19 Days, airfare included between Cairo and Istanbul in Business Class . This exceptional package includes Egypt in all its variety, from the wonders of the Great Pyramids to a Nile cruise
Istanbul : City of the Sultans and even the unspoiled Aegean beaches and the Turkish Mediterranean Turquoise Coast :Bodrum and Kusadasi . In Egypt we include as well as the mighty temples at Abu Simbel , Denderah Temples, Diving or snorkeling, and a CAMEL CARAVAN to a Nubian Village

Compare with Egypt 14 Day edition
Add :Bodrum in Turkey , Petra , Greece , Morocco , or Alexandria & Fayoum Oases

Compare with Egypt only version with additional stay in Luxor

DAY 1 - CAIRO Sunday ( Honeymooners are welcomed any day of the year , subject to availability of course) . On arrival, we escort you to your comfortable hotel. Complimentary visa is issued upon arrival for the following nationalities; American, Australian, NZ, EU , Canadian , Japanese and Singaporean , your passport must be valid for at least 6 month beyond date of arrival. Welcome fruit basket awaits you in your room. Sample hotels : Deluxe : Grand Hyatt , Conrad , Inter.Continental or similar

The wilds of the desert begin right on the outskirts of Cairo, and continue for hundreds of miles to the east and west, through sands, rock, mountains, oases, and a surprising variety of scenery and inhabitants.

Join us for a day ranging across the desert like modern nomads. In place of camels, we’ll travel in comfortable, reliable four-by-four Toyota Land Cruisers. Your guide and drivers will meet you at your hotel, and soon you’ll leave bustling Cairo behind as you undertake the drive toward the Oasis of El Fayoum, 150 kilometers to the southwest. Hard as it is to believe, a great inland sea once covered these sands. It was a holy reserve of sacred crocodiles, symbolized by the god Sobek.

We’ll visit the temple of Kom Oshim, drive over ancient lake beds, and alongside the waters of today’s Fayoum Lake to reach the fishermen’s village of Chak Chouk. There we’ll stop for a lunch of fish caught fresh that morning. There will be time to wander the village lanes and discreetly watch the everyday activities of baking flatbread, irrigating crops from the lake’s waters, and bringing in the catch. We’ll also include the craft and pottery museum where the best works of local artisans are on display.

Then it’s into our four-by-fours again, for an off-road adventure! We’ll head alongside and across desert washes, between dunes, and over ancient lake beds for 35 kilometers to the Valley of the Whales ( In Arabic : Wadi-El-Hitan) . Incredibly, these great mammals once thrived - almost forty million years ago- in waters surrounded by sands. We’ll stop and gaze in amazement at their fossilized remains alongside smaller sea creatures that remain in stone.
This valley was discovered in 1936 , by the German geologist George Schweinfurth in the northwestern corner of Wadi El-Rayan.

The valley provides evidence of one of the major changes in this mammal evolution has been declared by the UNESCO to be a World Heritage Site. It is believed that these land based whales once had feet that may have helped them somewhat while ashore . A team from the University of Michigan discovered in the late 80's that these Zeuglodon whales did have rudimentary feet , this was a startling discovery , suggesting that whales of Wadi -El-Hitan had recently started living in water as well , these whales were not related to any of the whales we have today , rather a more slender body and may grow up to 75 feet long. Several skeletons of whales are exposed in the sand. George Schweinfurth named this extinct specie the Zeuglodon Isis Whales .

In the evening, you’ll return to your hotel in Cairo. Land transportation in air-conditioned four-wheel-drive Toyota Land Cruiser with the services of driver and English-speaking driver. Lunch is included

DAY 3 - CAIRO- Sailing on the Nile - Tuesday (cBL)
Breakfast at the hotel. Today we see Cairo's major sights: the Egyptian Museum, including the Mummies Room.
We'll take our lunch on board a Nile cruise floating restaurant , we'll enjoy a walking tour of the ancient Khan El Khalili Bazaar district and Saladin's Citadel before we head back to your hotel.

DAY 4 - Giza Pyramids : DAHSOUR - Wednesday (cBLD)
After breakfast, we'll motor to the edge of Cairo, to the mysterious Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza.
The museum of the Royal Barge of Cheops The museum is built over the rectangular pit that housed the Royal Barge for thousands of years , the wooden boat was readied for the king's daily journey with the sun god, Ra . Discovered in 1954, in a completely dismantled state, the 43-metre (140-foot) cedar boat is a rare window on the Royal boats used by the kings of Ancient Egypt.

Those who are fit and adventurous enough may wish to penetrate into the heart of the Great Pyramid, to the King's Chamber your ticket is included with our compliments (or the interior of Kephren Pyramid). Taking a camel ride (Included) is entirely your own choice!

Continue to Dahshour, the newly-opened pyramid field south of Cairo. We visit the great pyramid of Senfru, father of Cheops, and other structure:

The "Discovery" of Dahshour:
For almost half a century, the great field of huge pyramids near the desert village of Dahshour, 25 miles south of Cairo, has been off limits to the public. Confined within the perimeter of a military base were many pyramids, including the great 4500-year-old pyramid built by Senfru, father of Cheops. Senfru's pyramid, the largest in Egypt until his son built Giza's Great Pyramid, is rhomboidal in shape: it tapers more distinctly on its upper half. All the pyramids were coated in thick plaster at one time. Most have lost these protective, decorative sheaths, but Senfru's--miraculously--is still in place.

Lunch is included at Le Meridien Pyramids or the Oberoi .
Return to your hotel late afternoon

DAY 5 - LUXOR - Thursday (cB)
Very early breakfast at the hotel . An early flight takes us to Luxor ( or Aswan) , along the Nile in fabled Upper Egypt, and your charming hotel , Egypt with a French touch : Le Meridien Luxor Nile View Room .

DAY 6 - LUXOR - Friday (cBLD)
Private air-conditioned vehicle . Private Egyptologist and proceed to explore the city that was the Pharaohs capital for 20 centuries : Start with the Ramesseum , Medinet Habu and the Ancient Workers Village at Deir El Medineh, the first known "Workers Village" these were the true creative heroes who built the temples & tombs for the mighty Pharaohs of the Nile Kingdom.

Deir El Medinah is on Luxor's west bank you get a totally different perspective on ancient Egyptian life, at the ancient workers' settlement of Deir el-Medinah. While most of the imposing stone monuments and sites of Egypt honor the lives and after-lives of royalty, Deir el-Medinah gives us unique and surprising insights into the ordinary citizens who constructed and decorated the tombs.

Here we'll see the excavated homes shared by laborers with their domestic animals. These quarters were surprisingly large, with three good-sized rooms, courtyard, kitchen, and even storage cellars. While ancient Egypt might not have been a workers' paradise, we'll see that artisans and builders were highly regarded in their community. We are proud to be the only operator to offer regular visits to this singular ancient settlement in its tour and cruise programs.

Lunch is included at Al-Moudira . Return to your hotel for lunch .
Afternoon horse drawn carriage ride through the local village and souks, stop at the small yet charming Luxor Museum. Dinner is included at the hotel .

DAY 7 - Board your Nile Cruise - Saturday (cBLD)

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy morning at leisure , check-out and on to your Nile cruise. Welcome drink is served upon arrival. Check in on board your luxury cruiser at noon. After lunch, we visit the great temples of Luxor and Karnak, then return to our Nile cruiser in time for afternoon tea. Complimentary welcome fruit basket in your cabin.

DAY 8 - Onboard your Nile Cruise - Sunday (cBLD)
Today's tour include as well a visit to the Valley of the Kings including Tut-Ank-Amon's tomb , temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahari, and Colossi of Memnon, returning to our Nile cruiser for lunch. Afternoon tea is always served daily .

DAY 9 - ESNA & EDFU- Monday (cBLD)
We cruise to Esna during the night and pass through the locks. After breakfast we cruise to Edfu and board horse-drawn carriages to get to the fine Temple of Horus. In the evening, we have a jolly galabia party. A Galabya will be delivered to your cabin with our compliments.

DAY 10 - KOM OMBO & ASWAN , CAMEL CARAVAN -Tuesday (cBLD)
We explore Kom Ombo's twin Temples of Haroeris, the sun god, and Sobek, the crocodile god, before cruising south to Aswan. After lunch aboard, we board a graceful felucca for a cruise among the Nile islands .Then to really immerse yourself, try your hand at a complimentary camel riding! We'll take willing passengers on a traditional caravan to enjoy tea with Nubian villagers. Only Travel In Style affords this unique opportunity to meet & interact with local Nubians. We are proud to offer this insight into the Nubian way of life. Back in your cabin : Complimentary Egyptian pastry & sweets platter.

DAY 11 - ASWAN & ABU SIMBEL ( Private car / Egyptologist in Abu Simbel)
Fly to Cairo - Wednesday (cBL)

Breakfast and check-out . The mighty Aswan dams are our first goal this morning, followed by a trip by motor launch to the Island temple of Philae , dedicated to the Ancient Goddess ISIS

Back on land, we visit an ancient Pharaonic red granite quarry, then Nubia Museum before we take a short flight to Abu Simbel. There , your private air-conditioned vehicle and private Egyptologist will be waiting for you at the airport : we'll marvel at the temples dedicated to Ramses the Great and Queen Neferatri, saved from rising waters of the Nile when the High Dam was built,in the larger temple, colossal figures of Ramses are seated with the gods and attended by his queen and daughters.
The smaller temple is dedicated to Queen Nefertari, who appears as Hathor, the goddess of love, joy and fertility, symbolized by the benevolent cow.

Fly back to Aswan and connect with our returning flight to Cairo . Lunch will be included in Abu Simbel to in Cairo

DAY 12 - Departure Cairo Istanbul -Thursday (cB)
Our staff escorts you to the airport for your flight to Istanbul , air ticket issued & delivered in Cairo, business class , tax included. Arrive at Istanbul Airport. Our driver meets you at the exit gate of Istanbul Airport and transfers you to your hotel. Rest of the day on your own.
Overnight at the Hyatt , Inter-Continental or similar for deluxe .
Ottoman mansion style boutique hotel : Arena or Blue House Hotel for "First Class" in Istanbul.

DAY 13 - ISTANBUL- Friday - Private Tour - Private air-conditioned vehicle - Private Chauffeur (BL)
We dive right into this fascinating city with visits to its top sights: Topkapi, the palace of the Sultans for centuries; Hagia Sophia, the greatest church in Christendom for a thousand years; the Blue Mosque, with its exquisite blue tiles; the Byzantine Hippodrome, scene of chariot races and gladiator combat; and the eerie Sunken Palace cistern beneath it. Then a drive through modern neighborhoods brings us to the ancient city walls and the Kariye Museum (Chora Church), filled with brilliant Byzantine mosaics.

Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 14 -- ISTANBUL - Saturday (BL)

ISTANBUL- "Imperial Constantinople in the Belle Epoque"
(late 19th century), the exotic romance of the "Paris of the East:"

Morning walking tour : We start with our guide in Karaköy where the foreign bankers and shipping companies had their headquarters, then take the Tünel up to istiklal Caddesi; stop in the whirling dervish tekke, and walk past the various old embassy buildings (now consulates), and point out the architecture. Stop for tea (included) at the famous Pera Palace Hotel.
Walk at least as far as Galatasaray Square, and have lunch in the Çicek Pasaji (Flower Passage); then walk up to Taksim Square and be picked up for the afternoon tour.
In the afternoon the tour visit Yildiz Palace Park and the Ihlamur Kasri, a mini-palace south of Yildiz, and finish up with a visit to the Military History Museum in Harbiye in time to hear the "Mehter," or Ottoman military band (mid-afternoon).

Then go on a shopping spree at the labyrinth of the Grand Bazaar. Breakfast, Lunch.

Private Tour - Private air-conditioned vehicle - Private Chauffeur

DAY 15 - ISTANBUL, IZMIR, KUSADASI - Sunday (BL)
Air fare business class is included for all domestic flights within Egypt and Turkey
From your convenient lodgings, it's just a short hop back to the airport to catch the morning flight south to Izmir, on the Mediterranean coast. It will still be early when you arrive and meet up with your driver for the next few days of exploring this region, in many ways the cradle of European civilization. Panoramic tour ( drive through) Izmir and on to Kusadasi and Kismet Hotel http://www.kismet.com.tr/

DAY 16 -KUSADASI, Ephesus -Kusadasi - Monday (BL)
We'll gather after breakfast today and set out overland. Ephesus ( Private tour)
Private air conditioned vehicle. Private Guide.
In the morning drive to the magnificent site of Ephesus. Ephesus is the best preserved of the Greek/Roman cities in Anatolia and while you are visiting the ancient ruins of this magnificent site and your guide will bring them alive. You will see the beautiful Celsus Library, restored and reconstructed according to its original form by the architect Friedmund Hueber in the 1970's. The most spectacular building of Ephesus is the Grand Theater, built during the Hellenistic age to hold 24,000 spectators. It is there that St. Paul preached. Opposite the Temple of Hadrian are the Hill Houses, homes of Ephesus' wealthy citizens. The city was also the hometown of great philosopher Heraclitus. After a visit to Ephesus Antique Site, you will arrive at Sirince Village. This old Orthodox Village, 30 km from Kusadasi, was once "Cirkince"(ugly). Indeed its inhabitants gave this name on the purpose as they did not want to be bothered by foreigners nor to share the beauty of their village. Still after years, visitors understood that the village was not ugly and called it "Sirince" (pretty). Today the village is a perfect synthesis of Turkish-Greek culture as of the 1920's; after the Turkish Independence War, people exchange between Greek and Turks has occurred and all those typical Greek houses, though they kept their original outside characteristics, have received the local layout inside. At Sirince Village you will have chance of seeing the local life at a village and purchasing some small local souvenirs and handicrafts. The village is also famous for its local grape and other fruit wines. Mingle with the local people of the village.Have a cup of traditional Turkish coffee at the main coffee house of the village. Your last stop will be the visit to the Archaeological Museum of Ephesus established in 1929. It displays very interesting and valuable finds from Ephesus.
Overnight in Kusadasi

Private Tour - Private air-conditioned vehicle - Private Chauffeur

DAY 17 - BODRUM -Priene - Miletus - Didyma- Tuesday (B)
Following the departure from the hotel, the first stop will be Priene. The ancient harbor city of Priene probably changed its location when the silt of the Meander River threatened to bury it. Now it is nearly 16km away from the sea. The original place of the city has never been found but it was probably a peninsula with two harbors. Priene was laid out on a Hippodamian system of grid plan at the foot of a spectacular cliff on mount Mycale and contained many famous examples of Hellenistic art and architecture. All the streets intersect at right angles. Next visit Miletus, an ancient city located near the present Akkoy at the mouth of the Buyuk Menderes (meander) River. Miletus owed its importance to its position on the trade routes. It was one of the largest cities in Anatolia. Highly prosperous, it founded many colonies and was the home of the ancient philosophers Anaximander, Anaximenes and Thales, the town planner Hippodamus and architect Isidorus. Having a prominent position, Miletus became the most important port in this area and it was the most active member of the twelve cities of the Ionian Confederation. From the 7th century B.C. the city has been controlled in turn by the Persians, Roman and Seljuk Turks. The last visit in the tour will be Didyma. The world Didyma meant "twins" and it was associated by some as being the meeting place of Zeus and Leto to have their twins Apollo and Artemis. Didyma was famed as a prophecy center dedicated to Apollo, which served a similar purpose as the Delphi of Anatolia. It was not a city but a sanctuary linked to Miletus by Milesians with a 12 mile sacred road. Afterwards continue to Bodrum. Explore the famous town of Bodrum known as the Halicarnassos and houses one of the seven wonders of the world the Mausoleum of Mausoleum (377-352 B.C.).The castle located in the center of the town houses the oldest underwater sunken boat ruins and the richest Amphora collection of the world. Overnight in Bodrum.

Suggested Hotels in Bodrum:(or similar)

The Marmara Bodrum:
http://www.themarmarahotels.com/bodrum/overview.php )
Kempinski Bodrum:
http://www.kempinski-bodrum.com/en/home/index.htm
Both hotels are great choices and are extra special . Kempinski is located in a gorgeous bay however little bit distant to the downtown Bodrum.
The Marmara is located on hill overlooking to the Bodrum downtown, 5 min. drive to the city.

Private Tour - Private air-conditioned vehicle - Private Chauffeur

DAYS 18 - BODRUM - Wednesday (B)
Luxuriating on the Mediterranean coast at your hotel Nestled along the sheltered blue waters of the bay, it's a tranquil oasis where you can participate in the full range of included activities, or simply relax away from it all. Swim at indoor and outdoor pools, or at the beach.

DAY 19 -BODRUM, ISTANBUL (B) Thursday
Air fare business class is included for all domestic flights within Egypt and Turkey
Morning at leisure. Enjoy the beach or venture out to explore this small town by the sea, before we take a late afternoon flight to Istanbul and an airport hotel

Day 20 - (B) - Departure - Friday
After breakfast transfer to the airport . Bon Voyage

RATES per person in USD

DEPARTURE NOTES:
This tour departs , weekly, year round
For departures during Christmas, New Year's or Easter weeks, please add 15 % to the rates above.

Honeymoon/ Anniversary & Birthday trips : Please advise us in advance: Arrive any day subject to availability : Free Upgrade to a Junior Suite subject to availability

Please note that the Nile vessels and cruise itineraries are subject to change.

Click here for more info on these luxurious cruises: ( Supplement : 15 % to be added to the
Deluxe rate : Radamis II or the new Royal Lotus( Swiss Management)
The Sonesta Star Goddess , Moon Goddess all suites with private balconies . The all suites M/S Amarco

The all suites M/S Amarco

The Ultra Deluxe M/S Amarco

For PRIVATE GUIDE/CAR/DRIVER :
For the full duration of the Nile Cruise & shore excursions: please add $ 250 per person .This supplement doesn't apply when you have at least 6 guests in your party, as you'll have always your own private car/driver/guide.

DINING NOTES
The set-menu meals included in your tour are indicated in the itinerary: B = Breakfast, (or cB, Continental Breakfast), L = Lunch, D = Dinner. On our luxury Nile cruise vessels, our spacious dining rooms accommodate all passengers at one seating, so there is no need to worry about making reservations , one less thing to worry about while you are on the Nile. Enjoy the cosmopolitan atmosphere with several different languages being heard at dinner. Smart Casual dress is suggested for dinner . No tie / Formal dress requirement

YOUR TOUR INCLUDES :

• Egyptian domestic airfares as described in the itinerary, as well as Cairo Istanbul flight , all in Business class subject to availability at the time of booking and aircraft configuration.
  
• All airport transfers and taxes
  
• Hotel accommodations (including taxes). As per itinerary , yet in Kusadasi we will be using the Kismet Boutique hotel
  
• And set-menu (table d'hôte) meals as indicated in the itinerary above.
  
• Nile cruise with all shore excursions and meals.
  
• Complimentary welcome drink upon arrival on board the Nile Cruise.
  
• Complimentary welcome fruit basket on board the Nile Cruise.
  
• Large bottle of water ( per person ) delivered to you cabin daily while you are on board the Nile Cruise.
  
• Tea or coffee and bottled water with each / every meal while you are on board the Nile Cruise.
  
• Guided sightseeing by air-conditioned motor coach, including all admissions fees.
  
• Egyptian Visa fee issued upon arrival for American, Australian, NZ,EU, S. Korean ,S. African Mexicans, Singaporean & Japanese citizens, passport must be valid for at least 6 month after the date of arrival.

DRESS CODE :

All of our Nile cruise vessels are fully air conditioned. Onboard dress is casual except at dinner, when smart casual is the rule. Lightweight cotton and other natural fiber clothing is best, with swimsuits and sun hats for the sundeck and pool. Bring a light sweater or light jacket for cool mornings and evenings, but most days are warm to hot, with very little rain. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for shore excursions.

What to Pack:
Most of the year look forward to warm, even hot weather in Cairo , Luxor & Aswan, morning & evenings are cooler. During Winter ... very rare do we get rain, if so , very brief showers. No need for real rain wear/gear.
Before sunrise , after sun-set , you'll need a light jacket , or light sweater .

For Nile cruise shore excursions, we suggest comfortable cotton & natural fabric lightweight clothing.

Comfortable walking shoes are essential for all tours in Cairo or Upper Egypt.

Clothing on Board the Nile Cruise :
Lightweight comfortable & casual clothing. Swimsuits, sun hat.
Dining room dress code is casual for breakfast & lunch, but smart casual for dinner. Please do not wear swimsuits into the dining room. All ships are fully air conditioned