8-Day Egypt and Turkey Tour: Explore Cairo, Luxor, Istanbul, and Cappadocia

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

Upon your arrival at Cairo Airport, our company representative will be ready to welcome you in the arrivals area. Look for a signboard bearing your name. After a warm meet and greet, you’ll be transferred from the airport to your hotel in Cairo. The rest of the day is yours to relax and enjoy at your leisure.

• Overnight in Cairo
• Included Meal(s): No meals are included on this day
• Accommodation: Pyramisa Suites Hotel and Casino OR Hilton Cairo Heliopolis or similar (Standard quality)

Day 2: Private Tour to Giza Pyramids, Egyptian Museum, Coptic and Islamic Cairo and Khan El Khalili

After breakfast at around 8:00 am, your personal guide will accompany you to the Giza Plateau, where you’ll encounter one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Marvel at the Great Pyramid of Cheops, the largest and most iconic pyramid, along with the Pyramid of Chephren and the Pyramid of Menkaure. Following these awe-inspiring structures, you’ll visit the legendary Great Sphinx and the Giza Valley Temple.

Next, you’ll head to the renowned Egyptian Museum, home to an incredible collection of artifacts from ancient Egypt. Among its treasures, you’ll find the famed Tutankhamun’s treasures, including the iconic golden mask and various items from the young pharaoh’s tomb that bring the grandeur of ancient Egypt vividly to life.

Around midday, you’ll enjoy a lunch break at a local restaurant, sampling some traditional Egyptian cuisine.

After lunch, your tour takes you to Coptic Cairo, where you’ll explore the historical Hanging Church, one of Egypt’s oldest churches. You’ll also visit the nearby Ben Ezra Synagogue, a site rich with history and thought to be the place where baby Moses was found.

Finally, a short drive will bring you to Islamic Cairo, home to the bustling and colorful Khan El Khalili Bazaar. This vibrant market, Cairo’s oldest, offers a wide range of shops where you can find spices, jewelry, textiles, and one-of-a-kind souvenirs, making for an authentic Egyptian shopping experience.

After the tour, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel around 5:00 pm. The rest of the day is free.

• Overnight in Cairo
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Pyramisa Suites Hotel and Casino OR Hilton Cairo Heliopolis or similar (Standard quality)

Day 3: Fly to Luxor from Cairo – Full Day Luxor East & West Bank Tour – Fly back to Cairo

In the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Cairo Airport for your flight to Luxor. Upon arrival, you will be met by a guide and transferred to the city to start your full-day exploration of Luxor’s East and West Banks.

Begin your journey on the West Bank with a visit to the renowned Valley of the Kings, the ancient burial ground of Egypt’s pharaohs, including the famous Tomb of Tutankhamun. Marvel at the towering Colossi of Memnon, two monumental statues of Amenhotep III. Continue to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, an architectural masterpiece nestled against the cliffs of Deir El-Bahari.

In the afternoon, cross to the East Bank, where you will explore the sprawling Karnak Temple, a vast complex dedicated to the Theban gods. Conclude your tour with a visit to the magnificent Luxor Temple, located along the banks of the Nile.

After the tour, you will be transferred to Luxor Airport for your flight back to Cairo. Upon arrival, you will be picked up from the airport and transferred to your hotel in Cairo for the night.

• Overnight in Cairo
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Pyramisa Suites Hotel and Casino OR Hilton Cairo Heliopolis or similar (Standard quality)

Day 4: Fly from Cairo to Istanbul (Airfare Not Included)

After breakfast, check out from your hotel as our representative escorts you to Cairo Airport for your flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival, our Istanbul representative will warmly welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure to relax or explore the city on your own.

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

Day 5: Istanbul Byzantine and Ottoman Relics Tour

After breakfast, around 8:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel to begin the full-day guided tour of Istanbul’s Byzantine and Ottoman treasures.

The tour will start with a visit to the grand Hagia Sophia, a majestic structure that began as a cathedral, later served as a mosque, and is now a museum, showcasing centuries of history from both Christian and Islamic cultures.

Next, visit the iconic Blue Mosque, famous for its striking blue tiles and six towering minarets. This impressive building remains an active place of worship and a hallmark of Ottoman architecture.

From there, you’ll explore the Hippodrome, which was once the center of Byzantine public life and the venue for chariot races and other social events. Here, you’ll see important monuments, including the Obelisk of Theodosius, Serpent Column, and German Fountain.

After visiting these key historical sites, you’ll enjoy a lunch break at a local restaurant, where you can sample traditional Turkish cuisine and take a moment to relax.

Following lunch, the tour continues with a visit to the stunning Topkapi Palace, the lavish residence of Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years. You’ll explore the palace’s vast courtyards, jewel-filled treasuries, and, optionally, the Harem, the private quarters of the sultan’s family.

The final stop of the day will be at the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. With over 4,000 shops, the bazaar offers a wide range of goods, from spices and carpets to jewelry and ceramics, providing an exciting experience for both shoppers and culture enthusiasts.

At the end of the tour, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel around 5:00 pm. The rest of the day is yours to spend at leisure, whether you choose to explore more of Istanbul on your own or simply relax.

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

Day 6: Fly to Kayseri/Nevsehir from Istanbul – North Cappadocia Tour

You will be picked up from your hotel around 4:00 am and transferred to the airport for your flight to Kayseri or Nevsehir, departing between 6:00 – 7:30 am. Upon arrival, our representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to Cappadocia, where you’ll meet your guide and begin your full-day North Cappadocia tour.

Today’s first stop will be Devrent Valley, famous for its unique fairy chimneys and rock formations. Next, you’ll explore Pasabag Valley (Monks Valley), home to stunning mushroom-shaped pinnacles. After enjoying these natural wonders, you’ll head to Avanos, a town renowned for its traditional pottery making.

After enjoying lunch at a local restaurant, you will visit the Zelve Open Air Museum, where you will explore ancient rock-cut churches and caves, providing a glimpse into the monastic history of the region. Towards the end of the day, you will stop at Uchisar Castle for panoramic photos. While entry into the castle itself is not permitted, the surrounding area offers beautiful views of the landscape.

After the tour, at around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Cappadocia for check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore at your own pace.

For extra activities, you can choose one from the following options: a traditional Turkish Night show with dinner, a 2-hour ATV tour, a 2-hour horseback riding tour through the valleys, or attend a 1-hour Whirling Dervish show. Please note that all activities are available at an additional cost, and you can join only one due to time constraints.

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

Day 7: South Cappadocia Tour – Fly back to Istanbul

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

After breakfast, you will check out of your hotel. At approximately 9:30 am, you will be picked up and met by your tour guide to begin your full-day tour of South Cappadocia. Your guide will brief you on the day’s activities. The tour starts with a visit to the Red Valley, where you can explore the famous rock-cut churches and hike approximately 5 km through the Rose Valley (Gulludere Vadisi).

Next, you will visit Cavusin Village, renowned for its historic houses and churches once home to Christian clergymen. Afterward, you’ll take a break for lunch around noon.

Following lunch, the tour continues with a visit to Pigeon Valley (Guvercinlik Vadisi), known for its breathtaking landscapes. In the afternoon, you will explore either the Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City, where early Christians sought refuge.

At the end of the tour, around 4:00 pm, you will be taken to either Kayseri or Nevsehir airport for your late evening flight back to Istanbul. Upon arriving in Istanbul, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel, where you will stay overnight.

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

Day 8: Departure from Istanbul – End of Tour Service

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

• Included Meal(s): Breakfast

INCLUDED in the Tour Price:

• All transfers within Egypt and Turkey.
• Domestic flight tickets from Cairo to Luxor, Luxor to Cairo, Istanbul to Kayseri, and Kayseri to Istanbul.
• 3 nights in Cairo at a 5-star hotel with breakfast.
• 3 nights in Istanbul at special class or 4-star hotels with breakfast.
• 1 night in Cappadocia at a cave hotel, including breakfast.
• Professional licensed English-speaking guide during the tours.
• Meals as per itinerary (B = breakfast, L = lunch).
• Visits and entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary.
• Local taxes and service charges.

NOT INCLUDED:

• International Flight Tickets.
• Flight ticket from Cairo to Istanbul.
• 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 order of the itinerary is indicative and subject to change, but all visits described will take place.
• The tour includes stops for shopping.
• 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.