9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
About
Wadi Qelt is a scenic gorge running between Jerusalem and Jericho; as such, it is popular among hikers. The isolated Greek Orthodox monastery is carved into a cliff in the northeastern corner of the narrow canyon. The exterior is impressive; inside, the non-squeamish will marvel at the human reliquary.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
149 reviews
Excellent
106
Very good
31
Average
5
Poor
0
Terrible
7
Bluebellplasnewydd
Cardiff, UK2,041 contributions
Nov 2022
You don't need to do a long hike to see this monastery. There is a side road that takes you up into the hills. A 10-15 minute walk from the parking area enables you to see the whole monastery and Wadi Qelt with wonderful photo opportunities.
Written December 16, 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.
Bedouinboy
Jerusalem3 contributions
Sept 2011 • Solo
I have visited the St. George Greek Orthodox Monastery on a number of occasions.
To get there, entering from the main Jerusalem – Jericho highway, one turns left at Mitspe Yericho. This leads to the old Roman route that runs parallel to Wadi Kelt, a valley that cuts through the Judean desert from Jerusalem to Jericho. The winding road happens to be also the setting of the parable of the Good Samaritan. Driving down the meandering road one stops – en route to Jericho - at the sign. There is a breathtaking view from above the wadi of the St. George Greek Orthodox Monastery built into the side of the deep wadi.
There is quite a descent down and then a climb up to get to the monastery which may not be easy for the elderly. Inside, the monks are very helpful, and of course there is no charge to enter (but if you wish to make a small donation you may). There is water and sometimes refreshments available. There are some very nice icons and what one would expect to find in a monastery.
Above the monastery, up the steep steps, runs an aqueduct along the route of the ancient aqueduct from Jerusalem to Jericho and it is highly recommended to take this route for a hike, either in the direction towards Jericho or up the wadi to an old flour mill where Bedouin live in Wadi Kelt. But for this one must have water and be ready for a long hike of perhaps two hours or more. (Once there, there is a pool. It would take another hour to ascend up out of the wadi). In the summer months this can be very hot, but I have done it a lot. The area is quiet and peaceful and for those who like getting off the beaten track it’s a must!
Incidentally, it's possible to get to the monastery also from Jericho via the Wadi Al-Qelt road.
To get there, entering from the main Jerusalem – Jericho highway, one turns left at Mitspe Yericho. This leads to the old Roman route that runs parallel to Wadi Kelt, a valley that cuts through the Judean desert from Jerusalem to Jericho. The winding road happens to be also the setting of the parable of the Good Samaritan. Driving down the meandering road one stops – en route to Jericho - at the sign. There is a breathtaking view from above the wadi of the St. George Greek Orthodox Monastery built into the side of the deep wadi.
There is quite a descent down and then a climb up to get to the monastery which may not be easy for the elderly. Inside, the monks are very helpful, and of course there is no charge to enter (but if you wish to make a small donation you may). There is water and sometimes refreshments available. There are some very nice icons and what one would expect to find in a monastery.
Above the monastery, up the steep steps, runs an aqueduct along the route of the ancient aqueduct from Jerusalem to Jericho and it is highly recommended to take this route for a hike, either in the direction towards Jericho or up the wadi to an old flour mill where Bedouin live in Wadi Kelt. But for this one must have water and be ready for a long hike of perhaps two hours or more. (Once there, there is a pool. It would take another hour to ascend up out of the wadi). In the summer months this can be very hot, but I have done it a lot. The area is quiet and peaceful and for those who like getting off the beaten track it’s a must!
Incidentally, it's possible to get to the monastery also from Jericho via the Wadi Al-Qelt road.
Written October 13, 2011
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.
Flyer31
Stuttgart23 contributions
Feb 2017 • Solo
If you are foreigner and love arabic culture, then a great start point is Jericho, AubergInn highly recommended.
Hike to the monastery starts at Herods winter palace (which sounds more than it is, but anyway interesting), the very nicely kept foot path enters the valley at the right side upwards, or you can follow the small car road to the St. Georg bus parking on the left side of the valley ... both ways are very nice and fascinating, takes about 1hour to the monastery, another 15 min to the roman aquaduct valley crossing, about further 30 min to the canyon structure (take care of spring flooding there ... do IN NO WAY do this in case of danger of rainfall in the mountains / in Jerusalem area). There is a small natural "bath tub" there, where the first iron ladder comes (walking from bottom), but only small and in February 2017 already salty (probably in March gone). People told me, that you need another 1.5-2.5 hours to come to the "real bath tubs" further the valley up. If you stay at AubergInn in Jericho (highly recommended!) best take one of the free bicycles to drive to Herod's palace (otherwise 1 additional hour flat walking).
If you want to visit the monastery (which is super-great), then morning time required - only open 9h00-13h00, and you have to bring with you long trousers+shirt (for men), and women with trousers need a larger cloth, to put around their stomach, so that it looks like a bit like a long skirt. And if you want to enter the church, you need a special permission from the Greek Patriarchate (do not ask me how...) - but it is great also without church visit.
Unfortunately PUBLIC/Palestina transport to Jericho from Jerusalem seems to be very complicated currently (Feb 2017) ... if you want a relaxed Israel+Palestine travel, unfortunately currently rental car seems to be important (addding to the "car traffic infarct" Israel currently is suffering). If you use public transport they have the extremely bizarre and disturbing system that the Israel lines stop on holiday weekdays (Fr 2pm to Sat 6pm), and further the transport between Palestine cities and Jerusalem also is extremely hindered... . But Israel rental car from Jericho to Jerusalem on highway 1 is no problem at all, they always just "winked me through" (I did it 3 times in the last 6 years).
Hike to the monastery starts at Herods winter palace (which sounds more than it is, but anyway interesting), the very nicely kept foot path enters the valley at the right side upwards, or you can follow the small car road to the St. Georg bus parking on the left side of the valley ... both ways are very nice and fascinating, takes about 1hour to the monastery, another 15 min to the roman aquaduct valley crossing, about further 30 min to the canyon structure (take care of spring flooding there ... do IN NO WAY do this in case of danger of rainfall in the mountains / in Jerusalem area). There is a small natural "bath tub" there, where the first iron ladder comes (walking from bottom), but only small and in February 2017 already salty (probably in March gone). People told me, that you need another 1.5-2.5 hours to come to the "real bath tubs" further the valley up. If you stay at AubergInn in Jericho (highly recommended!) best take one of the free bicycles to drive to Herod's palace (otherwise 1 additional hour flat walking).
If you want to visit the monastery (which is super-great), then morning time required - only open 9h00-13h00, and you have to bring with you long trousers+shirt (for men), and women with trousers need a larger cloth, to put around their stomach, so that it looks like a bit like a long skirt. And if you want to enter the church, you need a special permission from the Greek Patriarchate (do not ask me how...) - but it is great also without church visit.
Unfortunately PUBLIC/Palestina transport to Jericho from Jerusalem seems to be very complicated currently (Feb 2017) ... if you want a relaxed Israel+Palestine travel, unfortunately currently rental car seems to be important (addding to the "car traffic infarct" Israel currently is suffering). If you use public transport they have the extremely bizarre and disturbing system that the Israel lines stop on holiday weekdays (Fr 2pm to Sat 6pm), and further the transport between Palestine cities and Jerusalem also is extremely hindered... . But Israel rental car from Jericho to Jerusalem on highway 1 is no problem at all, they always just "winked me through" (I did it 3 times in the last 6 years).
Written February 12, 2017
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.
BunclodySenator
Jerusalem, Israel187 contributions
Imagine you are walking on a path through the desert; all of a sudden, you come around a corner, and in the dry parched wilderness, you spot an oasis of green, with water. That is St. George's Monastery.
Heaven on earth. I just am leery of the burial chamber with the bones and skulls of former monks.
Heaven on earth. I just am leery of the burial chamber with the bones and skulls of former monks.
Written February 25, 2012
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.
worldnomad_01
Los Angeles, CA1,597 contributions
Oct 2019
The old monastery, whose construction started in 420 AD, is a cliff hugging, multi-layer complex, built into and blending perfectly into the walls of the Qadi Qelt, in the middle of nowhere, in the desolate emptiness of the Judean Desert. It's impressive, it's amazing and is something one will not easily forget...
Written January 31, 2020
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.
Brian D
Jerusalem District, Israel90 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
As a licensed tour guide, I bring guests here all the time. It is 10 minutes off the main road that leads from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea. It was the main road to Jericho 75 years ago.The road take one to a trail that leads to a beautiful lookout on top of The Prat Canyon and perched on the side of the cliffs is the Monastery of St George. A beautiful 1400 year old monastery form the Greek Orthodox church. Take advantage of it and go see it.
Written June 14, 2018
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.
Wilcoxm51
Kingston upon Thames, UK1,090 contributions
Dec 2015 • Couples
We hired a car and drove to St Georges on Christmas Eve. As soon as we got out of the car we were mobbed by vendors selling souvenirs, they also tried to sell us donkey rides to the monastery which is several hundred meters down in a deep gorge. We said no very firmly, but a guy with a donkey followed us down into the gorge and back, trying to sell us a donkey ride continuously and when that didn't work he just asked us for money.
When we got to the Monastery it was closed, I guess the monks were busy with there preparations for the Christmas, it would have been useful if we could have found this out before walking into the gorge.
When we got to the Monastery it was closed, I guess the monks were busy with there preparations for the Christmas, it would have been useful if we could have found this out before walking into the gorge.
Written January 1, 2016
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.
traveler48823
Lansing, MI52 contributions
Feb 2013 • Friends
Make the turn off and drive up a winding and not too well marked road to one of two overlooks and you will be glad that you did. It is a beautiful view of the wadi and the incredible monastery built into the side of the cliff. If you decide to hike there or to Jericho make sure that you do not go alone and talk with locals about security and safety issues.
Written February 26, 2013
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.
MSClint
Jerusalem, Israel25 contributions
Feb 2019 • Friends
There are several ways to see St. George. If you don;t have time to hike down from Jerusalem (3-4 hour hike) or hike up from Jericho 1 hour hike) you can drive to an overlook across Wadi Qelt and either take in the view from there, or take a short 10-15 minute walk down to the monastery. If you want to go women MUST wear clothes that covers their legs and shoulders. No shorts for men. Visiting times may vary so check the schedule before you make the trip if you plan to go in.
Written April 14, 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.
nitro699
33 contributions
Mar 2017
east to access by car. there is a walk of about 1 km, down hill to the site itself. the entrence is free. visit the church with the mummyfied munk, and dont miss the cave on the upper level. on the way back you can walk (very steep) or you can hire a local with a donkey for about 10-15 $, and they will take you all the way up.
Written March 25, 2017
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.
There is a quite new, good looking, one level building immediately to the right of the monastery, which provides accommodation for tourists and food in the small square in front of it. I believe it's called "St. Catherine's Monastery Guesthouse". You can check its reviews on tripadvisor
Written February 27, 2020
How is the drive to get there? Are there any steep drop off, hairpin bends, or roads without guardrails? My wife panics on dangerous bends or steep cliffs or drop offs
Written September 24, 2019
Best from the Jericho Road, I think all the approachs are rocky walks, sorry
Written September 25, 2019
What tour company did you go with? We are visiting Israel at the end of October and are hoping to hike to the Monastery rather than just see it from afar. Thank you.
Written September 3, 2019
We were with McCabe; I think any company would put it on the itinerary if asked. Or any taxi driver would drop you off and collect you several hours later. Best in the morning as get very hot, then shaded later
Written September 25, 2019
Der Bus nach Mitzpe Yeriho war der Eggedbus 216
Written July 2, 2018
Is it safe to go to the St George's Monastery on your own -- seeing how it's in the West Bank, or should we go with a tour guide? If go with a tour guide, anyone know of a tour company that will take us there? Also, is it worth going in the monastery, or is the viewpoint enough?
Written May 15, 2018
Antoaneta Andonova
Naples, Italy
In my opinion is better to go with a tour guide. The viewpoint is enough.
Written May 21, 2018
Can someone please provide the exact location of the parking lot/trailhead for this hike?
I want to drive there (in an Israeli rental car) when I'm in Israel, but am unsure what to type in to get accurate directions from Google.
Written December 2, 2017
From wikipedia
Coordinates: 31°50′40″N 35°24′51″E / 31.8445°N 35.4141°E / 31.8445; 35.4141. St. George Orthodox Monastery, or Monastery of St. George of Choziba is a monastery located in Wadi Qelt, in the eastern West Bank, in the occupied territories.
Written December 3, 2017
Hi
What's the name of the tour operator as we are interested to see the sites as well. Should we stay a night in Bethlehem or can this be just a day tour from Jerusalem?
Thanks
Written November 3, 2017
Our twelve tour was booked with Catholic Travel Center in Burbank, California. Transportation was included in the tour and provided by Millennium Tours when we arrived in Tel Aviv. Our trip started around the Sea of Galilee, then South to Jericho, and then to Bethlehem. It was during the travel from Jericho to Bethlehem that we stopped at St George's Monastery. We did not enter the Monastery, only a view from a hill in the Wadi Kelt Desert. Temperature that day in August was 119F. It is about an hour ride from Bethlehem. If you are not travelling in a tour, you might inquire at the place you are staying for information and transportation to view this area. It is well worth seeing. Enjoy your trip to the Holy Land. We are planning to go again soon.
Written November 3, 2017
Hola.
¿Alguien puede comentar cuánto cuesta la entrada al monasterio y lo que dura la visita? ¿Abre todos los días al público? Gracias.
Written March 11, 2017
Posso raggiungere il monastero in autonomia con l'auto noleggiata a Gerusalemme?
Written September 20, 2016
Assolutamente sì. Tempo di percorrenza non oltre la mezz'ora. Dalla strada principale che conduce da Gerusalemme al Mar Morto vi è un indicazione con cartello marrone sulla sinistra. Si segue poi la strada stretta ma asfaltata, fino al parcheggio. Meglio non lasciare nulla nell'auto. Poi c e da camminare un po'. La strada termina sulla cresta del canyon e non arriva al santuario che appunto va raggiunto a piedi percorrendo il sentiero in discesa indicato. Tenete d'occhio gli orari di apertura
Written November 12, 2019
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