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The colors and charms of Cairo kick start this incredible 13-day journey to Egypt and Turkey. Retrace the steps of the Pharaohs at the mighty Pyramids of Giza during two nights in Egypt’s frenetic capital before taking a fascinating 4-night cruise from Luxor to Aswan to visit dusty temples and tombs, including magnificent Karnak and the haunting Valley of the Kings. After a full day back in Cairo to explore and relax as you wish, continue to Istanbul for a 3-night stay, soaking up sights such as the spectacular Hagia Sophia and exciting Grand Bazaar.
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Itinerary at a glance:
Nile cruise (4 nts) Cairo (2 nts) Istanbul (3 nts)
Board an international flight bound for Cairo, Egypt’s capital and Africa’s largest metropolis.
Arrive Cairo international flight, meet your tour representative in the airport arrivals hall. From here, enjoy a comfortable transfer to your deluxe hotel in the heart of this vast and fast-growing city. Straddling the River Nile, Africa’s largest metropolis is a blend of ancient monuments, vibrant bazaars, and urban modernity, all swathed in a whirl of color and noise that travelers find intoxicating. After checking in at the hotel, relax in readiness for your sightseeing tomorrow.
Enjoy a hotel breakfast and the entire day to discover the star attractions of this extraordinary city, whose origins date to 2,000 BC. Start with a visit to the Giza Plateau, on Cairo’s western edges, to view its UNESCO-listed Great Pyramids. Marvel at these vast pharaoh’s tombs, built around 4,500 years ago, and the neighboring Sphinx as your guide shares their secrets and stories. Next, stop by a Papyrus Factory for an educational visit. Then, continue to Cairo’s famous Egyptian Museum to see the treasures of Tutankhamun and other artifacts, including ancient animal mummies, household goods, and more. After viewing the incredible displays here, travel on to the 14th-century Khan el Khalili Bazaar, Cairo’s biggest souk, to explore its maze of stall-filled lanes. Later, dinner in a local restaurant and back to your hotel for overnight.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Luxor. Upon arrival, start our tour by visiting the ancient relics of the Karnak Complex and Nile’s East Bank, wandering at the huge pillars and sanctuaries. Later, board the 5-star cruise ship on the Nile—Egypt’s lifeblood for thousands of years. Then, enjoy lunch in the elegant dining room before joining your guide for an afternoon’s sightseeing. Stroll the halls and courts of Luxor Temple as your guide shed lights on the pharaohs who built them. Back to our ship for dinner and overnight.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, we gaze at the two huge statues of the Colossi of Memnon, and visit a selection of pharaoh’s tombs at the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Hatshepsut. Then, we returned back to our ship for sailing to Edfu via Esna Lock. Enjoy lunch on board and admire the Nile scenery as you cruise upstream to Edfu—where you dock overnight.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Start our tour of Edfu by taking a horse-drawn carriage to its highlight—the temple dedicated to the falcon headed god, Horus. Dwarfed in size only by Karnak, this well-preserved Complex unfolds in a series of courtyards and halls lined with statues, reliefs, and pillars. Having explored here, enjoy lunch on board and drink in the views from the deck as you sail to Kom Ombo. Upon arrival, visit the Kom Ombo Temple, built between 108 to 47 BC, and unusual for its double design of two parallel temples dedicated to the god Horus and Sobek, the crocodile god, in turn. After exploring here, rejoin your ship and cruise to the ancient city of Aswan.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning is free at leisure. Perhaps join the optional tour to Abu Simbel, home to the Great Temple of Ramses II on the banks of Lake Nasser. Admire the temple’s enormous Ramses II statues and explore inside as you hear how it was rescued from the rising Nile during the late 20th century. After lunch on board, drink in the beauty of the Nile as a wooden ‘felucca’ sailboat ferries you around the Agha Khan Mausoleum. Dinner and overnight on board at Aswan.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Disembark your ship this morning and take a tour of Aswan’s highlights: seeing the High Dam and the Temple of Philae—one of Nubia’s most important monument sites saved from a watery grave by UNESCO’s rescue project during the building of the Aswan High Dam. Later, board a flight for Cairo for a final two nights in the city.
Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today is yours to use as you please, either enjoying free time to sightsee and stroll or joining our optional excursion Cairo day tour to Memphis Sakkara and Zoser Pyramid. Where you visit the first Capital of ancient Egypt in 3100 B.C which is Memphis City then Continue your day tour to visit Sakkara where you visit Zoser Pyramid that also known as the Step Pyramid , the oldest Pyramid in Egypt. Then visit the Hanging Church, the most famous Coptic Christian church in Cairo, and the medieval Islamic Fortification - The Cairo Citadel. Built in the 12th century, the Citadel is situated on Muqattam Hills to protect against the invading Crusaders and offers a panoramic view of the city Cairo. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Dinner
Transfer to the airport to board your flight to Istanbul, the capital city of Turkey. Upon arrival, you are greeted by your local representative and transferred to the hotel for check in. Free at leisure for the rest of the day.
Included: Breakfast at hotel
After breakfast, enjoy a full day city tour of Istanbul with visits to the Blue Mosque, one of the most important temples of worship in the world, the extraordinary Hagia Sophia Cathedral, the dramatic and beautiful Underground Cistern, built in the 6th century as a secure water reservoir for the city, the Topkapi Palace,, lavish home of the Ottoman Sultans and the 17th century Spice Bazaar . Enjoy dinner at the local restaurant.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Dinner
Another full day city tour with visits to the famous Grand Covered Bazaar, the largest covered marketplace in the world with 4000 shops, and private Bosphorus cruise to get an overview of Istanbul. Enjoy a leisurely exploration of this historic channel between Europe and Asia. Disembark the boat on the Asian side to explore the lovely neighborhood of Kuzguncuk, once the center of Jewish, Armenian and Greeks . Then visit Kadikoy, the fish market, bookstores and souvenir shops. Return to the European side and visit a cafe where Baklava is made. Enjoy dinner at the local restaurant.
Included: Breakfast at hotel, Dinner
Transfer to the airport to catch the flight back to the US.
Included: Breakfast at hotel
4 nights deluxe hotel accommodation in Cairo
4 nights Nile Cruise accommodation
3 nights deluxe hotel accommodation in Istanbul
Breakfast daily in the hotel and on the cruise ship
5 lunches, 9 dinners on board of the cruise ship or at local restaurants
Comprehensive guided sightseeing tours with entrance fees for attractions
Excellent English-speaking local guide throughout Egypt
Comfortable modern air-conditioned coach touring with professional drivers
Private boat for the cruise on the Bosphorus
Group airport-hotel transfers on arrival (Cairo) and departure (Istanbul) for Air+Land passengers
Luggage handling of one piece per person at hotels and other locations where available
Personal audio headset systems for an enhanced touring experience (on select larger groups)
Private tour for 2-5 Passengers: Additional $700 per person
Private tour for 6-9 Passengers: Additional $300 per person
Private tour for 10+ Passengers: No Additional cost. Please Contact US for booking
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Enjoy your stay in this 41 sq. m./441 sq. ft. room featuring two double beds and an inspiring view of the River Nile from your private balcony. This classic guest room also provides complimentary WiFi and satellite channels on the LCD TV. Adjust the room temperature just the way you like it. The marble bathroom includes a bath tub, walk-in shower and fragrant bath products.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Amidst the Great Pyramids of Giza, historical landmarks and the Sphinx Airport, nestles the newly launched Steigenberger Pyramids Cairo hotel with its luxury hotel rooms. Explore the exceptional journey through history where Egyptian heritage meets luxurious European hospitality.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The elegant Doubletree by Hilton Istanbul Old Town enjoys a prime position in central old Istanbul, opposite a tram stop and within easy reach of the Topkapi Palace and Grand Bazaar. The glamorous public areas give way to four top-notch restaurants and bars, a marble Turkish bath, gym, sauna and treatment rooms. Enjoy a spacious standard room with super-comfy beds and hypo-allergenic pillows, satellite LCD TV and coffee and tea facilities, plus a minibar, work desk and luxurious en-suite bath or shower room.
