19 Day Incredible Egypt & Turkey Premium Small Group Tour

Salaam Alaikum! Welcome to Egypt. A buzzing metropolis, home to at least 19 million people, Cairo gives you a great feel for Egyptian streetlife. It's busy – almost frantic – and among the hustle and bustle, it's an exciting blend of old world and new. Arabs call this city Umm al-Dunya (the mother of the world). There are many beautiful mosques to visit, like the Mohammed Ali Mosque in the Citadel. Or head to the oldest part of Cairo, the Babylon Fortress, to see ancient ruins. For stunning panoramic views of the capital, go up the 187-metre-high Cairo Tower. Try some street food – lamb shawarma, anyone? – or get a taste of Egyptian street life by visiting a cafe. Sit in an ahwa and sip traditional mint tea. The shisha pipe can be found in many ahwas and restaurants across Cairo. Special Information Arrival airport transfers are included as part of your package. You will be met upon arrival at the airport and transferred to your hotel. If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed. If you are arriving early and have made your own arrangements prior to your tour commencing, airport transfers will not be included. However, if you are purchasing pre-nights accommodation as part of your Inspiring Vacations package, airport transfers will still be provided to the starting hotel.

After breakfast, meet your guide for an introductory briefing before heading out to see some of the world's most iconic sights – the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx. Explore these structures that have stood tall for some 4,500 years and learn about the ancient history of the monuments. The oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the only one to remain largely intact, the pyramids are a sight to behold. Afterwards, you will visit the Grand Egyptian Museum. Rising beside the Giza Pyramids, the breathtaking Grand Egyptian Museum is a monumental tribute to ancient Egypt. This ultra-modern masterpiece unveils over 100,000 treasures, including Tutankhamun's full collection, in dazzling galleries filled with light, glass, and history. It's the world's largest museum of a single civilisation. Following your visit you will return to your hotel where the remainder of the day is at leisure. Inspiring Highlights Pyramids of Giza Great Sphinx Grand Egyptian Museum

This morning is free for you to explore Cairo at your leisure or join an optional tour of Cairo. Why not venture to the fascinating laneways of Khan el-Khalili souk and the surrounding Islamic quarter with its historic city gates and the magnificent citadel. Take a stroll along the Nile, explore the fascinating Coptic neighbourhood or visit the Egyptian Civilization Museum, home of the famed royal mummies displayed in an all-new interactive exhibit. This afternoon, you will catch an afternoon flight from Cairo to Luxor. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel in Luxor. Special InformationYour flying time today will be approximately 1.5 hours. Your included flight allows one checked bag up to 23kg (51lbs), and one 7kg (15 lbs) carry-on. Your internal flight for this day is arranged by our local partner. Specific flight details will be provided by your Tour Leader upon arrival and cannot be provided in advance. Please note that these group flights cannot be upgraded, amended, or checked in online. Your Tour Leader will manage the check-in process for the group.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel then we'll explore the magnificent Karnak Temple, which is perhaps the most impressive of all the ancient pharaohs' monumental works. One of the world's most celebrated temple complexes, Karnak was built over some 200 years and was once known as the 'Chosen of Places'. Your guided tour of this vast temple of impressive pylons, obelisks and chapels will reveal its finest sections, such as the Avenue of Sphinxes and the Great Temple of Amun. Then it's time to embark on your luxury Nile cruise that will be home for the next 4 nights. You'll cruise between Luxor and Aswan on this elegant ship, with all the comforts you would expect from a deluxe floating hotel. Inspiring Highlights Karnak Temple Special Information Please note that since the sailing distance between Luxor and Aswan is approximately 200kms, that it is typical for all cruises operated along the Nile to be docked for majority of the time to conduct sightseeing, with the sailing to occur in the evening. The vessel will be docked either in Luxor or Aswan. Depending on the time of year and number of vessels operating at the same time, you will also find that all vessels are docked beside one another, which is beyond our control. To ensure that our customers have appropriate expectations prior to their journey, it is important not to compare this experience to that of a European River Cruise, which tends to cover a greater distance and on larger vessels. Instead, you will experience a Deluxe stay on-board your vessel, offering a great chance to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the banks of the Nile while you sit back and relax. Your cruise schedule will be provided once on-board.

After breakfast onboard we'll discover some of the many wonders of ancient Thebes. Our first stop is the Colossi of Memnon – two 17-metre-high statues on Luxor's west bank. Carved from granite blocks, they represent the Pharaoh Amenhotep III and were once part of an impressive colonnade. Continue on to the spectacular royal burial site of the Valley of the Kings. Buried under the arid hills here are the tombs of more than 60 pharaohs, many richly decorated with reliefs and paintings. Explore this sprawling and spectacular place with your guide, where the pharaohs of the New Kingdom (16th to 11th century BCE) were secretly interred for all eternity, and where archaeological discoveries are still being made. Your guide will explain the history of and legends surrounding these remarkable people, their funerary rites, and the significance of the many paintings and hieroglyphics, still well-preserved in the deepest tombs. After paying a visit to three of the most interesting royal tombs we'll continue to the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, a stunning colonnaded building of sharp lines that contrasts beautifully against the craggy high cliffs behind it, creating a spectacular natural amphitheatre. One of Egypt's greatest queens, this temple was built to prove her importance among the ancestors. Enjoy lunch upon your return to the boat. There is time to relax on deck, or in your cabin, before we set sail for Edfu. Generally the journey from Luxor to Edfu takes place between 1pm an 11 pm, though the departure time may vary, depending on river traffic. En route to Edfu we pass through the Esna Lock and head upstream. Inspiring Highlights Valley of the Kings Esna Lock Special Information Please note: Entry to the Tomb of King Tutankhamun is not included in today's scheduled activities. Tickets cost approximately USD $20 and can be purchased on-site with assistance from your trip leader. Be aware that there may be long queues, so plan accordingly to allow enough time for your visit.

Today we will moor near Edfu – home to ancient settlements and temples, as well as a bustling town centre and a bazaar. Later we'll return to the boat where we'll continue travelling upriver, with plenty of free time for relaxing on the sundeck and taking in the surrounding sights – from fishermen casting nets and farmers working their land to the desert hills that frame the lush riverbanks. This afternoon we'll arrive at Kom Ombo Temple. Set dramatically on the bank of the Nile, 47 kilometres north of Aswan and 168 kilometres south of Luxor, the soaring, chunky columns of the double temple are a magnificent sight to behold as you arrive from the river. Dedicated to the gods Sobek and Haroeris, the temple's finely carved reliefs give a sense of this area's prominence as capital over the surrounding region during the Ptolemaic era. Today, Kom Ombo may be a sleepy agricultural backwater surrounded by sugar cane fields, but its prime position along the Nile meant it was once one of Upper Egypt's most important centres. Wander through the temple's colonnades, gazing up at scenes of kingly propaganda, and you'll get a sense of this rich history for yourself. Return to the cruise boat where you'll continue travelling upriver towards Aswan. Inspiring Highlights Kom Ombo Temple Special Information Please note: the only mode of transport available to visit the Temple of Edfu is by locally managed horses and carriages. As a business that seeks to promote responsible travel, animal welfare is extremely important to us at Inspiring Vacations, and unfortunately, some operators of the horse and carriages have been found to be in breach of our animal welfare guidelines. It is for this reason we do not include the visit to the Edfu Temple. While we recommend that you do not use the horse and carriage to visit the Temple, the decision is ultimately up to you and your guide can help arrange transport and ensure the best horses are used.

Today you will awake before sunrise for an early morning start. Sit back and relax as you drive to the ancient Abu Simbel temples, near the southern Egyptian border. You will have an early arrival into Abu Simbel to view one of the most incredible sights you will see. The two enormous sandstone structures were built in the 1200s BCE by Ramses II to serve as lasting monuments to himself and his favourite wife Nefertari. The larger temple, dedicated to three major Egyptian deities, features four large statues of Ramses II on its façade, while the smaller temple is dedicated to the goddess of love, Hathor, with statues designed to embody Nefertari. Set on the banks of the artificial Lake Nasser, the structures were once in danger of being flooded with the construction of the Aswan High Dam but were saved via an extensive project to cut the temples into pieces and move them to higher ground, where they are seen today. On our return to Aswan there will be time to relax or take an optional tour to see the beautiful Philae Temple. Later this afternoon, we'll enjoy a sailboat ride around the Nile River islands in a traditional felucca (a small, traditional Egyptian sailboat). Inspiring Highlights Abu Simbel Nile River felucca sailing

This morning you will have free time in Aswan before making the short flight back to Cairo. Special Information Your flight time today is approximately 1 hour. Your included flight allows one checked bag up to 23kg (51lbs), and one 7kg (15 lbs) carry-on.Your internal flight for this day is arranged by our local partner. Specific flight details will be provided by your Tour Leader upon arrival and cannot be provided in advance. Please note that these group flights cannot be upgraded, amended, or checked in online. Your Tour Leader will manage the check-in process for the group.

Today, we say goodbye to Egypt, and get ready for the next leg of your journey as you are transferred to the airport for your flight to Istanbul, Turkey. On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel and the remainder of the day is yours, free to explore Istanbul. Tonight you will have a welcome meeting in your hotel reception at approximately 7pm. Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours.

After breakfast, depart Istanbul and travel along the scenic coastline of the Sea of Marmara toward the historic region of Troy.On arrival, visit the impressive Troy Museum, where modern exhibits and archaeological discoveries bring the ancient city to life. Afterwards, step back in time as you explore the legendary ruins of Troy itself, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for the tale of the Trojan Horse and the epic story of Helen of Sparta and Paris of Troy. Wander through the archaeological site and imagine the layers of history that have unfolded here over thousands of years.From Troy, we continue to Çanakkale, a charming coastal town where we settle in for the night. Enjoy an evening atleisure perhaps with a stroll along the harbour promenade. Inspiring Highlights Troy Trojan Horse Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.

After breakfast, we journey to the historic WWI battlefields of Gallipoli, a site of immense significance and remembrance. Here, we visit the Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair Memorials, ANZAC Cove, The Nek, and Johnston's Jolly, where original trenches and tunnels still bear witness to the fierce battles fought on these lands. Standing on these hallowed grounds, we take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices and resilience of those who fought here. Following our time in Gallipoli, we begin our return journey to Istanbul, where you can enjoy a well-deserved evening of rest or take in the city's vibrant atmosphere. Inspiring Highlights Lone Pine Chunuk Bair Memorials ANZAC Cove The Nek Johnston's Jolly Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.

After breakfast, enjoy a fully guided tour of the only city to span two continents, visiting the Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, St Sophia Museum and the Hippodrome. Later tonight you will be picked up from your hotel to join a dinner cruise experience up the Bosphorus. The waterway lies between Europe and Asia and passes under the suspension bridges, providing panoramic views of Ottoman summer palaces, waterside mansions and modern villas lining the coast. A truly memorable experience! Inspiring Highlights Old City Blue Mosque Grand Bazaar St Sophia Museum Hippodrome Bosphorus Dinner Cruise

This morning, we transfer to the airport for our included flight to Cappadocia, a region famed for its otherworldly landscapes and rich history. Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel, where you can settle in and unwind. The rest of the day is yours to explore at leisure—perhaps take a stroll through the charming streets, admire the unique rock formations, or simply relax and soak in the atmosphere of this enchanting destination. Cappadocia, known for its breathtaking landscapes, is truly a place like no other, and it's sure to leave you with memories that will have you wanting to return again. To complete this exceptional experience, you'll spend the night in a carefully selected Cave Hotel, where the charm and character of the region come alive, offering you an unforgettable stay in a one-of-a-kind setting. Special InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 4 hours. Your included flight allows one checked bag up to 25kg (55 lbs), and one 7kg (15 lbs) carry-on, with options to increase your luggage allowance at the airport if needed (additional fees are payable directly to the airline).

Today promises another unforgettable highlight! We begin by immersing ourselves in the lunar landscapes of Cappadocia, visiting the Göreme Open Air Museum, where ancient cave churches and frescoes bring history to life. We'll also marvel at the iconic fairy chimneys, unique rock formations that have become synonymous with this extraordinary region. Our adventure continues as we explore the fascinating underground cities, a labyrinth of tunnels and chambers carved deep into the earth. Inspiring Highlights Göreme - Open Air Museum Kaymakli - Underground City

After breakfast, we embark on a journey along the legendary Silk Road, stopping first at the impressive Sultanhani Caravansary, a beautifully preserved 13th-century resting place for travellers and traders. Continuing on to Konya, we visit the Mevlana Museum, dedicated to the life and teachings of the revered Sufi poet Rumi. Our travels then take us onward to Pamukkale, home of the stunning white calcium terraces. Inspiring Highlights Sultanhani Caravansary Mevlana Museum Special InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 8 hours.

This morning, we journey to the magnificent Travertines of Pamukkale, where the brilliant white calcium terraces create a surreal, almost otherworldly landscape. We also explore the ancient ruins of Hierapolis, once a thriving Roman spa town. Take a moment to dip into the warm, mineral-rich waters of the hot springs, surrounded by the remains of ancient columns—a place once revered for its therapeutic powers. In the afternoon, enjoy a special demonstration of locally crafted leather goods, showcasing the region's rich artisanal traditions. We then continue our journey to Kuşadası, a beautiful coastal town, where we'll settle in for the evening. Inspiring Highlights Travertines Hierapolis Special InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.

Departing after breakfast, we begin our day with a guided tour of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world. Walk along its marble streets, admire the grand theatre, and take in the mystical atmosphere of this once-thriving metropolis. A short distance away, we visit the site of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, where remnants of its storied past remain. Later, you will return to Kuşadası where you will have the rest of the day at leisure. Inspiring Highlights Ephesus Temple of Artemis Special InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.

After breakfast, you will be transferred from your hotel in Kusadasi to Izmir airport for your flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival in Istanbul, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, where you can check in and settle in comfortably. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to explore Istanbul at your own pace. You might choose to take a casual stroll through the historic Sultanahmet district, visit the Grand Bazaar for some shopping, or simply relax at your hotel and enjoy the amenities. In the evening, consider dining at a local restaurant to savour Istanbul's diverse culinary offerings. Special InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 4.5 hours.

After breakfast, our tour through Turkey comes to an end. At the appropriate time please make your own way to the airport for your flight home. Thank you for travelling with Inspiring Vacations. We hope you had a memorable experience. Special InformationAirport transfers are not included. Our transfer portal offers the option to book your airport transfers for an easier arrival experience (additional charges apply). Access to this portal will be available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed.