Itinerary

Day 1 - En Route

Overnight flight from Toronto to Cairo.

Day 2 - Cairo

Arrive in Cairo and transfer to your hotel.

Day 3 - Cairo

Visit Memphis, the City of the God Ptah and the capital of the oldest kingdom in the world where the Alabaster Sphinx and the Statue of Ramses II exist, Saqqara, location of the Unas Pyramid, King Zoser Step Pyramid, and the Mastaba Tomb of Ti. In the afternoon, visit the great Pyramids of Giza, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and the mysterious Sphinx, a colossal lion with a pharaoh’s head. Overnight at your hotel. (BL)

Day 4 - Cairo

Visit the Egyptian Museum, which houses a magnificent collection of Pharaonic antiquities, especially the golden treasures of Tut Ankh Amun. Visit Old Cairo, the Citadel of Salah Al Din and Mohamed Ali Mosque, with its magnificent panoramic views of Cairo. Continue to visit the Moallaqa Church and the Ben Ezra Synagogue. If you wish to browse and shop, your tour will stop at the bustling Khan El Khalili Bazaar displaying and selling all types of oriental goods. Return to your hotel for overnight. (BL)

Day 5 - Cairo / Luxor / Nile Cruise

Transfer to Cairo airport for a flight to Luxor. The town of Luxor is located in Upper Egypt and lies on the right bank of the Nile. Upon arrival in Luxor, transfer to your Nile cruise for embarkation. In the afternoon, visit the great Luxor Temple and the magnificent Karnak Temple of Amun with its famous Hypostyle Hall, the Statue of Ramses II, the Obelisk of Queen Hatsheput. Even in the time of the Pharaohs, this great temple was regarded as the finest creation of an abounding in architectural accomplishments. Overnight in Luxor aboard your cruise.  (BLD)

Day 6 - Nile Cruise

Sightseeing in Luxor including the West Bank, where some of the richest treasures in the world are located such as the Tomb of Tut Ankh Amun in the Valley of the Kings. Visit some of these tombs as well some of the beautiful tombs in the Valley of the Queens. Continue to visit Hatsheput’s Temple and the Colossi of Memnon. Overnight aboard your cruise. (BLD)

Day 7 - Nile Cruise

Visit the Horus Temple of Edfu, one of the three beautiful temples of the Ptolemaic Period. Sail to Kom Ombo, and visit the Sobek Temple, which offers beautiful murals and reliefs. Sail to Aswan and overnight aboard your cruise.  (BLD)

Day 8 - Nile Cruise

At Aswan, the Nile parts into many arms divided by immense granite rocks and islands, in particular the island of Elephantine. There is only a small area of fertile land producing what are considered the finest dates in all of Egypt. In the morning, you will visit the High Dam, the Granite Quarries and the Philae Temple.  In the afternoon, you will sail on the Egyptian felucca to view the Elephantine Island, the Botanical Gardens on Kitchen Island and the Aga Khan Mausoleum. Overnight in Aswan. (BLD)

Day 9 - Nile Cruise / Aswan / Cairo / Istanbul

Disembark from your Nile cruise and transfer to the airport for a flight to Istanbul with a connection in Cairo. Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to your hotel. (B)

Day 10 - Istanbul

Visit the Hippodrome, the Hagia Sophia Church, an architectural wonder of the 6th century and the Blue Mosque, the imperial mosque famous for its six minarets and interior tiles. Continue to Topkapi Palace, residence of Ottoman Sultans, now a museum. A stop is made at one of the oldest markets in the world which contains over 4000 shops, the Grand Bazaar. Overnight at your hotel. (B)

Day 11 - Istanbul / Ankara / Cappadocia

Depart for Ankara and visit the Ataurk Museum. Continue to Cappadocia. Overnight in Cappadocia. (BD)

Day 12 - Cappadocia

Visit Kaymakli Underground City, the open air museum in Goreme and the natural fortress in Uchisar. Overnight in Cappadocia. (BL)

Day 13 - Cappadocia / Konya / Pamukkale

Depart for Pamukkale. En route, visit the Sultanhan Caravanserai before arriving in Konya. Visit the Mausoleum of Mevlana. Continue to Pamukkale and overnight at your hotel. (BD)

Day 14 - Pamukkale / Izmir

Visit the ancient Hierapolis with the magnificent Necropolis graveyard and famous white lime cascade. Continue to Selcuk to visit the Temple of Artemis. Continue to Izmir and overnight at your hotel. (BD)

Day 15 - Izmir / Ephesus

In the morning, drive to Ancient City of Ephesus, where you will see the marble streets, Antique Theater, Arcadian Way, a Roman Bath and the Celcus Library. Enjoy a drive through Sirince Village. The village offers a Turk-Greek experience while visiting restored Orthodox churches and local shops featuring handcrafts (including olive oil). Visit cafes nestled in this quaint village and purchase incredible homemade wines – truly an experience which can’t be missed by wine enthusiasts. Overnight at your hotel. (BLD)

Day 16 - Izmir / Pergamum / Canakkale

Depart for Bergama to visit Asklepion, the famous ancient medical center. Continue to Troy where the legendry Trojan war took place. Continue to Canakkale and overnight at your hotel. (BD)

Day 17 - Canakkale / Istanbul

Cross the Daradanelles on a ferry and continue to Galipoli to visit the Aznec Coves, and Chunuk Bair battle site. Continue to Istanbul and overnight at your hotel. (B)

Day 18 - Istanbul / En Route

Transfer to the airport for your departure. (B)