Cox & Kings boosts Middle East options as confidence grows

Cox & Kings has reintroduced tours to Kyrgyzstan and a new Oman and Zanzibar itinerary to its 2020 Middle East range, as confidence in the region strengthens.

The tour operator has also added new tours to Egypt, Jordan, Israel and Morocco.

It said passenger numbers to the Middle East so far this year have increased by 50% year on year "showing continued confidence in the region's security”.

Owen Walker, Cox & Kings' Middle East product manager, said: "We're particularly delighted with how well Central Asia and the Silk Road countries are doing as people look to travel to less traditional destinations. We are looking to build on that this year with the addition of the beautiful mountainous country of Kyrgyzstan.”

A new 10-day group tour called Colours of Kyrgyzstan (pictured) costs from £1,995, including an overnight stay in a traditional yurt.

There are also two new private journeys: Central Asia Explorer, a 12-night trip which visits Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, from £3,245, and Silk Road Adventure, a 22-day journey through Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, from £5,195.

Oman & Zanzibar is a new private tour, which explores the legacy of Omani rule and its spice trade history in Zanzibar, before continuing to Oman to explore Muscat, fishing villages, the desert dunes of Sharqiya Sands, and Nizwa on the edge of the Hajar mountains. The eight-day tour costs from £2,545.

Cox & Kings has also introduced Peak to Beach, a new eight-day itinerary from £2,545, exploring Oman's mountainous interior and its beaches.

Private tours to Jordan have been added for 2020.

The five-night Taste of Jordan tour, from £1,795, visits Amman, the Roman remains of Jerash and the lost city of Petra, and the Dead Sea.

Other new tours include Highlights of Jordan, from £2,045 for nine nights, and 11-night The Ancient Wonders of Jordan & Egypt, for £3,195.

New in Egypt is a new 10-day Enchanting Egypt Dahabeya tour which includes five nights aboard a six-cabin dahabeya, sailing from Luxor to Aswan, from £3,295 and also a 15-day Long Nile Cruise from Cairo to Luxor, from £3,895.

Other new tours include the 11-day Northern Morocco Explorer private tour from £2,695 and 11-day Israel Family Adventure from £4,595.

All prices include international flights, transfers, excursions and accommodation with breakfast.