11-Day Turkey & Egypt Tour: Istanbul to Cairo
Tour Overview
Quick Answer
This 11-day Turkey & Egypt tour combines Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Ephesus, and Cairo with 4-star and 5-star accommodations, domestic and international flights, guided sightseeing, and private airport transfers across both countries.
Experience two of the world's most historically significant destinations on a carefully planned 11-day itinerary through Türkiye and Egypt. Discover Istanbul's Byzantine and Ottoman landmarks before exploring Cappadocia's volcanic landscapes, the white terraces of Pamukkale, and the remarkably preserved ruins of Ephesus. Continue to Cairo to visit the Great Pyramids, the Sphinx, the Grand Egyptian Museum, and the city's historic religious quarters. With a combination of private transfers, guided cultural tours, scheduled flights, and comfortable accommodations, this itinerary offers an efficient and well-balanced introduction to the archaeological, cultural, and architectural highlights of both countries.
Highlights
Explore Istanbul's historic peninsula, including Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, the Hippodrome, and the Grand Bazaar.
Cruise along the Bosphorus and admire waterfront palaces, historic neighborhoods, and panoramic views spanning Europe and Asia.
Discover Cappadocia's fairy chimneys, underground cities, rock-cut churches, and volcanic valleys while visiting both the northern and southern regions.
Visit Pamukkale's UNESCO-listed white travertine terraces and the ancient city of Hierapolis with its Roman theatre, necropolis, and thermal heritage.
Experience the archaeological wonders of Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary, Şirince Village, the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and the Grand Egyptian Museum.
Itinerary
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Included
Excluded
Additional Notes
- Combines the leading historical and cultural attractions of Türkiye and Egypt within a single itinerary.
- Includes domestic flights and the international flight between Istanbul and Cairo to reduce travel time.
- Blends private touring in Istanbul with professionally guided small-group experiences throughout the journey.
- Covers UNESCO World Heritage Sites, ancient cities, Ottoman monuments, and Pharaonic landmarks in one trip.
- Private airport and hotel transfers provide smooth connections throughout the itinerary.
- Upgrade to premium 5-star or boutique hotels throughout the journey.
- Add a sunrise hot air balloon flight in Cappadocia.
- Include the optional Sound & Light Show at the Giza Pyramids.
- Add an evening Nile Dinner Cruise in Cairo.
- Extend your stay in either Istanbul or Cairo with additional hotel nights.
- Visit outdoor archaeological sites such as Ephesus and Pamukkale early in the day during summer for more comfortable temperatures.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes, as many ancient sites feature uneven marble streets and stone pathways.
- Dress modestly when visiting active mosques and religious sites in both Türkiye and Egypt.
- Carry sun protection and water when sightseeing in Cappadocia, Pamukkale, and Cairo, particularly between late spring and early autumn.
- Keep small amounts of local currency available for personal purchases in traditional markets such as the Grand Bazaar and Khan El Khalili.
Visa requirements for Turkey and Egypt vary depending on your nationality, country of residence, and passport type. We recommend checking the latest entry regulations, visa requirements, and passport validity rules before traveling.
Many travelers can enter Turkey without a visa or obtain an electronic visa (e-Visa) online before arrival, depending on their nationality. Egypt also offers visa-free entry for some nationalities, while many visitors are eligible to obtain an e-Visa in advance or a visa on arrival. Entry requirements may change, so it is important to verify the latest official information before your departure.
Please ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your planned date of entry and contains sufficient blank pages for entry and exit stamps, where required.
Once your reservation is confirmed, our experienced travel team will be happy to provide the latest visa guidance and entry information to help you prepare for a smooth and hassle-free journey.
- This tour is available for Daily all year round
- Tour Can be customized.
- Price per person, based on a minimum of 2 adults.
- Price does not include international flight tickets.
- Transfers are considered with 1 luggage per person.
- Once domestic air tickets are issued cannot be modified and a 100% fees will apply in case of cancellation
- Domestic flights schedule may change.
- Domestic Flights Baggage Allowance (including 15 kilos of luggage + 8 kilos of hand luggage)
- Step 1: Booking Request & Confirmation
Once we receive your official request to book your chosen tour package, our team will check local availability and confirm all services (hotels, ferries, and transfers) accordingly.
- Step 2: Official Itinerary Review
Once everything is verified, we will email you your official, final tour itinerary detailing every aspect of your day-by-day journey.
- Step 3: Secure Your Reservation
Upon your review and explicit confirmation of this itinerary, we will proceed to the secure payment process to finalize your booking.
- Payment Schedule:
To lock in your dates and secure your hotels/transfers, a 50% booking deposit is required at the time of confirmation. The remaining 50% balance will be automatically and safely charged 3 weeks (21 days) prior to your scheduled tour start date.
🔒 100% Encrypted & Hassle-Free Bank Payment Gateway
- No Card Sharing Required: Your financial security is our top priority. You are never required to share your credit card numbers, CVV, or sensitive information via email, chat, or over the phone.
- How the Secure Link Works: We generate a unique, secure payment link directly through our bank’s certified merchant system. This link is pre-set specifically to your exact due invoice amount.
- The Process: You simply open the link, fill in your credit card information on the bank’s fully encrypted payment form, and the transaction is completed instantly.
- Instant Digital Receipts: The moment your payment is processed, our system automatically generates and emails you an official digital receipt for your financial records.
- Accepted Cards: For your security, we accept VISA and MASTERCARD credit cards only. Please note that debit cards, prepaid cards, or other payment cards are not supported by our secure payment gateway.
Reservations may only be canceled by submitting a formal written notice sent via email or certified mail directly to our agency. Because we pre-pay and secure local boutique hotels, high-speed ferries, and domestic flight entities well in advance on behalf of our travelers, our cancellation policy is strictly structured based on the timeline below:
- ⚠️ DOMESTIC FLIGHTS & FERRIES ARE 100% NON-REFUNDABLE: Once domestic flight or ferry tickets are officially issued, they cannot be modified, and a 100% cancellation fee applies to that portion of the package immediately, regardless of when the cancellation notice is received.
- ⏳ Land Portion Cancellation Scale:
For the remaining land portion costs that are legally recoverable from our local hotel and transfer entities, refunds are calculated as follows:
- Notice received 31 days or more prior to arrival/tour start date: 100% Refund (No cancellation fee applies to the land portion).
- Notice received between 31 and 21 days prior to scheduled tour: 75% Refund of the land portion.
- Notice received between 21 and 14 days prior to scheduled tour: 50% Refund of the land portion.
- Notice received 13 days or less prior to scheduled tour: No Refund will be issued.
Is the international flight between Türkiye and Egypt included?
Yes. The itinerary includes the international flight from Istanbul to Cairo as well as all listed domestic flights within Türkiye and Egypt.
What type of accommodation is included?
The tour includes seven nights in 4-star hotels in Türkiye and three nights in 5-star hotels in Egypt.
Is the Cappadocia hot air balloon ride included?
No. The sunrise hot air balloon flight is available as an optional activity and is not included in the tour price.
Are airport transfers included?
Yes. Private transfers between airports, hotels, and scheduled tour services are included throughout the itinerary.
What is the maximum group size?
The sightseeing tours operate with a maximum of 14 guests, while your overall itinerary combines private services with small-group guided tours.
Is this tour suitable for first-time visitors?
Yes. The itinerary covers many of the most significant historical, archaeological, and cultural attractions in both Türkiye and Egypt, making it well suited for first-time travelers.
Can I cancel my booking?
Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 30 days before the scheduled departure date.
How physically demanding is this tour?
The tour is rated as Moderate because it includes regular walking at archaeological sites, museums, and historic city centers with occasional uneven surfaces.
