Our Middle East vacations & tours
Petra, pyramids and ancient Persia make our Middle East vacations a feast for the mind as well as the soul. Educate yourself through our amazing first-hand experiences in Egypt, Oman, Iran and Jordan. And if you’re longing to include a dusty desert adventure or Islamic artistry in your next itinerary, our organised Middle East tours hold the key to the kingdom. On our vacations you’ll see the countries from all angles on trips that benefit nature and communities and bring you closer to both – you’ll meet minority groups and nomadic peoples, camp in deserts, eat street food, wildlife watch in the deserts and hike in the mountains.
Our top Middle East vacations
Egypt luxury 12 day tour
From
£3625
12 days
ex flights
Ancient history, deserts, Nile journey and scenic pyramids.
Tailor made
Nile felucca cruise in Egypt
From
€550 to €700
4 days
ex flights
Private carbon free traditional felucca cruise on the Nile
Tailor made
Cultural tour in Oman
From
£2415
9 days
ex flights
Immerse yourself in mystery and magic of the culture of Oman
Tailor made
Petra and Wadi Rum by bike, Jordan
From
US $2475 to US $2670
9 days
ex flights
Cycling trip through stunning desert scenery
Small group2026: 3 Oct, 31 Oct, 14 Nov, 28 Nov, 2027: 13 Mar, 27 Mar, 10 Apr, 24 Apr, 8 May, 22 May, 4 Sep, 18 Sep, 2 Oct, 16 Oct, 30 Oct, 13 Nov, 27 Nov
Jordan trekking vacation, Dana to Petra
From
US $1595 to US $1695
9 days
ex flights
Best hike in Jordan along the Jordan Trail!
Small group2026: 12 Sep, 26 Sep, 10 Oct, 17 Oct, 24 Oct, 31 Oct, 7 Nov, 21 Nov, 28 Nov, 12 Dec, 26 Dec, 2027: 20 Feb, 6 Mar, 13 Mar, 20 Mar, 27 Mar, 3 Apr, 10 Apr, 24 Apr, 8 May, 15 May, 5 Jun, 11 Sep, 25 Sep, 2 Oct, 9 Oct, 16 Oct, 23 Oct, 30 Oct, 6 Nov, 13 Nov, 20 Nov, 27 Nov, 4 Dec, 25 Dec
Jordan vacation, a week in Jordan
From
US $1725 to US $2545
9 days
ex flights
A week to explore the spectacular sites and scenery of Jordan
Small group2026: 29 Aug, 12 Sep, 23 Sep, 26 Sep, 3 Oct, 7 Oct, 10 Oct, 17 Oct, 21 Oct, 24 Oct, 31 Oct, 4 Nov, 7 Nov, 11 Nov, 14 Nov, 21 Nov, 28 Nov, 5 Dec, 26 Dec, 2027: 9 Jan, 23 Jan, 30 Jan, 6 Feb, 10 Feb, 13 Feb, 27 Feb, 6 Mar, 13 Mar, 17 Mar, 20 Mar, 27 Mar, 3 Apr, 10 Apr, 17 Apr, 24 Apr, 1 May, 8 May, 15 May, 29 May, 12 Jun, 3 Jul, 28 Aug, 4 Sep, 11 Sep, 18 Sep, 25 Sep, 2 Oct, 6 Oct, 9 Oct, 16 Oct, 20 Oct, 23 Oct, 30 Oct, 3 Nov ...
Dubai and Egypt vacation
From
US $2699 to US $4499
12 days
ex flights
Iconic cultural experiences in two fascinating destinations
Tailor made
Oman highlights tour
From
£2080
9 days
ex flights
Journey through Oman's ancient cities, mountains and deserts
Tailor made
Egypt small group tour, Alexandria & Nile cruise
From
US $3380 to US $5285
12 days
ex flights
Experience the 'Land of the Pharaohs' on this exciting trip.
Small group2026: 28 Aug, 2 Sep, 4 Sep, 6 Sep, 9 Sep, 11 Sep, 13 Sep, 16 Sep, 18 Sep, 20 Sep, 23 Sep, 25 Sep, 27 Sep, 30 Sep, 2 Oct, 4 Oct, 7 Oct, 9 Oct, 11 Oct, 14 Oct, 16 Oct, 18 Oct, 23 Oct, 25 Oct, 28 Oct, 30 Oct, 4 Nov, 6 Nov, 8 Nov, 18 Nov, 20 Nov, 22 Nov, 25 Nov, 27 Nov, 29 Nov, 4 Dec, 6 Dec, 11 Dec, 13 Dec, 16 Dec, 18 Dec, 20 Dec, 23 Dec, 27 Dec, 30 Dec, 2027: 1 Jan, 6 Jan, 8 Jan, 10 Jan, 13 Jan, 15 Jan, 17 Jan, 20 Jan, 22 Jan ...
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Middle East vacation highlights
There’s more to the Middle East than ancient history. Think golden coastline, lofty peaks and rolling desert – all helped down with some local wines and a healthy serving of mezze.
Rich in history and blessed with starkly beautiful landscapes and dazzling seas, the Middle East won’t disappoint when it comes to keeping you active. Whether you want to get your kicks underwater, with top notch diving and snorkelling, or above ground, with desert hiking and biking, there are plenty of exciting options. And, of course, history and archaeology buffs are endlessly entertained by the living, breathing monuments to the past that exist all around them.
Ancient history
You can’t visit the Middle East without being aware of the region’s past glories – they are all around you. Lebanon’s storied town of Tyre, for example, is home to sprawling Roman ruins dating to the 2nd century AD, while in Jordan you’ll find Roman ruins at Jerash in addition to the rock hewn tombs of Petra, built by the Nabataeans millennia ago.
Egypt’s Valley of the Kings and pyramids are amongst the most impressive ancient structures in the world, and are testament to the power, organisation and engineering genius of their makers. Persepolis in Iran, begun by Darius the Great in the 6th century BC, is one of the most magnificent ruined cities around, spreading out over 13 hectares. Israel, meanwhile, boasts masses of sites and digs covering the Persian, Byzantine, Roman and Hellenic periods, including Caesaria, where incredible ancient harbour ruins and beautiful beaches sit side-by-side.
There are also castles and fortresses dating back to the time of the crusades. Jordan’s Karnak has stood the test of time impressively well, as has the Nimrod Fortress in the Golan Heights. Oman’s imposing, 17th century Nizwa Fort is no less impressive, and offers dramatic views over date plantations and mountains from its tower.
Religious sites
The Bible, the Torah and the Quran loom large over the Middle Eastern landscape. Most important, of course, is Jerusalem, whose holy sites are significant for Jews, Christians and Muslims, and include the Western Wall, Temple Mount (Al Haram Ash Sharif) and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Church of the Nativity stands in Bethlehem in the Palestinian Territories on the site where Jesus was believed to be born.Other key religious sites across the region include Mount Sinai, where it is believed that Moses received his Ten Commandments from God, and Jordan’s Mount Nebo, from where Moses looked out over the Promised Land.
Some of the world’s oldest, most beautiful and most open mosques can be found in Iran, with most dating back 500-1,000 years. The best examples include the Blue Mosque of Tabriz, and Shiraz’s Nasir al-Mulk, known as the Pink Mosque, after the rose-coloured tiles that cover the interior. Unlike in many countries, most Iranian mosques are open to non-Muslims; all visitors must remove their shoes before entering, and women must wear a headscarf.
Desert safaris
Looking out over endless swathes of creamy sands and twisted rocks is one of the highlights of a visit to this region. Deserts are places to ponder peace, camp under an explosion of stars, and spend time with the Bedouin tribes, traveling in a caravan of camels, taking tea and listening to music and folk tales around an open fire.
Oman’s desert is dotted with isolated settlements of semi-nomadic Bedouin people, and highlights include the Empty Quarter, or 'Rub Al Khali', which is part of the world's largest sand desert, and Wahiba Sands, famed for towering sand dunes that reach up to 100m. Jordan’s Wadi Rum hides jagged mountains and huge, empty plains, while Egypt’s striking White Desert not only features white chalk rock and limestone formations, but also tombs, carvings and caves.
The Middle East’s deserts can be explored in many ways. Popular options include 4X4 safaris, hiking or biking trips and camel trekking.
You’re unlikely to visit the Middle East without visiting the ancient world’s answer to the shopping mall - a souk, where past meets present and spices and pomegranates are sold alongside rugs and leather goods.
Shopping the souks
Oman’s Mutrah, a short distance from Muscat, is great for hand carved silver and gold jewellery; Cairo’s Byzantine Khal al Khalili is tousity but good fun and authentic; while Jordan’s Jabal Amman, a buzzing district stretching out along Amman’s Rainbow Street, offers books, handmade soaps, wall hangings and olive oil. In Iran, Tehran’s Grand Bazaar has 10km of corridors, and Tabriz’s historic covered market even contains mosques.
Walking & cycling vacations
If you prefer trekking to tombs and temples, never fear – the Middle East offers enough walking territory to keep you going for weeks. And if you’re worried that Middle Eastern walks only involve baking in a hot desert, then don’t be. Yes, there are trails though barren and dusty lands, but you can also wander through olive groves, lush valleys, fields of wildflowers and along coastal paths with the tang of salt in your mouth.There are also some fantastic and little-known cycling routes in the Middle East. Wherever you choose to go, you’ll find that cycling through rural areas is a fantastic way to get to meet local people and see a side of life that tourists often miss.
Hiking highlights include Jordan’s Dana Biosphere Reserve, which has 320km2 of shark-tooth mountain ridges, towering cliffs, and sandstone and granite canyons. You can walk from Dana to Petra, a 80km hike south, part of the Jordan Trail, which crosses the whole country. Elsewhere, try Oman for walks down wadis, along the ridges of shifting sand dunes, and a famous 'balcony walk' around the highest mountain, Jabal Shams. Both countries are also good for cycling; in Jordan, you'll follow roads to Wadi Rum, and in Oman, you'll enjoy whizzing through date plantations and wadi beds.
The warm, coral rich waters of the Red Sea are perfect for divers, whether you’re an experienced guru or a total novice wanting to take a PADI Open Water course.
Scuba diving
Jordan may have just 27km of coastline, but there are 21 designated dive sites along the fringing coral reef of the Red Sea near Aqaba. If you like the idea of relaxed scuba diving in small groups just a short walk from the water then Dahab, in Egypt is spot on. Diving here is mainly shore-based as the Red Sea drops quickly down to great depths, making it an ideal destination for beginners.
Our Middle East vacations reviews
4.6
503Middle East vacations reviews
Judy Hall06 Aug 2026
Wonderful!….Our guide/Egyptologist Azzaz Zain Elarab who came on our Nile Cruise was very friendly and knowledgeable, we recommend himread more
Tim Bierley07 Jul 2026
Karim and Hisham were amazing hosts on the boat - friendly, full of knowledge, super attentive and made a really calm and enjoyable time on the boat. The trip itself was gorgeous, the gentle rhythm of a morning sailing, Nile birds skimming the water all day, and always interesting stops at monumentsread more
Else McMichael07 May 2026
Five star, highly recommended.read more
Mark Kessell28 Apr 2026
The location is perfect. The breakfasts on the beach were amazing. The staff were the best - both the dive team and the hotel team. The rooms were lovely can't really find any fault.read more
