13-Day Egypt & Istanbul Highlights

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

Overnight: Cairo

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.

Overnight: Cairo
Meal: Breakfast

After the breakfast, you will explore the Egyptian Museum, where houses a magnificent collection of Pharaonic antiquities, especially the golden treasures of Tut Ankh Amun. 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.

Optional Shisha (Arabian hookah) experience can be arranged at the Khalili Bazaar at USD15/person.

Overnight: Cairo
Meal: Breakfast

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your short flight to Aswan. Upon your arrival in Aswan, transfer to your Nile cruise for embarkation. Later in the afternoon, you will take an Egyptian felucca passing by the Elephantine Island, and then step ashore the Botanical Gardens on the Kitchener Island.

Note: Felucca is completely driven by natural wind, when there is not enough wind, you will take motor boat instead.

Overnight: Onboard
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After the breakfast, you will visit the High Dam and Philae Temple. Then the cruise will sail to Kom Ombo, where you will visit Sobek Temple by two gods Sobek & Haeroris. The cruise will continue to sail to Edfu and overnight there. 

Overnight: Onboard
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today you will visit Horus Temple in Edfu, a well reserved temple from the Ptolemaic era. And then sail through the locks of Esna and continue to Luxor.

Overnight: Onboard
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After the breakfast, you will check out the cruise. Then you will have full day visit to West Bank and East Bank of Luxor which includes Valley of the Kings, the Hatshepsut's Funerary Temple at Dier El Bahari, the Colossi of Memnon. Afterwards, you will be escorted to your hotel.

Overnight: Luxor
Meal: Breakfast

Today you will you will visit the great Luxor Temple and the magnificent Karnak Temple of Amon 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 your arrival at Cairo, met and be transferred to your hotel.

Overnight: Cairo
Meal: Breakfast

Enjoy time of leisure in Cairo before drive to the airport for departure to Turkey. Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Istanbul. 

Overnights: Istanbul
Meal: Breakfast

After breakfast, be transferred to a 1-hour scenic cruise on the Bosphorus Strait, which is boundary of Europe and Asia, connecting the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara. Later, you will visit the Rumeli Fortress, built in an incredibly short time in 1452. Continue on to explore an exotic spice market where a multitude of herbs have been sold since the 15th century. 

Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast

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

Overnight: Istanbul
Meal: Breakfast

Today, you will discover those major pieces of Islamic art and ethnographic textiles displayed in the Islamic Art Museum. After, encounter the Covered Bazaar, an age-old labyrinth of streets filled with all sorts of tempting items to purchase. Tour to Dolmabace Palace is included. Continue on to enjoy a walking tour along the old streets and trade areas to the mosque complex of Suleiman the Magnificent this afternoon. 

Overnight: Istanbul
Meal: Breakfast

After breakfast, transfer to Istanbul International Airport for departure flight. 

Meal: Breakfast