ONE DAY TOUR JARESH - AJLOUN - & UMM QAIS
A one-day tour from Amman to Jerash, Ajloun, and Umm Qais offers a wonderful exploration of Jordan’s historical treasures.
Jerash: Known for its Roman ruins, Jerash is one of the best-preserved ancient cities outside of Italy. Visitors can marvel at the vast, colonnaded streets, the impressive Hadrian's Arch, the Temple of Artemis, and the grand Roman Theater.
Ajloun: This stop is home to the Ajloun Castle, a 12th-century fortress built to defend against Crusaders. The castle offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and forests, making it a beautiful and strategic landmark.
Umm Qais: Located near the Golan Heights, Umm Qais is an ancient Greco-Roman city with spectacular views over the Sea of Galilee. The ruins include a well-preserved Roman theater, colonnaded streets, and ancient baths, with historical and scenic panoramas.
Tour Description
A one-day tour from Amman to Jerash, Ajloun, and Umm Qais can be a fantastic way to explore some of Jordan's most significant historical sites. Here's a suggested itinerary for the day:
1. Departure from Amman (7:30 AM - 8:00 AM)
o Start your day early to make the most of your time.
2. Jerash (9:00 AM - 11:00 AM):
o Location: Approximately 48 km north of Amman.
o Highlights: Visit the ancient Roman city of Jerash, one of the best-preserved Roman ruins outside Italy. Walk through Hadrian's Arch, the Hippodrome, the Oval Plaza, and the Temple of Artemis.
o Tips: The site can take around 1.5-2 hours to explore, but you can adjust the time based on your interest.
3. Ajloun (11:30 AM - 1:00 PM):
o Location: 30 km west of Jerash (about 30 minutes by car).
o Highlights: Visit Ajloun Castle, a 12th-century Islamic fortress built to defend the area against Crusader attacks. You’ll get great panoramic views of the surrounding hills and valleys.
o Tips: The castle is relatively small, so an hour or so should be sufficient to explore it.
Lunch (1:15 PM - 2:00 PM):
• You can have lunch in Ajloun or on the way to Umm Qais. There are some local restaurants offering traditional Jordanian cuisine like mansaf or falafel.
4. Umm Qais (2:30 PM - 4:00 PM):
o Location: 35 km north of Ajloun (about 40 minutes by car).
o Highlights: Explore the ancient Roman city of Gadara (Umm Qais), known for its ruins and stunning views of the Sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights. Visit the theater, the basilica, and the archaeological museum.
o Tips: The site is quite spread out, so be sure to allocate enough time to explore its various parts.
5. Return to Amman (5:30 PM):
o After finishing your visit to Umm Qais, head back to Amman, which is about a 1.5-hour drive away.