Desert Castles & Ajloun Castle tour from Amman: Four UNESCO sites

Four castles in one day: from Umayyad hunting palaces to a Crusader fortress

A private full-day tour from Amman visiting four medieval castles across eastern Jordan: the fresco-painted Amra, the two-level Kharana, Azraq (where Lawrence of Arabia based operations in 1917–18), and the hilltop Ajloun fortress. Your English-speaking driver picks you up from your hotel, navigates the desert plains where the castles sit 15 minutes apart, and returns you at day's end. Entrance fees are included unless you hold a Jordan Pass. The itinerary is flexible. Tell your driver which castle you want to linger at.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Amra Castle1h 30m · entry included
2. Kharana Castle1h 30m · entry included
3. Azraq Castle1h 30m · entry included
4. Ajloun Castle4h · entry included

Islamic Desert Castles and Ajloun Castle

• Pick up from Amman hotel
• Drive to Desert Castles region
• Visit Quseir’ Amra Castle
• Visit Qasr Al-Kharanah Castle
• Visit Qasr Al-Azraq Castle
• Explore Ajloun Castle
• Return to Amman hotel

The experience

How do you see four castles in a single day without arranging transport or navigating the desert yourself? This tour handles both: a private air-conditioned vehicle and English-speaking driver collect you from your Amman hotel and drive you east into the plains where the Umayyad dynasty built these retreats and hunting lodges in the 7th and 8th centuries. Because the castles cluster within 15 minutes of each other, you move between them quickly, and because the tour is private, you can ask your driver to spend extra time at whichever one holds your interest.

Amra comes first: a UNESCO-listed palace restored with its original 8th-century frescoes still visible, scenes of wine, music and nude figures that speak to the extravagance of the Caliphs. Kharana stands next, a two-level fortress on a vast plain, built on Roman foundations and layered with Mesopotamian, Arabic and Greek architectural influences. Azraq, the third stop, is where T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) established his headquarters during the Arab Revolt of 1917–18. You walk the sun-baked courtyards, towers and mosque where he based his operations. The day ends at Ajloun, a 12th-century hilltop fortress built by Saladin to defend against Crusader armies. You climb the rambling corridors and staircases, peer through the murder holes, and climb to the towers for views across the Jordan Valley.

The full day runs about 10 hours door-to-door. Entrance fees to all four castles are included in your booking unless you hold a Jordan Pass, in which case you can request a refund. On-board Wi-Fi is available during the drive. If you choose the option with a guide, an additional specialist joins you at the Desert Castles to deepen the history. Lunch is available as an add-on if you prefer not to eat in town beforehand.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned vehicle with English-speaking driver who serves as your guide.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Amman.
• entrance fees to Azraq, Amra, Kharana and Ajloun Castles (unless you hold a Jordan Pass).
• on-board Wi-Fi.
• an additional specialist guide at the Desert Castles if you choose the guide option.
• lunch if you select the lunch add-on (vegetarian available on request).

Options for this experience

5 options

Tour for holders of a Jordan PassGuide in English · 09:00Classic castles visit covering Qasr Amra, Qasr Kharaneh, Qasr Azraq and Ajloun Castle from Amman, without entrance fees. Pickup is included.

Castle ToursGuide in English · 09:00Classic castles visit covering Qasr Amra, Qasr Kharaneh, Qasr Azraq and Ajloun Castle from Amman. Pickup is included.

Tour with LunchGuide in English · 09:00Classic castles visit covering Qasr Amra, Qasr Kharaneh, Qasr Azraq and Ajloun Castle, with lunch at a local restaurant. Pickup is included.

See 2 more options

Tour with GuideGuide in English · 09:00Tour with an accompanied guide: classic castles visit covering Qasr Amra, Qasr Kharaneh, Qasr Azraq and Ajloun Castle with an accompanied guide. Pickup is included.

Tour including lunch and a guideGuide in English · 09:00Classic castles visit covering Qasr Amra, Qasr Kharaneh, Qasr Azraq and Ajloun Castle, with a guide and lunch. Pickup is included.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats available

Operated by Zaid Tours and Travel

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you want to see the lesser-known castles beyond Amman's main attractions in a single day without driving yourself. The private format means you set the pace at each stop: linger at the frescoes in Amra or the towers at Ajloun, or move quickly through the ones that don't hold your interest. If you're a Jordan Pass holder, book the dedicated pass option to avoid paying duplicate entrance fees.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly is inside Amra Castle that makes it worth the drive?

Amra is a restored Umayyad hunting palace famous for its 8th-century frescoes: interior paintings depicting scenes of wine, music, dancing and nude figures that reveal how the Caliphs lived. It's a UNESCO-listed site and one of the best-preserved examples of early Islamic secular art in the region.

Did Lawrence of Arabia really use Azraq Castle as a base?

Yes. Azraq was originally built as an Umayyad hunting retreat, but T.E. Lawrence established his headquarters there between 1917 and 1918 during the Arab Revolt. You'll see the courtyards, towers and mosque where he operated, and your driver will explain his role in that period.

How much walking and climbing is involved at Ajloun Castle?

Ajloun is a semi-intact hilltop fortress, so you'll roam rambling corridors and climb staircases to reach the towers: enough to get a real sense of the structure and the views over the Jordan Valley. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, though comfortable walking shoes are advised.

Can I skip one of the castles if I don't want to see all four?

Yes. Because this is a private tour, you can tell your driver which castles interest you most. If you want to spend more time at one and skip another, your driver can adjust the itinerary to fit your preferences.

Are meals included, or do I need to arrange lunch myself?

Lunch is not included in the base tour, but you can add it at checkout. Most local restaurants in Jordan don't serve alcohol. If that matters to you, mention it when you book so your driver can suggest a place that suits your preference. Vegetarian meals are available on request.

What if I have a Jordan Pass? Do I still pay entrance fees?

No. If you hold a Jordan Pass, book the "Tour for Jordan Pass Holders" option, which doesn't include entrance fees. If you accidentally book with fees included, contact the operator before your tour and they'll refund the entrance cost.