LOCAL LIVING

Tours by Locals:
Experience like a True Insider

Experience authentic local living tours in Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Algeria. Join trusted local hosts for cultural exchanges, traditional crafts, family meals, neighborhood walks and immersive activities that reveal everyday life beyond tourist attractions.

Experience the Middle East Like a Local

From Sousse or Monastir: Quad Bike and Camel Ride

Sousse Governorate, Tunisia

2 Hours

$50 /price

El Jem Amphitheater Private Tour, Tunisia (From Sousse or Monastir)

Sousse Governorate, Tunisia

4 Hours

$62 /price

Authentic Monastir Tunisia Tour – History, Medina & Coastal Walk

Marina Cap Monastir, Tunisia

3 Hours

$25 /price

Sousse Tunisia Walking Tour – Medina, Souks & Hidden Gems

Sousse Governorate, Tunisia

3 Hours

$25 /price

Dahab Snorkeling Trip | Lagoona & Napoleon Reef Dahab

South Sinai, Egypt

4 Hours

$57 /price

Jordan Hiking Tour: Zubiya Forest Trail & Local Village Lunch

Jerash Governorate, Jordan

1 Day

$188 /price

Amman street art walking tour

Amman, Jordan

2 Hours

$25 /price

Explore Amman: History, Culture & Streets

Amman, Jordan

5 Hours

$44 /price

As-Salt Heritage Walk: Culture, Stories & Local Breakfast

Amman Governorate, Jordan

6 Hours

$69 /price

Sinai Desert Dawn: El Nawamis Sunrise Expedition

South Sinai, Egypt

6 Hours

$82 /price

What our Travelers Say

Ibrahim was a fantastic guide—friendly and full of knowledge. We explored vibrant markets, tasted delicious falafel and kunafa, and learned about local customs. Ending at the Roman Amphitheater was a perfect finish. Highly recommend this tour if you’re in Amman! Thanks, Ibrahim, for a memorable experience!

William van loo

What our Travelers Say

My sister and I decided to go with Simsem for our visit to Giza in Egypt. We were paired up with the incredible Nada, who was so passionate and so knowledgeable. We were picked up and dropped off and were able to enjoy and learn about the incredible sites and this ancient history - that left us mesmerised. In addition, we follow veggie and vegan diets and were perfectly catered for. I would jump on the opportunity to explore with Simsem and Nada again. Thank you!

Zahra Khosroshahi

What our Travelers Say

Egypt had been on my list for years. Hassan made sure it lived up to every expectation and then some. The history here is unlike anywhere else on earth.

Annamaria Kuikka Kuikka

What our Travelers Say

I had an amazing time on this adventurous and historical tour of Siwa Oasis! From the stunning desert landscapes to the salt lakes, the rich cultural heritage and the unforgettable time with locals, every moment was filled with wonder and excitement. The guide, Hakam, is an absolutely fantastic guy — knowledgeable, and passionate about the history of Siwa. He made sure that I felt comfortable and engaged throughout the journey. The lodge was perfect! I only wish I had more time to spend there. Siwa has so much to offer, not just to visit but also the community. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone looking for a unique and enriching experience. I’ll definitely be back! Thank you again my friend ;)

tom bach

What our Travelers Say

The communal Iftar was one of the most memorable meals of my life — not just the food, but the sense of community and generosity around it.

RenyF Abdullah

What our Travelers Say

An experience that goes far beyond sightseeing. Being part of the Iftar celebration with local families was humbling, warm, and genuinely moving.

Aref Taleb

What our Travelers Say

The Sufi dance was hypnotic and the energy in the room was electric. sameh explained everything beautifully and made us feel truly welcome.

Lucrezia Fuoco

What our Travelers Say

sameh didn't just show us where to eat — they showed us how food here tells a story. Cultural, delicious, and completely authentic.

Kento Onodera

What our Travelers Say

The artisans in the old city were so generous with their time and knowledge. Sasha made sure we understood what we were seeing and made every introduction feel genuine.

Sondus Bader

What our Travelers Say

We tasted things we never would have found alone — street snacks, family recipes, hidden spots that only locals know. sameh was a brilliant guide through it all.

Mawa Fofana

What our Travelers Say

The artisans in the old city were so generous with their time and knowledge. Sasha made sure we understood what we were seeing and made every introduction feel genuine.

Hadeer Omar

What our Travelers Say

I never expected a harvest tour to be this moving. Watching the community work together and then sharing a meal with them was one of the highlights of my trip to Egypt.

Amuna Wagner

What our Travelers Say

I never expected a harvest tour to be this moving. Watching the community work together and then sharing a meal with them was one of the highlights of my trip to Egypt.

What our Travelers Say

We didn't know what we were getting into. We came back transformed. The landscape, the silence, the history — and Sea to guide us through all of it.

Christian Egan

What our Travelers Say

sameh didn't just show us where to eat — they showed us how food here tells a story. Cultural, delicious, and completely authentic.

Malini Angelica

What our Travelers Say

The lunch alone was worth the trip. Everything tasted like it had been made with real care and we left feeling full, happy, and genuinely connected to the place.

Surabhi Anand

What our Travelers Say

We tasted things we never would have found alone — street snacks, family recipes, hidden spots that only locals know. Mahmoud was a brilliant guide through it all.

Isabella Zambrano

What our Travelers Say

The lunch alone was worth the trip. Everything tasted like it had been made with real care and we left feeling full, happy, and genuinely connected to the place.

Niall Simonian

What our Travelers Say

My trip to Tanis and Bubastis was exceptional . It was about 4 hours round trip , my driver was efficient and Alaa my tour guide was very friendly , easy to speak with on just about anything so much that by the end of the trip she felt like a young sister to me . She was also very knowledgeable about the temple sites and dispensed a lot of information I def needed. The temple sites were exactly what I expected them to be , as a curious researcher , I was awed by the history of the ancient dynasties and the remains of history littered over the once beautiful sites. To say my trip was exceptional is an understatement. Thank you Alaa, you are a true gem! Thanks to Simsem for the lunch/ dinner at the end which reminded me of how hospitable Egyptians are and o can’t wait to use Simsem again when I return to Cairo … soon , inshallah! 😍

Lucie Chihandae

What our Travelers Say

The food was sensational — home-cooked, fresh, full of flavour. sameh walked us through every dish and its story. A feast for the stomach and the imagination.

Parastoo Saljoghi

What our Travelers Say

This was the highlight of my trip to Egypt! Sameh made us feel like family from the moment we arrived. The bread-making workshop with local women was so special, and the countryside lunch was absolutely delicious. The palm tree climbing was hilarious and unforgettable. Highly recommend for anyone who wants a true cultural experience beyond Cairo.

Emily R.

What our Travelers Say

I loved every detail of this day. Sameh was patient, knowledgeable, and a fantastic guide. We visited hidden spots in Dahshur, learned to make Ajwa cookies, and even crafted small souvenirs from natural Halfa plants. I especially appreciated the professional photos — such beautiful memories to take home.

Yuki M.

What our Travelers Say

An authentic Egyptian experience! Everything felt real and personal, not touristy. The lunch was one of the best meals I had in Egypt — homemade molokhia and mahshy that tasted like they came straight from a family kitchen. The workshops were fun, and it was great to meet and talk with local farmers. Gracias, Sameh!

Carlos G.

What our Travelers Say

Sameh is not just a guide, he’s a storyteller and a bridge between cultures. I learned so much about village life, agriculture, and Egyptian traditions. My favorite part was the quiet walk through the fields at sunset, followed by watching the pyramids from a hidden viewpoint. Pure magic.

Sophie L

What our Travelers Say

I’ve traveled around Egypt before, but this was a completely different side of the country. The whole day was perfectly organized — from pickup in Cairo to the workshops, food, and photography. Sameh is warm, professional, and knows how to make everyone feel included. A must-do for travelers seeking more than the usual tourist trail.

Ahmed A

What our Travelers Say

The views from the balloon were beyond anything I expected. We floated over temples and fields in complete silence. A truly magical experience.

Aamir Rashid

What our Travelers Say

What sounds unusual turns out to be one of the most moving tours in Cairo. Abanoub introduced us to a community full of warmth, faith, and extraordinary resilience.

Аня Шолохович

What our Travelers Say

Nothing prepares you for how extraordinary the Cave Church is. Abanoub brought the history of the whole neighbourhood to life and gave us a perspective on Cairo we'd never have found alone.

Lennard Schmeller

What our Travelers Say

A walking tour unlike any other. The history, the craftsmanship, the living culture all woven together by sameh in a way that was both educational and deeply enjoyable.

estella shardlow

What our Travelers Say

It was a beautiful experience, recommended 😊

Lucrezia Fuoco

What our Travelers Say

The food was sensational — home-cooked, fresh, full of flavour. sameh walked us through every dish and its story. A feast for the stomach and the imagination.

Shabnam_life

What our Travelers Say

Nothing touristy about this at all — a real working farm, real people, real food. Exactly the kind of experience you can't find in a guidebook.

Ran Camellia

What our Travelers Say

*An unforgettable Bedouin experience* I had an incredible experience in St. Catherine’s. The Bedouin camp was simple, authentic, spotless, and surprisingly comfortable ; even a heater for the cold nights. Dinner by the fire was unforgettable. Saleh showed me the village, including a beautiful crafts shop that supports Bedouin women, which really touched me. He then took me on a small walk up Wadi al‑Taala, where we shared tea in the valley with his friend Yousef … a highlight. Lunch with his family made the trip feel personal and genuine. The next evening, I took a camel up the trail on Moses Mountain and climbed the 750 “Steps of Repentance.” I almost stopped, but Saleh encouraged me the whole way. The views were incredible ! The sunrise, the vast silence, and especially the Elijah Basin, which felt otherworldly. The sense of accomplishment at the top was unmatched. Saleh was patient, kind, resilient, and took great photos and videos. I recommend him wholeheartedly. The monastery was closed during my visit, but I’d return just to finish the tour with him as my guide!

Lucie Chihandae

What our Travelers Say

It was wonderful. People were very caring and professional. We felt alone in the desert and everything was perfectly organized. The experience was unique. Thank you very much for your service

Pauline Chapellier

What our Travelers Say

Nothing prepares you for how extraordinary the Cave Church is. Abanoub brought the history of the whole neighbourhood to life and gave us a perspective on Cairo we'd never have found alone.

What our Travelers Say

Nice trip with a great guide.

Jens Vollers

What our Travelers Say

Really great tour with Mahmoud. He is a very knowledgeable guide which will take good care of you. The tour is very manageable and is not draining. Just a lot of sun, so, a lot of water (which was provided throughout). We did this before going to Giza pyramids and it was great as it gives you the chronological timeline before them. When you go to giza then you have all this background knowledge to inform you. Very great trip!

Antonio Santillana

What our Travelers Say

We have about 1.5 -2 hours to Cairo but everything has gone so smoothly. Saleh was great - informative, kind, showed sincere hospitality, and was a solid guide on the nighttime hike and in the monastery. Foxcamp was also very comfortable although dinner arrangements were unclear so we had to go elsewhere. Again, they were wonderful overall. Your attentiveness to us is very professional and we would highly recommend your services to friends visiting Egypt! Shukran

Melinda Krokus

What our Travelers Say

Our trip to the pyramids with Mahmoud was fantastic! He was very accommodating and started a bit later since we were out late the night before. Not only that, he clearly loves what he does and shared with us so much fascinating information about the history of the ancient Egyptians and *Ra* ;) that we were together well into the afternoon. Shukran for a lovely day!

Melinda Krokus

What our Travelers Say

We picked, we pressed, we tasted. sameh brought the whole harvest process to life and the family who hosted us were incredibly warm. A truly special experience.

Fride Johannea

What our Travelers Say

The Cave Church alone is worth the trip. But understanding the community that built it — that's what makes this tour truly unforgettable. Beautifully guided by Abanoub.

Eva

What our Travelers Say

The lunch alone was worth the trip. Everything tasted like it had been made with real care and we left feeling full, happy, and genuinely connected to the place.

Crystal Antosh

What our Travelers Say

I came for photos but left with an experience. Ahmed took us to viewpoints tourists rarely find and the results are stunning. Highly recommend.

Ryan Owiti

What our Travelers Say

We had a great time exploring Amman with Faris! He was very attentive and made sure the tour matched our interests and preferences, giving many local insights. The tour gave us a great insight into the different sides of Amman, from famous sights to local markets and beyond. Communication was easy and clear from start to finish. We really enjoyed the experience and would definitely recommend Faris to anyone wanting to discover Amman. Thank you for a lovely day!

Angela

What our Travelers Say

Petra is extraordinary on its own. With Osama beside us, explaining what we were looking at, it became something else entirely — a day I'll carry with me for the rest of my life.

Christine Mouree

What our Travelers Say

The guided tout of GEM with Mahmoud was quite exceptional. His deep knowledge and overall passion for all things Egypt really made our tour even richer. Recommending to start with the Museum was perfect because we missed major crowds and lines. He was also very patient with us as we visit Egypt was our first time. He really took the time to explain the culture, history and our surroundings with utmost professionalism. We recommend him 100%.

Wida Amir

What our Travelers Say

Beautifully organised, warmly delivered. our clearly loves what they do and it shows in every detail. Would recommend without hesitation.

Wida Amir

What our Travelers Say

I came for photos but left with an experience. Ahmed took us to viewpoints tourists rarely find and the results are stunning. Highly recommend.

Marissa Mohr

What our Travelers Say

It was such a lovely morning walk guided by Mr.Ibrahim. We navigates through the bustling market and streets , cultural and experiences.I get the chance to taste the delicious snack and coffee along the walks. Ibrahim also shown the way to Citadel and some tips to get the best experience in Amman.

julia

What our Travelers Say

Ibrahim was a great tour guide and we were able to sample many items walking throughout the market. It was a great tour and I felt that I had a much better understanding of Amman afterwards.

Matthew

What our Travelers Say

Ibrahim is a nice guy. We liked the tips given to know more about the country and the Amman and Jordan food. Recommended! However be aware that this is not a historial tour.

Ignacio

What our Travelers Say

The tour was engaging, informative, and very well paced. Ibrahim has deep knowledge of Amman’s history and culture, and he explained everything in a clear and enjoyable way. What I really loved was how the tour blended historical insights with everyday local life and popular Jordanian foods. Ibrahim shared interesting stories, cultural tips, and food recommendations that made the city feel alive and authentic. He was friendly, approachable, and happy to answer all questions. This tour is a great way to truly understand Amman beyond the usual sights. Highly recommended for anyone who wants a meaningful cultural and walking experience in the city.

Dalal

What our Travelers Say

a well planned and informative tour which shows us the culture, history and architecture of ancient Egypt. Hassan took such good care of us and was so responsive through out the whole tour, even immediately rescheduled a safari experience for us when snorkeling got canceled.

YeaTyng Sheu

What our Travelers Say

An unforgettable and truly special experience in Egypt. Highly recommended for those who would like to explore and learn more about the garbage city. Abanoub’s in depth guide showed us how the garbage city operates and people’s way of living in the garbage city, which we could have never seen if we went alone. PS. Abanoub is also a great photographer 😊

YeaTyng Sheu

What our Travelers Say

Our Jordan trip was wonderful beyond our expectations. My family and I enjoyed to the fullest. Feras and his team Sari, Nora were great. Sari and Nora were great tour guides. We enjoyed their company. We definitely enjoyed the local atmosphere/celebration. Thank you. Our highlight was the Petra tour! That I waited for many years and finally it came true. I would say the food at the restaurant at the souk in Amman was overrated. Overall it was a good trip. Thank you for arranging it for us.

Zeenat Hossain

What our Travelers Say

From the very first communication, Simsem Travel team was incredibly helpful and thoughtful. They truly listened to what we wanted and suggested the best possible way to make the most of the days we had in Egypt. Everything felt carefully planned, yet effortless on our side. We did two excursions with Simsem Travel. The first was a Luxor–Aswan journey with private transfers and guided tours, perfectly organized and paced. The second took us deep into the desert, exploring the Black and White Desert and the surrounding landmarks, ending with an unforgettable night under the stars. The highlights? Watching the sunrise from a hot air balloon over Luxor - a moment that felt almost unreal - visiting the majestic Karnak Temple and exploring the breathtaking Djara Cave, which was unlike anything we had ever seen. Beyond the destinations themselves, what truly stood out was the hospitality, the professionalism, and the sense of safety and care throughout the entire experience. A beautifully curated journey and a truly unique experience that we will carry with us for a long time. Highly recommended.

Mariza

What our Travelers Say

Saqarra and Dahshur tour with Mahmoud is such a pleasure, not only did Mahmoud share the history of pyramid building, he also enlightened us with Egypt’s modern history and show us the agricultural landscape of Dashur. The countryside in Dahshur is sucj s peaceful getaway from other big cities. The homemade lunch there was also the best meal we had in Egypt. Overall: if you would like a quality tailored tour in Egypt that is seamlessly arranged, Simsem is the one to go to. They are so responsive and provide helpful suggestions in every process from itinerary planning to restaurant suggestions.

YeaTyng Sheu

LOCAL LIVING TOURS

BEST WAY TO EXPERIENCE THE MIDDLE EAST

Taste the Middle East With Local Families

Taste the Middle East With Local Families: Dining in a local host's home is the best way to experience Middle East culture. Enjoy authentic meals, hear local stories, and discover traditions that make tours here unforgettable.

Traditional Bedouin Camps in the Desert

Traditional Bedouin Camps in the Desert: Spending a night in a traditional Bedouin camp, especially in the deserts of countries like Jordan or Oman, offers a unique local living experience. You'll sleep in traditional tents, dine on Bedouin cuisine, and have the opportunity to engage with the nomadic Bedouin people. It's a chance to appreciate the desert's serenity, stargaze in the vast night sky, and participate in desert activities like camel rides or sandboarding while learning about the Bedouin way of life.

Insights From Our Locals

Warm Hospitality and Connections

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Hospitality is at the heart of Middle Eastern culture.

When you choose local living, you open the door to genuine connections with locals. You'll find that we love sharing our traditions, stories, and homes with visitors.

Embrace it, and you'll leave with new friends and a deeper understanding of our culture.

Insights Media

A Bite of Culture

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The Middle East is a paradise for food lovers.

By living like a local, you'll have the chance to savor the rich and diverse flavors of our cuisine. From street vendors to family kitchens, each meal is an opportunity to explore our culinary heritage.

Deep Cultural Engagement

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Choosing local living means diving headfirst into the heart of our culture. It's a chance to not only witness ancient traditions, vibrant festivals, and unique art forms up close but also to actively participate and engage. You'll have the opportunity to attend traditional ceremonies, join in celebrations, and perhaps even try your hand at local crafts.

This level of engagement allows you to gain a profound understanding of our history and contemporary way of life, leaving you with lasting memories and a genuine connection to our culture.

Respect and Open-mindedness

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Respecting local customs and keeping an open mind are key to local living in the Middle East. It’s not just about watching—it’s about joining daily life with sensitivity and heart.

Learning a few Arabic phrases helps communication and shows respect for local hosts. Dressing modestly in religious areas honors Middle East traditions. With an open mind, you’ll connect more deeply, enjoy authentic tours, and leave a lasting impression.

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