23 Day Turkey, Jordan & Egypt

Hoşgeldiniz! Welcome to Istanbul. Upon arrival, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

This vast metropolis is home to a beguiling mix of different cultures and traditions, a blend of east and west influences. The only city in the world that straddles two continents, it’s busy, vibrant and fascinating.

Tonight you’ll join your guide and the rest of your group for your first Inspiring Taste, enjoying traditional Turkish fare in a local meyhane. It’s not just about the wonderful food, it’s an authentic way to socialise in Istanbul like the locals.

Please note: Some flights may depart the day before.

Check in: Passengers will be arriving at various times throughout the day from as early as 6am through to late evening. If arriving prior to standard check-in time, which is generally 3pm local time, you are welcome to leave your luggage with hotel reception and explore your surroundings until check-in becomes available, as there are generally no scheduled activities on Day 1 of the itinerary. The hotel may grant early check-in, however this is strictly subject to availability and at the hotel’s discretion.

We’ll start with a welcome meeting at 9am to discuss some tour logistics and to give you a chance to meet your fellow travellers.

After the meeting, you’ll transfer to the airport for your flight to Kayseri. On arrival, your driver will greet you at the airport and you’ll head to Goreme Open-Air Museum.

This cave city of ancient churches and monasteries is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s a must-visit in Cappadocia and sits in the very centre of the region; easily accessible. It contains the finest of the rock-cut churches, and beautiful frescoes (wall paintings) with colours that are still fresh and vibrant.

Step back in time as you spend two nights in your boutique cave hotel, an Inspiring Stay, staying in rooms carved into the rock.

Cappadocia is famous for its unique landforms; deep valleys, swirling volcanic-rock landscapes, fairy chimneys that change colour with the sunset. It’s an enchanting, peculiar land.

It’s no wonder this area is renowned for its magical hot air balloon flights – early birds have the option of taking to the sky over the surreal Cappadocian landscape. The scene at sunrise is sure to take your breath away. Please note, this activity can only be booked locally. Please speak to your tour guide on day one to organise this.

It’s also known for its labyrinthine underground cities. Today your tour will start with the Derinkuyu, one of the 36 underground cities in Cappadocia. These underground cities first started in the Bronze Age Hittite era. There are about 600 outside doors to the city, hidden in the courtyards of surface dwellings. This underground city is about 60 metres deep and could accommodate up to 20,000 people.

It contains all the usual rooms found in an underground city, like stables, cellars, churches and wineries. On the second floor, you’ll find a large room with a barrel-vaulted ceiling that was a missionary school.

We’ll then visit the magnificent Ihlara Valley, near the two volcanoes of Mount Hasan and Mount Melendiz. This vast canyon, with a depth of about 100 metres, was formed by the Melendiz River thousands of years ago. It begins at Ihlara village and makes 26 bends along 14 kilometres, ending at Selime Monastery in Selime village. Around 80,000 people once lived in Ihlara Valley and it’s believed the valley housed more than 4000 dwellings and cave churches decorated with frescoes.

Tonight you’ll be hosted by a local family for your next Inspiring Taste – a home-cooked dinner in their home, a truly memorable experience. Enjoy!

Extra optional activity (Can only be booked locally) - Hot Air Ballooning over Cappadocia - approx. EUR 150 per person

This morning we’ll head to Konya, a journey of about three hours. When you arrive you’ll have some free time to relax.

In the evening, your guide will take you to the Dervish Lodge to experience the Whirling Dervish Ritual.

The Mevlevi Sema Ceremony is a Sufi ceremony that symbolises stages on the path to accessing God. It is a journey through man’s spiritual ascent to ‘perfection’ through mind and love – a truly unmissable and astonishing experience of music and movement. It contains religious elements and themes with detailed rules and characteristics. The ceremony consists of the noble eulogy to the Prophet Mohammed, flute solo, prelude, the Circling of Veled and four segments (selam), which contain different Sufi meanings.

The ceremony is performed with traditional Mevlevi music, beginning with the Noble Eulogy (naat-ı şerif), which is the score composed by Itri and has been played since the late 17th century. Hymns written by composers such as Pir Adil Çelebi are sung by a trained chorus, which is accompanied by instruments such as the ney (flute), kettledrum and oud. The works of Rumi written in Persian are the basic source of the compositions.

After an early breakfast this morning, you’ll have a five-hour journey to Pamukkale, part of the UNESCO-listed larger ancient city of Hierapolis. It’s a trip of about three and a half hours.

Nicknamed the ‘cotton castle’, Pamukkale’s famous white travertines and blue mineral pools make for an enchanting sight. The calcite-laden waters from the hot springs overlooking the plain have created a magical landscape, with petrified waterfalls and a series of step-like terraced basins with a dazzling white coating.

We’ll then visit the nearby ancient Roman spa city of Hierapolis. We’ll see the ruins of the baths, temples and the Antique Pool with its submerged Roman columns, the result of an earthquake in the seventh century.

It’s about a three-hour trip this morning to Ephesus, Europe’s most complete ancient city and arguably the greatest Greco-Roman site in the world.

Built during 10th century BC during the Classical Greek era, this great city began to flourish under Roman control in 129 BC. It’s estimated that in its heyday, the city’s population was between 33,000 and 56,000 people.

Tour the amphitheatre, stroll the marble streets once walked by Cleopatra and Mark Antony and marvel at the gymnasium, baths and beautifully-restored Library of Celsus.

The centrepiece of this prosperous city, the marble Temple of Artemis, was once the biggest temple on earth and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It’s a shadow of its former glory – after being completely rebuilt three times, it was eventually destroyed during a raid by an East Germanic tribe in 401 AD.

Then, we’ll drive to the quaint village of Şirince before heading to Izmir to spend the night.

It’s an early transfer to the airport this morning to fly to Istanbul. Upon arrival, you’ll be taken to your hotel.

Later in the afternoon, we’ll see the main sights of Istanbul, most of which are central to Sultanahmet Square, previously the famous Hippodrome of Constantinople. We’ll take an orientation walk around this historic area. Once upon a time it was home to gladiator games, official ceremonies, celebrations and protests. It’s been in use since Roman times and was used as a square by the Ottomans, too. Construction during the 16th and 17th centuries damaged it and by the mid-18th century it was abandoned. You’ll enjoy Turkish tea.

We’ll visit the Blue Mosque, also known as the Sultan Ahmet Camii (or Sultan Ahmed Mosque), one of the most majestic Ottoman mosques in Turkey. It’s a striking display of classical Turkish architecture. Built between 1609 and 1616, it was designed as an imperial show of strength to complement the imposing Hagia Sophia across the square. It owes its name to more than 20,000 handmade ceramic Iznik tiles that decorate the interior, with many different tulip, rose, carnation and lily designs. It’s still used as a place for daily prayer and worship.

You’ll visit the Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) Museum, one of Istanbul’s most impressive sights, famous for its massive dome and other daring engineering feats. Now a museum, it was previously a church for more than a thousand years and later a mosque.

The last stop is the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. It takes up a whole city quarter. With over 4,000 shops, it’s a tourist favourite and a great place to practise your haggling skills.

At the appropriate time, you’ll be taken to the airport to board your flight to Amman.

Welcome to Jordan, cosmopolitan and contemporary, yet steeped in biblical history. On arrival at Amman's Queen Alia International Airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel.

After breakfast enjoy a tour of this capital city. Cosmopolitan and contemporary, yet steeped in ancient biblical history, Amman is a bit of a chameleon. Most of the city's historical sites are located downtown. Here we'll visit the Citadel, with remains from the Roman to the early Islamic period; the Jordan Archaeological Museum, which houses the oldest Neolithic statues dating from 8000 to 5000 NC, as well as other valuable artifacts; the souq, where we'll get an idea of everyday life; as well as the beautifully restored 2nd-century Roman Theatre.

Next we'll take a short drive (approximately one-hour) north to Jerash. Once one of the grandest ancient Roman cities in the world, Jerash now boasts some of the best Greco-Roman ruins around. Admire this site's striking collection of crumbling archways, theatres, baths, public buildings and colonnaded streets. Grand columns encircle the city's centrepiece, the Oval Plaza, a wonderfully atmospheric place to linger after exploring this ruined city's lasting riches.

Today marks the beginning of our journey towards the fabled site of Petra. En route we'll visit Madaba, an ancient market town that's home to a number of fine Byzantine mosaics, the most outstanding of which lies within Saint George's Greek Orthodox Church. Here, a map of the Holy Land once carpeted the whole floor, said to contain more than two million pieces. Crafted around 560 CE, a large swathe of this mosaic map can still be viewed, providing the oldest map of Palestine in existence.

Next we'll continue to the ancient village at Dana, on the edge of the Dana Biosphere Reserve, where local artisans sell silver jewellery.

Later, we'll drive along the King's Highway, up to Shobak Castle, sometimes known as Montreal. Perched at the top of a hill in the desert, this ancient Crusader castle was originally built to protect the eastern flank of the Latin Kingdom and its trade routes to the sea before it fell to Muslim sultan Saladin in 1189. Stroll the site and discover a small chapel, original gatehouse, and find out where a long, dark secret passage leads.

Great ready for Petra! A firm fixture on most bucket lists for good reason – the jewel of Jordan is an arresting sight. The so-called Rose City boasts an impressive series of tombs, caves and temples hidden behind ornate façades carved directly into the rock. No one knows the exact date of this desert kingdom's creation, but the lost city of the Nabateans is believed to date as far back as the 2nd century CE. The city has lain empty and unknown for centuries, only rediscovered in 1812 by a Swiss explorer.

You'll feel just like Indiana Jones, as you meander through the narrow canyon known as the Siq; at times the path measures only a few metres wide, with walls soaring up to 180 metres on either side of you. It's easy to imagine the armies and merchants who made their way here many years ago, and the sense of awe they too must have felt upon reaching this ancient rock-hewn kingdom, surrounded by such a stark landscape. The Siq is the main entranceway to The Treasury – perhaps Petra's most iconic sight, and one of its most elaborate temples.

Petra's greatest surprise, however, is its size. With our guide we'll explore the old Roman road, the amphitheatre and several tombs. We'll also climb up to the beautiful façade of the Monastery, from where you will have a magnificent view of the entire site.

Exploring this truly extraordinary destination is sure to be a highlight of your trip.

We continue to Wadi Rum and browse around the excellent and informative visitor's centre. We'll visit several of Wadi Rum's distinctive rock formations and soak in the vast silence, towering sandstone mountains and spectacular desert landscapes of this surreal 'Valley of the Moon', where, the wind-sculpted rock formations change in hue throughout the day.

We'll also meet with local Bedouins, who live in scattered camps throughout the area, and ride camels to our traditional Bedouin tent, situated deep within the valley. We'll enjoy an evening with them at one of their camps, savouring the hospitality of these nomadic peoples and the uninterrupted desert panoramas.

Wadi Rum is probably best known for its connection with the enigmatic British army officer TE Lawrence, who was based here during the Great Arab Revolt of 1917-18. Much of David Lean's movie on his exploits, Lawrence of Arabia, was actually filmed in this very region.

Please note - While we are sure that this experience will inspire you, please be aware that your stay will differ from that of a traditional hotel. There are no hotels in or near Wadi Rum: the only places to sleep are the numerous bedouin-run camps dotted around the desert. The camps that we use are quoted as being 'luxury' because their locations differ from other styles of camps and your tent will have its own ensuite. Even at the best and more 'luxurious' camps, bathroom facilities within the tents are somewhat rudimentary and the bedding can also be quite basic, however still offering you a comfortable nights' accommodation. While we may not make it sound glamorous, it will be a unique and memorable experience.

After waking up in the unique environment of the luxury camp this morning, we'll enjoy a walk around the area before scaling one of the large dunes to enjoy sensational views of the surrounding area; keen photographers will be delighted. We'll then ride camels back across the Wadi Rum desert.

Later, we'll drive for approximately an hour and a half to reach a radically different landscape – the Dead Sea. We'll spend the afternoon on the shores of this famous body of water, named for the dearth of life in its waters. The saline water has a high density that keeps bathers buoyant and makes getting underneath the surface very difficult. Floating on the surface without any sort of lilo makes for a once in a lifetime experience. Afterwards we'll return to Amman for the evening.

After breakfast this morning, we head to the airport for our flight to Cairo.

On arrival, you’ll check into your Inspiring Stay, the deluxe 5-star Le Meridien Pyramids – in a pyramid view room overlooking the captivating Great Pyramids of Giza. Magical.

This morning, meet your guide and head out to see some of the world’s most iconic sights – the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx. Explore these structures that have stood tall for some 4,500 years and learn about the ancient history of the monuments. The oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the only one to remain largely intact, the pyramids are a sight to behold.

Afterwards,  we visit the the Egyptian Museum in Cairo is one of the world’s most renowned museums, housing the largest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts. Located in Tahrir Square, the museum was established in 1902 and features over 120,000 items, including the treasures of Tutankhamun, royal mummies, and intricately carved statues. Its vast halls showcase the grandeur and complexity of ancient Egyptian civilization, offering visitors a journey through thousands of years of history, art, and culture.

Today, enjoy a free day at leisure.

Later this afternoon you'll be transferred to the airport to board your included flight to Luxor.

Special Information

Your internal flight for this day is arranged by our local partner. Specific flight details will be provided by your Tour Leader upon arrival and cannot be provided in advance. Please note that these group flights cannot be upgraded, amended, or checked in online. Your Tour Leader will manage the check-in process for the group.  

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel then we'll explore the magnificent Karnak Temple, which is perhaps the most impressive of all the ancient pharaohs' monumental works. One of the world's most celebrated temple complexes, Karnak was built over some 200 years and was once known as the 'Chosen of Places'. Your guided tour of this vast temple of impressive pylons, obelisks and chapels will reveal its finest sections, such as the Avenue of Sphinxes and the Great Temple of Amun.

Then it’s time to embark on your luxury Nile cruise that will be home for the next 4 nights. You’ll cruise between Luxor and Aswan on this elegant ship, with all the comforts you would expect from a 5-star floating hotel.

Please note that since the sailing distance between Luxor and Aswan is approximately 200kms, that it is typical for all cruises operated along the Nile to be docked for majority of the time to conduct sightseeing, with the sailing to occur of an evening. The vessel will be docked either in Luxor or Aswan. Depending on the time of year and number of vessels operating at the same time, you will also find that all vessels are docked beside one another, which is beyond our control.

To ensure that our customers have appropriate expectations prior to their journey, it is important not to compare this experience to that of a European River Cruise, which tend to cover a greater distance and on larger vessels. Instead, you will experience a Deluxe stay on-board your vessel, offering a great chance to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the banks of the Nile while you sit back and relax. Your cruise schedule will be provided once on-board.

Today we'll discover some of the many wonders of ancient Thebes. Our first stop is the Colossi of Memnon – two 17-metre-high statues on Luxor's west bank. Carved from granite blocks, they represent the Pharaoh Amenhotep III and were once part of an impressive colonnade.

Continue on to the spectacular royal burial site of the Valley of the Kings. Buried under the arid hills here are the tombs of more than 60 pharaohs, many richly decorated with reliefs and paintings. Explore this sprawling and spectacular place with your guide, where the pharaohs of the New Kingdom (16th to 11th century BCE) were secretly interred for all eternity, and where archaeological discoveries are still being made. Your guide will explain the history of and legends surrounding these remarkable people, their funerary rites, and the significance of the many paintings and hieroglyphics, still well-preserved in the deepest tombs.

After paying a visit to three of the most interesting royal tombs we'll continue to the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, a stunning colonnaded building of sharp lines that contrasts beautifully against the craggy high cliffs behind it, creating a spectacular natural amphitheatre. One of Egypt’s greatest queens, this temple was built to prove her importance among the ancestors.

Enjoy lunch upon your return to the boat. There is time to relax on deck, or in your cabin, before we set sail for Edfu. Generally the journey from Luxor to Edfu takes place between 1pm an 11 pm, though the departure time may vary, depending on river traffic. En route to Edfu we pass through the Esna Lock and head upstream.

Special Information

Please note: Entry to the Tomb of King Tutankhamun is not included in today’s scheduled activities. Tickets cost approximately USD $20 and can be purchased on-site with assistance from your trip leader. Be aware that there may be long queues, so plan accordingly to allow enough time for your visit.

Today we will moor near Edfu – home to ancient settlements and temples, as well as a bustling town centre and a bazaar.

Later we'll return to the boat where we’ll continue travelling upriver, with plenty of free time for relaxing on the sundeck and taking in the surrounding sights – from fishermen casting nets and farmers working their land to the desert hills that frame the lush riverbanks.

This afternoon we'll arrive at Kom Ombo Temple. Set dramatically on the bank of the Nile, 47 kilometres north of Aswan and 168 kilometres south of Luxor, the soaring, chunky columns of the double temple are a magnificent sight to behold as you arrive from the river.

Dedicated to the gods Sobek and Haroeris, the temple's finely carved reliefs give a sense of this area's prominence as capital over the surrounding region during the Ptolemaic era. Today, Kom Ombo may be a sleepy agricultural backwater surrounded by sugar cane fields, but its prime position along the Nile meant it was once one of Upper Egypt's most important centres. Wander through the temple's colonnades, gazing up at scenes of kingly propaganda, and you'll get a sense of this rich history for yourself.

Return to the cruise boat where you’ll continue travelling upriver towards Aswan.

Please note: the only mode of transport available to visit the Temple of Edfu is by locally managed horses and carriages. As a business that seeks to promote responsible travel, animal welfare is extremely important to us at Inspiring Vacations, and unfortunately, some operators of the horse and carriages have been found to be in breach of our animal welfare guidelines. It is for this reason we do not include the visit the Edfu Temple. While we recommend that you do not use the horse and carriage to visit the Temple, the decision is ultimately up to you and your guide can help arrange transport and ensure the best horses are used.

Today you will awake before sunrise for an early morning start. Sit back and relax as you drive to the ancient Abu Simbel temples, near the southern Egyptian border. You will have an early arrival into Abu Simbel to view one of the most incredible sights you will see. The two enormous sandstone structures were built in the 1200s BCE by Ramses II to serve as lasting monuments to himself and his favourite wife Nefertari. The larger temple, dedicated to three major Egyptian deities, features four large statues of Ramses II on its façade, while the smaller temple is dedicated to the goddess of love, Hathor, with statues designed to embody Nefertari.

Set on the banks of the artificial Lake Nasser, the structures were once in danger of being flooded with the construction of the Aswan High Dam but were saved via an extensive project to cut the temples into pieces and move them to higher ground, where they are seen today.

On our return to Aswan the rest of the day is free for you to make your own discoveries.

This afternoon, we'll enjoy a sailboat ride around the Nile River islands in a traditional felucca (a small, traditional Egyptian sailboat).

Today we will leave Aswan and make the short flight back to Cairo. On our return to Cairo enjoy your free time relaxing or doing some last-minute sightseeing.

Special Information

Your internal flight for this day is arranged by our local partner. Specific flight details will be provided by your Tour Leader upon arrival and cannot be provided in advance. Please note that these group flights cannot be upgraded, amended, or checked in online. Your Tour Leader will manage the check-in process for the group.  

Unfortunately, today marks the end of your incredible tour. At the appropriate time, you will be transferred to the airport to board your flight home.

We hope you have enjoyed a very memorable experience and will return home with many lovely stories and photos.

Check out: Passengers will be departing at various times throughout the day. Standard hotel check-out times will apply no matter what time your flight is scheduled to depart. Check-out time is generally anywhere from 10am-12pm. You are welcome to leave your luggage at hotel reception and spend your final moments of free time exploring the area or alternatively please speak with hotel staff if you would like to extend your check-out time. Please note this service is subject to availability and will likely come at an additional cost. Your tour guide (or hotel staff) will confirm the time of your airport transfer with you directly.

Arrive home today, with memories to last a life-time.