Middle East Nile River, Short Cruise Tours & Trip Packages

Middle East Nile River, Short Cruise Tours & Trips

1,175 Middle East trips. Tours from 223 tour companies. 3,531 reviews. 4.7/5 avg rating.

10 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected. We are displaying some similar trips.
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Nile River
Short Cruise
Jordan & Egypt Combined
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Amman, Aswan, Cairo, Dead Sea, Luxor Temple, Petra, Pyramid of Giza, Temple of Karnak, Valley of the Kings, Wadi Rum

Themes

Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"It's hard to describe how lucky we are to have been able to work with Stephanie in planning our honeymoon to Japan. From the very beginning, Stephanie was friendly, flexible, and an absolute wealth of knowledge. We had several meetings with her leading up to our trip to come up with the perfect itinerary. Throughout this, Stephanie was mindful of our budget, without sacrificing anything. During our trip, Audley was available at all hours to help with anything and everything which was such a relief to know we had that resource available to us. I truly cannot imagine having planned this trip without all of Stephanie's guidance and knowledge- and cannot imagine taking another big trip like this without the help of Audley. Thank you again!"

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Jordan & Egypt: Petra to the Pyramids, Small Groups 2021
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4.2/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Amman, Aswan, Cairo, Dead Sea, Jerash, Madaba, Petra, Pyramid of Giza, Wadi Rum

Highlights

  • Explore biblical lands untouched by time from atop Mt. Nebo
  • at sandstone Petra
  • and in ancient Roman cities surrounding Jordan’s Dead Sea shores. Sail up the River Nile on a journey that spans 5
  • 000 years of history in the world’s oldest civilization. Visit pyramids
  • temples and tombs that speak volumes about the lives of Egyptian kings and queens
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Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"Sad to see a once good tour company stumble and fall into mediocrity. That’s Tauck post-Covid. My May 2023 tour of Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley was done on the cheap by Tauck, yet cost me thousands of dollars extra as a solo traveler on a special small-group tour. 

5-star hotels switched to 3 and 4 (without any compensation or explanation)… many more meals “on your own”… lots of “self-guided” tours of museums and chateaux and castles we knew nothing about… airline quality “rubber chicken” dinners, not in hotel restaurants, but in sad and isolated business convention spaces… poorly-trained newer Tour Directors (like the one on this tour) with limited experience traveling outside her tiny Canadian village or dealing with people from diverse backgrounds. She even confessed that this was a second gig job that took her away from her own business back home! You get what Tauck pays for, but unfortunately, not what YOU pay for. 

Speaking to a “Guest Relations” agent was comically pointless. She tried to make everything my fault, which I now understand is par for the course with the “new” post-Covid Tauck. Please reconsider spending huge amounts of your hard-earned money on a tour company that has lost its way and no longer delivers."

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Best of Egypt Tour
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5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Abu Simbel, Aswan, Cairo, Luxor Temple, Pyramid of Giza

Highlights

  • Explore Cairo and Luxor
  • Discover Pyramids of Giza, Valley Temple and the sphinx.
  • Visit Luxor Temple and the Karnak Temple.
  • Explore Elephantine island on felucca

Themes

Cultural, Family Friendly, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"Hi, it was delight to deal with Yuksel Tasdemir from Ada Vegas Travel in Turkey, the guides were very well informed and also great tour company. We were very impressed with every thing that we saw and have done. There were many highlights that it is impossible to name any one in particular. Hotels picked were fantastic. Tours were well organised and transfers and vehicles used were fantastic. I was surprised to find out that Turkish Air was one of the top 10 airlines in the world, which was very very comfortable with our domestic flights. I would choose Ada Vegas Travel again in a heart beat! Great tour company in Turkey, great staff. Thanks for making our holiday memorable."

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Best Egypt Explorer Tours
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5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Abu Simbel, Alexandria, Aswan, Cairo, Luxor Temple, Pyramid of Giza, Temple of Karnak, Valley of the Kings

Highlights

  • Visit Great Pyramid at Giza
  • Explore Egyptian 2nd largest city Alexandria
  • Visit Elephantine Island and the spectacular botanical Kitchener Island
  • Enjoy Nile Cruise through a 5 star luxury cruise ship
  • Explore 4,000 year-old Luxor
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Themes

Cultural, Family Friendly

What travelers are saying

"Hi, it was delight to deal with Yuksel Tasdemir from Ada Vegas Travel in Turkey, the guides were very well informed and also great tour company. We were very impressed with every thing that we saw and have done. There were many highlights that it is impossible to name any one in particular. Hotels picked were fantastic. Tours were well organised and transfers and vehicles used were fantastic. I was surprised to find out that Turkish Air was one of the top 10 airlines in the world, which was very very comfortable with our domestic flights. I would choose Ada Vegas Travel again in a heart beat! Great tour company in Turkey, great staff. Thanks for making our holiday memorable."

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Egypt Luxury Tour Package
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5/5 Excellent
79 reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Abu Simbel, Aswan, Cairo, Luxor Temple

Highlights

  • Visit Great Pyramids & Sphinx
  • Shop at Khan el-Khalili Bazaar
  • Enjoy Dinner on the Nile

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Family Friendly, Local Immersion & Homestays, Relaxing Retreats, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"An amazing Egypian Trip My mom and I had an amazing 10 day experience visiting the cities of Cairo, Luxor, Baharyia, and Aswan in Egypt. A friend recommended using Jakada Tours Egypt and connected me with Ahmed. As soon as I contacted Ahmed, I can see why he raved about him. He was professional, personable, responded to emails in a timely manner, provided a detailed itinerary, and helpful in every way possible from the beginning of the trip to taking us to the airport. We arrived in Cairo in the late evening, picked up visas, exchanged money, found Sherif our tour guide, and were on our way to the Cairo Pyramids Valley hotel where we stayed for 3 nights. The owner Ahmed checked us in, took us to the rooftop for Hibiscus tea, great conversation, and watched a light show projected on the pyramids. The hotel was nice, clean, had hot water, room was a decent size, served breakfast, had a great view of the pyramids, and was near lots of shops and restaurants. In Cairo, Sherif Khattab took us through the city explaining the culture, food, people, and the history of the Pyramids of Kings Cheops, Chephren, Menkaure, the Sphinx, Saqqara, the capital Memphis, Egyptian Museum, and a walking tour of the Khan el Khalili Bazaar. The open air museum and the pyramids were breathtaking. The process in which the pyramids were built and how it was structured was just unbelievable. Climbing the pyramid was a once in a lifetime experience. Learning how papyrus was made was an interesting process. Sherif introduced Falafel with eggplant in what we would call a pita bread and OMG it was delicious. As I tried it my mom gave me the side eye because she could never get me to try eggplant when she cooked it. Now I love it! We ate at local restaurants where they served different types of grilled meats and chicken, salad, falafel, and fresh fruit drinks. My favorite drink was the fresh mint lemonade. The food was delicious, hot, and filling. After a long day, we slept in an overnight sleeper train. I am so happy I Youtubed this experience so I would know what to expect. The bottom seat turns into a bed, the ladder for the top bunk is underneath, the trays to eat food hook into the sides of the train, the sink will be right at your stomach as soon as you stand up from sitting down, the radio doesn’t work, you will use a community bathroom, no showers, lighting is ok...just use your cell phone if you need to, no internet so don’t expect it, food was baked chicken, rice, vegetables, drinks, and desert. It was relaxing, clean, fun, and served its purpose. I repeat this is not a luxury train, it is only to get you to your next destination. In Luxor we met our new tour guide Ahmed and we hit the ground running. Ahmed was detail oriented, friendly, knowledgeable, professional, and personable. We visited the Valley of the Kings which comprised of: Rameses III & IV Merenptah, and the Tomb of Tut Ankh Amun which was one of my favorites. To see the original skull and feet...WOW! We were in awe of the colorful and creative artwork that told a story on the walls of every tomb and how well it’s preserved. The tombs are built underground into mountains which was shocking. The Temple of Hatshepsut displayed huge statues of Kings and Queens with the walls full of art work. The time and energy spent to sculpt these kings and queens is unimaginable. We began Christmas morning with a short boat ride with tea and snacks to take a ride on a hot air balloon. To see how the balloon inflates, to flying high in the sky, the breathless views, waving at the kids chasing the balloon as we passed through different areas, landing in patch of sugarcane, greeted by armed security, watching the process of how the balloon deflates and transported until our ride arrived. Visited the Karnak Temple Complex and ended the day with a relaxing boat ride in the Nile. The hotel was clean, had hot water, accessible to shops and restaurants on the street, and had a beautiful view of the Nile River. In Aswan we had the same tour guide and visited other temples such as King Ramses II and Queen Nefertari, Nubian monuments, and a Felucca ride around the islands of Aswan. To be in the land of the original Nubian people and learning the history was incredible eye-opening. Train ride back to Cairo. Our final attraction was the Bahariya Oasis White Desert and Black & White Desert Oasis which was picturesque with Sherif Khattab our first tour guide. The drive was relaxing and we ate lunch at the home of our desert tour guide. His wife prepared a delicious spread of chicken and vegetables. He was friendly and hospitable even though we spoke different languages we still understood each other. We did not do the overnight stay in the desert and glad we didn’t because the temperature dropped that night. Instead, we stayed at a hotel not too far away. The hotel was clean, had hot water, and the food was once again delicious. Overall, this trip was once in a lifetime. The tour exceeded my expectations, the information was invaluable, and Ahmad took great care of us. Other tidbits - the weather is cool in the morning but warms up by 11 and can get cold at night so make sure you layer up - if you sleep in the desert, just remember there is no bathrooms and it can get COLD - bring a bucket hat for the sun - bring tissues, wipes, hand sanitizer, snacks for the road/train trips - bring toilet paper (2 rolls) some bathrooms do not have toilet paper or people will try to charge you for it - do not allow anyone to do anything for you (ex: take pictures, ask directions, carry your bags through the train station, or assist you in any way) since a tip will be expected - do not feel pressured by store owners to buy anything - don’t be afraid to bargain and negotiate prices up front"

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Land of The Pharaohs
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5/5 Excellent
32 reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Cairo, Luxor Temple, Temple of Karnak, Valley of the Kings

Highlights

  • Explore the ancient marvels in this astounding city; the pyramids, Sphinx, Cairo Museum, Citadel, Mosque and Khan el Khalili Bazaar
  • Discover the fabulous Temples at Luxor and Karnak
  • Explore the ruins at Kom Ombo, Edfu, including the temple dedicated to the crocodile god, Sobek
  • Visit fascinating Unfinished Obelisk and High Dam

Themes

Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"My husband and I just got back from our honeymoon trip booked through Great Safaris. It was a trip of a lifetime and we were so impressed by the accommodations, food and first class service. We saw more animals than we ever expected to see and our safari guides were very knowledgeable. Our trip was two weeks and Great Safaris picked all the right spots in Kenya and Tanzania!"

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Egypt & the Eternal Nile
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3/5 Average
50 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Cairo, Luxor Temple, Memphis, Pyramid of Giza, Temple of Karnak, Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens

Highlights

  • Cairo’s intriguing ancient sites, including the Great Pyramids, Sphinx, Memphis, Sakkara
  • Old Cairo touring
  • Renowned Egyptian Museum
  • Abu Simbel’s dramatic temples
  • Sound & Light show at Abu Simbel
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Themes

Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"We just finished our Tanzanian Adventure tour to Tanzania and Zanzibar. It was a dream come true trip! On safari, our guide Augustine, was stellar, and our driver, Meshak was wonderful! The lodges on safari were wonderful, food excellent. The Breezes resort on Zanzibar was lovely and the Indian Ocean is sooooo warm! Thank you, Odyssey, for delivering on all counts!"

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Egypt Family Holiday
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3.9/5 Great
15 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Cairo, Luxor Temple, Pyramid of Giza, Temple of Karnak

Highlights

  • Discover pharaohs' mummies in their secret chambers
  • Sail the Nile waters on your overnight felucca cruise
  • Travel by sleeper train to Aswan
  • Explore the underwater world of the Red Sea

Themes

Cultural, Family Friendly

What travelers are saying

"The company provided an excellent pre tour service and the information sent was accurate and useful. I would definitely look at using them again and recommend them to any family."

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Nile Cruise
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
With a huge range of trip styles and themes, they cater to basically every type of traveler out there- even those with super specific interests.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Abu Simbel, Aswan, Cairo, Luxor

Highlights

  • Visit the pyramids
  • Explore ancient temples and tombs
  • Cruise on the Nile
  • Enjoy the laid back atmosphere of Aswan

Themes

Cultural

What travelers are saying

"Discover Costa Rica is a great itinerary, covering varied habitats around the country and staying 2 nights each at 6 centres. Their birdwatching specials are led by local experts who really know their stuff."

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Health Safety +

Generous cancellation

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The Grand Epic of Egypt, Jordan, and Israel
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By Odynovo
premier
5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Private Guided
Why we love them
They are able to handcraft custom trip plans in over 70 different destinations worldwide.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Amman, Aswan, Bethlehem, Cairo, Dead Sea, Jerash, Jerusalem, Luxor, Petra, Tel Aviv

Highlights

  • Discover the mysterious pyramids, Great Sphinx, and Kings Valley
  • Cruise leisurely along the Nile from Aswan to Luxor
  • View the Promised Land from Mt. Nebo and the Mosaic Map of the Holy Land
  • Trace the footsteps of Jesus and explore the old and new cities of Jerusalem

Themes

Cultural, Religious

What travelers are saying

"I cannot say enough good things about Odynovo, both on the coordination end (we worked with Laura Li, who was fantastic!) to the on-site people (shout out to our airport contact in Cairo Hassan, our skilled driver Ahmed, our fun Cairo guide Mai, and our knowledgable Aswan/Luxor guide Hazem - BEST crew EVER!!!) who make your trip a seamless, safe, exciting, educational, and all-around transformative life highlight. This experience was seriously a bucket-list one for my husband and me, and I can NOT emphasize enough how important the Odynovo team was to making Egypt an infinitely easier context to navigate. If you've watched travel vloggers and social media influencers attempt to navigate Egypt on their own and complain about a negative experience, fear not - if you go with Odynovo, every. single. thing. will be taken care of. There is NOTHING to worry about, and the experience was entirely positive. The people, the food, the culture, the historical sites and stories - with Odynovo taking care of all the logistical details, these are the only things you need to focus on. I am full of gratitude for the experience I had in Egypt, and I credit Odynovo for it. I will absolutely use them in the future for other destinations, and I urge you to do the same. I know my Egypt experience would not have been nearly the same had I not gone with Odynovo. Check out our adventure here: https://youtu.be/vMlAmVk7vBY Also, a passionate recommendation from my experience: DEFINITELY make the trip to Abu Simbel!! It was a major highlight (we went in a private car that left Aswan around 9am since we'd flown in from Cairo that morning). We stopped at the High Dam first, so by the time we arrived at Abu Simbel, the tour busses were on their way back to Aswan, and we had the whole of the site almost entirely to ourselves. It was one of the most awe-inspiring moments of my life. Do it. Stay the night in Abu Simbel if you can in order to avoid the crowds. It was amazing. ✨"

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Morocco Uncovered
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4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Ait Benhaddou, Atlas Mountains, Casablanca, Chefchaouen, Erg Chebbi, Fes, Marrakech, Rabat, Sahara Desert

Highlights

  • Travel by camel across the dramatic red dunes of the Sahara Desert and spend the night camping under North African stars.
  • Spend time in two of Morocco’s most picturesque towns – the 11th century kasbah of Ait Benhaddou and Chefchaouen with its striking blue and whitewashed houses, red-tiled roofs and artistic doorways.
  • Tuck into a memorable dinner in Fes and dine on one of the city’s signature dishes, the salty and sweet pastilla, one of the best pies you’ve ever tasted!
  • Join expert local guides to explore medinas, Roman ruins and rural areas and gain a deeper understanding of significant sites in Rabat, Volubilis, Fes, M’Goun and Marrakech.
  • Take part in the traditional Berber activity of henna tattooing, where a naquasha will adorn your hands and feet with beautiful designs, supporting local women, their families and community with an income.
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Themes

Cultural, High Adventure, Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

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Best of Istanbul & Cappadocia
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Private Guided
Why we love them
For their reputation for flexibility, personal service, and trustworthiness throughout the planning process and during every moment of your trip
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Basilica Cistern, Blue Mosque, Bosphorus Strait, Ephesus, Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Pamukkale, Topkapi Palace

Highlights

  • Hippodrome: Step into the grandeur of ancient entertainment at this colossal arena, where iconic monuments like the Egyptian Obelisk and the Bronze Serpentine Column stand as silent witnesses to centuries of spectacle.
  • Blue Mosque: Marvel at the timeless elegance of this architectural masterpiece, its azure tiles shimmering under the Istanbul sun, casting a spell of enchantment over the skyline.
  • Hagia Sophia: Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring magnificence of Byzantine architecture at this timeless symbol of divine wisdom. Adorned with breathtaking mosaics, it stands as a testament to the ingenuity of human craftsmanship.
  • Basilica Cistern: Descend into the depths of history at this subterranean marvel, where ancient whispers echo amidst ornate columns and tranquil waters, offering a glimpse into Byzantine engineering genius.
  • Grand Bazaar: Lose yourself in the labyrinthine alleys of this bustling marketplace, where the aroma of exotic spices mingles with the vibrant tapestry of goods, beckoning adventurers and treasure seekers alike.
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Themes

Cultural, Education / Learning, Hiking & Walking, Local Immersion & Homestays, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"Excellent service"

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Best of Israel Jordan and Egypt Family Tour
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By China Highlights
Local Expert
Verified by Travelstride as locally operated and in the top of their field for customer reviews, local knowledge, and safety.
5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Amman, Aswan, Cairo, Dead Sea, Hurghada, Jerusalem, Luxor

Highlights

  • Explore the Great Pyramids and Sphinx in Giza
  • Float effortlessly in the Dead Sea as you experience the healing powers of its mineral-rich waters.
  • Witness the mesmerizing El-Tannoura Performance
  • Discover the Nile aboard a traditional dahabiya
  • Uncover the Holy City of Jerusalem
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Themes

Cultural, Education / Learning, Family Friendly, Nature & Wildlife, Photography

What travelers are saying

"I've just returned from my trip to China, a week ago. I've seen many-many interesting places of Guangdong and Guangxi provinces. But most of all i liked my 2-days trip to Longshen villages with my guide Frank from chinahighlights. The day before our trip has started, in Guilin, Frank met me in hotel and told about our journey. Next 2 days we visited traditional ancient chinese villages (the biggest from them are Ping'an and Dazhai), walking around them, saw the rice-terraces landscape (it was really unbelievable). Also we had a hiking between villages, and stayed at night at ZhongLiu village. I haven't seen any tourists in this village, even chinese tourists. It was fantastic cause we've seen real chinese life of local people, including, for example, planting vegetables, collecting tea). Very quiet, fresh air, natural food. Yes, in this village almost no shops, no souvenirs, but you dont need them. All around you a hundred times better. I advice all, who wants to see real chinese life, visit this place, especially this village, stay at night there. Thanks very much to my guide Frank and chinahighlights for this trip!"

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Generous cancellation

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10 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected. We are displaying some similar trips.
My selections:
Nile River
Short Cruise

Middle East Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
3,531  Reviews
See all Middle East tour reviews
Excellent
2,045
Great
628
Average
82
Disappointing
11
Terrible
6
A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

History in the Heat

I've always been interested in Egyptian history and when friends suggested joining this holiday I booked straight away. And it didn't disappoint. Seeing & bein...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

postscript

Sorry, I meant to add that Exodus should perhaps delete the reference to the "library" on the cruise from the Trip Notes. The library consisted of 16 dog-eared bo...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Nile Cruise

This was a wonderful trip - I enjoyed it enormously. Visit to the temples at Karnak & Luxor Khaled Lotfy was an excellent & inspirational group leader. He ...

A

Anonymous

Feb 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Nile Cruise

I do not have a very long 'bucket list', in fact Egypt is the only destination on it and this holiday did not disappoint. From the flight to Cairo to the flight ho...

A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Egypt - Truly a Wonder of the Wordl

I have always dreamt of visiting Egypt and seeing for my self the many ancient wonders going back to the dawn of history. This trip was a dream come true. Having b...

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Middle East Tour Selection Trips

  • Traveling with a tour company will ensure safety. Your guide will know exactly where to go and where to avoid, as well as be a good liaison between you and the local culture.
  • Many of these countries require complicated visa guidelines, so find a tour operator that can arrange visas for you. It will save you a headache and you’ll avoid any costly mistakes.
  • War and conflict may be a concern in this region at the moment, but do not rule out these beautiful destinations. Check travel warnings before your trip. You will often find that these countries only have conflict in small or surrounding areas and that tourism is not affected.
  • Both men and women should dress conservatively. Besides respecting the local culture, long loose pants and sleeves are great protection from the sun.
  • Anti-American sentiments are most often more political than personal. Locals are known to be gracious and accommodating. The cultures of this region value hospitality and kindness towards visitors very highly.
  • Make Israel the last stop of your Middle East tour because some Muslim nations may restrict your access if they see Israeli stamps in your passport.
  • Do not seek out or go to political demonstrations. Though it’s tempting to be in the middle of the action, it is seriously dangerous.

Additional details

What Countries are in the Middle East?

The Middle East sits in between the east of Europe and the west of Asia and is considered a transcontinental region instead of a continent on its own. This part of the world is vast and rich in a diversity of countries, culture, religion, ethnic groups and languages. In total, there are 17 countries that are a part of the Middle East:

  • Bahrain
  • Cyprus 
  • Egypt
  • Iran
  • Iraq
  • Israel
  • Jordan
  • Kuwait
  • Lebanon
  • Oman
  • Palestine
  • Qatar
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Syria
  • Turkey
  • The United Arab Emirates
  • Yemen 

Do’s and Don’ts for traveling in the Middle East

The truth is that the Middle East is so vast that etiquettes differ from country to country. Things you can do in Dubai can greatly differ to things you can do in Iran or Saudi Arabia. That being said, however, this is a basic do’s and don'ts to follow when visiting the Middle East on a tour.

It is a very friendly, vibrant and culturally enriching destination and you should encounter few problems on your trip so long as you are respectful of the rules.

Do’s

  • Dress Conservatively
  • Learn Arabic! It is probably one of the most beautiful languages to exist with a mammoth of history behind almost every word. 
  • Make an effort to learn about the human-rights situation, issues and current affairs in the different countries you venture to. 
  • Definitely learn some basic greetings – this is highly encouraged and it would make for a great first impression amongst locals. In Arabic, hello is salamu alaykum.
  • Try the street food! Much like visiting Asia, the best tasters of the cuisine lays in the hidden stalls and hole in the wall restaurants on the streets. 
  • Visit the mosques. Some of them are considered the holiest places on earth, and the most beautiful ones are spread across the countries of the Middle East. Being in the presence of one, along with the mecca of devoted locals, is  one of the most unique and spiritual experiences you can have while traveling to this part of the world.
  • Always drink bottled water, never tap.

Don’ts

  • Handle food with your left hand
  • Kiss in public. Public displays of physical affection are usually looked down upon.
  • Drink in public. Make sure if you do that it is discreet, otherwise it is against the rules and pretty taboo.
  • If you’re a man, don’t initiate a handshake with a woman. It is almost always going to be interpreted wrong 
  • Be cautious about taking pictures and filming in public. Some locals may be sensitive to it. Be sure to be respectful and ask locals if you can take pictures of them. 
  • If you’re traveling during Ramadan, be aware of the rules of this religious festival.  
  • Definitely do not talk about your opinion on religion or interfere with the political situation in the respective country. It’s good to brush up on national affairs but bringing it up in conversations with locals can easily be a sensitive subject.  

Safety Tips for Traveling in the Middle East

While it is a privilege to be a visitor in the Middle East, there are some safety tips that every traveler should know. As in every foreign country, you need to keep your valuables close. Pickpocketing is common, especially in market places or bus stops, so be cautious about what you put in your bags and how secure they are.

Another thing specific to the Middle East is to dress respectfully. Cover your shoulders and legs when walking around, especially at mosques, to be respectful of cultural values. Look around and see what other local men and women are wearing and try to be as conservative.

Along the same lines, be aware of the social norms in each country to avoid any trouble. Whether that is showing public affection, drinking in public, conversation etiquette or abiding by gendered seating rules in restaurants or transportation. Speaking of transportation, Uber is one of the safest ways to travel around most of the countries in the Middle East. If you get into local cabs, make sure you decide on a fair before riding. 

It is also advisable to travel in pairs, especially if you’re a woman. It is usually very safe to travel solo in most Middle Eastern countries, just make sure that if you ever feel lost or confused ask locals for help. In the rare cases that you feel like you’re being followed or unsafe, seek out local tourist police or head to the nearest hotel or shop with authorities that can help you out.

What to Pack for the Middle East

Knowing what to pack for the Middle East can be tricky. With specific religious and cultural customs, it is essential to know what to stuff in your bags and what to leave behind. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with a general guide on what to bring along!

You can definitely expect very strong sun in this region so bring enough sunscreen, sunglasses and make sure you stay hydrated throughout every activity in the day. Heat stroke is common and easily avoidable with enough water.

For clothing, if you’re going to the UAE or Lebanon, shorts are totally okay. However, if you visit other countries like Iran and Saudi Arabia, that’s a different story. Depending on what country you’re flying to, be sure to brush up on what’s okay to wear amongst locals and what is illegal. 

Don’t forget your swimsuit because the Middle East is home to some of the most gorgeous beaches, namely in Oman, Cyprus, Turkey and Lebanon, amongst many. Take flip flops but make sure beachwear only stays in the beach. Pack collared shirts or a long dress when going out to anything fancy or simple trousers and a T-shirt when traveling around.

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