Egypt & Istanbul Highlights

Itinerary

• Day 1: International Arrival, Cairo

  Upon arrival at Cairo Airport, you will be met by our representative, assisted through formalities and transferred to your hotel.

  • Cairo

• Day 2: Cairo, Pyramids of Giza

  After breakfast, follow your private tour guide to explore the ancient capital Memphis, where the Alabaster Sphinx and the statue of Ramses II resides; and Saqqara, where the famous Unas Pyramid is located; King Zoser Step Pyramid, Mastaba of TI, and the Tomb of Ptahotep. This afternoon, continue on to the great Pyramids of Giza and the mysterious Sphinx, a colossal lion with a pharaoh's head.

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  • Cairo

• Day 3: Cario City Tour

  After breakfast, you will explore the Egyptian Museum, where houses a magnificent collection of Pharaonic antiquities. Later, you will proceed to Old Cairo to visit the Citadel of Salah El-Din, and the Mohammed Ali Mosque situated high above the city. Stop at the Khan El Khalili Bazaar to browse and shop as you wish.

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  • Cairo

• Day 4: Cairo - Aswan

  Take an early morning flight to Aswan.

  Upon arrival, transfer to your Nile cruise for embarkation. After a break, you will visit the High Dam and Philae Temple. Then, end the day with an Egyptian felucca passing by Elephantine Island for a shore excursion to the Botanical Gardens on Kitchener Island.

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  • Nile River Cruise

• Day 5: Nile Cruise: Aswan - Kom Ombo-Edfu

  Today the cruise will sail to Kom Ombo, where you will visit Sobek Temple by two gods Sobek & Horus. Afterward, continue the sailing to Edfu. Here, you will visit Horus Temple, a well-preserved temple from the Ptolemaic era.

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  • Nile River Cruise

• Day 6: Nile Cruise: Edfu - Luxor

  The ship will arrive in Luxor in the early morning. After breakfast on board, you will have a full-day visit to the West Bank, including the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's Funerary Temple, and the Colossi of Memnon.

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  • Nile River Cruise

• Day 7: Luxor - Cairo

  This morning, you will disembark from the cruise and explore the East Bank. visit the great Luxor Temple and the magnificent Karnak Temple with its famous Hypostyle hall and the 134 huge columns, the statue of Ramses II, the Obelisk of Queen Hatshepsut, and the Sacred Lake. After that, you will be transferred to the airport for a short flight back to Cairo. Upon arrival, be met and transferred to your hotel.

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  • Cairo

• Day 8: Cairo - Istanbul

  Enjoy the time of leisure in Cairo before driving to the airport for your flight to Turkey. Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for check-in and rest.

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  • Istanbul

• Day 9: Istanbul Tours, Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, and Blue Mosque

  This morning, ascend to Topkapi Palace and take in the views of its fabulous collections of jewels and other artifacts. Visit the Imperial Harem, another palace inside the Topkapi. Continue to explore the Hagia Sophia. Next visit the Blue Mosque, famous for its blue tiles decorating interior walls, considered the landmark of Istanbul. Discover the Basilica Cistern, which was constructed by Justinian in 532 to supply water to the Byzantine Palace primarily. Later, you will visit the highlights of the ancient hippodrome, such as the Egyptian Obelisk and Serpentine Column.

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  • Istanbul

• Day 10: Istanbul - Cappadocia

  This morning, take a short flight to Kayseri Airport near Cappadocia.

  On arrival, your tour guide and driver will meet and accompany you to Cappadocia. You will discover the amazing fairy chimneys at Devrent Valley and Pasabagi Valley, marvel at the beautiful Byzantine art in the cave churches of the Goreme Open Air Museum, and enjoy a fabulous panoramic view over Cappadocia from the top of Uchisar Castle. End the tour with a visit to Pigeon Valley.

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  • Istanbul

• Day 11: Cappadocia

  Open the day with a stunning view from the natural citadel of Ortahisar, then depart for the subterranean city of Kaymakli. With a history dating back to the 7th and 8th century BC, this underground city provided a safe haven for the fleeing from religious persecution. After the exploration of Kaymakli, continue to Cavusin Valley to discover the ancient settlements. Before heading back to the hotel, enjoy the stunning sunset at the Red Valley.

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  • Cappadocia

• Day 12: Cappadocia - Izmir - Kusadasi

  Fly to Izmir this morning.

  On arrival, your tour guide will meet you and take you to visit the Agora, which was once the celebrated marketplace of old Smyrna and has now been arranged into the Open-Air Museum of Izmir. Following it is the beautiful historic caravanserai of Kizlaragasi Hani and the old water-operated elevator system inside Asansör.

  After the tour, proceed to Kusadasi for the night.

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  • Kusadasi

• Day 13: Kusadasi

  Spend half a day at the well-preserved ancient city of Ephesus, about 30 minutes away. Wandering through its remains such as the Arcadian Way, the Antique Theater, the Roman Baths, and the Celcus Library, you can easy to imagine its past glories.

  In the afternoon, visit the Shrine of the Virgin Mary and the Basilica of St. John, then get back to the hotel for some rest.

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  • Kusadasi

• Day 14: Kusadasi - Izmir, Departure

  After breakfast, transfer to Izmir Airport for your departure flight.

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