Private tour · from Amman

Expedition to JAWA and Umm El-Jimal

Venture far beyond the usual tourist routes on this exclusive full-day expedition into Jordan’s remote northern desert. This private journey takes you to some of the country’s most ancient and least-visited archaeological sites, where history, landscape, and isolation combine to create a truly unique experience.

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★★★★★ 5.0 · 1 review

Basalt blocks along a passage through the town wall, Jawa, Jordan

▦ 20 photos from this tour

From · whole group$250

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$250whole group

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About this tour

Overview

Private tourExpeditionEastern DesertBronze Age · Roman · Byzantine

Travel in comfort in a fully equipped 4×4 vehicle with Wi-Fi, refreshments, and snacks, allowing you to enjoy the journey as much as the destinations. Along the way, we explore remarkable sites such as Jawa—one of the oldest known planned settlements in the region—along with the atmospheric desert ruins of Deir Al-Kahf and Deir Al-Kinn.

The highlight of the day is the striking basalt city of Umm El-Jimal, a vast and beautifully preserved settlement built entirely from black volcanic stone. Walking through its silent streets and towering ruins offers a powerful glimpse into life on the ancient frontier.

Designed for adventure seekers and history enthusiasts, this tour offers a rare opportunity to discover Jordan’s hidden archaeological treasures in a relaxed, private setting—far from the crowds.

At the end of the day, we return you comfortably to Amman, leaving you with unforgettable impressions of Jordan’s wild landscapes and ancient past.

Photo gallery

Photos from this tour

The basalt walls and tower of the fort above scattered stones, Qasr Deir Al-Kahf, Jordan

A long wall of stacked basalt blocks, Qasr Deir Al-Kahf, Jordan

The basalt fort and its tower under a cloudy sky, Qasr Deir Al-Kahf, Jordan

The basalt tower and main entrance of the fort, Qasr Deir Al-Kahf, Jordan

Large basalt blocks at a gateway in the town wall, Jawa, Jordan

Basalt blocks of a gate in the low sun, Jawa, Jordan

The tumbled basalt town wall running across the hill, Jawa, Jordan

The ruined town wall in the low evening sun, Jawa, Jordan

Basalt arches inside a ruined house, Umm El-Jimal, Jordan

The ruined basalt walls of a house in the town, Umm El-Jimal, Jordan

A lane between basalt walls, Umm El-Jimal, Jordan

A ruined basalt building with windows, behind green plants, Umm El-Jimal, Jordan

A tall, narrow basalt tower among the ruins, Umm El-Jimal, Jordan

Tumbled basalt blocks of a ruined wall, Qasr Deir Al-Kinn, Jordan

A heap of fallen basalt blocks from the ruined building, Qasr Deir Al-Kinn, Jordan

The fort in the distance across the black basalt plain, Qasr Deir Al-Kahf, Jordan

A row of basalt arches standing against the sky, Umm El-Jimal, Jordan

Itinerary

6 stops, door to door

Amman to Qasr Deir Al-Kahaf

Your journey begins with pickup from your hotel or residence in Amman, followed by a brief introduction and expedition overview.

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Your journey begins with pickup from your hotel or residence in Amman, followed by a brief introduction and expedition overview. If you wish, we can make a short stop at Starbucks to pick up your favourite coffee before heading into the desert. We then travel north in a comfortable 4×4 vehicle equipped with Wi-Fi and phone chargers. Sit back and enjoy your coffee and selected snacks as we leave the city behind and enter Jordan’s remote landscapes. Complimentary bottled water and soft drinks are provided throughout the journey. The drive to our first stop takes approximately 2 hours (150 km).

Qasr Deir Al-Kahaf

Our first stop is Qasr Deir Al-Kahaf, a remote Roman-era outpost dating to the 4th century AD.

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Our first stop is Qasr Deir Al-Kahaf, a remote Roman-era outpost dating to the 4th century AD. Often referred to as the “Monastery of the Caves,” this atmospheric site once served as a frontier station overlooking the surrounding desert. Although only parts of the structure remain, the location itself—isolated and windswept—offers a powerful introduction to the region’s ancient past and sets the tone for the expedition ahead.

Site profile Travel guide 360° panorama Photo album

Qasr Deir Al-Kinn

We continue deeper into the high desert to the little-known site of Deir Al-Kinn, perched at an elevation of over 1,100 meters.

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We continue deeper into the high desert to the little-known site of Deir Al-Kinn, perched at an elevation of over 1,100 meters. Hidden within a rugged landscape, the remains here are sparse yet evocative—fragments of walls and stone foundations that hint at long-forgotten activity. The journey itself is part of the experience, with sweeping views across the basalt plains and a sense of true remoteness rarely found in Jordan.

Site profile 360° panorama

JAWA

The highlight of the expedition is the extraordinary site of Jawa, one of the oldest known planned settlements in the region, dating back to the late 4th millennium BC.

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The highlight of the expedition is the extraordinary site of Jawa, one of the oldest known planned settlements in the region, dating back to the late 4th millennium BC. Located in the heart of the Black Desert, Jawa is a remarkable example of early human ingenuity. Here you will discover the remains of one of the world’s earliest dam and water management systems—an advanced network designed to control seasonal floods and sustain life in an otherwise harsh environment. The ruins reveal traces of a once-fortified town, complete with walls, reservoirs, and settlement structures. Despite ongoing research, many aspects of Jawa remain a mystery, adding to its intrigue and significance.

Site profile Travel guide Photo album

Umm El-Jimal

Our final major stop is Umm El-Jimal, a vast and beautifully preserved settlement built entirely from black basalt stone.

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Our final major stop is Umm El-Jimal, a vast and beautifully preserved settlement built entirely from black basalt stone. This “Black Oasis” flourished from the Nabataean through the Byzantine and early Islamic periods before being largely abandoned after an earthquake in 749 AD. Walking through its quiet streets, you will encounter towering multi-storey structures, ancient homes, churches, and courtyards—many remarkably intact after centuries of abandonment. The site offers a unique and immersive glimpse into life on the edge of the desert.

360° panorama

Return to Amman

After a full day of exploration, we begin our return journey to Amman.

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After a full day of exploration, we begin our return journey to Amman. You will be dropped off at your hotel or preferred location, concluding a truly unique expedition through some of Jordan’s most remote and historically significant landscapes.

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★★★★★ · 1 review

Reviews on Tripadvisor ↗

“Alex is the best. He knows his stuff, is always on time, goes beyond the call of duty to take care of his clients. You forgot water? Alex has you covered. You need a bit of sugar to boost your energy? Alex is way ahead of you. You already bought a Jordan Pass? Alex will reimburse…”

Shannon D

Book directly with us

From$250178 JOD

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