tour of the desert monasteries and Bethlehem sites with Michael. There were some specific things that I wanted to see, and Michael tailored our visit to fit those in. Michael's friendly and kind personality, along with his expert knowledge of the sites, really made this a special experience. As well as the historical experience, it was a truly worthwhile insight into those living in the West Bank. My son really enjoyed seeing the Banksy art and we had lunch with Michael at a delicious falafel restaurant. This really was an amazing day, and my son and I would highly recommend Michael as a tour guide. We learnt so much, historically and politically, and were very, very well looked after!
Great tour of the West Bank with Michael! Fully recommended
mariba78,
Jan 25, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great tour with Michael today! He is a reliable person full of knowledge. He customized our tour as per our request and was always available in case of any doubts. We fully recommend to organize tours with Michael you will not regret for sure!
Michael is a Great Tour Guide and the West Bank is Truly Worth a Visit
statesec,
Oct 6, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I toured with Michael on the day tour that visits a couple of desert Monasteries as well as Bethlehem. It was an amazing day and super well coordinated. I am staying in Jerusalem and it was simple to get to checkpoint 300 using bus 234. Michael provides excellent instructions. The buses are great (better than most buses I have travelled on in the US where I live) and easy to use. They also now take the Rav-Kav card or you can pay the driver in cash 5.5 NIS each way. The drivers speak good English as well. Don't let the concerns about taking a 30 minute bus ride stop you as it is easy. Michael picks you up on the other side of Checkpoint 300. Visiting the West Bank was truly one of the highlights of my trip for me. Visiting the two desert monasteries were amazing and the monks were very friendly (I had a long conversation with one on modern US economic policy of all things). Obviously the sights in Bethlehem were amazing as well even to somebody like me who is not terribly religious. But honestly the highlight of the trip of Michael himself. He gave me some real insight into what life is like in West Bank and helped be better understand the complexities of this part of the world. I found the West Bank people to be open, friendly and welcoming. If you come to Jerusalem truly take the time to visit the West Bank and if you do you cannot go wrong with Michael. As an aside I will echo the comments of others that a private tour is so much better. Given the hours Michael spends with you the tour is truly a bargain and you can spend as little or as much time as you want at any given spot.
Best part of our 5 week trip!
Azan E,
Sep 13, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Hazem was our tour guide, and he was exceptional. He was incredibly knowledgeable and ensured that we followed along with everything he said. I would highly recommend this tour for a few reasons. First, the monasteries are must-see places. However, from what I could see, there was hardly any public transit to get there. Moreover, navigating through the west bank can be tough. This tour made getting to those locations seamless. Second, it is really good value. Hazem took us to so many locations and spent the entire day with us. Finally, Hazem goes above and beyond in making an unforgettable experience. He knew our group was interested in politics and history, so he tailored the tour in that direction. He also gets you access to off-the-beaten-path places that many tourists will miss. For example, he took us to these excellent shwarma and tea places.
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