Day Tour to Jerash and Ajloun Castle from Dead Sea

Two thousand years of history in one day: Roman temples, a medieval fortress, and the journey between them

A day tour from the Dead Sea to Jerash and Ajloun Castle combines two vastly different historical periods in a single itinerary. You start with hotel pickup along the Dead Sea, travel north to explore Jerash's exceptionally preserved Roman city with its colonnaded streets, temples, and theaters, then climb to the 12th-century Ajloun Castle, a Muslim fortress built to defend against Crusaders. The tour returns you to the Dead Sea by late afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Ajloun Castle1h
2. Jerash3h

Explore Jerash and Ajloun Castle

• Pickup from Dead Sea hotel
• Travel to Jerash Roman ruins
• Explore Jerash archaeological site
• Visit Ajloun Castle fortress
• Return to Dead Sea area

The experience

What makes this tour distinct is the pairing itself: you're not choosing between Roman history or medieval architecture, you're seeing both. Jerash sits roughly 48 kilometers north of Amman and ranks among the best-preserved archaeological sites in the Middle East. The city thrived as a Roman trade hub from the 2nd century BC onward, and what remains (the Arch of Hadrian from 129 AD, the Temple of Artemis, the South Theater that once held 5,000 spectators) is intact enough that you can read the layout of an entire provincial city. Ajloun Castle, built between 1184 and 1188 AD by a general of Saladin, sits on Mount Auf and controlled the region's iron mines and trade routes. The fortress features Islamic military architecture: fortified gates, high towers, a drawbridge and moat, though earthquakes and rebuilds have altered much of the original structure. A small museum inside displays medieval weaponry and mosaics.

Your driver picks you up at your hotel along the Sweimeh Dead Sea Road and handles the full route: roughly six to eight hours door-to-door. You can choose transportation only, or add a local guide and entry to both sites. The driver is licensed and English-speaking. If you select the guide option, you get live interpretation in English or Arabic. Bottled water, WiFi, and phone charging are available during the drive. The return journey gives you time to reflect on the day's contrasts before you're back at the Dead Sea.

What’s included

• Private transportation with a licensed English-speaking driver.
• door-to-door hotel pickup and return along the Dead Sea.
• bottled water, WiFi, and phone charging during the drive. If you select the Entry & Guide option, it includes entry to both Jerash and Ajloun Castle, plus a local guide in English or Arabic.

Options for this experience

2 options

Transportation OnlyGuide in English or Arabic · No fixed timeAdmission fees are not part of the tour price. This is a private tour, with amenities such as bottled water, WiFi and phone charging available during the ride. Duration is 8 hours. Bottled water is provided onboard. A local guide is not included, but one can be hired on site. Transportation is private, by standard sedan, mini-van or mini-bus. You can buy the Jordan Pass in advance for discounted entry and access to other Jordanian attractions (recommended). Pickup is included.

Entry and guide includedGuide in English or Arabic · No fixed timeEntry fees are part of the tour price. A local guide is included for two hours at the Jerash site only. Duration is 8 hours. Bottled water is provided onboard. Transportation is private, by standard sedan, mini-van or mini-bus. Comfort and convenience amenities such as bottled water, WiFi and phone charging are included during the ride. The Jordan Pass is not necessary for this option. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Arabic

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 9 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendly

Operated by R&H VIP Transportation Services

Is this one for you?Choose the Transportation Only option if you prefer to explore at your own pace and already know the sites, or the Entry & Guide option if you want interpretation of the Roman city's layout and the castle's strategic history. The guide makes the architectural and historical details legible as you walk through each location.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

3 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Arabic.

What exactly is the Arch of Hadrian at Jerash?

The Arch of Hadrian is a triumphal arch erected in 129 AD to honor the Roman emperor Hadrian's visit to the city. It stands as one of the most recognizable structures in Jerash's ruins and marks the southern entrance to the ancient city.

Can I walk around inside Ajloun Castle, or is it mostly viewing from outside?

Ajloun Castle is built for exploration: visitors can walk through inner courtyards, chambers, and passageways to get a sense of how the fortress functioned centuries ago. The small museum inside displays related artifacts, though some original features are no longer intact due to earthquakes and later rebuilds.

How long do I actually spend at each site?

The full tour runs six to eight hours including pickup, return, and drive time between locations. The itinerary covers both Jerash and Ajloun Castle in a single day, though the exact time at each site depends on your pace and whether you have a guide.

Is the Dead Sea Museum part of this tour?

The Dead Sea Museum is listed as a stop in the itinerary, though the main focus of the day is Jerash and Ajloun Castle. Your driver will handle pickup and return along the Dead Sea area, so you'll pass through that region at the start and end of your tour.

What's the difference between the two booking options?

Transportation Only covers your private driver, vehicle, pickup and return, plus water and phone charging during the drive. Entry & Guide Included adds entry fees to both Jerash and Ajloun Castle, plus a live guide who speaks English or Arabic and interprets the sites throughout the day.