Discover three of Jordan’s famous Desert Castles in this trip from Amman. With your informative private English-Speaking Driver, learn about these fabled castles, built by the Umayyad rulers during the 7th and 8th centuries as you visit each one in the desert plains of eastern Jordan. Explore UNESCO-listed Amra Castle (Quseir’ Amra), famous for its 8th century fresco of hedonistic scenes before continuing to the Kharana Castle (Qasr Al - Kharanah) and the atmospheric Al - Azraq Castle (Qasr Al - Azraq), the latter used as military based by T.E. Lawrence, known as Lawrence of Arabia during World War I. Upgrade your tour with a Guide. You can also add the Azraq wetland visit. Return to your hotel.
Inclusions & Exclusions
✔ English-Speaking Driver
✔ Hotel pick up and drop off
✔ Al Azraq Wetland Reserve Entrance Fees with Self-Guided Marsh Trail; if option selected
✔ Private Transfer by air-conditioned leisure new vehicle according to number of participants
✔ On board WI-FI
✔ Additional Guide of Desert Castles, if option selected
✔ Entrance to Amra Castle, Al Kharanah Castle, & Al – Azraq Castle; if option Jordan Pass not selected
✖ All type of meals, unless option with lunch selected (Vegetarian meal by request)
✖ All type of beverages
✖ All type of gratuities (Tips to the Driver) – Recommended
✖ Personal Expenses
✖ Anything else not mentioned
Pickup Locations
1. La Casa Hotel Amman
2. Big Ben Hotel Suites
3. Arman Hotel Suites
4. Gloria Hotel
5. The Sanrock Hotel
6. California Suites Hotel 2
7. Opal Hotel Amman
8. Gerasa Hotel
9. Sparr Hotel
10. Alkawther Hotel Apartments
11. Madina Suites
12. DownTown Hotel Apartments
13. Larsa Hotel
14. Comfort Hotel Suites
15. Amman Palace Hotel
16. California Suites Hotel
17. New Park Hotel
18. The Abdali Boulevard Hotel
19. Granada Hotel
20. Layaali Amman Hotel
Itinerary
1
Amman
After pick up from your central Amman by private, air-conditioned vehicle, relax as you journey out of the city and into the desert plains of eastern Jordan. Drive with your friendly informative English-Speaking Driver who doubles up as your guide to experience the fascinating Desert Castles. The region is speckled with 7th and 8th century castles, many within a 15-minute drive of each other, that were originally built by the Caliphs of the Umayyad dynasty as rural retreats and hunting lodges. Hear tales about this powerful dynasty, the first Muslim rulers of the Arab kingdom, including fascinating snippets about their extravagance and debauchery. As you travel, feel free to tell your driver if there’s a castle you want to see more of or another castle you’d like to visit, at your own expense. Your tour is private, so the itinerary can be tailored to suit your interests.
2
Quseir Amra
After about an hour on the road, pull up at UNESCO-listed “Quseir’ Amra”, one of east Jordan’s most famous castles. Once a hunting palace of the Umayyads, this splendidly restored edifice is graced with 8th-century fresco showing decadent scenes of nude women, wine, and parties.
Duration: 30 minutes
3
Qasr Al-Harranah
Continue to “Qasr Al -Kharanah”, an imperious 2-level fortress standing in a huge plain. Thought to have been built on Roman foundations, this evocative castle exudes intrigue and displays a rich array of Mesopotamian, Arabic, and Greek architectural influences.
Duration: 30 minutes
4
Qsar Al-Azraq
Finally, head for “Qasr Al-Azraq”, originally an Umayyad hunting retreat and once used as a headquarters by T.E. Lawrence, the 20th-century British soldier and Arab Revolt leader perhaps more famously known as Lawrence of Arabia. Wander around the sun-burnished courtyards, towers, and mosque to learn how Lawrence based his operations here during 1917 to 1918. After exploring here, relax on your ride back to Amman where your experience finishes with a hotel drop-off.
Tour with Accompanied Guide: Upgrade your tour to include an Accompanied Licensed Guide from Amman to be with you for the visit of the 3 Marvelous Desert Castles.
Duration: 30 minutes
5
Azraq Wetland Reserve
Upgrade: Optional visit of the Azraq Wetland Reserve established in 1978 Water Buffalo for a self-guided Marsh Trail, which is a water nature reserve and oasis for migratory birds located near the desert castles covering 12 kilometers. Walk and explore on your own. Best time to enjoy the scenery is late autumn or spring.
Duration: 30 minutes
Additional info
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Confirmation will be received at the time of booking.
• Airport Pick-up and Drop-off by request.
• Contact your local operator (office phone number, emergency mobile number – out of office hours, or email address) a day before to reconfirm pick-up arrangements provided in your voucher.
• For Jordan Pass holders that purchased tour activity with entrance fees, please inform us to reimburse the entrance fees in destination.
• Tour activity is provided in English. For other languages by request.
• Clients with mobility issues, please contact us.
• Strollers and car seats for infants, please contact us.
• Most local tourist restaurants in Jordan do not serve alcohol, if you do not want a dry restaurant that does not serve alcohol, please contact us.
• For Arab and G.C.C. nationals, please book Jordan Pass option; visits without entrance fees included, as reduced entrance fees apply. It is better for Arab and G.C.C. passport holders to pay directly in destination their entrance fees.
• Clients are advised to bring hats, sun screen, and comfortable walking shoes.
• If travelers select Jordan Pass option, clients should purchase Jordan Pass directly.
• Indicate special dietary requirements at the time of booking.
