Simple stays with essential amenities. Typically guesthouses, hostels or hotels rated below 3 stars — clean, no-frills, and great for value-conscious travelers.
Comfortable and reliable 3-star stays. Expect private rooms, en-suite bathrooms, and solid amenities — a great balance between comfort and cost.
Upscale 4-5 star hotels and lodges. Enjoy high-end service, refined comfort, and premium locations — ideal for travelers seeking extra indulgence.
China’s fascinating contrasts come to life on the "Beijing to Shanghai Express"—a ten-day sightseeing trip ideal for budget-minded travelers eager to experience the nation’s urban energy and tranquil countryside. Starting in the historic capital of Beijing, explore ancient wonders like the Great Wall (with a unique sunset camping experience) and soak up the city’s vibrant atmosphere.
The tour then whisks you into the picturesque rural region of Hangzhou, offering the chance to trek to Moganshan Peak and swim in pristine lagoons. Adventure continues with a visit to Moganshan’s bamboo forests and Chairman Mao’s former residence, providing an authentic taste of China’s scenic landscapes.
Cap your journey in Shanghai, the world’s largest city, where dazzling nightlife, culinary delights, and endless shopping await. Accommodations, transport, and select meals are included, making exploration both easy and affordable.
The USP of this trip lies in its blend of iconic city sightseeing and hands-on rural adventure, including a rare opportunity to camp on the Great Wall—perfect for travelers eager to experience both China’s history and its natural wonders.
Epic adventures and ancient wonders await on the "Highlights of China" tour, a 17-day journey beginning in bustling Hong Kong and winding through the country’s most storied destinations. This city sightseeing trip is designed for young adults up to age 55, blending urban excitement with rural splendor.
From Hong Kong’s skyscrapers, travel to the enchanting landscapes of Yangshuo for outdoor exploration and active fun. In Chengdu, meet China’s beloved giant pandas, then delve into Xi’an’s rich history with a visit to the world-famous Terracotta Warriors. Continue to Dengfeng, where you’ll witness and even try martial arts training with legendary Shaolin monks.
The final stretch takes you to Beijing for a walk along the Great Wall—a highlight of any China trip—before wrapping up in the capital’s vibrant heart. Accommodations, transport, and meals are included, ensuring a seamless and sociable group experience.
The tour’s USP is its unique combination of iconic cities, hands-on cultural activities, and natural wonders, offering a panoramic view of China’s past and present—perfect for adventurous travelers seeking depth and variety.
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hostel, Camping, Guest House, Hotel
Age Range
18-60 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Beijing, Hong Kong, Xi'an, Dengf
Beijing, Hong Kong, Xi'an, Dengfeng, Yangshuo, Chengdu
See China from every angle on the "China on a Shoestring" tour, a 26-day budget adventure that circles the country’s major highlights and hidden gems. Starting and ending in dynamic Hong Kong, this group trip is specially crafted for travelers aged 18 to 55 who crave both iconic sights and authentic off-the-beaten-path experiences.
Journey through the karst landscapes of Yangshuo, meet adorable pandas in Chengdu, and explore Xi’an’s Terracotta Warriors. Train with Shaolin monks in Dengfeng, camp on the Great Wall, and marvel at sunrise from atop its ancient stones. Discover bamboo forests and clear lagoons in Zhejiang, soak up Shanghai’s nightlife, and meander through rural Fujian before returning to Hong Kong.
All accommodations, transport, and meals are arranged, ensuring comfort and camaraderie throughout. The USP of this trip is its unmatched scope—blending famous landmarks, cultural immersion, and adventure activities, all at an exceptional value—perfect for those eager to see every side of China in one unforgettable journey.
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hostel, Camping, Guest House, Hotel
Age Range
18-60 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Hong Kong, Xi'an, Dengfeng, Beij
Hong Kong, Xi'an, Dengfeng, Beijing, Moganshan, Shanghai, Yangshuo, Fujian, Chengdu
This 6-day tour is the perfect way to experience the unique and fascinating destination that is Lebanon. Found on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean, Lebanon is filled with historical and cultural sites and landmarks.
You will visit great ancient Phoenician cities; Byblos, the world’s oldest continually-inhabited city; and Heliopolis, the Middle East’s best-preserved temple. Lebanon also abounds with natural phenomena and landscapes, and you will visit many fascinating natural sites. These include the Baatara Gorge Waterfall, the Jeita Grotto, the Ksara Caves, and the Barouk Cedar Nature Reserve.
With sites such as the birthplace of Khalil Gibran, and the Lebanon cedar mentioned in the Old Testament, Lebanon provides the ideal combination nature, culture and history.
Accommodation is in 3-4 star boutique style hotels, a deluxe guesthouse in Zahle and one night a monastery in the Qadisha Valley where you may join the monks for morning prayer if you wish.. The itinerary will be adjusted slightly during the winter months to avoid some of the high mountain roads which will be blocked due to snow.
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Guest House, Hotel, Resort
Age Range
8-95 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Cape Town, Beirut, Baatara Gorge
Cape Town, Beirut, Baatara Gorge Waterfall, Qadisha Valley, Byblos
Embark on an unforgettable 11-day journey through the captivating landscapes and rich histories of Jordan and Lebanon. Your adventure begins in Amman, Jordan's vibrant capital, where you'll be transferred to your hotel upon arrival, with time to settle in before the explorations commence. The following day delves deep into antiquity, starting with a visit to Jerash, renowned for possessing some of the most extensive and well-preserved Roman ruins outside Italy. Returning to Amman, known as the 'white city', you'll explore millennia of history at the Citadel, encompassing the Temple of Hercules and Umayyad Palace, followed by the impressive Roman Theatre. The day is enriched with a lively street food tasting experience in Downtown Amman and concludes with an insightful evening visit to the Wild Jordan Centre, supporting local conservation efforts.
The journey south unfolds along the scenic King's Highway, a route offering picturesque views of deep wadis and rural villages. Stops include Madaba, famous for the ancient Byzantine mosaic map in St. George's Church, and Mount Nebo, offering panoramic vistas towards the Holy Land. After traversing the dramatic Wadi al-Mujib gorge, you'll visit the imposing Crusader fortress of Shobak Castle before arriving in Petra. Here, optional evening activities provide a magical introduction to the city, choosing between the atmospheric Petra by Candlelight experience or a hands-on Jordanian cooking class at the Petra Kitchen (pre-booking recommended). The next day is dedicated entirely to the awe-inspiring Nabataean city of Petra. Following a guided tour through the narrow Siq canyon, revealing the breathtaking Treasury facade carved into the rock, you'll have ample free time to explore this vast site independently. Discover countless tombs, the Roman amphitheatre, and consider challenging climbs to the Monastery or the High Place of Sacrifice for incredible views and a deeper appreciation of this world wonder.
Leaving Petra's rock-hewn marvels, you'll drive into the spectacular desert landscape of Wadi Rum. Experience the magic of the desert with an overnight stay in a comfortable Bedouin camp nestled amongst towering sandstone cliffs. An included jeep safari reveals the dramatic 'jebels' and unique rock formations famed by T.E. Lawrence. Enhance your desert experience with optional activities like camel riding, quad biking, a serene hot air balloon flight at dawn, or stargazing under the clear desert skies after enjoying a traditional Bedouin dinner. The following morning, after further exploration via jeep, the journey continues north to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth. Check into your resort on its shores and enjoy ample time to experience the unique buoyancy of the salt-rich waters, indulge in therapeutic mud treatments, or simply relax. For the adventurous (typically April-October), an optional trek through the water-filled canyons of nearby Wadi Mujib is available.
Day six marks the transition to Lebanon, with a transfer to Amman airport for your flight to Beirut (please note this flight cost is not included). Upon arrival in Beirut, you'll be met and transferred to your hotel. The Lebanese leg of your adventure begins by heading north to the stunning Jeita Grotto, a vast system of limestone caves filled with incredible stalactites and stalagmites. Continue to Harissa, taking a cable car up to the mountain-top shrine for breathtaking coastal views. The day also includes a visit to the unique Baatara Gorge sinkhole and waterfall (seasonal), exploration of Douma Village with an included traditional lunch, before reaching the serene Qadisha Valley for an overnight stay in a monastery or local guesthouse.
Explore the UNESCO-listed Qadisha Valley (Holy Valley) the next morning, perhaps joining the monks for prayers, before visiting Becharre, birthplace of Kahlil Gibran, and the iconic Cedars of God reserve. The day concludes in the ancient Phoenician port city of Byblos, another UNESCO site, brimming with millennia of history. Enjoy a free morning exploring Byblos' charming markets and harbour before travelling inland. A highlight is the visit to Ksara Winery, Lebanon's oldest, for a tour of its historic caves and a wine tasting session, before continuing to Zahle.
The penultimate day offers a spectacular immersion in history with a visit to the colossal Roman temple complex at Baalbek (Heliopolis), one of the most impressive Roman sites globally. Afterwards, explore the well-preserved 8th-century Umayyad city of Anjar in the Bekaa Valley, showcasing remarkable early Islamic urban planning, before driving back to Beirut for the final night. Your comprehensive tour concludes on day eleven with free time for last-minute exploration or souvenir shopping in Beirut before your included transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Throughout the tour, breakfasts are included daily, along with specific lunches and dinners as detailed in the itinerary.
Explorer
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Guest House, Hotel, Resort
Age Range
8-95 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Cape Town, Amman, Baalbek, Beiru
Cape Town, Amman, Baalbek, Beirut, Petra, Dead Sea, Qadisha Valley, Byblos
On this two-week African family adventure through Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia, you'll get to explore some of the most varied and exciting landscapes in Africa. Starting in Victoria Falls on the border of Zimbabwe, we travel into Botswana before exploring Namibia and finishing in the capital, Windhoek.
Your starting point is the stunning Victoria Falls and the numerous activities available here. Leaving Zimbabwe we cross the border into Botswana and take you to Chobe National Park, famous for its thriving elephant population.
Heading into Namibia, our first stop is along the banks of the Okavango River, teaming with plant, bird and animal life and an area that is often known as the 'pan handle' of the Okavango Delta. There are several optional safaris from our camp both in traditional mokoro dugout canoes, and with open 4x4 safari vehicles. Moving on, Etosha National Park is one of the best places in the world to see wildlife and we have several game drives in our truck, especially looking out for the famous desert elephants there and enjoying time in the evenings at floodlit waterholes. Back on the road, we journey south to Ozohere Himba Village and Cape Cross Seal Colony. After passing shipwrecks sitting on the desert sands of the Skeleton Coast, we’ll visit Swakopmund, known as the adventure capital of Namibia where thrilling activities, such as skydiving, sandboarding and scenic flights above the stark landscape of the mountainous dunes are available. Coming towards the end of our trip, our next highlight is Namib-Naukluft National Park and Sossusvlei where we'll climb up the famous Dune 45 in the Namib Desert and see the ancient scorched black trees in the Deadvlei clay-pan. Finally we travel to Windhoek, Namibia’s capital and journey’s end.
This overland family adventure safari holiday allows you to experience the diversity and uniqueness of the different regional cultures, discover the abundance of wildlife, and get your adrenaline flowing with exciting optional activities. Accommodation is a mix of hotels/lodges, permanent camps, and in simple tents next to our truck. Travel is on one of our specialist overland expedition vehicles with an experienced tour leader and driver on board.
This family tour has a minimum age requirement of 5 years, with discounted prices available for children aged from 5 to 15. Our trucks have 24 seats on the back, and the group will be a minimum of 8 people and maximum of 18 (plus crew).
Note: If you would like to enjoy a longer family adventure in Africa with us, then our Tanzania Family Overland trip from Nairobi to Zanzibar runs immediately before this trip starts and the two are designed to be combined together if you wish.
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Camping, Hotel, Tent, Hut, Lodge, Resort
Age Range
1-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Nairobi, Victoria Falls, Cape Cr
Nairobi, Victoria Falls, Cape Cross Seal Reserve, Swakopmund, Namib Naukluft National Park, Windhoek, Chobe National Park, Okavango River, Rundu, Etosha National Park, Otjikandero Himba Orphanage Village
Join Encounters Travel on an extraordinary journey through Egypt, timed to coincide with a rare total solar eclipse which we will view from Luxor, right in the heart of the path of totality. With over six minutes of totality, this is one of the longest solar eclipses of the century - and you'll witness it from one of the most awe-inspiring historic landscapes on Earth.
Enhancing this special trip will be Dr. Sarah Rugheimer, an internationally recognized astrophysicist from the University of Edinburgh. Who will conduct a lecture on the evening of day 2 whilst in Cairo. Her research focuses on detecting life on exoplanets through atmospheric biosignatures, and she is co-PI of the LIFE mission - designed to follow JWST as the next-generation space telescope.
Sarah earned her Ph.D. at Harvard and has held prestigious fellowships at Oxford and St. Andrews. She's also a passionate science communicator, with a TED Talk, "Searching for Microscopic Aliens" viewed over 1.7 million times and an Audible course on astrobiology – "Searching for Extraterrestrial Life".
The tour begins in Cairo, where you'll stay in the 5-star Hilton Pyramids Golf Hotel and explore the nearby Great Pyramids and Sphinx, before learning more about the history of pyramid building at Dashour and Saqqara. We'll also tour the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum and enjoy a lecture about the science behind solar eclipses and what to expect and look out for on the day. A short flight then takes you to Luxor where you'll board the elegant Royal Signature 5-star Nile Cruise boat which will be home for the next seven nights.
While in Luxor, you'll explore the Valley of the Kings, Queen Hatshepsut's Temple, Karnak and Luxor Temples and other sites with one of our resident Egyptologist guides. Then experience the solar eclipse at a specially chosen viewing site, with eclipse glasses included.
Then, sail south to Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Aswan, visiting the Philae Temple and Aswan High Dam, with an optional trip to Abu Simbel. Enjoy a felucca sail before returning to Luxor and flying back to Cairo.
The tour concludes with a walking tour through Cairo's lively Khan el-Khalili bazaar. Optional Jordan extensions are also available to visit Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea and to experience the Perseid Meteor Shower
Experience the best of Morocco on our Morocco Express tour. Immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of Marrakech's red city, explore the majestic Atlas Mountains, and unwind on the stunning Atlantic coastline. Our journey takes you through diverse landscapes, starting with the bustling souks and historic landmarks of Marrakech. We then traverse the breathtaking Atlas Mountains, stopping in Taroudant before continuing to the charming coastal town of Essaouira, where you can wander through its picturesque medina, indulge in fresh seafood, and enjoy thrilling water sports.
For a unique desert experience without the long journey to the Sahara, we'll spend a night camping in the Agafay Desert, just a short drive from Marrakech. Here, you can choose to embark on an optional camel trek through the rocky terrain at the foothills of the Atlas Mountains or simply relax by the pool and soak up the tranquil atmosphere. Finally, we'll return to Marrakech, where you can explore any remaining attractions, browse for souvenirs, or simply savor the city's vibrant ambiance one last time. This unforgettable journey promises a perfect blend of cultural immersion, natural beauty, and relaxation.
Accommodation on this tour is in 3 to 4-star hotels, plus a night at at camp in the Agafay Desert. Transportation is either by minivan or 4x4 land cruiser
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
From the High Atlas Mountains to the deep Todra Gorge, the Sahara Desert, the Blue City of Chefchaouen, and the coastal town of Essaouira, this 14-day tour will take you to all corners of Morocco and show you the very best of what this kingdom has to offer.
After meeting the group in Casablanca, we begin our journey, making our first stop in the capital city of Rabat where we'll explore the Oudaia Kasbah, Royal Palace, and the Hassan Tower before moving on to Tetouan. Next is the Blue City of Chefchaouen in the North of Morocco, where we'll have the opportunity to explore the main square and Kasbah with its white-painted doors and blue walls.
Turning our direction south, our next stop is Fes, often considered to be one of the oldest and largest medieval cities in the world. With a 2-night stay here, you'll have plenty of time to explore this city and its maze-like Medina.
As our journey continues, we pass over the Moyen Atlas and spend a night in the mountainous town of Midelt, where we'll have time for a short hike in the surrounding hills and a visit to a local Berber family, where we'll experience a few hours in their way of life.
Be prepared for a change of scenery as our adventure takes us into the Sahara Desert. We'll take a camel trek through the sand dunes of the Erg Chebbi to our base for the night, a traditional Berber camp. You can choose to sleep within the tents or choose to sleep outside, beneath the star-speckled desert sky.
Next, you'll have time in the deep Todra Gorge, with the opportunity for a short hike through the canyon and Palmerie area, or even try some rock climbing. You'll then follow the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs to Ouarzazate and the Ksar of Ait Benhaddou, which you may find familiar as it has appeared in several movies, some of which were also partially filmed in the nearby Atlas Studios, which you'll also have the opportunity to visit.
The final leg of our journey firstly takes us to the coast, where we'll spend 2 nights in the laid-back town of Essaouira. While here, you can enjoy seafood, try your hand at kite surfing, or explore the UNESCO-listed Medina and former Portuguese fortifications. This comprehensive tour of Morocco ends in Marrakech, where an optional tour is available to explore this Imperial City, the fourth of which you will have visited on this tour.
For those passengers who find it easier to fly in and out of Marrakech, we also offer a 15-day version of this tour, starting 1 day earlier in Marrakech. Please see the optional extras for further details
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Get ready to experience the heart and soul of India's most dynamic metropolis! From vibrant street life to the glittering world of Bollywood, your Mumbai adventure awaits.
Kick things off by stepping into the iconic Gateway of India, the city's grand welcome on the waterfront. Feel the pulse of the city as you cruise past Mumbai's heritage treasures - colonial-era architecture, bustling bazaars, and grand landmarks.
Your next stop is a Bollywood extravaganza! Step behind the silver screen, witness live shoots buzzing with energy, explore elaborate sets, and be dazzled by mesmerizing dance performances. Get ready to feel the rhythm of Mumbai as you join the iconic Dabbawalas, the lifeline of the city's workforce, on a local train ride. Immerse yourself in the colors and chaos of Dhobi Ghats, the world's largest open-air laundry, and then stroll through a fragrant symphony of blossoms at the flower market.
Finally, take a walk through Dharavi, a slum pulsating with life and inspiration, famously showcased in the movie "Slumdog Millionaire".
This tour is designed as a sample tailor-made tour itinerary. As such we do not offer set group departure dates that you can join. Rather, the tour is available for you to do privately starting on any date of the year. Guideline seasonal prices are provided, based on 2 people travelling. If you would like to adjust the tour itinerary, or there will be more or less people travelling, please contact us and we will customise a price for you. We can operate most of our India tours throughout the year, however you should take the monsoon months of May to September into consideration when choosing your travel date as it can get very hot and wet during this period.
Please note that the Dabbawalas tour operates only between Monday and Friday. Please consider this when selecting your tour start date.
