Madaba & Mount Nebo | Day Tour (starting from $140)

• Activity: Full-day tour to Madaba " the City of Mosaics," and Mount Nebo
• Start Time: 8:00 A.M. (recommended)
• Total Driving Distance: ~ 80 km (50 miles) round trip
• Total Duration: 6–7 hours (including sightseeing, museum visits, and travel)

Morning – Departure to Madaba, the City of Mosaics
After breakfast at your hotel, meet your private guide and driver. They will escort you for the entire duration of the tour, from hotel pick-up to final hotel drop-off.
Depart Amman southwest (approx. 35 km, 45 minutes) to the city of Madaba, known as the "City of Mosaics" for its extraordinary collection of Byzantine and Umayyad mosaic art.
Madaba Visitors Center:
Begin your visit at the Madaba Visitors Center, housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century building that is an attraction in itself. The center serves as the perfect starting point for exploring the city, offering maps, historical exhibits, and organized information about Madaba's rich heritage. Here, you will find a video room with information about the city's main sights, as well as a series of photographs and images from 1902–1911 and mosaics from various archaeological sites.
St. George's Church (Church of the Map):
From the Visitors Center, we proceed to St. George's Church, located approximately 240 meters northwest. This Greek Orthodox church was built in 1896 over a 6th-century Byzantine original. Inside, you will find the world-famous Madaba Mosaic Map—the oldest preserved geographic floor mosaic in art history, dating to approximately 560 AD. The map depicts over 150 biblical sites with Jerusalem at its center, including the Jordan River, the Dead Sea, and various cities of Transjordan, Palestine, Egypt, and Syria.
The Burnt Palace (Qasr al-Muhtariq):
After visiting St. George's Church, we make our way to The Burnt Palace, located approximately 130 meters west of the Visitors Center. This luxurious Byzantine residence dates to the late 6th or early 7th century. The site received its name due to the layer of ash discovered on its floor, believed to result from the earthquake of 747 AD. Your guide will lead you through the remains of this opulent complex, featuring exquisite mosaics including a personification of a Season and a bust of Tyche wearing a turreted crown.
Church of the Martyrs (Church of al-Khadir):
Just a short walk from the Burnt Palace, we visit the Church of the Martyrs, located in the western section of the Archaeological Park. This 6th-century basilica measures 32 x 16 m—the largest church in Madaba in terms of area. Known locally as the Church of al-Khadir, this basilica features three doors on the facade and two rows of ten columns separating the central nave from the side naves. The mosaic floor, despite suffering iconoclastic mutilation and damage during excavation, remains legible in its general outlines, depicting hunting, herding, and wine-making scenes. The church was excavated by the German Evangelical Institute in 1966.
Madaba Archaeological Park:
Adjacent to both the Burnt Palace and the Church of the Martyrs, we continue to the Madaba Archaeological Park. Established in 1995 to preserve and make accessible the archaeological remains from Roman times and several valuable Byzantine mosaic floors, this park is a highlight of the city. Your guide will escort you through the remains of several Byzantine churches showcasing stunning mosaic floors. Highlights include the Hippolytus Hall—a 6th-century dining hall featuring a rare mosaic depicting the ancient Greek tragedy of Phaedra and Hippolytus—and the Church of the Virgin Mary with its Umayyad-era inscription. Your guide will provide historical context and point out the artistic details that make these mosaics world-renowned.
Al-Hussein bin Ali Street (Tourist Street):
After exploring the archaeological park, your guide will take you to Al-Hussein bin Ali Street, known locally as "Tourist Street." This vibrant thoroughfare is lined with shops selling handicrafts, souvenirs, icons, and products specific to Madaba's renowned mosaic art. It is the perfect place to browse local industries and perhaps purchase a unique mosaic piece to remember your visit.
St. John the Baptist Latin Church (Madaba Latin Church):
From Tourist Street, we continue to St. John the Baptist Latin Church, located approximately 310 meters southwest of the Visitors Center on the city's ancient acropolis. This Roman Catholic church was built between 1880 and 1913 and was recognized by the Vatican as the Shrine of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist. Beneath the church, excavations reveal remnants of Moabite, Nabatean, Roman, and Byzantine civilizations. Be sure to climb the bell tower for panoramic views over Madaba.
Madaba Archaeological Museum (Muzeum Archeologiczne):
We conclude our Madaba exploration at the Madaba Archaeological Museum, located approximately 500 meters south of the main site cluster on Balqa Street. Housed in a traditional late Ottoman building, the museum showcases artifacts spanning Madaba's long history, including pottery, glassware, coins, and jewelry from Roman, Byzantine, Umayyad, Abbasid, Mamluk, and Late Ottoman periods. The collection also includes mosaic panels from various archaeological sites in the region. The museum is included with the Archaeological Park entrance ticket.

Lunch Break:
Time will be allocated for an optional lunch at a local restaurant in Madaba (optional and not included in the tour price). Your guide can assist with recommendations.

Midday – Mount Nebo: The Memorial of Moses
Depart Madaba for Mount Nebo (approx. 10 km, 15 minutes), one of Jordan's most revered religious sites.
Upon arrival, your guide will lead you through this sacred mountain, believed to be where Prophet Moses stood to view the Promised Land before his death. From the summit (elevation 870 meters), you will gaze across the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, and—on exceptionally clear days—the distant hills of Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Your guide will share the biblical narrative and historical significance of this site, which has been a pilgrimage destination for centuries.
Explore the Memorial Church of Moses, originally constructed in the 4th century and rebuilt in the 20th century to preserve its Byzantine heritage. Inside, your guide will point out the remarkably preserved 6th-century mosaic floors, depicting hunting scenes, pastoral life, and exotic animals—among the finest examples of early Christian mosaic art in the region.
Outside, you will see the iconic Bronze Serpent Sculpture (created by Italian artist Giovanni Fantoni in 1984), which symbolizes the biblical story of Moses and the serpent and serves as a striking landmark against the panoramic backdrop.
Your guide will allow approximately 30–60 minutes for exploration of the site.

Afternoon – Return to Amman:
After exploring Mount Nebo, begin the return journey to Amman (approx. 35 km, 45 minutes). You will be escorted back to your hotel and dropped off in the early afternoon, with the remainder of the day free for you to enjoy at your leisure.

:: Thank you for choosing to explore Jordan with us ::

Highlights of Your Day:

• Private Full-Day Journey: Enjoy the personalized experience of having your own dedicated guide and driver from the moment you leave your hotel until your return.
• Madaba Visitors Center: Begin your exploration at this beautifully restored 19th-century building, the perfect starting point to discover the "City of Mosaics."
• George's Church: Stand before the world-famous 6th-century Madaba Mosaic Map—the oldest preserved cartographic depiction of the Holy Land—with over 150 biblical sites labeled in Greek.
• The Burnt Palace: Discover this opulent Byzantine residence with exquisite mosaics featuring a personification of a Season and Tyche wearing a turreted crown.
• Church of the Martyrs: Explore the largest church in Madaba, a 6th-century basilica with remarkable mosaic floors depicting hunting, herding, and wine-making scenes.
• Madaba Archaeological Park: Walk along a preserved Roman road and marvel at the Hippolytus Hall's rare mosaic depicting the ancient Greek tragedy of Phaedra and Hippolytus.
• Al-Hussein bin Ali Street (Tourist Street): Stroll through this vibrant thoroughfare lined with shops selling mosaic art, icons, and local handicrafts.
• John the Baptist Latin Church: Visit this Roman Catholic church on Madaba's ancient acropolis, recognized by the Vatican as the Shrine of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist, and climb the bell tower for panoramic city views.
• Madaba Archaeological Museum: View artifacts spanning over 10,000 years of history, from the Neolithic period through the Ottoman era, housed in a traditional late Ottoman building.
• Mount Nebo: Stand atop the sacred mountain where Moses viewed the Promised Land, taking in panoramic vistas of the Jordan Valley and Dead Sea while exploring the Memorial Church's exquisite 6th-century mosaics and the iconic Bronze Serpent Sculpture.
• Premium Comfort: Travel in a private Premium Business Class Van throughout your journey, ensuring a luxurious and comfortable experience with better views.

Notes:

• Prices are per person (adult and child), in USD and are inclusive all taxes.
• This tour departs daily from Amman, subject to availability.
• This is a private guided tour with pickup and drop-off at your Amman hotel.
• An advance full payment is required to complete and confirm this booking.

Important Information:

• Premium Comfort: To ensure a more comfortable and luxurious experience with better views, this tour is operated with a private Premium Business Class Van “Business Vans “.
• What to bring: Comfortable walking shoes, sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen), camera, and your passport/ID.
• Fitness Level: A moderate level of fitness is required due to walking at archaeological sites over uneven terrain. Please note that this tour is not wheelchair accessible. For wheelchair-friendly tours or transfers, please contact us.
• Entrance Fees: If you have purchased a Jordan Pass, please bring a printed copy. It covers entrance fees to some sites in Madaba such Archaeological Park, but does not cover St. George's Church (Madaba Map Church), other Churches and Mount Nebo.
• Distances & Times: Travel times in Jordan can vary significantly due to traffic, checkpoints, and road conditions. The times provided are realistic estimates under normal conditions.
• Site Visits: Your guide may adjust the order of visits based on timing and local conditions to ensure the best possible experience.
• The local currency: is the Jordanian Dinar (JD). It is advisable to have cash on hand.

Price Includes:

• Private Guided Service: A licensed professional English-speaking guide will accompany you for the entire duration of the tour.
• Private transportation: Air-conditioned Premium Business Class Van with a professional driver.
• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Amman.
• Bottled water on board.

Price Excludes:

• Travel insurance (highly recommended).
• Entrance fees to all sites.
• Lunch, beverages and any personal expenses.
• Services of local guides at the visited sites.
• Gratuities (tips) for drivers, guides, (expected).
• Any items or services not mentioned in the "Includes" section.