Tour Description

TURKEY
If you are looking for something special and extraordinary then look no further.
The best tour in Turkey, including Istanbul, Kusadasi, Ephesus, Pamukkale & Capppadocia.
This an exquisite tour for you with all the bells and whistles.
There are no long bus rides just domestic flights getting you to your destination comfortable and relaxed.

EGYPT
From the Pyramids to Aswan and onto the Nile, this experience will make all your dreams become a reality.
Cruise from Aswan to Luxor then transfer to the glorious blue waters of the Red Sea in Hurghada
Egypt is so rich in history and has such an abundance of diverse places to explore it would take months to see it all so keep it on your bucket list for a return visit.
This tour of Egypt covers all the major, iconic sites and will tempt you to return sooner rather than later.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT APPLIES
USD3849

*excludes International Airfare Istanbul to Cairo

Tour Highlights

Daily buffet breakfasts
Local lunches & Dinner
Guided Istanbul City Tour
Guided Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise Tour
Guided Ephesus and Sirince Village Tour
Guided Pamukkale Tour
Guided Cappadocia Tour with Underground City
Goreme Open Air Museum
Cairo
Giza Pyramids
Egyptian Museum
Nile River Cruise
Komombo & Edfu Temples
Valley of the Kings
Luxor & Karnak Temples
Abu Simbel (optional extra)
Red Sea & Hurghada

Day 1: Arrival Day Istanbul

Friday
Upon our arrival at Istanbul International Airport, your guide will meet, assist and transfer you to the hotel.
Istanbul was the capital city of Byzantium & Roman Empires and Ottoman State. It is a most fascinating city, which actually crosses two continents Europe and Asia. It is a city of amalgamation of museums, bazaars, minarets, mosques, churches, palaces, and restaurants catering to every one’s taste, customs and fifteen million people.
Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 2: Istanbul City Tour

(Breakfast and Lunch included)
Please Note: Please do not forget to carry headscarf with you for the visit of religious places as Blue Mosque & Haghia Sophia Mosque.
After breakfast, we have Istanbul City Tour.
Our first visit will be HIPPODROME. Ancient Hippodrome was the scene of chariot races, with the three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine.
Then we will visit SULTANAHMET IMPERIAL MOSQUE. Across from Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, it was built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet, is known as the BLUE MOSQUE because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles.
Our next visit will be HAGIA SOPHIA GRAND MOSQUE. The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, previously known as the Church of Divine Wisdom, is simply the best of its kind! Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque is the greatest surviving example of Byzantine Architecture. For 1000 years, it was once the largest church in the world, decorated with stunning 6th century golden mosaics, today it is a mosque.
Lunch break around 13:00 pm.
After the lunch, we will take you to the ALI PASAZADE which is a unique atmosphere with reasonable prices for your shopping. Here you will find; Exotic Spices and Herbs, Turkish Baklava, Turkish Delights, Turkish Coffee, nuts and fruits, small souvenirs such as Ceramic Handicrafts, Evil Eyes totems, all naturel olive oil, soaps and many other goods in Souvenir Shops and stores. After the tour, transfer back to your hotel.

Day 3: Gallipoli Tour

(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
At 06:00 or 06:30 am we depart for Gallipoli in order to visit the battle fields. Two hours later we will give you 20 minutes for relaxing in a restaurant area.
We will arrive Gallipoli around 12:00 pm. and we will have lunch break, relax a little bit and then depart for the battle fields.
Visit Gabatepe Museum.
Start visiting the fields with Ariburnu Cemetery and Anzac Cove because these are the places where the war had started. Then Beach Cemetery, Lone Pine and Chunuck Bair.
After the tour we will drive you to the hotel.
Overnight in Canakkale.

Day 4: Troy Tour - Pergamon – Kusadasi

Monday

(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)

We depart at 08:30 and driving 30 minutes for to Troy. Visit the famous archeological and mythological site of Troy, home of the Trojan Horse and Helen of Troy.
After Troy tour, 3hour drive to Pergamon.
Lunch break around 13:00 pm. and after the lunch departure for tour of the magnificent Bergama Museum. It is an impressive Museum and you may see many important relics from Ancient Pergamon.
Pergamon is a famous city for its jewellery, stones and silver so we will make a quick stop at a local jewellery store.
Arrival to Kusadasi around 18:00 pm.
Dinner and Overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 5: Kusadasi - Ephesus Tour - Turkish Village Sirince

Tuesday

(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)

After breakfast between 08:30 am, departure from hotel fully guided tour of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient sites in the world en - route, visiting the Temple of Artemis, Curetes street, famous Roman baths, Celsus Library and Grand theatre.
Lunch break around 13:00 pm.
After the lunch, we will visit a place, which continues to perform one of the oldest arts of Turkey; a carpet-weaving centre.
Later, we will do a Turkish Village Tour. Sirince’s construction style today belongs to Anatolian Greeks. The houses on the slope are all Orginal with their white paints. Sirince Village also has a fantastic reputation for making some of the best wines in Turkey - especially fruit wines. There will be some free time to explore around of the village.
On the way, we will visit one of the famous leather production centers of the region, where you will have the opportunity to get a good factory rate.
Dinner and Overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 6: Kusadasi - Pamukkale Tour

Wednesday

(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)

We depart for Pamukkale at 08:00 am.

Upon arrival to Pamukkale we have a lunch break until 13:30 pm.

Afterwards we shall visit the calcium terraces of Pamukkale (cotton castle) and the ruins of Hierapolis, then walk around this natural phenomenon and have the option of lying in the waters of the natural springs. Denizli/Pamukkale means seaside in Turkish and is located on the Buyuk Menderes River. It is a growing industrial town, known for its textile industry and outlet shopping. You will visit one of the famous textile factories of Pamukkale.
Dinner and Overnight in Pamukkale.

Day 7: Pamukkale to Antalya

Thursday

(Breakfast and Dinner included).

After breakfast, at 10:00 am. we depart for Antalya.

The trip is going to take roughly 3 to 4 hours.

Once you reach Antalya, check in to your hotel and rest of time is yours.

Dinner and Overnight in Antalya

Day 8: Antalya Old City Tour and Waterfalls

Friday

(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)

After breakfast drive to Antalya Old City ( Kaleiçi ) Marina, Clock Tower, Hadrian's Gate, Broken Minaret, Hıdırlık Tower: Kaleici is a small historic part of Antalyas modern city, also known as the Old City of Antalya. In history it was once the sprawling modern Roman town, then the Byzantine Empire, then Seljuks, and finally the Ottoman Turkish town.
The Hadrian's Gate (or Hadrianus Gate or The Three Gates is a triumphal arch which was built in the name of the Roman emperor Hadrian. Antalya's broken wonder is the Broken Minaret of the Korkut Mosque, which itself was built originally as a Roman temple in the 2nd century AD, and thus did not have a minaret at all. Hıdırlık Tower is a landmark tower of tawny stone in Antalya, Turkey, where Kaleiçi meets Karaalioglu Park. It is believed to be built in Hellenistic era on a square plan and later turned into circular tower in 2nd century AD and was used as either a fortification or a lighthouse in the past.
We have lunch at the hotel
Later, depart for Duden Waterfalls. All the streams of the region aim at finding their way into the Mediterranean and they pour down the slopes of the Taurus, sometimes overland sometimes underground and reaching their destination, result in lovely waterfalls, of which there are more than twenty.
After tour come back to hotel and rest of day is yours.
Dinner and Overnight in Antalya.

Day 9: Antalya-Istanbul-Cairo

Saturday

(Breakfast included)

Today we depart for Antalya airport for our domestic flight to Istanbul domestic flight to Istanbul and then connection flight to Cairo*
Your flight from Istanbul to Cairo is around 2 1/2 hours
*International flights are not included, however we can arrange this for you at the time of booking.

ARRIVAL IN CAIRO

Our Pink Lotus Tours representative will meet you prior to baggage collection to assist you with the purchase of your entry visa, customs and baggage collection.

Please have USD25 in cash with you to pay for your entry visa if you have not purchased it online.

You will then be transferred to your hotel, our representative will assist with check-in procedures and brief you about your tour.

The rest of the day is free to explore the hotel area and get some rest for your adventures ahead.

Overnight in Cairo: Standard Room

*Room upgrades are available, please enquire

Day 10: Pyramids Sphinx Museum

Today you get to experience what millions only dream of: standing in awe of the Pyramids of Giza, including the largest one of all the so-called Great Pyramid said to be the tomb of the Pharaoh Khufu dating back over 5000 years.
After exploring the pyramids, you will have the option to enter the Kings Chamber of the Great Pyramid and also take a camel ride deep into the desert for some amazing photo opportunities of a total of 9 pyramids in one shot. (own cost)
Big ticks off the bucket list today!!
We are not finished on the Giza Plateau just yet; we will visit the Guardian Angel of the area, the monolithic Sphinx.
The Sphinx is a mythical creature with the body of a lion and head of a human, carved from limestone it proudly sits facing the horizon and greets the sunrise as it has done daily for centuries.
The day still has more treasures in store with a visit to the Egyptian Museum, home to thousands upon thousands of artefacts covering all the eras of Egyptian history, including the most famous piece of all, the Golden Mask of the young King Tutankhamun. The museum is overflowing with priceless treasures and our guide will explain the masterpieces then allow you plenty of free time to explore at your leisure. Free photography inside the museum is now permitted with a mobile phone with the exception of the King Tut exhibit.
Overnight in Cairo hotel.
Meals: Breakfast

Day 11: Aswan and Philae Temple-Nile River Cruise

Monday
After breakfast, our representative will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Aswan.
*Cost of flight ticket is included in your booking.
Upon arrival, we will visit the Aswan High Dam and The Unfinished Obelisk
We will then board a motor boat for our visit to Philae Temple located on the small island on the Nile River called Agilkia.
Philae was one of the Temples saved by UNESCO during the construction of the High Dam in the 1960’s
Afternoon sailing in felucca and visit to Nubian Village
As an option, you might want to visit the Aswan markets to test your bargaining skills for some souvenirs or purchase your outfit for the Galabeya party tomorrow night.
Meals: Breakfast Lunch & Dinner
*While onboard the Nile River Cruise all your meals are included, drinks are extra

Day 12: Abu Simbel Day Tour (Optional)

OPTIONAL DAY TOUR to the Massive Temple of Abu Simbel
An early start today as we drive 3 ½ hours south to the magnificent Temples of Abu Simbel
We consider these to be the best of the best of all the Temples we visit and a must see for everyone who comes to Egypt.
These temples were cut deep into the rock and dedicated to the Pharaoh Ramses II and his beloved wife Nefertari
In the 1960’s these temples we moved with the help of UNESCO to their current location to save them from the rising waters of the river Nile, this was a monumental feat of engineering in itself and once you have visited this site you will see why.
We will then return to Aswan, to your 5 Star Nile River Cruise and a late lunch onboard
The rest of the day is yours to enjoy sailing as we head north towards Komombo Temple
Overnight on board.
Meals: Breakfast Lunch and Dinner

Day 13: Nile Cruise/KomOmbo Temple

Today we will begin cruising the Nile, firstly to the Temple of KomOmbo – the only dual temple in Egypt and dedicated to two gods, Haroeris, the sun god & Sobek the crocodile god.
This temple is just a short stroll from your boat and has a fascinating history including the hieroglyphic carvings showing medical instruments we still use in our present days.
We return to our cruise boat and enjoy lunch on-board.
This afternoon we sail towards the Temple of Edfu.
Dinner on board. Cruise party tonight!!!
Overnight on board.
Meals: Breakfast Lunch & Dinner

Day 14: Valley of the Kings/Hatshepsut

After an early breakfast, you will checkout of the cruise and visit the West Bank of Luxor.
The Valley of the Kings or the Kings Valley is famous as the resting place of the most well-known Pharaoh of them all, King Tutankhamun along with many others.
Today you will get to climb deep inside these highly decorated tombs that were cut deep in the mountain many thousands of years ago.
Our guide will choose the most beautiful and colourful tombs that are open on the day.
Later you will visit the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the most famous female Pharaoh to rule Egypt.
You will also visit the Colossi of Memnon.
After your visits transfer to the East Bank and check in to hotel on the edge of the Nile River.
Later in the afternoon, visit Luxor Temple as the sun sets and the temple is illuminated by golden lights.
Return to hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Hotek: Sonesta St George

Day 15: Luxor to Red Sea

(Luxor - East Bank - Travel to Hurghada - Red Sea)
After breakfast at hotel you will check-out before visiting Egypt’s largest temple complex, Karnak Temples.
Wander the columns of the much-photographed hypostyle hall and explore the numerous projects of the Pharaohs including the numerous chapels, sanctuaries and temples.
Gaze upon the well-preserved obelisk of the famed Queen Hatshepsut before visiting the Sacred Lake and the largest carved scarab found in all of Egypt.
After exploring Ancient Egypt we will transfer to the Red Sea and one of the most famous dive spots in the world, Hurghada.
Upon arrival we will check-in to our hotel and the afternoon is free to explore.
Please discuss any optional activities with our representative.
Overnight at your Hurghada hotel.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 16: Hurghada Beach Resort, Red Sea

Hurghada Red Sea
(Hurghada - Red Sea – Bedouin Dinner optional)
Free Day.
Optional activities include: diving, snorkeling, glass-bottomed boat out to see the stunning coral reefs?
This afternoon, we will pick you up to take you out to enjoy a Bedouin dinner. (optional extra)
This includes a 4WD Safari ride to the Bedouin camp, then a camel ride to watch the sunset and enjoy a BBQ dinner Bedouin style.
Overnight in Hurghada hotel.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 17: Hurghada to Cairo

After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Cairo.
*Internal Flight cost is included in your booking.
You will be transferred to your hotel or to any optional tours you have chosen.
OPTIONAL: Cairo City Tour which includes Coptic and Islamic Cairo or the Khan el Khalili Bazaar
Other day tours are available, please discuss with your representative.
Overnight at Cairo hotel.
Meals: Breakfast

Day 18: Departure Day Cairo

Departure Day Cairo
After breakfast or depending on your flight times, our representative will transfer you back to Cairo International Airport for your onward journey or return flight home.
We trust we have exceeded your expectations on this journey through Egypt and we hope you will share your experience with your friends and family and encourage them to visit Egypt very soon.
Breakfast Included

Package Includes

TURKEY
Arrival airport transfer from Istanbul airport
2 nights hotel in Istanbul
1 night hotel in Canakkale
2 nights hotel in Kusadasi
1 night in hotel in Pamukkale
2 nights hotel in Antalya
8 open buffet breakfasts
6 local dinners at hotels
6 local lunches during to tours
Guided Istanbul City Tour
Guided Gallipoli Tour
Guided Troy Tour
Guided Bergama Tour
Guided Ephesus and Sirince Village Tour
Guided Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour
Guided Antalya Old City Tour with Waterfalls
All entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary
Transportation in a fully air - conditioned, non - smoking coach
Professional English - speaking tour guides
Return airport transfer
Hotel room taxes and City Tax
EGYPT
Meet and assist upon arrival and departure Pick-up/drop-off
Transfer from/to Cairo International airport in air-conditioned vehicle
2 x Internal Flight Cairo to Aswan and Hurghada to Cairo
2 nights’ accommodation at a 5* star hotel in Cairo
3 nights’ accommodation on board cruise / Aswan – Luxor
1 night accommodation at 5* star hotel in Luxor
3 night accommodation at 5* Beach Resort in Hurghada
1 night accommodation at 5* star hotel in Cairo
Relevant transfers as – per the above mentioned itinerary
Tours in Cairo, Aswan, and Luxor in air-conditioned vehicle
Sightseeing in Cairo, Aswan, Luxor & Pyramids, Sphinx & Museum including round trip transfer from / to hotel, Tour Guide,
Entrance Fees for all sites mentioned in itinerary
Daily breakfast starting the second day
Full board on board of the Nile Cruise
Bottled water (1 small per day in Cairo)
24/7 emergency number
Qualified drivers in Cairo, Aswan, Luxor & Hurghada
English speaking agent during transfers
English speaking tour guide during sightseeing

Package Excludes

TURKEY
International flights & Travel Insurance
Turkey Entry Visa
Optional Tour
Tipping of any kind Hotels, Guide Drivers etc
Any other expenses which are not mentioned at the included section
International Airfares & Travel Insurance
Entrance Visa
Single Supplement
Early check-in / Late check-out
Turkey Hotel room taxes
Personal expenses such as drinks, laundry, etc.
Other meals /additional tours / laundry/ phone calls /any unmentioned items
Peak period supplement Christmas & New Year Gala Dinners (to be advised at the time of booking)
Entry Tickets Great Pyramid, Tomb of Tutankhamun
Abu Simbel Day Tour
Optional Bedouin dinner in Red Sea
Optional activities and water sports in Red Sea
USD80 Tipping Kitty for Drivers, Hotel & Cruise staff (excluding your Tour Guide)
Tipping for extra services not mentioned in itinerary
Tipping for your Tour Guide (Industry Standard is USD10 per day but this is a personal gesture and final amount is up to you)