The Best Private Trips to Book in the Middle East

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Gethin Morgan

Content and CRM Executive

Whether you’re looking to book a private trip with family, friends or a social group, these are the best Culture Trip itineraries you can book in the Middle East.

Loved by over 40s

There’s plenty of pros for going private. Obviously it means you can keep the guest-list locked down, but it also allows for far greater flexibility on travel dates, group sizes (minimum of 4) and even age requirements. Simply get in touch with our Travel Experts to organise your personalised Culture Trip adventure.

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Discover Jordan

The cinematic landscapes of Jordan make for quite the adventure to embark on your with your favourite travel companions. Our eight-day itinerary is a pretty comprehensive tour of the country, starting in Amman, where you’ll get to go on a guided street food tour and discover the underrated Jordanian wine scene. From there it’s onto the ancient city of Petra, which you’ll explore on foot and by 4×4, following an authentic Jordanian cooking class. Next up is Wadi Rum, the red-rock desert valley that Hollywood can’t get enough of. You’ll be staying in a luxury desert campsite and will be treated to a bouncy 4×4 tour of the valley, including plenty of time to scramble up sand dunes and discover incredible viewpoints. We’ll return to modern civilisation in the coastal city of Aqaba, where you’ll get to snorkel in the Red Sea, before rounding off our truly otherworldly adventure in the Dead Sea, where floating is more the vibe.

From US$2379

Next available from 6th Jan 2024

Secure your spot with a low deposit

Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Amman, Jordan

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ENDS AT

Amman, Jordan

DURATION

8

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

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STYLE

Discovery

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Ultimate Egypt 2024

There’s a reason that Egypt has topped bucket lists for as long as travel has existed. This place is truly fascinating, and our nine-day tour shows you a hidden side to the country, as well as the sightseeing classics, of course. We’ll get those out of the way on an unforgettable first day that includes the Great Pyramids, the Sphinx and the brand new Grand Egyptian Museum. After that you’ll get a guided tour of Cairo’s bustling bazaars and hidden alleys, before we follow the river Nile south, first by sleeper train and then on a four-night luxury river cruise. Explore the ancient Luxor Temple while illuminated by candlelight, discover famous tombs in the Valley of the Kings and paddle down the Nile as we explore the islands of Aswan by kayak.

From US$2116

Next available from 11th Jan 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Cairo, Egypt

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ENDS AT

Aswan, Egypt

DURATION

9

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Light

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STYLE

Discovery

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Flash Sale
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Majestic Turkey

Turkey is a nation that straddles continents and cultures, and you can simply hop on a ferry from Europe to Asia in Istanbul, the starting point of our 12-day epic. You’ll have two full days to explore this ancient city, from famous sights like the Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar and Hagia Sophia, to the lesser-known foodie delights of Kadikoy. After that we’ll journey deeper into Asia and the Middle East, first stopping off in the capital, Ankara, before exploring the truly ancient Bronze Age sites of Hattusas. We’ll eventually reach the surreal rock formations of Cappadocia, best seen on a hot-air balloon ride, which you’ll have the option of taking. You’ll hike valleys, sample wine, practice pottery and discover an underground city before eventually reaching Antalya, the gateway to the Turkish Riviera. Spend the remainder of your time having some well-deserved chill-time on the beach.

From US$2294

Next available from 13th Oct 2023

Secure your spot with a low deposit

Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Istanbul, Turkey

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ENDS AT

Antalya, Turkey

DURATION

12

GROUP SIZE

18

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

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STYLE

Discovery

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Flash Sale
Koutoubia mosque standing tall over Marrakech, with the snow-capped Atlas Mountains in the distance

Epic Morocco

Some people might argue with us on this one, as many traditional takes don’t acknowledge Morocco as a Middle Eastern country. Geographically it’s hard to argue, since this nation is further west than France, but the North African nations that make up the Maghreb region are very much an extension of the Middle East, as part of the Arabic world. Much of the cultural touchstones, natural landscapes and city atmospheres here capture a similar feeling, as our remarkably varied 11-day trip proves. You’ll visit Africa’s largest mosque in Casablanca, discover old world charm in Fes and spend a night camping under the stars of the Sahara desert. Awake to a sunrise camel ride before heading up into the Atlas Mountains to visit rural Berber villages, before eventually reaching our final destination, Marrakech. The bustling medina captures the energy of a classic Middle Eastern city, and you’ll be treated to a stunning street food tour, as well as traditional cooking masterclass, before our Moroccan adventure comes to an end.

From US$1897

Next available from 7th Oct 2023

Secure your spot with a low deposit

Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Casablanca, Morocco

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ENDS AT

Marrakech, Morocco

DURATION

11

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

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STYLE

Discovery

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Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

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HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

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Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

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KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

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Keen to explore the world?

Our passionately curated premium small-group trips are an invitation to connect with like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences.