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Jordan’s Desert Castles - Tour from Amman

Available in English Hotel Pick up included

Activity Schedule

  • When does it run?

    Daily

  • Duration

    6 hours

  • Start time

    Start time: 0800h (08:00am)
    Duration: 6 hours

  • Meeting Point
    Pick up from your hotel. (Please mention your hotel name and address at the time of booking. If you do not have this information now, our customer service executives will get in touch and confirm the details)
  • Ending Point

    Your hotel in Amman

Key Highlights

  • See the imposing Qasr Amra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Admire the isolated splendour of Jordan′s imposing Desert Castles

Overview

Go back in time to the era of military campaigns and desert warfare as you explore Jordan’s imposing Desert Castles, many dating back to the first half of the 8th century. Their fine mosaics, frescoes, stone and stucco carvings and illustrations, inspired by the best in Persian and Graeco-Roman traditions, tell countless stories of the life as it was during the eighth century. Called castles because of their imposing stature, the desert complexes actually served various purposes as caravan stations, agriculture and trade centres, resort pavilions and outposts that helped distant rulers forge ties with local Bedouins.

On this tour, you will visit three castles. The Qasr (Castle) Amra, an excellently preserved castle and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The black basalt fort at Qasr Azraq was made famous by the Lawrence of Arabia who used it as his headquarters during the Arab Revolt. Qasr Kharaneh is one of the best-preserved Umayyad monuments in the Jordanian desert.

Entrance fees to all sites are included and you have the choice to explore the sites independently or enlist the services and knowledge of a local guide.

Itinerary

You will be picked up from your hotel in a private air-conditioned car/mini van and taken on a sightseeing tour of the Desert Castles in the Jordanian desert.

Jordan's desert castles are a beautiful example of both early Islamic art and architecture and stand testament to a fascinating era in the country's rich history.

On this tour you will visit:

Qasr Amra: This is one of the best preserved monuments and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its interior walls and ceilings are covered with lively frescoes, and two of the rooms are paved with colorful mosaics. The paintings include themes such as hunting, dancing, and musicians, bathing scenes, cupids, and personifications of history, philosophy and poetry.

Qasr Kharraneh: With its imposing walls and panoramic views, it looks more like a palace. It is one of the best-preserved Umayyad monuments.

Qasr Azraq: Crafted from the region's black basalt rocks, the ancient fortress at Azraq has been in continuous use since late Roman times. It was the headquarters of Lawrence of Arabia during the Arab Revolt.

At the end of the tour, you will be dropped back to your hotel in Amman.

Inclusions

  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off
  • Transportation in a private air-conditioned car/mini van
  • English speaking driver
  • Entrance fee to the Desert Castles

Exclusions

  • Meals

Additional info

The confirmation voucher includes the local activity operator’s contact details and local telephone numbers at the destination. They will happily answer any logistical questions you may have.

Customer Reviews

  • d batten
    Interesting Castle Tour

    The tour company were prompt, professional and informative. The tour itself was very enjoyable - the castles of Eastern Jordan are fascinating and intriguing....

    United Kingdom 12/31/2013

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