Welcome to Jerash
Arriving in the modern town of Jerash, with its provincial streets and small market gardens, you see little to suggest its illustrious past. But the moment you cross from the new town into the ancient city, its boundary marked by the imposing Hadrian’s Arch, it becomes apparent that this was once no ordinary backwater but a city of great wealth and importance.
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Jerash activities
Private Half Day Tour to Jerash
Begin your private tour with a pick up from your central Amman hotel, and travel by comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle. Wander among the original temples, theaters, plazas, paths and colonnaded streets, all enclosed within the remaining city walls. Within the city walls have been found the remains of settlements dating from the Bronze Age, the Iron Age, the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Umayyad and Abbasid periods, indicating human occupation at this location for more than 2,500 years. A local English-Speaking Guide will be included for your classic 2 hours visit of this Roman Decapolis City of Jerash. The guides are provided by the Authority of Jerash under the Ministry of Tourism. This ancient city was one of the most prosperous in the Roman Empire, and was covered by sand for centuries until its remnants were discovered in 1806. Head through the ancient city gate and walk around the well-preserved ruins as your guide tells you tales about the city in its heyday. See its arches, theaters, and elegant colonnaded street. Snap photos of the stunning Oval Plaza, the intriguing egg-shaped public square framed by standing columns. After this amazing walking tour, return to Amman where your experience finishes with a drop off at your hotel.
Private Half-Day Jerash and Amman City Sightseeing Tour
Begin your 6-hour private tour with a pick up from your central Amman hotel, and travel by comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle to the hilltop Citadel that rises up over the Jordanian capital. On route, hear interesting facts behind this rock-top collection of Roman, Byzantine and early Islamic ruins and head inside to explore. See the stunning Roman temple, colonnaded streets and other relics as a guide unravels the history of each monument. Continue to Amman’s spectacular, 2nd-century Roman Amphitheater, once part of the ancient city of Philadelphia that once stood on the site of today’s modern capital. Admire the scale and symmetry of the stunning, 6,000-seater arena, and hear from your guide how it was built to face north to shelter spectators from the fiercest heat of the sun. Having explored here, sit back and relax as you leave Amman and drive to the archaeological ruins at Jerash. Soak up the views of the passing towns and green landscapes, and along the way, hear the history of Jerash. Largely established by Alexander the Great in the 2nd century B.C., this ancient city was one of the most prosperous in the Roman Empire, and was covered by sand for centuries until its remnants were discovered in 1806. Head through the ancient city gate and walk around the well-preserved ruins as your guide tells you tales about the city in its heyday. See its arches, theaters and elegant colonnaded street. Snap photos of the stunning Oval Plaza, the intriguing egg-shaped public square framed by standing columns. After your walking tour, return to Amman where your experience finishes with a drop off at your hotel.
Private Full-Day Tour: Umm Qais, Jerash, and Ajloun from Amman
Your first stop will be Jerash, located about an hour north from the city center of Amman and is considered one of the largest and most well-preserved sites of Roman architecture in the world outside of Italy. Jerash conquered by General Pompey in 63 BC, became under Roman rule and was one of the 10 greatest Roman cities, The Decapolis League. Your driver will assist to prepare your entrance and private local guide (optional) who will be with you to share the rich historical city of Jerash. Your tour will capture its colonnaded streets, baths, theaters, plazas and arches most in great condition. There is a lot of walking but well worth the stroll, be sure to have your comfortable shoes on that day. After your tour in Jerash, you will meet your local guide (optional) to take you to Ajloun Castle which was built in 1184AD by one of Saladin’s generals. The castle became important in the defense against the Crusaders. The castle is one of the best preserved examples of Medieval Arab-Islamic military architecture. The Castle tour is a walking tour on your own. After Ajloun Castle, you will meet your driver at the entrance and finish your tour further north to Um Qais situated on the hilltop with panoramic views of Tiberius Lake, The Golan Heights and The Jordan Valley. Um Qais is your last stop north before departing back to the city center of Amman. After your walking tour, your driver will meet you at your vehicle with a ride back to your hotel or other drop off point.
The North Tour of Jordan Jerash Ajlun Castle and Um Qais
The North Tour of Jordan is a step back into time. Your private air conditioned car and driver will meet you at the hotel lobby or other mutual agreed location at 830 am to start your day to the rich terrain of Jordan. It is a full day tour so be sure to have your walking shoes and camera ready. Your first stop will be Um Qais, the very north of Jordan. Um Qais situated on the hilltop with panoramic views of Tiberius Lake, The Golan Heights and The Jordan Valley. Then on to Ajlun Castle which was built in 1184AD by one of Saladin’s generals. The castle became important in the defense against the Crusaders. The castle is one of the best preserved examples of Medieval Arab-Islamic military architecture. The castle tour is a walking tour on your own. After Ajlun Castle, you will meet your driver at the entrance with your last stop to Jerash. Jerash, located about 45 minutes south from the the castle, considered one of the largest and most well-preserved sites of Roman architecture in the world outside of Italy. Jerash conquered by General Pompey in 63 BC, became under Roman rule and was one of the 10 greatest Roman cities, The Decapolis League. Once in Jerash, your driver will assist to prepare your entrance tickets, and also the option to hire a local guide, who are professional and certified, available at an additional charge. Your tour will capture its colonnaded streets, baths, theaters, plazas and arches most in great condition. There is a lot of walking but well worth the stroll, be sure to have your comfortable shoes on that day. Once you complete your Jerash Tour, there are authentic handcrafts at the Jerash Gift Gallery for purchase, handmade in Jordan, optional. At the end of the tour, your driver will meet you at the entrance for your return to Amman. During your full day tour of the North of Jordan, do inform your driver if you would like to stop for lunch and he will be happy to advice on a cafe along the way prior to your return to your hotel in Amman.
3-Day Petra Wadi Rum and Jordan Tour from Jerusalem
From Jerusalem, your first day starts by crossing to Jordan via the Sheikh Hussein border. Driving past the lush mountains of the country’s north, your first stop is one of the world’s best-preserved Roman cities: Jerash. The impressive Hadrian’s arch marks the entrance to a variety of colonnaded streets, perfectly designed theatres and vast squares.After a traditional lunch, you’ll head to Amman’s Citadel, where you can learn about the history of one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, and enjoy the panoramic views across this modern capital. In the afternoon, the route will take you to a Bedouin camp near modern Petra, allowing the unique experience of Bedouin hospitality including a delicious dinner, local music and stargazing next to a warming campfire. You’ll spent the night here in one of the traditional, comfortable huts, where real beds and sheets are provided alongside a towel.The next morning, you’ll board your minivan again just after breakfast and depart for Petra. The entire day is dedicated to wandering the “red-rose city” and its famous archaeological sites built by the Nabataeans some 2.000 years ago. The first half will be a guided tour past the siq and the treasury, while after a local lunch you’ll have time to go explore other sites like the monastery or royal tombs. In the evening, you’ll head back for dinner and another night in the Bedouin camp.Your last day consists of an exciting 4x4 Jeep tour through the virtually untouched, moon-like desert landscape of Wadi Rum. After lunch at a local restaurant, you’ll make your way to the Allenby Border crossing, and arrive back in Jerusalem by late evening.
Jordan Private 6-Day Tour: Dead Sea, Mt. Nebo, Amman, Jerash
Day 1 - Amman (D)Get picked up at the Amman airport, and get taken to your hotel for dinner.Overnight stay in Amman Day 2: Amman - Madaba - Mt. Nebo - Kerak - Petra (B, D)Breakfast at your hotel. Departure to Madaba the "City of Mosaics" where you will visit the church of St. George which houses the map of the Holy Land made in 571 D. C. Continue to Mt. Nebo, known as the tomb of Moses. From the summit you can see a magnificent view of the Jordan Valley. Transfer to Kerak to visit its crusader castle. Continue to Petra for dinner.Overnight stay in PetraDay 3 - Petra (B, D) After breakfast, visit the Nabatean Red Rose City of Petra. First, walk the “siq”, a narrow path, which is the main entrance to the city. At the end of the “siq”, you will see the treasury "Khazneh" - which was believed to hold countless treasures. Other monuments you will visit are the Theatre, the Byzantine Church, and the Royal Tombs. Back to Petra hotel for dinner.Overnight stay in PetraDay 4 - Petra - Wadi Rum - Dead Sea - Amman (B, D) After breakfast depart to Wadi Rum, called the valley of moon for a classic 2-hour visit of Wadi Rum in a 4x4 local jeeps. Then transfer to the Dead Sea which sits 1312 feet (400 meters) below sea level. It is by far one of Jordan's most impressive and spectacular places to visit. Its calm shining water glowing from its scorching sun known for the concentration of salt and minerals, which makes it a therapeutic, as well as a unique swimming experience. Get free time at the Dead Sea Tourist Beach Rest house, and then transfer to Amman for dinner.Overnight stay in Amman Day 5 - Amman Panoramic City Tour - Jerash - Ajlun - Amman (B, D) Pick up from your hotel in Amman. Go on a panoramic tour of the city center, downtown with its Roman Theater, traditional markets, churches, mosques, and the new modern city. Departure to Jerash, one of the most complete and best preserved of the Roman Empire. Walk through, and have time to visit its streets, theaters, temples, and other places such as Colonnade Street, the Arch of Hadrian, the Oval Plaza, as well as the Temples of Zeus and Artemis. Proceed to Ajlun to visit the Ajlun Castle. Then, its back to Amman for dinner.Overnight stay in Amman Day 6 - Amman - (B)Breakfast and your tour ends with a transfer to Amman Airport to coincide with your departure flight.