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The coastal town of Sur

Middle East tour ideas
The coastal town of Sur

You might be imagining a hike through the echoing tombs of Petra, a camel ride through the shifting sands of the Wahiba Sands or a cruise past temples along the Nile. Whatever your interests, our Middle East specialists can create a tailor-made itinerary that will help you make the most of your time.

These suggested itineraries are intended to show you what’s possible, but when it comes to planning your trip, your specialist will weave in places and activities matched to your interests and time frame. Using their first-hand experience, they’ll help you take in the region’s highlights, from ancient monuments to glorious mosques to vast tracts of dunes, as well as introducing you to its hidden corners.

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Audley Travel specialist Hannah

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Ideas for your trip to the Middle East

These itineraries are designed to give you some suggestions for what is possible when you travel in the Middle East, and they showcase some of the routes that we've found work particularly well. Treat them simply as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely for you by one of our specialists based on your particular tastes and interests.

Middle East tour ideas

Middle East tour ideas

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Middle East tour ideas

Middle East tour ideas

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  • Hagia Sophia, Istanbul

    Highlights of Istanbul

    Turkey

    • Explore Istanbul's highlights, such as the Basilica Cistern and Spice Market.

    • Marvel at the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.

    • Take a leisurely cruise along the Bosphorus admiring Europe on one side and Asia on the other.

    5 days from £1,550pp

  • Kerak Castle, Jordan

    Short break in Jordan: Amman & Petra

    Jordan

    • Take a private tour of Petra, an incredible site and one of the seven wonders of the world.

    • Travel the King's Highway between Amman and Petra and visit Mount Nebo, Madaba, and Kerak castle en route.

    • Be wowed by the stunning walk down Petra's magical Siq Canyon.

    • Explore the Treasury, Monastery and High Place of Sacrifice at Petra.

    • Experience Amman by night and sample some of the best falafel in Jordan at Hashem’s, the famous restaurant.

    5 days from £2,195pp

  • Camel caravan in Wadi Rum

    Jordan family adventure

    Jordan

    • Explore the magical ancient city of Petra, one of the seven wonders of the world, with a private, local guide.

    • Enjoy a hands-on cookery class preparing traditional Jordanian dishes with a local chef in Petra.

    • Your family can try their hand at traditional mosaic making in Madaba.

    • Spend a night under the stars in the epic, Mars-like desert of Wadi Rum.

    • Float in the salty waters of the Dead Sea to relax at the end of your trip.

    9 days from £2,995pp

  • Hagia Sophia

    Istanbul & Cappadocia

    Turkey

    • Explore Istanbul's highlights, such as the Blue Mosque and Spice Market.

    • Take a leisurely cruise along the Bosphorus admiring Europe on one side and Asia on the other.

    • Fly high above Cappadocia on a sunrise hot air balloon ride.

    • Try your hand at mastering Turkish cuisine on a cooking class with a local family.

    8 days from £3,140pp

  • The Treasury, Petra

    Classic Jordan tour: Amman, Petra & the Dead Sea

    Jordan

    • Visit the huge Roman site at Jerash and marvel at the 2nd century Hadrian’s Arch.

    • Travel the King’s Highway between Amman and Petra and visit the Christian mosaics at Madaba en route.

    • Take a privately guided tour of Petra and then return at night for a candlelit light show.

    • Enjoy a driving tour of Wadi Rum and follow in the footsteps of Laurence of Arabia.

    • Float effortlessly in the waters of the Dead Sea before unwinding with a relaxing mud bath.

    8 days from £3,155pp

  • M.S. Sonesta St. George I

    Highlights of Egypt: Cairo & Nile cruise

    Egypt

    • Stay next door to the pyramids at the iconic Marriott Mena House hotel, a 19th century former hunting lodge.

    • Privately tour the Giza, Saqqara and Dahshur pyramids, one of the earliest attempts at pyramid architecture.

    • Enjoy the scenery of the Nile Valley on a romantic three-night cruise from Aswan to Luxor.

    • Take a short motorboat ride to the incredibly peaceful and tranquil Philae Temple, close to Aswan.

    • Explore lesser-known and lesser-visited temples at Edfu and Kom Ombo, dedicated to the crocodile god, Sobek.

    7 days from £3,185pp

  • Statue of Hatshepsut at her temple, West Bank at Luxor

    Classic Cairo, Luxor & Aswan overland

    Egypt

    • Spend the afternoon getting up close and personal with Cairo's downtown food scene, from restaurants to street food stalls you'll sample the best of Egyptian classics.

    • Decipher hieroglyphics in the impressive and well-preserved temples and tombs of Luxor's West Bank.

    • Drive overland and spend longer than most people visiting the lesser known and lesser visited temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo.

    • Take a relaxing felucca ride to a Nubian village in Aswan and experience this unique culture first-hand.

    9 days from £3,845pp

  • View, Mövenpick Resort El Quseir

    Cairo & the Red Sea family adventure

    Egypt

    • Marvel at the Pyramids of Giza and have an expert private guide explain how they were built more than 4000 years ago.

    • Enjoy a food tour through downtown Cairo and sample delicious local street food as well as hearty Egyptian classic dishes.

    • Privately tour the National Egyptian Museum and see fascinating artefacts including Tutankhamun's iconic death mask.

    • Head out snorkelling or diving with your family on the amazingly colourful reefs of the Red Sea.

    • Stay at the Movenpick El Quseir which offers a range of activities and fun for all the family.

    8 days from £4,125pp

  • Camels in Wahiba Sands

    Oman family adventure

    Oman

    • Enjoy a family-friendly, self-drive tour of this scenic Sultanate.

    • Witness the majestic green turtles laying their eggs at Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve.

    • Ride a camel at sunset in the magical Wahiba Sands desert.

    • Hike through three of the prettiest villages in the Jebel Akhdar mountains.

    • Step back in time as your family enjoys a traditional dhow cruise in Muscat.

    10 days from £4,695pp

  • Karnak, Egypt

    Luxury Luxor & Red Sea beaches

    Egypt

    • Relax and unwind in the serenity of Al Moudira Hotel, on the west banks of the Nile.

    • Tour Luxor's West Bank tombs with your private expert guide and explore their well-preserved decoration and hieroglyphics.

    • Visit the vast temple complexes at Luxor and Karnak, and be amazed by the Great Hypostyle Hall boasting 134 vertical columns.

    • Relax and unwind at the most luxurious hotel on the Red Sea, The Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh.

    • Snorkel or dive among the tropical fish in the wonderfully bright Red Sea's coral reefs.

    8 days from £4,725pp

  • Hagia Sophia

    Istanbul to Kalkan

    Turkey

    • Marvel at the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.

    • Experience the delights of Turkish cuisine.

    • See the limestone terraces of Pamukkale.

    • Take a boat trip out to the sunken city of Kekova.

    8 days from £4,795pp

  • Beach at Constance Moofushi

    Constance Moofushi & Dubai

    Maldives and Dubai

    • A few nights in Dubai to explore some of its history and the lifestyle of the desert nomads, followed by relaxing for a week on a beautiful all-inclusive five-star resort in the Maldives.

    11 days from £5,200pp

  • COMO Cocoa Island, Maldive Island

    Cocoa Island & Dubai

    Maldives and Dubai

    • Spend a few days exploring Dubai's contrasts between old and new, city and desert before flying to the Maldives for a week relaxing on a beautiful island.

    11 days from £5,600pp

  • Amphitheatre at Jerash

    Cultural tour of Jordan

    Jordan

    • Explore the Roman ruins at Pella and Jerash with your private local guides.

    • Meet local families and try your hand at traditional handicrafts in Umm Qais.

    • Prepare, cook and devour classic Jordanian cuisine in the old city area of Amman.

    • Take a private tour of the awe-inspiring Petra, one of the seven wonders of the world.

    • Hike a beautiful trail through the Dana Nature Reserve and spot native birdlife, flora and fauna.

    13 days from £5,995pp

  • Grand Mosque, Nizwa

    Ultimate Oman

    Oman

    • Marvel at the impressive modern architecture of Muscat’s Grand Mosque and Royal Opera House.

    • Visit the historic fort town of Nizwa, along with traditional Jebel Akhdar mountainous villages.

    • Spot green turtles nesting on the beach at the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve.

    • Go dune bashing and enjoy a sunset dinner among the desolate desert of the Empty Quarter.

    • Visit the fascinating ruins at Khor Rori, thought to date back to the 1st century AD.

    14 days from £6,495pp

  • Kempinski Hotel Barbaros Bay, Bodrum

    Luxury Turkey tour: Istanbul, Cappadocia & Bodrum

    Turkey

    • Stay in the luxurious Shangri-La on the Bosphorus in the heart of Istanbul.

    • Explore highlights such as the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar.

    • Sleep in a deluxe cave hotel with glorious views in Cappadocia.

    • Relax in style on the Turquoise Coast in the Kempinski Barbaros Bay.

    • Go hot air ballooning over the striking Cappadocian landscape.

    12 days from £6,760pp

  • Outdoor seating area, Dubai

    Luxury Dubai: beach & desert

    Dubai

    • Experience local heritage activities at the Al Maha Desert Resort.

    • Relax in your private Bedouin-style pool villa.

    • Enjoy sundowner cocktails overlooking the rolling sand dunes.

    • Stay at the lavish One&Only The Palm on the Palm Jumeirah peninsula.

    • Indulge in high-quality food at restaurants headed by Michelin-starred chefs.

    8 days from £6,995pp

  • Trekking in Dana Biosphere Reserve

    Jordan's nature reserves

    Jordan

    • Visit the impressive Roman site at Jerash.

    • Explore Dibeen Forest and Azraq Wetlands.

    • Visit Petra — a Modern Wonder of the World.

    • Enjoy a night under canvas in the awesome Wadi Rum.

    • Admire impressive views over Wadi Mujib.

    • Hike through Dana Biosphere Reserve.

    • Float in the Dead Sea.

    15 days from £7,095pp

  • Ballooning in Cappadocia

    Grand tour of Turkey

    Turkey

    • See the impressive limestone terraces of Pamukkale.

    • Explore the pretty village of Alaçati.

    • Visit the home of the Whirling Dervishes in Konya.

    • Travel to ancient Termessos in the Taurus Mountains.

    18 days from £7,595pp

  • Temple of Philae, Egypt

    Jordan & a romantic Egyptian Nile cruise

    Jordan and Egypt

    • Join your private, expert guide and marvel at the Nabatean Petra, one of the seven wonders of the modern world.

    • Take a 4x4 tour with a local Bedouin guide across the vast, rocky, awesome landscapes of Wadi Rum.

    • Explore the pyramid complexes at Giza, Saqqara and Dahshur with your private guide.

    • Cruise down the Nile and combine relaxation and culture whilst visiting awe-inspiring, ancient temples dedicated to Ancient Egyptian gods.

    • Dive or snorkel among the first class, pristine reefs and tropical fish of the Red Sea.

    16 days from £7,995pp

  • Edfu Temple, Upper Egypt

    Grand tour of Egypt

    Egypt

    • Privately tour the Pyramids of Giza, the last surviving ancient wonder of the world, Saqqara and Dahshur.

    • Sample a range of local delicacies and sumptuous street food on a tour through downtown Cairo.

    • Take a luxury cruise down the Nile and explore the iconic temples and tombs from Luxor to Aswan.

    • Enjoy afternoon tea at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract hotel, a historic hotel with splendid views across the Nile.

    • Fly to Abu Simbel to marvel at this awe-inspiring, towering temple complex, dedicated to Ramesses II.

    15 days from £8,355pp

  • Jerash,Jordan

    Luxury grand tour of Jordan

    Jordan

    • Enjoy privately guided visits to historic sites including Jerash, Ajloun Castle, and downtown Amman.

    • Join a private, local guide for a tour of Petra, one of the seven wonders of the world.

    • Soar high above the red rose city of Petra during a sunrise hot air balloon ride.

    • Hike with a local guide through the beautiful Dana Nature Reserve.

    • Join a local Bedouin family for coffee and refreshments at their home in Wadi Feynan.

    14 days from £8,495pp

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Jumeirah Mosque