Less than a year ago, the winding dirt path up the mount of temptation leading to the Greek Orthodox monastery of temptation was a trying experience, for young and old alike. A twenty –thirty minute walk up a steep hill was the price one had to pay for a religious pilgrimage to the site of Jesus Christ's temptation, or to appreciate the panoramic view of the beautiful city of Jericho. Since last August, the official opening of the Jericho cable car, the area has witnessed a major increase in tourism, since it provided for two experiences: a 5- minute ride in a cable car up to the mount of temptation, and the visit to the monastery itself.
The beginning of the trip starts at the ground station situated next to Ein al Sultan Spring –The Sultan's spring (open daily from 08:00 - 17:00). The Spring was given this name because the Babylonians put out the eyes of the ousted king of Jerusalem here. It is also known as Elisha's well after prophet Elisha who is said to have sweetened the water of the spring by casting a handful of salt into it. It is currently undergoing rehabilitation work to facilitate tourism to the site. Across from the spring is Tell al Sultan or Old Jericho where excavations uncovered settlement dating from 9000 BC.
You begin the ride with a view of Old Jericho from top, extending to the whole of Jericho, the hills of Jordan, and the Dead Sea. A brief stop on the way provides for the opportunity to appreciate the full scale of the view (provided that it's not windy and you're not afraid of heights). The top station contains a restaurant, a terrace coffee-shop overlooking the city, and a couple of renovated caves where fresh traditional bread is baked and sold. A short walk uphill from the station will lead the visitor to the monastery (opening hours Monday – Friday 09:00 - 13:00 and 15:00 - 16:00 and Saturday from 08:00 - 14:00).
The Cable car is open daily from 08:00 - 20:00.
For more information: 02-2321590,
e-mail: info@jericho-cablecar.com.