Luxury tour specialist Jules Verne has unveiled a collection of five standout escorted itineraries for 2026, designed for travellers seeking immersive cultural encounters and expertly planned adventures. The programme highlights destinations from the banks of the Nile to the ancient Silk Road, promising deep engagement with local communities and history.
Transformative Travel with Expert Guidance
The 2026 collection reflects the operator's long-standing commitment to carefully curated journeys, led by knowledgeable guides. Small group sizes remain a cornerstone, ensuring access to off-the-beaten-track treasures and meaningful local connections. Jules Verne is also enhancing flexibility for its clients, offering both flight-inclusive packages and tour-only options. This allows travellers to select their preferred departure airport, airline, cabin class, and flight times, or to arrange their own travel independently.
Debbie O'Neill, Managing Director of Jules Verne, emphasised the company's ethos. "We believe travel should be more than just a checklist of sights," she said. "It's a transformative chance to engage deeply with the world. Our 2026 tours reflect that, offering once-in-a-lifetime experiences paired with expert insights in destinations that stir the imagination."
Egypt: A Cornerstone Destination with a Focus on Empowerment
Egypt remains a pivotal part of the Jules Verne collection. Building on the success of a unique 2025 tour created in partnership with Eleanor Mills and NOON, which centred on female empowerment, the company is planning a follow-up for 2026. The previous tour featured a female Egyptologist guide, a private sunrise viewing at the Pyramids of Giza, a tour of the new Grand Egyptian Museum, and a cultural lunch on the Nile with Egyptian 'Queenagers'. The planned 2026 sequel will focus on the historic city of Luxor.
The Top Five Itineraries for 2026
1. Sri Lanka Splendours: Cultural Triangle to Coast
This 15-night tour starts from £2,895 per person without flights. It journeys from Colombo to UNESCO-listed sites like Sigiriya Rock and the Dambulla Cave Temple. The itinerary includes Kandy's Temple of the Sacred Tooth, central highland tea plantations, and safaris in Minneriya and Yala National Parks, concluding in Galle. Departures run from January to December 2026.
2. The 600-Mile Nile: Egypt's Long Cruise
A 12 to 14-night cruise from £5,465 per person without flights. Travellers voyage from Aswan to Cairo, exploring Luxor's Valley of the Kings, the temples of Edfu and Denderah, and sites linked to Akhenaten and Nefertiti. The tour culminates with Cairo's Coptic quarter, Tutankhamun's treasures, the Grand Egyptian Museum, and the Pyramids of Giza. Selected 2026 departures feature no single supplement.
3. Morocco Grand Tour: Marrakech, Fez & Sahara
Priced from £4,045 per person without flights for 14 nights. This journey traverses from Marrakech and Fez to the coast at Casablanca and Tangier. It ventures into the Sahara's golden dunes at Erfoud, the Todra Gorge, and the Dadès Valley, finishing in the coastal town of Essaouira. Flights are available from London Gatwick, Birmingham, and Manchester.
4. Silk Road Adventure: Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara & Samarkand
An 11-night exploration of Uzbekistan from £2,225 per person without flights. The route covers the historic cities of Khiva, Bukhara, and Samarkand, showcasing dazzling Islamic architecture and rich Silk Road heritage. The tour includes a journey through the Kyzylkum Desert. Multiple 2026 departures offer solo traveller groups or waive the single supplement.
5. India's Golden Triangle with Ranthambore & Sariska
This 9-night tour starts from £1,140 per person without flights. It combines the classic circuit of Delhi, Agra (for the Taj Mahal), and Jaipur with wildlife safaris in Ranthambore National Park and Sariska Tiger Reserve, seeking Bengal tigers and other native species. Departures are scheduled for October and November 2026.
Prospective travellers can book online or call 0203 553 3722 to speak to a Jules Verne specialist. Further details on all tours are available at vjv.com.
