Best of Umm Qais

Top itineraries and travel advice in and around Umm Qais
Umm Qais has a dramatic vantage point from its lofty setting above the Jordan Valley. Views of Jordan, Syria, Israel and the Palestinian Territories stretch out beneath the city, along with the sparkling Sea of Galilee, visible on clear days. The strategic location was well noted by ancient people, and the 2300-year-old ruins of a Hellenistic city known as Gadara are among Umm Qais' main attractions. Umm Qais was once the home for several classical poets and philosophers, including Theodorus.

It’s easy to feel as though you’ve stepped back in time while wandering an impressive collonaded street and the ruins of two theatres in a once thriving place that was part of the Decapolis (ten great cities in the Middle East). Umm Qais is also a great place to experience community tourism. You can get insight into beekeeping, by helping to harvest the honey (beekeeper suit provided), or learn how to prepare classic dishes followed by a farm-to-table feast in the home of a local family. You can also take a guided bike tour through the surrounding farmlands or go on hikes along country trails just outside of town. 
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Camels await their passengers in the Wadi Rum
Self-Drive Jordan: Amman to the Dead Sea - 9 Days

Get off the beaten path on this 9-day road trip through Jordan's cultural highlights and natural wonders. Striking out from the capital of Amman, you'll explore the Roman ruins of Jerash, hike through the breathtaking nature reserves of Aljoun and Dana, and admire the rock-cut temples of Petra. After an unforgettable night of desert camping in the Wadi Rum, end your trip floating in the healing waters of the Dead Sea.

Visit local farms and go foraging in the Jordanian countryside
Map of Cultural & Culinary Tour of Northern Jordan- 6 Days
Cultural & Culinary Tour of Northern Jordan- 6 Days

Discover Jordan's cultural heritage through art and food on this six-day adventure. Start in Amman, learning more about the country's history through street art before setting out to see its famous Roman and Byzantine ruins at Umm Qais and Jerash. Get a glimpse of rural life with a hike through the Ajloun Forest Reserve, where you'll also try out traditional crafts like soap making and Arabic calligraphy before diving into modern brewery techniques and a hands-on cooking class back in Amman.

Drink tea with locals in a Jordanian Bedouin home
Map of Cultural & Culinary Tour of Jordan - 8 Days
Cultural & Culinary Tour of Jordan - 8 Days

A feast for the senses awaits on this eight-day journey through Jordan that follows the Rift Valley. You'll start in the capital of Amman with a street art tour before visiting the ancient cities of Jerash and Umm Qais. Dive deeper into the local culture with jam-making, foraging, and calligraphy workshops, then seek out natural wonders at the Ajloun Forest Reserve and Dana Biosphere Reserve, where you'll sit down to a meal with a Bedouin family and explore the surrounding landscapes on scenic hikes.

Forage for ingredients like fresh almonds in the fields surrounding Umm Qais
Map of Culture & Culinary Tour of Jordan - 9 Days
Culture & Culinary Tour of Jordan - 9 Days

Immerse yourself in Jordan's rich culture and culinary delights over nine days, starting with a street art tour in the capital, Amman. Transfer to Umm Qais, where you can forage for edible plants and produce, then move on to Ajloun for an Arabic calligraphy class. Stop at a farm in As-Salt to make jam and yogurt, tour a women's cooperative back in Amman, and sip on local wine at Jordan Vineyards & Winery. Break up all the eating and drinking with three days of hiking in Dana and Wadi Feynan to end your trip.

Biblical Jordan
Map of Biblical Jordan:  Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea - 10 Days
Biblical Jordan: Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea - 10 Days

Travel back to Biblical times with this 10-day tour of Jordan that includes the country's most ancient and sacred sites. You'll visit the place where Jesus was baptized, see the ruins of the hilltop fortress where John the Baptist was imprisoned and executed, follow the steps of the Israels through Wadi Mujib, and even visit Lot's Cave.

Catch a sunset over the Dana Biosphere Reserve from the Feynan Ecolodge
Map of Holy Land Off the Beaten Path: Israel & Jordan - 10 Days
Holy Land Off the Beaten Path: Israel & Jordan - 10 Days

Go off the beaten path on this 10-day itinerary covering Israel and Jordan's Holy Land. Explore the eclectic artist's colony of Old Jaffa in Tel Aviv, discover the remains of an ancient Roman stronghold in Umm Qais, and stay the night at the Feynan Ecolodge in the remote mountains of the Dana Biosphere Reserve. You'll also experience popular attractions of the region, including the Dead Sea, both "Little Petra" and Petra, and Wadi Rum.

See UNESCO-listed Petra's greatest treasures, like the rock-cut Monastery
Map of History & Heritage Tour of Jordan: From Amman to the Dead Sea - 12 Days
History & Heritage Tour of Jordan: From Amman to the Dead Sea - 12 Days

Discover the varied landscapes, rich history, and diverse heritage of Jordan on this 12-day trip, starting in Amman with a traditional Jordanian dinner and two city tours. Spend one day up north to wander through the ancient ruins of Pella and Gadara, then transfer to the Azraq Wetland Reserve to look for wildlife on a guided trek. Head south to the City of Mosaics, Dana Biosphere Reserve, and UNESCO-listed Petra before ending with a float in the Dead Sea and a visit to the Ma'in Hot Springs.

Experience the warmth of Jordanian hospitality with this 11-day journey through its culture and cuisine
Map of Cultural & Culinary Tour of Jordan - 11 Days
Cultural & Culinary Tour of Jordan - 11 Days

Follow the Great Rift Valley from north to south on this 11-day tour that reveals Jordan's culture through its delicious food, spectacular nature, and mesmerizing experiences. Starting in the capital of Amman and culminating with a grand finale at the "lost city" of Petra, you'll learn more about the country's heritage through visits to ancient sites, cultural activities, hikes in distinctive landscapes, and culinary adventures, both in the kitchen and around the fire pit.

Go on two camel rides across the red desert landscape of the Wadi Rum
Map of History & Heritage Tour of Jordan: From Amman to the Dead Sea - 13 Days
History & Heritage Tour of Jordan: From Amman to the Dead Sea - 13 Days

Uncover thousands of years of history and culture with this 13-day itinerary, beginning with a local dinner and city tours of the Jordanian capital. Experience the ancient ruins of Pella, Gadara, and Jerash, then explore the Azraq Wetland Reserve on foot and bicycle. Admire the colorful mosaics in Madaba, spend a day with Dana's residents, and wander through Petra on your own. Two Jeep tours, a camel ride in Wadi Rum, and a float in the Dead Sea await before your return to Amman.

Learn about Jordanian culture through its food and its people on this 13-day tour
Map of Cultural & Culinary Tour of Jordan - 13 Days
Cultural & Culinary Tour of Jordan - 13 Days

Experience Jordan's rich culture and delectable gastronomy on this 13-day journey that's perfect for adventurous travelers. You'll discover flavorful Levantine dishes and scenic hikes with landscapes both lunar and leafy. Learn about Bedouin culture through homestays and crafts, explore the ruins of ancient Roman and Byzantine cities, and explore desert landscapes by camel and Jeep. Of course, famous sites like Petra, Jerash, and a few spins around the capital of Amman are included too.

Marvel at the well-preserved Nymphaeum, dedicated to water nymphs, in Jerash
Map of History & Heritage Tour of Jordan: From Amman to the Dead Sea - 15 Days
History & Heritage Tour of Jordan: From Amman to the Dead Sea - 15 Days

This 15-day trip gives you an in-depth look at Jordan's ancient past—with plenty of active excursions alongside the history. Tour Amman's landmarks and museums, then roam the UNESCO-listed sites of Jerash, Pella, and Gadara. Spot wildlife as you cycle around the Azraq Wetland Reserve, marvel at mosaics in Madaba, and hike remote trails in the Dana Biosphere Reserve. Spend a full day uncovering the secrets of Petra, travel the dunes of Wadi Rum by camel, and end with a dip in the Dead Sea.

Experience the warmth of Jordanian hospitality with this 15-day journey through its culture and cuisine
Map of Cultural & Culinary Tour of Jordan - 15 Days
Cultural & Culinary Tour of Jordan - 15 Days

Explore Jordan from top to bottom on this 15-day journey for thrill-seekers, foodies, and culture hounds alike. Kick off the trip in the capital of Amman and end in Jordan's famous deserts of Wadi Rum. Everywhere you go, from cities to villages, you'll be immersed in Jordanian culture and cuisine, learning how to make Arabic coffee and traditional dishes by hand, exploring ancient ruins and modern markets with local guides, and crafting artisan wares that Bedouin peoples have used for centuries.

Explore the remarkably well-preserved Greco-Roman ruins of Jerash with your private guide
Map of History & Heritage Tour of Jordan: From Amman to the Dead Sea - 16 Days
History & Heritage Tour of Jordan: From Amman to the Dead Sea - 16 Days

This 16-day itinerary features Jordan's most famous historical sites alongside plenty of immersive local experiences and outdoor adventures. Tour UNESCO-listed ruins like Jerash, Pella, and Gadara, then spend a day alongside Bedouin villagers in Dana. Reach Petra via a hike along its hidden back trail and venture into the Wadi Rum for desert camping and camel rides. End on the shores of the Dead Sea to learn about the area's ancient cultures and stop by the legendary Lot's Cave.

Dig in to delicious Jordanian dishes and roll up your sleeves as you cook alongside locals
Map of Cultural & Culinary Tour of Jordan - 16 Days
Cultural & Culinary Tour of Jordan - 16 Days

Get to the heart of Jordanian life through its culture and cuisine with this immersive 16-day itinerary. From modern city life in the capital to ancient traditions at a Bedouin desert camp, you'll run the gamut of cultural experiences. Learn about regional gastronomy with cooking classes, foraging tours, and wine tastings, then set off for more active adventures in the Dana Biosphere Reserve and a full-day exploration of Petra. End in relaxing fashion with free time on the shores of the Dead Sea.

Other popular travel destinations in Jordan
Petra · Amman · Wadi Rum · The Dead Sea · Aqaba · Dana · Madaba · Feynan · Ajloun · Little Petra