Jordan: Private Tour to the Dead Sea & Baptism Site
About This Experience
Two very different places, forty minutes apart, in one private day from Amman. Bethany Beyond the Jordan is the UNESCO-listed site on the east bank believed to be where Jesus was baptised - Roman and Byzantine churches, mosaics and hermit caves, and a quiet the west-bank equivalent does not have.
From there it is a short drive to the Dead Sea itself: over 400 metres below sea level, salt enough that floating is involuntary, and the mineral mud that people queue to smear on. A resort day pass with lunch and the site entry fee are both add-ons at checkout.
The tour is private throughout - your own vehicle, your own driver, Wi-Fi and water on board - which matters here because the two stops suit very different paces and a fixed coach schedule tends to shortchange one of them.
Highlights
- Bethany Beyond the Jordan, the UNESCO-listed Baptism Site on the east bank
- Byzantine churches, mosaics and hermit caves at the archaeological site
- Float in the Dead Sea at over 400 m below sea level
- Mineral mud treatment at the resort beach
- Private vehicle and driver, so the day runs at your pace
What's Included
- ✓ Private vehicle with an English-speaking driver
- ✓ Hotel pickup and drop-off in Amman
- ✓ Bottled water and Wi-Fi on board
- ✓ Dead Sea resort swim and lunch (if that option is selected)
- ✓ Baptism Site entry fee (if that option is selected)
Not Included
- Alcoholic drinks
- Tips
- Personal expenses
What to Bring
- Swimwear and a towel
- Sun hat and biodegradable sunscreen
- Modest clothing for the Baptism Site
- Comfortable shoes for the archaeological site
Good to Know & Caveats
- The Baptism Site is an active religious site - dress modestly and cover shoulders and knees.
- Dead Sea water stings any cut or shaving nick and must be kept out of your eyes. Do not shave that morning.
- Resort entry, lunch and the Baptism Site fee are add-ons selected at checkout rather than defaults.
- Summer temperatures at the Dead Sea regularly exceed 40 C. Drink far more water than feels necessary.
- Pets are not permitted.
Not Suitable For
- Anyone with open cuts or recent sunburn, because of the salt concentration
Meeting Point
Private hotel pickup in Amman, arranged with the operator after booking.
What Travelers Say
Rated 4.9/5 by 79 verified GetYourGuide travelers.
Our driver, Bader, was excellent. He took us to the Dead Sea hotel, explaining the entire activity to us. The hotel is in a spectacular location with beautiful scenery. Lunch was very good. What wasn't good was the guide at the baptism site, who didn't explain anything to us.
— María Graciela Fernández, April 1
Il tour è stato molto tranquillo. Il driver Faisal molto disponibile a volerci anche proporre altri servizi più economici per poter usufruire della spiaggia per fare il bagno nel Mar Morto.
— Annabel, Februar
Baptismal Site was nice, a bit rushed but still nice. Dead Sea was amazing. The gentleman at the beach site was very helpful and nice. The fun at the hotel was amazing as well. Our drive was Mr Mint, great transportation.
— Nakia, Februar
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Dead Sea resort entry included?
Only if you select that option. Public beaches exist but the resort pass buys you fresh-water showers, which you will want - dried Dead Sea salt is genuinely unpleasant.
How long can you float for?
Twenty minutes at a time is the usual guidance, and that is plenty. The salt concentration is severe enough that longer stints irritate the skin.
What is the Baptism Site?
Bethany Beyond the Jordan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Jordanian east bank, identified as the place where Jesus was baptised. It holds Roman and Byzantine church remains, mosaics and hermit caves.
Can this be combined with Petra?
Not on this booking, but several operators run a Petra-and-Dead-Sea day trip, and every multi-day Petra, Wadi Rum and Dead Sea tour on this site finishes at the Dead Sea on the way back to Amman.
