Pharaohs & Anzacs - 15 days

ANZAC Day Gallipoli 2013. Starts: 13th April. See the top attractions of Egypt - Pyramids, Pharaohs and mighty temples, Nile felucca cruising, ancient Thebes and the tomb strewn Valley of the Kings, then head to Turkey to discover ancient Istanbul & Ephesus, the thermal springs of Pamukkale and to experience an unforgettable ANZAC Day in Gallipoli.

Day 1: Ancient Egypt at its Best
Saturday 13th April 2013. Welcome to Egypt and the start of Egyptian adventure Arrive Cairo airport and included transfer to our hotel. At 2pm today we embark on a guided tour of the Egyptian Museum, famed for the treasures of King Tutankhamen and his legendary solid gold funerary mask. The remainder of the afternoon offers free time for you to further explore the city your own way. Overnight - Cairo
Day 2: Pyramids of Giza & Saqqara
Cairo - Aswan. Visit to the famous pyramids and lion-headed Sphinx at Giza Plateau. Sole survivors from the ancient Greek-listed Seven Wonders of the World, the pyramids are the planet’s oldest tourist attraction! Gaze in awe at Cheops (Khufu) - the largest of the three great pyramids. Constructed from over 2.5 million limestone blocks it is thought to have taken more than 20 years to construct.

Continuing to Saqqara, we can explore the myriad tombs and temples at this site and see Zhoser’s step pyramid - constructed by Imhotep, the pharaoh’s chief architect in 2700 BC! Later there is a chance to have dinner before the overnight train to Aswan, 1st class recliner seats. Sleeper cabin upgrade available. Overnight - Seater Train (B)
Pharaohs & Anzacs - 15 days Go Guide : :Check out the go guide for details of the tour, info on visas, climate, money, what to bring and more!
King Zhoser's step pyramid at Saqqara
Day 3: Philae Temple
Arrive and check into our hotel. A visit out of town takes us to the mighty High Dam – a modern feat of engineering - creating the world’s largest artificial lake, Lake Nasser! This afternoon's highlight is a leisurely boat trip to Agilika Island for Philae Temple for a guided tour of the romantic Philae Temple - dedicated to the goddess Isis. As the sun sets, free time to shop in the colourful souqs and markets or simply relax and watch an amazing sunset in Egypt's southern most town straddling the River Nile. Overnight - Aswan (B)
Felucca Sailing
Days 4 - 5: Nile River Cruise
Aswan - Nile felucca cruise. Optional early morning air excursion to famous Abu Simbel, the rock-cut temple of King Ramses II, the Great Builder. This afternoon, we board our Nile felucca for a 2 night voyage downstream on the River Nile. If sailing by felucca is not for you, consider upgrading to a 5 star luxury Nile Cruise with our Nile Cruise Upgrade. Overnight - Felucca Cruise (B:2, L:2, D:2)
Egypt Tours - Karnak Temple and the Avenue of Sphinxes in Luxor
Day 6: Kom Ombo Temple & the Temple of Horus at Edfu
Kom Ombo - Edfu - Luxor. Disembarking in Kom Ombo, we enjoy a guided tour of the Temple of Kom Ombo - dedicated to the crocodile headed god - Sobek and the Temple of Horus at Edfu, before driving north to Luxor. Home of the legendary Valley of the Kings and Temple of Karnak, 4000 year-old Luxor is ancient Egypt at it’s best. Enjoy some rest and relaxation. Tonight, an optional visit is available to the Temple of Luxor, alternatively enjoy the facilities of your hotel. Overnight - Luxor (B)
The Tomb of Tutankhamen, at the Valley of the Kings in Luxor
Day 7: Valley of the Kings
Luxor - Cairo. An early start allows us to avoid some of the fierce midday heat as we venture to the tomb strewn Valley of the Kings. Consider opting to join our hot air ballooning excursion over ancient Thebes - fabulous early in the morning! Highlights of the visit include the Colossi of Memnon, a massive pair of statues that stand silent against the backdrop of history, the Valleys of the Kings and the awesome ramped and colonnaded Temple of Queen Hatshepsut.

The Valley of the Kings is studded with often highly decorated tombs, constructed to once house the regal sarcophagi enclosed mummies of the mighty pharaohs awaiting passage into the after-life. This afternoon after lunch and time to relax we visit the colossal Temple of Karnak, with its stone-columned Hypostle Hall. Tonight, we return by overnight train to Cairo. Sleeper cabin upgrade available. Overnight - Seater Train (B)
Day 8: Goodbye Egypt & Hello Istanbul!
Saturday 20th April 2013. Arrive to Cairo and hotel check in. Your room will be available for you today till your departure transfer to the airport for your flight to Istanbul, where your great ANZAC Day 2013 adventure begins! Flights deaprting Cairo should be booked after 2pm.

Turkish Airlines offers open jaw flights between London, Cairo and Istnabul, check the THY website for more details or we can arrange flights on your behalf! If you provide us with your incoming flight details to Istanbul we will be there to meet you at Attaturk International Airport in Istanbul and transfer you to our hotel.

Arrive Istanbul, spend the remainder of the day exploring Istanbul – a city that straddles both Europe and Asia! Overnight - Istanbul (B)
The Roman Ruins of Ephesus in Turkey
Day 9: Pamukkale Thermal Pools
Istanbul - Pamukkale. Today we travel south to Pamukkale, home to the magnificent white calcium terraces known as the Pamukkale Thermal Pools. Late afternoon arrival and free time. Maybe opt for a refreshing dip in the hotel's indoor swimming pool. Overnight - Pamukkale (B, D)
Two girls sitting on a wall at ANZAC Cove, by the sea
Day 10: Ancient Ephesus
Pamukkale - Kusadasi. Today we tour the Roman Hierapolis which sits at the top of Pamukkale’s travertine source, where we enjoy a short tour. Here, you can walk barefoot along the terraces allowing the mineral rich waters to wash over your feet or opt for a dip in the Pamukkale Thermal Springs - an amazing pool full of sunken Roman columns. Continuing all things Roman, we enjoy a guided visit at Ephesus - perhaps the best preserved classical city on the Eastern Med. We’ll also take in a fashion stop at a top-grade leather garment house, before driving to coastal Kusadasi, where we can relax and enjoy the hotel’s facilities Overnight - Kusadasi (B, D)
Crowds on ANZAC Day in Gallipoli
Day 11: Pergamum & the Aegean Coast
Kusadasi - Ayvalik. Driving north, we visit the Roman ruins of Pergamum with it’s steep hillside amphitheatre, a great photo opportunity, and neighbouring asclepion (ancient medical centre). We then continue to Ayvalik on the Aegean coast. Overnight - Ayvalik (B, D)
Day 12: ANZAC Day Gallipoli 2013
Ayvalik - Gallipoli. A very early departure, if open we'll stop at Homer's Troy - famed for its Trojan wooden horse. Crossing by ferry to the Gallipoli Peninsular, this afternoon we enjoy a guided tour (subject to ANZAC Cove opening hours and traffic conditions) of the evocative war memorials that dot the region, for example; Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair, Johnston’s Jolly, the trenches and Kabatepe - the modest ANZAC museum. Early this evening, we’ll relax at our exclusive ANZAC Eve Turkish BBQ before later taking our places amongst the many at the Dawn Service site for the atmosphere charged ANZAC Eve vigil. Overnight - Gallipoli (Dawn Service Site) (B, L)
Day 13: ANZAC Day Gallipoli 2013
First light heralds a poignant bugle call and commencement of the Dawn Service. After the service and armed with your maps, you’ve a chance to independently explore many of the trenches and memorial sites as you head up to Lone Pine or Chunuk Bair for the Australian or New Zealand National services. Later this afternoon, we return to Istanbul, where upon our late evening arrival, we check into our hotel for a well-earned rest after such an emotion-filled day. (timings on 25 April subject to coach traffic) Overnight - Istanbul
Day 14: Blue Mosque & Bosphorus Cruise
Today we enjoy a guided tour of the old city, taking in the stunning Iznik tiled Blue Mosque, Hippodrome area, Topkapi Palace, the 6th century Hagia Sofia (exterior only) and more. This afternoon, we take a relaxing cruise on a Bosphorus Strait. You'll see waterside palaces framed by a modern city skyline dotted with expansive domed mosques and towering minarets of traditional Ottoman style. Later you can opt to explore the mammoth Grand Bazaar and exotic Egyptian Spice Market.

When the sun sets, why not enjoy our optional Istanbul by night bolt on! With dinner, belly dancers and entertainment at a great Istanbul venue. Transportation is provided and tickets need to be booked in advance. Overnight - Istanbul (B)
Day 15: Istanbul
Saturday 27th April 2013. Tour ends after breakfast and hotel check out at 12noon. We hope you have had a wonderful holiday and memorable ANZAC Day experience. Istanbul (B)


Tour Details
  • Starts in: Cairo / Ends in: Istanbul
  • Departs: Sat 13 April 2013
  • No local payment required
  • Breakfast:13, Lunch: 3, Dinner: 5
  • Hotel Rating: 4 and 5 star
  • Tour Guide: Yes
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