Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
AZRAQ & AROUND
Azraq is the only town of any significance in the Eastern Desert and acts as a magnet for
trans-continental traffic looking for refreshment and company after long desert drives. The
name 'Azraq' is often loosely applied to all settlements directly east of Amman and the
castles that are scattered across the desert plains here. Some of the best attractions of the re-
gion lie close to the town itself, including a fort and a wetland reserve. Beyond the fringes
of the town, on the two main roads into Amman, there are several desert castles, including
two of the most striking, Qasr Amra and Qasr Karana.
Azraq is the only place in the whole Eastern Desert where accommodation is available.
To get a real sense of the desert, it is best to plan a trip around an overnight stop that allows
at least for a picnic in the wilderness and a walk off-trail between castle-spotting.
The sights here are listed in a logical, clockwise sequence, leaving Amman via Zarqa
and following Hwy 30 to Azraq. The return to Amman is via Hwy 40. This is the best route
on which to visit the castles if you are travelling by public transport (which nonetheless in-
volves some backtracking and taxi rides) and it is the usual route followed by tour compan-
ies on their day excursions. Don't use up all your energy on the outbound leg as two of the
best castles, Qasr Amra and Qasr Kharana, lie along the inbound Hwy 40.
Zarqa
09 / POP 910,800 / ELEV 620M
The third-largest city in Jordan after Amman and Irbid, Zarqa is now virtually part of the
continuous urban sprawl of northern Amman. There's not much to this gritty working-class
city that merits anything more than a passing glance, but you may have to change buses
here if you're trying to visit the Eastern Desert on public transport.
In Zarqa, there are two terminals for buses, minibuses and service taxis. Transport to/
from the north bus station (Tabarbour) in Amman (600 fils, 30 minutes) use the New (Am-
man) station. From the Old station in Zarqa, there is public transport to smaller villages in
the region, such as Hallabat (for Qasr al-Hallabat and Hammam as-Sarah) and Mafraq.
Minibuses also leave intermittently for Azraq (JD1.200, 1½ hours). Minibuses shuttle
between the two terminals in Zarqa every few minutes.
