Alternative Grand Egypt Tour 7N/8D

Day 1: HURGHADA

After meeting at Istanbul Airport International Departures Terminal, we depart for Hurghada with Turkish Airlines’ scheduled flight. Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel with our private vehicle. After settling into the rooms, you will have free time to enjoy the facilities of our hotel for the rest of the day. Guests who wish may join our optional tours organized as extras.

Day 2: HURGHADA → LUXOR

After breakfast at the hotel, we set off for Luxor, one of Egypt’s most impressive ancient cities. Upon arrival, our exploration on the west bank of the Nile begins with the Valley of the Kings, where many pharaohs of Ancient Egypt were buried in rock-cut tombs. Then we visit the magnificent temple built in honor of Egypt's first female pharaoh, Hatshepsut. After our tour, we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Transfer to the hotel and overnight in Luxor.

Day 3: LUXOR

After breakfast at the hotel, we head to Karnak Temple, the largest temple complex in Egypt, located on the east bank of the Nile. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Karnak was built and expanded over hundreds of years by successive pharaohs, resulting in one of the world’s most extensive ancient structures. Its Great Hypostyle Hall with 134 massive columns, towering statues, obelisks, sphinxes, and sacred precincts will surely impress you. After a short rest at the hotel, we continue with a visit to Luxor Temple, one of the most significant structures from the time of the Pharaohs—beautifully illuminated in the evenings. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at our Luxor hotel.

Day 4: LUXOR → CAIRO

After breakfast at the hotel, we board our coach for a pleasant journey to Cairo, the capital of Egypt and one of Africa’s largest metropolises. The drive takes approximately 7 hours. Along the way, we enjoy pleasant conversations accompanied by our guide’s informative commentary. Upon arrival in Cairo, we have dinner at a local restaurant. Transfer to the hotel and check-in.

Day 5: CAIRO

After breakfast at the hotel, we visit the Giza Pyramids—one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. We see the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops), the Pyramid of Khafre (Kefren), and the smallest, the Pyramid of Menkaure (Mikerinos). (Entrance to the interior chambers of the pyramids is not included.) We also see the Great Sphinx, the colossal lion-bodied statue with a human head.

The Great Pyramid of Khufu was built around 2560 BC during the 4th Dynasty and is believed to have taken more than 20 years to construct, with a height of approximately 145.75 meters.

Next, we explore the Egyptian Museum, one of the world’s richest and most renowned museums, home to artifacts spanning over 5,000 years. After completing the museum visit, we continue to the Cairo Citadel, which offers the best panoramic view of the city. Here, we visit the Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha—built in the classical Ottoman architectural style—along with other historical structures such as the Kalawun Mosque. We then visit the Ibn Tulun Mosque, the first Turkish architectural structure built in Egypt, and photograph its impressive details.

After the program, dinner at a local restaurant and return to the hotel for overnight.

Day 6: ALEXANDRIA

After breakfast, we set off for Alexandria, one of Egypt’s most important cities culturally and historically. During our panoramic city tour, we visit the Qaitbay Citadel, built on the ruins of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria—one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. We then visit the Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque and the tomb of Imam Busayri, the great Islamic poet known for his famous “Qasidat al-Burda.”

We view the Alexandria Library from the outside and then proceed to a local restaurant for dinner.

Afterward, we begin our return journey to Cairo. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Cairo.

Day 7: CAIRO

After breakfast, we begin our day with a visit to the City of the Dead, one of the world’s most fascinating necropolises, where we also see the tomb of Imam al-Shafi‘i. Then we head to Al-Muizz Street, Cairo’s most important historical avenue, where we explore architectural masterpieces from various eras. Among these are Sebil-Kuttabs, grand Mamluk complexes, Ottoman-period mosques with Turkish inscriptions, and historic caravanserais.

After the Muizz Street tour, we visit the bustling Khan el-Khalili Bazaar and the Mosque of Imam Hussein, where the head of Hazrat Hussein is believed to be buried. We then see Al-Azhar University panoramically.

After completing the program, we have dinner at a local restaurant. Following dinner, free time as directed by our guide. Later, meeting at the designated point and transfer to Cairo Airport for our return flight.

(There will be no accommodation on this final night.)

Day 8: CAIRO → ISTANBUL

Departure for Istanbul with Turkish Airlines’ scheduled flight.

End of our pleasant tour.

Day 2: HURGHADA → LUXOR

After breakfast at the hotel, we set off for Luxor, one of Egypt’s most impressive ancient cities. Upon arrival, our exploration on the west bank of the Nile begins with the Valley of the Kings, where many pharaohs of Ancient Egypt were buried in rock-cut tombs. Then we visit the magnificent temple built in honor of Egypt's first female pharaoh, Hatshepsut. After our tour, we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Transfer to the hotel and overnight in Luxor.

Day 3: LUXOR

After breakfast at the hotel, we head to Karnak Temple, the largest temple complex in Egypt, located on the east bank of the Nile. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Karnak was built and expanded over hundreds of years by successive pharaohs, resulting in one of the world’s most extensive ancient structures. Its Great Hypostyle Hall with 134 massive columns, towering statues, obelisks, sphinxes, and sacred precincts will surely impress you. After a short rest at the hotel, we continue with a visit to Luxor Temple, one of the most significant structures from the time of the Pharaohs—beautifully illuminated in the evenings. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at our Luxor hotel.

Day 4: LUXOR → CAIRO

After breakfast at the hotel, we board our coach for a pleasant journey to Cairo, the capital of Egypt and one of Africa’s largest metropolises. The drive takes approximately 7 hours. Along the way, we enjoy pleasant conversations accompanied by our guide’s informative commentary. Upon arrival in Cairo, we have dinner at a local restaurant. Transfer to the hotel and check-in.

Day 5: CAIRO

After breakfast at the hotel, we visit the Giza Pyramids—one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. We see the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops), the Pyramid of Khafre (Kefren), and the smallest, the Pyramid of Menkaure (Mikerinos). (Entrance to the interior chambers of the pyramids is not included.) We also see the Great Sphinx, the colossal lion-bodied statue with a human head.

The Great Pyramid of Khufu was built around 2560 BC during the 4th Dynasty and is believed to have taken more than 20 years to construct, with a height of approximately 145.75 meters.

Next, we explore the Egyptian Museum, one of the world’s richest and most renowned museums, home to artifacts spanning over 5,000 years. After completing the museum visit, we continue to the Cairo Citadel, which offers the best panoramic view of the city. Here, we visit the Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha—built in the classical Ottoman architectural style—along with other historical structures such as the Kalawun Mosque. We then visit the Ibn Tulun Mosque, the first Turkish architectural structure built in Egypt, and photograph its impressive details.

After the program, dinner at a local restaurant and return to the hotel for overnight.

Day 6: ALEXANDRIA

After breakfast, we set off for Alexandria, one of Egypt’s most important cities culturally and historically. During our panoramic city tour, we visit the Qaitbay Citadel, built on the ruins of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria—one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. We then visit the Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque and the tomb of Imam Busayri, the great Islamic poet known for his famous “Qasidat al-Burda.”

We view the Alexandria Library from the outside and then proceed to a local restaurant for dinner.

Afterward, we begin our return journey to Cairo. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Cairo.

Day 7: CAIRO

After breakfast, we begin our day with a visit to the City of the Dead, one of the world’s most fascinating necropolises, where we also see the tomb of Imam al-Shafi‘i. Then we head to Al-Muizz Street, Cairo’s most important historical avenue, where we explore architectural masterpieces from various eras. Among these are Sebil-Kuttabs, grand Mamluk complexes, Ottoman-period mosques with Turkish inscriptions, and historic caravanserais.

After the Muizz Street tour, we visit the bustling Khan el-Khalili Bazaar and the Mosque of Imam Hussein, where the head of Hazrat Hussein is believed to be buried. We then see Al-Azhar University panoramically.

After completing the program, we have dinner at a local restaurant. Following dinner, free time as directed by our guide. Later, meeting at the designated point and transfer to Cairo Airport for our return flight.

(There will be no accommodation on this final night.)

Day 8: CAIRO → ISTANBUL

Departure for Istanbul with Turkish Airlines’ scheduled flight.

End of our pleasant tour.