Middle East Grand Tour

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul

  Open your Middle East Grand Tour from Turkey, strategically located on the crossroad between the East and the West. Upon arrival in Istanbul, be welcomed and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is for refreshment or a self-guided exploration of this sophisticated metropolitan.

  • Istanbul

• Day 2: Istanbul City Highlights

  Begin your journey with the Topkapi Palace, once the seat of Ottoman sultans, followed by the majestic Hagia Sophia, blending Byzantine and Ottoman artistry. Descend into the Basilica Cistern, an underground marvel supported by hundreds of ancient columns. Continue to the Suleymaniye Mosque, an architectural masterpiece by Sinan, and end at the Hippodrome of Constantinople, the ancient arena of chariot races and imperial ceremonies.

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  • Istanbul

• Day 3: Istanbul - Cappadocia

  Morning flight to Kayseri, then transfer to Cappadocia. Start exploring with Devrent Valley, known for its moonlike terrain, and Pasabag Valley, home to iconic mushroom-shaped fairy chimneys. Continue to Cavusin Valley, a historic village with cave dwellings and rock-cut churches, offering a glimpse of early Christian life.

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  • Cappadocia

• Day 4: Cappadocia Wonders & Leisure

  Discover the rock citadel of Ortahisar, a natural fortress towering above the town, followed by a scenic walk through Pigeon Valley, dotted with dovecotes carved into cliffs. Visit the Goreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site famed for its monastic complexes and beautifully painted frescoes.

  In the afternoon, enjoy leisure time - you may opt for a hot-air balloon ride at sunrise (optional, weather permitting) or simply relax and soak in Cappadocia's magical atmosphere.

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  • Cappadocia

• Day 5: Cappadocia - Istanbul - Cairo

  After breakfast, get to Kayseri airport for your flight back to Istanbul, where you can change to another flight to Egypt.

  Upon arrival, meet our representative at the airport and take a private transfer to your Cairo hotel.

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  • Cairo

• Day 6: Cairo

  Today, you will get a deeper understanding of ancient Egypt. Have a private guided tour to Memphis, the capital of ancient Egypt. Then, marvel at magnificent pyramids, the symbol of Egypt. The Step Pyramid of Saqqara is the earliest pyramid in Egypt, while the Great Pyramid of Giza is the largest one. You will also see the mysterious Sphinx today.

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  • Cairo

• Day 7: Cairo

  Today, your exploration will start from the Egyptian Museum, where you can meet extensive collections of ancient Egypt. Continue to Old Cairo for the Citadel of Salah El-Din, a part of the World Heritage Site Historic Cairo. After that, take a leisure walking around the Khan El Khalili Bazaar and visit a working studio to learn about the process of making papyrus.

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  • Cairo

• Day 8: Cairo - Luxor

  After breakfast, fly to Luxor, the site of ancient Thebes. After a short break, enjoy a private guided tour to the east bank. The tour includes the Temples of Karnak - the largest temple in Egypt, and the sacred Luxor Temple.

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  • Luxor

• Day 9: Luxor - Cairo

  Today, you'll take a private guided tour to visit the west bank of Luxor. Follow the steps of your guide to explore the Valley of the Kings, the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, and the Colossi of Memnon. After the tour, fly to Cairo overnight.

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  • Cairo

• Day 10: Cairo - Amman - Petra

  Today, you will fly to Amman. When your flight lands at the airport, our representative is waiting to assist you in customs formalities. Get out and meet your private driver, who will escort you to Petra. It will take about 3 hours.

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  • Petra

• Day 11: Petra

  After breakfast, you will pass through a narrow canyon to entrance Petra. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its rock-cut architecture. After having a 2-hour private guide tour, you can stroll around the paved streets to take in the buildings carved into rose-red rocks.

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  • Petra

• Day 12: Petra - Allenby Bridge Border - Jerusalem

  This morning, you will depart for the Allenby Bridge. Along the way, make a stop at Madaba for its colorful mosaics, and overlook the holy land from the top of Mt. Nebo. When arriving at the Allenby Bridge, you need to pass the border on your own. Your private driver on the Israeli side is waiting for you, and ready to escort you to your hotel in Jerusalem.

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  • Jerusalem

• Day 13: Jerusalem

  The old city of Jerusalem is a holy city for Muslims, Christian, and Jewish. You will experience the sacred atmosphere and visit religious sites including the Mount of Olives, the Gethsemane, the King David's Tomb, the Wailing Wall, and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

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  • Jerusalem

• Day 14: Jerusalem - Bethlehem - Jerusalem

  Set out on a guided tour by driving south to Bethlehem. Be sure to see the silver star, where Jesus Christ was born according to the Hebrew; then, explore the multitude of Churches and Chapels within the Church of the Nativity, one of the most important sites in Israel. Manger Square will be next. It is a good place for you to feel the pulse of the city. You can also visit the Shepherds Field, and then travel back to Jerusalem.

  In the sacred city, head to the Israel Museum in its New City. It houses artifacts related to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Don't miss the city model in the time of the Second Temple and the Dead Sea Scrolls uncovered in Qumran. Later, stop at the Holocaust Memorial of Yad Vashem, and relax at the busy Machane Yehuda Market before returning to your hotel in Jerusalem.

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  • Jerusalem

• Day 15: Jerusalem - Tel Aviv, Departure

  After breakfast, bring your memories head to the airport to catch your flight back home.

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