Tour Overview
11-Day Turkey & Egypt Tour: Istanbul to Cairo is planned as a 11 Days / 10 Nights journey linking Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Ephesus, Cairo. 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, Spice Bazaar, Bosphorus, Cappadocia, Zelve Open Air Museum, Devrent Valley, Avanos, Side. 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, 10 breakfasts, 4 lunches. 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
Your Turkey and Egypt adventure begins upon arrival in Istanbul. After meeting our representative at the airport or cruise terminal, enjoy a private transfer to your hotel. Once you have checked in, a short welcome meeting introduces your itinerary, transportation schedule, and practical travel information. The remainder of the day is free to relax or explore the nearby streets at your own pace.
Private Istanbul Old City Tour
After breakfast, meet your licensed guide for a full-day journey through Istanbul's historic center. Walk across the ancient Hippodrome and see the Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column, and German Fountain before visiting the magnificent Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia.
Later, continue to Topkapi Palace, once the administrative heart of the Ottoman Empire, and finish the day exploring the lively Grand Bazaar, famous for its traditional crafts, carpets, ceramics, and local products.
Return to your hotel in the afternoon.
Bosphorus Cruise & Flight to Cappadocia
Begin the morning with a panoramic drive past the historic Byzantine city walls before visiting the colorful Spice Bazaar. Afterwards, board a Bosphorus sightseeing cruise and enjoy spectacular views of Istanbul's waterfront palaces, bridges, mosques, and elegant mansions stretching along both the European and Asian shores.
Following the cruise, transfer privately to the airport for your flight to Kayseri. Upon arrival, continue to Göreme for your overnight stay in Cappadocia.
North Cappadocia Tour
Today's excursion introduces the remarkable volcanic landscapes that have made Cappadocia famous worldwide. Visit the panoramic viewpoint at Uçhisar Castle before continuing to Çavuşin Village, Paşabağ Fairy Chimneys, Zelve Open Air Museum, and Devrent Valley.
Later, travel to Avanos, where traditional pottery making remains an important local craft, and explore nearby Ürgüp before returning to your hotel.
Optional Experience: Sunrise hot air balloon flight over Cappadocia.
South Cappadocia Tour & Flight to Izmir
After breakfast, discover another side of Cappadocia by visiting Ortahisar Rock Castle, the historic village of Mustafapaşa, the archaeological remains of Sobesos, and the peaceful Soğanlı Valley with its rock-cut churches.
Following lunch, descend into the remarkable Kaymaklı Underground City, where early communities created an extensive underground settlement. After the tour, transfer to Kayseri Airport for your flight to Izmir and continue to your hotel in Kuşadası.
Pamukkale & Ancient Hierapolis Tour
Travel to Pamukkale, one of Türkiye's most distinctive natural landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk beside the famous white travertine terraces created by mineral-rich thermal waters before exploring the neighboring ancient city of Hierapolis.
Visit the Roman Theatre, Temple of Apollo, Necropolis, and historic thermal baths before returning to Kuşadası.
Ephesus Tour & Flight to Istanbul
Begin the day with a guided visit to the House of the Virgin Mary before exploring the remarkably preserved ruins of Ephesus. Walk along marble streets leading to the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre while learning about one of the Mediterranean's greatest ancient cities.
Continue to the Temple of Artemis and the charming hillside village of Şirince before transferring to Izmir Airport for your flight back to Istanbul.
Flight to Cairo, Egypt
Transfer to Istanbul Airport for your scheduled flight to Cairo.
After landing, you will be welcomed by your Egyptian representative and transferred privately to your hotel. The remainder of the day is available for relaxation or independent exploration.
Optional Experience: Evening Sound & Light Show at the Giza Pyramids.
Giza Pyramids & Grand Egyptian Museum
Spend the day exploring Egypt's most famous archaeological treasures. Visit the Great Pyramids of Giza and the legendary Great Sphinx while your guide explains the fascinating history behind these iconic monuments.
Later, continue to the Grand Egyptian Museum, home to extraordinary collections from ancient Egypt, including many artifacts connected with Tutankhamun.
Historic Cairo & Khan El Khalili Bazaar
Today's sightseeing focuses on Cairo's religious and cultural heritage. Begin with the Citadel of Saladin and the impressive Mosque of Muhammad Ali before exploring the historic district of Coptic Cairo.
Visit the Hanging Church, Abu Serga Church, Saint Barbara Church, and Ben Ezra Synagogue before enjoying lunch at a local restaurant. Complete the day at Khan El Khalili Bazaar, where centuries-old streets are lined with traditional workshops and market stalls.
Optional Experience: Evening Nile Dinner Cruise with live entertainment.
Departure from Cairo
Enjoy breakfast before checking out of your hotel. According to your departure schedule, private transportation will be arranged to Cairo International Airport.
Your journey concludes after experiencing the cultural treasures, archaeological landmarks, and historic cities of both Türkiye and Egypt.
What's Included
Included
- ✈️ Flights International flight from Istanbul (Turkey) to Cairo (Egypt). All domestic flights within Turkey and Egypt.
- 🏨 Accommodation 7 nights in carefully selected 4-star hotels in Turkey on a bed and breakfast basis. 4 nights in carefully selected 5-star hotels in Egypt on a bed and breakfast basis.
- 🍽️ Meals Daily breakfast during hotel stays. Lunch during the scheduled small group tours in Turkey, as specified in the itinerary.
- 🏛️ Istanbul Old City Tour Private Istanbul Old City Tour with an English-speaking licensed guide and entrance fees. Lunch is not included. 🚢 Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise Group Bosphorus Cruise Tour in Istanbul. 🏛️ Ephesus, Pamukkale & Cappadocia Tour 4-Day Small Group Tour covering Ephesus, Pamukkale, and 2 days in Cappadocia, including an English-speaking licensed guide, transportation, entrance fees, and lunch.
- 🏛️ Cairo Guided Tour 2-Day Small Group Tour of Cairo. Entrance fees to all listed sightseeing sites are included, except the Pyramids of Giza.
- 🤝 Meet & Greet Service Meet & Greet service at Istanbul and Cairo airports.
- 🚐 Transportation & Transfers Private transfers from/to airports, hotels, and cruise ports throughout Turkey and Egypt. Comfortable transportation during all scheduled sightseeing tours.
- 🎟️ Entrance Fees Entrance fees to all sightseeing attractions specifically listed in the included tour programs, except the Pyramids of Giza.
- 🤝 Professional Travel Support English-speaking local guides during scheduled sightseeing tours. Local assistance and carefully coordinated travel arrangements throughout Turkey and Egypt.
Not Included
- To keep the itinerary flexible, the following items are not included in the tour price: ✈️ International Flights International arrival flight to Istanbul and international departure flight from Cairo.
- 🛡️ Travel Insurance 🛂 Egypt Entry Visa Egypt entry visa, currently USD 25.
- 🏛️ Pyramids of Giza Entrance to the Pyramids of Giza.
- 🎟️ Optional Tours & Entrance Tickets Optional tours and entrance tickets to sites not specifically mentioned under Included.
- 🎈 Hot air balloon ride over the Cappadocia (TURKEY) and West Bank of Luxor (EGYPT) 🍽️ Meals & Beverages Meals and beverages not specifically mentioned under Included.
- 🧳 Personal Expenses Personal expenses during the tour. 💰 Tips & Gratuities Tips for guides, drivers, and other services. 📋 Other Services Any services not specifically listed under Included.