Magpie
4.3(23 reviews)

Private Tour of Desert Castles Eastern Jordan with optional Azraq Wetland Visit

From$93.33
8 hours
Commentary: Guide · en

About this activity

Discover Jordan's rich history and natural beauty on a private tour of desert castles and the Azraq Wetland Reserve, with personalized guidance and comfortable transportation.

Highlights

  • Explore ancient desert castles
  • Discover UNESCO World Heritage sites
  • Visit the historic Qasr al-Azraq
  • Experience the unique Azraq Wetland Reserve
  • Enjoy personalized guided tours

Full description

Discover three of Jordan’s famous Desert Castles in this trip from Amman. With your informative private English-Speaking Driver, learn about these fabled castles, built by the Umayyad rulers during the 7th and 8th centuries as you visit each one in the desert plains of eastern Jordan. Explore UNESCO-listed Amra Castle (Quseir’ Amra), famous for its 8th century fresco of hedonistic scenes before continuing to the Kharana Castle (Qasr Al - Kharanah) and the atmospheric Al - Azraq Castle (Qasr Al - Azraq), the latter used as military based by T.E. Lawrence, known as Lawrence of Arabia during World War I. Upgrade your tour with a Guide. You can also add the Azraq wetland visit. Return to your hotel.

Included / Excluded

  • English-Speaking Driver
  • Hotel pick up and drop off
  • Al Azraq Wetland Reserve Entrance Fees with Self-Guided Marsh Trail; if option selected
  • Private Transfer by air-conditioned leisure new vehicle according to number of participants
  • On board WI-FI
  • Additional Guide of Desert Castles, if option selected
  • Entrance to Amra Castle, Al Kharanah Castle, & Al – Azraq Castle; if option Jordan Pass not selected
  • 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
  • Any other service not mentioned

Itinerary

1

After pick up from your central Amman by private, air-conditioned vehicle, relax as you journey out of the city and into the desert plains of eastern Jordan. Drive with your friendly informative English-Speaking Driver who doubles up as your guide 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 or another castle you’d like to visit, at your own expense. Your tour is private, so the itinerary can be tailored to suit your interests.

Duration: 1 hourAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
2

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 fresco showing decadent scenes of nude women, wine, and parties.

Duration: 45 minAdmission: YES
3

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.

Duration: 45 minAdmission: YES
4

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 to learn how Lawrence based his operations here during 1917 to 1918. After exploring here, relax on your ride back to Amman where your experience finishes with a hotel drop-off. Tour with Accompanied Guide: Upgrade your tour to include an Accompanied Licensed Guide from Amman to be with you for the visit of the 3 Marvelous Desert Castles.

Duration: 30 minAdmission: YES
5

Upgrade: Optional visit of the Azraq Wetland Reserve established in 1978 Water Buffalo for a self-guided Marsh Trail, which is a water nature reserve and oasis for migratory birds located near the desert castles covering 12 kilometers. Walk and explore on your own. Best time to enjoy the scenery is late autumn or spring.

Duration: 1 hourAdmission: NO

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 preferences.
  • Check the weather forecast and dress 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 refillable water bottle to stay hydrated.

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.

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

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23 reviews
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My guide and driver were...

My guide and driver were awesome. Exceeded my expectations. I learned history and culture. They were responsive to my needs, questions and desires.

BettyA_SJan 31, 2026VIATOR

Great tour of desert castles with an amazing driver.

Issa was so helpful and friendly, we had a great time visiting the desert castles and discovering the steppe east of Amman. Special thanks for the smooth and safe driving, which is not a negligible comfort on Jordan’s highways !

beautifullotusDec 22, 2025TRIPADVISOR

Great tour & a chance to...

Great tour & a chance to see something unique. Some castles were small but easy to cover in the allotted time.

Mary_SMar 13, 2025VIATOR

Discovering castles and more

We spent a wonderful day exploring the castles in the desert. Our guide, Hasan, accompanied us on this private tour giving us information about the culture, history and traditions of Jordan. He then took us to a typical restaurant otherwise unavailable where we could appreciate the typical and true local cuisine. Absolutely recommended!

Cruiser51397822452Dec 30, 2024TRIPADVISOR

Fantastic and Flexible

Basel was an amazing driver full of information we wouldn't have found !elsewhere. He was entirely flexible and atune to our needs adding and deleting things as we requested! We enjoyed his company so much, we joined him for a second day!

Rebecca_TApr 24, 2024VIATOR

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.
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