Egypt Short Breaks Itinerary: What to See in 3, 4, or 5 Days
November 19, 2025
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about Egypt Short Breaks Itinerary: What to See in 3, 4, or 5 Days
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Tour Details
| Duration |
11 Days / 10 Nights |
|---|---|
| Tour Location |
Cairo / Giza / Luxor / Hurghada / Istanbul / Antalya / Pamukkale |
| Tour Type |
Daily Tour |
| Pickup |
Cairo Airport or Istanbul Airport |
Thrilling 11 Day Egypt and Turkey Tour With Hurghada & Antalya
This 11 day Egypt and Turkey tour is one of our most diverse Egypt combined tours, linking Cairo, Luxor, and Hurghada with Istanbul, Antalya, and Pamukkale in a single journey. Travellers experience Egypt's ancient monuments, the Red Sea coast, and Turkey's historic cities and natural wonders while moving comfortably by air and overland. Designed for adventurous couples, this itinerary blends archaeology, beaches and breathtaking landscapes into one seamless multi-country vacation.
The tour will open on Day 1: Arrive in Cairo and enjoy a romantic Nile dinner cruise. Day 2: Explore the Giza Pyramids, the Great Sphinx, the Grand Egyptian Museum, then fly to Luxor. Day 3: Visit Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple. Day 4: Discover the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, and the Colossi of Memnon before transferring to Hurghada. Day 5: Relax on the Red Sea or join an optional snorkeling excursion. Day 6: Enjoy another free day in Hurghada before flying back to Cairo. Day 7: Fly to Istanbul and spend a free afternoon exploring the city. Day 8: Visit Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar before flying to Antalya. Day 9: Explore Antalya's Old Town, Hadrian's Gate, the Clock Tower, Düden Waterfalls, and the Textile Bazaar. Day 10: Discover the ancient city of Hierapolis and the famous Pamukkale terraces before returning to Istanbul. Day 11: Transfer to Istanbul Airport for your departure flight.
Why Book This Tour
- The Only 11 Day Egypt & Turkey Tour Combining Hurghada, Luxor & Pamukkale Without a Nile Cruise
- Private Egyptologist Guide in Egypt & Licensed Local Guide Throughout Turkey
- Private Air-Conditioned Transportation Throughout Egypt
- Private Transportation & Domestic Flights Throughout Turkey
- Comfortable Hotel Accommodation in Cairo, Luxor & Hurghada
- Comfortable Hotel Accommodation in Istanbul, Antalya & Pamukkale
- Included Entry to Egypt's Attractions
- Included Entry to Turkey's Iconic Sites
- Explore Egypt Entirely by Road & Domestic Flights — No Nile Cruise
- Flexible Itinerary That Can Be Customized to Suit Your Travel Plans
Included
- Meet and assist with the Tripidays representative at the airports
- 2 Nights of accommodations in Cairo hotel
- 2 Nights of accommodations in Luxor hotel
- 2 Nights of accommodations in Hurghada hotel
- 2 Nights accommodation in Istanbul hotel
- 2 Nights accommodation in Antalya hotel
- Professional Tour Guides throughout your tours in Egypt and Turkey
- Private Air-Conditioned Transportation
- Domestic Flight tickets Cairo → Luxor, Hurghada → Cairo, Istanbul → Antalya, Denizli → Istanbul
- Entrance fees to all attractions mentioned in the Itinerary
- One free bottle of water during the tours
- Meals are provided as mentioned in the itinerary
- Our assistance during your stay
Excluded
- International Flights to Egypt & Home from Turkey
- Flight From Cairo to Istanbul
- Egypt Entry Visa
- Turkey e-Visa (Nationality Requirements Apply)
- Travel Insurance
- Personal Expenses & Gratuities
- Optional Tours & Activities Not Listed in the Itinerary
- Lunches & Dinners Not Specifically Mentioned in the Itinerary
Highlights
Cairo Attractions
- Pyramids of Giza
- The Great Sphinx
- Valley Temple of Khafre
- Grand Egyptian Museum
Luxor Attractions
- Karnak Temple
- Luxor Temple
- Valley of the Kings
- Hatshepsut Temple
- Colossi of Memnon
Istanbul Attractions
- Hagia Sophia
- Blue Mosque
- Topkapi Palace
- The Grand Bazaar
- The Hippodrome
Antalya Attractions
- Duden Waterfalls
- Hadrian's Gate
- Clock Tower
- Kaleici
- The Textile Bazaar
Pamukkale Attractions
- Necropolis of Hierapolis
- Domitian Gate
- Frontinus Street
- Roman Baths of Hierapolis
- Agora of Hierapolis
- The Plutonium
- Temple of Apollo
- Cathedral of Hierapolis
- Theater of Hierapolis
Itinerary
A private driver meets you at Cairo International Airport for the transfer into the city. In the evening, you head to the riverfront for a dinner cruise on the Nile, with Cairo's skyline lit up on both banks.
Nile Dinner Cruise
As the sun slips behind Cairo's skyline, you step aboard and watch the city transform into a glittering backdrop reflected across the Nile. During your two-hour evening cruise, enjoy a delicious dinner on deck as you sail through the heart of the capital, where the river's romance and Cairo's energy create an unforgettable start to your adventure together.
Meals
Dinner
After breakfast, your guide takes you to the Giza Complex on Cairo's western edge, then to the new Grand Egyptian Museum before an afternoon flight to Luxor.
Pyramids of Giza
You step out of the vehicle, and the Great Pyramids fill your view before you've had time to adjust to the scale. It originally stood 147 metres tall, built from roughly 2.3 million stone blocks.
The Great Sphinx
Your guide walks you down to the base of the Great Sphinx, where the limestone body stretches out ahead of you. At 73 metres long and 20 metres high, it dwarfs the causeway leading up to the pyramids behind it.
Valley Temple of Khafre
Your guide leads you between red granite pillars quarried and shipped from Aswan. The core structure has stood for roughly 4,500 years with almost no restoration.
Grand Egyptian Museum
You move to the Grand Egyptian Museum through galleries built to hold more objects than any Egyptology museum has attempted before. Tutankhamun's full collection is displayed together here for the first time, more than 5,000 pieces from a single tomb.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A short drive from your hotel brings you to Karnak, followed by Luxor Temple later in the day.
Karnak Temple
You pass beneath the first pylon, and the columns of the Hypostyle Hall rise around you, each wide enough for several people to stand inside its base. Construction at Karnak Temple spanned roughly 33 centuries of continuous building by successive pharaohs.
Luxor Temple
Your guide leads you along the entrance axis toward the pylon gate. An avenue of sphinxes, originally 260 metres long, once connected this temple directly to Karnak.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
This morning covers the Valley of the Kings before the drive east to Hurghada on the Red Sea coast.
Valley of the Kings
At the Valley of the Kings, you descend a narrow stone stairway into a royal tomb carved deep into the Theban hills, where the air becomes noticeably cooler below ground. More than 63 tombs have been discovered in this legendary royal necropolis, including the famous tomb of Tutankhamun.
Hatshepsut Temple
Standing before Hatshepsut Temple, you admire its three impressive terraces rising gracefully against the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari. Built around 3,400 years ago and carved directly into the mountainside, this remarkable monument honors one of ancient Egypt's most powerful female pharaohs.
Colossi of Memnon
Your vehicle slows as the two seated statues come into view beside the road, each one roughly 18 metres high. They once stood guard at the entrance to a mortuary temple that no longer survives.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
With no scheduled touring today, you're free to enjoy the Red Sea coastline at your own pace. Step into Hurghada's crystal-clear waters, where vibrant coral reefs lie just offshore and visibility often exceeds 20 metres, perfect for swimming, snorkeling, or simply relaxing by the sea. If you're looking for a longer journey through Egypt before continuing to Turkey, you can extend with a Nile cruise on our 14 day Egypt & Turkey beach tour.
Optional snorkelling excursion
Your guide points out a reef a short boat ride from shore, color breaking through the surface before you've even put your mask on. Giftun Island's reef system, one of the most accessible from Hurghada, sits roughly 30 minutes offshore.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy another relaxing day along the Hurghada beachfront, where the Red Sea stretches endlessly beyond the shore before your evening flight back to Cairo, ready for tomorrow's journey to Turkey.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, your Tripidays tour guide transfers you to Cairo International Airport to catch your flight to Turkey, crossing from Africa into Europe in just over two hours, where the next chapter of your adventure begins with a free afternoon after hotel check-in. Travelers with less time can also choose our shorter 8 day Egypt & Turkey option without the Red Sea.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Your guide leads a full day through Istanbul's old city before an evening flight south to Antalya on the Turkish Riviera.
Hagia Sophia
You step through the entrance, and the dome opens up above you, seeming to float without visible support. It rises 55 metres and has stood for nearly 1,500 years.
Blue Mosque
Your first look up shows six slender minarets against the sky, a rare number for any mosque in the world. Inside, more than 20,000 handmade İznik tiles cover the walls.
The Hippodrome
You cross open ground where chariot races once drew tens of thousands of spectators. Only a handful of monuments remain from what was once Constantinople's largest public arena.
Topkapi Palace
You pass into the Imperial Treasury, where the sultans once kept their most valuable possessions. This was the administrative and residential centre of the Ottoman Empire for roughly 400 years.
The Grand Bazaar
You step into the covered maze, and the noise of hundreds of vendors closes in around you. More than 4,000 shops line its 61 covered streets.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Today, explore the highlights of Antalya as you stroll through the charming streets of Kaleici (Old Town), admire the beautifully preserved Hadrian's Gate, and witness the spectacular Duden Waterfalls cascading into the Mediterranean Sea.
Duden Waterfalls
You feel the spray before you see the drop, water falling directly into the Mediterranean below. The upper falls drop around 40 metres over a limestone cliff face.
Hadrian's Gate
Your guide points out the triple archway ahead, built to mark an emperor's visit. It was constructed in 130 AD to honour Emperor Hadrian's arrival in the city.
Clock Tower
At Antalya's Clock Tower (Saat Kulesi), you admire a historic Ottoman landmark built in 1901 that marks the entrance to Kaleiçi and stands as one of the city's most recognizable symbols.
Kaleici (Old Town)
You wander narrow lanes lined with Ottoman-era houses, the harbour visible at the end of nearly every street. The old town's walls date back to Hellenistic and Roman-era fortifications.
The Textile Bazaar
At the Textile Bazaar, you browse colorful shops filled with Turkish carpets, silk scarves, handmade textiles, spices, jewelry, and traditional souvenirs. It's one of the best places to experience Antalya's local craftsmanship.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, journey to the remarkable ancient city of Hierapolis, where centuries of history unfold among breathtaking ruins overlooking the famous white travertine terraces of Pamukkale. With your private guide, follow the city's original streets as you discover its archaeological treasures. Want to discover even more iconic destinations across both countries? Go ultimate our 17 day luxury Egypt & Turkey tour.
Necropolis of Hierapolis
Begin at one of the largest ancient cemeteries in Anatolia, where more than 1,200 tombs reveal the stories of the people who once sought healing in this legendary spa city.
Domitian Gate
Pass through the monumental Roman gateway that welcomed travelers into Hierapolis nearly 2,000 years ago.
Frontinus Street
Walk along the city's grand colonnaded avenue, once lined with shops, public buildings, and lively marketplaces.
Roman Baths of Hierapolis
Explore the impressive bath complex that made Hierapolis one of the Roman world's most celebrated wellness destinations.
Agora of Hierapolis
Discover the bustling commercial heart of the city, where merchants and locals once gathered for trade and daily life.
The Plutonium
Visit the mysterious sanctuary once believed to be the entrance to the underworld, where ancient rituals surrounded the sacred cave.
Temple of Apollo
Continue to one of Hierapolis' most important religious sites, dedicated to the god of prophecy and healing.
Cathedral of Hierapolis
Admire the remains of one of the region's largest early Christian basilicas, reflecting the city's Byzantine heritage.
Theater of Hierapolis
End your exploration at the magnificent Roman theater, where beautifully preserved carvings and sweeping views create one of the most unforgettable moments of the day.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Following breakfast, your Tripidays guide escorts you to Istanbul Airport for your departure flight, concluding an unforgettable adventure across two of the world's most fascinating destinations.
Meals
Breakfast
Notes:
* You can let us know if you'd like to customize your tour itinerary to meet your needs. We value your input and aim to accommodate your requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
This 11 day tour includes flights, accommodation, guided sightseeing and entrance fees across Cairo, Luxor and Hurghada in Egypt, and Istanbul, Antalya and Pamukkale in Turkey. It's built entirely overland and by flight, with no Nile cruise on the itinerary.
This is the only 11 day Egypt and Turkey tour that combines Hurghada's Red Sea with Turkey's Pamukkale terraces, and it stays fully overland in Egypt rather than including a Nile cruise.
Pamukkale's white travertine terraces and the adjoining ruins of Hierapolis are the highlight of the Turkey leg, reached by private vehicle from Antalya.
The Egypt leg runs Cairo, Giza, Luxor, and Hurghada in that order: the Pyramids of Giza and Grand Egyptian Museum, Karnak and Luxor Temples, the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple, then open Red Sea time in Hurghada. It's covered entirely overland and by one domestic flight, with no Nile cruise.
In Istanbul, the tour covers Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, and the Grand Bazaar. From there, it continues to Antalya's old town and waterfalls, then to the Pamukkale terraces and Hierapolis ruins before returning to Istanbul for departure.
What to Pack
Hat
Backpack
Comfy Shoes
Powerbank
Medical Kit
Comfy Clothes
Sunglasses & Sunscreen
Personal Hygiene Products
Valid Passport For 6 Months
