Your journey begins with a warm welcome and a short introduction to the day’s adventure. Before leaving Amman, we can make a quick stop at Starbucks so you can pick up your favourite coffee if you wish. From there, we head east toward the desert on a comfortable 1-hour drive (about 95 km) from Amman to our first destination, Quseir Amra. You will travel in a luxury vehicle equipped with Wi-Fi, allowing you to relax while sipping your coffee and enjoying a selection of snacks. Complimentary water and soft drinks are provided, and phone chargers are available for your convenience.
Qusayr Amra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most famous and best-preserved monuments from the Umayyad period. This small desert palace is celebrated for its extraordinary frescoes that cover the walls and ceilings. The vibrant 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 relaxing coffee or tea break at the traditional Bedouin tent beside the visitor centre.
Next we visit the beautiful Azraq Wetland Reserve, a unique oasis located near the historic town of Azraq in the heart of the Eastern Desert. The reserve is a haven of biodiversity and an important habitat for numerous aquatic and terrestrial species, including the Azraq killifish, the only vertebrate species endemic to Jordan. Here we will walk the 1.5 km (1 mile) Marsh Trail, which usually takes about 30–40 minutes to complete. The path follows natural tracks originally created by water buffalo that still roam through the wetlands. Along the trail you can also see the remains of a basalt wall dating to the Umayyad period. During our visit we will observe birds from a hide and feed the fish in the clear springs. The visitor centre also features a small museum, picnic area, and restroom facilities.
Our journey continues to the impressive basalt fortress of Qasr Azraq, located near the oasis town of Azraq. Originally used by the Romans for military purposes, the castle later became an important strategic base controlling desert trade routes. During the Arab Revolt, it served as headquarters for T. E. Lawrence, who later described his experiences here in his famous book Seven Pillars of Wisdom. You will have the opportunity to explore the fortress and see the room where Lawrence stayed.
One of the hidden highlights of eastern Jordan is Qasr Usaykhim, located about 22 km (14 miles) north of Azraq. We will drive off-road to reach this dramatic hilltop fort. A short but rewarding climb brings us to the ruins, where you will enjoy sweeping views across the surrounding Black Desert. A large stone arch at the site creates a perfect natural frame for photographs with the vast volcanic landscape stretching behind.
Next is a 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.
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.
After a full day exploring the Desert Castles and the dramatic landscapes of Jordan’s eastern desert, we will drive comfortably back through Zarqa to Amman, where you will be dropped off at your hotel or residence. You will return with a deeper understanding of the Umayyad era and unforgettable memories of these remarkable desert monuments scattered across Jordan’s vast desert landscape.
We absolutely loved the tour of the Desert Castles with Alex! In addition to the castles, Alex took us to the Oasis where we saw some birds and fed fish. We also took a walk in the black desert, Alex showed us a great spot to take amazing photos. A photo on the arch of the ruined Roman watch tower with stunning views looks really nice! Thank you Alex for making it so memorable.
Alex Bezrukov my guide who is well travelled explains history, archeology, art, culture and period. Alex took me to these castles.. I was intrigued.. one is a UNESCO preserved site.. one of its kind you will not see anywhere else.. Alex provided me the time and space to view and experience the history art and culture, i as a tourist am looking for, not rushed.. these castles and the oasis are a must. The Oasis is a sad reminder of what was there long ago and what is not there now.. thank-you Alex for the Jordan experience of a life time Rosemary from Canada
What a wonderful day trip from Amman! Beginning with the pick up by amazing Alex in a comfortable and well stocked vehicle, we were soon on the way to the east of Jordan with Alex answering all of our questions with his wealth of knowledge. Each stop on the itinerary had us saying "wow", and we had plenty of time to explore, photograph and learn about the sights. Thanks again Alex for making the day so fantastic!
Mutasem Shajrawi - Outlets Manager very implicated and present everywhere, full of energy and kind. Murad Mamani - Night Manager, resourcefull and efficient, allways helpfull and kind. Zaher- waiter from breakfast to dinner, he will make your stay so nice and confortable, always by your side and resolve any matter. Drivers, Ahmed and Adnan, so nice to spend a day or just a trip to airport with them. Helpfull information and Adnan will make you feel like home everywhere tou go. Trust him with his food choice and highlights of the area. Overall, verry nice experience and definetly come back.
Alex is the best. He knows his stuff, is always on time, goes beyond the call of duty to take care of his clients. You forgot water? Alex has you covered. You need a bit of sugar to boost your energy? Alex is way ahead of you. You already bought a Jordan Pass? Alex will reimburse every entry fee he doesn't need to pay for you. The itinerary is very well designed and Alex is happy to take into consideration any physical limitations you may have, even if it is just because you hiked a little too hard the day before =) . This tour took us to some awesome well-known spots as well as some more esoteric spots Alex has discovered through years of research and exploration. You will not be disappointed.
Excellent. Our best tour operator yet. The itinerary was carefully thought through and well balanced. The trip represented great travel for the cost. Our booking was easy and questions were handled promptly and thoroughly. The transfers were perfect and done with a high-class vehicle. Alex is very knowledgeable, enthusiastic and attentive to our requests. We really enjoyed the tour. Thank you!
We wanted to visit the desert castles but also wanted to mix them with nature and this tour offered us exactly what we wanted and more. A stop at the reserve to see Orixes was really wonderful and educational. We went off-road a couple of times to see hard to reach Roman Forst and it was absolutely great. We even stopped on the way to take photos with a baby camel! It was a great tour, kudus to Alex for putting together such a wonderful program.
This was a great tour with a lot of variety! It was a wonderful opportunity to learn about the various structures in the desert. Qasr Amra is a must see with its unique frescoes. The trip also included a hike in the Black Desert and a visit to the Azraq Oasis. The oasis offers a chance to see some birds and learn about water management/environmental challenges in Jordan. I was also able to visit the nearby Oryx reserve, although this was an optional add on but a neat stop for learning more about how this animal was brought back from the brink of extinction. Overall, the trip had a large amount of variety between nature and history. Alex was professional, engaging, and knowledgeable. Water, soft drinks, and snacks were included.
Alex was extremely professional from point of booking. He gave clear instructions and met us at our hotel. Alex had a very nice and comfortable car which he provided: Wi-Fi, snacks, water and chocolates. He had an iPad loaded with movies but we didn’t use as he was great conversationalist (has had a very vibrant and interesting life) Alex was very knowable and took us many areas which the main tourists groups would not go (4WD’in) Wish we had more time in Jordan to do another tour with Alex.
That was amazing, I really love the castles, especially Ames with all its paintings. The walk in the desert was a crazy beautiful experience and the oasis with many birds was a treat to top it all. Alex is very kind and flexible and addressed all my needs. I’m really happy I picked this tour.
That was an exceptional tour with Alex, we were so happy to do it. After visiting Petra and Wadi Rum, we decided to see more of Jordan and found this tour to Desert Castles. Alex made it very interesting, educational and exciting: from a walk in the wild desert, discovering castles and learning about Islamic culture and history to feeding fish in the oasis... it was a perfect tour to remember.
I have taken several private day tours in my travels over the years and this tour was one of the best. Alex, the guide, is so knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the places we visited and the history of the area that it was a pleasure to get to know him. Because of Alex I was able to venture off the beaten path and see places in Jordan I would never have seen otherwise. It was a great day for me and one which definitely broadened my understanding of this part of the world.
We did this tour during September when still somehow hot but yer enjoyable... now would be the perfect timing to book it as the weather will be perfectly pleasant. You get to discover some beautiful spots that otherwise would remain hidden from you. I went with my two kids who had a blast discovering the sites and finding their way around like little monkeys :-) what I enjoyed most is that we went to different destinations so be prepared to have the entirety of the day booked and got to discover part of the country try but also region's history that remains very well preserved surprisingly. This tour is perfect as much for couples and for families because adults and children enjoy the site seeing.
Journée inoubliable grâce à Alex qui nous a fait partager beaucoup de choses en très peu de temps . Et l aide de sont fils pour la traduction nous a été très précieuse et nous a beaucoup apporté de plaisir dans le partage.
Alex war ein sehr! angenehmer Guide ,er kam sehr pünktlich mit einem sehr gepflegten Auto, hat uns die Tour erklärt und uns nach unseren Wünschen befragt. Er hat sich auch sehr viel Mühe mit der Sprache gegeben da wir noch nicht so gut die englische Sprache beherrschen. Wir haben sehr viel über das Land ,die Menschen und deren Geschichte gelernt. Die Tour war auch sehr abwechslungsreich und der Lunch genau richtig. Schade das dieser Trip so schnell vorbei war, wir können den Alex 100%ig weiter empfehlen.
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