De Amã: Jerash, Umm Qais & Jesus’ Cave Tour

The driver Abu Anas was very professional on this private ride to the two beautiful sites that are Umm Qays and the ancient city of Jerash. He gave us various explanations about the sights of Jordan, some villages on the road and customs of the country, spoke French several times and drove cautiously. However, despite the quality of the driver and the sites visited, we regret about the cave of Jesus. Indeed, the driver dropped us off at the top of the road to get there on foot and that it is possible to call on a local guide for this site. However, as this is a place that requires a 5 minute tour off the way on foot, we saw absolutely no point in paying an extra for a guide. So we walked to the cave and discovered that the path was steep, which required a difficult return depending on our physical condition (my mother being 67 years old), this clarification should have been made. But not the most unfortunate thing about this visit, we came across a herd of sheep guarded by dogs who started running towards us barking at us. We didn't see anyone with this herd, so we got scared and turned back. Fortunately, the dogs eventually stopped following us and we had the chance to meet a family driving back who dropped us off at our driver to whom we told of our bad experience. The driver took our situation very seriously and notified the military who had checked our passports in advance and they made a report and told us that a statement had to be made to the police. We had already lost a lot of time so we just wanted to get to Jerash and make the most of our excursion. We very much hope that the agency will be kept informed of this situation which prevented us from seeing one of the sites we had paid for in our booking and that security measures will be adapted for future tourists by strongly advising against the walk to the cave.

Our visit to Um Qais (ancient Gadara) was an incredible experience, offering both rich history and stunning landscapes. Unlike many other tourist sites in Jordan, Um Qais was virtually empty, allowing us to explore the ruins without crowds. We hired a local guide who had once lived among the ruins, and his personal connection to the site brought the history to life. The city's unique Cardo, running east to west instead of the typical north-south, was a fascinating architectural feature that set it apart from other Roman cities. Among the highlights were the West Theater, made from striking black basalt stone, as well as the Roman tombs, the ruins of a basilica, and the nymphaeum—a grand public fountain. The combination of well-preserved Roman structures and Ottoman-era homes, built with repurposed Roman stones, gave the site a layered historical feel. Standing atop the ruins, we were rewarded with breathtaking views of the Jordan Valley, the Sea of Galilee, and the Golan Heights, making this visit even more special. Our driver, Mohammad Bardaghawi, next took us to the Jesus Cave near Um Qais. This interesting attraction is a hidden gem worth exploring if you're in northern Jordan. The cave, believed by local tradition to have been a resting place for Jesus during his travels, offers a quiet and reflective atmosphere. While its historical connection is debated, its setting amidst the beautiful hills near Um Qais makes it a fascinating visit. The journey to the cave provides stunning views of the Jordan Valley and the Sea of Galilee, adding to the overall experience. Getting to the cave is straightforward, with signs leading from Um Qais toward Al Adassiyah. A short walk from the parking area brings you to the cave entrance. Inside, the space is simple yet peaceful, making it a great stop for history enthusiasts and spiritual travelers alike. The surrounding landscape adds to the cave's appeal, making it a worthwhile addition to any visit to Um Qais and its Roman ruins. We opted to skip Jerash, as we had plans to visit Jerash as part of an organized tour later in the week. We were also tired from traveling, as this was day one of our time change. Mohammed was excellent, tailoring our visits to our preferences and stopping to treat us to coffee, tea, falafel and fresh fruit. He was more than a driver, serving as both host and ambassador, whose love of Jordan was evident in his passion.

Very friendly driver, drove responsibly and was attentive to our questions. Very polite and would definitely go with this driver again if I'm in Jordan.

We had a phantastic day with our driver Mohammad Barghadawi! It was our first day in Jordan and he made us feel so welcome, explained not only about the sites we visited, but also about Jordanian culture and history in general, and provided us with local snacks! The sites themselves were great, Jerash especially was a highlight and very impressive. On our way back to Amman we then stopped to see the beautiful sunset. All in all a wonderful tour, that we would recommend to everyone who visits Jordan!

Spectacular places, our driver Moneed was really kind and patient, he waited for us all the time necessary to visit without saying anything! A thousand thanks

Thoroughly enjoyed my day with Ali Abu Hani driving me to the sites of Jerash, Umm Quais and Issa’s cave. He was a good careful driver, informative about the history of Jordan, and patiently waited while I wandered the sites.

This was a great tour that gave the opportunity, to walk right through history. The Roman remains were amazing to see especially in Jeresh, they are more intact than expected. Its been a pleasure having Bardaghawi as our driver during our two days touring Amman! he is very kind and went out of his way to create a memorable experience for us! we would highly recommend him for your Jordan travels.

We had the best driver you could ever have!! Abu Anas gave us a thorough understanding of Jordan . He was very kind and helpful. Helpef us to understand the story of each place we visited! Took us to buy things we searched for!! Very clean and comfortable car with free Wi-Fi He was very kind!! For sure I'll come back amd ask only for him to be our driver! Thanks alottt