Magnificent Tour of Egypt & Turkey
Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure with our Magnificent Tour of Egypt & Turkey. This captivating journey will take you through the mesmerizing landscapes, rich history, and vibrant cultures of two remarkable countries. Explore the ancient wonders of Egypt, including the iconic Pyramids of Giza, the mystical Sphinx, and the fascinating temples of Luxor. Then, prepare to be enchanted by Turkey's breathtaking landscapes, from the otherworldly beauty of Cappadocia's fairy chimneys to the stunning coastal cliffs of Pamukkale. Immerse yourself in the local traditions, savor delicious cuisines, and create unforgettable memories as you delve into the treasures of these two extraordinary nations.
- Meet and greet service by our representatives upon your airport arrival
- Assistance with guest relations during your stay
- All transfers via air-conditioned vehicle
- Accommodation for 4 nights in Istanbul based on breakfast.
- Accommodation for 1 night in Ankara based on Half board.
- Accommodation for 2 nights in Cappadocia based on Half board.
- Accommodation for 1 night in Pamukkale based on Half board.
- Accommodation for 1 night in Kusadasi (OR IZMIR) based on Half board.
- Accommodation for 1 night in Canakkale based on Half board.
- Accommodation for 3 nights in Cairo, including daily breakfast
- Accommodation for 4 nights on a 5-star superior Nile Cruise ship, full board
- Domestic flight tickets from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan to Cairo
- Sightseeing tours on the cruise shared with a Memphis Tours group
- Local English speaking tour guide
- Entrance fees to all sites mentioned on the itinerary
- All meals mentioned on the itinerary
- Bottled water during outings outside of hotel or cruise ship
- Portage as needed
- Complimentary Cairo Photo Session around Giza Pyramids (Online delivery via email)
- All service charges and taxes
- International Airfare
- Entry visa to Egypt and Turkey
- Any optional tours
- Personal spending
- Tipping
Day 1: Arrival in Cairo
Welcome to the mystical lands of Egypt, where the Pharaohs ruled for thousands of years. Upon your arrival at Cairo International Airport, your tour manager will meet and assist you and ease the process by helping you to get the entry visa. You will then be escorted through the bustling streets of Cairo in an exclusive air-conditioned vehicle. Once you reach your chosen hotel, your tour manager will assist you with your check-in and double-check your itinerary with you to establish and confirm all the pick-up times for all your activities during your trip.
Overnight in Cairo.
Day 2: Pyramids and Cairo Sightseeing
After enjoying a delicious wholesome breakfast at your hotel, your personal guide will take you to the Giza Plateau to start your journey by marveling at one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Great Pyramids of Giza. Visit the iconic Sphinx and Valley Temple. After your pyramid visit, you’ll go for lunch at an authentic Egyptian restaurant and then head over to the New Grand Egyptian Museum, also known as the Giza Museum, which is an archaeological museum in Giza, Egypt, about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from the Giza pyramid complex. The GEM Complex is now offering limited access to test site readiness and the visitor experience ahead of the official opening. Admission is currently limited to the Main Galleries, Grand Hall, Grand Staircase, commercial area, and exterior gardens. Return back to your hotel.
Overnight in Cairo.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Visits: Great Pyramids of Giza, Sphinx, Valley Temple, Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM).
Day 3: Fly to Luxor - East Bank Sightseeing
Today, you will be leaving Cairo and head out to the shining city of Luxor. You will meet your tour manager early in the morning at your hotel where he will accompany you to Cairo International Airport for your trip to Luxor. Upon landing in Luxor, you will be assisted and whisked away in an exclusive air-conditioned vehicle to board your luxurious Nile cruise, Salacia, that will offer you a unique experience cruising on the Nile with high-quality service, gastronomy, and accommodation during your stay. Enjoy a delicious lunch on board before heading out to your first stop in Upper Egypt which is visiting Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple at the East Bank. Return back to your cruise and enjoy a warm and hand-crafted dinner.
Overnight aboard your cruise in Luxor.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 4: West Bank Sightseeing
Enjoy your first breakfast on board your cruise surrounded by the calm waters of the Nile. After breakfast, head out to explore the West Bank of Luxor. Visit the Royal Cemetery for 62 Pharaohs, the Valley of the Kings, then head to the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, which was built by the architects of the New Kingdom during the 15th century BCE at Deir El-Bahari. Finish the day as you marvel at the towering Colossi of Memnon. After finishing your visits at the West Bank, return back to your cruise and start sailing to Edfu while enjoying a delicious lunch on board. Relax the rest of the day as you sail; take advantage of the amazing facilities of your cruise; enjoy some afternoon tea, get a massage, de-stress in the Jacuzzi. End the day with an appetizing dinner on board.
Overnight aboard your cruise in Edfu.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 5: Edfu and Kom Ombo
Enjoy a mouth-watering breakfast on board your cruise as you sail to Edfu. Upon arrival, head out and visit Edfu Temple, one of the best-preserved temples of the Greco Roman era, that of Horus at Edfu. Enjoy a magnificent experience as you take a horse-drawn carriage ride back and forth to the temple and marvel at Upper Egypt’s local life. Pass through the slow-paced, rural life of the local farmers and fishermen. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking lush, fertile landscapes dotted with banana and date palm trees. After your visit, head back to your cruise and start sailing to your second stop of the day, Kom Ombo.
Touch down on the shores of Kom Ombo and walk through the town of Kom Ombo among the locals of the town until you arrive at the unusual Kom Ombo temple with its two identical entrances, hypostyle halls, and sanctuaries. After your visit, head back to your cruise where you will enjoy an appetizing lunch while sailing to Aswan. As the day comes to an end, enjoy a warm, delicious dinner surrounded by the calm, serene water of the Nile River.
Overnight aboard your cruise in Aswan.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 6: Aswan Sightseeing
Enjoy yet another delicious breakfast on board as you sail to the colorful city of Aswan. Upon arrival, head out and enjoy a day of sightseeing in this beautiful city, meeting the kindest kind of locals. Start with a visit to the massive Unfinished Obelisk, still resting on its side in the stone quarries of ancient Egypt. After, you will go on to the beautiful Temple of Philae, devoted to the two goddesses Isis and Hathor. After your visits, you will head back to your cruise and enjoy an appetizing dinner in the middle of the Nile surrounded by its beautiful waters.
Overnight aboard your cruise in Aswan.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 7: Fly to Cairo - Optional Tour to Abu Simbel
Enjoy your last morning on your cruise with one last scrumptious breakfast on board surrounded by the calm waters of the Nile. After breakfast, disembark your cruise and get transferred to Aswan Airport to catch your flight back to Cairo where you will be met upon arrival and get transferred to your hotel for your last night in the Land of Pharaohs.
Optional Group tour by Coach to Abu Simbel Temples for an extra USD $89
Overnight in Cairo.
Meals: Breakfast.
Day 8: Depart Cairo – Arrival Istanbul
Breakfast. You will be transferred through the buzzing streets of Cairo to Cairo International Airport for your flight to Istanbul. Arrive at Istanbul airport and meet our representative. Transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Istanbul Tour
After breakfast, we will start our full day in the city with the Hagia Sophia. Originally built by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century, and converted into a mosque by the Ottomans in the 15th century. Next visit The Topkapi Palace, the residence of the Ottoman Sultan from the 15th to the 19th century with its impressive treasury, exquisite harem, attractive courtyards, and pavilions housing huge collections of antiquities. Then head to The Blue Mosque, another of the world's most important religious buildings, unique for its 6 minarets and its celestial interior decorated with the famous blue Iznik tiles. Lunch at a local restaurant.
The next stop is The Hippodrome, a scene of chariot races. The last stop is at The Grand Bazaar. Transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 10: Bosphorus Tour
In the morning, we will start with a visit to the Egyptian Bazaar, also known as the Spice Bazaar, built in the 17th century and located in the historic neighborhood of Eminönü. Next, we will board a public boat for a fascinating cruise along the Bosphorus, the waters that divide two continents. During the journey, we will enjoy spectacular panoramic views of palaces and fortresses adorning both shores, including the majestic Dolmabahçe Palace, the elegant Çırağan Palace, and the impressive Rumeli Fortress, among other historical landmarks.
We will then continue to the historic neighborhoods of Fener and Balat, perfect for wandering through their romantic cobblestone streets. Here, you’ll find charming themed cafés and have the chance to take photos of the famous colorful houses. This area is well-known as a filming location for many Turkish TV series, offering treasures full of history and glimpses into everyday Turkish life.
We will visit the magnificent Bulgarian Orthodox Church of St. Stephen, made entirely of cast iron. During the tour, we’ll also see the Church of the Orthodox Patriarchate in the Balat district.
We will end our day at the famous Pierre Loti Café, a legendary spot once favored by the French writer Pierre Loti, offering stunning views of the Golden Horn. Transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 11: Istanbul - Ankara (By bus 450 Km)
Early departure by bus to Ankara, the capital of the Turkish Republic. Pass through the Bolu Mountains, arrive in Ankara, and transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.
Overnight in Ankara.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 12: Ankara - Cappadocia
Breakfast. Visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, awarded Best Museum in Europe in 1997 for its rich collection of finds from Asia Minor, especially Hittite artifacts. Continue to the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the founder of the Republic. Proceed to Cappadocia, a region in Anatolia famous for its unique geological formations. In the afternoon, pass by the Salt Lake, arriving at the hotel. Dinner and overnight.
Overnight in Cappadocia.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 13: Cappadocia Tour
After breakfast, embark on a full-day excursion. Visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum to see rock-hewn churches with frescoed interiors. Continue to the troglodyte village of Uçhisar and the Pigeon Valley. Admire the Love Valley, also known for its mushroom-shaped "fairy chimneys." Visit the pottery town of Avanos. In the afternoon, tour the underground city of Serhatlı (or Özkonak), which has multiple levels and was used by early Christians as a refuge against enemies during the 6th and 7th centuries. End with a visit to a carpet workshop to observe Turkish carpet weaving and a workshop showcasing onyx and jewelry craftsmanship. Return to the hotel, dinner, and overnight.
Overnight in Cappadocia.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 14: Cappadocia - Pamukkale (By bus 610 Km)
Breakfast and departure to Aksaray. Follow the Silk Road and visit the Sultanhan Caravanserai, a resting place for camel caravans. Arrive in Pamukkale, transfer to the hotel, dinner, and overnight stay.
Overnight in Pamukkale.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 15: Pamukkale / Kusadasi (Or Izmir) (190 km)
Breakfast. Visit Pamukkale, meaning “Cotton Castle” in Turkish, famous for its white cascades. These natural travertine pools are formations caused by thermal springs. Continue with a tour of the ancient city of Hierapolis, a Phrygian city that became an episcopal center during the Byzantine period. Proceed to Kusadasi. En route, visit the House of the Virgin Mary (Mother of Jesus), where she spent her last years. During the journey, attend a fashion show featuring beautiful leather products. Visit Ephesus, the best-preserved ancient city in Asia Minor, which had a population of 250,000 during the 1st and 2nd centuries. See landmarks such as the Temple of Hadrian, the Roman Baths, the Library of Celsus, the Odeon, and the theater with a capacity of 24,500 spectators. Transfer to the hotel, dinner, and overnight.
Overnight in Kusadasi (Or Izmir)
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 16: Izmir - Pergamon - Troy - Çanakkale
Breakfast. Travel to Pergamon and visit the Asclepion, an ancient therapeutic center dedicated to Asclepius, the god of medicine. Here, the famous physician Galen once practiced. Continue to Troy, where you’ll visit the legendary city made famous by Homer’s The Iliad and the Trojan War. Transfer to the hotel in Çanakkale. Dinner and overnight.
Overnight in Canakkale.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 17: Çanakkale - Bursa - Istanbul (425 km)
Breakfast. Depart for Istanbul via Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. Bursa is renowned for its mosques, fountains, Turkish baths, and silk production. Visit the 14th-century Great Mosque, the Green Mosque, the Green Mausoleum, and the local silk bazaar. Continue the journey to Istanbul. Arrival and transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 18: Final Departure
Breakfast. Then Transfer to Istanbul airport to take your departure flight.
Meals: Breakfast