Egypt Turkey Greece
Day 1-3: Australia/Singapore/Amman
Fly with Singapore Airlines to Singapore. On arrival transfer to your hotel. Next day at leisure in Singapore. Late check out. Evening departure transfer for flight to Amman, via Cairo. On arrival in Amman on Day 3, we will be welcomed by our National Escort and transferred to our hotel for 1 night. Rest of Day 3 at leisure.
Day 4: Amman/Wadi Rum/Petra
This morning we visit the capital city of Amman, including the Citadel and Umayyad Palace. Afterwards we drive to Wadi Rum, renowned for its magnificent desert scenery. After lunch, we tour the desert and admire the sunset over a cup of Bedouin tea. This evening we drive to the hidden city of Petra. Overnight at hotel in Petra.
Day 5 :Petra
This morning we visit the ancient Nabatean capital of Petra. We start with a horseback ride through the Siq, a sheer-sided canyon leading to the city. After lunch, we tour the rose red city including the Treasury, the Royal Tombs and the High Places of Sacrifice. Overnight at hotel.
Day 6: Petra/Madaba/Jerash/Amman
This morning we head out on the Kings Highway that has been in use for the past 3000 years. Our first stop is the historic Kerak Castle followed by Madaba famous for its Byzantine mosaics and finally Mt Nebo where Moses was said to have seen the promised land. After lunch, we continue on to Jerash, one of the best preserved Roman provincial towns in the Middle East. Return to Amman. Overnight at hotel.
Day 7: Amman/Cairo
After breakfast, departure transfer to airport to board flight to Cairo. Arrive in Cairo to be welcomed by our National Escort and transferred to our hotel for 2 nights. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Day 8: Cairo/Memphis/Saqqara/Cairo
This morning we tour the Great Pyramids at Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and The Sphinx. Afternoon we drive to Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt, to visit the necropolis at Saqqara, the Step Pyramid and the colossal granite statue of Ramses II. This evening we enjoy the melodramatic sound and light show at the Pyramids at Giza. Overnight at hotel in Cairo.
Day 9: Old Cairo
This morning we visit the Egyptian Museum with large collection of ancient monuments, including the golden treasures of Turtankhamun. Evening board the train to Aswan. Overnight in 1st Class cabin.
Day 10: Aswan
Arrive at Aswan early morning. Visit Philae Temple, dedicated to the Goddess Isis located on a beautiful setting on Agilika Island. Brief visit of Aswan city and the Aswan High Dam before checking in to our hotel for 1 night. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Day 11: Aswan/Abu Simbel
After breakfast we drive 280 km to the village of Abu Simbel at the southern end of Lake Nasser close to the Sudanese border. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Day 12: Abu Simbel/Aswan/Boat Cruise
Early morning we visit the main attraction of Abu Simbel, the Great Temple of Ramses II and the Temple of Queen Nefertari. Return by coach to Aswan and board the Nile cruise boat. This afternoon we enjoy a felucca sail around Elephantine Island viewing the Aga Khan Mausoleum and the Aswan Botanical Gardens en route. Overnight on cruise boat.
Day 13: Kom Ombo/Edfu (Boat Cruise)
This morning we sail to Kom Ombo, a Nubian village set in a rural landscape. Visit the magnificent Temple of Kom Ombo and continue sailing to Edfu, home to the most preserved Egyptian temple. Overnight on cruise boat.
Day 14: Edfu/Luxor (Boat Cruise)
This morning we visit the Temple of Horus in Edfu. We continue sailing via the Esna lock to Luxor. Overnight on cruise boat.
Day 15: Luxor (Boat Cruise)
After breakfast we visit Kamak and Luxor temples on the east bank of the Nile. Afternoon we cross to the western bank to tour the Valley of Kings that houses the tombs of the most famous pharaohs of Egypt. Evening transfer to train station to board the overnight train to Cairo. Overnight 1st Class cabin.
Day 16: Cairo/Alexandria
Arrive in Cairo early the next morning and drive to Alexandria, the ‘Pearl of the Mediterranean’, founded by Alexander the Great. Proceed visit the magnificent gardens of Montazah Palace. After lunch, check in to the hotel for 2 nights. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Day 17: Alexandria
This morning we visit the Catacombs of Kom Ash-Shuqqafa, Pompey’s Pillar and the Library of Alexandria. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Day 18: Alexandria/Cairo
After breakfast we drive to El Alamein, visit the War Museum and the Commonwealth War Cemetery. Drive to Cairo. After lunch, transfer to your hotel for 1 night.
Day 19: Cairo
This morning we visit Coptic (Christian) Cairo and Islamic Cairo, including the Citadel, the alabaster Mosque of Mohammed Ali and the Khan El-Khalili Bazaar. Afternoon at leisure. This evening we enjoy a farewell dinner at a floating restaurant. Overnight at hotel.
Day 20: Cairo/Istanbul
After breakfast departure transfer to the airport for flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival, check in to hotel for 2 nights. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Day 21: Istanbul
Today we enjoy a full day’s sightseeing in the ancient city of Istanbul including Topkapi Palace, St. Sophia Basilica, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome and the Grand Bazaar. Overnight at hotel.
Day 22: Istanbul/Ankara
This morning we wander through Istanbul’s most colourful attraction, the 17th Century exotic and aromatic Spice Bazaar. Enjoy a cruise on the Bosphorus Strait where East meets West. This afternoon we drive to the capital city of Ankara in central Anatolia. Overnight at hotel in Ankara.
Day 23: Ankara/Cappadocia
This morning we visit the Hittite artifacts at the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations before proceeding to the Mausoleum of Ataturk. This afternoon we drive to Cappadocia where we check in to our hotel for 2 nights.
Day 24: Cappadocia
The Cappadocia landscape was originally shaped by wind and water but the interiors of the spires, knobs and ‘fairy chimneys’ were embellished by ancient artisans. Today we visit the Underground City of Kaymakli, the Rockcut Byzantine chapels at Goreme, the abandoned monastic complex at Zelve and finally we enjoy views from the natural citadel at Uchisar. This evening we enjoy a performance by Whirling Dervishes. Overnight at hotel.
Day 25: Cappadocia/Pamukkale
After breakfast, we drive to the famous mausoleum of the sufi philosopher Mevlana who founded the mystical sect of Sufism known as the Whirling Dervishes. This afternoon we continue to Pamukkale where we stay for 1 night.
Day 26; Pamukkale/Ephesus/Kusadasi
This morning visit the ancient Necropolis at Hierapolis and tour the thermal pools of Pamukkale. This afternoon we drive to the Roman ruins of Ephesus and tour the Archaeological Museum, the Great Theatre and the Library of Celsus. Overnight at hotel in Kusadasi.
Day 27: Kusadasi/Bergama/Canakkale
This morning we drive to the ancient city of Bergama (Pergamum) where we tour the Acropolis and its library, the Asclepion (medical centre), the Altar of Zeus and the steepest theatre in the world. In the afternoon, we drive to the legendary city of Troy to visit the famous wooden horse. Continue on to Canakkale where we stay for 1 night.
Day 28: Canakkale/Gallipoli/Istanbul
This morning we drive to the Gallipoli Peninsula. Here we tour Anzac Cove, Lone Pine Cemetery, Chunuk Bair and the Kabatepe War Museum. This afternoon, we return to Istanbul, crossing the Dardanelles Strait and enjoying views over the Sea of Marmara. Free time. Overnight at hotel
Day 29-30: Istanbul/Singapore/Australia
After breakfast, departure transfer to airport to board flight to Australia via Singapore. Arrive home the following day.
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