Jerash, Ajloun & Um Qais Tour: Roman Ruins & Castle

Three ancient sites in one day without arranging your own transport

A private full-day tour from Amman to Jerash, Ajloun and Um Qais takes you through Jordan's northern archaeological sites: Roman ruins, a medieval castle and a restored theatre with views across the Sea of Galilee. Your driver handles all logistics while you move between three distinct periods of history, ending with an authentic meal at a local restaurant off the main tourist routes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Jerash3h
2. Ajloun Castle2h

Visit Jerash, Ajloun, and Umm Qais

• Travel from Amman to Jerash
• Explore ancient city of Jerash
• Visit Ajloun Castle
• Discover Ajloun Forest Reserve
• Travel to Umm Qais
• See West Theatre in Umm Qais
• Enjoy view of Tabaria lake
• Have authentic local meal

The experience

Jerash sits 48 kilometers north of Amman and ranks among the Middle East's best-preserved Greco-Roman cities. The ruins sprawl across a valley floor, and you'll have time to walk the colonnaded streets, theatres and temples that once served a thriving trade hub. From there, the route climbs into forested mountain valleys toward Ajloun Castle, a 12th-century fortress built from dark stone that commands views across the Jordan Valley. The castle marks a shift from classical antiquity to the medieval Islamic period: the same landscape, centuries apart.

Um Qais (ancient Gadara) sits on a ridge overlooking the Sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights. The West Theatre, constructed from black basalt and restored to working condition, once held 3,000 people and still carries sound with remarkable clarity. You can test the acoustics yourself while standing on the stage. The views from the site stretch across the water and the surrounding valleys, and the two hours there give you time to absorb both the architecture and the geography that made this a strategic and prosperous place.

Your driver speaks English and manages the full route, including pickup from your Amman hotel and the drive between sites. The vehicle is air-conditioned, and bottled water comes with you. Lunch happens at a local restaurant away from the main tourist circuit, letting you eat where Jordanians do. Entry tickets are optional at checkout. You can book transport alone or add admission to all three sites.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned vehicle with English-speaking driver.
• hotel pickup from Amman.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• WiFi on board.
• entry tickets to Jerash, Ajloun Castle and Um Qais (if selected at checkout).
• authentic meal at a local restaurant.

Options for this experience

2 options

Transportation only08:00 and 08:30Transportation only: Covers transportation alone. Entry tickets and a guide at the sites are not included. Pickup is included.

Transportation and entry tickets07:00, 07:30, 08:00 and 08:30Transportation and entry tickets, with pickup included

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00, 07:30, 08:00 and 08:30

Book up to12h before

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Alamal Travel &Tourism

Is this one for you?Choose the transportation-only option if you want to manage entry tickets yourself or visit on a budget. Add entry tickets at checkout for a seamless full-day package with no stops to buy admission. The nine to ten hour duration includes all driving time, so the pace is set by the route itself rather than by how long you linger at each site.

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Top questions

How far is Jerash from Amman and what will I actually see there?

Jerash lies 48 kilometers north of Amman and is one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman cities in the Middle East. You'll walk through colonnaded streets, theatres and temples that once formed a major trade hub, with time to explore the ruins at your own pace during the stop.

What makes Ajloun Castle worth visiting on the same day?

Ajloun Castle is a 12th-century fortress built from dark stone that sits in the forested mountain valleys north of Jerash. It represents a completely different era of Jordan's history, medieval Islamic rather than classical, and the views from the castle overlook the Jordan Valley.

What's special about the theatre at Um Qais?

The West Theatre at Um Qais was built from black basalt and once seated about 3,000 people. It's been restored and still has remarkable acoustics. You can stand on the stage and hear sound carry across the structure. The site also overlooks the Sea of Galilee and the surrounding ridges.

Do I need to book entry tickets in advance, or can I add them later?

Entry tickets are optional and you choose at checkout whether to add them to your transport booking. If you select the transportation-only option, you can arrange tickets separately, though adding them upfront is simpler.

What's included in the transport, and what should I bring?

Transport includes pickup from your Amman hotel, an air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking driver, WiFi on board and bottled water. Lunch at a local restaurant is part of the day but not included in the price, so bring cash or a card for meals and any extras you want.