Adventure Holidays in the Middle East

Name: Middle East
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 4.6 (646 reviews)

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

Activities in Middle East

Culture Cycling Walking Family

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

7 Days from £ 2149

£ 1999

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Explore ancient and natural wonders in the Pearl of Arabia

Culture

11 Days from £ 3479

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Embrace your adventurous spirit in the Pearl of Arabia

Culture

9 Days from £ 1175

£ 1075

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

From Amman to the Dead Sea via Petra and the Wadi Rum desert, visit Jordan's essential stops

Culture

9 Days from £ 1629

£ 1499

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Unravel the myths and legends of Ancient Egypt

Culture

9 Days from £ 1749

£ 1489

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Discover temples and tombs and travel by Nile cruise boat

Culture

13 Days from £ 2479

£ 2109

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Travel Egypt and explore its history, food and landscapes

Culture

12 Days from £ 2299

£ 2199

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Our most comprehensive Jordan trip. Visit every UNESCO site, plus nature reserves and all the highlights.

Culture

9 Days from £ 1599

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Cycle through Jordan's desert and visit the most impressive historical UNESCO sites

Cycling

9 Days from £ 3099

£ 2639

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Discover ancient Egypt in style along the Nile from Luxor to Awan

Culture

13 Days from £ 4899

£ 4599

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Discover ancient treasures in the birthplace of Islam as it begins to open to the world

Culture

9 Days from £ 2399

£ 2249

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Discover the ancient to modern Kingdoms of Jordan

Culture

8 Days from £ 1079

£ 979

Guided Group (Excl. Flights)

Enjoy a magical desert trek through Jordan

Walking & Trekking

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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!

A highlight tour of some of Jordan’s best sites and an insight into Jordanian life. This was my first trip to a proper “middle eastern” country which is a part of the world we hear much about, some people say it’s this or it’s that, but to actually see it and experience it yourself is so enlightening. Jordan was great, as I mention later, it is safe and welcoming for us visitors. I never saw or had even a slight inkling of something untoward happening.

This trip obviously involves a fair bit of travelling around from one location to another. Our bus/coach was very good, high quality, comfortable with good aircon! We were a group of 16 in what much have been around a 50 seat coach, so there was plenty of space for everyone which made travel comfortable. I appeciated that.

The itinery is good for a one week trip, everywhere we went was worthwhile. Our guide Mikhled managed our time at each location well and I never felt rushed. We have plenty of time at Petra which may be the main attraction for many people visiting Jordan. It got very hot here and you cover a surprsing amound of ground walking around what is a very large site. While I agree with Exodus’s assessment that overall this is an Easy/Moderate activity level trip. The first day at Petra can perhaps push the boundaries of that for some people. Mikhled gave us a great tour of the main parts of Petra and at the conclusion of this told us we had free time to explore by ourselves and we would meet back at the hotel at a given time.The hotel was very conveniently close to the main entrance, a few hundred metres. Mikhled often gave a guided tour of a location and then allowed us free time afterwards. That was good.

Most dinners (Tea! I’m a northerner) are not included in this trip. Most evenings our guide Mikhled offered the group the option of joining him to dine at a local restaurant. There was no compulsion to do this, you are free to do your own thing but most of the time the group dined together. I liked the food in Jordan. Herbed and spiced chicken, lamb and beef featured heavily but not hot spices. We were treated to some Jordanian specialities like “Upside down”. As Exodus mention, seafood is the main fare in Aqaba on the Red Sea but there are plenty of other choices if that’s not your thing. Exodus also mention the famous “Zarb” at the Wadi Rum desert camp. This was indeed excellent and probably my single favourite meal of the trip.

The trip comes to a relaxing end at the Holiday Inn Dead Sea resort. Nice hotel, unlike any Holiday Inn I’ve stayed at before. There’s an optional trip to Bethany Beyand the Jordan. I’m not religious but still went there. There is still some history to see and an interesting border between Jordan and Israel down the middle of the River Jordan. Floating in the Dead Sea was a one of those experiences you’ve got to tick off. It was a good and slightly strange experience, the water is weird!

Garry Ward A Week in Jordan

Friends were apprehensive about me going to Jordan but it felt one of the safest places I’ve ever been. We saw no evidence of the conflict in the Middle East! We were also in Petra during the recent flash floods, we were well informed about the history of them, the forecast for that day and what would happen in the event of one. It was our free day there, I and several of the group walked out during the flood, whereas some were transported out. No panic, no mass evacuation, calmly organised with expert people and specialised vehicles on hand but not needed. Don’t have any doubts about going, just go!
We were met at Amman by an Exodus rep who was so well organised. Kept us together, organised our visas and whisked us past long queues and onto our coach within a few minutes. He also saw us off on departure day and waited till we were all ready to go through the security checks. (Unfortunately I can’t remember his name)
The people of Jordan are wonderful. You do get people trying to sell to you but they do take No as an answer and leave you alone. The youth of Jordan are so polite and offered me help wherever I was.
We had a very comfortable 32 seater coach for the 16 of us, very roomy, air conditioned and had Wi-Fi. Wahim, the driver was excellent, safe, confident, coach was always cleaned and he was dressed immaculatly every day of the tour.

John Johnston A Week in Jordan

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