Expedition to JAWA and Umm El-Jimal

Points forts

Inclus

Itinéraire

1. 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).

   2 h

2. 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.

   1 h

3. 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.

   1 h

4. 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.

   1 h

5. 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.

   1 h

6. 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.

   1 h

Annulation

Annulation gratuite jusqu’à 24 heures avant le début de l’expérience, avec remboursement intégral.

Avis

Les notes proviennent de 1 avis recueillis par notre partenaire de réservation. Ce sont les mots des voyageurs, dans l’ordre où ils ont été écrits — jamais réorganisés pour flatter l’expérience.

À savoir avant de partir

How it compares in Amman

• Its from-price is 60% above the median of the 1292 experiences we list in Amman.
• Its length is typical for the group.
• By number of reviews it ranks 821 of 1292.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Amman

Amman, capitale jordanienne étalée sur des collines, avec ruines romaines, souks animés du centre et un accueil chaleureux pour débuter un voyage.

La citadelle d'Amman couronne le Jabal al-Qal'a avec le temple d'Hercule, le palais omeyyade et de vastes vues sur la ville. En contrebas, le théâtre romain, creusé dans la colline, peut accueillir des milliers de personnes, et les souks du centre autour de la grande mosquée Husseini vendent épices, or et douceurs, dans l'air parfumé de café et de cardamome.

Top-ranked sights in Amman: Petra, Jerash (Gerasa), Ajloun Castle.

See all 1292 experiences in Amman