Why Egypt should be the next destination on your wishlist for 2026
Egypt should be on your wishlist for 2026 - here’s five itineraries which look and feel different.
For those seeking journeys that combine cultural depth, authentic encounters and the reassurance of expert planning, Jules Verne has shared five of its top itineraries from its 2026 collection of small-group escorted tours. From the spice-scented souks of Morocco and, the shimmering temples of Sri Lanka to the storied banks of the Nile and the legendary Silk Road, these itineraries promise transformative experiences that linger long after the suitcase is unpacked.
The 2026 programme reflects Jules Verne’s hallmark approach; carefully curated itineraries, knowledgeable guides and immersive moments that bring destinations to life. Travellers can expect small group sizes, off-the-beaten-track cultural treasures and opportunities to connect with local communities in meaningful ways.
Every Jules Verne journey is designed to inspire curiosity and create lasting memories, now with greater flexibility thanks to both its flight and transfer inclusive and tour only options. This means travellers can choose a preferred departure airport, airline, cabin class and flight time, or choose no flight at all and arrange this themselves.
Debbie O’Neill, Managing Director, said “At Jules Verne, we believe travel should be more than just a checklist of sights, but a transformative chance to engage deeply with the world. Our 2026 tours reflect that ethos, offering once-in-a-lifetime experiences paired with expert insights in destinations that stir the imagination. For example, guests can explore Morocco’s labyrinthine medinas and cinematic desert landscapes, uncover Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle and wildlife sanctuaries or follow in the footsteps of Silk Road traders through Uzbekistan’s dazzling cities.
“Egypt remains a cornerstone of our collection. After the success of 2025’s unique tour in partnership with Eleanor Mills and NOON, that put female empowerment at the heart of the trip – including guiding by a female Egyptologist, Mahal, a private sunrise viewing at the Pyramids of Giza, a tour of the recently opened Grand Egyptian Museum and a cultural exchange lunch on the Nile with Egyptian ‘Queenagers’ – we’re excited to be planning ahead for part two in Luxor for 2026. This builds on our continued commitment to creating journeys that empower and connect.”
Here’s their top five:
Sri Lanka Splendours: Cultural Triangle to Coast | 15 nights from £2,895pp (without flights) and £3,700pp with flights and transfers
- 2026 departures: 15 Jan, 25 Jan, 5 Feb, 15 Feb, 22 Feb, 8 Mar, 12 Mar (solo group departure), 9 Apr, 17 Sep, 8 Oct (solo group departure), 15 Oct (no single supplement), 18 Oct (solo group departure), 22 Nov, 8 Nov, 12 Nov (solo group departure), 26 Nov, 3 Dec
- Return flights from London Heathrow
- Price includes air travel, UK departure taxes, transfers, 14 nights’ accommodation, breakfast daily, 3 lunches and 3 dinners, itinerary as described, services of guides and local representatives
Delve deep into the heart of Sri Lanka with this two-week tour taking in everything from cosmopolitan Colombo to the cultural triangle’s UNESCO-listed treasures like Sigiriya Rock and Dambulla Cave Temple. Explore Kandy’s Temple of the Sacred Tooth, discover the tea plantations of the central highlands and enjoy safaris in Minneriya and Yala National Parks, home to the world’s largest gathering of Asian elephants and the biggest population of leopards on the planet. Concluding in the historic fort city of Galle, you’ll enjoy local experiences along the way such as a curry cooking demonstration.
The 600-Mile Nile: Egypt’s Long Cruise | 12-14 nights from £5,465pp without flights and £6,000pp with flights and transfers
- 2026 departures: 13 Feb (no single supplement), 25 Feb (no single supplement), 11 Mar (no single supplement), 6 Apr (no single supplement), 1 Sep (no single supplement), 27 Sep (no single supplement), 9 Oct (no single supplement), 23 Oct (no single supplement)
- Return flights from London Heathrow
- Price includes air travel and taxes, transfers, 12/14 night-cruise, full board on cruise vessel, itinerary as described, excursions, Egyptian Tour Manager / Egyptologist, local representatives
Journey down the Nile from serene Aswan’s Nubian landscapes to Edfu’s Ptolemaic temple; through Luxor, known as the world’s greatest open-air museum, with its east-bank temples and west-bank Valley of the Kings; onward to Cleopatra’s Temple of Denderah, Seti I’s hieroglyphs at Abydos and the Amarna tales of Akhenaten and Nefertiti. Explore tombs at Tuna el-Gebel and Beni Hassan before concluding with Cairo’s Coptic old city, Tutankhamun’s treasures, the long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum, and the iconic pyramids of Giza.
Morocco Grand Tour: Marrakech, Fez & Sahara | 14 nights from £4,045pp without flights and £4,315pp with flights and transfers
- 2026 departures: 22 Feb, 12 Apr, 7 Jun, 6 Sep, 13 Sep, 25 Oct, 1 Nov, 8 Nov
- Return flights from London Gatwick, Birmingham, and Manchester Airport
- Price includes air travel and taxes, transfers, 14 nights’ accommodation, breakfast daily, 8 lunches and 12 dinners, itinerary as described, services of guides and local representatives
Explore the soul of Morocco on a journey that sweeps from the spice-scented alleys of Marrakech to the Kasbah of Rabat. Explore Fez’s intricate lanes and Meknes’ magnificent medina gates whilst feeling the coastal breeze in Casablanca and Tangier, where tradition mingles with modern flair. Beyond the cities, striking desert landscapes await: the golden dunes of Erfoud, the dramatic Todra Gorge and the meandering miles of the Dadès Valley. Pause in Taroudant’s elegant streets before reaching Essaouira, where fiery sunsets and bright blue boats frame the Atlantic horizon.
Silk Road Adventure: Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara & Samarkand | 11 nights from £2,225pp without flights and £3,065pp with flights and transfers
- 2026 departures: 13 Mar (solo group departure), 27 Mar, 17 Apr (no single supplement), 24 Apr, 1 May, 8 May, 22 May, 5 Jun, 26 Jun (solo group departure), 10 Jul (no single supplement), 4 Sep , 11 Sep, 18 Sep, 25 Sep, 2 Oct, 9 Oct, 16 Oct, 23 Oct, 06 Nov (no single supplement), 13 Nov (solo group departure)
- Return flights from London Heathrow, Birmingham, Edinburgh & Manchester Airport.
- Price includes air travel and taxes, transfers, 10 nights' accommodation, breakfast daily, 1 lunch & 9 dinners, itinerary as described, services of guides and local representatives
Start in Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s capital and cultural crossroads, before exploring Khiva’s UNESCO-listed old town of fortress walls and historic monuments. Journey through the red sands of the Kyzylkum Desert to Bukhara, a medieval masterpiece of domes, lanes and the Ark Fortress. Conclude in Samarkand, where mosaicked façades, vast squares and bazaars full of spices and silks showcase the city’s rich Silk Road heritage.
India’s Golden Triangle with Ranthambore & Sariska | 9 nights from £1,140pp without flights and £1,895pp with flights and transfers
- 2026 departures: 2 Oct, 20 Nov
- Return flights from London Heathrow, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Manchester and Newcastle Airport
- Price includes air travel and taxes, transfers, 8 nights’ accommodation, 8 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 3 dinners, itinerary as described, services of guides and local representatives
Begin your 10-day Golden Triangle adventure in Delhi, exploring UNESCO-listed landmarks like the Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb and Qutub Minar. Journey to Jaipur to wander its rose-coloured Old Town, palaces and the hilltop Amber Fort, then continue to Agra for sunrise at the Taj Mahal and a visit to Agra Fort. Off the classic route, enjoy thrilling safaris in Ranthambore National Park and Sariska Tiger Reserve, where eco-lodge stays bring you close to Bengal tigers, leopards, sloth bears and diverse wildlife.