The East Mediterranean a La Indiana Jones
Turkey, Egypt and Jordan A true Grand Tour

Starts in Istanbul Weekly - Year Round : March - Nov

Our 28 -day Grand Tour of the East Mediterranean shows you all of Turkey's best cities, Egypt ancient treasures, and the lost city of Petra

Click here for Turkey Private Touring including King Midas Extension
Compare with Turkey 16-Day Grand Tour

DAY 1- USA /Istanbul - Sunday
Start in JFK ( air fare add-on available form other major cities), board Lufthansa, British Airways, KLM, Air France or other IATAN airlines , across the Atlantic to Istanbul

DAY 2 - ISTANBUL - Saturday
Our staff meets your plane and escorts you to your hotel. Hyatt, Conrad or similar .

DAY 2 - ISTANBUL- Sunday (BL)
We tour historic Istanbul, including the Hippodrome, Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Süleymaniye Mosque, and the 4000-shop Grand Bazaar.

DAY 3 - ISTANBUL- Monday (BLD)
After a visit to the aromatic Egyptian (Spice) Bazaar on the Golden Horn, we board a ferryboat and cruise northward along the Bosphorus, the strait which separates Europe and Asia. Sipping Turkish coffee or tea, we pass waterside palaces, mansions, forests and parks. Disembarking at a fishing village, we have a seafood lunch at a local restaurant, then drive south to tour fabled Topkapi Palace, where we will stroll through the palace gardens to see the Treasury and Chinese porcelains. In the evening, we go out for dinner with live music and belly dancing.

DAY 4 - DARDANELLES & TROY- Tuesday (BLD)
We drive through Thrace (European Turkey) to Gallipoli, scene of famous battles in WWI. After lunch we cross the Dardanelles (Hellespont) and drive to legendary Troy to see the famous walls and a replica of the Trojan Horse before settling in at our hotel in Çanakkale. Idakale Hotel , Kolin Hotel , Tusan Hotel or similar (local 4 star)

DAY 5 - PERGAMON & IZMIR - Wednesday (BLD)
Driving south through the fields and olive groves along the Aegean shore, we come to Bergama, ancient Pergamon. Ascending its lofty acropolis, we see the Altar of Zeus, Temple of Dionysus and the remains of the 200,000-volume library which was surpassed only by Alexandria's. A few miles away, we tour the asclepion, the early medical center where Galen was a physician, before continuing to Izmir for the night. Hilton Izmir Hotel , Crowne Plaza Hotel, or similar

DAY 6 - EPHESUS & KUSADASI - Thursday (BLD)
In the morning light we ascend Kadifekale, Izmir's hill crowned by a fortress built by Alexander the Great, to enjoy the view. Then it's off to biblical Ephesus to see the Basilica of St John the Evangelist, who came here with the Virgin Mary. Passing the ruins of the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, we reach Ephesus, the most impressive ancient city on the Mediterranean. After our tour, we continue to the fine Ephesus Museum and the hilltop House of the Virgin Mary, said to be her last home on earth. We spend the night in the Aegean resort of Kusadasi. Charisma Hotel , Fantasia Hotel or similar

DAY 7 - PRIENE, MILETUS & DIDYMA - Friday (BLD)
A short drive brings us to the well-preserved ruins of Priene, a very ancient city perched above the aptly-named Meander River. We next tour Miletus, where the philosopher Thales was born. Finally, we tour the gigantic oracular temple at Didyma, which challenged the primacy of Delphi, before returning to our hotel in Kusadasi.

DAY 8 - APHRODISIAS & PAMUKKALE - Saturday (BLD)
Driving east along fertile river valleys crowded with fields and fruit orchards, we reach Aphrodisias, the City of Aphrodite, goddess of love. After our visit, we continue to Pamukkale, the "Cotton Fortress," where cascades of gleaming white calcium cover a hillside. The warm mineral-laden waters attracted the Romans, who built the spa-city of Hierapolis here. We tour its ruins, and enjoy the swimming pool at our hotel here in the evening. Pamukkale Lycus River Hotel or similar (local 4 star)

DAY 9 - ANTALYA- Sunday (BLD)
We drive back to Izmir Fly to Antalya, "capital" of the Mediterranean Turquoise Coast. After settling in at our hotel, there's time for a swim. Antalya Voyager Sheraton Hotel or similar hotel

DAY 10 - PERGE, ASPENDOS & SIDE - Monday (BLD)
We tour three ancient cities close to Antalya, including Perge, with its great gates and colonnaded street; Aspendos, with its perfectly-preserved theater; and Side, with its creamy marble temples of Athena and Apollo, where Cleopatra once met Marc Anthony for a romantic tryst.

DAY 11 - LAKE DISTRICT & KONYA - Tuesday (BLD)
Climbing up onto the Anatolian plateau, we drive through Turkey's lake district on our way to Konya, the capital of the 11th-century Seljuk Turkish Empire and the home of the mystical whirling dervishes. We visit the Mevlana Museum, with the tomb of Jelaleddin Rumi, founder of the Whirling Dervish order, and also the Karatay Museum, a 13th-century theological seminary. Konya Ozkaymak Hotel , Dundar Hotel or similar (local 4 star)

DAY 12 - KONYA & CAPPADOCIA- Wednesday (BLD)
We travel eastwards along the ancient Silk Road, stopping at the camel caravanserai of Sultanhan for a look at this "caravan motel." Entering biblical Cappadocia, we descend into the ground at Derinkuyu or Kaymakli to explore an entire city carved from the soft volcanic rock by ancient Christians.
Perissia Hotel or similar, if/when possible : Cappadocia Cave Suite hotel ( subject to availability - very small hotel, limited room numbers)

DAY 13 - CAPPADOCIA - Thursday (BLD)
Continuing our explorations of Cappadocia, we tour the Göreme Valley, filled with brightly-painted cave-churches hollowed from the rock. Next is the monastic Zelve Valley, and then the farming towns of Avanos and UÇhisar.

DAY 14 - ANKARA- Friday (BLD)
Driving north, we come to Ankara, known to the Romans as Angora, and now the modern capital of the Turkish Republic. We visit the renowned Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and the monumental mausoleum of AtatÜrk, founder of the republic, before flying to Istanbul.

DAY 15 - ISTANBUL - Saturday (BLD)
" Imperial Constantinople in the Belle Epoque" (late 19th century), the exotic romance of the "Paris of the East:"

Morning walking tour : We start with our guide in Karaköy where the foreign bankers and shipping companies had their headquarters, then take the Tünel up to istiklal Caddesi; stop in the whirling dervish tekke, and walk past the various old embassy buildings (now consulates), and point out the architecture. Stop for tea (included) at the famous Pera Palace Hotel.
Walk at least as far as Galatasaray Square, and have lunch in the Çicek Pasaji (Flower Passage); then walk up to Taksim Square and be picked up for the afternoon tour.
In the afternoon the tour visit Yildiz Palace Park and the Ihlamur Kasri, a mini-palace south of Yildiz, and finish up with a visit to the Military History Museum in Harbiye in time to hear the "Mehter," or Ottoman military band (mid-afternoon) . Return to the hotel for a leisurely dinner.

DAY 16 - Cairo - Sunday (B)
We escort you to the airport for your flight to Cairo , Egypt, air fare is included in business class , tax included .


In Cairo. Our representative greets you at Cairo airport and whisks you to your hotel. Hyatt or Conrad Hotel, or similar.

Complimentary Egyptian visa fee (valid for American, Australian, NZ, Canadian, EU , & Japanese citizens. Passports must be valid for at least 6 month upon arrival).

Visa will be issued upon arrival.
As you exit the gate, you will pass through a door or two , down some stairs , then walk for 2-5 minutes , until you pass the duty free shops, at the end of a wide corridor , you will see the security officers. There you will be met by a local representative, who will be holding a sign with the name you prefer to use for the sign .
Our local representative will then take your passport to obtain a stamp from the cashier / bank window and escort you to speak with the passport officer. He will escort you through another last check on your passport as you exit the passport control, into customs area, he will assist you in collecting your luggage and clearing customs . After exiting the terminal, our local representative will escort you (private vehicle) to the hotel

DAY 17 - Mon. CAIRO (B,L)

Full day tour of the Egyptian Museum, the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, the Citadel of Saladin and the alabaster mosque of Mohammed Ali. Lunch at a charming local restaurant .

DAY 18 - Tue. LUXOR / NILE CRUISE (B,L,D)

Early morning flight to Luxor, air fare is included in our rate , in Luxor you will be escorted to board your Nile Cruiser.  Breakfast will be served on board the cruise. Today we visit: The gigantic Great Temple of Amon at Karnak and the mighty Temple of LUXOR.

For Honeymooners and Anniversary guests: You may enjoy your lunches or dinners in the privacy of your cabin at no additional charge. Guests must request this " special " at the time of booking

DAY 19 - Wed. LUXOR (BLD)

Visit the West Bank: Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens & the great temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Evening sailing for EDFU passing thru Esna Locks.

DAY 20 - Thu EDFU & KOM OMBO (BLD)

In EDFU, we climb aboard horse-drawn carriages and clip-clop through the town to the Temple of Horus, which is Egypt’s best-preserved. Re-embarking, on our Nile cruiser, we sail downstream to Kom Ombo to visit its twin temples. Reach Aswan late afternoon, for a sailing by Felucca to visit the Botanical Garden

DAY 21 - Fri, KOM OMBO / ASWAN / Camel Caravan (BLD)

Early morning arrival in Aswan. Tour Philae Temple. Afternoon leisurely sail on the Nile by Felucca to the other side of the Nile, short Camel Caravan to a nearby Nubian Village for tea.

DAY 22- Sat, ASWAN (BLD)

Morning tour of Aswan Dams, the Unfinished Obelisk & the granite ancient quarries. followed by a trip by motor launch to the Philae temples. this Island temple , dedicated to the Ancient Goddess ISIS :Afternoon fly back to Cairo or optional excursion by air to visit the mighty Abu Simbel Temples. Then fly back to Cairo

Day 23 - Sun , Cairo (B)
Full day at leisure. Enjoy a walking tour thru the 12th century district of Khan El Khalili on your own or just rest & relax.

DAY 24 - Mon. Amman (B)
Our representative escorts you to the airport for your flight to Amman. One way air ticket in 'Y" class is included in the rate. Our staff will meet you upon arrival and help with the transfer to your hotel in Amman. Complimentary Jordanian visa will be issued upon arrival at Amman Airport , valid only for Americans, Canadian, Australian, NZ , EU , & Japanese citizens. Passports must be valid for at least 6 month upon arrival).

DAY 25 - Tue MADABA, KERAK & PETRA (BD)
We drive to Jerash, among the best-preserved Roman cities in the world, to tour its temples, theaters, churches and colonnaded streets. From Jerash, we drive south along the King's Highway, an ancient caravan route, to Madaba to visit the church containing the oldest known map of the Holy Land. Continuing to Mount Nebo, we enjoy the panoramic view of the Promised Land the way Moses saw it for the first time. Farther on, at KERAK, we tour the ruins of its romantic Crusaders' castle of Renaud DE Chatillon, one of a line which stretched from Aqaba to Turkey. Finally, we arrive to PETRA

DAY 26 - Wed Oct 27 PETRA (BD)
Today the fabulous Nabatean City of Petra awaits us. Made famous in the Indiana Jones movie "Raiders of the Lost Ark," its ancient temples, tombs and striking Khazneh (Treasury) were hewn right from the pink and violet sandstone. We spend a full day here, and another night.

DAY 27 - Thu WADI RUM & AMMAN (BD)
We board four-wheel-drive vehicles for an expedition to Wadi Rum, the "Valley of the Moon" where T. E. Lawrence ("Lawrence of Arabia") organized Arab resistance to Ottoman rule during World War I. After our visit, we return to Amman.

DAY 28 - Fri Departure (B)
Our local representative escorts you back to the airport fly back to JFK

RATES per person in USD $

The rates include:

• Round-trip airfare in economy class : JFK/Istanbul -----CAIRO/AMMAN/JFK, including tax
  
  For most major West Coast cities , please add : $350 add-on. For HNL: Please add $ 550.
  
  For May through end of Sep, please add : $ 350 USD air fare peak season supplement, this supplement doesn't apply when you handle your own air fare.
  
  Please deduct $ 800 USD when you handle your own air fare.
  
• Domestic airfares within Egypt and Turkey as per itinerary in economy, but with a free upgrade to business class when the plane configuration allows for business class, and space is available , tax included .
  
• One way business class air fare Istanbul Cairo
  
• Tea or coffee with each meal.
  
• Meals, preset menu, as per itinerary: BLD = Breakfast/lunch/dinner.
  
• Hotel accommodation , 5 and 4 star hotels with tax. as listed
  
• All transfers are provided on a private basis, private air-conditioned vehicle , private chauffeur
  
• All listed guided sightseeing , all entrance fees.
  
• Locally escorted in each of the countries .
  
• Complimentary Jordanian & Egyptian visa fee (valid only for Australian, NZ, Canadian, American , EU , & Japanese citizens. Passports must be valid for at least 6 month upon arrival).
  
• Jordan's Departure Tax.
  
• Deluxe Nile cruise , including all meals and shore excursions , as well complimentary bottled water with each and every meal on board the Nile cruise, as well as tea or coffle with each and every meal
  

What's not included..

• Turkish Visa Fee payable in cash upon arrival at the airport in Istanbul, or contact any of the Turkish Consulates near you .
• Any shore excursion while cruising/sailing.
• Travel Insurance. Please ask us for the flyer
• Gratuities (at your discretion)

Sample of the Deluxe Nile Cruises we use with this Grand Tour :
M/S Mojito . M/S Monaco . M/S Moon Goddess , MS Movenpick Radamis II or Royal Lotus , The Ultra Deluxe" Queen TiYi

The M/S Amarco :