Gateway to the Pharaohs
PHONE: 1 877 260 3950
PHONE: 1 877 260 3950
Heading south from Madaba on the King’s Highway, you will come across Kerak, the ancient capital of the biblical kingdom of Moab. Kerak is perched on top of a steep hill and is dominated by the largest and best-preserved crusader castle in the area. Kerak is located 140km south of Amman and approximately 1,000m above sea level. A modern city has grown around the ancient ruins and boasts a population of around 20,000 people. Modern Kerak has many restaurants and places to stay.
The City of Kerak has been inhabited since around the Iron Age and was an important city for the Moabites who called it Qir Al Moab. In the Bible the city is called Qer Harreseth.
The construction of the castle began around 1140 under the rule of King Fulk, who called it Crac des Moabites. After passing from ruler to ruler the Castle finally came under the power of the Ottomans. For the Ottomans, the castle played an important role due to it’s location on the crossroads between Arabia, Egypt and Greater Syria.
The castle is located in the southern parts of the plateau, and is a very good example of Crusader architecture, which is a mix of European, Byzantine and Arab designs. Towers that project from the top of the castle strengthen the castles walls, and small slits in the wall illuminate the stone vaulted galleries. The castle also contains a mount to the west which completely isolates the site.
We visit Kerak on all of our tours into Jordan.
If you are looking for a tour and not finding what you are looking for, have a look at our best other related tours to check out for your travel plans. At Encounters Travel, we offer a variety of tours to suit your needs. So sit back, relax, and let us help you plan the perfect getaway.
This comprehensive Jordan tour visits all the main historical sites plus some hidden gems. Staying in the comfort of mainly 5-star accommodation, the tour perfectly captures the cultural highlights of this fascinating country.
Type
Days
Price
Private
11
From
$2520
This tour packs all Jordan's main highlights into a week, including the Desert Castles, ancient ruins at Jerash, Pella & Umm Qais, the Dead Sea and scenic King's Highway, and of course including Petra and the desert at Wadi Rum.
Type
Days
Price
Private
8
From
$1595
This tour features the Pyramids, Sphinx, Museum and other sites in Cairo, then heads to Jordan for a week taking in Amman, the Baptism Site at Bethany, the Dead Sea, a jeep safari and camp in Wadi Rum, and of course time in Petra.
Type
Days
Price
Private
11
From
$2395
Need some travel inspiration or looking for some handy travel tips? Our blog provides excellent insight into our travel destinations - from tour updates to country guides, packing lists to little known things to do, you'll find it all in our travel blog.
Hurghada was once little more than a small fishing village; it is now one of the Red Sea’s premier resorts. Hurghada stretches for more than 35km along the banks of the Red Sea.
There’s nothing quite as exciting, as walking straight into the water and disappearing beneath the waves. In fact there are many of us who simply love this type of diving, due to the ease and apparent simplicity of the method.