Wonders of the Ancient World: Turkey & Egypt — Self-Launched
15 days · Turkey & Egypt
G Adventures charges £2,480
No-markup version: ~£1,755 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A 15-day self-launched version of G Adventures' Istanbul-to-Cairo ancient wonders route. Trace WWI history at Gallipoli, chase Greek myths through Troy and Ephesus, soak in Pamukkale's white cliff pools, then cross into Egypt for the Great Pyramid of Giza, Nile temples, a Nubian home meal, and a felucca sail past Aswan. All activities are self-bookable via GetYourGuide, Klook, or on arrival, and transport uses Turkey's excellent intercity buses, domestic budget flights, and Egypt's trains. Costs are rough per-person estimates in GBP for a budget/backpacker traveller.
Day-by-day
Arrive Istanbul — Old City orientation
Istanbul, Turkey
Land in Istanbul and settle into a hostel in Sultanahmet or Beyoğlu. Spend the afternoon on a self-guided walk past the Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, and Blue Mosque exteriors, then wander the Grand Bazaar. Optional paid add-ons: a self-booked Istanbul walking tour and Bosphorus cruise (GetYourGuide, ~£25-35).
🚌Istanbul Metro/tram from airport (~£1-2); walk or tram within Old City
🛏Hostel dorm in Sultanahmet/Beyoğlu (~£15-20/night)
- →Self-guided Old City walk
- →Grand Bazaar wander
- →Optional Bosphorus sunset cruise
Gallipoli battlefields day trip
Gallipoli, Turkey
Travel to the Gallipoli peninsula and join a self-booked small-group battlefield tour covering Anzac Cove, Lone Pine, and Chunuk Bair. Tours run from Istanbul (~£45-60 incl. transport) or from Eceabat/Çanakkale if you overnight nearby.
🚌Intercity bus Istanbul–Çanakkale/Eceabat (~£18) or included in day-tour transfer
🛏Hostel in Çanakkale or return to Istanbul (~£15-20)
- →Gallipoli Battlefields guided tour
- →Anzac Cove & Lone Pine cemetery
Troy and on to the Aegean coast
Troy / Çanakkale, Turkey
Visit the legendary ruins of Troy and pose with the replica Trojan horse. Then head south toward the Aegean coast via intercity bus, basing yourself in Selçuk for the Ephesus days.
🚌Local dolmuş to Troy (~£3); intercity bus Çanakkale–Selçuk (~£18)
🛏Guesthouse/hostel in Selçuk (~£15-20)
- →Troy archaeological site visit
- →Trojan horse photo stop
Ephesus ruins
Selçuk / Ephesus, Turkey
Spend a full day exploring ancient Ephesus: the Library of Celsus, the great theatre dominating Harbour Street, and the Terrace Houses. Enter early to beat the crowds and heat. A self-booked guided entry (~£30-40) or audio guide (~£5) adds context.
🚌Walk or local dolmuş from Selçuk to Ephesus (~£1)
🛏Guesthouse/hostel in Selçuk (~£15-20)
- →Ephesus archaeological site
- →Terrace Houses
- →Temple of Artemis
Şirince village & Pamukkale transfer
Şirince / Pamukkale, Turkey
Take a scenic side trip to Şirince, a former Greek village 600 strong, famous for handicrafts, olive oil, and local fruit wine. Afterwards travel to Pamukkale and settle in for the night.
🚌Dolmuş to Şirince (~£2); intercity bus Selçuk–Pamukkale/Denizli (~£12)
🛏Pension in Pamukkale village (~£15-20)
- →Şirince village wander
- →Local wine tasting
Hierapolis & Pamukkale white cliffs
Pamukkale, Turkey
Explore the UNESCO-listed white travertine terraces and the ancient spa city of Hierapolis above them, including the theatre, necropolis, and Cleopatra's Antique Pool. Bathing in the terraces is restricted but the Antique Pool swim is optional (~£12).
🚌Walk from village to site entrance
🛏Pension in Pamukkale village (~£15-20)
- →Pamukkale travertine terraces
- →Hierapolis ancient city
- →Optional Cleopatra's Antique Pool swim
Fly to Cairo — Khan el-Khalili at night
Cairo, Egypt
Catch a budget flight from Denizli/Izmir to Istanbul and onward to Cairo, or take a direct Izmir/Denizli–Cairo connection where available. In the evening, dive into the sensory overload of Khan el-Khalili bazaar.
🚌Domestic/budget flight Turkey–Cairo (~£80-110); airport taxi/Uber in Cairo (~£5)
🛏Hostel/budget hotel near Downtown Cairo or Tahrir (~£15-22)
- →Khan el-Khalili bazaar
- →Al-Muizz street evening stroll
Pyramids of Giza, Sphinx & Egyptian Museum
Giza / Cairo, Egypt
Rise early for the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Sphinx, and the surrounding plateau — self-book a guide or hire a local one at the gate (~£25-35). In the afternoon visit the Egyptian Museum (Grand Egyptian Museum if open) for Tutankhamun's treasures.
🚌Uber/metro to Giza (~£3)
🛏Hostel/budget hotel in Cairo (~£15-22)
- →Giza Pyramids & Sphinx
- →Egyptian Museum
- →Optional camel ride
Cairo to Aswan by overnight train
Aswan, Egypt
Explore Old Cairo — Coptic Cairo, the Hanging Church, and the Citadel with its alabaster mosque. Then board the overnight Wagon-Lit/sleeper train or a comfortable daytime train toward Aswan (booking online via the Egyptian National Railways site or at the station; foreigners can book the tourist sleeper).
🚌Overnight train Cairo–Aswan (~£35-50 for tourist sleeper/first class)
🛏Overnight train berth or Aswan hostel (~£20)
- →Old Cairo & Coptic quarter
- →Citadel & Muhammad Ali Mosque
- →Overnight train to Aswan
Nubian village, felucca & Aswan souk
Aswan, Egypt
Sail the Nile by local boat past the Aga Khan Mausoleum and Kitchener (Elephantine) Island, stop at an inhabited island to tour a Nubian village, and share a traditional home-cooked meal with a Nubian family. In the evening browse the colourful Aswan souk.
🚌Local boat (~£8-12); walking in Aswan
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Aswan (~£15-22)
- →Boat ride to Nubian village
- →Traditional Nubian home meal
- →Aswan souk visit
Optional Abu Simbel & felucca sail
Aswan / Abu Simbel, Egypt
Take the optional early-morning convoy/self-booked tour to the grand rock temples of Abu Simbel, with the towering colossi of Ramses II (~£45-65 incl. transport). In the afternoon, sail a felucca past Aswan's bazaars and islands.
🚌Shared minibus/tour to Abu Simbel (~£15-25); felucca (~£10)
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in Aswan (~£15-22)
- →Abu Simbel temples (optional)
- →Felucca sailing on the Nile
Aswan to Luxor — Nile-side temples
Luxor, Egypt
Travel by train or road to Luxor, stopping at Kom Ombo's twin temple to Sobek and Horus and the beautifully preserved temple at Edfu (self-book a driver or use a guided day transfer). Arrive in Luxor and settle in for the west-bank sightseeing to come.
🚌Train Aswan–Luxor (~£8) or private/shared car with stops (~£30)
🛏Guesthouse/hostel in Luxor (~£15-22)
- →Kom Ombo Temple
- →Edfu Temple
- →Luxor evening corniche
Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut & Colossi of Memnon
Luxor west bank, Egypt
Cross the Nile at dawn for the Valley of the Kings — descend into the rock-hewn tombs to see the painted scenes from the Book of the Dead. Continue to the terraced Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon before returning to the east bank.
🚌Local ferry + shared minibus/taxi west bank (~£6)
🛏Guesthouse/hostel in Luxor (~£15-22)
- →Valley of the Kings tombs
- →Temple of Hatshepsut
- →Colossi of Memnon
Karnak & Luxor Temples
Luxor, Egypt
Explore Karnak's vast temple complex with its hypostyle hall of towering columns, then visit the floodlit Luxor Temple in the evening as the crowds thin. A self-booked guide or audio guide (~£5-15) brings the hieroglyphs to life.
🚌Walk/local taxi between sites (~£3)
🛏Guesthouse/hostel in Luxor (~£15-22)
- →Karnak Temple
- →Luxor Temple (evening)
- →Optional Karnak sound & light show
Luxor to Cairo — departure
Luxor / Cairo, Egypt
Return to Cairo by flight or train for your onward departure, or extend in Luxor. If time allows in Cairo, squeeze in a final felucca ride or last souk souvenirs before your flight home.
🚌Optional domestic flight Luxor–Cairo (~£45-70) or overnight train (~£30-40)
🛏Not included (onward travel)
- →Return transfer to Cairo
- →Optional final souvenir shopping
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,755 | £2,480 |
| Duration | 15 days | 15 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £725 per person (29%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,755
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Wonders of the Ancient World: Turkey & Egypt — Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,755 per person for 15 days in Turkey & Egypt. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £2,480 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,755 — a saving of roughly £725 (29%) per person.
How long is the Turkey & Egypt trip?+
This itinerary runs 15 days, covering 15 day-by-day stops through Turkey & Egypt.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, adventure, city-breaks trip through Turkey & Egypt, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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