Overview
A journey through Turkey and Egypt offers you a wide array of impressive cultural and historical experiences. From Istanbul journey through Cappadocia, Ephesus & Pamukkale on to Cairo and a cruise down the Nile from Aswan and Luxor. A chance to explore the ancient & modern heritage of these two amazing countries, enjoy tasty local cuisine, take in the beauty of the valleys in Cappadocia and the temple-studded Nile River.
• This is a flexible travel package for individuals, it is not an escorted group coach tour. The benefits of an individual travel package (versus set date group coach tour) are that you get to choose your own travel dates, there is the option to customize the itinerary to suit your particular interests and of course fewer people on the day tours in each area.
• Package Rate starts from around 2900 EURO per person: based on 02 persons sharing in a double/twin room in standard 3* hotels. Excludes international flight to Istanbul for start & from Cairo at the end. Rate varies depending on chosen travel dates & hotel category, as well as the number of persons travelling together and any changes you might wish to make to the itinerary.
Tour itinerary
DAY 01 : Arrival to Istanbul
Meet at Istanbul Airport and transfer to the hotel. Remainder of the day/evening is then free for you to relax or begin to explore your surroundings. Overnight in Istanbul
meals: none
DAY 02 : Guided Sultanahmet Tour
Today, join on a full-day walking tour exploring the Blue Mosque, St Sophia, Hippodrome and Obelisk, Grand Bazaar and Topkapi Palace (excluding optional extra entrance to Harem room). Evening free at leisure to stroll around and enjoy dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in Istanbul.
meals: breakfast & lunch included.
DAY 03 : Bosphorous and flight to Cappadocia
In the morning enjoy a cruise on the Bosphorus during which you have views from the vessel of various historical sights that line its shores. The guided tour also includes a visit to the famous Spice Bazaar. Then transfer to the airport for domestic flight to Cappadocia, arrive and transfer to hotel with evening at leisure. Overnight in Cappadocia
meals: breakfast included
DAY 04 : Goreme & Cappadocia Tour
*Optional extra: early morning (at sunrise) 1-hour hot air balloon ride, a special moment in the sky
Today immerse yourself in the beautiful natural setting of Cappadocia. Explore Devrent Valley and Monk's Valley (Pasabagi); break for lunch in Avanos; visit Goreme Open-Air Museum with its numerous churches and monasteries and their frescoes; view Uchisar Natural rock castle. Overnight in Cappadocia.
meals: breakfast & lunch included
DAY 05 : Kaymakli Underground City & Valleys
After breakfast join on another full-day tour, this time starting with a 4km (medium grade, approx 2hrs) hike in Red Valley exploring rock-cut churches and colourful fairy chimneys along the way. Visit Cavusin (old Greek village) then Kaymakli Underground City. Along the way, you have panoramic views of Pigeon Valley with its famous dovecotes. In the evening, transfer to the bus station for departure on overnight intercity bus to Pamukkale. ***If you do not wish to travel by overnight bus, we can arrange using domestic flight instead, please advise your preference
meals: breakfast & lunch included
DAY 06 : Travertens of Pamukkale
Arrive early morning (if by overnight bus) to Pamukkale and some free time on arrival to take a shower and have breakfast at a small hotel nearby which will provide a "day room" for this purpose. Then join the tour visiting the natural formation of travertines and the ruins of Hierapolis. End of the day with arrival to the hotel in Kusadasi.
meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner included
DAY 07 : Ephesus Day Tour
Last but definitely not least, join the full-day tour visiting the Ancient City of Ephesus. Here you have the chance to walk down marble streets, view the magnificent Celsius Library and the Grand Theatre, just a few of the many buildings and fountains that can be found in this open-air museum. Also visit the House of Virgin Mary & remains of Artemis Temple. Overnight in Kusadasi.
meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner included
DAY 08 : Izmir to Cairo flight
Today depart from Izmir to Cairo by flight via Istanbul. Arrival transfer to hotel and overnight in Cairo.
meals: breakfast included
DAY 09 : Pyramids Tour and train to Aswan
Today your local guide will take you to visit the Giza Pyramids & Sphinx, a must for any first time traveller to Egypt. Also visit Memphis, the ancient Capital of Egypt, dating from 3100BC as well as the Step Pyramid of King Zoser located in Sakkara, the oldest known of Egypt's 107 Pyramids. After the tour, depart on the overnight sleeper train to Aswan.
meals: breakfast & dinner included (lunch optional)
***Flights from Cairo to Aswan are also available for those that do not wish to travel by overnight sleeper train - please be sure to note your preference when making your enquiry.
DAY 10 : Nile Cruise (Aswan Sightseeing)
Breakfast on train, arrival to Aswan and begin your 03-night cruising adventure on the Nile. Today the cruise tour guide will take you to visit the High Dam and the magnificent Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis. *Optional extra tours such as "Abu Simbel" and/or "felucca ride" can be added, please note your preference in the enquiry form.
meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner included
DAY 11 : Nile Cruise (Kom Ombo & Edfu)
Cruise to Kom Ombo and visit the Temple of Sobek & Haroeris. Continue to Edfu and here explore the Temple of Horus, the largest and most complete preserved Temple combining Pharaonic and Greek architectures.
meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner included
DAY 12 : Nile Cruise (Luxor)
Sail on to Luxor and your cruise guide takes you to the West Bank to visit the Valley of Kings & Queens, where magnificent tombs were filled with treasures by generations of Pharaohs. Visit the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut & the Colossi of Memnon. Overnight on Nile Cruise
meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner included
DAY 13 : Luxor to Cairo
No visit to Luxor would be complete without visiting both Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple. You then have the remainder of the day free at leisure to explore on your own until boarding the overnight sleeper train back to Cairo. ***Flights from Cairo to Aswan are also available, please note your preference in the enquiry form.
meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner included
DAY 14 : Tour Old Cairo & Egyptian Museum
On arrival back in Cairo, begin a tour visiting the Egyptian Museum with its trove of treasures on display. Also visit the Citadel of Saladin and the Old Cairo area offering a mix of Islamic and Christian Monuments. No visit to Cairo would be complete without trying your haggling skills in the Khan El-Khalily Bazaar. Overnight in Cairo.
meals: breakfast included (lunch/dinner optional)
DAY 15 - Departure:
As per your international flight departure time, transfer from hotel to Cairo Airport.