DAY 01 | ARRIVAL AT CAIRO
Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, IML Travel representative welcomes you and assists you through the immigration process. Escorted transfer by a modern air-conditioned vehicle, which will take you to the hotel through Old Cairo to enjoy the panoramic view of the citadel with the towering mosque of Mohamed Ali pass by Sultan Hassan & El Refaie mosques. Check in the hotel upon arrival & free time to refresh, Overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 02 | CAIRO (OPTIONAL TOUR)(B)
Early breakfast at the hotel in Cairo then starts a guided tour(Optional tour) to visit one of the Seven Wonders the great Pyramids of Giza; (Cheops, Chephren, and Mycerinus) were reckoned by the Greeks to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World. A single pyramid is built with 2.300.000 blocks, each weighing an average of two and a half tonnes. In the face of such immensity, one cannot help but feel the wonder and awe that so many writers and artists have sought to convey over the centuries. The Cheops Pyramid is more interesting because its interior burial chambers are open for inspection by the public. Not far from the Pyramids is the Great Sphinx of Giza, which dates from the time of Chephren (2620 BC). Hewn from natural yellowish limestone and standing 65 feet high and 187 feet long, this unforgettable statue combines the head of a Pharaoh with a lion’s body. A quick visit to papyrus institute or a perfume shop can be arranged after the visit.
Egyptian Museum was established by the Egyptian government in 1835. The present museum building was built in 1900, in the new classical style by the French architect Marcel Dourgnon. The museum exhibited collections now exceed 120,000 objects ranges from the prehistoric era to the Greco Roman period. It has 107 halls, and the ground floor houses huge statues.
The upper floor houses small statues, jewels, Tutankhamen treasures and the mummies. The museum also comprises of a photography section and large library. A hall for the Royal Mummies was opened at the museum, housing eleven kings and queens.
After the visit to the museum, a short drive through the downtown will take you to Khan El Khalili bazaars; which is one of the most famous worldwide with its amazing narrow alleyways.
Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel.
DAY 03 | CAIRO – ISTANBUL (B)
Upon arrival at Istanbul International Airport, IML Travel representative welcomes you and assists you and transfer by a modern air-conditioned vehicle will take you to the hotel.
Check in the hotel upon arrival & free time to refresh.
Back to the hotel & overnight stay at Istanbul.
DAY 04 | ISTANBUL CITY TOUR (B)
Early breakfast at the hotel then Pick up at 08:30 am from your hotel for a day tour of old Istanbul city.
Visit to TOPKAPI PALACE The great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries housing an exquisite collection of crystal, silver, and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniatures, the Holy Mantle; enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed. Then proceed to ST. SOPHIA This ancient basilica, built by Constantine the Great in the 4th century and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century, is one of the architectural marvels of all time. SULTANAHMET IMPERIAL MOSQUE Across from St. Sophia built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet, is known as the BLUE MOSQUE because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles. HIPPODROME Ancient Hippodrome, the scene of chariot races, with the three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. Lunch break at 13:00 pm. After lunch, we will then take you to the GRAND COVERED BAZAAR In this
labyrinth of streets and passages are more than 4,000 shops with each trade having its own area: the goldsmiths’ street, the carpet sellers, Turkish arts and crafts, such as hand-painted ceramic plates, hand-honed copperware, brassware and trays, water ewers, onyx-ware, and meerschaum pipes. After the tour transfer back to your hotel.Overnight in Istanbul.
Please Note St. Sophia Museum Closed on Mondays, Topkapi Palace Closed on Tuesdays and The Grand Bazaar Closed on Sundays.
DAY 05 | ISTANBUL BOSPHORUS CRUISE AND SHOPPING TOUR (B)
Early breakfast at the hotel then Pick up at 08:30 am from the hotel and depart for the Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise and Shopping Tour. Visit the SPICE BAZAAR (Egyptian Bazaar) The air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb and spice.
BOSPHORUS BY BOAT a traditional excursion by boat along the waterway separating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. During the excursion, you will see the magnificent sights of the following attractions from your boat. See Dolmabahce Palace, and further along, the parks and imperial pavilions of Yildiz Palace. On the coastal edge of this park, is Ciragan Palace, 300 meters of its marble facade faces the shore. At Ortakoy a great variety of artists gather every Sunday to display their work along the street. Ortakoy is a symbol of tolerance with a church, a mosque and a synagogue existing side by side for centuries.
RUMELI FORTRESS Built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 prior to the conquest of Istanbul was completed in only four months to control and protect the infamous Bosphorus passage. It is one of the most beautiful works of military architecture anywhere in the world. BEYLERBEYI PALAS (PALACE) The summer residence of Ottoman sultans exists in its original renovated glory featuring original antique furniture and magnificent gardens with the Harem on the Asian side of Istanbul.
BOSPHORUS BRIDGE enjoy a unique chance to step from one continent (Asia) to another (Europe)
CAMLICA HILL the highest point in Istanbul. At the top of it, you can rest and admire the magnificent panorama of Istanbul and the Bosporus from the beautiful gardens, landscaped in traditional Turkish Ottoman style. SHOPPING TOUR (after the cruise) Experience the traditional silk weaving skills of Turkish women at the carpet weaving courses provided by The Ministry of National Education. You will get the opportunity to see jewelry, handcrafts center and a modern leatherwear show. Enjoy the experience of shopping whilst gaining the knowledge of the ancient craftsmen, with Murti’s Tour’s local escort full of knowledge about how to haggle the streets of Istanbul. The rest of the evening is yours to explore Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 06 | ISTANBUL –> BAKU (B)
Morning Breakfast and get ready to catch your flight to Baku. Arrival at Baku International Airport. Meet and greet with a tour guide and transfer to the hotel. Check-in and afternoon at leisure. In the evening we suggested exploring the city on your own. Back to the hotel. Overnight in Baku.
DAY 07| BAKU-OLD CITY TOUR
After breakfast,t we start sightseeing including enjoying a Panoramic view Baku city and Baku Bay from Highland Park – Martyrs Alley, marvelous view of Flame towers tour at Old City. 1.Old City Baku (History of Maiden Tower, Shirvanshah`s Palace and traditional hammams. Then we will visit ABAD handmade souvenirs shop which is a social project for supporting small family businesses. 2. Haydar Aliyev Museum – Exhibitions 3. Carpet Museum (Entrance fees included) 4. Boat tour on the Caspian Sea (VIP tickets included. Note: Boats are operating only in clean weather) -Drop off to the hotel (approximately at 5-6 pm). Accommodation: HotelMeals included: Breakfast
DAY 08|BAKU- GABALA-LAHIZ
After breakfast on the way visit to Diri, We visit Baba Mausoleum in Maraza. Then continue to Juma Mosque, Mausoleum of Yeddi-Gyumbez in Shamakhi city. We drive through Girdimanchay River’s canyon to visit ancient Lahij village. and we visit workshops of blacksmith, potteries, carpet weaving shop, cobbled stone streets. Lahij was one of the main points on Great Silk Road. Also, we visit Nohur Mountain Lake in Nohurgishlag village in Gabala After arrival at Gabala and Check-in at the hotel. we enjoy visiting Tufandag Mountain with mountain cable car Accommodation: Hotel Meals included: Breakfast.
DAY 09| GABALA-SHEKI
After Check-out from the hotel in the morning. On the way to Sheki, we visit Chotari Albanian Church and Udi house in Nij village. After arrival at Sheki and Check-in at the hotel. we’ll visit Kish village: the first church of Caucasus Visiting of Old Sheki: medieval fortress, The Palace of Shaki Khans – a summer residence of Shaki Khans, Historical Museum; Round temple (outside); handicrafts workshop of Shebaka, national musical instruments‟, takalduz And then continue with Sheki Caravanserai – a historical monument in Sheki. Hotel meals included Breakfast.
DAY 10| SHEKI – BAKU
We start with Visiting local Eastern Bazaar of Sheki and then Continue our trip back to Baku. On the way we will visit Mud Volcanos and Also Gobustan National Park (under UNESCO protection): primary people carved their daily life styles on rocks. There more than 6000 carvings on the rocks the Caspian Sea Side. then we Continue Visiting the Bibiheibat Mosque – which a historical mosque in Baku.Accommodation: HotelMeals included: Breakfast
DAY 11 | DEPARTURE (B)
Breakfast at the hotel and then be transferred to the airport for your international flight.