Jericho, the City of Palms, is the oldest inhabited city on Earth, dating back almost 12,000 years. Excavations at the Tel al-Sultan ruins show Jericho settlements as early as 10,000 B.C.E.
Jericho located near the Dead Sea, which is more than 400 meters below sea level, it stays warm throughout the year. Jesus Christ walked through the streets of Jericho during his several visits to the town. It is a wonderful area for touring monasteries and historical sites. For hiking enthusiasts, Jericho has enjoyable, scenic routes.
While there, take a cable car up to the monastery at the Mount of Temptation, with panoramic views of the region. Also visit the Saint George Monastery in Wadi Qelt above Jericho, and the Monastery of Saint Gerasimos known as Deir Hajla; in the Jordan Valley near Jericho.
JORDAN RIVER (JESUS’ BAPTISMAL SITE)
The great holy river of the country. On the eastern side of the river, just before it empties into the Sea of Galilee, you will visit Bethsaida, where Jesus fed the multitude. Beside the sea are ruins of Capernaum, where Jesus entered the synagogue and taught.
From the earliest ages, Christian pilgrims came in a spirit of piety to commemorate the baptism of Jesus by John and to be baptized in the holy waters of the river.