Magpie
4.3(3 reviews)

Private Tour: Full Day Trip of Jerash, Umm Qais, and Pella from Amman

From$160
8 hours
Commentary: Guide · en, fr, es

About this activity

Experience a full-day private tour from Amman to explore the ancient sites of Jerash, Umm Qais, and Pella, immersing yourself in Jordan's rich history and culture.

Highlights

  • Explore ancient Roman ruins in Jerash
  • Visit the Greco-Roman city of Umm Qais
  • Discover the archaeological site of Pella
  • Enjoy panoramic views of the Jordan Valley
  • Experience Jordan's rich historical heritage

Full description

Jordan is blessed with some of Middle East’s best-preserved classical Greco – Roman sites, and this 10-hour private trip from Amman covers three in one day. Explore Jerash, one of the world’s most impressive Greco-Roman archaeological sites. Tour these amazing ruins at Umm Qais; and visit Pella, where ancient relics intermingle with Roman monuments. Your trip includes private transportation, hotel pick up and drop off, entrance fees, and a local guide to show you Jerash.

Included / Excluded

  • English-Speaking Driver
  • Hotel pick up and drop off
  • Entrance Fees to the mentioned sites: Umm Qais and its museum; if option Jordan Pass not selected
  • Private Transfer by air-conditioned leisure new vehicle according to number of participants
  • On board WI-FI
  • Entrance Fees to the mentioned sites: Jerash and Pella ruins; if option Jordan Pass not selected
  • Local English-Speaking guide for classic visit of Jerash (Spanish-French by request-availability)
  • 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 and Local Guide) – Recommended
  • Personal Expenses
  • Local Guide at Umm Qais or Pella
  • Any other service not mentioned

Itinerary

1

Meet your own private English-Speaking Driver who doubles up as your guide at your central Amman hotel and board your comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle. Then, start out on your full-day trip to Jerash and Umm Qais, home to the ruins of two of ancient Rome’s Decapolis cities — a group of 10 situated on the frontiers of the Roman Empire in the Middle East.

Duration: 1 hourAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
2

First, venture northward through Jordan’s green landscapes to Jerash, a modern city fringed by the relics of the once-prosperous Roman city known as “Gerasa” - Jerash. Meet your friendly local guide at the entrance, and enjoy a private tour of the spectacular site, one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the Middle East. Pass through the monumental Hadrian’s Arch that was the city’s main gateway, and ogle the classic ruins spread before you.

Duration: 2 hoursAdmission: YES
3

Then, stroll around this once-bustling city to see highlights such as the colonnaded avenue, the Temples of Zeus and Artemis, the Hippodrome chariot-racing arena, and the Oval Plaza; an egg-shaped forum framed by a ring of standing columns. As you explore, hear captivating tales about “Gerasa” during its heyday. Learn how Alexander the Great conquered the city in the 2nd century B.C., and how later, local farmers cultivated much-coveted fruits and vegetables to sell on to the wealthy Roman residents.

Duration: 1 hourAdmission: YES
4

After free time to explore on your won, continue to the village of Umm Qais, overlooking the ruins of another Roman Decapolis city known as “Gadara”. Soak up the views from here over the Sea of Galilee and Golan Heights to explore the Greco-Roman ruins, including the amphitheater, crumbled mausoleum, basilica terrace, as well as other theaters and treasures. Then, visit the town’s museum to admire some of the precious artifacts recovered from the site, including mosaics and marble statues.

Duration: 3 hoursAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
5

Next, drive to Pella, the remains of a Hellenistic city, and earlier and later settlements. First mentioned as “Pihilum” or “Pehel” by the Egyptians in the 19th century B.C. Pella prospered when the Romans arrived, building temples, theaters, and baths. See the antiquities, some dating back more than 8,000 years. Journey back to Amman where your trip concludes with a hotel drop-off.

Duration: 3 hoursAdmission: YES

Important information

Know before you book

  • Confirm the tour date and time with the provider in advance.
  • Inform the provider of any dietary restrictions or special requests.
  • Be aware that some sites may have limited facilities; plan accordingly.

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 throughout the day.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 1 days before the activity starts

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.
  • 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.

Traveler reviews

4.3
3 reviews
5
2
4
0
3
1
2
0
1
0

Don’t book the full day trip to Jerash, Umm Qais and Pella

The driver was very pleasant. However, the visit to Pella was a bust. It was closed. There was no one available and we turned around having spent about two hours traveling there. The only exciting part of the trip was Jerash. The guide was excellent and the visit therefore meaningful. At Umm Qais there was no guide. Other than the views of the surrounding area it also was very disappointing. I would have benefited from just visiting the citadel and Jerash on this day. I would NEVER recommend this excursion to others. In fact, it was a huge waste of time that could have been spent more productively closer to Amman.

Elma_RMay 7, 2023VIATOR

Jerash tour was well worth it.

Our driver was excellent and very helpful during the tours. He was mindful of our needs and had a good attitude.

Patrick_WApr 15, 2023VIATOR

So much fun because of the driver...

<p>So much fun because of the driver, Amr. The best preserved Roman ruins is not an exaggeration.</p>

Georgina DJul 30, 2016VIATOR

Additional information

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. If local guides are available at Umm Qais, your driver can assist in hiring the guide and payment can be done directly by traveler in destination, Pella has no local guides at all.
Book Now