Tour Overview
17-Day Best of Turkey & Egypt Tour: Istanbul to Nile Cruise is planned as a 17 Days / 16 Nights journey linking Countries Covered. The route is designed to combine cultural sightseeing, practical transport connections and time in the principal destinations without compressing the main visits into a single day.
Across the itinerary, the main sightseeing is built around Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Hippodrome, Grand Bazaar, Side, Spice Bazaar, Bosphorus, Kusadasi, Izmir, Ephesus, House of the Virgin Mary. Each stop is positioned within the day-by-day route so that the historical, cultural and landscape highlights remain easy to follow from one destination to the next.
Travel logistics are integrated into the program rather than treated as separate arrangements. Depending on the confirmed route, the package includes 4-star hotel accommodation, licensed guided sightseeing, private transfers, domestic flights, ferry connections, a Nile cruise component. The result is a complete multi-day itinerary with the major visits, overnight stops and travel sectors clearly organized.
Tour Highlights
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Welcome to Istanbul
The day begins with arrival arrangements and the planned transfer. with the first key timing around 1:00.
The sightseeing portion is arranged to give the day a clear progression between its principal visits, with enough time for the scheduled stops before continuing to the next part of the route.
Ground transfers are arranged between the main stops shown in the day plan. At the end of the program, the route continues to the hotel according to the itinerary.
Private Istanbul Old City Tour
The day follows the planned itinerary for Private Istanbul Old City Tour. The main route is built around Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Hippodrome.
Hagia Sophia introduces layers of Byzantine and Ottoman history in Istanbul’s historic peninsula. The Blue Mosque visit highlights Ottoman architecture and the religious character of the old city. Topkapi Palace gives a closer look at the ceremonial and residential world of the Ottoman court.
Guided sightseeing is provided for the principal cultural and historical visits. At the end of the program, the route continues to the hotel according to the itinerary.
Bosphorus Cruise Tour & Flight to Izmir
The day begins with arrival arrangements and the planned transfer. The main route is built around Spice Bazaar, Bosphorus, Kusadasi, Side.
The Spice Bazaar brings the route into a lively market setting known for spices, sweets and local products. The Bosphorus portion of the program provides waterfront views and a perspective on Istanbul between Europe and Asia. The program also allows time to experience Kusadasi as part of the day’s scheduled route.
Ground transfers are arranged between the main stops shown in the day plan. A domestic flight to Izmir forms part of the day’s travel plan. A Bosphorus cruise is included as one of the day’s main experiences.
Discover Ancient Ephesus
After breakfast, the day continues with the scheduled program. The main route is built around Ephesus, House of the Virgin Mary, Library of Celsus, Temple of Artemis.
Ephesus is experienced as a broad archaeological site with monumental streets, public buildings and important Roman-era landmarks. The House of the Virgin Mary adds a quieter pilgrimage stop to the day’s archaeological program. The Library of Celsus is one of the key architectural highlights within the Ephesus visit.
Guided sightseeing is provided for the principal cultural and historical visits. Lunch is scheduled where it is listed in the program. At the end of the program, the route continues to the hotel according to the itinerary.
Pamukkale Tour & Transfer to Antalya
The day follows the planned itinerary for Pamukkale Tour & Transfer to Antalya. The main route is built around Pamukkale, Hierapolis, Antalya.
Pamukkale is explored through its bright travertine formations and thermal-water landscape. At Hierapolis, the sightseeing focuses on the archaeological zone, including major Roman-era remains and the ancient thermal setting. The program also allows time to experience Antalya as part of the day’s scheduled route.
Lunch is scheduled where it is listed in the program.
Perge, Aspendos & Side Tour
The day follows the planned itinerary for Perge, Aspendos & Side Tour. The main route is built around Perge, Aspendos, Side, Kursunlu Waterfall.
The program also allows time to experience Perge as part of the day’s scheduled route. The program also allows time to experience Aspendos as part of the day’s scheduled route. The program also allows time to experience Side as part of the day’s scheduled route.
Ground transfers are arranged between the main stops shown in the day plan. Lunch is scheduled where it is listed in the program. At the end of the program, the route continues to the hotel according to the itinerary.
Flight to Cappadocia
After breakfast, the day continues with the scheduled program. The main route is built around Antalya, Cappadocia.
The program also allows time to experience Antalya as part of the day’s scheduled route. Cappadocia is explored through its volcanic landscape, valleys and distinctive rock formations.
Ground transfers are arranged between the main stops shown in the day plan. A domestic flight to Kayseri forms part of the day’s travel plan. At the end of the program, the route continues to the hotel according to the itinerary.
North Cappadocia Tour
The day follows the planned itinerary for North Cappadocia Tour. The main route is built around Uchisar Castle, Pasabag, Zelve Open Air Museum, Devrent Valley.
The program also allows time to experience Uchisar Castle as part of the day’s scheduled route. The program also allows time to experience Pasabag as part of the day’s scheduled route. The program also allows time to experience Zelve Open Air Museum as part of the day’s scheduled route.
Lunch is scheduled where it is listed in the program.
South Cappadocia Tour & Return to Istanbul
After breakfast, the day continues with the scheduled program. The main route is built around Ortahisar Castle, Mustafapasa, Sobesos, Soganli Valley.
The program also allows time to experience Ortahisar Castle as part of the day’s scheduled route. The program also allows time to experience Mustafapasa as part of the day’s scheduled route. The program also allows time to experience Sobesos as part of the day’s scheduled route.
Ground transfers are arranged between the main stops shown in the day plan. A domestic flight to Istanbul forms part of the day’s travel plan. Lunch is scheduled where it is listed in the program. At the end of the program, the route continues to the hotel according to the itinerary.
Fly to Cairo, Egypt
The day begins with arrival arrangements and the planned transfer. The main route is built around Cairo.
Cairo combines major ancient landmarks with the scale and energy of Egypt’s capital.
Ground transfers are arranged between the main stops shown in the day plan. At the end of the program, the route continues to the hotel according to the itinerary.
Great Pyramids of Giza, Sphinx & Saqqara
The day follows the planned itinerary for Great Pyramids of Giza, Sphinx & Saqqara. The main route is built around Side, Giza, Pyramids of Giza, Great Sphinx.
The program also allows time to experience Side as part of the day’s scheduled route. The Giza portion of the itinerary focuses on Egypt’s best-known pyramid complex and surrounding monuments. The program also allows time to experience Pyramids of Giza as part of the day’s scheduled route.
The sequence is designed to keep sightseeing and transport practical within the same day, while preserving the main visits and travel connections shown in the confirmed itinerary.
Grand Egyptian Museum & Flight to Aswan
After breakfast, the day continues with the scheduled program. The main route is built around Egyptian Museum, Aswan.
The program also allows time to experience Egyptian Museum as part of the day’s scheduled route. The program also allows time to experience Aswan as part of the day’s scheduled route.
A domestic flight to Aswan forms part of the day’s travel plan.
Philae Temple & Begin Your Nile Cruise Day 1
The day follows the planned itinerary for Philae Temple & Begin Your Nile Cruise Day 1. The main route is built around Aswan, Nile.
The program also allows time to experience Aswan as part of the day’s scheduled route. The program also allows time to experience Nile as part of the day’s scheduled route.
The sequence is designed to keep sightseeing and transport practical within the same day, while preserving the main visits and travel connections shown in the confirmed itinerary.
Kom Ombo & Edfu Temples – Nile Cruise Day 2
The day follows the planned itinerary for Kom Ombo & Edfu Temples – Nile Cruise Day 2. The main route is built around Side, Nile, Edfu, Kom Ombo.
The program also allows time to experience Side as part of the day’s scheduled route. The program also allows time to experience Nile as part of the day’s scheduled route. The program also allows time to experience Edfu as part of the day’s scheduled route.
The sequence is designed to keep sightseeing and transport practical within the same day, while preserving the main visits and travel connections shown in the confirmed itinerary.
Explore Karnak & Luxor Temple – Nile Cruise Day 3
The day follows the planned itinerary for Explore Karnak & Luxor Temple – Nile Cruise Day 3. The main route is built around Luxor, Karnak, Nile.
Luxor brings together temples, royal tombs and some of Egypt’s richest archaeological sites. The program also allows time to experience Karnak as part of the day’s scheduled route. The program also allows time to experience Nile as part of the day’s scheduled route.
The sequence is designed to keep sightseeing and transport practical within the same day, while preserving the main visits and travel connections shown in the confirmed itinerary.
Valley of the Kings & Return to Cairo
The day follows the planned itinerary for Valley of the Kings & Return to Cairo. The main route is built around Cairo, Luxor, Valley of the Kings.
Cairo combines major ancient landmarks with the scale and energy of Egypt’s capital. Luxor brings together temples, royal tombs and some of Egypt’s richest archaeological sites. The program also allows time to experience Valley of the Kings as part of the day’s scheduled route.
Ground transfers are arranged between the main stops shown in the day plan. A domestic flight to Cairo forms part of the day’s travel plan.
Departure from Cairo
The day follows the planned itinerary for Departure from Cairo. The main route is built around Cairo.
Cairo combines major ancient landmarks with the scale and energy of Egypt’s capital.
Ground transfers are arranged between the main stops shown in the day plan.
What's Included
Included
- Domestic flights are included.
- 9 nights in 4-star hotels with breakfast as specified in the itinerary.
- Included service: Nile River Cruise 3 nights aboard a 5-star Nile River Cruise from Aswan to Luxor, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner..
- Licensed guiding is included for the scheduled sightseeing visits.
- Private Istanbul Old City sightseeing with a licensed English-speaking guide, private transport and the listed entrance fees.
- Included service: Meet & Greet Service Meet & Greet service at Istanbul and Cairo airports..
- Private airport and hotel transfers are included for the relevant sectors of the itinerary.
- Included service: Entrance Fees Entrance fees to all sightseeing attractions specifically listed in the included tour programs, except the Pyramids of Giza, unless otherwise stated..
Not Included
- Excluded service: To keep the itinerary flexible, the following items are not included in the tour price: ✈️ International arrival flight to Istanbul. ✈️ International departure flight from Cairo..
- Excluded service: Travel insurance..
- Excluded service: Egypt entry visa (currently USD 25)..
- Excluded service: Entrance to the Pyramids of Giza..
- Optional visits, activities and extra services outside the confirmed program are not included.
- Meals and drinks are excluded unless they are specifically listed as included.
- Personal expenses are not included.