Istanbul Tour to Cappadocia and Cairo – 2 Continents

Day 1 – Friday:  Istanbul

Arrival in Istanbul, welcome & assistance at the airport and transfer to hotel. Free day.

🏚️ Hotel Option: The Peak or similar.

Day 2 – Saturday: Istanbul – Full Day City Tour

After breakfast full-day visit to Istanbul. We begin our tour from the Sultanahmet district, the heart of old Istanbul at Agia Sophia. Built by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century AD this church is one of the marvels of world architecture. Its massive dome dominates the skyline of old Istanbul. It is famed for its mosaics, including glittering portraits of emperors and empresses.
Next, we visit the Blue Mosque, which owes its name to the exquisite tiles adorning its interior. Dating from the 17th century, it is the only imperial Mosque with six minarets. The Hippodrome, the stadium of ancient Byzantium, held 100.000 spectators and featured objects from all corners of the empire.
The Grand Bazaar was the commercial heart of the old city and its 4.000 shops are full of treasures – including carpets and kilims, silks, jewelry, ceramics, icons, and leather goods.
Lunch in a local restaurant and continuation of our tour. Our afternoon will begin at Topkapi Palace which, from the 15th to 19th century, was the principal residence of the Ottoman Sultans.
Little Agia Sophia Mosque is known as one of the oldest standing churches in Istanbul dating back to the 6th century. It is an early domed-basilica architectural plan of the famous Agia Sophia which was applied here for the first time in history.

🏚️ Hotel Option: The Peak or similar.

Day 3 – Sunday: Istanbul – Ankara – Cappadocia

In the morning, transfer to the airport for a flight to Ankara. Arrive in Ankara, the Turkish capital, and then to town to visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, which has a rich collection of finds from Asia Minor, mainly Hittites. Then we will visit the Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk (founder of modern Turkey). Lunch and Continuation of the trip to Cappadocia passing by the Salt Lake. Dinner and overnight.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Perissia Hotel & Convention Center or similar.

✈️ Domestic flight ticket from Istanbul to Ankara is included.

Day 4 – Monday: Cappadocia

Full day visit of the spectacular Cappadocia region, unique for its fascinating and unique landscape formed by the lava thrown out by volcanoes Erciyes and Hasan, 3 million years ago.
Visit the many monasteries and chapels in Goreme, World Heritage Site by UNESCO, dug into the rocks and decorated with frescoes of the tenth century (some of them very well preserved).
Pass by and admire a panoramic view of the castle of Uchisar on top of a mound of volcanic rock crossed by tunnels and windows and Avcilar Valley. Lunch and in the afternoon, visit the village of Avanos, famous for its handicrafts and valleys, and Gόvercinlik Valley (Pigeon Valley).
Visit the underground city of Kaymakli or Serhatli, one of 36 underground cities of Cappadocia that served as a refuge for Christians.
Return to hotel and dinner. Dinner and accommodation.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Perissia Hotel & Convention Center or similar.

Day 5 – Tuesday: Cappadocia – Kayseri – Istanbul

After breakfast departure to Kayseri airport for the return flight to Istanbul. Arrival & transfer to hotel.

🏚️ Hotel Option: The Peak or similar.

✈️ Domestic flight ticket from Cappadocia to Istanbul is included.

Day 6 – Wednesday: Istanbul – Cairo

At the time indicated, will be transferred to the airport for flight to Cairo. Arrival, welcome & assistance at the airport, and transfer to hotel. Free day.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Barceló Cairo Pyramids or similar.

✈️ Flight ticket from Istanbul to Cairo is not included.

Day 7 – Thursday: Cairo – Full Day City Tour

Full day tour in Cairo to visit the Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren, and Mykerinus. Then proceed to visit the Great Sphinx, which dates from the time of Chephren. The tour also includes a visit to the Valley Temple.
You will have your lunch at a local restaurant and continue to visit the Egyptian Museum, which features artifacts from the Pharaonic period. The museum displays a rare collection of 5000 years of art which is considered the largest most precious collection of Egyptian art in the world.
Over 250,000 genuine artifacts are presented, including an exhibit dedicated to Tutankhamen’s collection of treasure, gold, and jewelry which was enclosed in his tomb for over 3,500 years before it was discovered in the 1920s when his tomb was discovered.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Barceló Cairo Pyramids or similar.

Day 8 – Friday: Cairo – Memphis – Sakkara

Half-day visit to Memphis the first capital of ancient Egypt,  founded by King Menes This was considered to be a center of rule and culture for over 3000 years. Here you will see the Statue of Ramses II and the Alabaster Sphinx of Memphis.
Following this, you will visit the Step Pyramid of Zoser, the world’s oldest major stone structure. It was built in the 3rd Dynasty for King Djoser.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Barceló Cairo Pyramids or similar.

Day 9 – Saturday: Cairo – Nile Cruise Traditional Dinner

Morning at leisure in Cairo for personal activities, shopping, or participating in an optional tour. For the evening you are invited to dinner on the Nile cruising restaurant for two hours sailing on the Nile with belly dancer, folklore show, Oriental music, and dinner.
All the time, you’ll be delighted in our Chef’s menu along with a selection of Egyptian specialties, made with the freshest ingredients, and prepared to make it a memorable dining experience.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Barceló Cairo Pyramids or similar.

Day 10 – Sunday: Cairo – Airport

At the indicated time you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight.