Egyptian Treasures & Nile Cruise with Turkish Airlines for 8 Nights (FLY123)

1st Day ISTANBUL – HURGHADA We meet at Istanbul Airport international departures terminal three hours before the flight. After baggage, ticket, and boarding procedures, we board our Turkish Airlines scheduled flight to Hurghada. Upon arrival, we meet our private bus waiting for us at the airport and transfer to our hotel for accommodation on a soft all-inclusive basis. In the afternoon, guests who wish may join the optional Evening Dinner Desert Safari and Bedouin Village Tour (65 Euro). We set off toward the magical atmosphere of the Sahara Desert. First, we enjoy an exciting ATV ride across the vast and impressive desert terrain. Then, we continue the adrenaline-filled safari tour over different desert hills with specially designed spider cars. After the safari ride, we visit the Bedouin Village, which has preserved its traditional character. Here we witness the local people’s way of life and taste herbal teas offered with Bedouin hospitality. Guests who wish may also ride a camel for a different experience. After having the opportunity to get to know Bedouin culture closely, we move to a specially prepared desert camp for the evening. As the sun sets, we enjoy our soft all-inclusive dinner outdoors under the stars, completing the desert atmosphere. During dinner, we will have the chance to watch colorful performances. First, a captivating belly dance show, followed by the traditional Tennure (Tanoura) dance with its mesmerizing spinning movements. These lively and colorful performances will add a special energy to the desert night. After the tour, transfer to your hotel in Hurghada and free time to rest. Overnight at our hotel. 2nd Day HURGHADA After breakfast at our hotel, guests who wish may join the optional Lunch Included Giftun Island and Snorkeling Tour (60 Euro), one of the most beautiful spots of the Red Sea. After boarding our boat, we enjoy a pleasant journey to the island, taking in the stunning views of Hurghada’s coastline as we travel over the sea. Upon arrival at Giftun Island, we will have our open buffet lunch. After lunch, we dive into the turquoise waters and enjoy swimming among colorful tropical fish. Our guides will accompany us at snorkeling stops to ensure both a safe experience and a chance to discover the underwater life of the region. Guests who prefer may sunbathe on the island’s white sandy beaches and enjoy its peaceful atmosphere. Throughout the day, we continue exploring the unique coral reefs of the Red Sea with swimming, snorkeling, and relaxation breaks. After the tour, transfer to your hotel in Hurghada and free time to rest. Overnight at our hotel. 3rd Day HURGHADA – LUXOR – NILE CRUISE After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Luxor. Upon arrival, we proceed to our ship to complete check-in. After check-in, free time to rest. After lunch on board, we depart for our optional Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple Tour (45 Euro). Karnak Temple is one of the most magnificent worship complexes of Ancient Egypt. Dedicated to Amun-Ra, this enormous complex is known as a sacred site to which every pharaoh made additions over centuries. The 134 giant columns in the Hypostyle Hall are among the most impressive features of the temple and reveal the power of ancient Egyptian architecture. Luxor Temple is one of the important ceremonial sites of the New Kingdom period. Massive statues from the reigns of Ramses II and III, decorated columns, and courtyards that hosted pharaonic processions will take us thousands of years back in time. After the tour, transfer back to our ship and free time to rest. Dinner and overnight on board. 4th Day NILE CRUISE After breakfast on board, we depart for the optional Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple Tour (90 Euro). Our first stop is the Valley of the Kings, where we walk toward the mysterious burial chambers of the pharaohs. We will witness ancient beliefs by examining colorful wall paintings and thousand-year-old symbols. Then we head to Hatshepsut Temple. After admiring this magnificent rock-cut architecture, we return to our ship. As our ship sails toward Esna, we will have a great opportunity to get acquainted with the vessel. Lunch, tea time, and the ship’s special menus await you. Guests who wish may join the Captain’s Welcome Party at dinner and enjoy pleasant moments. Dinner and overnight on board. 5th Day NILE CRUISE – ESNA – ASWAN After breakfast on board, guests who wish may join the optional Edfu Temple Tour (25 Euro), one of Egypt’s best-preserved ancient temples. Walking within this temple dedicated to Horus, between its high walls, we will feel as if we are in the middle of an ancient ritual. The legends narrated by our guide will add a whole new meaning to the temple. After the visit, we return to the ship and continue toward Kom Ombo. Lunch will be served on board. After afternoon tea, we depart for the optional Kom Ombo Temple & Sobek Tour (25 Euro). In this unique temple dedicated to both Sobek and Haroeris, we will learn interesting facts about medicine, crocodiles, and ancient rituals. After the tour, transfer back to our ship and free time to rest. Dinner and overnight on board. 6th Day NILE CRUISE After breakfast on board, guests who wish may join the optional Philae Temple & Nubian Village & Kitchener Island Felucca Tour (65 Euro). In this elegant temple dedicated to Isis, we will feel the mystical atmosphere of the Nile as we walk among the columns and reliefs rising above the water. After visiting Philae, we continue to the Unfinished Obelisk, one of Aswan’s most important archaeological sites. By examining this massive obelisk, which remains in the granite quarries to this day, we will have the chance to learn striking details about the stone craftsmanship of Ancient Egyptian masters. After the visits, we return to our ship and have lunch on board. Then we depart for our Nubian Village and Felucca Tour, where we will witness the colorful life along the banks of the Nile. In this village, with its traditional colorful houses, warm hospitality, and local character, we will take a short break and get to know Nubian culture closely. After the village visit, we board traditional sailboats, feluccas, for a cruise on the calm waters of the Nile. Gliding over the Nile with the wind in our sails, we will enjoy the unique scenery. After the tour, transfer back to our ship and free time to rest. Dinner and overnight on board. 7th Day CAIRO After breakfast on board, after checking out of our cabins, we depart for Aswan Airport at the time indicated by our guide for our flight to Cairo. Upon arrival in Cairo, we proceed for our panoramic city tour. First, we visit Salah El-Din Citadel, one of the most important structures of medieval Islamic architecture, located at one of the city’s highest points. During our visit to the citadel, we will see the Alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali, considered one of the most impressive works of the Ottoman period. With its majestic domes, large courtyard, and commanding view over Cairo, this mosque offers visitors a fascinating historical and architectural atmosphere. After the citadel visit, guests who wish may join the optional Lunch Included Mummies Tour (Museum of Egyptian Civilization) & Khan El Khalili Bazaar Tour (45 Euro), home to one of the world’s richest archaeological collections. We will have the chance to see the pharaohs’ mummies along with golden artifacts, royal masks, statues, sarcophagi, and unique historical objects dating back to the pharaonic era. During our museum visit, we will get the opportunity to closely explore thousands of years of Egyptian civilization. After the visit, we will have lunch at a local restaurant in the city and take a short break. Following lunch, we head to Khan El Khalili Bazaar, one of Cairo’s most vibrant and historic districts. Famous for its narrow streets, the scent of spices and incense, traditional handcrafted products, and colorful shops, this historic market offers both shopping and a chance to experience local culture. After the tour, transfer to your hotel in Cairo and free time to rest. Dinner and overnight at our hotel. 8th Day CAIRO After breakfast at the hotel, guests who wish may join the optional Lunch Included Giza Pyramids & Sphinx & Grand Egyptian Museum Tour (130 Euro), one of the most impressive structures reaching us from antiquity to the present day. Upon arrival, we will closely see the pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure and witness the engineering genius of Ancient Egypt; in particular, we will learn that the Great Pyramid of Khufu is the only surviving wonder of the Ancient World’s Seven Wonders, standing for more than 4,500 years. Then we will visit the legendary guardian statue, the Great Sphinx, with a human head and lion body, and hear information about the symbolic architecture of the Old Kingdom period. During the tour, we will take a break for lunch at a local restaurant. Later, we will visit the Grand Egyptian Museum, one of the world’s largest archaeological complexes, and explore thousands of historical artifacts, including Tutankhamun’s treasure collection, discovering closely the thousands of years of development of Egyptian civilization. After the tour, guests who wish may join the optional Dinner Included Nile River Boat Tour (75 Euro). After the tour, transfer to our hotel in Cairo and free time to rest. Overnight at our hotel. 9th Day KAHIRE – ALEXANDRIA After breakfast at the hotel, after checking out of the rooms, we depart for Alexandria at the time indicated by our guide. After a 3-hour journey, we begin by visiting the Catacombs of Kom El-Shogafa, one of the most important underground tomb complexes of the Roman period. This unique structure is a multi-level burial site that stands out for its blend of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman architectural styles. Then we will see the Pompey’s Pillar, one of the city’s important symbols, and learn about the significance of this giant granite monument during the Roman Empire. After the visit, we proceed to the Al Montazah Palace area, famous for its green gardens, historic structures, and enchanting seaside atmosphere. As we walk through this elegant palace complex bearing traces of King Farouk’s era, we will receive pleasant insights into Alexandria’s royal past. We continue our tour with a visit to Qaitbay Citadel, located in a magnificent position on the Mediterranean coast; this 15th-century defensive structure was built on the site of the Ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria and holds an important place in the city’s history. After dinner at a local restaurant, transfer to Alexandria International Airport. 10th Day ISTANBUL After passport and luggage procedures, we depart for Istanbul Airport on Turkish Airlines’ scheduled flight. Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, our tour and services end.