from 130$
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Desert Castles Tour

Start from Dead Sea
Excellent
Duration

Full Day

Cancellation

Up to 6 days

Group Size

6 people

Languages

English, Other

Highlights

  • Desert Castle: Beautiful example of both early Islamic art and architecture, “the imposing stature” Desert castles.
  • Al-Kharana: Qasr al-Kharana is the only Umayyad desert palace that was built for defensive purposes.
  • Quseir Amra: A masterpiece of creative human genius, a unique testimony to a cultural tradition.
  • Al Azraq Castle: The headquarters used by Lawrence of Arabia in the desert during The Great Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire.

What you will do

Itenirary
Pickup

Pickup from your central hotel, settle into your private, air-conditioned vehicle with your private driver, who doubles as your guide on your journey.

Itenirary
Qasr Kharana

Qasr Kharana, welcomes tourists as one of the Desert Castles in this region. It is square, with each side 35 metres long. This unit was often used as a module, being multiplied by two and sometimes by four for this kind of construction. Its plan is typical: a courtyard surrounded on two levels by rooms arranged as accommodation units, or bayt. In this case, they are of the type Creswell defines as “Syrian”, as opposed to “Persian”: four rooms laid out two by two around a central courtyard which provides the sole access. On the outside bricks are laid at an angle of 45° recalling the minaret of the Grand Mosque in Raqqa. The most striking decorative feature, however, is the stucco work over the entrance and on the upper floor. During this period carved or moulded stucco ornamentation was widespread from Afghanistan to Spain. Very popular with the Romans, it reappeared in Carolingian Europe – in Germigny and Cividale, for instance – at a time when there was very close contact between Orient and Occident.

Itenirary
Qasr Amra

Heading to Qasr Amra, situated 75km East of Amman on highway 40, is one of the best-preserved monuments and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its interior walls and ceilings are covered with lively frescoes, and two of the rooms are paved with colourful mosaics. The paintings include themes such as hunting, dancing, and musicians, bathing scenes, cupids, and personifications of history, philosophy and poetry. Most of the buildings are still standing and can be visited. The plan of the building consists of 3 main elements: a rectangular audience hall with a throne alcove in the middle of the south side, a bath complex which comprises 3 rooms corresponding to the frigidarium, tepidarium and calidarium, i.e. the cold, warm and hot rooms respectively and the hydraulic structures which include an elevated water-tank, a masonry-lined deep well, and the apparatus for drawing water from the well into the water tank. Two feeder pipes drained water from the elevated tank to the shallow pool or fountain in the audience hall into a plastered tank, which stood above the furnace. Recent excavations by the Spanish Archaeological Mission discovered the foundations of a smaller courtyard castle.

Itenirary
Qasr Al Azraq

Proceed to Qasr Azraq, along with Qasr Kharana and Qasr Amra, both east of the capital and reached via Highway 40. Visitors can explore most of the castle, both upstairs and downstairs, except for some sections closed off while the rock is shored up. Its strategic value came from the nearby oasis, the only water source in a vast desert region. The settlement was known in antiquity as Basie and the Romans were the first to make military use of the site, and later an early mosque was built in the middle. It did not assume its present form until an extensive renovation and expansion by the Ayyubids in the 13th century, using locally quarried basalt which makes the castle darker than most other buildings in the area. Later, it would be used by the Ottoman armies during that empire’s hegemony over the region. During the Arab Revolt, T.E. Lawrence based his operations here in 1917–18, an experience he wrote about in his book Seven Pillars of Wisdom. The connection to “Lawrence of Arabia” has been one of the castle’s major draws for tourists.

Itenirary
End the Journey

After completing your joyful tour, we would like to bid you farewell by our driver or representative to your hotel or residence.

Included / Not Included

  • Pick up and drop off from hotel.
  • Private Transfer by air-conditioned leisure vehicle, according number of participants with experienced assisting.
  • Dedicated English-Speaking Driver.
  • On board WI-FI.
  • Spot Local English-Speaking guide at the major sites visited.
  • All entrance fees to the sites and museums which listed in itinerary.
  • 1 small mineral water per person.
  • All Service charges & local taxes.
  • Support team available 24/7.
  • Any kind of Meals, drinks or beverages.
  • All type of gratuities (Tips to the Driver, and Guide) – Highly Recommended.
  • Personal Expenses.
  • Anything else not mentioned.
  • Pick up and drop off from/to Airport available by request for lay over day tour.
  • Travel Insurance. Highly recommended.
  • Government licensed English speaking professional tour guides. is available upon your request.

Bulk discount (by Amount)

Bulk discount adult
# Discount group From adult To adult Value
1 Group 5 adult 5 6 10$
2 Group 7 adult 7 9 20$

Overview

Activity Name

Visit Desert Castles From Dead Sea.

Price and Availability

  • Minimum number of travelers must be (2 adults) to confirm the booking with these rates.
  • Solo Traveller available upon request. please check “Extras” field.
  • Prices above are per person in USD ($).
  • Private Transfer by air-conditioned leisure vehicle with WIFI, according number of participants with experienced assisting, dedicated English-Speaking Driver.
  • Rates are based on standard vehicle type.
  • Confirmation will be received at the time of booking, unless booked within 3 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability.
  • The duration of transfers is approximate, as the exact duration will depend on the time of day and traffic conditions.
Prices may go up, So secure your booking today, Book Now!

What to bring?

  • Comfortable shoes.
  • Sunscreen.
  • Sunhat or head dress.
  • Sunglasses.
  • Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.
  • Water flask.
  • Your medicine if you use.
  • Your camera & Memory data.
  • Passport or ID card.

Accessibility can use

  • Wheelchair accessible. (your own).
  • Stroller accessible infant. (your own).
  • Infant seats available. (upon request).
  • Transportation is wheelchair accessible.

Additional Information

  • Tour activity is provided in English. For other languages (Spanish, French, German, and Portuguese) by request.
  • For more information or to make a booking, please send an  . or you can contact us from your page account access.

Want a Activity Tailor-Made trip instead?

You can design your own Activities with a short visit to our Activities Tailor-Made page.

Maps & Locations

Cancellation Policy

  • Please review the cancellation policy mentioned in the terms and conditions page carefully.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 6 days before the experience’s start time.
  • We will charge a cancellation fee of 50% if booking is cancelled 3-5days before the event
  • If you cancel less than 72 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 72 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s Amman local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Terms and Conditions

  • All terms apply to this package and can be identified by visiting the terms and conditions page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a Supplement for Solo Travelers?

Yes, Please check tour extra filed.

What sort of transport do you use in Jordan?

Depending on the group size, you'll be travelling in an air-conditioned vehicle such as Economy/Sedan cars or mini van "European & Asian brands" (depending on group size).

Can I travel with my friend in Jordan?

yes. You can travel with your friend.

Do I need Travel Insurance?

We recommend the purchase of adequate travel insurance for all overseas travel. It is currently a prerequisite to have medical travel insurance.

Are kids welcome?

Kids are welcome, Map Tours has several Family Trips, However, trips tend to be active so make sure to check if the activities are appropriate for small children. Overland tours require that travellers be 18 or older.

What are the opening and closing hours for tourist sites?

Most sites open from 08:00 until 17:00 during summertime and from 08:00 until 16:00 during wintertime, noting that these sites close earlier during Ramadan. On the other hand, Petra is open all year long from 6:00 till 18:00. "Museums close on Tuesdays". for more information please see the link Jordan Attractions Opening Hours.

How much shall I tip?

Tipping "gratuities" is not obligatory, but the people who are working in the tourism sector depend on tips as a major part of their income. Therefore, tipping is considered customary and widely expected in Jordan, while The amount depends on the situation. For example, In the restaurants, it is good to give 10% tip directly to the waiter even when there is service charge added to the bill as the service tax does not go to the waiters.

Customer Reviews

5/5
Excellent
Based on 5 reviews
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Lama Zuning
06/21/2024

Great experience

We had a great experience. our driver was really nice and had lots of information about Desert Castles and Jordan. very professional. Nice staff, greet company map tours .
Arther Mcclur
06/20/2024

Fantastic tours, Thanks

Traveling alone in a different country can be daunting but not here in Jordan. From the minute we met the driver, he offered the best advice and suggestions. I leave Jordan with amazing memories and awesome photos, looking forward to return on my next adventure with Map Tours in the near future.
Reky marten
06/20/2024

Wonderful day trip

This was a wonderful day trip to Qasr Kharana, Qasr Amra, Qasr Azraq. The driver was professional and able to share more about not only the topic, but also Jordan in general.
Owen Asher
06/20/2024

Everything was fine

We had such a great time there. Everything was fine. Our guide, was the best one. He was taking care of us. So nice and friendly. I would recommend this tour to everyone that goes to Jordan.
Mickael Alexander
06/20/2024

Thanks Map Tours Jordan

Loved this trip to the Qasr Kharana, Qasr Amra, Qasr Azraq. at Jordan. Very different than any other tours to Jordan. Tawfiq was our guide and he provided excellent service. He recommended an amazing place lunch. Incredible food taste! Thanks map tours and your staff for great care of us.
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