Explore the Pyramids, Sphinx, the Egyptian Museum with its incredible Tutankhamun exhibit, and the bustling bazaars. Your private guide and air conditioned chauffeur-driven vehicle will take you around this city at your own pace, avoiding the bus tour crowds. Then fly to Luxor to explore the river's edge temples and monuments including; the Valley of Kings & Queens, Karnak temple and Luxor temple. Combining private tours and transfers with enjoyable group outings, you will experience the absolute best that Egypt has to offer.

Fly to Istanbul to explore this fascinating city. With one foot in Europe and the other in Asia, Istanbul is truly a crossroads of ideas and cultures. Having served as the capital of three universal empires at borders joining two continents, Istanbul mixes influences and traditions from East to West, from the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Start your tour with Byzantine architecture and visit St. Sophia Church, the pride and glory of the empire. Continue your tour with the famous Blue Mosque, recognized for its unique blue shaded tiles and design. After a live history lesson visit the impressive Byzantine Hippodrome and the famous Bazaar of over 4000 shops. One of the tour attractions is Topkapi Palace, the former residence of sultans. Drive through the Intercontinental Suspension Bridge and see the Asian side of Istanbul. During the group tour visit Beylerbeyi Palace, the white marble summer residence of Ottoman Sultans. After lunch enjoy a cruise by boat on Bosphorus, the strait that separates two continents.

Day 1
Cairo
Airport transfer with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide. Travellers will be met in the tunnel by an airport representative who will in turn facilitate the visa process ($17 per person), escort your group through customs and immigration, off to baggage claim and finally to passenger pick up. It is here that your group will connect with our Kensington associate who will arrange airport transfer to your hotel. T Kensington Tours donates a portion of our proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). The Mena House Oberoi stands tall, yet guarded by the mighty heights of the Great Pyramids of Cairo. Fascinating guests since 1869, the 523 room hotel has continuously held the attention of royalty, political thinkers, and celebrities over time. A range of continental dining and Egyptian specialty restaurants and bars satisfy even the most critical of appetites. The Mena House grants guests the opportunity to relax or stay active by checking out its golf courses, horse and camel stables, and extensive fitness options. Wander a few steps outside the hotel and you may run smack into a pyramid. Forty acres of jasmine-scented gardens will leave their scent on those who depart the hotel. It’s hard to leave this embellished haven of lush furnishings, oriental prints, and hand-woven fabrics. Cairo is the capitol of Egypt and the hub of the country. Millennia of history have made it one of the most fascinating places in the world. The Egyptian Museum whose 107 halls feature huge statues on the ground floor, and small statues, jewels, Tutankhamon treasures and the mummies on upper floors. Other downtown sights include the Saladin Citadel and Mohamed Ali Mosque, and Khan Khalili bazaar. Nearby Giza is famous for the Pyramids of Egypt, among the largest constructions ever built.

Day 2
Cairo
On this full day tour, explore the relics of ages past at ancient Memphis, Sakkara and the Great Pyramids of Giza. Includes entry to either Chephren (Khafre) or Menkaure (Mycerinus) pyramids and the Solar boat (Cheops Pyramid entrance Extra (Great Pyramid of Khufu), clients must arrive early to get into Cheops Pyramid as limited number of people are allowed to enter each day). Also see the famous Sphinx. Includes a trained Egyptologist guide and private vehicle and driver. Enjoy a personalized lunch with your guide at a great local restaurant. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at Mena House Oberoi Garden.

Day 3
Cairo
This full day tour includes a private tour with your trained Egyptologist guide through the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities and its Mummy Room, which houses a priceless treasure of archaeological finds. In the afternoon visit Saladin Citadel, a spectacular medieval fortress dating from the 12th century, where you explore the mosque and tomb of the Ottoman ruler Mohamed Ali. Later, a walking tour will take you through the fabled Khan Khalili bazaar filled with exotic treats. Enjoy a personalized lunch with your guide at a great local restaurant. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at Mena House Oberoi Garden.

Day 4
Cairo - Luxor
Airport transfer with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide. CAI-LXR Airport transfer with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide. Visit the great temples of Karnak and Luxor on the East Bank to marvel at the achievements of one of the earliest civilizations. Visit the spectacular sights of Luxor with a private guide. The great temples of Karnak and Luxor on the East Bank, or the valley of the Kings and Queens on the West Bank. Dazzling sound and light show on the walls of Karnak temple On the shores of the Nile, at the core of Luxor’s ancient soul, sits the Steigenberger Nile Palace. The regal structure stands tall. It begs come hither for curious visitors to witness the glory of the Egyptian Kingdom. The hotel’s 304 rooms and suites are designed to fit the lifestyles of those demanding a combination of comfort, contemporary décor, and panache. Quench your visual and cultural thirsts, with the option of stunning river views or an eyeful of lively streets and the courtyard. Enact gastronomic fantasies with Lebanese cuisine and succulent grilled meats. Wander the city and become immersed in burial places, temples, and museums. Or, pamper yourself with the numerous facilities offered at the Steigenberger Nile Palace, including a spa and swimming pools. Luxor, site of ancient Thebes, and the "world's greatest open air museum". Notable sights on the east bank include the Temple of Karnak and Luxor Temple. On the west bank is the spectacular Valley of the Kings. For a period of nearly 500 years from the 16th to 11th century BC, tombs were constructed for the kings and powerful nobles, including Tutankhamun. The nearby Valley of the Queens is said to hold more than seventy tombs.

Day 5
Luxor
This morning you will meet up with your guide and explore some of the most incredible sites of the country. You'll visit the valley of the Kings and Queens where you will have the chance to explore three tombs: Ramses III, Tuhotmoses III and Ramses I. For a period of nearly 500 years from the 16th to 11th century BC, tombs were constructed for the kings and powerful nobles of the New Kingdom (the Eighteenth to the Twentieth Dynasties of Ancient Egypt). The valley stands on the west bank of the Nile, opposite modern Luxor. You'll then visit the nearby Valley of the Kings and also the recently renovated mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Hatshepsut was the second pharaoh of the eighteenth dynasty of Ancient Egypt. She is generally regarded by Egyptologists as one of the most successful pharaohs, reigning longer than any other woman of an indigenous Egyptian dynasty. Tour includes a visit to the huge Colossi of Memnon which are all that remain of the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III. Visit the spectacular sights of Luxor with a private guide. The great temples of Karnak and Luxor on the East Bank, or the valley of the Kings and Queens on the West Bank. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at Steigenberger Nile Palace .

Day 6
Luxor - Cairo
Airport transfer with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide. LXR-CAI Airport transfer with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide. Delve into the ancient Christian enclave of Cairo, with its Coptic iconography and architecture. Your private guide will also take you through the hanging church, Ben Ezra Synagogue. Tour also includes mosques of old Islamic Cairo - Ibn Toloun, Amr Ibn El As and Sultan Hassan. Includes a private vehicle and driver. The city of Cairo, with all its hustle and bustle, offers a comforting refuge at the Sheraton Cairo Hotel, Towers and Casino. Perched on the west bank overlooking the Nile, the hotel has 650 deluxe rooms to cater to guests from all over the world. Restaurants are numerous, with something for even the pickiest critic, and with entertaining performances setting the atmosphere nightly. Visitors are awestruck by the grand views of the city and the Nile, as the hotel’s height allows for a huge scope of the city. Discovering it hands-on is a very inviting prospect, with the Cairo Opera House and a host of other activities at the guest’s fingertips. Still, the prospect of relaxing at the hotel pools and fitness spas is tempting, presenting a pleasantly tough decision for guests.

Day 7
Cairo - Istanbul
Airport transfer with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide. CAI to IST Airport transfer with your private car and driver. This remarkable group tour takes you to a famous night club for a dinner including 1/2 bottle of wine per person at a famous night club, accompanied by a traditional Turkish show -for the performance of folk dancers, belly-dancers, with Turkish music bands, and singers. Situated in the heart of downtown Istanbul, Yasmak Sultan (4*) neighbours celebrated museums, mosques, palaces shopping areas. Just a short walking distance from St.Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and Grand Covered Bazaar, the centre of old city Istanbul awaits discovery. Hotel Yasmak Sultan brings a refreshing alternative to the typical Istanbul Hotel, pairing boutique style with elegant guest service. Friendly, multilingual staff looks forward to welcoming you to the Yasmak Sultan Hotel.
Istanbul (Byzantium, and later Constantinople) is the world's 3rd largest city and Turkey's cultural and financial center. It is located on the Bosphorus Strait and encompasses the natural harbor known as the Golden Horn. It extends both on the European (Thrace) and on the Asian (Anatolia) side of the Bosphorus, and is therefore the only metropolis in the world which is situated on two continents. In its long history, Istanbul served as the capital city of the Roman Empire (330–395), the East Roman (Byzantine) Empire (395–1204 and 1261–1453), the Latin Empire (1204–1261), and the Ottoman Empire (1453–1922). The city was chosen as joint European Capital of Culture for 2010. The historic areas of Istanbul were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985.

Day 8
Istanbul
Enjoy a full day tour of Istanbul with other travellers and see the most important sights. Visit the St. Sophia Church, the pride and glory of the Byzantine architecture (excluding the Gallery floor); the Blue Mosque, famous for its blue tiles; Byzantine Hippodrome, where once chariot races were held; and the Grand Bazaar, world’s largest covered bazaar with 4000 shops. After lunch (included in the tour price) visit Topkapi Palace, the famous residence of the Sultans (The Harem section is not included in the tour). The tour ends at your hotel. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at Yasmak Sultan (4*).

Day 9
Istanbul
Enjoy a full day tour in a group setting. The guide will pick you up from your hotel. In the morning a visit to the Spice Market, where locals still shop for herbs and spices coming from all over the world. Cross the Bosphorus by driving through the Intercontinental Suspension Bridge to go over the Asian side of Istanbul. A visit to Beylerbeyi Palace, the white marble summer residence of Ottoman Sultans used in the 19th century. After lunch a cruise by boat on Bosphorus, the unique winding strait separating two continents. (order of visits can change)
Airport transfer with your private car and driver. Overnight at Yasmak Sultan (4*).

Day 10
Istanbul
Airport transfer with your private car and driver. Depart from Istanbul airport - end of itinerary.