3 Continents - Europe/Asia & Africa

Istanbul to Cairo (Turkey Jordan & Egypt)

Duration: 15 Days / 14 Nights
Highlights: Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus, Kusadasi, Pamukkale, Amman, Kerak, Petra, Dead Sea, Cairo, Giza
Departure Dates: Everyday
Note: All tour packages are modular & you can use these itineraries as a starting point & we can help modify the itineraries to accommodate your personal requirements & desires to find your perfect holiday.



Day 01 : Istanbul Arrival
Arrival to Istanbul Airport & meet for transfer on to the hotel. Rest of the day is then at leisure.
Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 02 : Istanbul
After breakfast, begin with a visit to Topkapi Palace, the main residence of the Ottoman Sultans, with its jewel encrusted treasury & elegant four courts. Nearby, we take a stroll through the ancient Hippodrome, once the sporting ground of chariots & political riots. After a lunch break, visit the main sights around Sultanahmet Square, including the famous Hagia Sophia Museum, once the largest church in the world for 1000 years. Then visit the Blue Mosque, designed with 6 delicate minarets & a striking blue Iznik tiled interior. Finally, visit the Grand Bazaar, where you can shop or haggle with local merchants over unusual antiques, colourful spices, textured fabrics. Overnight in Istanbul.
   
Day 03 : Istanbul
Pick up from your hotel lobby, with a small group we head to explore the bustling Egyptian Spice Market of 17th century origin. Next we take a ferry up Istanbul's winding Bosphorus strait for a chance to relax & admire the shoreline of beautiful mosques, lavish palaces & decadent villas. You will see, Ottoman summer mansions & the beautiful Ortakoy mosque, the defensive Rumeli Fortress, all alongside passing fishing boats, yachts, huge cargo ships & tankers. After a lunch break back on shore, we will visit the interior of the sumptuously decorated Dolmabahce Palace, the 19th century lavish Ottoman residence on the Bosphorus. Some free time at the picturesque fishermen's village of Ortakoy before returning back to hotel.

Day 04 : Istanbul / Cappadocia
Early morning flight from Istanbul Ataturk airport to Kayseri. Arrival & transfer to Goreme. After check in & relaxation, we will begin to explore with Devrent Valley, one of the most impressive monastery complexes in the area. Next, visit Pasabag also known as Monk's Valley, followed by a short drive to Avanos, a village situated on the banks of Kizilirmak River, famous for its clay pottery. After a lunch break there, where you can also participate hands-on in a pottery work shop, we then proceed to Goreme Open Air Museum, featuring the most impressive of all rock-carved churches in Cappadocia. The last stop-off will be at Uchisar Village, located next to a natural Citadel. Overnight in Goreme.

Day 05 / Cappadocia
After breakfast we start our day with a gentle hike in Red Valley, through orchards & vineyards, fairy chimneys & rock-carved houses. After a short drive we then visit Derinkuyu Underground City, we'll walk through the different levels of Derinkuyu, where an entire community of Christians lived in a system of subterranean caves & tunnels for centuries without being noticed. Afterwards a short hike through the green Ihlara Valley along the stream & visiting some of the churches dug into the walls of the gorge. Stop in Belisirma village for lunch & then on to Selime for a panoramic view. Our last stop will be at the Agzikarahan Caravanserai built by the Seljuk Turks to accommodate travellers on the ancient Silk Road.

Day 06 : Cappadocia / Ephesus / Kusadasi
Transfer to Kayseri Airport for Kayseri to Izmir flight. Transfer to hotel in Selcuk or Kusadasi. Today we visit the Ancient City of Ephesus which is among the best places in the world enabling one to genuinely 'soak in' the atmosphere of Roman times. Soon you'll find yourself on the Marble Sacred Street connecting the Great Theatre with the Library of Celsus, Agora, the Gate of Augustus, private hill houses are just a few of the places we will see. After lunch, we depart to visit the House of Virgin Mary where she is said to be brought here by St. John & have spent the last of her days. We will see the shrine & small chappel which is a pilgrimage sight for many Christians. The tour also includes a visit to the remains of Artemis Temple. Overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 07 : Pamukkale / Istanbul
After breakfast, hotel check out & we will drive to Pamukkale. Pamukkale or "Cotton Castle", is famous for its white lime cascades rise over 300 feet above the ground, with hot, mineral-enriched waters flowing down through the pools & rock formations. Nearby is the ancient Roman health spa of Hierapolis, famous for its hot baths, theater, agora, & remarkable necropolis. Opportunity to swim in the natural hot springs therapeutic pools. Here you will see a perfect Roman theatre, colonnaded streets, Hadrian's Gate & the Necropolis. After Pamukkale, you will be transferred to Izmir Airport for Istanbul flight. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 08 : Istanbul / Amman
Transfer to Ataturk airport, afternoon flight to Amman. On arrival transfer to your hotel with evening at leisure. Overnight in Amman.

Day 09 : Madaba / Kerak / Petra
First stop today is Mt. Nebo, the place where Prophet Moses gazed at the promised land before he died. Visit the old monastery & overlook the Jordan Valley, Dead Sea, Jericho & maybe Jerusalem. Then head to Madaba, famous for the mosaic 6th century map of Palestine in St. George's Church. Afterwards drive to Kerak along the ancient biblical caravan route known as the King's Way. Make a short stop in Wadi Al-Mujib, a great wide valley with magnificent geological formation. Kerak is well known for the famous crusader castle that was built in 1132/34 by King Baldwin the First of Jerusalem. Then head to Petra for check-in & overnight stay.

Day 10 : Petra
Morning start a full day tour to the red rose rock city of Petra, the most famous attraction of Jordan & one of the New Seven Wonders of the World! Petra was first established around the 6th century B.C. by the Nabataean Arabs, a nomadic tribe who settled in the area & laid the foundations of a commercial empire that extended into Syria. On horse back ride to the narrow canyon, the so-called Siq, then walk to the most beautiful monument: the Treasury. Further walk along the Street of Facades, see the Royal Tombs, Pharaoh's Castle & after a break the impressing Monastery ElDeir. Overnight in Petra.

Day 11 : Dead Sea / Amman
Leave Petra for the Dead Sea. The lowest point on earth (417m below sea level) & the largest 'Natural Spa' in the world. Here you have an opportunity to float on the salty lake & experience the feeling of not sinking in the water or try the beauty benefits of the dark mud on its shores. Then drive back to Amman to enjoy a city tour of Jordan's capital. Visit the Citadel with its Byzantine & Islamic remains, the Amphitheatre, the downtown area & stroll in the Souq. Overnight in Amman.

Day 12 : Amman / Cairo
Breakfast, check out & transfer to take the noon flight from Amman to Cairo. On arrival meet for transfer to hotel with evening at leisure. Overnight in Cairo.

Day 13 : Cairo
Meeting your tour guide at hotel lobby & start sightseeing with a visit to Memphis, ancient capital of Egypt dating from 3100 BC which contains the beautiful representation of King Ramsis II through his colossal statue. Then proceed to Sakkara to see the world famous Step Pyramid of King Zoser, the oldest known of Egypt's 107 Pyramids. At the Pyramids area, visit the Three Pyramids built for Pharaohs Cheops, Chephren & Mycerinus on the Giza Plateau & the mysterious Sphinx. Return to Cairo with the evening at leisure. Optional : Nile Dinner Cruise. Overnight in Cairo.

Day 14 : Cairo
After breakfast you will be picked up from your hotel to visit the Egyptian Museum, which features artifacts from the Pharaonic period. Over 250,000 overwhelming artifacts are presented, including an exhibit dedicated to Tutankhamen collection of treasure, gold & jewelry which was enclosed in his tomb for over 3,500 years before it was discovered in the 1920s when his tomb was excavated. Then proceed to visit Mohamed Ali Alabaster Mosque & Citadel of Salah El Din. Head to Old Cairo to visit the Hanging Church, Abu Sirga Church & Synagogue. Overnight in Cairo.

Day 15 : Cairo Departure
Breakfast, check out & as per your international flight time transfer on to Cairo Airport for homebound flight.