Jordan · DESERT CASTLES TOURS

The 12 Best Desert Castle Tours from Amman

12 tours  ·  from $69

The Umayyad castles east of Amman are a half-day loop across flat basalt, and the frescoed bathhouse at Qusayr Amra is the payoff. These 12 differ on how many of the three they reach and whether a driver waits for you.

From Amman: Umayyad Desert Castles Tour with Transfer - The road from Amman to the Eastern Desert
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From Amman: Umayyad Desert Castles Tour with Transfer

1.Umayyad Desert Castles Tour with Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 69 reviews · 6 hours · from $82Our pick

Leave Amman for the Eastern Desert with an English-speaking driver, visiting Quseir Amra, early Islamic art, and Azraq’s black basalt fort linked to Lawrence of Arabia. Expect a comfortable six-hour outing, scenic desert roads, and castle visits that are easy to fit into a busy Jordan itinerary.

“An excellent tour, with 3 desert structures truly unique in the world. It is not everyday one can see 2 UNESCO-sponsored sites in a day. We loved our guide Yazan. This is a unique opportunity to see the Jordan desert and border towns. Don't forget water, a snack and the sun shades.”

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From Amman: Desert Castles of Eastern Jordan Tour - Quseir Amra and its remarkable painted walls
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From Amman: Desert Castles of Eastern Jordan Tour

2.Desert Castles of Eastern Jordan Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 53 reviews · 4 - 6 hours · from $93

Travel by private air-conditioned vehicle from Amman to Quseir Amra, Qasr Al Kharanah, and Azraq Castle. Your English-speaking driver, such as Hassan or Amer, provides history along the way. Add a castle guide, lunch, or the Azraq Wetland Reserve for a fuller day.

“Thank you. Looking forward to having you, your family, and friends with us again.”

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From Amman: Full-Day tour Amman city tour and desert castles - Roman Theatre: Amman’s ancient stage
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From Amman: Full-Day tour Amman city tour and desert castles

3.Full-Day tour Amman city tour and desert castles

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · from $89Top rated

Spend 10 to 12 hours exploring Amman’s Roman Theatre and Citadel, then ride into the desert to see Kharana, Quseir Amra, and Al-Azraq castles. You’ll have private transport, hotel pickup, water, and Wi-Fi. Driver Saada is noted for friendly help, though admission and a local guide cost extra.

“This tour was a good way to enjoy a road trip in some of the further reaches of Jordan and the heart of its capital. Each historic site had its own vibe. It was an interesting experience to be able to walk and climb around each of the places. After the desert we went back to tRead more”

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Private Tour of Desert Castles Eastern Jordan with optional Azraq Wetland Visit - Qusayr Amra and its startling frescoes
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Private Tour of Desert Castles Eastern Jordan with optional Azraq Wetland Visit

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

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 21 reviews · from $93

Travel by private air-conditioned vehicle from Amman to three Umayyad desert castles. Your English-speaking driver handles transport and can adjust the pace. Add a licensed guide, lunch, or a self-guided walk at Azraq Wetland Reserve.

“For an additional charge, I was picked up at my hotel in Madaba rather than from Amman, which was nice. The driver (Amer?) was friendly and interesting to talk with, but frankly not a great (i.e. attentive) driver by Western standards. Anyway, the sites, particular Qusayr Read more”

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Day Tour To Desert Castles & Cave of the Seven Sleepers - Qusayr Amra and the Umayyad frescoes
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Day Tour To Desert Castles & Cave of the Seven Sleepers

5.Day Tour To Desert Castles & Cave of the Seven Sleepers

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews · from $83

From Amman, your English-speaking driver takes you to Azraq Castle, UNESCO-listed Qusayr Amra, Qasr al-Kharrana, and the Cave of the Seven Sleepers. Expect a private, five-to-eight-hour outing with bottled water, WiFi, hotel pickup, and entry fees generally paid separately.

“My driver, Mohammad Bardaghawi, was right on time and knowledgable ehough about the 4 sites we visited that a guide was unnecessary. He structured the day around it being a Friday (Muslim Sunday) starting at the Cave of the Seven Sleepers. Each of the desert "castles" is different in style and purpose and all are well worth seeing.”

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5-Desert Castles of Jordan Full-Day Private Tour from Amman - What the private vehicle adds to the experience
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5-Desert Castles of Jordan Full-Day Private Tour from Amman

6.5-Desert Castles of Jordan Full-Day Private Tour from Amman

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 11 reviews · from $139

Travel east from Amman with a private English-speaking driver to visit Qusayr Amra, Kharana, and Azraq. Upgrade to include Hallabat and Umm al Jimal. The day lasts about 7 to 8 hours, with bottled water, Wi-Fi, and room to spread out between remote sites.

“This tour one of the best tour we ever had to the desert castles of Eastern of Jordan. We really had an amazing time, especially our driver Jehad, he was so friendly.”

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Day Tour Desert Castles & Azraq Wetland Reserve - Qasr Al-Harrana and the feel of a desert fortress
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Day Tour Desert Castles & Azraq Wetland Reserve

7.Day Tour Desert Castles & Azraq Wetland Reserve

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 11 reviews · from $69Best value

Travel from Amman to Quseir Amra, Qasr Al-Harrana, Al-Mshatta, and Azraq Wetland Reserve with an English-speaking driver. Expect striking Islamic art, desert scenery, birdlife, and about 4 to 7 hours on the road. Ask ahead if you need a true guide rather than transport only.

“The information regarding this tour is misleading. It is not a tour, but rather it consists of a driver who transports you to the sites. He did not provide us w knowledge of the region or the sites. You would be better off simply hiring a driver that can be arranged by your hotel and is less costly.”

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Private Tour: Full-Day Islamic Desert Castles and Ajloun Castle Trip from Amman - Why these four castles make an unusual Jordan day trip
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Private Tour: Full-Day Islamic Desert Castles and Ajloun Castle Trip from Amman

8.Private Tour: Full-Day Islamic Desert Castles and Ajloun Castle Trip from Amman

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $126

Spend about 10 hours with a private English-speaking driver such as Mazen, Hasan, or Amer, visiting Amra’s rare Umayyad frescoes, Kharaneh, Azraq, and Ajloun Castle. Hotel pickup, transport, Wi-Fi, and entrance fees are included, with lunch available as an option.

“The tour though started behind schedule was good. The Qasr Harranah, Qasr Amra and Qasr Azraq though popular were not very impressive. Local guides behave arrogant with individual tourists and would stand in the midst of sites where others want to take pics. ThRead more”

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From Amman: Full-Day Tour to Amman City and Desert Castles - The Citadel: Ancient Amman Above the City
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From Amman: Full-Day Tour to Amman City and Desert Castles

9.Full-Day Tour to Amman City and Desert Castles

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · from $99

Spend 7 to 8 hours with an English-speaking driver exploring Amman’s Roman Theatre, Citadel, old markets, King Abdullah Mosque, and three desert castles. Private transport, hotel pickup, bottled water, and onboard WiFi are included. Entry tickets may be added when booking.

“We were amazed by the mix of culture and history on this tour. Our driver Mahmoud was fantastic—he was friendly, patient, and had excellent knowledge about both the city and the desert castles. We felt very well taken care of. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone visiting Jordan.”

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Desert Castles of Jordan Private Full-Day Tour from Amman - Qasr Kharana, the Most Atmospheric Stop
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Desert Castles of Jordan Private Full-Day Tour from Amman

10.Desert Castles of Jordan Private Full-Day Tour from Amman

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $139

Travel privately from Amman with an English-speaking driver such as Eyad, Ibrahim, or Emad. Visit three Umayyad desert castles, see Qusayr Amra’s unusual 8th-century frescoes, and explore Azraq Fortress, linked to Lawrence of Arabia.

“Very professional organization that responded quickly to a last minute reservation inquiry and timely on all confirmations. I was fortunate to have Eyad as my driver who is very friendly, patient, and safe. Transportation was roomy and comfortable for the drives. The three castRead more”

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Shaumari Reserve and Azraq Wetland Private Full Day Tour from Amman - Leaving Amman for the Azraq Basin
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Shaumari Reserve and Azraq Wetland Private Full Day Tour from Amman

11.Shaumari Reserve and Azraq Wetland Private Full Day Tour from Amman

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $186

Travel privately from Amman to Shaumari Wildlife Reserve and Azraq Wetland Reserve with an English-speaking driver, nature guide, entrance fees, and a 4x4 safari included. See Arabian oryx, Somali ostriches, water buffalo trails, migratory birds, and historic Azraq sites in one long nature day.

“We had a really nice day with our driver (we forgot his name so sorry, it was April 20th), he added a free stop at a nice castle on the way back. If you are animal lovers we recommend it, even if the price is quite expensive. Our guide in ShaumRead more”

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Amman city tour & Desert castles sightseeing - Driving east to Qasr Al-Harranah
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Amman city tour & Desert castles sightseeing

12.Amman city tour & Desert castles sightseeing

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 3 reviews · from $98

Spend about eight hours touring Amman and Jordan’s desert castles with a private English-speaking driver. Visit the Citadel, Roman-era downtown sights, Qasr Al-Harranah, UNESCO-listed Quseir Amra, and Azraq Castle. Hotel pickup, drop-off, and air-conditioned transport are included, but entrance fees and a tour guide cost extra.

“Last minute arranged trip. Mohammed was very accommodating and arranged a super productive and efficient day. Clean, comfortable car, even has wifi!”

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