Excellent
Turkey & Tutankhamun
From Ottoman Istanbul, the battlefields of Gallipoli, Roman ruins, the Aegean Coast and the stunning mineral pools of Pamukkale, to the Pyramids, the Valley of the Kings and felucca sailing in Egypt. Take in the best of Egypt and Turkey in 16 days.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more download our Trip Notes
Accommodation Standard
Tour with felucca
Tour Overview
Duration
16 daysStarts
IstanbulEnds
CairoRange
SignatureTour Guide
Yes - escorted by a tour guideGroup Size
Min 2 / Max 24Minimum age
18 yrsDeparts
SaturdaysHotel Rating
4 and 5 starCountries
Egypt, TurkeyArrival Transfer
Yes - from IST or SabihaDeparture Transfer
YesMeals included
Breakfast: 15, Lunch: 2, Dinner: 2Excellent
4.4 out of 5 based on
275 reviews
Accommodation Standard
Tour with felucca
Tour Highlights
Included
Not Included
Accommodation Standard
Tour with felucca
Itinerary
Day 1 - Istanbul
Day 1 - Istanbul
Saturday. Hello Turkey! Arrive Istanbul and transfer to our hotel. Spend the afternoon at leisure consider heading out to explore the city.
Day 2 - The Old City
Day 2 - The Old City
Guided tour of the city that spans Europe and Asia. Tour the Hippodrome area, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and the Underground Cistern.
Day 3 - Gallipoli
Day 3 - Gallipoli
Istanbul – Gallipoli. Our first destination is Gallipoli where we’ll enjoy a guided tour of the historical battlefields, carefully tended cemeteries, Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair memorials, and of course – ANZAC Cove.
Day 4 - Troy and Coastal Kusadasi
Day 4 - Troy and Coastal Kusadasi
Gallipoli – Kusadasi. Heading south, we enjoy a guided tour of Homer’s Troy, famed for the Trojan wooden horse and fabled Helen. Continuing to the Roman acropolis of Pergamum - the cultural and political capital of its time, we tour the impressive temple ruins, library and medical facilities. Afterwards we visit a local leather emporium for a spot of shopping, en route to coastal Kusadasi. Enjoy the hotel facilities.
Day 5 - Legendary Ephesus
Day 5 - Legendary Ephesus
Today, we explore legendary Ephesus and see the ruins of the great Temple of Artemis - one of the Seven Ancient Wonders. Under the Romans, Ephesus, was a vast city with a population upwards of 250,000 and was a extremely important city in the Roman empire. Make sure you stroll the streets of this ruined city, taking stops at some of the highlights such as the Libraby of Celcus, the gymnasium of Vedius and the great theatre. Afterward, we stop by a local carpet weaving house to witness a demonstration of how these beautiful rugs are made and how centuries old traditions have been passed down to modern day carpet weavers.
Day 6 - Pamukkale Travertines
Day 6 - Pamukkale Travertines
Kusadasi - Pamukkale. Tour the ancient town of Hierapolis and the magnificent white calcium terraces of Pamukkale. You can walk barefoot along the terraces allowing the mineral rich waters to wash over your feet or opt for a dip in the hot springs renowned for their therapeutic powers since roman times. Continue to our hotel for an evening at leisure.
Day 7 - Goodbye Turkey, Hello Egypt
Day 7 - Goodbye Turkey, Hello Egypt
Friday. Pamukkale - Istanbul - Cairo. After breakfast and hotel check out we make our way to Denizli airport for our onward flight to Istanbul where our representative will be waiting to meet you.
You need to independently book your flight from Istanbul to Cairo, as it is not included in the cost of this tour.
If travelling prior to 27 October 2024 please ensure you book a flight departing Istanbul after 1pm.
If travelling between 28 October 2024 - 1 April 2025 please ensure you book a flight departing Istanbul after 5pm.
If travelling after 1 April 2025 please ensure you book a flight departing Istanbul after 1pm.
Turkish Airlines and Egyptair offer flights between Istanbul and Cairo, check the THY or Egyptair websites for more details.
Upon arrival at Cairo Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel. At 7pm meet your Egyptian guide at the Welcome Meeting.
Day 8 - Pyramids of Giza & Saqqara
Day 8 - Pyramids of Giza & Saqqara
This morning we visit Egypt's most iconic site - the awe-inspiring pyramids and huge Sphinx at the Giza Plateau. You can also opt to enter Chephren or Mycerinus pyramids, depending upon which is open on the day. After, we visit a government supervised papyrus emporium before traveling onto the necropolis of Saqqara - a myriad of ancient tombs and temples. the highlight is Zhoser’s step pyramid - constructed by Imhotep, the pharaoh’s chief architect in 2700 BC!
Day 9 - The Grand Egyptian Museum
Day 9 - The Grand Egyptian Museum
Cairo - Aswan. Today we embark on a guided tour of the Grand Egyptian Museum, an extraordinary 490,000 sq.m complex that houses over 100,000 artefacts and will eventually showcase a giant exhibition featuring the treasures of King Tutankhamun. Many of the items on display are being exhibited for the first time, with artefacts gathered from across Egypt and the world.
Next, we visit the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, home to an extensive collection of statues, jewellery, and sarcophagi. Among its treasures are several remarkably well-preserved mummies, including those of Yuya and Thuyu, high-ranking nobles and the great-grandparents of King Tutankhamun. These mummies showcase incredible preservation, with thick locks of hair, visible fingernails, and smooth, blackened skin offering a fascinating glimpse into Egypt's ancient past.
Returning to our hotel there's time to relax by the pool and have some dinner before we board the overnight train to Aswan this evening.
Day 10 - Temple of Philae
Day 10 - Temple of Philae
Arrive Aswan and check into our hotel. Today, we visit the High Dam and travel by boat to the Temple of Philae and a perfume oil emporium. Then there is free time to shop in the colourful souqs or sit back and watch an amazing sunset.
Days 11-12 - Felucca sailing
Days 11-12 - Felucca sailing
Aswan - Nile felucca cruise. Optional early morning drive to Abu Simbel, the famous the rock-cut temple of King Ramses II. This afternoon, we board our Nile felucca for a 2 night cruise downstream. Relax, top up your tan and chat with new friends as the felucca gently plies its route. A stop will also be made at the Temple of Kom Ombo on day 12. If sailing by felucca is not your style, consider upgrading to a 5 star luxury Nile Cruise with our Nile Cruise Upgrade.
Day 13 - Luxor
Day 13 - Luxor
Kom Ombo - Luxor. Arrive in Luxor and opt to visit the wonderfully illuminated Luxor Temple by night (book/pay locally).
Day 14 - Valley of the Kings
Day 14 - Valley of the Kings
Luxor - Cairo. Today we tour West Bank, visiting the Colossi of Memnon, Valleys of the Kings and the colonnaded Temple of Hatshepsut. After time for lunch, we explore the giant Temple of Karnak - a spectacular complex of sanctuaries, pylons, chapels, halls and obelisks, all dedicated to the Theban gods and to the greater glory of Egypt’s Middle and New Kingdom rulers. Tonight we return to Cairo by sleeper train.
Day 15 - Cairo - free time or Khan el Khalili Bazaar
Day 15 - Cairo - free time or Khan el Khalili Bazaar
Cairo. After arriving to Cairo this morning the day offers free time for you to relax, shop and explore. You may wish to join us on an optional visit Khan el-Khalili bazaar to pick up some last minute souvenirs.
Day 16 - Cairo
Day 16 - Cairo
Sunday - Cairo. Hotel check out and included onward departure transfer to airport.
Accommodation Standard
Tour with felucca
Tour Reviews
Accommodation Standard
Tour with felucca
Extras and add-ons
If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.
Pre and Post Tour Accommodation
Extend your tour with us by booking pre and post-accommodation, available at a per-person, per-night rate.
Pre-Tour Accommodation - Istanbul (From price)
Double
Twin
Single
Additional Excursions
Enhance your tour with these optional extras, helping you to get the most from your adventure.
Located in the Sea of Marmara off the coast of Istanbul, the Princes’ Islands are a chain of nine islands offering a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of Turkey’s largest city. Buyukada is the largest island of the nine and one of the most attractive with two peaks and gingerbread-style villas lining the slopes.
R 3,255
per passengerTour Extensions
Extend your trip with our multi-day tour extensions, including accommodation, sightseeing and free time.
This 4-day Alexandria & El Alamein add-on can be booked in conjunction with any of our Egypt group tours, city breaks or private tours.
Double
Twin
Single
Accommodation Standard
Tour with felucca
Hotels
If you are interested in booking pre or post-tour accommodation, here are some of the hotels we typically use.
Accommodation Standard
Tour with felucca
Prices & Dates
All departure dates are guaranteed to operate when there are 2 persons booked on the tour. 'Twin/Double' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to solo travellers and anyone wanting the privacy of their own room.
PLEASE NOTE: the connecting flight between Istanbul and Cairo is not included in the cost of this tour and needs to be arranged independently. If preferred, you can assist in arranging it for you.
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4.4 out of 5 based on 275 reviews