Private Dead Sea and Baptism Site Tour from Amman

Bethany beyond the Jordan, the Baptism Site

The Baptism Site, known in Arabic as Al-Maghtas, lies on the east bank of the Jordan River about nine kilometres north of the Dead Sea. Christian tradition identifies it as Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John the Baptist lived and preached and where Jesus was baptised. UNESCO listed it as a World Heritage Site in 2015, recognising its long history of pilgrimage.

Visits are organised from the visitor centre, where you buy your entry and join a site shuttle and a site guide for the route through the reserve; entry fees are not included in this tour but can be added when booking. A private Baptism Site tour from Amman lets you arrive at a calm hour and take the time you need for reflection.

The Jordan River, Tell Elias and the Byzantine churches

Archaeologists have uncovered the remains of churches, chapels, baptismal pools and hermit caves from the Roman and Byzantine periods around the spring and the old riverbank. Floors of mosaic and the foundations of a church raised on pillars mark the spot venerated as the place of the baptism.

On a small hill nearby, Tell Elias is linked by tradition to the prophet Elijah's ascent to heaven and holds the remains of a monastery and water cisterns. The route ends at the Jordan River, where steps lead down to the water. The river here is narrow and gentle, and many visitors simply touch the water or sit quietly on the bank. Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered.

The Dead Sea, the lowest point on land

The Dead Sea lies around 430 metres below sea level, the lowest point on the surface of the earth. Its water is about ten times saltier than the ocean, so dense that you float on your back without effort, and the lake's mineral content gives the water a slightly oily feel. The Jordan River flows into its northern end, a short drive from the Baptism Site.

Is the Dead Sea worth visiting? Floating here is an experience you cannot have anywhere else, and the views across the still water to the hills on the far shore are beautiful at any hour. A Dead Sea day trip from Amman is easy because the shore is less than an hour from the capital.

Floating and mud at your Dead Sea beach

After the Baptism Site our driver takes you to a Dead Sea beach for about four hours. Beach access and lunch are not included in the default price, but you can add them when booking, and our team will suggest the beach that suits you best, from simple public beaches to resort day access with showers and pools.

Float on your back, keep the water away from your eyes and stay in for no more than 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Spread the black mineral mud over your skin, let it dry in the sun and rinse it off in the sea; it is rich in magnesium and potassium and leaves the skin feeling soft. Fresh-water showers afterwards are essential.

How to get to the Baptism Site and the Dead Sea from Amman

From Amman the road drops steeply through the hills into the Jordan Valley, losing more than a thousand metres of altitude in under an hour. The drive to the Baptism Site takes about 45 minutes, the Dead Sea shore is a short drive further south, and the return to Amman takes about an hour.

The best time to visit the Dead Sea is from October to April, when the air at the shore is warm rather than hot; in summer, temperatures in the valley often pass 40 degrees, so an early start is wise. With your own vehicle and driver you choose the start time, the order and how long to stay at each stop.