- Mon - Sat: 9.30am To 10.00pm
- [email protected]
About Us
Contact Info
- Amman, Jordan
- (+962) 78-925-7030
- [email protected]
- Week Days: 09.00 to 18.00 Friday: Closed
The Desert Castles
Overview
Begin your journey with Qasr Al-Hallabat, a Roman-turned-Umayyad fortress framed by olive groves and mosaics. Next, visit the nearby Hammam Al-Sarah, a beautifully preserved early Islamic bathhouse showcasing elegant architecture and ancient heating systems. Continue to Qasr Al-Kharanah, with its mysterious design and striking desert silhouette. At Qasr Amra, admire vibrant 8th-century frescoes that bring Umayyad leisure and artistry to life. Finally, end at Qasr Al-Azraq, a basalt fortress rich in carvings and wartime history, famously used by T.E. Lawrence during the Arab Revolt.
Each site unveils a different chapter of Jordan’s layered desert heritage.
Highlights
- Uncover ancient architectural
- Journey through the legendary desert castles
Tour Includes
- 🚐 Private, air-conditioned transportation
- 👨✈️ Professional English-speaking driver
- 🎟️ Entrance Fees – included with your Jordan Pass
- 📞 24/7 support from by Travel Advisor
What to Bring
- Comfortable Hiking Clothes and Shoes
- Your Jordan Pass
- Sunscreen
- Your Smile
- A clear mind for a fascinating experience
Itinerary
Day 1
Qasr Al-Hallabat
Depart Amman at 8:30 AM for a scenic drive into Jordan’s eastern desert, where you’ll arrive at the enchanting Qasr Al-Hallabat. Once a robust Roman fortress commissioned by Emperor Caracalla in the early 3rd century AD, its honey-toned walls and graceful arches still echo with Nabatean whispers from an even earlier era. Stroll through its spring-fed bathhouse, admire fragments of Byzantine mosaics, and picture caravan traders traversing the Via Nova Traiana—the ancient road that linked Damascus to Aqaba. Between the desert dunes and olive groves, this hidden gem offers a perfect blend of history, architecture, and romance
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ueczvdh8jxPR3wb96Visit Hammam As Sarah
Hidden amid the gentle desert plains, Hammam Al-Sarah is a beautifully preserved Umayyad bathhouse dating to the early Islamic period. Its elegant rectangular audience hall leads into a succession of cool changing rooms (apodyterium), warm tepidarium, and steaming caldarium—showcasing the era’s sophisticated heating systems and architectural grace. Rich stucco ornamentation and soaring vaulted ceilings highlight the refined craftsmanship that defined Great Syria’s golden age.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/CJuWYh71176WP9fj9https://maps.app.goo.gl/CJuWYh71176WP9fj9
Rising from the desert plains in dark basalt stone, Qasr Al-Azraq once stood three stories tall—its jet-black walls shimmering against the golden sands. As you enter, pause on the worn paving stones: their tiny indentations mark where watchful gatekeepers once amused themselves with pebble-board games. Step into the cool shadow of the courtyard and you’ll find playful animal carvings and ancient inscriptions etched into the stone, whispering tales of travelers and soldiers who passed through this strategic stronghold.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/vjkYvneuck63z7Cd9Lunch in Azraq
Though dining options here are limited, you’ll find some of the finest home-cooked meals. Once your trip is confirmed, we’ll share our two top restaurant recommendations with you and make reservations.
Visit Qasr Amra
A UNESCO World Heritage Built-in the early 8th century, this exceptionally well-preserved desert castle was both a fortress with a garrison and a residence of the Umayyad caliphs. The most outstanding features of this small pleasure palace are the reception hall and the hammam, both richly decorated with figurative murals that reflect the secular art of the time.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/pjNkQLYa3Kmxoy8w9Visit Qasr Al-Kharanah
One of the best-known of the desert castles located in present-day eastern Jordan, about 60 kilometres (37 mi) east of Amman and relatively close to the border with Saudi Arabia. It is one of the earliest examples of Islamic architecture in the region. Its purpose remains unclear today. “Castle” is a misnomer as the building’s internal arrangement does not suggest a military use, and slits in its wall could not have been designed for arrow-slits. It could have been a caravanserai, or resting place for traders, but lacks the water source such buildings usually had close by and is not on any major trade routes.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/KNCFCBiJ8iLiA5Ly7