Bethany Baptism Jordan River Site and Al-Salt City Visit from Amman

Meet your driver at your Amman hotel, and travel by private, leisure air-conditioned vehicle to the River Jordan. On route, soak in views of Jordan’s barren landscapes, and pull up at Bethany Beyond the Jordan River, known as El-Maghtas in Arabic, the site on the eastern bank of the river where it’s believed Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. Meet up with a local guide, and take a tour of the riverbanks and key excavated ruins, learning how the site was sanctified as the place of Jesus’ baptism by the Vatican and a visit by Pope John Paul II in 2000. Drink in the powerful sense of spirituality, and see the remnants of Roman and Byzantine churches, caves, wells, and baptismal pools. As you walk, listen as your guide explains why archaeologists believe that it was here that John the Baptist lived, preached, and performed baptisms. Hear more about this famous Christian pilgrimage spot and how it is held holy in all three major religions - Christianity, Judaism, and Islam for being the believed site of the Prophet Elijah’s ascension to heaven. Afterward, reconvene with your driver and return to Amman, where your tour ends with a hotel drop-off. Please note: the Bethany in this trip should not be confused with Bethany in Jerusalem, where it's believed that Mary Magdalene lived and Lazarus rose from the dead.

Depart for the city of Al-Salt, where your guide will lead you on a walking tour of the Harmony Trail. Visit Jordan first ancient capital’s highlights such as Al-Khader Orthodox Church, the Great Mosque, the English Evangelical Hospital Complex, Al-Ein Plaza, and the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Orthodox Church. Learn how the lives of local residents who follow both Christian and Muslim faiths are intertwined. After you walking tour, you'll have some free time to explore on your own before returning to Amman for your hotel drop off.