Private Half-Day Pella Tour from Amman
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore ancient Pella ruins
- Discover Hellenistic-era architecture
- Visit Roman theater and temples
- Enjoy scenic views of Jordan Valley
- Learn about Decapolis city history
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Entrance fees to Pella Ruins; if option Jordan Pass not selected
- English Speaking Driver
- On board WI-FI
- Private Transfer by air-conditioned leisure new vehicle according number of participants
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- 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
- Guide
- Any other service not mentioned
Itinerary
Drive to visit Pella, with your own private leisure vehicle and English-Speaking Driver who doubles up as your guide. Pella, also known in Arabic as (Tabaqat Fahl), considered one of the most outstanding historical sites on the map of Jordan tourism, its rich in archaeological monuments that go back to the antiquity. During this period Pella was one of the ten cities making up the Decapolis. Pella is a village in North West of Jordan, its located to the East of Al Masharih town; the city was constructed in the Hellenistic Era in the time of Alexander the Great. The first literary reference to the city is from the 19th century B.C. when it is mentioned in Egyptian texts as Pihilum, or Pehel. It was a flourishing trade center, with links with Syria and Cyprus as well as Egypt. On the division of Alexander's Empire, its name was later Hellenized to Pella, in honor of Alexander's birthplace.
In the 7th century A.D., Pella was captured by Arab armies and was a significant city in the Umayyad Empire for over 100 years. However, in 747 A.D., Pella (along with much of Jordan) was destroyed by a huge earthquake. Only a small, rural community lived here afterwards, during the Mamluk and Abbasid periods. Pella is considered more significant to archaeologists than Jerash as it reveals evidence of 6000 years of continuous settlement. In fact, it’s regarded as the most historically significant site in all Jordan. Your tour concludes with a hotel drop-off.
Important information
Know before you book
- Confirm the pickup time and location with the tour operator in advance.
- Ensure your camera or smartphone is fully charged for photos.
- Inform the operator of any special requests or needs prior to booking.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for uneven terrain.
- Bring a hat and sunscreen to protect against the sun.
- Carry a bottle of water to stay hydrated during the tour.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Infant Seats Available
Good to know
- 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.
- 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.
- Clients are advised to bring hats, sun screen, and comfortable walking shoes.
- Pella has no local guides at all.
Traveler reviews
An Unexpected Marvel Even in the Rain
The site is quite amazing, even when viewed from a distance. Unfortunately, the day I toured the area, there was no way to anticipate a sudden sandstorm en route, nor a rain storm in Pella. The weather added a bit of excitement to the tour. The site would definitely be a point of interest to explore - in good weather.
Don’t miss this hidden gem!
Pella was an outstanding experience for us! Absolutely gorgeous site, rich with history and beautiful scenery. Our guide was fantastic, knowledgeable and personable. Would recommend for the adventurous type and for the photographers!
Plesant trip along the Jordan River Valley to Pella
The tour was as described. My driver, Mahmoud, arrived at the hotel for my pickup right on time. He provided quite a bit of information as we drove from Amman to Pella. The route from Salt to Pella was new to me and I enjoyed the beautiful scene overlooking the Jordan River valley. I was the only visitor to Pella on the day I went. There is a visitor center under construction but is not yet open. There are a few signs describing the ruins, it was helpful to do a bit of research ahead of time about the site. This is noting like Jerash. However it is humbling to be able to walk around the ancient city. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes for rough terrain if you go. Mahmoud stopped at a few vantage points so I could take some pictures on the way back. He also stopped at a falafel store and purchase a few tasty ones for me. I enjoyed the outing to explore outside of Amman. This is really more like a 1/2 day tour as we started at 8 am and I was back to the hotel around 12:30.