Jerash, Umm Qais & Jesus Cave tour: 3 countries in 1 day

Seven to nine hours across three millennia of history, from one hilltop to the next

A private full-day tour from Amman to Jerash, Umm Qais and Jesus Cave, with an English-speaking driver and air-conditioned transport. You explore Jerash's Oval Plaza, temples and colonnaded streets, then drive to Umm Qais to see the Roman amphitheater and panoramic views spanning Jordan, Syria and Israel. The day ends at Jesus Cave, a site of spiritual significance near Umm Qais.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Jerash, Umm Qais, and Jesus’ Cave

• Visit Jerash Roman ruins
• Explore Oval Plaza and temples
• Drive to Umm Qais
• See Roman amphitheater and ruins
• Enjoy panoramic views of three countries
• Visit Jesus’ Cave near Umm Qais

The experience

The tour leaves Amman early and heads straight to Jerash, the Pompeii of the East. You walk through the Oval Plaza, past Hadrian's Arch, and along the colonnaded streets lined with the Temple of Artemis and other Roman structures. The city rose as a Greek federation, then passed through Christian and Muslim rule before falling during the Crusades. The layers are readable in the stone. This is one of the Middle East's most-preserved Greco-Roman cities, and the scale of it becomes clear only when you stand inside it.

From Jerash, the drive takes you to Umm Qais, the ancient Decapolis city of Gadara, built on a hilltop with an extraordinary vantage point. On a clear day you can see into three countries at once: Jordan, Syria, and Israel. The Roman amphitheater, temples and colonnaded streets sit alongside the ruins of an Ottoman-era village, creating a stark contrast between empires. According to the Bible, this is where Jesus performed the miracle of the Gadarene swine, casting demons into a herd of pigs.

The final stop is Jesus Cave, five kilometers south of Umm Qais. Local tradition holds that Jesus used the cave as a refuge during his ministry, and it carries spiritual weight for many Christians. The cave and the hills surrounding it offer a quieter moment after the scale of the two major sites.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned transport from Amman.
• an English-speaking driver for the full day.
• water and Wi-Fi on board.
• entry fees to Jerash, Umm Qais and Jesus Cave if you select that option at checkout.

Options for this experience

2 options

Transportation OnlyUp to 9 per booking · Guide in English or Arabic · 7 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 10:00Transportation only, lasting 9 hours. Local guides are not included in the tour package, and entry fees are also excluded. Bottled water is available on board. Vehicles range from economy sedans to larger vans to suit different needs. The Jordan Pass is recommended for this option, as it offers discounted advance entry and access to other Jordanian attractions. Pickup is included.

With Entry FeesUp to 7 per booking · Guide in English or Arabic · 7 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 10:00Entry fees are part of the tour package. Local guides are not included, but they can be hired at each site. The tour lasts 9 hours, with bottled water available onboard. The climate-controlled vehicle ranges from economy sedans to larger vans, catering to different needs. 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 day7 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 10:00

Book up to4h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Arabic

Audio guideEnglish and Arabic

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 yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendly

Operated by R&H VIP Transportation Services

Is this one for you?Book this if you're visiting multiple sites in one day and prefer a private vehicle to set your own pace at Jerash, Umm Qais, and a third stop, rather than joining a group on fixed timing.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Arabic.

What exactly is Jerash and why is it called the Pompeii of the East?

Jerash is one of the most-preserved Greco-Roman cities outside Italy, with structures dating back to when it rose as part of a Greek federation. Like Pompeii, it preserves an entire ancient city layout: the Oval Plaza, colonnaded streets, temples including the Temple of Artemis, fountains and the Forum all remain largely intact, letting you read the layout and life of the city as it was.

What will I see from Umm Qais, and why is the view significant?

Umm Qais sits on a hilltop with views spanning three countries: Jordan, Syria, and Israel. You see the Sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights. The site itself holds the ruins of a Roman amphitheater, temples and colonnaded streets, and it was a major center of Greek philosophy and medicine in antiquity.

How long does the drive take between each stop?

The tour runs seven to nine hours total from Amman, including time at all three sites. The itinerary is paced to give you meaningful time at Jerash and Umm Qais, with the Jesus Cave visit as a shorter, quieter final stop before the return to Amman.

Is entry to all three sites included, or do I choose?

Entry fees are optional at checkout. You can book the tour with entry fees included at all sites, or transportation only. If you choose transportation only, you can arrange entry separately or skip a site entirely.

What is the Jesus Cave, and why is it on this tour?

Jesus Cave, also called the Cave of Issa, sits near Umm Qais and holds spiritual significance for Christians who believe Jesus may have sheltered there during his ministry. It offers a moment of reflection and serenity in the surrounding hills, balancing the scale and grandeur of the two major archaeological sites.