Luxury Retreat in the World's Oldest City: Jericho's Premium Experiences

While most visitors experience Jericho's archaeological wonders in crowded tour groups, the luxury traveler has access to exclusive after-hours explorations that transform these ancient sites into intimate encounters with history. Through connections with a local guide named Khalil – whose family has lived in Jericho for generations – we arranged a private sunset tour of Tel es-Sultan, the archaeological mound containing layers of civilization dating back to 9,000 BCE.

As the day visitors departed, Khalil led us through the ruins with an archaeologist who had worked on recent excavations. Under the warm glow of sunset, we sipped local date wine while learning about the collapsed walls that may have inspired the biblical story of Joshua. The experience concluded with a private dinner among the ruins, prepared by one of Jericho's premier chefs who specializes in ancient Canaanite cuisine reimagined with modern techniques.

For this experience, I relied heavily on my portable translator which allowed me to have deeper conversations with the local archaeological team beyond what my Spanish-English-basic Arabic limitations would normally permit.

Jericho's status as an oasis in the desert extends to its luxury accommodations, which blend seamlessly with the natural landscape while offering world-class amenities. We selected the Jericho Resort Village for its private villas overlooking the ancient city and mountains beyond. Each morning began with breakfast on my private terrace, featuring local dates, fresh labneh, and za'atar-dusted flatbreads.

The resort's design incorporates elements of traditional Palestinian architecture with modern luxury, including private plunge pools fed by the same natural springs that have sustained Jericho for millennia. After long days exploring, I found myself unwinding in the villa's courtyard, protected from the desert heat by ancient stone walls and cooling fountains.

While the resort offers exceptional comfort, I still relied on my silk sleep liner – a habit from my medical missions to remote areas that I can't seem to break even in luxury settings. The pure silk provides an extra layer of comfort against even the finest hotel linens.

For those seeking even more exclusivity, the Jericho Boutique Hotel offers just six suites in a renovated Ottoman-era mansion, each with dedicated butler service and customized experiences.

Jericho's proximity to the Dead Sea (just a 20-minute drive) offers luxury travelers access to some of the world's most unique wellness experiences. Rather than visiting the crowded public beaches, we arranged a private Dead Sea experience through our concierge. A luxury vehicle transported us to an exclusive section of shoreline, where attendants had prepared private cabanas, premium mud treatment stations, and a floating lunch experience I won't soon forget.

The mineral-rich waters – nearly ten times saltier than the ocean – create that famous floating sensation that must be experienced to be believed. As a midwife who spends long hours on my feet during deliveries, the therapeutic properties of these waters were particularly welcome. The mud treatments, applied by spa professionals using premium Dead Sea products, left my skin feeling renewed.

After our float, we enjoyed a chef-prepared meal on a specially designed floating platform anchored just offshore. The surreal experience of dining while surrounded by the azure waters of the Dead Sea, with Jordan's mountains rising in the distance, epitomizes luxury travel in this region.

For those concerned about sun exposure in this intense environment, I highly recommend the mineral sunscreen which provided excellent protection without the chemicals that can damage these fragile waters.

Jericho's status as an ancient agricultural center is reflected in its exceptional culinary scene, which blends traditional Palestinian techniques with modern gastronomic innovation. Our most memorable dining experience was at Liwan Restaurant, housed in a restored 19th-century mansion with a courtyard dining area surrounded by citrus trees and herb gardens.

The restaurant offers a private chef's table experience where we enjoyed a nine-course tasting menu highlighting Jericho's famous produce – particularly its dates, citrus, and herbs. The chef prepared dishes that traced the culinary history of the region, from ancient Canaanite recipes to Ottoman influences and modern Palestinian cuisine.

One standout experience was a private cooking class with a local chef who specializes in traditional Palestinian dishes. We learned to prepare maqluba (an upside-down rice and vegetable dish) using ingredients we had selected that morning from Jericho's farmers' market. The chef also demonstrated techniques for making proper Arabic coffee, which I now prepare at home using the copper coffee pot I purchased in Jericho's old market.

For wine enthusiasts, arrange a tasting of Palestinian wines at Cremisan Winery, which produces exceptional varieties using grapes grown in the hills around Bethlehem. Their limited-production wines rarely leave the region, making this a truly exclusive experience.

While Jericho itself offers plenty to explore, its location provides the perfect base for luxury desert expeditions. As someone who values wilderness experiences, I was particularly drawn to the private Wadi Qelt hiking experience we arranged through our hotel.

Rather than joining the regular tourist groups, we were paired with a Bedouin guide who led us through less-traveled portions of this dramatic desert canyon. The hike concluded at the stunning St. George's Monastery, carved into the cliff face, where we had arranged special access to areas typically closed to visitors.

For a truly memorable experience, we booked a sunrise hot air balloon flight over the Jordan Valley. Floating silently above the ancient landscape as the first light illuminated the Dead Sea and surrounding mountains created a profound connection to this historic land. The experience concluded with a champagne breakfast set up in a private desert location.

For desert adventures, proper hydration is essential. I relied heavily on my insulated water bottle which kept water cold throughout our desert excursions despite the intense heat. Similarly, the cooling neck gaiter proved invaluable for maintaining comfort during midday explorations.