Tuesday 23rd April 2013. Welcome to Turkey and the start of your awesome ANZAC experience! Choice of shuttle transfers to hotel. Rest of the day free in Istanbul – a city that straddles both Europe and Asia!

Istanbul - Gallipoli. This morning we drive to the WW1 battlefields on Gallipoli Peninsular. This afternoon, enjoy a guided tour (subject to ANZAC Cove opening hours and traffic conditions) of the evocative war memorials that dot the region, for example; Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair, Johnston’s Jolly, the trenches and Kabatepe - the modest ANZAC museum. Early this evening, we’ll relax at our exclusive ANZAC Eve Turkish BBQ before later taking our places amongst the many at the Dawn Service site for the atmosphere charged ANZAC Eve vigil.

First light heralds a poignant bugle call and commencement of the Dawn Service. After the service and armed with your maps, you’ve a chance to independently explore many of the trenches and memorial sites as you head up to Lone Pine or Chunuk Bair for the Australian or New Zealand National services. Later this afternoon, we return to Istanbul, where upon our late evening arrival, we check into our hotel for a well-earned rest after such an emotion-filled day. (Timing on 25th April subject to coach traffic).

This morning we spend a couple of hours cruising the Bosphorus before embarking on a guided sightseeing tour of the old city, taking in the stunning Iznik tiled Blue Mosque, Hippodrome area, Topkapi Palace, the 6th century Hagia Sofia (exterior only) and more. This afternoon time is given for you to explore the mammoth Grand Bazaar and exotic Egyptian Spice Market, the later located opposite from the ferry terminal. From here you can opt to stay and discover the old city by night or return with your guide to our hotel for a little R&R. 

When the sun sets, why not enjoy our optional Istanbul by night bolt on! With dinner, belly dancers and entertainment at a great Istanbul venue. It's an entertaining evening and a great farewell fling! (transportation included).

Saturday 27 April 2013. Today, make your own way to Cairo where your Egyptian adventure begins. 

Turkish Airlines offers open jaw flights between Istanbul and Cairo, check the THY website for more details or we can arrange flights on your behalf! If you provide us with your incoming flight details to Egypt we will be there to meet you at Cairo airport and transfer you to our hotel. Remainder of the day and evening at leisure

Cairo - Aswan. Visit to the famous pyramids and lion-headed Sphinx at Giza Plateau. Sole survivors from the ancient Greek-listed Seven Wonders of the World, the pyramids are the planet’s oldest tourist attraction! Gaze in awe at Cheops (Khufu) - the largest of the three great pyramids. Constructed from over 2.5 million limestone blocks it is thought to have taken more than 20 years to construct. Continuing to Saqqara, we can explore the myriad tombs and temples at this site and see Zhoser’s step pyramid - constructed by Imhotep, the pharaoh’s chief architect in 27BC! We later enjoy a chance to freshen up then catch the overnight seater train to Aswan. Sleeper cabin upgrade available.

Aswan. Arrive and check into our hotel. A visit out of town takes us to the mighty High Dam – a modern feat of engineering - creating the world’s largest artificial lake, Lake Nasser! This afternoon's highlight is a leisurely boat trip to Agilika Island for Philae Temple for a guided tour of the romantic Philae Temple - dedicated to the goddess Isis. As the sun sets, free time to shop in the colourful souqs and markets or simply relax and watch an amazing sunset in Egypt's southern most town straddling the River Nile.

Aswan - Nile felucca cruising. Optional early morning air excursion to famous Abu Simbel. This afternoon, we board our Nile felucca for a 2 night cruise upstream toward Kom Ombo. Relax, top up your tan and chat with new friends as the felucca gently plies its route. Stops are made en route at local villages and at the waterside Temple of Kom Ombo. If sailing by felucca is not your style, consider upgrading to a 5 star luxury Nile Cruise with our Nile Cruise Upgrade.

Kom Ombo - Edfu - Luxor. Disembarking in Daraw we drive to Kom Ombo to eplore the waterside temple dedicated to the crocodile headed god - Sobek. After we visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu, before driving north to Luxor. Home of the legendary Valley of the Kings and Temple of Karnak, 4000 year-old Luxor is ancient Egypt at it’s best. Enjoy some rest and relaxation. Tonight, an optional visit is available to the Temple of Luxor, spectacularly illuminated at night. We travel to the temple by traditional horse and carriage with restaurant dinner afterwards. The excursion is payable locally. Rest of evening free to enjoy the facilities of our hotel.

Luxor - Cairo. An early start allows us to avoid some of the fierce midday heat as we venture to the tomb strewn Valley of the Kings. Consider opting to join our hot air ballooning excursion over ancient Thebes - fabulous at sunrise! Highlights of the visit include the Colossi of Memnon, a massive pair of statues that stand silent against the backdrop of history, the Valleys of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens and the awesome ramped and colonnaded Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. The Valley of the Kings is studded with often highly decorated tombs, constructed to once house the regal sarcophagi enclosed mummies of the mighty pharaohs awaiting passage into the after-life. This afternoon after lunch and time to relax we visit the colossal Temple of Karnak. Lose yourself in the stone-columned Hypostle Hall and go crazy with your camera. This is ancient Egypt at its best. Tonight, we return by overnight train to Cairo. Sleeper cabin upgrade available.

Arrival and hotel check-in. Later, we visit the famous Egyptian Museum, famed for the treasures of King Tutankhamen and his famous solid gold funerary mask. This afternoon is free - perhaps spend the remainder of the day exploring Cairo your way.

Sunday 5th May 2013. Hotel check out and included onward departure transfer to airport.