LUXOR-NILE CRUISE-DENDERA-EDFU-KOMOMBO-ASWAN-CAIRO
Luxor
Cairo
Arrive in Luxor and transfer to the hotel. The remainder of the day is free at leisure before the eclipse day. Overnight in Luxor
A short coach trip from our hotel to the eclipse center line which is close to the longest duration point of the eclipse. Return to hotel after the eclipse for overnight. Overnight in Luxor.
Duration:2 hours, 45 minutes, 55 seconds
Duration of totality: 6 minutes, 20 seconds
Partial begins:2 Aug 2027, 10:22:09
Full begins:2 Aug 2027, 11:42:31
Maximum:2 Aug 2027, 11:45:16
Full ends:2 Aug 2027, 11:48:01
Partial ends:2 Aug 2027, 13:08:04
Start Luxor tour by visiting Luxor Temple, built by the two Pharaohs, Amenhotep III and Ramses II. Ancient Thebes was a center of festivals, and the Temple of Luxor was the setting for the most important-the festival of Opet, designed to merge the ruler’s human and divine aspects. The temple was dedicated to Amun-Ra, whose marriage to Mut was celebrated annually, when the sacred procession moved by boat from Karnak to Luxor Temple.
Proceed Luxor tour to visit Karnak Temple, in ancient Egypt, the power of the God Amun of Thebes gradually increased during the early New Kingdom, and after the short persecution led by Akhenaten, it rose to its apex. In the reign of Ramesses III, more than two thirds of the property owned by the temples belonged to Amun, evidenced by the stupendous buildings at Karnak. Although badly ruined, no site in Egypt is more impressive than Karnak. It is the largest temple complex ever built by man, and represents the combined achievement of many generations of ancient builders. The Temple of Karnak is three main temples, smaller enclosed temples, and several outer temples located about three kilometers North of Luxor. Egypt is situated on 247 acres of land. Karnak is the sites modern name. Its ancient name was Ipet-Isut, meaning “The Most Select (or Sacred) of Places”. This vast complex was built and enlarged over a thirteen-hundred-year period. The three main temples of Mut, Montu and Amun are enclosed by enormous brick walls. Embarkation and lunch on deluxe Flo Tour Nile Cruise. Tonight, you may enjoy an optional Sound & Light Show. Dinner and overnight aboard our cruise in Luxor.
EMBARK THE NILE CRUISE SHIP
Today enjoy a half-day tour of Temple of Dendera – built by Romans and Greeks and dedicated to Hathor, goddess of maternal and family love. The temple complex contains birth houses, a Coptic church, the Hathor Temple, and a Hypostyle Hall. One of the celebrated features of the temple is an astronomical ceiling beautifully decorated with vultures, winged disks, and the union between Hathor and Horus. Paintings on the ceiling also represent the two halves of the sky with its northern and southern constellations, the hours of day and night, the sun and moon, and the symbols of the zodiac. Lunchbox will be provided by the cruise. You’ll return to the ship late afternoon; the rest of the day is free at your leisure. Dinner and entertainment aboard our deluxe cruise ship.
Visit the West Bank, including the Valley of the Kings, with its many tombs chiseled deep into the Cliffside. From the XVIII to the XX Dynasty, the Memphis area and pyramid-style tombs were abandoned in favor of the West Bank of the Nile in Thebes. Several great leaders as well as many less important rulers are buried here, and more tombs are being discovered even today. This is where Howard Carter discovered the treasures of Tutankhamun and was struck “dumb with amazement” when he beheld its “wonderful things” in 1922. Proceed to the Valley of the Queens, the funerary temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir El Bahari and the Colossi of Memnon, back to the cruise for lunch, sail to Esna and overnight. Sail to Edfu and visit Edfu Temple, also known as the Temple of Horus, the falcon-god, (237 B.C.) considered the best-preserved temple in Ancient Egypt and the second largest after the Temple of Karnak. Overnight in Edfu
Kom Ombo Temple (the Ptolemaic Temple of Sobek & Haroeris), set dramatically on a hill overlooking a bend in the river. This Greco-Roman style temple (two temples) is unique, as it is Egypt’s only double temple dedicated to both Sobek, the Crocodile God, and Haroeris, the great, winged solar disk. Everything here is doubled and perfectly symmetrical along a central axis-twin entrances, twin courts, and twin colonnades. Sail to Aswan in the afternoon, then you will start your tour to Aswan with a visit to the High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk and Philae Temple, dedicated to Isis and perched majestically on an island. The temple complex dates from the XXVI Dynasty, with additions through the Roman period when the Emperor Hadrian built a pavilion at the water’s edge. Pilgrims would come from all over the Mediterranean to worship Isis here.
Sail around The Botanical Garden by Felucca. Finally, end Aswan tour with by visiting the Papyrus Institute and learn about the centuries-old technique of creating paper from papyrus, the material we can thank for recording so much of Egypt’s ancient history. Overnight in Aswan.
Optional Tour – Abu Simbel tour by air or bus early morning: Situated 174 miles Southwest of Aswan, exploring the magnificent monuments carved into solid rock 3,000 years ago. In a monumental feat of modern engineering, these massive temples were moved to their present location when construction of the Aswan High Dam in 1960 created Lake Nasser and flooded their original location. This extraordinary operation to save one of the world’s greatest treasures took years and the efforts of an international team of engineers and archaeologists. The two temples at Abu Simbel were built by Egypt’s great Pharaoh Ramses II (Egypt’s longest-ruling king) as a tribute to the deities and his favorite wife Nefertiti. Four colossal statues, 60 feet high and directly facing the rising sun, are of the Pharaoh himself, with his queen and daughters at his feet. More tremendous statues surround you as you enter the temple. And in the very depths of the temple, Ramses sits in state flanked by the gods to whom the construction is dedicated.
Then we will sail to Aswan to visit the High Dam. Located near Aswan, the world-famous High Dam was an engineering miracle when it was built in the 1960s. It contains 18 times the material used in the Great Pyramid of Cheops. The Dam is 11,811 feet long, 3215 feet thick at the base and 364 feet tall. Today it provides irrigation and electricity for the whole of Egypt and, together with the old Aswan Dam built by the British between 1898 and 1902, 6 km (about 4 miles) down river, wonderful views for visitors. From the top of the two Mile long High Dam you can gaze across Lake Nassar, the huge reservoir created when it was built, to Kalabsha temple in the south and the huge power station to the north.
Proceed to the Unfinished Obelisk, much of the red granite used for ancient temples and colossi came from quarries in the Aswan area. Around these quarries are many inscriptions, many of which describe successful quarrying projects. The Unfinished Obelisk located in the Northern Quarry still lies where a crack was discovered as it was being hewn from the rock. Possibly intended as a companion to the Lateran Obelisk, originally at Karnak but now in Rome, it would have weighed over 2.3 million pounds and would have been the world’s largest piece of stone ever handled. However, a crack in the stone occurred, which caused it to be abandoned. Tools left by its builders have given us much insight into how such work was performed. The site has recently been renovated and equipped with tourist facilities.
DISEMBARK THE CRUISE
After breakfast, check out and transfer to Aswan airport for your flight to Cairo. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day is at your leisure!!
Drive to the Giza Plateau, home of Egypt signature attractions, the Great Pyramids, proclaimed by the Greeks to be among the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. The largest among these is the Great Pyramid of Cheops, probably built more than 2,600 years before the time of Christ. Standing 480 feet tall this is the last of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world that still standing. Little is known of Cheops, you’ll also see the inscrutable and mysterious Sphinx, known in Arabic as Abu al-Hol (“the Father of Terror”) and carved almost entirely from one piece of limestone.
After lunch, continue to Memphis. Founded around 3,100 BC, is the legendary city of Menes, the King who united Upper and Lower Egypt. Early on, Memphis was more likely a fortress from which Menes controlled the land and water routes between Upper Egypt and the Delta. Having probably originated in Upper Egypt, from Memphis he could control the conquered people of Lower Egypt. However, by the Third Dynasty, the building at Saqqara suggests that Memphis had become a sizable city.
Proceed to Sakkara is one section of the great necropolis of Memphis, the Old Kingdom capital and the kings of the 1st Dynasty as well as that of the 2nd Dynasty. are mostly buried in this section of the Memphis necropolis. It has been of constant interest to Egyptologists. Three major discoveries have recently been made at Sakkara, including a prime minister tomb, a queen’s pyramid, and the tomb of the son of a dynasty-founding king. Each discovery has a fascinating story, with many adventures for the archaeologists as they revealed the secrets of the past.
Start your day with a guided tour of the Egyptian Museum you`ll stroll through the halls highlighting each historical period of this ancient land, Marvel at the glittering treasures of King Tutankhamun, unparalleled in their variety, exquisite beauty, and sheer weight in gold. Seeing this treasure of more than 1,700 fabulous items buried with a young and relatively unimportant king, who can even imagine what the tombs of great and long-lived pharaohs must have contained? You may want to enter the Royal Mummies room for an additional fee and view the “sleeping” Kings of ancient Egypt.
After lunch at local restaurant, Proceed to Old Cairo explore some of the early religious monuments of the city. You’ll visit the El Muallaqa Church, dating to the late fourth and early V Century. This basilica was named for its location on top of the south gate of the Fortress of Babylon. Muallaqa means “suspended or hanging.” Destroyed in a ninth-century earthquake, the church became the center of the Coptic (or Christian) Church of Egypt from the time it was rebuilt in the eleventh century until the XIV Century. Make a stop at the Ben Ezra Synagogue, built sometime between the VI-IX Centuries AD. The temple contains a Jewish Heritage Library, containing documents found here in 1896 that describe the economic and social conditions of Jews under Arab rule as well as descriptions of relations between various Jewish sects.
Start your day excursion to Alexandria by private car accompanied by an English-speaking Egyptologist. Visit National Museum, and The Catacombs. The national museum located in a restored palace, it contains about 1,800 artifacts pieces of antiquities that narrate the history of Alexandria throughout ages, Pharaonic, Roman, Coptic and Islamic eras and some modern pieces, Mummies are shown in a special underground chamber (basement). And some of the items found during the archaeological underwater excavations in Alexandria now in the same floor with the Greco roman artifacts. Stop for lunch, and then explore the well-preserved ruins of the Roman amphitheater, which in Ptolemaic times was part of a vast pleasure garden known as the Park of Pan. Built between the II and IV Centuries A.D., it is the only known Roman Theater remaining in Egypt. A modest in size and most of the part of the structure is in ruined condition but still it is an excellent ancient structure of Roman period of Egypt. The theatre also consists of numerous galleries erected crudely. These galleries contain rooms for more spectators along with arrangement of 700-800 marble seats around the stage. The Roman Amphitheatre was discovered in the excavations doing for the site of Paneion or “Park of Pan” in Kom el-Dikkah also known by the name of Hill of Rubble. In the layers of the above the roman street two other archaeological sites were found. These were a Muslim Cemetery and slums. Continue to the Alexandria Library. Alexandria ancient library was the most famous in all antiquity, attracting scholars from all over the ancient world it was here that Euclid discovered geometry, and Eratosthenes measured the earth circumference. The modern Alexandria Library or the Bibliotheca Alexandrina as once called in Ancient Egypt is located on a magnificent site in the Eastern Harbor, facing the sea on the north, and Alexandria University Complex on its southern side. It is very close to the location of the Ancient Library in the Brucheion (the Ancient Royal Quarter), as verified by the 1993 archeological survey. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina was inaugurated in 2003 near the site of the old library. The building consists of 11 levels with a total levels area of 85,405 m2. The librarys main reading area which can accommodate 2000 users occupies 7 levels with a total area of 13,625 m2.The Library has 2 main museums (the manuscript museum and the Antiquities museum) and a Science center of the shape of a sphere and called the Planetarium. Return to Cairo.See the Fort of Qaitbay from the outside. In 1480, the Sultan Qaitbay built the fort on the site of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, return to Cairo.
We will start our day with a walking tour of the largest 13th century covered oriental market, the largest traditional shopping bazaar in the world, the Khan el-Khalili Bazaar. In the tiny alleyways, there are hundreds of shops where you can watch gold and coppersmiths, brass makers, and fortunetellers at work. Look also for leather goods and woodwork inlaid with camel bone and mother-of-pearl. Bargaining, Arab-style, is the norm here, and practiced as a national pastime. Drive to the Citadel of Mohamed Ali, also known as the Fortress of Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi), built in 1183 and overlooking the city from the Muqattam Hills. The structure, with its domes and minarets, looks over a number of important buildings, including the Alabaster Mosque. Its domed interior, used by Moslems for daily prayers, is a spectacular sight of twinkling lights and beautiful mosaics. Return to Hotel by noon time and afternoon is free at leisure.
End of the tour and transfer to Cairo International Airport for a flight back home.
Per person in Double room: $ 6,995
Single Room: $ 10,445
Payment Schedule:
Fill out the Booking Form and e mail to info@eclipsetraveler.com or fax to +1 (888) 514-7070 along with your passport copies.
Cancellation Terms:
Cancellations must be in writing by email, fax, or mail. Cancellation Penalties are as follows:
Pre-Trip Extensions to your 2027 Egypt Solar Eclipse Tour
The following Turkey Extension Tour is only available as a Pre-Trip to your 2027 Total Solar Eclipse Tour in Luxor Egypt and highly recommendable.
This carefully designed pre-tour option includes two of the countless highlights of Turkey: Istanbul and Cappadocia and can easily be added to your Eclipse Tour 2027 as 80 % of Egypt passengers from USA make their way to Egypt through Istanbul by Turkish Airlines. With our 2 options below you will have an opportunity to visit world famous St. Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque in Istanbul and explore Cappadocia’s renowned Fairy Chimneys, rock churches, Biblical Frescoes and enjoy staying in a real Cave Hotel.
Turkish Airlines has recently become a world-famous airline brand with its competitive pricing especially to Eastern Mediterranean destinations, frequent connections and excellent onboard services.
In case your international flight to Egypt would be by Turkish Airlines, we present you two options that should be missed while you will be in the region.
Itinerary 1:
5 Nights Pre-Tour Turkey Extension: Glimpses of Istanbul (2) Cappadocia (3)
DAY 1-Jul 27, Tue-2027: Arrival in Istanbul
Welcome to Istanbul!! You will be met at the airport transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 2-Jul 28, Wed-2027: Istanbul full day tour (B)
Today after breakfast, we start our day with a visit to the impressive Topkapi Palace, which served as the palace of the Ottoman Sultans between the XVI and XIX Centuries. It has a superb position overlooking the Bosphorus. Topkapı Palace (Topkapı Sarayı in Turkish, literally the “Cannongate Palace” – named after a nearby gate), located in Istanbul (Constantinople), was the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire from 1465 to 1853. The construction of the Topkapı Palace was ordered by Sultan Mehmet II in 1459. It was completed in 1465. The palace is located on the Seraglio Point between the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara in Istanbul, having a splendid view of the Bosphorus.
It consists of many smaller buildings built together and surrounded by four courts.The First Court (or Alay Meydanı) spans over the entire Seraglio Point and is surrounded by high walls. The main gate is called Bab-ı Hümayun, simply the Imperial Gate. Apart from the Topkapı Palace, the First Court also contains the old imperial mint (constructed in 1727), the church of Hagia Eirene, the Archeology Museum (constructed during the 19th century) and various fountains (including the Fountain of the Executioner), pavilions (for example the Çinili Pavilion) and gardens (including the Gülhane Park, the old imperial rose garden). The huge Gate of Greeting (Babüsselam) leads into the palace and the Second Court (Divan Meydanı). This court is a park surrounded by the palace hospital, bakery, Janissary quarters, stables, the imperial Harem and Divan to the north and the kitchens to the south. Through the Gate of Felicity (Babüssaade) is the Third Court which is the heart of the palace, a lush garden surrounded by the Hall of the Privy Chamber (Has Oda) occupied by the palace officials, the treasury (which contains some of the wonderful treasures of the Ottoman age, which include the Sacred Trusts), the Harem and some pavilions, with the library of Ahmet III in the center. The Fourth Court was more of a private garden of the Sultan and consists of a number of pavilions, kiosks (köşk), gardens and terraces. We also pay a visit to the magnificent Haghia Sophia (St. Sophia’s Basilica) built by Constantine the Great and reconstructed by Justinian in the VI Century.
Hagia Sophia, or the Church of Holy Wisdom, is a former Eastern Orthodox church in the Turkish city of Istanbul, formerly Constantinople. It was converted to a mosque in 1453 by the Ottomans, and converted into the Ayasofya Museum in 1935. It is universally acknowledged as one of the greatest buildings of the world. Its seizure by the Ottomans is considered one of the great tragedies of Christianity by the Greek Orthodox faithful. It is one of the world’s greatest architectural marvels.
After lunch we will visit the fascinating and impressive Blue Mosque, famous for its six minarets, its beautiful blue Iznik tiles, unique architecture and marble latticework. The Sultan Ahmed Mosque (in Turkish Sultanahmet Camii) is a mosque in Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey and the capital of the Ottoman Empire from 1453 to 1923. It is regarded as one of the greatest masterpieces of Islamic architecture. The Mosque is famously known as the “Blue Mosque” for its blue tiles in its interior. The mosque was built between 1609 and 1616 by order of the Sultan Ahmed I, after whom it is named. He is buried in the mosque’s precincts. It is located in the oldest part of Istanbul, in what was before 1453 the center of Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. It is next to the site of the ancient Hippodrome, and a short distance from the great Christian Church of the Holy Wisdom (Hagia Sophia).
Then visit the Byzantine Hippodrome, the center of Byzantine life for 1000 years, where chariot races and competitive athletic events took place. The Hippodrome of Constantinople was a horse-racing track that was the sporting and social center of Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire and the largest city in Europe. Today it is a square named Sultanahmet Meydani in the Turkish city of Istanbul, with only a few fragments of the original structure surviving.
The word hippodrome comes from the Greek hippos (‘ιππος), horse, and dromos (δρομος), path or way. Horse racing and chariot racing were popular pastimes in the ancient world and hippodromes were common features of Greek cities in the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine eras.
We will also visit Basilica Cistern. The Basilica Cistern, also known as the “Sunken Palace” or “Binbirdirek sarayi” in Turkish, was constructed by Justinian in 532 to supply water to the Byzantine Palace primarily. Basilica cistern or better known as Yerebatan sarayi is a very authentic place and a must see in Istanbul. The cistern is located at the Sultanahmet square, when you are about to reach the Sultanahmet Square on the right bank you will see the basilica cistern. There is a small building next to the tram line, there leads the stairs down to the Basilica cistern. Underground waterway was used as a reservoir for water storage for the Great Palace and other buildings. It is 132 m length, by 65m wide. There are 336 columns in the cistern. Most of the column capitals are either in Corinthian or Doric Style. Walk to the back of the Cistern, and you will find one upside down Medusa head supporting one of the columns. Why it is upside down has been a question of much discussion, but the best guess is that the people who placed the stone believed that if the head was upside down, it would ward off evil spirits.
Then we will finish the day with a visit to Grand Bazaar which is the world’s largest and the oldest shopping venue. In the afternoon we will return to the hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 3-Jul 29, Thu-2027: Flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia (B, D)
Transfer from Holiday Inn Sisli hotel to airport for a short flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia (1 hr, 20 min). Our guide and driver will meet you at the airport and drive to Cappadocia region (approx. 45 minutes). Cappadocia, known for bizarre landscape, underground cities, churches and dwellings carved from the soft volcanic rock. The fantasy landscape of Cappadocia is probably the best-known tourist attraction in inland Turkey. It is a remarkable region and geological wonderland created by the complex interaction of natural and human forces over vast spans of time. The origin of this beautiful land began with the eruption of high two volcanic mountains Erciyes of 3,916m (12,848 ft) in the east and Hasandagi a volcano of 3,253m (10,673 ft) high in the south. Millions of years ago they were active volcanoes, their explosive eruptions spread a thick layer of hot volcanic ash over the region which hardened to a soft and porous stone called tufa or tuff. Over ages of geological time, wind, rain, snow and sand erosion wore away the tuff, carving it into elaborate and unearthly shapes. The strange but extraordinary formation of Cappadocia has had this appearance for millions of years. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia.
DAY 4-Jul 30, Fri-2027: Cappadocia (B, D)
Today, we will drive you to see Uchisar Castle and the Avcilar valley for a panoramic point to enjoy the scenery of Goreme and Uchisar Castle and other Villages from this point. Uchisar is an excellent place to get a first impression of Cappadocia’s extraordinary geology. It provides panoramic views of Cappadocian valleys and countryside. Then drive to Goreme Open Air Museum which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. You will see the best-preserved rock-cut churches in Cappadocia area with marvelous frescoes painted inside the rock churches. Goreme Open Air Museum, is the best known and most visited site of all the monastic settlements in the Cappadocia region. This steep-sided little valley once housed a thriving monastic community, living and worshipping in houses and churches cut into the surrounding cliffs. It’s also the largest of the religious complexes, and its churches, of which there are over thirty, contain some of the most fascinating of all the frescoes in Cappadocia. The frescoes in these churches, which date from the 5th to the 12th centuries are true masterpieces of Byzantine art.
Drive through Avanos & Red River and then we will go to carpet cooperative and meet with local young girls who are weaving carpets for their wedding ceremonies as an investment of dowry. We get detailed information of” Cappadocia hand-made carpets” and see all of their processes which is normally unallowable.
DAY 5-Jul 31, Sat-2027: Cappadocia (B, L, D)
Optional Hot Air Balloon flight in the early morning can be a good start the day with sunrise which is the best way to enjoy the breathtaking natural formations of Cappadocia. Cappadocia might be the only place in the world where hundreds of balloons fly nearly every single morning, giving over 2000 people a day the experience of a lifetime. Up to 100 balloons are allowed to take off before sunrise, and another 50 are granted permission to take off half an hour after sunrise.
Today we will start our day by visiting Kaymakli Underground City which is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Cappadocia. The most impressive aspect of the Kaymaklı Underground City is the organised, structured and very well thought nature of the entire city. Stroll through the underground galleries of the underground city where the first Christians hid themselves from their enemies for months at the time of danger. Several brief photo stops at the region. Among the most extraordinary phenomena of Cappadocia region are the remains of underground settlements (cave constructions), some of them are large enough to have accommodated up to 30.000 people. A total of 100 such settlements in the region have been discovered, but only a few have so far been opened to the public. The best known are Derinkuyu and Kaymakli that lie beneath the plateau. Perhaps as long as the Hitite era (1900-1200 c B.C.), men began to burrow into the bedrock, seeking shelter and safety from invaders. Later inhabitants enlarged and extended the maze of tunnels, stairways and ventilation shafts, adding living quarters, animal pens, storerooms, all hewn out of the solid rock.
The largest of these cities had eight or nine levels extending 55m (180 ft) underground. In times of danger, the whole city could be sealed off heavy ‘millstone’ doors rolled across the entrance tunnels. The presence of missionary schools, churches and wine cellars indicate that they were used by Christian Communities in the 2nd and 8th centuries, seeking refuge from Roman and later Arab raiders. There were certainly pre-Christian underground cities in the area as early as 400 B.C. After experiencing the life underground, we will have a tour of panoramic view points in Cappadocia. You will be able to see Devrent Valley Pasabag Valley Zelve Valley. Zelve, another monastic community, and the sides triple valleys are honey combed with stairways, tunnels, storerooms, living quarters, pigeon houses and churches. The churches and dwellings date back to the pre-iconoclastic age (before the ninth century). The valley was inhabited by Turks as recently as the 1950s. the inhabitants simply hacked out their dwellings and churches from rocks. Zelve is one of the most fascinating remnants of Cappadocia’s troglodyte past and is a favorite spot for photographers. The Pigeon Valley, Rose and Red Valleys are also included in our visit of the Famous Valleys of the region. Visits to Pottery Art Ateliers and Turkish Stone production Centers. Overnight in Cappadocia
DAY 6– Aug 1, Sun-2027: Luxor (EGYPT)
Today first transfer to Kayseri airport for a flight to Istanbul and connect to our flight to Luxor, Egypt through Cairo transit hall.
Price Includes
Price Excludes
Hotels
Istanbul: Holiday Inn Sisli
Cappadocia: Anca Cave Suites or similar
Pricing:
Per Person in a double or Twin Room: $ 955
Single Room $ 1490
Itinerary 2:
3 Nights Pre-Tour Turkey Extension: Glimpses of Cappadocia (3)
DAY 1-Jul 29, Thu-2027: Flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia (B, D)
As youarrive in Istanbul airport pleas emake your own way to the transit lionge for a connection flight to from Istanbul to Cappadocia (1 hr, 20 min). Our guide and driver will meet you at the airport and drive to Cappadocia region (approx. 45 minutes). Cappadocia, known for bizarre landscape, underground cities, churches and dwellings carved from the soft volcanic rock. The fantasy landscape of Cappadocia is probably the best-known tourist attraction in inland Turkey. It is a remarkable region and geological wonderland created by the complex interaction of natural and human forces over vast spans of time. The origin of this beautiful land began with the eruption of high two volcanic mountains Erciyes of 3,916m (12,848 ft) in the east and Hasandagi a volcano of 3,253m (10,673 ft) high in the south. Millions of years ago they were active volcanoes, their explosive eruptions spread a thick layer of hot volcanic ash over the region which hardened to a soft and porous stone called tufa or tuff. Over ages of geological time, wind, rain, snow and sand erosion wore away the tuff, carving it into elaborate and unearthly shapes. The strange but extraordinary formation of Cappadocia has had this appearance for millions of years. Transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia.
DAY 2-Jul 30, Fri-2027: Cappadocia (B, D)
Today, we will drive you to see Uchisar Castle and the Avcilar valley for a panoramic point to enjoy the scenery of Goreme and Uchisar Castle and other Villages from this point. Uchisar is an excellent place to get a first impression of Cappadocia’s extraordinary geology. It provides panoramic views of Cappadocian valleys and countryside. Then drive to Goreme Open Air Museum which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. You will see the best-preserved rock-cut churches in Cappadocia area with marvelous frescoes painted inside the rock churches. Goreme Open Air Museum, is the best known and most visited site of all the monastic settlements in the Cappadocia region. This steep-sided little valley once housed a thriving monastic community, living and worshipping in houses and churches cut into the surrounding cliffs. It’s also the largest of the religious complexes, and its churches, of which there are over thirty, contain some of the most fascinating of all the frescoes in Cappadocia. The frescoes in these churches, which date from the 5th to the 12th centuries are true masterpieces of Byzantine art. Drive through Avanos & Red River and then we will go to carpet cooperative and meet with local young girls who are weaving carpets for their wedding ceremonies as an investment of dowry. We get detailed information of” Cappadocia hand-made carpets” and see all of their processes which is normally unallowable.
DAY 3-Jul 31, Sat-2027: Cappadocia (B, L, D)
Optional Hot Air Balloon flight in the early morning can be a good start the day with sunrise which is the best way to enjoy the breathtaking natural formations of Cappadocia. Cappadocia might be the only place in the world where hundreds of balloons fly nearly every single morning, giving over 2000 people a day the experience of a lifetime. Up to 100 balloons are allowed to take off before sunrise, and another 50 are granted permission to take off half an hour after sunrise.
Today we will start our day by visiting Kaymakli Underground City which is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Cappadocia. The most impressive aspect of the Kaymaklı Underground City is the organized, structured and very well thought nature of the entire city. Stroll through the underground galleries of the underground city where the first Christians hid themselves from their enemies for months at the time of danger. Several brief photo stops at the region. Among the most extraordinary phenomena of Cappadocia region are the remains of underground settlements (cave constructions), some of them are large enough to have accommodated up to 30.000 people. A total of 100 such settlements in the region have been discovered, but only a few have so far been opened to the public. The best known are Derinkuyu and Kaymakli that lie beneath the plateau. Perhaps as long as the Hitite era (1900-1200 c B.C.), men began to burrow into the bedrock, seeking shelter and safety from invaders. Later inhabitants enlarged and extended the maze of tunnels, stairways and ventilation shafts, adding living quarters, animal pens, storerooms, all hewn out of the solid rock.
The largest of these cities had eight or nine levels extending 55m (180 ft) underground. In times of danger, the whole city could be sealed off heavy ‘millstone’ doors rolled across the entrance tunnels. The presence of missionary schools, churches and wine cellars indicate that they were used by Christian Communities in the 2nd and 8th centuries, seeking refuge from Roman and later Arab raiders. There were certainly pre-Christian underground cities in the area as early as 400 B.C. After experiencing the life underground, we will have a tour of panoramic view points in Cappadocia. You will be able to see Devrent Valley Pasabag Valley Zelve Valley. Zelve, another monastic community, and the sides triple valleys are honey combed with stairways, tunnels, storerooms, living quarters, pigeon houses and churches. The churches and dwellings date back to the pre-iconoclastic age (before the ninth century). The valley was inhabited by Turks as recently as the 1950s. the inhabitants simply hacked out their dwellings and churches from rocks. Zelve is one of the most fascinating remnants of Cappadocia’s troglodyte past and is a favorite spot for photographers. The Pigeon Valley, Rose and Red Valleys are also included in our visit of the Famous Valleys of the region. Visits to Pottery Art Ateliers and Turkish Stone production Centers. Overnight in Cappadocia
DAY 4– Aug 1, Sun-2027: Luxor (EGYPT)
Today first transfer to Kayseri airport for a flight to Istanbul and connect to our flight to Luxor, Egypt through Cairo transit hall.
Price Includes
Price Excludes
Hotels
Cappadocia: Anca Cave Suites or similar
Pricing :
Per Person in a double or Twin Room: $ 655
Single Room $ 1095
Important Note:
Eclipse Traveler is in constant contact with local astronomers and meteorologists to find out the best location to view the Eclipse and reserves the right to do itinerary alterations due to local circumstances/ flight schedule changes and re-routing keeping the essence of the given program. We will let our guests know the changes to the itinerary if any in advance in a timely manner.
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