Middle-East Tour and Tour Operators

These tour operators offer a variety of tours to the Middle East, an area geographically defined as a part of Asia, so while Egypt's Sinai is apparently in Asia the rest of Egypt is in Africa, and Turkey, where's that? Europe? Asia?..but who cares?
Here's our definition of the mid-east, an area of dramatic, silent sandscapes, rocks and scrubby acacia trees, roamed by camel trains and occasionally splashed with colourful nomadic tents or mud-village oases. The big cities - Cairo, Damascus, Istanbul, Tehran, Amman, Beirut - have been around for a thousand years while the big, ancient wonders - Giza, Luxor, Petra, Jerash, Palmyra, Isfahan and Persepolis are each several thousand years old.
The people in these parts are mostly Arabs [but not Egyptians!] and have a long-standing tradition of hospitality and friendliness due to eons of welcoming strangers in harsh desert conditions, but don't ever insult their leaders or their religion.
Avoid travelling in these areas in winter when night temperatures can be surprisingly cold or mid summer when the heat is a killer, and don't expect subtle foods.

Pyramids to Petra:
18 days from Egypt to Jordan. Myth, religion and wonder come together on this expedition across the timeless terrain of Egypt and Jordan. From the mysteries of the Pyramids and the Sphinx to the mysticism of Mt Sinai and the sublime stone structures of pink Petra, there are ancient sights galore. A ride on a felucca down the mighty Nile, a stay on an undiscovered stretch of Red Sea coast and a night with Bedouin locals amid the sand dunes of Wadi Rum are some of the highlights that make this journey across the sands of time truly memorable.

Cairo to Istanbul:
21 days. Climb Mt Sinai, snorkel in the Red Sea, explore the lost city of Petra, set out on a desert safari, play knights at Krak des Chevaliers, visit a Syrian bath house, discover ancient Damascus, experience the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia, uncover hidden gems in the backstreets of Istanbul.

Turkey Unplugged:
A 21 day tour allowing you to navigate an Istanbul bazaar, Wwander the surreal valleys and fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, experience traditional Turkish hospitality at a homestay, watch the sunrise at Nemrut Dagi, sea kayak over a sunken city, trek the Lycian Way, and bathe in the sublime waters of the Blue Lagoon.

Turkey Family Adventure:
12 days of kid-friendly action in sunny Turkey from the ancient and colourful sights of Istanbul, to soaking in the hot springs of Pamukkale, exploring the ancient city of Hierapolis, learn about the lives of heroic gladiators, relax on idlyllic beaches, experience warm hospitality in a Cappadocia 'fairy chimney' cave house.

Iran Adventure:
Admire the delicate beauty of Esfahan, ponder life in Persepolis, gain an insight into the lives of Silk Road traders, spend a night with a nomadic family, enter into the mysterious world of the Zoroastrians and more.

Turkish Express:
A 6 day tour to learn about the Whirling Dervishes in Konya, cross the plains of Anatolia and be amazed by the stunning scenery and rock formations of Cappadocia. Discover underground cities, houses built inside caves and maybe try Belly dancing at a tradional folklore night. Next come Ankara and Bursa, full of sights, history and true Turkish hospitality. [May - September '08]

Mid-East Overland [Turkey - Syria- Jordan - Egypt]:
A spectacular journey travelling from Istanbul, a cultural melting pot of different people, cuisines and architectural styles, to Aswan and the River Nile and on to Cairo. The pace and variety of culture experienced on this tour is astonishing. Highlights include Roman Ephesus, the cave villages of Cappadocia, bargaining in the souks of Aleppo, standing in awe in the stone city of Petra and marveling at the giant Egyptian monuments. Travel by truck, mini bus, traditional felucca and train. [Until June 2009]

Highlights of Egypt:
7 days, kid friendly. Children will delight in exploring the underground tombs of the pharoahs, riding to ancient temples in horse-drawn carriages and riding camels into the desert - plus of course seeing the Pyramids and Tutankhamun's treasures This short but action-packed trip will show you the very best of Upper Egypt and Cairo. [Tour departures between: 18 February 2008 - 24 August 2009]

Egyptian Bedouin Trails:
8 days of Sinai hiking. This short walking tour takes us to the very heart of the Sinai, into a land full of astonishing variety - sandstone 'wadis' (valleys), granite mountains, fertile oases and vast sand dunes make the Sinai a place whose subtle beauty never fails to surprise. On foot, moving from camp to camp with our camel caravan, we learn about the Bedouin who inhabit these arid lands and begin to understand the mysterious allure of the desert. [Tour departures between: 25 February 2008 - 11 April 2009]

Nile Cruise:
A classic 10 day Egyptian journey with an Explore twist! We cruise the Nile Valley in our small, exclusive and informal riverboat, stopping en route to discover some of the most remarkable archaeological sites in the world. Plus, of course, we get under the skin of modern Egypt - a fascinating blend of old and new. [Tour departures between: 19 January 2008 - 23 May 2009]

Into the Great Sand Sea [Egypt]:
A 13 day tour. A journey to the mysterious Egyptian oasis of Siwa, whose magnetic pull attracted both Cleopatra and Alexander the Great, into the vast dunes of the Great Sand Sea and beyond - one of the most awesomely inhospitable places on earth. We'll explore little known oases along Darb Siwa, the ancient caravan route connecting Siwa with the Nile Valley, and camp amongst the surreal rockforms of the White Desert. We finish in Luxor whose Valley of the Kings and Karnak Temple have amazed visitors for centuries. [Tour departures between: 15 October 2008 - 18 March 2009]

Backroads of Jordan: 10 days. On this cycling tour through Jordan, we'll explore the dramatic beauty of the Great Rift Valley, Wadi Rum, arguably Arabia's finest desert, the rugged shoreline along the Dead Sea and the spectacular site of Petra itself. An area of exceptional natural splendour and amazing archaeological importance.

Petra [Jordan] to the Pyramids: 15 days, kid friendly. A fascinating journey of discovery for children and adults alike! This tour combines Jordan and Egypt, taking in many of the highlights of this incredible duo. Children will love playing gladiators in Roman Jerash and exploring 'Indiana Jones-style' in stunning Petra. Then explore the Sinai's desert interior and Red Sea coral gardens before finally seeing the Pyramids and Tutankhamun's gold - a journey full of highlights!

Lawrence's Arabia [Jordan]: 9 days. The mountains and desert of Jordan radiate a wild and desolate beauty all of their own. It is these sun-baked wadis and giant granite crags that Lawrence describes in his 'Seven Pillars of Wisdom' - the rock-hewn city of Petra, the sandy defile of Wadi Rum and ancient Jerash. We also have time to enjoy the Red Sea.

Ancient Persia [Iran]: 15 days. An all-encompassing Iran journey to both the less visited and more popular sites of this amazing country. We'll experience the many wonders of ancient Persia, from the "Throne of Solomon" to the wonders of Isfahan, Persepolis and Shiraz. A tour for the lover of Persian architecture and culture.

Heights of Oman Tour:
This 9 day trip heads off to traditional Omani villages, ancient traders and dramatic scenery. Trekking across plateaux, landscapes and visiting remote mountain villages, the tour is a great way to experience Oman's tranquillity and rich culture much of which is still relatively undiscovered.

Arabian Nights Tour [Oman, kid friendly]:
A 9 day Oman adventure for adults and children alike as we explore the Grand Canyon-like chasms where timeless villages top craggy peaks, visit desert forts, camp in the dunes, search for turtles, splash through freshwater-filled wadis and have the chance to ride camels.

Cappadocia Freewheel [Turkey, biking]:
8 days of biking on quiet Turkish backroads and farm tracks to navigate the magical region of Cappadocia in central Turkey, where bizarrely shaped rock forms and exotically contoured cliffs feast the eye while underground a fascinating network of tunnels, rock-cut churches, caves and even whole cities are waiting to be explored.
Tour departures between: 03 May 2008 - 19 September 2009

The Lycian Way [Turkey, hiking]:
8 days walking through history on the Lycian Way, Turkey's first and only long distance walking route. Stretching from Fethiye to Antalya, the route traverses the ancient province of Lycia. We spend a peaceful time amongst the hills and mountains of this beautiful land, travelling on foot between little-known ancient ruins and time-forgotten villages.
Tour departures between: 05 May 2008 - 18 May 2009

Middle-East Tours Tour Operators

Middle-East Tours
Tour Operators