I've seen impressive waterfalls and scenery before but this takes it to a whole new level. When you think you've seen it all you turn a corner and get a whole new perspective. You get to see and experience different things everyday. With plenty of free days that you can organise yourself or fill with the optionals you can really bulk out this holiday and make it packed with new experiences which you may have not found by yourself. I've not had a minute spare as always an optional available to fill any free time which is what I chose to do. The Iguazu falls is a must experience! The views on the walk are simply breathtaking then your breath gets taken in a whole new way on the boat ride into the base of the Devil's throat.
Search the sky for dancing lights by night and discover natural wonders by day on this eight-day Premium adventure. Travel with a local leader who brings the landscape to life as you view the mighty Gullfoss waterfall, drive through hardened lava fields in Vatnajokull National Park, see the eerily calm waters of the Glacier Lagoon and wander among Reynisdrangar’s imposing basalt sea stacks. Take in dramatic views from your Feature Stay hotel, enjoy included dinners of fresh produce, take part in amazing Exclusive Experiences and journey from Hvolsvollur to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula in pursuit of mother nature’s most spectacular show.
We’re both in our 60s and loved the concept of seeing iconic cities in one tour. Highlights for us were Cape Town and Agra, very well organized with knowledgeable guides. The early morning flights and long transfers were tiring, and there wasn’t much time to unpack before moving again. That said, we met lovely people and learned so much. We just wish we had more time in Singapore. They handled logistics impressively for such a big tour. Would recommend for flexible, energetic travelers.
Your adventure kicks off in Amman, Jordan! We'll sort your airport transfer, and you'll have a free evening to settle in. Next up, you'll explore the amazing Roman ruins at Jerash and discover Amman's highlights like the Citadel and Roman Theatre. You'll also get a taste of local life with a street food experience and pop into the unique Wild Jordan Centre in the evening. After Amman, you'll travel south along the scenic King's Highway. Along the way, you'll stop at Madaba (home of a famous mosaic map), take in the incredible views from Mount Nebo, and check out the old Shobak Castle before reaching Petra. Once in Petra, you'll have the evening free – maybe try the magical Petra by Night experience or join a fun Jordanian cooking class?
Get ready for a fantastic day exploring the incredible ancient city of Petra! You'll start with a guided walk through the stunning Siq canyon to the famous Treasury, and then you'll have free time to explore more sites like the Monastery at your own pace. Later, it's off to the spectacular desert scenery of Wadi Rum! You'll spend the night in a comfy Bedouin camp under the stars, enjoying a traditional dinner. Fancy a camel ride or some stargazing? Those are options too! The next morning kicks off with a thrilling jeep safari through Wadi Rum's amazing landscapes. Then, you'll head north to the Dead Sea for an overnight stay. You'll have plenty of time to experience that amazing floating sensation and maybe even try the therapeutic mud. If you're feeling adventurous and visiting at the right time of year, there's an optional trek through the nearby Wadi Mujib canyon too.
Leaving the Dead Sea behind, you'll fly from Amman to Cairo to start the Egyptian leg of your journey (we'll handle the transfers, but the flight cost is not included). Get ready to be amazed, because once in Egypt, your expert Egyptologist guide takes you to some truly iconic sights – the incredible Great Pyramids and the mysterious Sphinx watching over the Giza plateau! It's a real 'pinch me' moment. You'll even get to refuel with a delicious and authentic Koshary lunch, a bustling plate of Egyptian comfort food, before hopping on the overnight train heading south. The train journey itself is an experience, travelling through the night (you can upgrade to the sleeper train for extra comfort). Waking up refreshed, you'll arrive in Aswan, a relaxed city on the Nile. Here, you'll take a boat trip out to the stunningly relocated Philae Temple, dedicated to Isis, on its island home. You'll also get a wonderful feel for local life with an overnight stay in a colourful Nubian village nearby, known for its warm hospitality. There's an unforgettable optional trip to see the colossal temples of Abu Simbel, built by Ramses II and saved from the rising waters of Lake Nasser – seeing them at sunrise is magical. Afterwards, it’s time to slow the pace right down as you board a traditional Nile felucca. Spend the afternoon peacefully sailing down the Nile, watching rural life unfold on the banks. Your Nubian crew will sail the boat, cook your meals, and maybe even entertain you with some local songs! You'll sleep on the deck under the stars (mattresses and blankets provided – it's basic but brilliant, though a hotel upgrade is possible if you prefer comfort!). After a final breakfast on the felucca, you'll say goodbye to the crew and travel north towards Luxor, often called the world's greatest open-air museum. On the way, you'll stop at the remarkably well-preserved Edfu Temple. Once in Luxor, you might want to see the grand Luxor Temple, beautifully lit up in the evening. The next day brings more wonders with a fascinating tour of Luxor's West Bank. You'll delve into the tombs of Pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings, marvel at the unique terraced Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, and see the giant Colossi of Memnon. For a truly breathtaking perspective, an optional hot air balloon ride at sunrise over the West Bank is highly recommended! There might also be a chance to explore the vast Karnak Temple complex later on. Then it's time for the overnight train journey back to Cairo. Once there, you'll have a full day to explore this bustling capital. You could relax, wander independently, or perhaps join an optional tour – maybe delve into Coptic Cairo and the Citadel, discover the evolution of pyramids at Saqqara and Memphis, or take a guided walk through the vibrant chaos of the Khan-el-Khalili bazaar, soaking up the sounds, smells, and sights. On your final day, there's still time for some last-minute souvenir hunting or perhaps a visit to the incredible Egyptian Museum, home to countless ancient treasures including Tutankhamun's famous collection, before we take you to the airport for your flight home, full of amazing memories.
Accommodation is in comfortable mid-range hotels, Bedouin tents with proper beds in Wadi Rum, a friendly local Nubian guesthouse in Aswan, plus one night on board the felucca sailboat on the Nile.
Private tour option
If our scheduled departure dates don't work for you, or you would prefer not to travel with a group, then we can also run this tour privately for you. Please contact us for more information and prices
Also known as the “Whiskey” route, the Machame route is now the most popular ascent route on Mt Kilimanjaro. Compared with the Marangu route, the walking days on the Machame route are longer and the walks are steeper. However, the scenery is spectacular and landscape interesting. The Machame route is considered a difficult route, and is better suited for more adventurous trekkers and those with some hiking or backpacking experience.
The Machame route is scenically beautiful and varied. However, due to its popularity there are increased numbers of trekkers, it loses some of its splendour. The Machame route approaches the summit from the southwest and descends using the Mweka route, rewarding climbers with views of the expansive Shira Plateau, an optional scramble up Lava Tower, a climb up the Great Barranco wall, and a traverse underneath Kilimanjaro’s southern ice field.
Climbers sleep in supplied tents at designated campsites, and eat meals either outdoors or inside a large dining tent, depending on weather conditions. Bless Africa Tours staff will prepare all meals and set up and take down the tents.
The Machame route is a highly successful route to the summit as you climb high and sleep lower because of position of the campsites, which aids acclimatization. It also offers the opportunity to take an alternative route to the summit, either via Barafu camp or the less frequented and more difficult Western breach route. The minimum number of days required for this route is six days, although seven days is recommended to make the walk more enjoyable and improve acclimatization.
After arrival in Moshi and the hotel, there will be the opportunity to rest. Later there will be a meeting with the tour guide for a briefing about the trek and Mt Kilimanjaro and, very importantly, an equipment check.
Challenge. Desolation. Unlimited wonder. It’s not difficult to grasp what attracted the great explorers to Antarctica. Get a personal appreciation for the struggle to tame the bottom of the world on this 22-day adventure to the land that entranced Ernest Shackleton and countless others since. Down here, you’ll explore the Falkland Islands, encounter abandoned whaling stations on South Georgia Island, and pay your respects at Shackleton’s grave. Elsewhere, you’ll catch up with penguins (king, chinstrap, gentoo, and Adélie varieties), learn all about them through daily lectures, get close to whales and cavorting seals from a Zodiac boat, and keep an eye peeled for towering icebergs and massive glaciers. Prepare to be astonished.
The barge and crew were magnificent. Warm. Welcoming. Shining clean and food exceptional. Guide, Tammy, made time for all while keeping things moving. Herding cats is difficult! But she did this with grace and courtesy. Biking was easy. This was our first guided tour and surprised at all the knowledge Tammy shared plus all the interesting side visits we went on. Loved the cheese and Grappa tasting!!
Explore Morocco's vibrant labyrinth and ever-changing scenery with a small group of solo-ish travellers. From the bustling medinas to the seaside villages and expansive Sahara, you'll discover the beauty of a fascinating culture, forging new friends along the way. Across 16 epic days, you'll be thrust into the hustle and bustle of Marrakech and Fes, be swept away by the vastness of the desert (on a camel’s back no less) and welcomed into the homes and hearts of Amazigh locals. Go surfing in Taghazout, wander through blue-washed walls in Chefchaouen, learn about sacred sites in Moulay Idriss and rub shoulders with locals in Ait Benhaddou. On this trip, you'll get a taste for adventure, nature, culture and culinary wonder and return home with more than just a full camera roll.
Visit Guangzhou, a Chinese metropolis that used to frame up an Asian Games! Join our four-day city break and discover the landmarks of this fascinating city. Climb up to the Canton Tower and get a breath-taking view over this modern town, get a glimpse of the Chen dynasty´s heritage while in Chen Clan Academy or take a relaxing walk in Yuexiu Park and adsorb the tranquil atmosphere of its greenish vibe. Together with the tasting of the local specialties, this tour combines the tradition with modern influences and is a remarkable experience while visiting the landscape of the Pearl River.
Wonderful trek experience, my favorite part was the Tsum Valley extension - walking through the pine forest, with rhododendrons in bloom and surrounded by birdsong, was lovely, particularly with the reduced levels of donkey traffic relative to the main route! Crossing the Larkya La in perfect weather made for a stunning climax to the trip.
A wonderful trip with a great group. Nick the leader was great, extremely informative both about his country but also with his detailed briefings prior to every ride. The trip was well run and a perfect blend of culture, history and enjoyable cycling.
The cycling is reasonably challenging at times and a level of fitness and experience on roads with heavy traffic is needed. It is hilly with some stiff climbs made more so by the hot temperatures we experienced in July. The provided mountain bikes where OK but would be much improved with semi slick tires.
Accommodation and the food in particular was memorable, the later far exceeding expectations.
Although we were a bit apprehensive about a self guided tour - we were very pleased that everything worked out. Loved the places we visited and the variety of accommodation. It was a great adventure.
The trip was well planned and we saw the most amazing nature in Montenegro and Bosnia-i-Herzegovina. We had a night in Pluzine near lake piva where the accomodation could have been better. The guide and driver/mechanic were a great team and both of them did an excellent job
