Overview
Explore Cairo and cruise along the Nile from Aswan to Luxor. Then discover Amman, Jerash, Madaba, Petra, Wadi Rum & the Dead Sea in Jordan. Head to Turkey where you marvel at its rich heritage while exploring the highlights of Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus & Pamukkale.
• This is a flexible travel package for individuals and you get to choose your own travel dates. It is NOT an escorted coach tour with a group of the same persons travelling together from start to end.
• Order of the route (in which the countries are done) can be adjusted to your preference.
• There is the option to customize the itinerary to suit your particular interests and where you would most like to visit in each country.
Tour itinerary
DAY 01 - Arrival Cairo
Welcome to Egypt! Meet at Cairo Airport for transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Cairo
DAY 02 - Giza Pyramids, Memphis & Sakkara
Meet in the hotel lobby with your private Cairo guide and begin a full-day tour taking you to visiting Memphis, Sakkara, Giza Pyramids & Sphinx. First head to Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt dating from 3100BC which contains a beautiful representation of King Ramsis II through his colossal statue; Sakkara where you visit the world-famous Step Pyramid of King Zoser, the oldest known of Egypt's 107 Pyramids; at the Giza Pyramids area, visit the Three Pyramids built for Pharaohs Cheops, Chephren & Mycerinus on the Giza Plateau and the mysterious Sphinx. After the tour, transfer to the rail station for departure on the overnight sleeper train to Aswan. *Flight from Cairo to Aswan is also available, should you not wish to travel by overnight sleeper train. Please be sure to note your preference when making your request. Sleeper trains offer 02-person private cabins.
DAY 03 - Board 03-night Nile Cruise
Breakfast on train, arrive Aswan and transfer to board the 03-night Nile Cruise. Embarkation before lunch. Depart with your cruise guide to visit the High Dam & Philae Temple, dedicated to goddess Isis and reassembled at a new site on Agilika Island about 500km from its former site on Philae Island. Overnight on Nile Cruise.
DAY 04 - Nile Cruise (Kom Ombo & Edfu)
Visit the Temple of Sobek & Haroeris in Kom Ombo which stands at a bend in the Nile where in ancient times sacred crocodiles basked in the sun on the river bank. Then cruise to Edfu where visit of the Temple of Horus. Overnight on Nile Cruise
DAY 05 - Nile Cruise (Luxor)
On arrival to Luxor, move to the West Bank of the Nile to visit the Valley of Kings (03 tombs), a vast City of the dead where magnificent tombs were carved into the desert rocks and filled with treasures for the afterlife by generations of Pharaohs. Then proceed to the foot of the cliff to see the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. On the way back to the River Nile, your road passes by the famed Colossi of Memnon. Overnight on Nile cruise.
DAY 06 - Luxor to Cairo
Disembark after breakfast and visit the magnificent Luxor Temple & Karnak Temple. You then have free time at leisure before transfer to Luxor Airport for evening domestic flight back to Cairo. Overnight Cairo.
DAY 07 - Old Cairo & Egyptian Museum
Today your private Cairo guide takes you to visit the Egyptian Museum (original downtown museum, GEM on request), the Citadel of Saladin (Alabaster Mosque & Tomb of Ottoman ruler Mohamed Ali) along with the Old Cairo area where find a mixture between the Islamic and Christian Monuments, such as Abu Serga Church, Al Mo'allaqa Church or Hanging Church dating back to the beginning of the 5th Century AD. The day also includes a visit to the famous Khan El Khalily Bazaar. Overnight in Cairo
DAY 08 - Flight to Amman
Transfer to Cairo Airport for morning or afternoon flight to Amman. Meet in the arrivals hall for transfer to the hotel, check-in with the remainder of the day/evening then free at leisure. Overnight in Amman.
DAY 09 - Jerash, Ajloun & Amman
Depart on the drive from Amman to Jerash and on arrival visit (with 01-hour local on-site guide) the spectacular forum, Roman colonnaded street, Nymphaeum and Temple of Artemis. Next stop Ajloun, the great 12th-century Islamic castle built around 1184/85 by the famous Islamic leader Salah al-Din. Return to Amman and opportunity to visit the Citadel with the remains of the Umayyad Palace and Hercules Temple as well as the Archaeological Museum. Downtown, see the Roman Theatre from the 2nd century and traditional souks, stroll in Jabal Amman. Evening free at leisure. Overnight Amman
DAY 10 - Mt Nebo, Madaba & Kerak
After breakfast & check-out depart to Mt. Nebo, the place where Moses gazed at the promised land before he died. Visit the old monastery, overlook the Jordan Valley, Dead Sea and parts of the Holy Land. Proceed to Madaba, to view the famous mosaic 6th-century map of Palestine in St. George's church. Continue to Kerak, along the famous ancient biblical caravan route the King's Way. Have a short stop in Wadi Al-Mujib, a great wide valley with magnificent geological formations. In Kerak visit the Crusader castle built in 1132/34 by King Baldwin I. End of the day with arrival to the hotel in Petra, evening free at leisure. Overnight in Petra
DAY 11 - Petra & Wadi Rum
Today visit the red rose city of Petra, which was first established around the 6th century B.C. by the Nabataean Arabs, a nomadic tribe who settled in the area & founded a commercial empire. Start on horseback or on foot from the entrance gate to the beginning of the canyon, the so-called Siq. From here continue on foot to the most beautiful monument: the Treasury. Also explore the Street of Facades, the Royal Tombs and Pharaoh's Castle. Your local guide is with you for the first 2.5-hours after which you then have some free time to further explore around on your own. In the afternoon, depart on the 1.5hr drive southwards to the protected area of Wadi Rum, an impressive desert landscape where you take an approx 2.5hour jeep ride in the desert. End of day with arrival to bedouin styled camp and enjoy dinner under a hopefully starry sky. Overnight Wadi Rum in a private tent
DAY 12 - Dead Sea
After breakfast at the camp, transfer (approx 4hr drive) to the lowest point on earth, the Dead Sea. At 400 meters below sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth. Ever since the days of Herod the Great, people have flocked here in search of its curative secrets. Check-in to the hotel with evening free at leisure. Overnight Dead Sea
DAY 13 - Flight to Izmir
Transfer to Amman Airport for flight to Izmir (via Istanbul). Meet in the arrivals hall for transfer to the hotel in Kusadasi, check-in with the remainder of the day/evening then free at leisure. Overnight in Kusadasi
DAY 14 - Pamukkale
Pickup from the hotel to join the day tour taking you out to Pamukkale to visit the natural formation of the travertines (Cotton Castle) and the ruins of Hierapolis with its Necropolis, Devil’s Hole and Theater. End of tour with return to the hotel in Kusadasi, evening free at leisure. Please note that the drive to/from Pamukkale is approx 3-hours each way. Overnight in Kusadasi
DAY 15 - Ephesus & Flight to Cappadocia
Join a full-day tour visiting Ephesus, said to be the best-preserved Greco-Roman City in the world. Here you see the Agora, Odeon, Curetes Street, Celsius Library, Roman Baths, Grand Theatre, Marble Street and more. Then visit the House of Virgin Mary where she is said to have spent the last of her days. The day tour also includes a visit to the nearby Sirince Village as well as to the few remains of Artemis Temple. After the tour, transfer to Izmir Airport for domestic flight to Cappadocia, arrive and transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia
DAY 16 - North Cappadocia
*Optional extra: very early morning 01-hour hot air balloon ride offering amazing views
Today's tour takes you to visit Devrent Valley and Monk's Valley (Pasabagi) where you find the world-famous fairy chimneys; lunch in Avanos village; visit the must-see Goreme Open-Air Museum with its carved churches and monasteries with their frescoes; views of Uchisar Natural rock castle. Overnight Cappadocia
DAY 17 - South Cappadocia & Flight to Istanbul
Start the day with a 4km (medium grade, approx 2hours) hike in Red Valley and visit Cavusin (an old Greek village). Break for lunch then explore Kaymakli Underground City. The day also includes panoramic views at Pigeon Valley with its famous dovecotes. Transfer to airport for domestic flight to Istanbul, arrive and transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Istanbul
DAY 18 - Historical Sultanahmet Tour:
The tour guide takes you on a walking tour of the historical Sultanahmet area visiting the Blue Mosque, St Sophia (Haghia Sophia), Hippodrome and Obelisk, Grand Bazaar and Topkapi Palace. The evening is then free at leisure to relax or emmerse yourself in the local nightlife. Overnight in Istanbul
DAY 19 - Bosphorus Cruise & Beylerbeyi Palace
Today's tour starts with a short cruise on the Bosphorus during which you have views from the vessel of various sights that line its shores. After the cruise, the day tour continues on land visiting the Spice Bazaar, City Walls, Beylerbeyi Palace & Camlica Hill. Overnight in Istanbul
DAY 20 - Departure from Istanbul
As per your international flight departure time, transfer from the hotel to Istanbul Airport
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