Welcome to Karak
The ancient Crusader stronghold of Karak (or Kerak) lies within the walls of the old city and is one of the highlights of Jordan. The fortified castle that dominates the town was a place of legend in the battles between the Crusaders (Franks) and the Islamic armies of Saladin (Salah ad Din). Now one of the most famous Crusader castles, in its day Karak was just one in a long line of Frank defences, stretching from Aqaba in the south to Turkey in the north.
Top experiences in Karak
Amazing hotels and hostels
We've pre-picked the best hotels, hostels and bed and breakfasts to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
Karak activities
Private Full-Day Crusader Castles of Shobak and Karak Trip via the Kings Highway from Amman
Depart your Amman hotel by private, air-conditioned vehicle, and travel south along scenic roads that follow the ancient trading route combining both the Desert and Kings Highway. Visit Al Hijaz Railway known in the past as Berlin – Bagdad train railway built in 1902 by the Ottoman Empire with the help of their German allies at that time. Proceed by the Kings Highway to arrive Karak, and ascend to the massive hilltop castle, built by the Crusaders between 1110 and 1143 B.C. One of a chain of Crusader defenses between Jerusalem and Aqaba. Karak resisted attacks from Saladin’s armies in the 1180s before succumbing in 1189. It then served as a Byzantine bishopric, and incorporated a church. Explore independently or hire a local guide (additional cost) and wander around the underground passages, galleries, chambers, and fortified turrets. Absorb the spectacular views from the towers, and then continue to the Crusader Castle of Shobak. Built in the early 12th century, this isolated hilltop castle withstood many attacks from Saladin’s forces until it fell in 1189. During the 14th century, the Mamluks built over much of the Crusader structures. Go inside and explore the remnants, seeing the beautifully intricate wall inscriptions, halls, and underground staircase tunneled into the hillside. Soak in the haunting atmosphere and views from the battlements, then return to Amman, where your trip ends with a hotel drop off after a long exciting trip like this.
7-Nights Best of Jordan Including 1 Night Wadi Rum
Day 1 (Sunday) Amman Airport – Amman Hotel (D) Transfer from Amman Queen Alia International Airport to Amman hotel for dinner and overnight. Day 2 (Monday) Amman Panoramic City Tour – Jerash – Amman (B, D) Breakfast at the hotel. Panoramic tour of the center, markets, churches, mosques, Roman Theater, and the new modern city. Depart to Jerash, one of the most complete and best preserved of the Roman Empire. Take a walk through time around its streets, theaters, temples, colonnade, Arc of Triumph, Oval Plaza, and Temples of Zeus and Artemis, back to hotel for dinner and overnight. Day 3 (Tuesday): Amman – Dead Sea – Amman (B, D) Breakfast at the hotel. Descend to the Earth's lowest point: the Dead Sea and Moab desert. Free time to swim in the therapeutic waters, an unforgettable experience! (Entrance to Dead Sea Resthouse, towels not included). Return to Amman. Dinner and overnight. Day 4 (Wednesday) Amman - Madaba – Mount Nebo – Karak or Shobak Kings Highway– Petra (B, D) Breakfast at hotel. Depart to Madaba the 'City of Mosaics,' see the map of the Holy Land made in 571 BCE at St. George Church. Continue to Mt. Nebo, known as the 'Tomb of Moses,' with magnificent views of the Jordan Valley. See towns of Karak or Shobak via the Kings’ Highway and visit its fortress, admire the panoramic views, and then continue to Petra. Dinner and overnight at hotel. Day 5 (Thursday) Petra (B, D) Breakfast at hotel. Classic full-day visit of the Nabatean red rose city of Petra, one of the seven wonders of the world, carved from rock over 2,000 years ago. Access the city through its entrance and continue to reach the impressive Treasury (El Khazneh), which was believed to hold countless treasures. The first view of the “Khazneh” is breathtaking. Other monuments to admire are the Theater, Byzantine Church, and Royal Tombs. (Climbing up to the monastery is on behalf of the clients without guide). Back to hotel for dinner and overnight. Day 6 (Friday) Petra – Wadi Rum (B, D) Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the desert of Wadi Rum, one of the scenes from the film Lawrence of Arabia, and one of the most spectacular settings in the Middle East. This is a red desert sand on which granite mountains rise and peaks of red and gold colors penetrate the scenery. This classic tour is by 4x4 lasting approximately 2 hours. Free time in the Desert to explore Wadi Rum. Dinner and overnight in tents at Wadi Rum Camps. Wadi Rum Camp is meant for you to experience Bedouin lifestyle in the desert. Accommodation is in basic tents with separate shared bathrooms for men and women. Contact supplier for private tent with bathrooms and luxury tents. A basic Bedouin camp breakfast and dinner is included. Day 7 (Saturday) Wadi Rum - Amman hotel (B, D)Breakfast and transfer to/from Wadi Rum Camp to Amman Hotel for dinner and overnight.
Private Wadi Mujib Siq Trail Hiking Experience from the Dead Sea
Wadi Mujib is a gorge in Jordan in front of the Dead Sea at 400 meters below sea level. The Mujib Reserve is the lowest natural reserve in the world, located in the mountainous landscape to the east of the Dead Sea, approximately 90 kilometers south-west of Amman. The 220 square kilometers reserve was created in 1987 by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature and is regionally and internationally important, particularly for the bird life that the reserve supports. It extends to the Karak and Madaba mountains to the north and south, reaching 900 meters above sea level in some places. This 1,300 meter variation in elevation, combined with the valley's year round water flow from seven tributaries, means that Wadi Mujib enjoys a magnificent biodiversity that is enjoyable to explore through a self-guided walking tour. The Mujib Siq Trail is graded as easy to moderate depending on the season self guided. Clients must be at least 18 years old, know how to swim with a reasonable level of fitness. The trail starts at the visitor center near the Mujib Bridge, where you will take the cantilevered walkway over the dam and follow the course of the river between towering sandstone cliffs to the base of a large waterfall. Depending on seasonal rainfall levels, the gorge may contain pools deep enough for swimming. This is an ideal walk to take slowly and enjoy the cool water and shade, especially in the heat of the summer.
Private Transfer Amman Airport to Petra or Petra to Amman Airport via the King's Highway
Relax with a stress-free meet-and-greet service from Amman's Queen Alia International Airport to Petra via the King's Highway. Enjoy comfortable seats with generous leg room, full climate control, and luggage storage on the 5-hour journey. Please note fare includes one piece of carry-on luggage and one piece of standard luggage per person only; car seats for children aged three and under are available at a US $25 charge. As you travel through the scenic mountainous landscapes of the King's Highway, your professional driver-guide will point out attractions and places of interest, including the celebrated Wadi Mujib, the focus of the Mujib Biosphere Reserve, and the vast crusader castle of Karak. If you wish, he can make short stops for photos. Finally, he'll deliver you to your hotel in Wadi Musa, the town above the ancient city of Petra. Private airport transfers from Petra to Amman Airport are also available at the same high level of service.
7-Night Best of Jordan Including 1 Night Dead Sea
Day 1 (Sunday) Amman Airport (D): Arrive at Amman Airport, transfer to hotel in Amman. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. Day 2 (Monday) Amman Panoramic City Tour – Jerash – Amman (B, D): Breakfast at hotel. Panoramic tour of the center, traditional markets, churches, mosques, Roman Theater, and the new modern city. Depart to Jerash, one of the most complete and best preserved of the Roman Empire. Take a walk through time, visiting its streets, theaters, temples, the great colonnade, the Arc of Triumph, the oval plaza and the Temples of Zeus and Artemis, back to hotel for dinner and overnight. Day 3 (Tuesday) Amman (B, D): Enjoy a free day at your leisure. Day 4 (Wednesday) Amman - Madaba – Mount Nebo – Karak or Shobak Kings Highway– Petra (B, D): Breakfast at hotel. Depart to Madaba the 'City of Mosaics,' visit the map of the Holy Land made in 571 B.C. at the Saint George Church. Continue to Mount Nebo, known as the 'Tomb of Moses,' with a magnificent view of the Jordan Valley. Karak or Shobak through the Kings’ Highway, visit its fortress. From there you can admire great panoramic views. Off to Petra. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. Day 5 (Thursday) Petra (B, D): Breakfast at the hotel. Classic full-day visit of the Nabatean red rose city of Petra, one of the seven wonders of the world, carved out of rock over 2000 years ago. Access the city through its entrance and continue to reach the impressive monumental Treasury (El Khazneh), which was believed to hold countless treasures. The first view of the “Khazneh” is breath-taking. Other monuments you can see are the Theater, the Byzantine Church, and the Royal Tombs. (Climbing up to the monastery is on behalf of the clients, without guide). Back to hotel for dinner and overnight. Day 6 (Friday) Petra – Wadi Rum – Aqaba – Dead See (B, D): Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the desert of Wadi Rum, one of the scenes from the film Lawrence of Arabia, and one of the most spectacular settings in the Middle East. This is a red desert sand on which granite mountains rise and peaks of red and gold colors penetrate the scenery. (Classic tour by 4x4 of approximately 2 hours). Transfer to Aqaba with free time in the city or beach. (Entrance to the beach not included, to be paid directly by the client. Beaches are private, there is only one public beach north with basic services). Drive to the lowest place on earth, the Dead Sea and the Desert of Moab. Swim in its therapeutic waters, and enjoy the hotel's facilities for an unforgettable experience. Dinner and overnight at Dead Sea hotel. Day 7 (Saturday): Dead Sea transfer to Amman Hotel (B, D).
8-Nights Best of Jordan Including 1 Night Aqaba and 1 Night Dead Sea
Day 1 (Sunday): Amman Airport, transfer to Amman hotel for dinner and overnight 40km Day 2 (Monday): Amman Panoramic City Tour – Jerash – Amman (B, D) 120km Breakfast at the hotel. Panoramic tour of the city, known as Philadelphia: a panoramic tour of the center. Departure to Jerash, one of the most complete and best preserved of the Roman Empire. A walk through time visiting its streets, theaters, temples and other places like the oval plaza and the Temples of Zeus and Artemis, return to Amman. Dinner and overnight. Day 3 (Tuesday): Amman (B, D) Enjoy a free day at your leisure. Day 4 (Wednesday): Amman - Madaba – Mount Nebo – Karak or Shobak Kings Highway– Petra (B, D) 360km Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Madaba the "City of Mosaics", visit the map of the Holy Land made in 571 B.C. at the Saint George Church. Continue to Mount Nebo, known as the tomb of Moses, with a magnificent view of the Jordan Valley. Go to Karak or Shobak to visit its fortress built during the Crusades. From there you can admire great panoramic views. Off to Petra. Dinner and overnight. Day 5 (Thursday): Petra (B, D) 5 – 10km Breakfast at the hotel. Classic full day visit of the Nabatean red rose city of Petra, one of the seven wonders of the world, carved out of rock over 2000 years ago. Start with the entrance (Siq) of 1.2 kilometers from there you continue to reach the impressive monumental Treasury (El Khazneh). The first view of the “Khazneh” is breath-taking. (Climbing up to the monastery without guide). Return to hotel. Dinner and overnight. Day 6 (Friday): Petra – Wadi Rum – Aqaba (B, D) 495km Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the desert of Wadi Rum, one of the scenes from the film Lawrence of Arabia, and one of the most spectacular settings in the Middle East. This is a red desert sand on which granite mountains rise and peaks of red and gold colors penetrate the scenery. (Classic tour by 4x4 of approximately 2 hours). Transfer to Aqaba. Dinner and overnight at Aqaba Hotel Day 7 (Saturday): Aqaba – Dead Sea (B, D) 495km Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to the lowest point on earth the Dead sea for free time at leisure. Dinner and overnight. Day 8 (Sunday): Breakfast and Free time at the Dead Sea. Transfer to Amman hotel. Dinner and overnight at hotel. (B, D) 45km