Best of Desert Castles Private Full-Day Tour

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• Amman Governorate (Pass by)

  Your tour begins with pickup from your hotel or residence in Amman, where we will have a brief introduction and tour overview. If you wish, we can make a quick stop at Starbucks to pick up your favourite coffee before leaving the city. We then begin our journey into Jordan’s eastern desert in a comfortable luxury vehicle equipped with Wi-Fi and phone chargers. Relax during the drive while enjoying your coffee and selected snacks. Complimentary bottled water and soft drinks are also provided throughout the tour.

  Admission ticket free
• 1

  Our first stop is the remarkable Qasr Al‑Mushatta, one of the largest and most ambitious palaces built during the Umayyad period. Dating to the 8th century, the palace is famous for its extraordinary decorative stone façade, which combines Byzantine, Persian, and classical influences. Intricate carvings of vines, acanthus leaves, animals, and geometric patterns reveal the impressive craftsmanship of Umayyad artisans. Although the palace was never fully completed, its monumental scale suggests it was intended to host large gatherings of the Umayyad court.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 2
  Qasr Al-Harranah

  Continuing east along Highway 40, we arrive at the mysterious desert fortress of Qasr Kharana. Built in the early 8th century during the reign of the Umayyad Caliph Al‑Walid I, this square two-storey structure measures about 35 meters on each side and contains dozens of rooms arranged around a central courtyard. Despite its fortress-like appearance, the building likely served as a meeting place, caravan station, or residence for travelers and officials. Inside, several rooms still preserve original decorative details.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 3
  Quseir Amra

  Next we visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Qusayr Amra, one of the most famous and best-preserved Umayyad monuments. This small desert palace is celebrated for its extraordinary frescoes covering the walls and ceilings. The paintings depict royal hunting scenes, musicians, zodiac symbols, and even portraits of rulers from different parts of the world. The complex also includes a bathhouse with cold, warm, and hot rooms, as well as an ingenious water system that once supplied the baths. After exploring the site, you may enjoy a short coffee or tea break at the nearby Bedouin tent beside the visitor center.

  40 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 4
  Qsar Al-Azraq

  Our journey continues to the impressive basalt fortress of Qasr Azraq, located near the historic oasis town of Azraq. Originally used by the Romans for military purposes, the castle later became an important strategic base controlling the desert trade routes. During the Arab Revolt of 1917–1918, it served as headquarters for T. E. Lawrence, whose experiences here were later described in his famous book Seven Pillars of Wisdom. You will have the opportunity to explore the fortress and see the room where Lawrence stayed.

  40 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 5

  A short drive brings us to the beautifully restored bath complex of Hammam As‑Sarah. Built during the Umayyad period, likely under the reign of Caliph Al-Walid I, this elegant limestone structure functioned as a royal bathhouse similar to the one at Qusayr Amra. The complex includes an audience hall, a bath suite, and an advanced water supply system. Despite its relatively small size, the building provides a fascinating insight into early Islamic architecture and daily life.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 6

  Our final stop is the impressive complex of Qasr Al‑Hallabat. Originally built as a Roman fort protecting the important trade route known as the Via Nova Trajana, the site was later transformed by the Umayyads into a large palace complex with defensive walls, towers, a mosque, and residential quarters. Today visitors can admire beautifully restored stone structures, intricate mosaics, and early Islamic architectural details that illustrate the transition from Roman to Islamic culture in the region.

  40 minutes • Admission ticket free
• Amman (Pass by)

  After a full day exploring the Desert Castles and the dramatic landscapes of Jordan’s eastern desert, we will drive you comfortably back to Amman and drop you off at your hotel or residence. You will return with a deeper understanding of the Umayyad period and unforgettable impressions of these remarkable desert monuments.

  Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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