Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish, Spanish
Private tourOnly your group will participate
Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below
Overview
Explore Jerusalem and Bethlehem on a private tour guided by Ofir Horn, licensed by Israel's Ministry of Tourism since 2009. In seventeen years I have guided over 80,000 visitors, most from the United States and Canada.
We leave Tel Aviv in the morning and drive up to Jerusalem. Your day begins at the Mount of Olives, overlooking the Old City, then the Garden of Gethsemane. We walk down to the Western Wall, the Via Dolorosa and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. After lunch we cross into Bethlehem for the Church of the Nativity and Manger Square.
This is your group only. The order can change during the day if something matters to you more than the plan.
- Private tour for your group only, up to 7 travelers for one price
- Licensed by Israel's Ministry of Tourism since 2009
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Tel Aviv, air-conditioned vehicle
- All entrance fees, fuel and parking included
- Suitable for Christian pilgrims, families, and those tracing Jewish heritage
What's included
Bottled water
All entrance fees to sites on the itinerary
Parking Fees
Private vehicle for your group only, up to 7 travelers
Lunch
Gratuities
What to expect
Mount of Olives
20m
We begin here, on the ridge facing the Old City. From this viewpoint the whole of Jerusalem opens up below you - the Temple Mount, the golden Dome of the Rock, the Old City walls and the Jewish cemetery on the slope. I use this stop to lay out the geography and the history of the city before we walk into it, so that everything we see later has a place on the map.
Garden of Gethsemane
30m
A short drive down the slope brings us to the garden at the foot of the Mount of Olives, with its ancient olive trees, and the Church of All Nations beside it. This is where the Gospels place the night before the crucifixion. We take time here rather than rushing through, and I explain what the site is and what the archaeology and tradition each tell us about it.
Western Wall
40m
The holiest site where Jews are permitted to pray, and the surviving retaining wall of the Second Temple compound. I explain the history of the Temple, what happened here in 70 CE, and what the plaza looks like on an ordinary weekday. You are welcome to approach the wall itself and take as long as you need. Modest dress is required.
Jewish Quarter
40m
We walk through the rebuilt Jewish Quarter and the Cardo, the main street of Byzantine Jerusalem, still visible below today's street level. This is one of the best places in the city to see how Jerusalem is built in layers, one period on top of another, and how much of the ancient city is still underneath your feet.
The Way of the Cross - Via Dolorosa
45m
We follow the traditional route of the Way of the Cross through the narrow streets and markets of the Old City, stop by stop. The route passes through a living neighborhood rather than a museum, and part of what makes it powerful is walking it among the ordinary life of the city.
Church of the Holy Sepulchre
45m
The church built over the sites traditionally identified as Golgotha and the tomb. Inside, six Christian denominations share the building under a centuries-old arrangement. I explain how that works, what each chapel is, and where to go. Many guests want quiet time here, and the schedule allows for it.
Church of the Nativity
1h 20m
In the afternoon we cross into Bethlehem to the church built over the cave traditionally identified as the birthplace of Jesus. It is one of the oldest churches in continuous use anywhere in the world. We go down into the grotto itself, and I explain the history of the building and the mosaics above. A passport is required to enter Bethlehem.
Bethlehem
20m
The square outside the Church of the Nativity, at the center of Bethlehem. We spend a little time here before heading back to Jerusalem. There is usually time for a coffee or for the shops around the square if you want to look for something to take home.
Meeting and pickup
Pickup details
I will meet you in the lobby of your hotel at the agreed time. I will be waiting in the lobby with a sign showing the lead traveler name. I will contact you by WhatsApp
the evening before to confirm the exact time.
Additional information
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
The route can be partially adapted for guests with limited mobility. Please contact me before booking and I will plan accordingly.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
