Turkey & Tutankhamun

Saturday. Hello Turkey! Arrive Istanbul and transfer to our hotel. Spend the afternoon at leisure consider heading out to explore the city.

Guided tour of the city that spans Europe and Asia. Tour the Hippodrome area, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and the Underground Cistern. (B)

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. (B)

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. (B)

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. (B)

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. (B)

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! (B)

This morning we visit the new Grand Egyptian Museum for an informative guided tour. A mind-boggling array of relics and antiquities are housed in this incredible 490,000 sq.m complex, including treasures of King Tutankhamun. After our tour of the Grand Egyptian Museum we head over to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization to see the remarkably well preserved mummies of ancient Egyptian kings and queens which are now on display in the Royal Mummies' Hall.

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.

Please Note: the Grand Egyptian Museum is scheduled to open in late 2024, though an official opening date has yet to be released. If travelling prior to the opening of the new facility we'll visit the Egyptian Museum instead. (B)

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. (B)

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. (Bx2/Lx2/Dx2)

Arrive in Luxor and opt to visit the wonderfully illuminated Luxor Temple by night (book/pay locally). (B)

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. (B)

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. (B)

Hotel check out and included onward departure transfer to airport. (B)