Private Day Tour: St. George's Monastery, Wadi Qelt, Mar Saba, and Bethlehem
5
Private Day Tour: St. George's Monastery, Wadi Qelt, Mar Saba, and Bethlehem
By Michael Tours
Recommended by 96% of travellers
This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher
from per group (up to 4)
S$760.30
from per group (up to 4)
S$760.30
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 0-120
Duration: 8h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
English
- Driver/guide
- Private tour
- Pickup from Checkpoint 300 or Bethlehem hotel
- Drop-off at Checkpoint 300 or Bethlehem hotel
What's not included- Gratuities
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
- Food and drinks
- Public transportation to the meeting point
- Departure details
- Checkpoint 300/Bethlehem Road, Jerusalem Once you get off the bus or the taxi, walk through the checkpoint building (Follow the sign) to cross to Bethlehem's side where I'll meet you. Everyone there is either crossing to Bethlehem or coming from Bethlehem so it's easy to find your way. You can always ask anyone for help if you need it.
Return details- Returns to original departure point
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infant seats available
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 8676P4- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- 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
- Not recommended for pregnant travellers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travellers can participate
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- Which attractions will I visit with Private Day Tour: St. George's Monastery, Wadi Qelt, Mar Saba, and Bethlehem?
- During this experience, places you will visit include:
- Church of the Nativity
- St. George's Monastery
- The Church of St. Catherine
- Milk Grotto
- Shepherd's Sanctuary
- How much is Private Day Tour: St. George's Monastery, Wadi Qelt, Mar Saba, and Bethlehem?
- Private Day Tour: St. George's Monastery, Wadi Qelt, Mar Saba, and Bethlehem price starts from S$743.65. Discover and book Private Day Tour: St. George's Monastery, Wadi Qelt, Mar Saba, and Bethlehem on Tripadvisor
- What is the Private Day Tour: St. George's Monastery, Wadi Qelt, Mar Saba, and Bethlehem cancellation policy?
- Private Day Tour: St. George's Monastery, Wadi Qelt, Mar Saba, and Bethlehem cancellation policy: For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience. Discover and book Private Day Tour: St. George's Monastery, Wadi Qelt, Mar Saba, and Bethlehem on Tripadvisor
- Which company provides Private Day Tour: St. George's Monastery, Wadi Qelt, Mar Saba, and Bethlehem?
- Private Day Tour: St. George's Monastery, Wadi Qelt, Mar Saba, and Bethlehem is hosted by Michael Tours. Read reviews, discover additonal experiences or contact Michael Tours on Tripadvisor. Discover and book Private Day Tour: St. George's Monastery, Wadi Qelt, Mar Saba, and Bethlehem on Tripadvisor
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 8676P4
Reserve your spot
from S$760.30
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator.
elliottl144
00Michael's Tours delivers a full and humanistic experience of this part of the ancient world.
Michael was both a terrific guide and an engaging person. He gave us exactly what we wanted, which was an in-depth…
680royo
00Michael's Tours - A Must!
I was so thankful that me and my friends were able to book a tour with Michael. His skill and knowledge of the Pal…
oldbeauh
00A Tour & Guide You’ll Not Soon Forget
If you’re looking for someone to guide you through Bethlehem, Hebron, or anywhere else in the West Bank, I cannot r…
Fearless284398
00Outstanding Bethlehem experience
Michael’s expert, friendly, informative and insightful half tour of Bethlehem from Tel Aviv was outstanding and a…
nathaliejN8226VS
00Tour of Bethlehem
Michael did a great job showing us the highlights of Bethlehem. He shared so many great insights on the history of …
Diane B
00Do It!
Our tour with Michael was absolutely perfect! I can't recommend him enough! His communication with us prior to th…
davidsY766EM
00Amazing Tour of Bethlehem and the Judean Desert
Our family of seven went on a pilgrimage to Israel for ten days. We chose to stay in Jerusalem because we wanted to…
lourdesd119
00The Best!
Michael gave us the best experience for our tour. The bible came alive with his explanations and stories. He made …
winiffert2023
00Excellent tour!
Michael was great! Excellent service, we had the best tour guy. Highly recommended, he is very friendly, responsibl…
Whitney O
00Amazing Bethlehem Tour
I had such a great tour with Michael! It was enlightening to see Bethlehem with a Palestinian Christian, and as a s…
309hannest
00Smooth flexibility with high competency
Excellent tour guided by Michael! We could articulate all our wishes and everything was fulfilled. Michaels flexibi…
Laura J
00Great day out on monastery tour
Michael was really informative, interesting chats, he made necessary arrangements and I really enjoyed spending the…
271anyav
00One of the best tours ever!
To simply say I’d book with Michael again and again. Michael went above and beyond to make sure we have the best ex…
vlawlaw
00Great time
We had a wonderful time and Michael is very thoughtful in planning the details. We couldn’t find breakfast early i…
vlawlaw
00Great time in the West Bank
Michael is very thoughtful in the details. We couldn’t find breakfast early in the morning and Michael picked up u…
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
32 reviews
Excellent
31
Very good
0
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Strale
1 contribution
Apr 2023
Thank 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. 🤣🙏🏻
Written 20 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
statesec
Norfolk, NE312 contributions
Oct 2022
I 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.
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.
Written 6 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience here and I am glad you enjoyed the tour that much, It makes me happy and encourage me to keep going always for the better. I hope to meet once again. All the best.
Written 23 October 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Aaakjs
Dunedin, New Zealand2 contributions
May 2022 • Solo
Michael is a gem! Not only was he willing to take one person on a private tour (I find most operators have a 2 person minimum), he went above and beyond to ensure I had an amazing day. He was extremely flexible with the schedule, valiantly attempting to fit in the ridiculous number of sites I was curious about (to be fair, I walk fast) while still providing historical, theological and social context for the different sites. He is incredibly knowledgeable, eminently professional, and genuinely passionate about what he does.
Highly recommend, and will definitely travel with Michael again if I'm lucky enough to return to Palestine.
Highly recommend, and will definitely travel with Michael again if I'm lucky enough to return to Palestine.
Written 6 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for this lovely review and thanks for the high recommendation and support. Hopefully, we will meet again.
Written 22 June 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sara C
Brentwood, UK4 contributions
Feb 2023
We 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!
Written 4 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a positive review of your experience touring the desert monasteries and Bethlehem sites with me. It brings me great joy to hear that you had a fantastic time and that I was able to tailor the tour to fit your specific interests.
I am thrilled to hear that you and your son enjoyed seeing the Banksy art and that you found the tour to be both a historical and political learning experience. It is important to me to provide a well-rounded and informative tour for my clients.
Thank you again for your kind words and for recommending me as a tour guide. I would be honored to show you and your family more of Palestine on your next visit.
Written 16 April 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
smvNYC
New York City, NY284 contributions
Jun 2022
We booked the tour weeks before arriving. Michael worked closely with us to customize the itinerary. We wanted to stop at a monastery (not included in the itinerary) to visit and Michael went above and beyond to find out if it is open. and ensure out trip goes as plan. The day of the tour he waited for us right after the checkpoint and on our way we went! The stops were amazing and his knowledge of the area, of the culture and of the people were a great asset. We never felt rushed and enjoyed the places at leisure. We are thankful for the coffee he shared with us, as well as the excellent lunch suggestion. Michael also helped us find a second tour few days later that went equally well! We recommend him unreservedly.
Written 8 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for sharing your experience with millions of travelers around the world. That means a lot for me. I am happy to hear how much you enjoyed the tour. All the best.
Written 23 October 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mariangela B
Italy23 contributions
We 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!
Written 25 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your kind words and for choosing me as your tour guide. It was my pleasure to customize the tour to your preferences and to provide you with the best experience possible. I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed the tour and found it informative. Thank you for your recommendation, and I hope to have the opportunity to show you more of Palestine in the future!
Written 16 April 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
laureen
Seattle, WA14 contributions
There is absolutely no comparison to having a private local tour compared to a large group. Michael was amazing. We had wonderful one on one time and he was so knowledgeable, interesting, passionate and kind. Worth every penny and more. Thank you to Michael and his fiancée Georgette who added valuable input too. We had such a great experience. Book with Michael Tours. You won’t regret it.
Written 19 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you a million for your nice review. I am glad to hear how much you enjoyed my tour and we also enjoyed our time with you as much as you enjoyed it with us.. Thanks again :)
Written 22 June 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
montykatie
Armidale, Australia456 contributions
We actually met him in 2018/2019 but we forgot to write the review. We thought he was really super knowledgeable & passionate about all. We had many different tour guides in the different countries in the past but he had somehow more personal touch to it. We(my husband & our adult nephew) totally loved the experience. Thanks Michael & sorry to write our review this late!
Written 6 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Many thanks for remembering me and thank you for your amazing review. No worries at all for the late review. It's much appreciated and it thanks again for your support and time to write this review. I am always happy to hear how much you enjoyed my tour. All the best :)
Written 22 June 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Alison M
6 contributions
Mar 2023
What 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.
Written 18 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I'm so glad to hear that you had an amazing experience exploring Bethlehem and the monasteries of the Judean desert! I am happy I was able to adjust the tour to include the Herodion despite some closings. I'm so happy to hear that you gained meaningful insight into the region. Thank you for sharing your positive experience, and I hope you have many more enjoyable travels in the future!
Written 16 April 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
jvhend
Amsterdam, The Netherlands84 contributions
I can’t recommend highly enough that you hire Michael to guide you in Palestine.
My husband and I have just returned from a day with him tailored to the things we were interested to see, including visiting St George’s Monastery and Wadi Qelt, Mar Saba Monastery and a range of sights in Bethlehem (Church of the Nativity, old town, refugee ‘camp’, Banksy art).
We’re not usually the take-a-tour or hire-a-guide type of travellers, but we found the widely available advice about driving ourselves in Palestine confusing so we went for it (I’m no clearer now, and I’m very glad we didn’t try it ourselves). Aside from travel logistics - Michael’s knowledge of the history of this region and the places we visited made our trip; as well as red carpet treatment at crowded sites and the inside scoop on the best falafel in town. He was also happy to answer all our questions and chat openly about life in Palestine today, which we really enjoyed.
On practicalities: this tour was much better value than what we were quoted for similar trips departing from within Jerusalem. Communication ahead of our meeting was clear and easy. And meeting Michael on the Palestine side of checkpoint 300 was super simple - we caught a 20 min bus from Jerusalem (get on at the first stop, get off at the last stop - it’s impossible to get lost) and then walked across the checkpoint and Michael was there and waiting and recognized us straight away.
Thanks for a wonderful day Michael!
My husband and I have just returned from a day with him tailored to the things we were interested to see, including visiting St George’s Monastery and Wadi Qelt, Mar Saba Monastery and a range of sights in Bethlehem (Church of the Nativity, old town, refugee ‘camp’, Banksy art).
We’re not usually the take-a-tour or hire-a-guide type of travellers, but we found the widely available advice about driving ourselves in Palestine confusing so we went for it (I’m no clearer now, and I’m very glad we didn’t try it ourselves). Aside from travel logistics - Michael’s knowledge of the history of this region and the places we visited made our trip; as well as red carpet treatment at crowded sites and the inside scoop on the best falafel in town. He was also happy to answer all our questions and chat openly about life in Palestine today, which we really enjoyed.
On practicalities: this tour was much better value than what we were quoted for similar trips departing from within Jerusalem. Communication ahead of our meeting was clear and easy. And meeting Michael on the Palestine side of checkpoint 300 was super simple - we caught a 20 min bus from Jerusalem (get on at the first stop, get off at the last stop - it’s impossible to get lost) and then walked across the checkpoint and Michael was there and waiting and recognized us straight away.
Thanks for a wonderful day Michael!
Written 19 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
THanks for your recommendation and the nice review. I am always happy to hear how happy my guests are and their amazing reviews.
You are always welcome again. All the best
Written 24 May 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We are 3 people interested in the tour to Bethlehem, Mar Saba, St Georg. We are based in Jerusalem so we are not sure how we can meet you at checkpoint 300 at 8am. Does it take long to cross the checkpoint?
Many thanks for the quick response!
pnmerkl
Quebec City, Canada
Hello,
do you accept kids on the your ? What is the price for the kids ? It's 330 per person?
thanks you,
