Private Tour: Desert Castles from the Dead Sea
Variable
Private
About this activity
After Dead Sea hotel pickup between 8am and 9am, settle inside your air-conditioned car or minibus with your private driver, and travel through the deserts of eastern Jordan.
Although your driver isn’t an official Ministry of Jordan guide, they will be knowledgeable about the area, and will point out landmarks on route. Local guides are readily available at each castle, and you can opt to hire them at your own expense.
The region is littered with desert castles dating from the 1st-century Muslim rulers of the Umayyads. These powerful royals built the fortresses to serve as pleasure palaces, spas, and hunting lodges.
After roughly 1.5 hours, reach the spectacular castle of UNESCO-listed Qusayr Amra. After roughly 1.5 hours, reach the spectacular castle of UNESCO-listed Qusayr Amra. Once an Umayyad hunting base, this well-preserved castle is famed for its 8th-century frescoes depicting hedonistic scenes of women, wine, and partying.
Having explored here, reconvene with your driver and, if you wish, ask for their recommendations for nearby restaurants for lunch. Relax over a meal (own expense) at their suggested eatery, and then continue to Qasr Kharana, an imposing 2-storey fortress set on a vast desert plain.
Believed to be built on Roman foundations, this beautiful castle displays Mesopotamian, Arabic, and Greek architectural influences.
Next, continue to Qasr al-Azraq near Azraq town. Famous for having been used as a headquarters by T.E. Lawrence, the World War I British military officer known as Lawrence of Arabia, this impressive castle was used as an Umayyad hunting lodge before being fortified to defend against the Crusaders. Explore the courtyards and mosque, and be sure to see the impressive western tower and wall carvings.
If you fancy visiting an additional castle (own expense), let your driver know: your itinerary can be adjusted around your interests. Your tour ends with an afternoon hotel drop-off at the Dead Sea.
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Although your driver isn’t an official Ministry of Jordan guide, they will be knowledgeable about the area, and will point out landmarks on route. Local guides are readily available at each castle, and you can opt to hire them at your own expense.
The region is littered with desert castles dating from the 1st-century Muslim rulers of the Umayyads. These powerful royals built the fortresses to serve as pleasure palaces, spas, and hunting lodges.
After roughly 1.5 hours, reach the spectacular castle of UNESCO-listed Qusayr Amra. After roughly 1.5 hours, reach the spectacular castle of UNESCO-listed Qusayr Amra. Once an Umayyad hunting base, this well-preserved castle is famed for its 8th-century frescoes depicting hedonistic scenes of women, wine, and partying.
Having explored here, reconvene with your driver and, if you wish, ask for their recommendations for nearby restaurants for lunch. Relax over a meal (own expense) at their suggested eatery, and then continue to Qasr Kharana, an imposing 2-storey fortress set on a vast desert plain.
Believed to be built on Roman foundations, this beautiful castle displays Mesopotamian, Arabic, and Greek architectural influences.
Next, continue to Qasr al-Azraq near Azraq town. Famous for having been used as a headquarters by T.E. Lawrence, the World War I British military officer known as Lawrence of Arabia, this impressive castle was used as an Umayyad hunting lodge before being fortified to defend against the Crusaders. Explore the courtyards and mosque, and be sure to see the impressive western tower and wall carvings.
If you fancy visiting an additional castle (own expense), let your driver know: your itinerary can be adjusted around your interests. Your tour ends with an afternoon hotel drop-off at the Dead Sea.
Features
Tourism
95%
Cultural
55%
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