Where history began — the rose-red rock of Petra, the pyramids of Giza, the Roman marble of Ephesus and Jerash, and Saudi Arabia's newly opened Hegra.
This is where history began — the first cities, the first temples, the first empires. Nowhere on Earth offers such depth of the ancient world in one region.
From the rose-red rock of Petra and the pyramids of Giza to the Roman marble of Ephesus and Jerash, the Middle East holds the greatest concentration of ancient wonders anywhere. And the map keeps growing: Saudi Arabia's AlUla and its Nabataean city of Hegra have opened to visitors, while Oman's frankincense forts and Turkey's Göbekli Tepe — the oldest known temple on Earth — push the story back further still.
Family-run since 1974, Cooee builds heritage journeys with expert guides who bring the stones to life — and pace the days so you experience the sites, not just tick them off.
Rock-cut cities, pyramids and Roman marble — the ancient world at its most spectacular.
Jordan · the Nabataean city
The Treasury through the Siq, the Monastery's climb and Petra by candlelight — the ancient world's most dramatic ruin.
Egypt · Giza & the Valley of the Kings
Turkey · Library of Celsus
Jordan · Roman colonnades
Saudi Arabia · Nabataean tombs
Turkey · 11,000 years old
The moments that connect you to the ancient world.
The Treasury glowing under a thousand candles, reached through the narrow Siq at night.
Oct – AprDescend into the painted tombs of the pharaohs at Luxor, then cruise the Nile at sunset.
Oct – AprThe marble streets, the Library of Celsus and the great theatre of the Aegean coast.
Apr – OctSaudi Arabia's newly opened Nabataean city — Petra's quieter, equally spectacular sister.
Oct – AprThe essentials are Petra (Jordan), the Pyramids of Giza and Luxor (Egypt), Ephesus (Turkey) and Jerash (Jordan). Newer to visitors are Saudi Arabia's AlUla (Hegra) and Oman's frankincense forts. See our itineraries guide.
October to April for Petra, Egypt and the Gulf — sightseeing in the desert heat of summer is exhausting. Turkey's Ephesus is best in spring and autumn. See our best time to visit guide.
Culturally and logistically, yes — Egypt pairs naturally with Jordan and the Gulf, and Cairo is a short hop from the region's hubs. Its detailed guide sits in our Africa section, but we plan Egypt-and-Middle-East trips all the time. See our itineraries guide.
Yes — Saudi Arabia's tourist e-visa has opened AlUla and its UNESCO Nabataean city of Hegra (sister to Petra) to travellers for the first time. It's one of the region's most exciting new destinations. See our Gulf states guide.