12-Day Tour of Turkey and Egypt

This tour starts with your pickup upon arrival in Istanbul and ends in Cairo, Egypt.

Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul, Airport Transfer and Free Day

Upon your arrival at Istanbul New Airport(IST) or Sabiha Gökcen Airport(SAW), our team will be waiting for you at the exit of the international line of the Airport, holding a sign with your name written on it. After which, you will be transferred to your hotel. The afternoon is free for you to spend at leisure. Alternatively, you can join the Night Cruise on the Bosphorus with Dinner & Show.

• Overnight in Istanbul
• Included Meal(s): No meals are included on this day.
• Accommodation: Muyan Suites OR Antea Hotel Oldcity OR Deluxe Golden Horn Hotel OR Yusufpaşa Konağı Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 2: Istanbul Byzantine and Ottoman Relics Tour

After breakfast at approximately 8:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel to begin the full-day tour. Today on the tour you will visit the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome (Sultanahmet Square), Topkapi Palace, and Grand Bazaar. Lunch will be at a local restaurant. After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

• Overnight in Istanbul
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Muyan Suites OR Antea Hotel Oldcity OR Deluxe Golden Horn Hotel OR Yusufpaşa Konağı Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 3: Bosphorus Cruise – Fly from Istanbul to Izmir

After breakfast at around 8:30 am, you will join the Half-day Morning Bosphorus Cruise. At the start of this tour, you will enjoy a drive to the pier in Eminonu for a short visit to the historical Spice Market (Egyptian Bazaar). Following this, you will join a shared boat tour and cruise along the Bosphorus which is a narrow strait between the continents of Europe and Asia connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara. You will be able to view the Dolmabahce Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, Bosphorus bridge, citadels, centuries-old mansions, and the European and Asian shorelines while onboard the boat. At the end of the tour, you will be dropped back to your hotel to pick up your luggage and then will be transferred to the Istanbul domestic airport for your flight to Izmir which is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes in duration. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Kusadasi. Check in to your hotel in Kusadasi and the rest of the day is free.

• Overnight in Kusadasi
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast
• Accommodation: Efe Boutique Hotel OR Neopol Hotel Deluxe OR Derici Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 4: Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour

After breakfast around 8:00 am, you will be picked up from your Kusadasi hotel and taken to the meeting point in Selcuk where the full group will first meet. You will then begin the Pamukkale tour with a drive from Selcuk starting at 8:30 am to Pamukkale which will be around 3 hours. En route to Pamukkale after 1.5 hours, there will be a 10-minute stop for a restroom break. Upon arrival around 11:45 am, the group will be first taken to have lunch and after lunch, at around 1:00 pm you will begin your guided tour of the Pamukkale and Hierapolis area with a professional licensed tour guide. In Pamukkale, you will see the Cotton Cliffs, one of the natural wonders of the world formed by deposits of calcareous salts. Also, you will visit the ancient ruins of the City of Hierapolis with its basilica, theatre, and Roman Baths. At the end of the guided tour, you will have some free time to explore the area on your own. As an option, you may choose to swim in the Pamukkale antique pools (at your own expense) during this free time. The tour guide will inform you about the exact meeting point and time. At the end of the tour around approximately 4:00 pm, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Kusadasi at around 7:00 pm.

• Overnight in Kusadasi
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Efe Boutique Hotel OR Neopol Hotel Deluxe OR Derici Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 5: Ephesus Tour – Fly to Cappadocia

After breakfast at the hotel around 8:30 am, you will be picked up and met by your tour guide to begin your full-day tour of Ephesus. You will visit the ruins of Ephesus, the ancient Greek city that became an important centre of this time. Visit the Temple of Hadrian, Great Theater, and Trajan Fountain. After lunch, let’s visit the House of the Virgin Mary, where it is believed she spent her last years. We will pass by the Temple of Artemis; there is little to see of this that was one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world. Afterwards, you will visit the Isa Bey Mosque. Next, you will be taken to the Sirince Village; which is an old Greek village and is well-know for its quaint beauty and wine tasting and production. Here you will have one hour free to explore on your own without a guide the different foods and wines of the area and visit various small traditional village shops. After the tour,  you will be transferred to Izmir airport for your flight to Kayseri or Nevsehir through Istanbul. Upon your arrival at the Kayseri or Nevsehir airport, a representative will be present holding your name sign to pick you up and transfer you to your hotel.

• Overnight in Cappadocia
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Heaven Cave House OR Dedeli Konak Cave Hotel OR Holiday Cave Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 6: North Cappadocia Tour

For an additional option, you can book an early morning hot air balloon ride and enjoy breathtaking aerial views of the valleys. Please be aware that this activity comes at an extra cost.

After breakfast around 9:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel to join the full-day tour of North Cappadocia. Your tour will start with a visit to the Devrent Valley to see the unique fairy chimneys. Next, you will visit the Pasabag Valley (Monks Valley) to see the mushroom-shaped pinnacles. After this visit, you will drive to the city of Avanos. After lunch, you will visit the Zelve Open Air Museum in Cappadocia. The museum features a series of carved caves and ancient churches, providing a glimpse into the region’s monastic history. Finally, towards the end of the day tour before returning to your hotel, you will have around 15 minutes to take panoramic pictures of the natural castles of Uchisar. After the tour, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel at approximately 4:00 pm. The rest of the day will be at your leisure.

• Overnight in Cappadocia
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Heaven Cave House OR Dedeli Konak Cave Hotel OR Holiday Cave Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 7: South Cappadocia Tour – Fly back to Istanbul

After breakfast at the hotel around 9:30 am you will be picked up and met by your tour guide to begin your full-day tour of South Cappadocia. Your tour guide will brief you on the day’s activities. Your tour will begin with a visit to the Red Valley where you will be able to explore the famous rock-cut churches and hike approximately 5 km through the Rose Valley (Gulludere Vadisi). Next, you will visit Cavusin Village which is famous for its houses and churches of Christian Clergymen. We will take a break for lunch around noon. After lunch, you will drive to the Pigeon Valley (Guvercinlik Vadisi). In the afternoon you will visit the Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City where early Christians lived. This will be the end of your full-day tour. At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to Kayseri or Nevsehir airport for your late evening return flight to Istanbul. Upon your arrival in Istanbul, you will be met at the airport and transferred from the airport to your hotel.

• Overnight in Istanbul
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Muyan Suites OR Antea Hotel Oldcity OR Deluxe Golden Horn Hotel OR Yusufpaşa Konağı Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 8: Fly from Istanbul to Cairo (Flight Not Included)

After breakfast, you will proceed to Istanbul International Airport to board your international flight to Cairo. Upon arrival, you will be met by our representative and will be transferred to your Cairo hotel for check-in. The rest of the day will be free.

Please note: The cost of this package tour does not include international flight tickets from Istanbul to Cairo. Participants are responsible for purchasing their own flight tickets.

• Overnight in Cairo
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast
• Accommodation: Pyramisa Suites Hotel and Casino OR Ramses Hilton OR Movenpick Hotel & Casino Cairo-Media City or similar (Standard quality)

Day 9: Giza Pyramids, Egyptian Museum, Coptic and Islamic Cairo & Khan El Khalili Tour

After breakfast, at around 8:00 am, you will be accompanied by your personal guide to Giza Plateau to visit one of the seven wonders of the ancient world: the Great Pyramids of Cheops, Pyramid of Chephren, and Pyramid of Menkaure, along with the famous Sphinx and Giza Valley Temple. Next, you will head out to the Egyptian Museum, where the treasures of the boy king Tutankhamen await you. You will then go to Coptic Cairo to visit the Hanging Church and Ben Ezra Synagogue followed by a short drive to Islamic Cairo, where you will be able to explore Khan El Khalili Bazaar which is Cairo’s oldest and most alluring bazaar. After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Cairo.

• Overnight in Cairo
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Pyramisa Suites Hotel and Casino OR Ramses Hilton OR Movenpick Hotel & Casino Cairo-Media City or similar (Standard quality)

Day 10: Fly from Cairo to Luxor – Valley of the Kings Tour

After breakfast, you’ll check out from the hotel in the morning and then transfer to Cairo Airport for your flight to Luxor, and then be taken to your hotel to check in. You’ll proceed to visit the Royal Cemetery for 62 Pharaohs, the Valley of the Kings, then to mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, which was built by the architects of the New Kingdom during the 15th century BC. Travel on to the Colossi of Memnon. You’ll then transfer to your hotel in Luxor, where you’ll stay overnight.

Optional at an additional cost could be a trip to a Sound & Light Show at the Karnak Temples which can be added upon request. (Flight Time Approx: Cairo to Luxor 06:00 – 07:00).

• Overnight in Luxor
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Steigenberger Luxor Hotel OR Sheraton Luxor Resort or similar (Standard quality)

Day 11: Luxor Sightseeing – Fly back to Cairo

After breakfast, at around 8:00 am, you will be picked up to visit the towering Karnak Temples and the famed Luxor Temple. After your trip to the temples, you will be driven to the Luxor airport for your flight to Cairo. When you arrive in Cairo, you will be met and assisted at the airport and then transferred to your hotel in Cairo.

• Overnight in Cairo
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Pyramisa Suites Hotel and Casino OR Ramses Hilton OR Movenpick Hotel & Casino Cairo-Media City or similar (Standard quality)

Day 12: Departure from Cairo – End of Tour Service

After breakfast, you will check out from your hotel in Cairo (hotel check-out is before 11:00 am) and will then be transferred to the Cairo International Airport according to your flight details or to join the tour in Jordan. This will be the end of our tour and services.

• Included Meal(s): Breakfast

INCLUDED in the Tour Price:

• All transfers within Turkey and Egypt.
• Domestic flight tickets from Istanbul to Izmir and Izmir to Cappadocia and Cappadocia to Istanbul.
• Domestic flight tickets from Cairo to Luxor and Luxor to Cairo.
• Accommodation in Istanbul for 3 nights, including daily breakfast.
• Accommodation in Kusadasi for 2 nights, including daily breakfast.
• Accommodation in Cappadocia for 2 nights, including daily breakfast.
• Accommodation in Cairo for 3 nights, including daily breakfast.
• Accommodation in Luxor for 1 night, including daily breakfast.
• Professional licensed English-speaking guide during the tours.
• Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch).
• Visits and entrances fees as indicated in the itinerary.
• Local taxes and service charges.

NOT INCLUDED:

• International Flight Tickets.
• Flight ticket from Istanbul to Cairo.
• Entry visas to Turkey and Egypt.
• Tips & Personal Items.
• Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride.
• Optional tours mentioned in the program, they will be provided at an additional cost.
• Services not mentioned in the program.
• Drinks with meals.
• Travel insurance (recommended).

IMPORTANT INFO:

• The tour in Turkey is designed for a regular group, while the tour in Egypt is arranged as a private tour.
• The regular group tour has shopping stops included in the tour.
• Please be advised that the order /sequence in which the daily tours occur within the above day-by-day package tour itinerary can be subject to change depending on the availability of domestic flight tickets per the itinerary, opening/closing of various historical sites, etc.
• Vegetarian lunch option available upon request.
• For 1 traveler: 1 Single Room Accommodation
• For 2 travelers: 1 Double/Twin Room Accommodation
• For 3 travelers: 1 Triple Room Accommodation
• For 4 travelers: 2 Double/Twin Rooms Accommodation
• For 5 travelers: 1 Double/Twin Room and 1 Triple Room Accommodation
• Please advise us on your arrival details at the time of booking.
• Please note that the Blue Mosque is not open for visitation on Fridays as it is closed for religious prayer services. You will only be able to visit the outside of the Blue Mosque area on tours operated on Fridays. No visitation will be allowed inside the Blue Mosque for tourists on Fridays.
• Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesday, it will be replaced with the Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnici).
• Grand Bazaar is closed on Sunday.
• During religious holidays, the Spice Market and Grand Bazaar are closed.

WHEN TO BOOK?

• Book as soon as possible to guarantee availability, especially during public holidays and festivities.
• You can book up to 5 days before (Istanbul local time) if there are still places available. If less than 2 days before start of your requested tour date, please contact us by email or phone as it would be a last-minute booking that will need to be checked for availability before your tour reservation is confirmed.