19-Day Turkey, Egypt and Dubai Tour – Domes, Pyramids & Skyline

Your adventure begins as you touch down in Istanbul, where Turkey’s rich history awaits. Our English-speaking driver will warmly welcome you at Istanbul Airport and escort you in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle to your hotel for check-in.

Take some time to settle in and prepare for the incredible journey ahead.

After breakfast, embark on a comprehensive exploration of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks. Begin at the magnificent Hagia Sophia, an architectural masterpiece that has witnessed over 1,500 years of history. Continue to the opulent Topkapi Palace (closed Tuesdays), the former residence of Ottoman sultans, where you’ll discover stunning courtyards, gardens, and imperial treasures overlooking the Golden Horn.

Next, visit the spectacular Blue Mosque, renowned for its six elegant minarets and magnificent interior adorned with blue Iznik tiles.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before exploring the historic Roman Hippodrome, where chariot races once entertained Constantinople’s citizens for over a millennium. End your day at the vibrant Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s oldest covered markets, where you can browse among 4,000 shops filled with Turkish carpets, jewelry, and souvenirs (closed Sundays and religious holidays).

Start your morning at the aromatic Egyptian Bazaar, also called the Spice Bazaar, built in the 17th century in the historic Eminönü district. Then board a scenic cruise along the legendary Bosphorus strait, which divides Europe and Asia. Marvel at the waterfront palaces and fortresses lining both shores, including the majestic Dolmabahçe Palace, the elegant Çırağan Palace, and the imposing Rumeli Fortress.

Explore the charming historic neighborhoods of Fener and Balat, where colorful houses line cobblestone streets. These picturesque districts, featured in many Turkish TV series, offer delightful themed cafés and incredible photo opportunities.

Visit the remarkable Bulgarian Orthodox Church of St. Stephen, constructed entirely of cast iron, and see the Church of the Orthodox Patriarchate in Balat.

After breakfast, transfer to Istanbul Airport for your domestic flight to Cappadocia. Upon arrival, dive into the northern region’s otherworldly landscape. Begin at the UNESCO-recognized Goreme Open Air Museum, a fascinating medieval monastic complex carved into volcanic rock.

Continue to Ortahisar Panorama for stunning views of the natural stone castle and traditional houses. Drive to Pasabagi (Monks Valley) to witness the iconic fairy chimneys – unique geological formations that make Cappadocia famous worldwide.

After lunch in charming Avanos, situated on the banks of the Kizilirmak (Red River), observe skilled artisans creating traditional Turkish pottery.

Embark on a comprehensive tour of South Cappadocia, beginning with a 4-kilometer hike through the stunning Red and Pink Valley, where volcanic formations create a painter’s palette of colors. Visit Love Valley (originally White Valley), famous for its gracefully shaped fairy chimneys.

Descend into the Serhatli (or Özkonak) underground city, a multi-level marvel where early Christians sought refuge from enemies during the 6th and 7th centuries.

These subterranean cities showcase ingenious ancient engineering with ventilation systems, storage rooms, and living quarters carved deep into the earth.

Following breakfast, transfer to Kayseri Airport for your flight to Izmir. Upon arrival, our driver will transport you to your hotel in the charming coastal town of Kusadasi, gateway to ancient Ephesus.

Journey to one of Turkey’s most spectacular natural wonders, Pamukkale’s Cotton Castle. Marvel at the brilliant white terraces formed by calcium deposits over millennia, creating pools of thermal waters that seem to cascade down the mountainside like frozen waterfalls.

Explore the extensive ruins of ancient Hierapolis, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring remarkably preserved Roman theaters, ancient baths, and early Christian basilicas.

Walk through the necropolis, one of the largest ancient cemeteries in Anatolia, and learn about this important ancient spa city that attracted visitors seeking healing thermal waters for centuries.

Discover ancient Ephesus, one of the best-preserved classical cities in the Mediterranean. Walk the marble streets where St. Paul once preached, admiring the magnificent Library of Celsus, the Great Theater that seated 25,000 spectators, and the Temple of Artemis foundations – one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Visit the House of the Virgin Mary, believed to be where Mary spent her final years, and the Basilica of St. John, built over the apostle’s supposed burial site. Experience an engaging fashion show featuring Turkey’s renowned leather craftsmanship before transferring to Izmir Airport for your domestic flight back to Istanbul.

After breakfast and hotel check-out, enjoy free time until your transfer to Istanbul Airport for your international flight to Cairo, Egypt’s vibrant capital.

Upon arrival at Cairo Airport, our representative will welcome you and provide comfortable transportation to your hotel in this fascinating city where ancient and modern worlds collide.

Begin your Egyptian adventure at the legendary Giza Plateau, home to the last surviving Wonder of the Ancient World – the Great Pyramids of Giza. Stand in awe before these 4,500-year-old monuments, including the Great Pyramid of Khufu, and encounter the enigmatic Sphinx with its human head and lion’s body guarding the plateau.

Explore the Valley Temple, where ancient mummification rituals took place, before enjoying lunch at an authentic Egyptian restaurant.

Continue to the Grand Egyptian Museum, a state-of-the-art facility near the pyramids offering limited access to its main galleries, grand hall, and stunning artifacts that tell the story of ancient Egypt’s golden age.

Fly south to Aswan, Egypt’s most tranquil city, where Nubian culture blends with pharaonic heritage. Visit the beautiful Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddesses Isis and Hathor, relocated stone by stone to Agilkia Island to save it from the rising waters of Lake Nasser.

Explore the Unfinished Obelisk, abandoned in the ancient granite quarries and providing fascinating insights into ancient Egyptian stoneworking techniques. Check into your luxurious Nile cruise vessel for lunch and enjoy a relaxing afternoon on the sun deck as you watch traditional felucca sailboats glide past.

Sail north along the timeless Nile to Kom Ombo, where you’ll explore the unique double temple dedicated to both Sobek the crocodile god and Horus the falcon-headed deity. Marvel at the perfectly preserved reliefs and hieroglyphs, including an ancient surgical instruments carving.

Continue sailing to Edfu to visit the magnificent Temple of Horus, Egypt’s best-preserved ancient temple. This massive structure, built over 180 years during the Ptolemaic period, offers incredible insights into ancient Egyptian religious practices and architectural mastery.

Enjoy afternoon tea on deck as you sail toward Esna.

Arrive in Luxor, ancient Thebes and the world’s greatest open-air museum. Cross to the West Bank to explore the Valley of the Kings, where 62 pharaohs were entombed in elaborately decorated rock-cut tombs. Enter several royal burial chambers to admire the vivid paintings and hieroglyphic texts from the Book of the Dead.

Visit the mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut, one of Egypt’s most successful female pharaohs, dramatically built into the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari. Stop at the Colossi of Memnon, two massive stone statues that have guarded this plain for over 3,400 years. Return to your cruise for lunch and relaxation.

Disembark after breakfast for visits to Luxor’s East Bank temples. Explore the vast Karnak Temple Complex, the largest religious building ever constructed, where generations of pharaohs added halls, obelisks, and sanctuaries over 2,000 years.

Continue to Luxor Temple, beautifully illuminated by natural light filtering through massive columns, connected to Karnak by the ancient Avenue of Sphinxes.

This temple, built primarily by Amenhotep III and Ramses II, showcases the grandeur of New Kingdom architecture. Transfer to Luxor Airport for your flight back to Cairo.

After breakfast, enjoy free time in Cairo before transferring to the airport for your flight to Dubai, the gleaming jewel of the United Arab Emirates.

Upon arrival at Dubai International Airport, Egypt Tours Plus personnel will welcome you and provide comfortable transportation to your hotel in this ultra-modern city where innovation meets Arabian hospitality.

Embark on a cultural journey through Dubai’s transformation from a modest fishing village to a global metropolis (pickup 8:15-9:00 am / 08:15-09:00). Explore the historic Bastakiya district with its traditional wind-tower architecture and visit the Al Fahidi Fort, now the Dubai Museum.

Cross Dubai Creek aboard a traditional abra water taxi and immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the Spice and Gold Souks, where aromatic spices and glittering jewelry create a sensory feast.

Stop for photos at the architectural masterpiece Jumeirah Mosque before returning to your hotel.

Journey to Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s sophisticated capital, for a full-day exploration (pickup 8:15-9:00 am / 08:15-09:00). Visit the magnificent Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the world’s largest mosques, featuring 82 domes, intricate Islamic calligraphy, and stunning chandeliers.

Stroll along the Corniche, an eight-kilometer waterfront promenade offering beautiful views of the Persian Gulf. Explore the Heritage Village to learn about traditional Emirati life before it was transformed by oil wealth. Visit Abu Dhabi Marina Mall for shopping and refreshments.

Enjoy a leisurely morning with optional visits to the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa, and the massive Dubai Mall for shopping and entertainment.

In the afternoon (pickup 2:30-3:15 pm / 14:30-15:15), experience the thrill of a desert safari in powerful 4×4 vehicles. Navigate towering sand dunes with expert drivers before arriving at an authentic Bedouin-style camp as the sun sets over the endless desert.

After breakfast and hotel check-out (noon checkout), enjoy free time until your transfer to Dubai International Airport. Depart with unforgettable memories of three incredible countries, carrying the magic of Turkey’s historical wonders, Egypt’s ancient treasures, and Dubai’s modern marvels.