Encounters Travel

Spend the first 7 days of this tour exploring Lebanon, located on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. Though small, Lebanon is rich with history, culture and was the site of some of the world's oldest human settlements. On this tour, you will visit the great Phoenician cities of Tyre and Sidon. You will see Byblos, the oldest continually inhabited city in the world, and the City of the Sun, the most well-preserved temple complex in the Middle East. This Lebanon tour is also perfect for lovers of nature and scenery. You will see several natural phenomena, including the Ksara Caves, Rock of Raouche, the Baatara Gorge Waterfall, and the Jeita Grotto. You will visit the birthplace of ...Read more >

Over 10 days this wonderfully luxurious Egypt tour with Nile cruise immerses you in the ancient world, visiting all of the most legendary sites in the company of knowledgeable Egyptian guides. You’ll begin in Cairo, one of Africa’s most effervescent cities, where your guide will show you new sides to the capital by visiting less-touristy backstreets. Touring these areas makes for a fascinating cultural diversion though the focus is always drawn to Cairo’s iconic landmarks. Just beyond the city, the Great Pyramids of Giza and the enigmatic Sphinx await, their secrets to be unveiled by your Egyptologist guide. Also unmissable in Cairo, the world-famous Egyptian Museum, which moved to its ...Read more >

From the majestic Mountain Gorillas, wildlife experiences in some of the best gameparks in East Africa to the blue waters of Zanzibar and Lake Malawi. A sure-fire recipe to make this an unforgettable journey. There is an option to finish in Lilongwe, Malawi if you don't want to continue on into Zimbabwe and finish in Harare.Read more >

This family tour to Jordan combines time at some of Jordan's most important historical sites with some more fun activities for the children. Jordan has so much to offer the adventurous family and this tour is a good mix of interesting historical sites, spectacular landscapes and fun activities such as snorkelling in the Red Sea, a 4x4 desert jeep safari, desert camel rides, and a dip/float in the Dead Sea. Group sizes are small and our guides are used to dealing with children so you'll get the best experience possible. You can also book this tour privately. Starting your tour in Amman, we first take a trip north to the ancient Roman remains at Jerash before we return to Amman to visit the ...Read more >

Dive into exciting, colourful Nepal on this eight-day tour, which gives a great introduction to the country without costing the earth. Visit the capital Kathmandu, beautiful Chitwan National Park where tigers and rhino roam, and peaceful Pokhara in the shadow of the Himalayas. Although this is a vacation on a shoestring, there is still a huge amount included in the trip, to help you relax into your visit and get the best from Nepal. Enjoy a transfer from Kathmandu airport once you arrive, a hotel in the tourist district of Thamel, a walking tour to get a feel for the city and a visit to several iconic Hindu and Buddhist temples and stupas. Also included is public coach travel between ...Read more >

This 17-day northern Indian tour takes you to Rajasthan’s palaces, forts and temples, through Agra to see the spectacular Taj Mahal and the towering Agra Fort and the holy city of Varanasi located on the banks of the River Ganges. This India tour starts in the capital city of Delhi, before we board an overnight sleeper train to the scenic lakeside city of Udaipur. We explore its most popular sites such as the city palace, its manicured gardens and sail on the waters of Lake Pichola, before visiting some of its lesser known temples Eklingii and Nagda. We’ll then head to blue painted town of Jodhpur to marvel at the white marble Jain temples at Ranakhpur, before making our way to the lakeside ...Read more >

This four day Turkey tour takes you on a gulet sailing trip from the seaside town of Fethiye to the ancient city of Demre. You will get the chance to explore secluded coves and islands, where you’ll have the chance to relax, swim and sunbathe, with a range of other optional activities available as well.Read more >

This small group tour of Turkey gives a great introduction to this fascinating country. Beginning with a full day tour of vibrant Istanbul, we then move on to explore many of Turkey’s most ancient and intriguing sites. We visit Gallipoli for a fully guided tour of this World War I battlefield site, before traveling to Troy, where the famous war of Homer’s Iliad played out, and to the ancient city of Pergamum, with its beautiful Acropolis. We’ll take in the ruined Roman city of Ephesus, before visiting Pamukkale, where white calcium terraces known as travertines create an otherworldly landscape. In Hierapolis, another Roman site, you can take a dip in the famous hot springs and on our way ...Read more >

This epic expedition through Africa encompasses all the incredible landscapes, culture & wildlife you could imagine. From the harshness of the Sahara desert, the dense jungles of central Africa and the amazing wildlife of East Africa, the varied landscapes and cultures that make up this continent will leave an indelible mark on you forever. There will be times when it will be extremely tough - harsh terrains, bad roads and extremes of weather, but it will all be worth it! You will discover a continent most travelers only dream of - whilst having the experience of a lifetime! *Note: Due to the ongoing situation in Sudan we expect to extend our time in northern Kenya and Ethiopia somewhat, ...Read more >

This 8-day Turkey tour takes you from bustling Istanbul to the Mediterranean at Kusadasi and then inland to the beautiful scenery of Cappadocia. The itinerary is designed to combine some of Turkey's classic highlights in a week's visit, balancing bustling cities, beautiful scenery, ancient ruins and modern Turkey. You'll stay in a mix of 4-star and boutique style properties along the way. Starting in Istanbul, the beating heart of Turkey and historically a vitally important connecting point between the continents of Europe and Asia, we visit the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, Spice Bazaar, Hippodrome and take a cruise on the Bosphorus before flying south to the Mediterranean coast at Kusadasi. ...Read more >

Perfect for those looking to spend a bit less but not lose anything from the experience, this Jordan budget tour includes all the must-see highlights from Petra to Wadi Rum, a desert jeep safari and a relaxing float in the Dead Sea. But it also spreads the economic benefits of tourism to places and communities that don’t see anywhere near as many visitors, and where you can enjoy deeper insights into Jordanian culture and nature. Starting with a couple of days in and around the capital, Amman, this small group tour spends eight days traversing key sites that are vital to understanding and appreciating one of the most culturally rich countries in the Middle East. Among the highlights here ...Read more >

This tour of Jordan provides a great value introduction to the country's major sites including Amman, Jerash, Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea. The bustling capital Amman is the springboard for a day trip out to the ancient Roman city at Jerash. One of the largest and best-preserved sites outside Italy, wander amid paved and colonnaded streets, hilltop temples, amphitheatres and spacious public squares. From here, you'll head across to the Dead Sea to enjoy floating effortlessly in its famously salty waters. Heading south along the King Highway towards Petra, you'll experience a wonderfully scenic route taking in deep wadis, olive groves and characterful rural villages. Along the way, ...Read more >

This Bhutan small group tour explores this remote and intriguing country, spending eight days here, enjoying a balance of culture and history, with short hikes through the beautiful Bhutanese landscapes to appreciate the scenery. There will be lots of delicious local Bhutanese food to enjoy, too, and you’ll have the chance to learn about traditional Bhutanese culture and the Buddhist lifestyle. This is an eight day tour, which begins in the town of Paro, home to a particularly picturesque airport, where you’ll be met. A visit to the beautiful buildings of Paro Dzong, which are both monastic and civic, which for centuries have administered Bhutan. From here, we cross the Dochu La Pass, ...Read more >

Turkey is a truly magical destination. Steeped in history and filled with important ancient sites and historical landmarks, it offers a deeply captivating experience. This 11-day tour takes you from Istanbul, the grand capital, to many of the country’s best destinations, before ending again in Istanbul. See the ruins of ancient cities and visit the resting places of important men in history. You explore the unique and bizarre natural landscapes of Cappadocia and Pamukkale. We then travel down the ancient Silk Road, just as the ancient traders did before returning to modern life feeling as through you had journeyed through time!Read more >

On this overland tour you have the opportunity to get up close to the amazing wildlife in the Serengeti National Park, home to Zebra and the migration site of 1.5 million Wildebeest. Then, we move on to the World Heritage Site of the Ngorongoro Crater. As well as sight-seeing, you can chill out on the beautiful white sandy beaches of Zanzibar (home to turtles and dolphins) and Lake Malawi, the waters of which boast the largest number of fish species in the world. Option to finish in Lilongwe, Malawi.Read more >

The islands of Santorini & Mykonos are bucket list destinations for travelers all over the globe and for good reason - it's some of the Meditteraneans most beautiful and interesting islands. Our 7-day Greece tour is the perfect introduction to Santorini & Mykonos, but we’ll also explore popular attractions such as the Acropolis, the Parthenon and more. We’ll spend two nights in Santorini, exploring the small villages on the island, the wineries, hot springs and you can even enjoy an optional boat trip. We’ll spend another two nights in Mykonos, one of Europe’s most stylish and fashionable destinations As this is a private tour, the itinerary can be fully customised to your own requirements ...Read more >

Birdwatching is one of Bhutan's star attractions, and if you like to indulge your birdwatching habit while exploring new and beautiful parts of the world, then Bhutan really should be high on your list of places to visit. With a unique and rich Buddhist culture, spectacular Himalayan scenery, and one of the most diverse and rich ranges of birdlife on the planet, a specialist birdwatching tour in Bhutan is a really special experience. The best birding is in the east of the country, which requires a fairly long itinerary with plenty of driving, but we make regular stops and explore various Dzongs and monasteries along the way. The tour also features an easy 3-day walking section saying in ...Read more >

This Turkey small group tour is a great 10 day introduction to this fascinating country. Begin in busy and beautiful Istanbul, visiting its memorable landmarks: the 17th century Blue Mosque, the Topkapi Palace and the famous Hippodrome. From here, move on to the world famous historical sites of Troy, Pergamum and the Roman ruins of Ephesus. We will visit the bizarre calcium terraces at Pamukkale and the hot thermal pools at Hierapolis, and travel along the historical Silk Road to Konya, where we see the former home of the original Mevlevi Whirling Dervishes. There is a full day to explore the surreal landscape of Cappadocia, with its towering rock pinnacles and underground homes, and we ...Read more >

This 11-day trip through Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories along with Jordan is the perfect tour for people who want to combine visits to important historical and religious sites with some cultural and scenic experiences as well. The tour has time to explore the buzz of the city and beaches of Tel Aviv while also visiting Tiberias and touring Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Nazareth and many important religious and historical sites and monuments. The tour also includes a visit to Masada Fortress and the Dead Sea where you can bob on top of this remarkably salty Sea, the lowest place on Earth. The tour also visits the famous Sea of Galilee and enjoys a wine tasting experience in the ...Read more >

Explore the very best this continent has to offer, from North to South and everything in between! This trip takes you through densely bio-diverse Colombia, across the incredible Andes and down through stunning Patagonia to the world's southernmost city, Ushuaia. Take in the cultural diversity and extremes of climate that spanning 6 countries will inevitably showcase and see both extremes of city immersion and real remoteness. This trip has something for everyone and offers a real taste of all the different facets that South America has to offer. Traveling overland will give you the unique opportunity to see the real South America and the possibility to meet people you would never otherwise ...Read more >