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Combine ancient treasures and Mediterranean relaxation in the Middle East
Combine the highlights of Egypt with the delightful lifestyle of coastal Turkey on this 20-day overland and Adventure Cruising combination tour. Explore the famed and mysterious marvels of ancient Egypt, cruising along the Nile and alighting at temples and tombs. Fly to Istanbul and board a classic Turkish gullet to discover ancient ghost towns, tiny islands and the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Find history around every alleyway corner and riverbend, all while soaking up the best of Nubian and Turkish cuisine and hospitality, on this unforgettable journey into the Middle East.
- Code
- PENVC
- Physical rating
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1, Max 32
Why you'll love this trip
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A day spent among the incredible Pyramids of Giza is only the beginning. Your time in Egypt packs an impressive number of ancient highlights without compromising on comfort.
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A four-night river cruise is the ideal way to experience the Nile. Rest and relax on the sun deck and in the pool while local riverside life streams by.
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Explore the vibrant city of Istanbul, where east blends beautifully with west, and discover hidden gems on a guided walking tour with your expert local leader.
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Swim and snorkel in the crystal-blue waters that surround the sunken city of Kekova, then enjoy an afternoon tasting delicious Turkish cuisine.
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Select a fish of your choice from the market in Fethiye before visiting a restaurant to have it cooked to your liking by the local chefs.
Is this trip right for you?
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This trip embraces early starts to beat the heat and avoid the crowds. Egypt can get incredibly hot year round, particularly in July and August. Please consider your suitability to the season you wish to travel in.
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Some of the sites you will visit on this tour involve walking on rocky or steep hillsides and there is often little or no shade. Comfortable, sturdy walking shoes and a hat are essential to take part.
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Accommodation aboard the Nile riverboat is full board – breakfast, lunch and dinner are included but drinks from the bar incur an additional cost. An evening program is also available.
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Accommodation aboard the overnight train is in two-berth cabins which convert to bunk beds. All bedding is provided on board and western-style toilets are located in each carriage. Keep in mind general train cleanliness may not be to the same standards you are accustomed to.
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The cruising portion of this trip in Turkey takes place on a traditional gulet with up to 31 other people. The boat is spacious and comfortable, but the itinerary focuses more on the destination than on-board activities. Instead of a pool, we have the sea itself. Instead of a casino, we’ve got board games and a good book. There’s also no formal dress code to worry about and Wi-Fi is available for a small charge.
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The cabins on the M/S Grand Admiral gulet have ensuites and are comfortable, but quite small. It is advised to keep luggage to a minimum and use a soft bag for easier storage. The vessel has air conditioning; however it does not run at night to limit noise from the generator.
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There are no lifts (elevators) on board our ships, so you’ll have to navigate a few steep flights of stairs (fitted with handrails) to access all the decks.
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Our ship use engine power, with the occasional opportunity to hoist the sails, so all cabins will experience light engine noise when the ship is moving (and occasionally when we drop anchor). It’s probably worth packing earplugs if you’re a light sleeper.
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This is a combination trip of two of our most popular trips. Please note you will spend two nights in hotel accommodation in Cairo in between the two trips unescorted. The flight from Cairo to Istanbul is included and is also unescorted.
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Boats

MS Grand Admiral
Explore the coast of Turkey in traditional style aboard the Grand Admiral
Itinerary
Accommodation
- Novotel El Borg or Similar (1 night)
Optional Activities
- Urban Adventures - Downtown Cairo Tour - USD45
- Urban Adventures -Half Day Pyramids Adventure - USD67
- Urban Adventures - Islamic Cairo in Depth Tour - USD53
- Urban Adventures - Alexandria City Discovery - USD133
- Cairo - Sound & Light Show at the Pyramids (entry fee) - EGP1100
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.Special Information
An airport arrival transfer is included. This transfer is only valid if arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-trip accommodation through Peregrine. Please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 15 days prior to travel (note - we may not be able confirm request made within 15 days of travel). Once you have provided your details a transfer representative will be booked to meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.Please note that your hotel for the tonight, usually the Novotel El Borg, is a dry hotel. However there are a number of great options to grab a drink and a meal in the surrounding Zamalek area.
Accommodation
- Sleeper Train (1 night)
Included Activities
- Cairo - The Egyptian Museum
- Cairo - The Egyptian Museum headset
- Cairo - Pyramids and Sphinx
Optional Activities
- Cairo - The 2nd Pyramid of Khafre (entry fee) - EGP100
- Cairo - The Great Pyramid of Cheops (entry fee) - EGP400
- Cairo - The Egyptian Museum Mummy Room (entry fee) - EGP150
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Special Information
Accommodation aboard the overnight train is in two-berth cabins which convert to bunk beds. All bedding is provided on board and western-style toilets are located in each carriage. Your bags will be stored in your cabin, where airline-style dinner and breakfast will be served. However it may be worth bringing some additional snacks, especially if you are vegetarian or have dietary requirements. Your tour leader can help you to arrange this. Despite being a tourist class train facilities are basic. Please also keep in mind general train cleanliness may not be to the same standards you are accustomed to.Accommodation
- Riverboat (Feature Stay) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Luxor - Karnak Temple
Optional Activities
- Luxor - Sound and Light Show at Karnak (Entry) - EGP300
- Luxor - Luxor Museum (Entry) - EGP140
- Luxor - Luxor Temple (entry fee) - EGP160
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special Information
Please note that audits were carried out on balloon operators within Egypt to confirm the safety of their operations, unfortunately we were not able to ascertain the safety standards of these balloon operators therefore, we are not able to recommend or assist in the booking of any balloon excursions.Accommodation
- Riverboat (Feature Stay) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Luxor - Hatshepsut Temple
- Luxor - Valley of the Kings (3 tombs)
- Luxor - Tut Ank Amon Tomb
Optional Activities
- Luxor - Valley of the Queens (entry fee) - EGP100
- Luxor - Medinat Habu Temple (entry fee) - EGP60
- Luxor - Deir el Madina - EGP80
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodation
- Riverboat (Feature Stay) (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special Information
The only mode of transport available to visit the Edfu temple is by locally managed horse and carriages. As a responsible travel focused business, animal welfare is extremely important to us and we want to ensure that we are not promoting any activities where the working animals are not properly cared for. Unfortunately, some operators of the Horse and Carriages have been found to be in breach of our animal welfare guidelines and it is, for this reason, we will no longer including the visit the Edfu Temple.In addition to the animal welfare concerns, we have had a substantial amount of feedback suggesting that the experience itself is quite uncomfortable due to the pushy nature of the vendors and local suppliers outside the site. While we recommend that you do not use the horse and carriage to visit the Temple, the decision is ultimately up to you. Edfu is an included port stop on the Nile River cruise schedule.
Accommodation
- Riverboat (Feature Stay) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Kom Ombo - Kom Ombo Temple
- Aswan - Philae Temple
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodation
- Hotel Basma or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Abu Simbel - Abu Simbel temples
- Abu Simbel - Flights to and from Abu Simbel
Optional Activities
- Aswan - Unfinished Obelisk (entrance only) - EGP80
- Aswan - Nubian Museum (entry fee) - EGP140
- Aswan - Sound & Light Show at Philae Temple (entry fee) - EGP300
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Special Information
Your included flight to Abu Simbel will be at around 7 am from Aswan. You will have two hours on site which includes transport to and from the temple. Expected arrival back to Aswan is midday. Due to flight scheduling and availability, these times may change.On rare occasions the group may be split over several flights OR this included activity may take place yesterday. If this occurs an additional local guide is contracted to ensure that full guiding services are included at the temple for the entire group.
Accommodation
- Novotel El Borg or Similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Cairo - Gayer Anderson
- Cairo - Home Cooked Meal
- Cairo - Khan al-Khalili Bazaar
- Cairo - Ibn Tulun Mosque
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Special Information
For the flight from Aswan to Cairo, the baggage allowance is up to 23 kilograms for checked in luggage and 7 kilograms for carry on baggage, subject to the airline's discretion.Accommodation
- Novotel El Borg or Similar (1 night)
Optional Activities
- Urban Adventures - Downtown Cairo Tour - USD45
- Urban Adventures - Islamic Cairo in Depth Tour - USD53
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
As this is a combination trip, your group leader and the composition of your group will change at this location. You will have two full free days in Cairo which will be unescorted.Accommodation
- Novotel El Borg or Similar (1 night)
Optional Activities
- Urban Adventures - Downtown Cairo Tour - USD45
- Urban Adventures - Alexandria City Discovery - USD133
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
As this is a combination trip, your group leader and the composition of your group will change at this location. You will have two full free days in Cairo which will be unescorted.Merhaba! Welcome to Istanbul, the eclectic city that the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans have all called home. You will be transferred from the airport to your hotel. The rest of the day is free until your welcome meeting at 6 pm in the hotel lobby. After the meeting, you may wish to join your new group and local leader for dinner to get to know each other before your adventure begins.
Accommodation
- Legacy Ottoman Hotel, or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
Accommodation
- M/S Grand Admiral (1 night)
Included Activities
- Istanbul Walking tour
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodation
- M/S Grand Admiral (1 night)
Included Activities
- Kayakoy village visit
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodation
- M/S Grand Admiral (1 night)
Included Activities
- Kas orientation walk
- Sunset drinks at Kas ampitheatre
- Kas local dinner
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodation
- M/S Grand Admiral (1 night)
Included Activities
- Sunken city of Kekova
- Turkish cooking class
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodation
- M/S Grand Admiral (1 night)
Included Activities
- Myra Lycian city visit
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodation
- M/S Grand Admira (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodation
- M/S Grand Admira (1 night)
Included Activities
- Fish market and local dinner
- Fethiye walking tour
- Butterfly Valley swim
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special Information
Please note that the swim stop at Butterfly Valley is weather dependent.Accommodation
- Legacy Ottoman Hotel, or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Meals
19 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 14 dinnersTransport
Gulet, Plane, Private air con bus, Riverboat, Sleeper trainAccommodation
Hotel (7 nights), Traditional Gulet (7 nights), Cruise ship (4 nights Feature Stay), Overnight sleeper train (1 night)Included Activities
- Cairo - The Egyptian Museum
- Cairo - The Egyptian Museum headset
- Cairo - Pyramids and Sphinx
- Luxor - Karnak Temple
- Luxor - Hatshepsut Temple
- Luxor - Valley of the Kings (3 tombs)
- Luxor - Tut Ank Amon Tomb
- Kom Ombo - Kom Ombo Temple
- Aswan - Philae Temple
- Abu Simbel - Abu Simbel temples
- Abu Simbel - Flights to and from Abu Simbel
- Cairo - Gayer Anderson
- Cairo - Home Cooked Meal
- Cairo - Khan al-Khalili Bazaar
- Cairo - Ibn Tulun Mosque
- Istanbul Walking tour
- Kayakoy village visit
- Kas orientation walk
- Sunset drinks at Kas ampitheatre
- Kas local dinner
- Sunken city of Kekova
- Turkish cooking class
- Myra Lycian city visit
- Fish market and local dinner
- Fethiye walking tour
- Butterfly Valley swim
Important notes
BOOKING CONDITIONS
Adventure Cruising trips have a deposit of A$600 per person (different amounts apply in other currencies) and the balance is due 90 days before departure.
If a booking is cancelled 90 days or more before departure - the cancellation fee is the full loss of the deposit paid.
If a booking is cancelled between 89 and 31 days before departure - the cancellation fee is 50% of the total booking cost, or the deposit, whichever is greater.
if a booking is cancelled 30 days or less prior to departure - the cancellation fee is 100% of the total price of the voyage.
Other fees may apply for air tickets and other arrangements booked in conjunction with a voyage.
SINGLE TRAVELLERS - Turkey Adventure Cruise section of your trip
There are 2 dedicated single cabins on board in Turkey for single travellers. If these cabins are fully booked, a single passenger cannot be booked or confirmed in a double cabin unless a single supplement is paid.
SINGLE TRAVELLERS - Egypt section of your trip
An optional single supplement is available on this trip. Please refer to your booking agent for further information.
Following recent safety incidents we recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest information on travelling in Egypt before your departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas of your itinerary. We have links to prominent government travel advisories and regular updates on issues affecting this trip on our Travel Alerts page - http://www.peregrineadventures.com/en-au/travel-alerts

Essential trip information
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