Private tour · from Amman

Best of Desert Castles Private Full-Day Tour

Step into the fascinating world of the early Islamic period on this private full-day journey to Jordan’s remarkable Desert Castles. Scattered across the eastern desert, these mysterious complexes date largely to the 8th century and reflect the artistic and architectural brilliance of the Umayyad era.

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★★★★★ 5.0 · 3 reviews

▦ 18 photos from this tour

From · whole group$150

Check dates & book

Duration7–8 hours

PickupYour hotel in Amman

Departure8 AM or 9 AM

GroupPrivate · 1–3 travellers

VehiclePrivate 4×4, WiFi & chargers

From$150whole group

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About this tour

Overview

Private tourFull-dayEast of AmmanUmayyad

Decorated with intricate mosaics, vivid frescoes, carved stone, and delicate stucco ornamentation, the castles reveal a unique blend of artistic influences drawn from Persian and Graeco-Roman traditions. Together, they offer a rare glimpse into life, politics, and culture during the early centuries of Islamic civilisation.

During this tour, we will explore some of the most impressive examples of these monuments. Highlights include the monumental façade of Qasr Al-Mushatta, one of the largest Umayyad palace complexes ever built; the mysterious desert fortress of Qasr Kharana; and the UNESCO-listed Qasr Amra, famous for its extraordinary frescoes depicting royal life and celestial imagery.

We will also visit the historic basalt fortress of Qasr Azraq, once used as a headquarters by T. E. Lawrence during the Arab Revolt, as well as the beautifully restored complexes of Qasr Al-Hallabat and the nearby bathhouse of Hammam As-Sarah.

Together, these remarkable sites form a journey through art, history, and architecture in the dramatic landscapes of Jordan’s eastern desert.

Photo gallery

Photos from this tour

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Itinerary

8 stops, door to door

Amman - Azraq

Your tour begins with pickup from your hotel or residence in Amman, where we will have a brief introduction and tour overview.

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Your tour begins with pickup from your hotel or residence in Amman, where we will have a brief introduction and tour overview. If you wish, we can make a quick stop at Starbucks to pick up your favourite coffee before leaving the city. We then begin our journey into Jordan’s eastern desert in a comfortable luxury vehicle equipped with Wi-Fi and phone chargers. Relax during the drive while enjoying your coffee and selected snacks. Complimentary bottled water and soft drinks are also provided throughout the tour.

Qasr Al-Mushatta (Winter Palace)

Our first stop is the remarkable Qasr Al‑Mushatta, one of the largest and most ambitious palaces built during the Umayyad period.

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Our first stop is the remarkable Qasr Al‑Mushatta, one of the largest and most ambitious palaces built during the Umayyad period. Dating to the 8th century, the palace is famous for its extraordinary decorative stone façade, which combines Byzantine, Persian, and classical influences. Intricate carvings of vines, acanthus leaves, animals, and geometric patterns reveal the impressive craftsmanship of Umayyad artisans. Although the palace was never fully completed, its monumental scale suggests it was intended to host large gatherings of the Umayyad court.

Site profile Travel guide 360° panorama

Qasr Kharana

Continuing east along Highway 40, we arrive at the mysterious desert fortress of Qasr Kharana.

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Continuing east along Highway 40, we arrive at the mysterious desert fortress of Qasr Kharana. Built in the early 8th century during the reign of the Umayyad Caliph Al‑Walid I, this square two-storey structure measures about 35 meters on each side and contains dozens of rooms arranged around a central courtyard. Despite its fortress-like appearance, the building likely served as a meeting place, caravan station, or residence for travellers and officials. Inside, several rooms still preserve original decorative details.

Site profile Travel guide 360° panorama

Quseir Amra

Next we visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Qusayr Amra, one of the most famous and best-preserved Umayyad monuments.

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Next we visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Qusayr Amra, one of the most famous and best-preserved Umayyad monuments. This small desert palace is celebrated for its extraordinary frescoes covering the walls and ceilings. The paintings depict royal hunting scenes, musicians, zodiac symbols, and even portraits of rulers from different parts of the world. The complex also includes a bathhouse with cold, warm, and hot rooms, as well as an ingenious water system that once supplied the baths. After exploring the site, you may enjoy a short coffee or tea break at the nearby Bedouin tent beside the visitor centre.

Site profile Travel guide 3D walk-through 360° panorama Photo album Video

Qasr Azraq

Our journey continues to the impressive basalt fortress of Qasr Azraq, located near the historic oasis town of Azraq.

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Our journey continues to the impressive basalt fortress of Qasr Azraq, located near the historic oasis town of Azraq. Originally used by the Romans for military purposes, the castle later became an important strategic base controlling the desert trade routes. During the Arab Revolt of 1917–1918, it served as headquarters for T. E. Lawrence, whose experiences here were later described in his famous book Seven Pillars of Wisdom. You will have the opportunity to explore the fortress and see the room where Lawrence stayed.

Site profile Travel guide 360° panorama

Hammam As-Sarah

A short drive brings us to the beautifully restored bath complex of Hammam As‑Sarah.

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A short drive brings us to the beautifully restored bath complex of Hammam As‑Sarah. Built during the Umayyad period, likely under the reign of Caliph Al-Walid I, this elegant limestone structure functioned as a royal bathhouse similar to the one at Qusayr Amra. The complex includes an audience hall, a bath suite, and an advanced water supply system. Despite its relatively small size, the building provides a fascinating insight into early Islamic architecture and daily life.

Site profile Travel guide 3D walk-through 360° panorama

Qasr Al-Hallabat

Our final stop is the impressive complex of Qasr Al‑Hallabat.

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Our final stop is the impressive complex of Qasr Al‑Hallabat. Originally built as a Roman fort protecting the important trade route known as the Via Nova Trajana, the site was later transformed by the Umayyads into a large palace complex with defensive walls, towers, a mosque, and residential quarters. Today visitors can admire beautifully restored stone structures, intricate mosaics, and early Islamic architectural details that illustrate the transition from Roman to Islamic culture in the region.

Zarqa - Amman

After a full day exploring the Desert Castles and the dramatic landscapes of Jordan’s eastern desert, we will drive you comfortably back to Amman and drop you off at your hotel or residence.

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After a full day exploring the Desert Castles and the dramatic landscapes of Jordan’s eastern desert, we will drive you comfortably back to Amman and drop you off at your hotel or residence. You will return with a deeper understanding of the Umayyad period and unforgettable impressions of these remarkable desert monuments.

What’s included

✓Private luxury transfer

✓Entrance fees

✓Bottled water, soft drinks, snacks

✓Coffee/tea (on request)

✓WiFi, Phone charger

Not included

✕Professional on-site (local) guide

✕Personal expenses

✕Lunch

What to bring

•Comfortable shoes

•Sun hat

•Sunblock

•Sunglasses

Good to know

•We meet you in your hotel lobby or at your residence in Amman five minutes before departure (8 AM or 9 AM).

•At the end we drop you at your hotel or anywhere else in Amman at no extra cost.

•Private tour — only your group takes part.

•Moderate fitness needed · not wheelchair accessible · infants sit on laps.

Cancellation policy

•Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.

•Cancellations less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded.

•Changes less than 24 hours before the start can’t be accepted.

•Times are Jordan local time.

5.0★★★★★ · 3 reviews

Reviews on Tripadvisor ↗

“I have been joining private tours on many travels. Alex Tour is the first one I want to leave a review. Alex is doing this tour not for business but out of "sharing". He has done good research on history. He will walk with you in every site and explain the backgrounds. Great tour, really enjoyed it.”

Cheng-Ta C

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★★★★★

Best private tour

I have been joining private tours on many travels. Alex Tour is the first one I want to leave a review. Alex is doing this tour not for business but out of "sharing". He has done good research on history. He will walk with you in every site and explain the backgrounds. Great tour, really enjoyed it.

Cheng-Ta C

★★★★★

Fantastic Experience With Alex!

I highly recommend hiring Alex as a guide! I went on two tours with him—the desert castles tour and the Qasr-Al-Abd tour—and both were fantastic. I have been on a number of other tours in Jordan and can tell you that the level of service Alex provides is truly exceptional compared to other operators. If I ever find my way back to Jordan, I will be sure to hire Alex again.

Molly H

★★★★★

We loved it!

We went on this tour to see Desert Castles and Alex was very kind to show us around and explain the history of each castle (actually not all of them are castles, some are baths, other hotels and so on) and showed us the most interesting futures which we wouldn’t notice otherwise :) Qasr Amra was our favourite due to the very interesting frescoes and Qasr Hallabat has very interesting wall-writings from the Roman and Islamic Periods. We were happy the snacks were included as well as cold water! Lunch was fantastic as well. I highly recommend this tour with Alex.

Peter P

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From$150105 JOD

Same price for your private group of 1–3 travellers.