Egypt - Turkey - Greece

This tour includes the main attractions of Egypt with visits to the Pyramids, Sphinx and the Egyptian Museum and a 5 star Nile cruise between Aswan and Luxor. After a flight to Istanbul we see the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace, St Sophia and the Grand Bazaar before departing for Gallipoli and the ancient cities of Troy, Pergamum and Ephesus. The journey continues with a cruise to the magical Greek islands of Rhodes, Santorini and Crete, and then to Athens. 

Includes: All airport-hotel-cruise transfers, 4/5* hotel accommodation for 18 nights, 3 night Nile
Cruise, 3-night Mediterranean cruise, meals as indicated, Egyptologist & history guides, entry fees to included sites, touring in A/C coaches, all airfares and taxes, portage for one piece per passenger.

Not included: Entry visas, tipping, optional excursions, meals other than those included, all drinks, personal expenses. 

ITINERARY
 

Day 1:  Australia-Cairo
Depart from Australia.
 

Day 2: Cairo  [D]
You are met on arrival, assisted through formalities and transferred to your hotel for 3 nights.
 

Day 3: Pyramids  [BD]
A full day guided visit to Memphis, the Stepped Pyramid at Saqqara, the three pyramids on the Giza Plateau and the Sphinx.

Day 4: Museum, Bazaar  [BD]
A full day guided visit to the Egyptian Museum, housing the treasures of Tut Ankh Amun, the Citadel of Salah al Din and Alabaster Mosque, followed by leisure time in the colourful Khan el Khalili Bazaar.

Day 5: Aswan  [BD]
Transfers and flight to Aswan. Afternoon visit to the Aswan High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and the Temple of Philae on Isis Island. Check in at your Aswan hotel for 2 nights.

Day 6: Abu Simbel  [BD]
Journey across the southern Sahara to Abu Simbel. You may see the sands covered by mirages. Visit the Temples of Ramses ll and Nefertari. Return to Aswan.
 

Day 7: Nile Cruise  [BLD]
Mid-morning embarkation and lunch. Afternoon sailing excursion, around Kitchener Island, in a traditional felucca. Evening at leisure in Aswan.
 

Day 8: Nile Cruise  [BLD]
The ship sails. Guided visit to the Temple of Sobek-Haroeris on reaching Kom Ombo. The ship sails. Guided visit to the Temple of Horus on reaching Edfu. The ship sails to Esna. Evening entertainment on board.
 

Day 9: Nile Cruise  [BLD]
The ship sails to Luxor. Afternoon guided visit to the Temples of Karnak and Luxor on the East Bank. Evening at leisure in Luxor.
 

Day 10: Luxor  [BD]
Disembarkation after breakfast. Join a guided visit to the West Bank, visiting the Colossi of Memnon, the Valley of Kings and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Overnight at your hotel in Luxor.
 

Day 11: Cairo-Istanbul  [B]
Transfer to Luxor airport for your flight to Cairo and connecting flight to Istanbul. You are met on arrival and transferred to your hotel for two nights. Welcome briefing. 
 

Day 12: Istanbul  [B]
A full day, guided tour includes Topkapi Palace (excluding harem), the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque and Santa Sophia and the Grand Bazaar. Optional evening Belly dance show with dinner.
 

Day 13: Gallipoli-Canakkale  [BD]
Morning drive to Gallipoli and an extensive visit to ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair and the Gaba Tepe War Museum. We then cross the Dardanelles for our overnight stay in Canakkale.
 

Day 14: Troy-Kusadasi  [BD]
Today we visit Troy with its famous wooden horse, tour the ancient medical centre of Asclepion in Pergamum, and continue to Kusadasi for two nights.
 

Day 15: Ephesus  [BD]
A morning tour visits Ephesus, perhaps the greatest of all the ancient cities, and the cottage known as St Mary’s House. Optional afternoon visit to either Sardis or Sirence, small mountain villages.
 

Day 16: Cruise  [BD]
After breakfast transfer to the harbour and embarkation to your Greek Island cruise ship for three nights.
 

Day 17:  Cruise-Rhodes  [BLD]
Morning arrival on Rhodes, the island of roses. The full day is at leisure allowing ample time to explore the narrow streets and fortifications on your own. An optional guided tour is available.   
 

Day 18: Santorini-Crete  [BLD]
The ship calls at the port of Heraklion on Crete. Once again you have time to explore, or you may take an optional guided tour to Knossos. Later the ship sails to Santorini where we encourage you to visit Thira, the main town located on the edge of an ancient volcano.
 

Day 19: Cruise-Athens  [BLD]
Morning arrival in Piraeus and transfer to your hotel in Athens. Rest of day at leisure.
 

Day 20: Athens  [B]
A morning guided tour includes a stop at Parliament to see the Changing of the Guards, a drive through the city passing the Stadium and Hadrian’s Arch, and an extended visit of the Acropolis. Afternoon at leisure.
 

Day 21: Olympia  [BD]
Drive to the Corinth Canal and on to the amphitheatre at Epidaurus. Continue to Nauplion and Mycenae where you’ll see the Tomb of Agamemnon and the museum, then to Olympia for overnight.
 

Day 22: Delphi  [BD]
After a guided visit of Olympia, its stadium and temples, we drive through the regions of Eliad and Achia, and across the Corinthian Bridge to Delphi.
 

Day 23: Meteora  [BD]
Visit the Temple and museum of Delphi during the morning, then drive to the village of Kalambaka situated at the foot of the famous pinnacles.
 

Day 24: Athens  [B]
During the morning we enter two (subject to availability) of the spectacular monasteries of Meteora and see their collections of Byzantine art. Afternoon return to Athens for two nights.
 

Day 25: Athens  [B]
A full day at leisure in Athens and we recommend a stroll through Plaka and a visit to the new Acropolis Museum.
 

Day 26: Departure  [B]
Transfer to Athens airport for return flight to Australia