Ajloun & Jerash Tour | Day Tour (starting from $160)

• Activity: Private guided tour to northern Jordan, visiting Ajloun and Jerash.
• Start Time: 8:00 A.M. (recommended)
• Total Driving Distance: ~ 140 km (87 miles) round trip.
• Total Duration: 8-9 hours (including sightseeing, museum visits, and travel)

Morning – Journey to Ajloun: Castle, Museum & Cable Car
After breakfast at your hotel, meet your private guide and driver. They will escort you for the entire duration of the tour, from hotel pick-up to final hotel drop-off.
Depart Amman northwards (approx. 70 km, 1 hour 15 minutes) through the lush highlands of Jordan to the town of Ajloun, renowned for its medieval fortress and stunning forest landscapes.

• Ajloun Castle (Qal'at Ar-Rabad) & Ajloun Archaeological Museum:
  Perched atop a forested hill, this magnificent 12th-century Islamic fortress was built in 1184 by Izz al-Din Usama, a general and nephew of Saladin, to protect the region against Crusader incursions and control the iron mines. Explore its imposing towers, underground passageways, and thick stone walls with original arrow slits. The castle offers commanding strategic views across the Jordan Valley and the surrounding green hills . Inside the castle, you will find the Ajloun Archaeological Museum, which showcases a range of artifacts portraying the region's history and cultural heritage, including pottery, glassware, coins, and tools from various civilizations that inhabited the area. The museum is included with your castle entrance ticket.
• Ajloun Cable Car “Telefrik Ajloun”:
  Jordan's first teleferique, inaugurated in 2023, offers a breathtaking journey over the verdant forests and rolling hills of Ajloun. The 2.5-kilometer-long cable car glides smoothly above the treetops in fully glazed cabins accommodating up to eight people, providing 360-degree panoramic views of the stunning Mediterranean landscape. The take-off station is situated in the Ajloun development area, with the landing station located near Ajloun Castle. As you soar through the air, you'll witness the region's natural beauty with the imposing silhouette of Ajloun Castle appearing like a sentinel above the greenery . The cable car operates daily from 11:00 AM to 5:30 PM.

Midday – Travel to Jerash:
Depart Ajloun and drive southeast (approx. 20 km, 30 minutes) to the magnificent Greco-Roman city of Jerash.

Lunch Break:
Time will be allocated for lunch at a local restaurant near the Jerash site (optional and not included in the tour price). Your guide can assist with recommendations.

Afternoon – Jerash Exploration:
Upon arrival at Jerash, your guide will lead you through one of the world's best-preserved Roman provincial cities, often called the "Pompeii of the East". Enter through the imposing Arch of Hadrian, built to honor the visit of Emperor Hadrian in AD 129-130.

• Archaeological Site Exploration:
  • Walk the original, colonnaded Cardo Maximus.
  • Stand in the remarkable Oval Plaza (Forum), surrounded by Ionic columns.
  • Visit the grand Temple of Artemis, dedicated to the city's patron goddess.
  • Explore the well-preserved South Theatre, where you can experience its remarkable acoustics.
  • View the Hippodrome, once the site of thrilling chariot races.
  • Pass by the Nymphaeum, the Cathedral, and other significant structures as your guide explains the city's layout and history.
• Jerash Archaeological Museum:
  Your guided tour includes a visit to the onsite museum, which was established in 1923 inside one of the vaults of the Artemis Temple and moved to its current location in 1985. The museum is dedicated solely to discoveries from the Jerash region, with collections spanning from the Neolithic period through the Mamluk era. Here, you will see large collections of pottery, glassware, metals, coins, statues, and mosaic panels recovered from the site. In the museum garden, Greek and Latin monumental inscriptions are displayed alongside marble statues and stone sarcophagi.

Late Afternoon – Return to Amman:
Conclude your visit and begin the return journey to Amman (approx. 50 km, 1 hour). You will be escorted back to your hotel and dropped off in the early evening.

 :: Thank you for choosing to explore Jordan with us ::

Highlights of Your Day

• Private Full-Day Journey: Enjoy the personalized experience of having your own dedicated guide and driver from the moment you leave your hotel until your return.
• Ajloun Castle: Explore this magnificent 12th-century Islamic fortress built by Saladin's general, with its imposing towers, underground passageways, and commanding views over the Jordan Valley.
• Ajloun Archaeological Museum: Discover artifacts spanning centuries of history, displayed within the castle walls.
• Ajloun Cable Car: Experience Jordan's first teleferique, gliding above verdant forests in fully glazed cabins with 360-degree panoramic views.
• Jerash Archaeological Site: Walk through one of the world's best-preserved Roman provincial cities, featuring colonnaded streets, theaters, temples, and the iconic Oval Plaza.
• Jerash Archaeological Museum: View fascinating artifacts, statues, and mosaics recovered from the site, spanning from prehistoric to Islamic times.
• Experience Ancient Engineering: Visit the grand Temple of Artemis and test the incredible acoustics of the well-preserved South Theatre .

Notes:

• Prices are per person (adult and child), in USD and are inclusive all taxes.
• This tour departs daily from Amman, subject to availability.
• This is a private guided tour with pickup and drop-off at your Amman hotel.
• An advance full payment is required to complete and confirm this booking.

Important Information:

• Premium Comfort: To ensure a more comfortable and luxurious experience with better views, this tour is operated with a private Premium Business Class Van “Business Vans “.
• What to bring: Comfortable walking shoes, sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen), camera, and your passport/ID.
• Fitness Level: A moderate level of fitness is required due to walking at archaeological sites over uneven terrain. Please note that this tour is not wheelchair accessible. For wheelchair-friendly tours or transfers, please contact us.
• Entrance Fees: If you have purchased a Jordan Pass, please remember to bring a printed copy with you. It covers entrance fees to Jerash and Ajloun Castle, but does not cover the Ajloun Cable Car.
• Ajloun Cable Car: The cable car is closed every Tuesday of the first of each month.
• Distances & Times: Travel times in Jordan can vary significantly due to traffic, checkpoints, and road conditions. The times provided are realistic estimates under normal conditions.
• The local currency: is the Jordanian Dinar (JD). It is advisable to have cash on hand.
• Site Visits: Your guide may adjust the order of visits based on timing and local conditions to ensure the best possible experience.

Price Includes:

• Private guided service: A licensed Professional English-speaking guide will accompany you for the entire day, from hotel pick-up to hotel drop-off.
• Private transportation: Air-conditioned Premium Business Class Van with a professional driver.
• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Amman.
• Bottled water on board.

Price Excludes:

• Travel insurance (highly recommended).
• Entrance fees to sites and Cable Car ticket.
• Lunch and beverages unless explicitly stated as included.
• Any Personal expenses.
• Services of local guides at the visited sites.
• Gratuities (tips) for drivers, guides, (expected).
• Any items or services not mentioned in the "Includes" section.