On this epic 19-day journey through Egypt, Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Territories, you’ll witness the grandeur of the Pyramids of Giza (one of the Seven Wonders of the World), the Valley of the Kings in Luxor and hop in a kayak to sail down the Nile. Spend a night on a traditional felucca under starry skies, then find hidden bars in Amman. Hike in Wadi Rum and explore the land in a 4WD. Witness the awe-inspiring site of Petra (your second Wonder of the World this trip) and soak away your worries in the Dead Sea. Eat your way around Jerusalem's lively Machane Yehuda Market (known for its deliciously fresh food), then trek through enchanting desert-scapes in Ein Gedi National Park. Visit Bethlehem and discover thought-provoking street art along the West Bank Barrier (including a Banksy piece!) and drive through the countryside to the seaside party town of Tel Aviv – this is one to remember.
  • The Pyramids might be hyped, but when you see them you’ll soon be saying oh mummy, I see the point (sorry).
  • Set sail on a felucca cruise along the Nile. Back in the day, these wooden boats had zero facilities, but our new pimped-out boat has western-style toilets on board.
  • Our guides are local and know all the best secret and hidden places to check out after a day of sightseeing
  • Only Petra’s Treasury is stunning enough to be the temple of the Holy Grail (well, according to Indiana Jones at least), and you’ll be blown away on a full day exploring the majesty and mystery of this world wonder.
  • Kick back in your own central hostel in Jerusalem, complete with movie room and rooftop .
  • Sample tasty local eats at the very cool Machane Yehuda Market where you can use your your bite card at any of the vendors.
  • Graffiti has filled the walls in Bethlehem by many artists over the years, including British Artist Banksy. Check it out on a walking tour with your leader.
  • Discover for yourself the town that everyone knows from the Christmas carols – Bethlehem – and find out about daily life in the epic city of Jerusalem as you chat with locals on the way to the Western Wall.
  • Float in the Salty waters of the Dead Sea.
  • Hike the iconic Masada Snake Path for some epic views across the Dead Sea and Jordan.
  • Only Petra’s Treasury – one of the Seven Wonders of the World – is stunning enough to be the temple of the Holy Grail. Your pass to this sacred site lasts two full days so that you can explore every nook and cranny at your own pace.? ?
  • See the lowest point on earth – the Dead Sea – and float in its famously salty waters, soaking up its healing minerals and lathering yourself in the rejuvenating mud (if the mood strikes).?
  • Find cool, hidden bars in Jerusalem in your free time and hit the bustling nightlife in Tel Aviv – now known as one of the best destinations in the world for clubs, bars and partying!?
  • Spend a night cruising the Nile in a traditional felucca (a bit like a floating living room) stopping at colourful villages and temples by day and stargazing by night.???
  • Witness some epic sights in Cairo, like the mysterious Sphinx and one of the Seven Wonders of the World – the Great Pyramids of Giza. Maybe even learn how to spell your name in hieroglyphics!??
  • OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION
  • The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.
  • ACCOMMODATION STYLE
  • Some of the accommodation along the way is basic or simple, three and four-star accommodation in the Middle East (with the exception of Israel)  is often not equal to same-star facilities in some western destinations. Rooms are clean and comfortable, however, you may note some small maintenance issues that have been overlooked, please assist us by bringing these to the attention of your group leader or local representative so that we can follow up with our hosts. Many restaurants and hotels do not serve alcohol for religious reasons or due to local laws. Breakfast is included in 95% or our hotels, pleaser refer to our daily itinerary for meal inclusions.
  • TWIN SHARE / MULTI SHARE BASIS
  • Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multi-share basis.
  • CHECK-IN TIME
  • Throughout the trip, we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination.  Standard check-in time is 1400 hours.
  • PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION
  • If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (subject to availability), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.
  • SHOWERS
  • Showers at some hotels only have hot water at peak times (usually morning and evening). Outside of these times, you may need to speak to reception to obtain hot water.
  • HEATING AND AIR-CONDITIONING
  • As a desert region, this part of the world has extremes of weather. Winter months (approx December to March) can be very cold. All of our hotel accommodation contains suitable bedding, and simple light bedding is provided during camping activities such as an overnight felucca, desert camps or at the Red Sea Beach camp stay. Most of our travellers find the bedding provided here adequate, but for your own comfort and if you are particularly sensitive to the cold, consider bringing your own sleeping bag, thermals, scarf, gloves and a warm jacket. Some of our guesthouses/hotels don't supply heating. In many cases, this would be a major financial and environmental strain on our hotels and the local towns. Summer (approx June to August) can be very hot everywhere we travel, which means that it can be quite uncomfortable for those not used to the heat. Not all our hotels have air-conditioning, and in those that do, it's not always functioning.
  • ROOM ISSUES
  • If you have any issues with your room, please speak to the hotel and your group leader or local representative right away so that the problem can be addressed without delay.