Jerash, Ajloun & Um Qais tour: Three ancient sites in one day

Walk three centuries of ruins across northern Jordan in a single day

This full-day tour covers Jerash, Ajloun Castle and Um Qais, three major historical sites across northern Jordan. You'll explore the well-preserved Roman city of Jerash, including its colonnaded streets and Temple of Artemis; climb to the 12th-century Ajloun Castle for panoramic views; and finish at Um Qais, the ancient city of Gadara, overlooking the Sea of Galilee and Golan Heights. An English-speaking guide leads the route, and hotel pickup is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Jerash5h
2. Ajloun Castle2h

Explore Jerash, Ajloun, and Umm Qais

• Visit Hadrian's Arch
• Walk The Oval Plaza
• See The Temple of Artemis
• Explore The South Theatre
• Visit The Nymphaeum
• Walk Colonnaded Street
• See The Temple of Zeus
• Visit The Byzantine Church
• Explore The North Theatre
• Visit Jerash Archaeological Museum
• Visit Ajloun Castle
• Explore Gadara Ruins
• See The Roman Theater
• Visit The Byzantine Church
• Walk The Colonnaded Street
• Visit The Archaeological Museum
• Enjoy The Viewpoint
• See Ottoman-era Buildings
• Explore Black Basalt Structures
• View The Agrarian Landscape

The experience

Eight to twelve hours takes you through three distinct periods of history. Jerash opens the day with the Roman city itself: you'll walk the Colonnaded Street, stand in the Oval Plaza, and see the Temple of Artemis and both the South and North theatres, which still carry the acoustics of performances staged two thousand years ago. The Jerash Archaeological Museum sits on the grounds, holding smaller finds from the site. The scale of what survives (arches, temples, a nymphaeum) makes clear why this ranks among the best-preserved Roman cities outside Italy.

From there the route climbs to Ajloun Castle, a 12th-century fortress built during the Crusades. The castle's architecture and its position give views across the surrounding landscape. The historical weight of the place comes from its role in the medieval conflicts that shaped the region. The final stop is Um Qais, the ancient city of Gadara, which sits on a ridge with the Sea of Galilee visible below and the Golan Heights beyond. You'll walk through the Gadara ruins (a Roman theater, Byzantine churches, colonnaded streets built in black basalt, and Ottoman-era structures), and end at the viewpoint where the geography itself becomes part of what you've come to see.

The driver handles transport between sites. An English-speaking guide meets you at each location and walks you through what stands there. WiFi is available in the vehicle. Entrance fees to each site are paid directly at the gates, not included in the tour price. Hotel pickup is part of the booking.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and transport between all three sites.
• an English-speaking guide at each location.
• WiFi in the vehicle.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 43 pickup points.

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 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Monte Carlo Rent A Car

Is this one for you?This is a shared tour with a guide who meets you at each site rather than traveling with you the whole day. It suits travelers who want to see three major archaeological sites in one outing and prefer not to drive or navigate between them themselves, though you'll need to budget for entrance fees at the gate and be comfortable with a full day of travel and walking across three different locations.

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Top questions

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 will I see at Jerash?

Jerash holds the remains of a full Roman city: the Colonnaded Street, the Oval Plaza, the Temple of Artemis, two theatres (South and North), a nymphaeum, a Byzantine church, Hadrian's Arch, the Temple of Zeus, and the Jerash Archaeological Museum. Most of these structures date to the 1st and 2nd centuries CE.

Is Ajloun Castle difficult to walk through?

Ajloun Castle is a 12th-century fortress with preserved architecture spread across the site. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, though the castle involves climbing and uneven terrain typical of medieval fortifications. Infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller, though access within the castle itself may be limited by stairs and narrow passages.

What are the views like from Um Qais?

Um Qais sits on a ridge overlooking the Sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights. The viewpoint is one of the stops on the itinerary, and the panoramic views are part of what makes the site distinct from the other two locations on the tour.

Do I need to pay for entry to each site separately?

Yes, entrance fees are not included in the tour price and must be paid directly at each site's gate. The guide will be with you at Jerash, Ajloun Castle, and Um Qais to explain what you're seeing.