Private Tour: Full-Day Islamic Desert Castles and Ajloun Castle Trip from Amman
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 10 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Tour: Full-Day Islamic Desert Castles and Ajloun Castle Trip from Amman worth booking?
Private Tour: Full-Day Islamic Desert Castles and Ajloun Castle Trip from Amman is a 10-hour experience in Amman, Jordan, from $40 per person. It scores 69 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 10 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 69 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (10)
- Duration
- 10 hours
- From
- $40 per person
Look beyond Jordan’s most celebrated attractions to see some lesser-known historical treasures on this private Islamic Desert Castles day trip from Amman. Head east in this long trip to Al-Azraq, a castle that Lawrence o
What you get
- English-Speaking Driver
- Hotel pick up and drop off
- On board WI-FI
- Private Transfer by air-conditioned leisure new vehicle according to number of participants
- Additional Guide at the Desert Castles; if option with guide is selected
- Entrance Fees: Al- Azraq, Amra, and Al-Kharanah Castles; if option Jordan Pass not selected
About this experience
Look beyond Jordan’s most celebrated attractions to see some lesser-known historical treasures on this private Islamic Desert Castles day trip from Amman. Head east in this long trip to Al-Azraq, a castle that Lawrence of Arabia once used as a headquarters, and then explore the fresco-painted masterpiece of Amra and Al -Kharanah Castles. Finish at Ajloun, a hilltop medieval fortress built to defend against the Crusaders. Your tour includes private leisure transportation with English-Speaking Driver, hotel pick up and drop off, as well as entrance fees if Jordan Pass option not selected.
What's included
Included
- English-Speaking Driver
- Hotel pick up and drop off
- On board WI-FI
- Private Transfer by air-conditioned leisure new vehicle according to number of participants
- Additional Guide at the Desert Castles; if option with guide is selected
- Entrance Fees: Al- Azraq, Amra, and Al-Kharanah Castles; if option Jordan Pass not selected
- Entrance Fees to Ajloun Castle; if option Jordan Pass not selected
Not included
- 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
What you'll see and do
Amman
After pick-up from your central Amman by private, air-conditioned vehicle with your own private English-Speaking Driver who doubles up as your guide, relax as you journey out of the city and into the desert plains of eastern Jordan. Drive with your friendly informative English-Speaking Driver 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. Your tour is private, so the itinerary can be tailored to suit your interests.
90 minutes here
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 frescoes showing decadent scenes of nude women, wine, and parties.
90 minutes here · Admission included
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.
90 minutes here · Admission included
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 and learn how Lawrence based his operations here during 1917 to 1918.
90 minutes here · Admission included
Ajlun Castle (Qala'at ar-Rabad)
Having explored here, continue to the 12th-century Castle of Ajloun, built in the time of Saladin to defend against Crusader armies. Head inside this semi-intact hilltop fortress, and roam the rambling corridors and staircases. See the murder holes used by the invaders, and admire the stunning views over the lush hills of the Jordan Valley from the towers. Then, reconvene with your vehicle and relax on your long ride back to Amman where your trip ends with a hotel drop-off.
240 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
Tour with Guide
Tour with Accompanied Guide: Classic Visit to the Castles: Qasr Amra, Qasr Kharaneh, Qasr Azraq and Ajloun Caslte with Accompanied Guide Pickup included
Tour with Lunch
Classic Visit to the Castles: Qasr Amra, Qasr Kharaneh, Qasr Azraq and Ajloun Caslte with lunch at a local restaurant. Pickup included
Tour with Lunch and Guide
Classic Visit to the Castles: Qasr Amra, Qasr Kharaneh, Qasr Azraq and Ajloun Caslte with Guide and lunch Pickup included
Castle Tours
Classic Visit to the Castles: Qasr Amra, Qasr Kharaneh, Qasr Azraq and Ajloun Caslte from Amman Pickup included
Tour For Jordan Pass Holders
Classic Visit to the Castles: Qasr Amra, Qasr Kharaneh, Qasr Azraq and Ajloun Caslte from Amman without entrance fees Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Zaid Tours and Travel
Know before you go
- Specialized infant seats are available
- 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.
Photos
Good to know
- Duration
- 10 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $40 to $433
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 4
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Zaid Tours and Travel, who run 67 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 53.1.
See everything Zaid Tours and Travel runsWhy this scores 69
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Tour: Full-Day Islamic Desert Castles and Ajloun Castle Trip from Amman: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Amman.
How much does Private Tour: Full-Day Islamic Desert Castles and Ajloun Castle Trip from Amman cost?
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Prices start at $40 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Amman usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Private Tour: Full-Day Islamic Desert Castles and Ajloun Castle Trip from Amman take?
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Plan for about 10 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Amman is not rushed.
Is Private Tour: Full-Day Islamic Desert Castles and Ajloun Castle Trip from Amman worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 69 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 10 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Amman, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Private Tour: Full-Day Islamic Desert Castles and Ajloun Castle Trip from Amman?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Private Tour: Full-Day Islamic Desert Castles and Ajloun Castle Trip from Amman suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 10-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Tour: Full-Day Islamic Desert Castles and Ajloun Castle Trip from Amman?
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Around 4 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Amman can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Amman and add a light layer if any part of the 10-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Tour: Full-Day Islamic Desert Castles and Ajloun Castle Trip from Amman start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Amman within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Amman?
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On Outty we rank every Amman experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include From Amman: Petra and Wadi rum Private/Group Full day Tour, From Amman :Private or Group Full day tour to Petra, Amman Petra Full-Day Trip. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Amman?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Amman?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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