What does the Arabian Adventure cover and how long is it?
The Arabian Adventure is a 23-day small-group tour starting in Beirut and ending in Amman. You spend the first eight days exploring Lebanon (Jeita Grotto, Baatara Gorge, Qadisha Valley, Byblos, Ksara Winery, Baalbek, Beiteddine, Tyre, and Sidon), then fly to Cairo for eight days covering the Pyramids, Sphinx, Egyptian Museum, an overnight sleeper train to Aswan, a Nubian village, Philae Temple, a Nile felucca cruise, Edfu Temple, and Luxor. After three free days in Dahab on the Red Sea, you cross by ferry to Jordan at Aqaba for Wadi Rum, Petra, the Dead Sea, Madaba, Mount Nebo, and Jerash.
What are the highlights in Lebanon?
Lebanon highlights include the Jeita Grotto (9km of limestone caves with some of the world's most spectacular stalactites and stalagmites), the Baatara Gorge (a 255-metre waterfall falling through three natural stone arches into a sinkhole, known as the Cave of the Three Bridges), an overnight stay at the Kozhaya Monastery in the UNESCO-listed Qadisha Valley, the Cedars of God at Becharre, ancient Byblos (inhabited for up to 7,000 years, UNESCO), a wine tasting at Ksara Winery in caves totalling 2 miles of tunnels, the Roman temple complex at Baalbek, the Beiteddine Palace, and a Beirut city tour.
What are the highlights in Egypt?
Egypt highlights include the Giza Pyramids and Sphinx with a local Egyptologist guide, the Egyptian Museum and the Tutankhamun exhibit, an overnight sleeper train to Aswan, a Nubian village visit with a traditional lunch, the island Philae Temple dedicated to Isis, an overnight Nile felucca cruise with a Nubian crew, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, the Luxor Temple at night, the Valley of the Kings, Queen Hatshepsut's temple, Deir el-Medina (the Valley of the Craftsmen), the Colossi of Memnon, and the 134-column Hypostyle Hall at Karnak. Three free days in Dahab (Red Sea) follow.
What are the highlights in Jordan?
Jordan highlights include the Wadi Rum Bedouin camp with a jeep safari, camel ride, and Zarb dinner cooked underground, the reverse-route hike into Petra via Little Petra and the mountain trail to the Monastery before descending to the Treasury, the Wadi Mujib Siq Trail hike, floating in the Dead Sea, the Byzantine mosaics of Madaba, Mount Nebo with its views to Jericho, and the Greco-Roman ruins of Jerash (Forum, Temple of Artemis, colonnaded streets, Nymphaeum).
What is the Nile felucca overnight like?
You spend one night on a traditional Nile felucca sailboat with a Nubian crew sailing between Aswan and Edfu. You sleep on deck on mattresses with blankets, canvas walls, and mosquito netting. The Nubian crew cook all your meals and entertain you in the evenings. A support facilities boat meets up with the felucca through the day and moors with it at night, providing a toilet, hot showers, and a hygienic kitchen. A hotel upgrade is available if you prefer not to sleep on the boat.
What happens in Dahab?
You spend three nights in Dahab, a bohemian Red Sea resort on the Sinai Peninsula. Dahab is known for its relaxed atmosphere, excellent seafood restaurants, diving and snorkelling (the Blue Hole is nearby), and the Bedouin village of Assalah. Optional activities include snorkelling at Ras Abu Galum, the Blue Hole, the Coloured Canyon, White Canyon, or a Bedouin evening in the desert. A Mount Sinai overnight hike and St Catherine's Monastery visit are also available.
What is the group size?
Groups have a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 18 people. The tour is available on request (not on a fixed departure schedule) so private groups can book dates that suit them.
Are there related shorter tours if I cannot commit to 23 days?
Yes. The Lebanon Jordan Encounters (16 days) covers the Lebanon and Jordan sections without Egypt. The Egypt Encompassed tour (12 days) covers Egypt comprehensively. The two can be combined for a similar experience to the Arabian Adventure.
What is included in the tour price?
Included are accommodation throughout (3, 4, and 5-star hotels plus the monastery in Qadisha Valley, 2 nights on a sleeper train, 1 night on the felucca, and 1 night in a Bedouin camp), all transport and transfers, a 24-hour airport arrival and departure service, entrance fees to sites visited in Lebanon, all sightseeing tours, the Ksara wine tasting, the felucca cruise and its support boat, the Wadi Rum jeep safari and Bedouin experience, the international ferry from Taba to Aqaba, an English-speaking guide in Lebanon and Jordan, and Egyptologist guides in Egypt, along with 22 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners.
What is not included in the tour price?
Not included are international flights to Beirut and from Amman, the Beirut to Cairo flight, Lebanon visa fees (free on arrival for most nationalities), Egypt visa fees, Jordan visa fees (covered by the Jordan Pass for most nationalities), Egypt entrance fees (budget around 81 per person), Jordan entrance fees (discounted with the Jordan Pass), a tipping kitty in Egypt (budget around 65 per person), tips in Lebanon and Jordan, travel insurance (mandatory), meals not included in the itinerary, and hotel gala dinner supplements if applicable at Christmas or New Year.
Is the Beirut to Cairo flight included?
No. The internal flight from Beirut to Cairo on Day 8 is not included in the tour price. Encounters Travel can help you add it to your international ticket or book it separately. It is often cheaper to include it on the same booking as your main international flights.
What is the Jordan Pass and do I need it?
The Jordan Pass is a pre-purchased visitor pass that covers the Jordan visa fee (for most nationalities) and entrance to over 40 sites including Petra and Jerash. Encounters Travel recommends purchasing it before you travel. It is good value and simplifies entry at the border and at individual sites.
How physically active is the Arabian Adventure?
This is a moderately active tour overall. The most demanding sections are the Petra back-route hike (a full day from Little Petra over the mountain trail to the Monastery and down to the Treasury, 2 to 3 hours of hiking on rough terrain minimum), the Wadi Mujib Siq Trail (2 to 3 hours wading through a river gorge, April to October only), and the Gallipoli-style walking in Dahab. Egypt involves city walking tours. Lebanon is mostly coach travel with guided walks of 1 to 3 hours at sites.
Is the Petra back-route hike compulsory?
The back-route via Little Petra and the mountain trail to the Monastery is the standard way the tour visits Petra. It is a full-day hike and requires reasonable fitness and sturdy footwear. Those with mobility limitations can use horse carriages within the main Petra site (not on the hiking section) for a local fee.
Is the Wadi Mujib hike compulsory?
No. The Wadi Mujib Siq Trail is available from April to October when water levels allow safe access. Between November and March, the group visits the Bethany Baptism Site instead. If you prefer not to do the water hike when it is available, speak to your guide.
Is travel insurance required?
Yes. Travel insurance is mandatory on all Encounters Travel tours. Your policy must cover personal accident, medical expenses, emergency repatriation, and travel delay. Provide your insurance details before departure. With three countries and diverse activities including felucca sailing and water hiking, comprehensive cover is essential.
Are the three countries on this tour safe for tourists?
Lebanon, Egypt, and Jordan are all popular tourist destinations with well-established visitor infrastructure. As with any multi-country itinerary, it is important to check current official government travel advice for your nationality for each country before booking and before you travel. Encounters Travel monitors the situation in all three countries and will communicate any necessary changes.
What accommodation is used on this tour?
In Lebanon you stay at Gems Hotel Beirut, Kozhaya Monastery in the Qadisha Valley, Aleph Boutique Hotel Byblos, and Massabki Hotel Chtaura. In Egypt you stay at 5-star hotels in Cairo, Aswan, and Luxor, with one night on the sleeper train and one night on the felucca. In Dahab you stay at a hotel. In Jordan you stay at the Wadi Rum Bedouin camp, a hotel in Petra, the Dead Sea Spa Resort, and a hotel in Amman.
What is the sleeper train like?
The Cairo to Aswan and Luxor to Cairo sleeper trains have private twin-berth cabins with two large seats that fold into beds, with mattresses, sheets, pillow, blankets, and a wash basin. An airline-style dinner and breakfast are included. A flight upgrade is available for those who prefer not to take the sleeper.
What are the Wadi Rum Bedouin camp tents like?
The Bedouin camp uses traditional goat-hair tents with proper beds, mattresses, and bedding. Bathrooms and toilets are shared. En-suite tents are available on request for a small upgrade fee. Sleeping outside under the stars is also an option (bring a sleeping bag).
Which meals are included?
22 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners are included. The included lunches are a traditional Lebanese lunch on Day 2 (Baatara Gorge day), a Nubian village lunch in Aswan, an on-board felucca lunch, and a Bedouin camp lunch in Wadi Rum. Included dinners are the sleeper train dinner, an on-board felucca dinner, and the Bedouin Zarb feast in Wadi Rum. A Koshary (Egyptian national dish) lunch or evening food experience is also included in Cairo.
What is Koshary and when do you eat it?
Koshary is Egypt's unofficial national dish: a street food bowl of lentils, rice, macaroni, chickpeas, and fried onions topped with spicy tomato sauce. It is filling, cheap, and delicious. On Day 14 in Cairo your guide takes you for a guided walk through the back streets and bazaars, including time for Koshary and tea.
Can vegetarians and vegans be catered for?
Vegetarian food is widely available in all three countries. Lebanese mezze, Egyptian ful and koshari, and Jordanian fattoush and hummus all offer excellent vegetarian options. The felucca crew and Bedouin camp can accommodate vegetarian needs if you advise in advance. Vegan diets are manageable but require advance communication at booking.
Can I join this tour as a solo traveller?
Yes. Solo travellers are paired with a same-gender roommate to share a room. If you prefer your own room, a single supplement applies. If no match is found before the balance payment date, the supplement is charged but refunded if a match is made.
What is the group dynamic like on a 23-day tour?
A 23-day itinerary creates genuine bonds. The group typically includes solos, couples, and small groups of friends. The diversity of experiences, from monastery stays to desert camps to felucca overnights, creates shared memories that bring people together quickly. Most travellers who join long tours like this find it to be one of the most social travel experiences they have had.
Do I need visas for Lebanon
Egypt
What currencies are used and how do I access money?
Lebanon uses the Lebanese Pound (though USD is widely used), Egypt uses the Egyptian Pound, and Jordan uses the Jordanian Dinar. ATMs are available in all major cities. Cards are accepted at most hotels and restaurants. Your guide will advise on cash requirements for each section. Note that Egypt and Jordan have tipping kitties and entrance fees that require local cash.
What vaccinations are recommended?
Recommended vaccinations typically include Hepatitis A, Tetanus, and Typhoid for all three countries. Consult your GP or a travel clinic for personalised, up-to-date advice including whether malaria prophylaxis is advised for Sinai (Dahab is very low risk). No Yellow Fever certificate is required for Lebanon, Egypt, or Jordan.
When does this tour depart?
The Arabian Adventure is available on request throughout the year, starting on Saturdays. Contact Encounters Travel for current availability and to book a specific departure date. Private groups can depart on any date.
What optional activities are available on this tour?
Optional activities include: Abu Simbel overland (departing Aswan at 4am for the temples of Ramses II, approximately 3.5 hours each way), a hot air balloon over Luxor at sunrise, snorkelling at Ras Abu Galum and the Blue Hole in Dahab, a Mount Sinai hike, Petra by Night (candlelit walk to the Treasury), a camel ride at the Pyramids, the Saqqara, Dashour and Memphis day trip from Cairo, a Cairo city tour, and an Alexandria day trip.
Can I upgrade the felucca night to a hotel?
Yes. A hotel upgrade in Aswan is available for those who prefer not to sleep on the felucca. You stay an extra night in the 5-star Aswan hotel and rejoin the group the following morning. This can be booked through the options when you make your reservation.
Can I add extra nights before or after the tour?
Yes. Extra nights in Beirut before the tour or in Amman after it can be arranged. Both cities reward additional time. Contact Encounters Travel when booking.
What is the minimum group size to confirm a departure?
A minimum of 2 people is needed to confirm a departure. The maximum group size is 18. The tour is available on request, not on a fixed published schedule, so a private or small-group departure can be arranged on most dates.
What is the cancellation policy?
Standard Encounters Travel booking conditions apply. A deposit secures your place and the balance is due closer to departure. Cancellation charges increase as the departure date approaches. Full details are in your booking confirmation. Given the length and cost of this itinerary, comprehensive travel insurance with cancellation cover is strongly recommended.
When is the balance payment due?
The balance is typically due 8 weeks before departure. If you book close to the departure date, the full amount may be due immediately. Encounters Travel confirms the exact deadline in your booking confirmation.
What is the Baalbek temple complex?
Baalbek, called the City of the Sun by the Romans, is one of the finest temple complexes in the world and one of the best-preserved in the Middle East. Built as a sanctuary to the Heliopolitan triad of Jupiter, Venus, and Mercury, it includes the Temple of Jupiter whose six remaining columns stand 22 metres tall, and the remarkably intact Temple of Bacchus. Pilgrims travelled from across the Roman Empire to worship here.
What is the Valley of the Kings in Luxor?
The Valley of the Kings on Luxor's West Bank is the ancient burial ground of Egypt's New Kingdom pharaohs. The tombs are cut into the desert hills and decorated with painted hieroglyphs and scenes from the Book of the Dead. Your Egyptologist guide leads you through several tombs and explains their history and significance. The valley remains one of the most important archaeological sites in the world, with new discoveries still being made.
What is the tipping kitty in Egypt and how does it work?
In Egypt, a tipping kitty (budget around 65 per person) is not included in the tour price and is collected by your Egyptologist guide at the start of the Egypt section. It covers tips for hotel porters, site assistants, felucca crew, and other service providers encountered throughout Egypt. It does not cover tips for your Egyptologist guide or driver, which you may wish to give separately.
What is Beiteddine Palace in Lebanon?
Beiteddine Palace is an exceptionally well-preserved 19th-century palace in the Chouf Mountains, constructed by Emir Bashir II. It features ornate courtyards, fine decorative stonework, and impressive mosaics. The palace is considered one of the finest examples of early 19th-century Lebanese architecture. Nearby is the charming village of Deir al Qamar (Monastery of the Moon), which was Lebanon's capital in the 17th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
What optional tours are available in Dahab?
During your three free days in Dahab, optional activities include snorkelling and diving at Ras Abu Galum (a protected area), the Blue Hole (a famous dive site), the Coloured Canyon and White Canyon day trips, a Mount Sinai overnight hike with sunrise at the summit and a visit to St Catherine's Monastery, and an evening with Bedouin guides in the desert. The town itself has excellent seafood restaurants and a relaxed beach atmosphere.
