Adventure Holidays in the Middle East

The cradle of civilisation is a must for adventure seekers with an eye on history

Tours in the Middle East

The fascinating countries that fill the borders of the Middle East have been calling out to avid explorers for centuries – and for good reason.

So don’t wait to head out on a true adventure across the Arabian Peninsula in the Middle East, where you can explore Saudi Arabia’s holy cities, ancient tombs in Egypt, the towering sand dunes in Oman, or the iconic Nabataean ruins of Petra in Jordan.

Our Top Destinations in the Middle East

Egypt Jordan Oman Saudi Arabia

Middle East Holidays

9 Days from £ 1320

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Culture

9 Days from £ 1715

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Cycling

9 Days from £ 2461

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Culture

13 Days from £ 3223

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Culture

9 Days from £ 5062

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Culture

10 Days from £ 8475

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Culture

10 Days from £ 7097

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Culture

7 Days from £ 2256

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Culture

14 Days from £ 6749

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Culture

9 Days from £ 1987

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Culture

11 Days from £ 3983

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Culture

9 Days from £ 4399

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Culture

See All Trips

Top three Middle East tours

1. The Lost City of Petra, Jordan: Discover the legendary lost city of Petra. Carved into red and pink sandstone cliffs, the vast subterranean township was once a thriving trade centre and capital of the Nabataean Empire between 400 BC and AD 106. In 1812, a young Swiss explorer – whose ambition was to discover the source of the Niger – disguised himself as a Bedouin in order to explore the area and stumbled upon the fabulous ghost town of ornately decorated tombs, temples and theatres.

2. Nile Cruise, Egypt: Sail between Aswan and Luxor by cruiser to witness the landscape of the Nile Valley and the lavish tombs of the Valley of the Kings, and savour the tranquility of your setting during a day aboard a felucca – these single-masted wooden boats have been sailing the Nile since ancient times. From here watch the golden late-afternoon sun dissolve into a spectacular sunset.

3. A Week in Oman, Oman: Spend a night deep in the desert in very comfortable accommodation and navigate the dunes of the Wahiba Sands in 4x4s; marvel at stunning views over the Grand Canyon of Arabia from Jebel Shams, the highest mountain in Oman; wade in the cooling, turquoise waters of an idyllic desert oasis and uncover historic forts before witnessing the weekly live auction cattle market in Nizwa, an event not to be missed!

I cannot praise this trip highly enough. An amazing and overwhelming historical and cultural experience. Well organised and well-curated with a great selection of accommodation and transport.

Sandra Rochester Ancient Egypt & Mövenpick Nile Cruise

The “Week in Oman” trip, booked well in advance for April 2026, started with such promise. Neil’s customer service was exceptional, setting a positive tone. Even though I sourced my own, cheaper flights, the anticipation provided by Exodus was palpable as the travel date neared.

But that’s when the poor admin and support became evident. My queries to the Exodus Operations team, intended to ensure proper preparation, were met with generic, outdated direction to the trip notes. Ramadam dates for 2024 and 2025 were irrelevant for 2026, and actual answers remained elusive. The pre-trip administration became a farce: asked for flight details a month out, despite having provided them months prior for the arranged airport transfer. Then, two days later, the exact same request arrived from another team member. My confidence in Exodus’s organizational capabilities plummeted.

Thankfully, when Middle East events cast doubt on the trip, Exodus were back on form. Their communication was swift, options were clear, and the trip was confirmed.

Once in Oman, the experience was truly magnificent, thanks to the incredible team at Zahara Travel. Oman itself, with its stunning landscapes and wonderful people, created cherished memories. While there were minor deviations from the original plan, it became clear Exodus struggles with up-to-date information on their website and trip notes.

Despite the outstanding tour itself, the administrative shortcomings were undeniable. As an experienced fellow traveller aptly put it, “Exodus are not the company they once were.” This trip certainly didn’t demonstrate value for money or actions consistent with their promises.

Roger Bearpark A Week in Oman

Read All Reviews