turkey & tutankhamun with cruise what's not …...the movie – ‘troy’ or read the poet...

TRIP NOTES

Turkey & Tutankhamun with Cruise16 days | Istanbul to Cairo

Turkey & Tutankhamun with Cruise - 16 days updated on 19-12-2018

www.onthegotours.comUK 020 7371 1113 [email protected] 1300 855 684 [email protected] 0800 44 77 69 CAN 1 866 890 7038 USA 1 866 606 2960 SA 0800 990 311

This information has been compiled with care and good faith. They give an accurate illustration of the proposed arrangements for this holiday.Circumstances beyond our control such as changes in local conditions, inclement weather or other reasons could force us to make changes to thisitinerary. Any costs shown are subject to change, though are an accurate reflection of costs at time of writing. Please also note that visa requirementsare subject to change and are the responsibility of the traveller and not that of On The Go Tours.

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From Ottoman Istanbul, the

battlefields of Gallipoli, Roman

ruins, the Aegean Coast and

the stunning mineral pools of

Pamukkale, to the Pyramids,

the Valley of the Kings and Nile

Cruising in Egypt. Take in the best

of Egypt and Turkey in 16 days.

HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS

Trip Highlights• Istanbul - Sultanahmet, Blue Mosque,

Topkapi Palace, Hippodrome, Hagia Sofiaand Basilica Underground Cistern

• Gallipoli - ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine & ChunukBair memorials and trenches

• Roman ruins of Pergamum and Ephesus• Pamukkale Thermal Pools and Roman

Hierapolis• Carpet weaving demonstration and leather

house visit• Cairo - Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza Plateau,

Necropolis of Saqqara, Egyptian Museum• Aswan - High Dam, Philae Temple, River Nile• Nile cruise - cruising the Nile from Aswan to

Luxor• Temple of Kom Ombo• Valley of the Kings, Colossi of Memnon,

Temple of Queen Hatshepsut

What's Included

• 14 breakfasts and 3 lunches, 3 dinners• 7 nights 4 star and special class hotels in

Turkey, 3 nights 4 - 5 star hotels in Egypt• 3 nights aboard a five star Nile cruiser• 2 nights overnight trains: Cairo - Aswan and

Luxor - Cairo (Private 2 berth sleeper cabin)• Airport arrival transfer in Turkey day 1 and

departure shuttle on day 8 at 11am & 9pmto Ataturk International airport

• Cairo - Airport arrival transfer on day 8 anddeparture transfer on day 16

• Touring of Istanbul, Gallipoli, Ephesus,Pergamum, Pamukkale Hierapolis

• Touring of Cairo, Giza, Saqqara, Aswan &Luxor

• Escorted by degree qualified tour guides inTurkey and Egypt

• All relevant transfers and transportation inprivate air-conditioned vehicles

• Flight from Denizli (Pamukkale) to Istanbul

What's Not Included• Tipping Kitty: USD$90-110, paid in local

currency• Entrance Fees: USD$150-170, paid in local

currency• International flights (including the flight

from Istanbul to Cairo on day 8, visas andtipping

• Tip for your tour guides in Turkey andEgypt. We recommend you allow USD$5- 7 per person, per day. For your driverin Turkey we recommend USD$2 perperson per day. Tipping of these persons

mentioned above is an entirely personalgesture

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1 : IstanbulSaturday. Welcome to Turkey! Arrive Istanbulairport and included transfer to our hotel. Theremainder of the afternoon offers free timefor you to relax or explore. At 8 o clock thisevening our tip filled welcome meeting takesplace. A great opportunity to meet your tourguide and travelling companions before ourexciting adventure gets under way. Overnight -Istanbul

Day 2 : The Old City

Istanbul. After a good night’s rest and breakfast,we meet all our tour group members (as somemay have arrived overnight) in the hotel lobby.At this point in time all entrance fees and yourtip kitty will be collected. Shortly after we departfor a classic guided tour of the only city to spantwo continents. The Bosphorus stretches out in

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front of the old city known as Sultanahmet andis the strait of water that divides the continentsof Europe and Asia, both of which the city ofIstanbul straddles. Touring the heart of the OldCity from where the Byzantine and OttomanEmpires were ruled, we’ll view some amazingsights. See the Blue Mosque (opening subject toprayer times) which faces the Hagia Sofia andis famed for it’s blue Iznik tiles and unique 6minarets and the ruinous Hippodrome – nowa small park of sorts and once scene of chariotraces and political activities in Byzantine timesand the Hagia Sofia Museum - constructedas a Basilica in the 6th century by EmperorJustinian. Just around the corner is the stunningTopkapi Palace where we spend time exploringthe grounds and various museums containedwithin the Palace walls. Tonight is free for you toexplore or simply relax at our hotel. Overnight- Istanbul (B)

Day 3 : GallipoliIstanbul – Gallipoli. Today, we travel to theWW1 battlefields of Gallipoli. Here, we’ll embarkupon a guided tour of the region, once the siteof fierce fighting and today almost hauntinglybeautiful, with its wooded landscape dottedwith understated memorials to the war dead.Our guided tour of the region will take insights such as ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine AustralianWar Memorial and cemetery, Chunuk Bair NewZealand War Memorial and cemetery, the Nek,Johnston’s Jolly and the many fortified trenchesstill clearly visible amongst the scrub after allthese years. Roughly 3 feet deep, the systemof trenches provided much need safe cover fortroops as they desperately fought the enemy.

Crossing the Dardenelles by ferry (offeringpanoramic views of the entire GallipoliPeninsular) we proceed to our hotel for a littlerest and relaxation. Overnight - Canakkale (B)

Day 4 : Troy and CoastalKusadasi

Gallipoli Region - Kusadasi. This morning weenjoy a short guided tour of Troy! If you’ve seenthe movie – ‘Troy’ or read the poet Homer’s –‘The Iliad’ you’ll be familiar with Paris – Princeof Troy, his prized Helen and Hector – Princeof Troy on the Trojan side and Agamemnonand Achilles (he of the heel) on the Aechaean(Greek) side. The legend of the lost city of Troyand Homer’s poetry was bought alive by it’srediscovery in 1863. Subsequent excavationsrevealed 9 ancient cities, one on top of the other,dating back to 3000 BC! We enjoy a tour of theruins and bear witness to a replica of the stoicTrojan wooden horse that as the story goes, wasfilled to the gunnels with Aechaean soldiers whohelped sack Troy.

Driving further south to the ancient ruins ofPergamum, we’ll enjoy a guided tour. Hometo one of the steepest, vertigo - inducingamphitheatres in the classical world, Pergamumwas also famous for its asclepion (medicalcentre). See the Temple of Trajan and of coursethe Library, which in its time was said to rivalthe library in ancient Alexandria. We continueto Kusadasi on the Aegean Coast. Overnight -Kusadasi (B)

Day 5 : Legendary Ephesus

Kusadasi. Today, we enjoy a guided tour at thelegendary Roman ruins of Ephesus. Positively

the best-preserved classical city in the easternMediterranean, and among the best places inthe world to get a feel for what Roman life musthave been like. Ephesus, under the Romans wasa vast city with a population nearing 250,000.It became the Roman capital of Asia Minor.We’ll have plenty of time to tour the marbleruins of Ephesus. Be sure to see the famousLibrary of Celcus, the gymnasium of Vedius andStadium, the great theatre and stroll the streetsin the ruins of this large Roman ruined city. It’scompletely fascinating. We’ll see public toilets,a brothel, fountains and various temples. Carpetweaving has long traditions in Turkey andafterward we stop to watch a demonstrationof how they are made. Tonight, you may wishto consider heading out for dinner. DowntownKusadasi isthe plcae to go with a varied choiceof restaurants, pubs and cafes. Overnight -Kusadasi (B)

Day 6 : PamukkaleTravertines

Kusadasi - Pamukkale - Istanbul. Today, afterbreakfast, we drive to Pamukkale visiting theregion’s famed calcium rich terraced pools.Known locally as the Cotton Castles, they are anatural phenomena and gift of Mother Nature.

Pamukkale was formed when warm, calciumrich mineral water cascaded over the cliff edge,cooling and depositing in the process. Thecalcium built natural shelves and pools on thecliffs, known as travertines. Today, some ofthe pools are closed. However, areas of thetravertines can be walked upon, albeit in barefeet. We can however opt to enjoy a uniqueand very pleasant dip in the warm waters atthe Pamukkale Thermal, with its submergedfragments of fluted marble columns in thecentre of the ruined spa town of Hierapolis,which was a was a cure centre founded around190 BC by the Romans. Continue to our hotel for

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an evening at leisure. Overnight - Pamukkale(B)

Day 7 : Istanbul - your wayFriday. After breakfast and hotel check out wemake our way to Denizli airport for our onwardflight to Istanbul. On arrival our representativewill be waiting to meet you upon your arrival.Transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day andevening are free time. Consider heading outto one of the local cafes for a hearty breakfastfollowed by a visit to the legendary, if cavernousGrand Bazaar or the exotic Egyptian SpiceMarket. Just the ticket for souvenir, clothing andhandbag purchases!

Please note: The flight from Istanbul to Cairois not included in the cost of this tour. TurkishAirlines and Egyptair offer flights betweenIstanbul and Cairo, check the THY or Egyptairwebsites for more details. Overnight - Istanbul

Day 8 : Goodbye Turkey,Hello EgyptSaturday! Departure transfers to Ataturk Airportoffered at 11am and 1.30pm for your onwardflight to Egypt (flight not included in our tourprice). Arrive Cairo Airport and included transferto hotel. Free time, consider taking some R&R bythe hotel swimming pool Overnight - Cairo (B)

Day 9 : Pyramids of Giza andSaqqara

Cairo – Aswan. After a good nights rest,we have a full day of touring planned fortoday. You’ll need to have your bags packedas we’ll be travelling down to Aswan insouthern Egypt tonight. Throughout the tour,you’ll be fully briefed by your tour leader asregards touring arrangements. We then visitthe famous pyramids and huge Sphinx atGiza Plateau. Sole survivors from the ancientGreek-listed Seven Wonders of the World,

the pyramids are the planet’s oldest touristattraction! Known as Cheops, Chephren andMycerinus, the pyramids were already morethan 2,000 years old when Herodotus theGreek historian visited them (5th century BC). Ahighly skilled corps of mathematicians, masons,surveyors and stonecutters did the job ofbuilding the Pyramids. 100,000 slaves were usedto carry out the backbreaking task of movingand laying the stones of the largest pyramid-Cheops. About 2.5 million limestone blocks,quarried locally and weighing in excess of 6million tonnes, were used in the construction ofCheops.

Leaving the Pyramids of Giza, we visit aGovernment supervised papyrus emporiumwhere you can buy genuine papyrus at quitereasonable prices. Continuing to the necropolisof Saqqara, we can explore the myriad tombsand temples at this site and see Zhoser’sstep pyramid - constructed by Imhotep, thepharaoh’s chief architect in 2700 BC!

Later there will be a chance to have dinner andfreshen up. Entrance fees and tip kitty will becollected at this time. At the train station, there’llbe the opportunity to buy more water andsnacks before boarding the overnight sleepertrain to Aswan. Overnight - Sleeper train (B)

Day 10 : Aswan

Arrive into Aswan this morning and board your5 star Nile Cruiser where you will spend the nextthree nights. In the afternoon enjoy a leisurelyboat trip to Agilika Island for a guided tour ofthe romantic Philae Temple - dedicated to thegoddess Isis. As the sun sets, free time to shopin the colourful souqs and markets or simplyrelax and watch an amazing sunset in Egypt'ssouthern most town straddling the River Nile.

5 STAR NILE CRUISER: You will be providedwith the cruising schedule upon arrival toAswan. Cruise schedules vary. Boarding of thecruise ship will be on day 10 for a period of 3nights, or on day 11 for a period of 3 nights.Facilities on board the Nile cruiser include a bar,lounge, dining room and outdoor recreationarea. The boat deck offers plenty of space forrelaxation and there is a swimming pool. Youroutward facing cabin located on the main orupper deck offers air-conditioning, a privatebathroom and views of the Nile as we sail. In theevening, low–key entertainment is on hand. Allmeals are included, buffet style.

Your cruiser will sail for a total duration of 8- 12 hours covering a distance of 212km (splitbetween 2 of the 3 days you are on board).The remainder of the time the boat is in dockin either Aswan, Luxor or at sightseeing stopsen route. Views will be obstructed whilst thecruiser is in dock as ships dock side by side.You may also need to cross the reception ofother boats the reach your vessel. Free timeis offered during this time to independentlyexplore whilst docked when sight-seeing is notincluded. Overnight - Nile Cruiser (B, L, D)

Days 11-12 : Nile Cruising

Aswan – Nile cruise - Luxor. Optional earlymorning excursion to Abu Simbel. Travellingdue south through the vast sandy desertwe arrive at the site. Abu Simbel - thegargantuan rock-cut temple of King Ramses II,the Great Builder is possibly the most awe-inspiring temple of all ancient Egypt, with itsmammoth rock-cut façade. Abu Simbel wascreated to revere the mighty pharaonic rulerKing Ramses II. Guarding the entrance to thetemple, the four famous colossal statues ofRamses II sit majestically, staring out across thedesert, seemingly since time began. In a multi-million dollar operation in 1972, the temple

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was famously re-located further up from theshoreline of Lake Nasser, which had threatenedto erode the foundations of this monolithictemple complex.If you choose not to embark upon this optionalexcursion, there is plenty to do in Aswan, beforethe early afternoon departure on our 5 starNile cruiser. Explore Aswan and its beautifulshoreline and corniche or perhaps do a spot ofshopping.

Our Nile Cruiser departs Aswan in the afternoonand we cruise the River Nile to Kom Ombowhere we disembark to visit the temple which isdedicated to the crocodile headed god - Sobekbefore returning to the cruiser.

On day 12 relax, enjoy a swim in the pool andchill out in the sun on deck. Let your troublesmelt away as we cruise the River Nile to Luxor.Home of the legendary Valley of the Kings andTemple of Karnak, 4000 year-old Luxor is ancientEgypt at its best. Arriving into Luxor in theafternoon the rest of the day is free to explorethe city before we spend our final night aboardthe cruiser.

Please note: For those who book the optionalexcursion to Abu Simbel, the cruiser remains inport until your return from Abu Simbel. On a rareoccasion the ship may have already set sail fromAswan by the time we return, if this happens youwill be transferred by road to the nearest dock torendezvous with your cruiser. Overnight - NileCruiser (2) (B:2, L:2, D:2)

Day 13 : LuxorThis morning we disembark and check into our5 star Luxor hotel. The day is free to enjoythe hotel facilities, relax and explore. Tonight,we have the opportunity to visit Luxor Templewith dinner afterwards. Built by Amenophis III,Luxor Temple looks stunning at night whenit's illuminated by hundreds of lights. Book/paylocally at approx USD$25 including entrancefees and buffet dinner. Remainder of theevening is at leisure. Overnight - Luxor (B)

Day 14 : Valley of the Kings

Luxor - Cairo. An early start allows us to avoidsome of the fierce heat as we venture tothe awesome Valley of the Kings. The firstmonument you’ll see on the West Bank is theimposing 18m-high Colossi of Memnon, whichrepresent the remains of the temple of thehedonistic Amenophis III. Further highlightsinclude the legendary Valley of the Kings andthe Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. The Valleyof the Kings is studded with often highlydecorated tombs, constructed to once housethe regal sarcophagi enclosed mummies of themighty pharaohs awaiting their passage intothe after-life. Some of the best known tombsare those of Ramses II, Seti I, Amenhotep IIand of course, the tomb of King Tutankhamen.Discovered intact in 1922 by Howard Carter, itrepresented possibly one of the most dazzlingarchaeological finds ever. King Tutankhamen’ssolid gold funerary mask and his priceless cacheof treasures entombed with him for his journeyto the afterlife, are now on display at the worldfamous Egyptian Museum in Cairo. In all, morethan 60 tombs have been excavated. Deir al-Bahri, otherwise known as the famous Templeof Queen Hatshepsut rises out of the desertplain, in a series of terraces partly rockcut, partlyfreestanding, it is one of Egypt’s finest and mostphotographed monuments.

Later this afternoon after time to relax, we visitthe Temple of Karnak - a spectacular temple ona gigantic scale dedicated to the Theban gods.Karnak is a spectacular complex of sanctuaries,pylons, chapels, halls and obelisks, all dedicatedto the Theban gods and to the greater gloryof Egypt’s Middle and New Kingdom rulers.Gigantic in proportion, at over 1.5km by 800mand the fact that almost every pharaoh lefthis (or her) mark here with evolving artisticand architectural styles, wandering through thetemple is one of the highlights of a visit to Egypt.

Tonight, we return to Cairo by sleeper train.Overnight - Sleeper Train (B)

Day 15 : Egyptian Museum

Arrive Cairo and guided visit to the EgyptianMuseum. A mind-boggling array of relics andantiquities from almost every period of ancientEgyptian history are housed in the museum,making it one of the foremost in the world.Arguably the most famous exhibit is the solidgold funerary mask of King Tutankhamen. Optto see also the Royal Mummies, if you wish.Remainder of the day free to relax, shop andexplore. Perhaps head to Khan el-Khalili bazaarand pick up a few souvenirs. An optional Cairocity tour is also available locally. Overnight -Cairo (B)

Day 16 : CairoSunday. Hotel check out and included onwardtransfer to airport.(B)

Visa for EgyptVisa requirements are subject to change andthat visa procurement is the responsibility of thetraveller and not On The Go Tours. Please alsoensure that your passport is valid for at least 6months from your planned date of departurefrom Egypt.

After booking your holiday, please provide uswith your passport details as soon as possible sothat we can proceed to book trains and flightstickets, if included within your holiday.

Visas are required by all visitors to Egypt.E-Visa. You can obtain an e-Visa for tourismpurposes prior to travel by completing anapplication and making payment online. The e-Visa can be obtained up to 3 months prior totravel and is valid for 30 days from the date ofentry. The e-Visa is available to a long list ofeligible countries and the Government of Egypt

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is constantly adding to the list. The current cost(Mar 2018) of a single entry e-Visa for tourismpurposes is USD25 or equivalent. The visa costis set to rise to USD60 and this may happen atany time. We recommend you secure an e-Visaprior to travel as it will speed up and smooth theimmigration process upon your arrival.

Online applications can be completed at:visa2egypt.gov.eg

Visa upon arrival. It still remains possible fornationals of some countries to procure theirtourist visa upon arrival at Cairo InternationalAirport. Please contact your nearest EgyptianEmbassy or Consulate to see if this is availableto you. The current cost of the visa (Mar 2018)is USD25 and is payable in USD. The visa uponarrival cost is also set to rise to USD60 andthis could happen without notice. Althoughnot official a visa can near always also be paidin equivalent GBP or Euro according to theexchange rate of the day. Please note that in theevent of visa refusal at port of entry, On The GoTours cannot be held responsible.

Important: RSA, Chinese and passport holdersfrom a number of other countries cannot obtainan e-Visa or Visa upon arrival. Citizens of thesecountries must obtain an Egyptian Tourist Visaprior to travel. Please contact your nearestEgyptian Embassy or Consulate for furtherdetails.

Note: When filling in an Egyptian visa form, youwill be asked to provide your address in Egypt.For the purposes of this form, please use thefollowing addresses:

Holiday Inn Cairo Maadi.Corniche El NilMaadi, Cairo 11431Tel + 202 25260601

Climate in EgyptTemperatures in Egypt are generally high (25- 30 degrees) and even hotter in the summermonths from May to September, when the suncan be fierce and temperatures soar, so packlight comfortable clothing, sunscreen and a hat.

In Cairo and the Nile Delta region, winter(October to February) can be cooler - so take

a jacket, long-sleeved tops and trousers forthe cooler evenings. The south remains warmduring this time but again, temperatures dodrop in the evenings. Rainfall is negligible withthe most falling along Egypt’s Mediterraneancoastline.

Currency in EgyptThe currency of Egypt is the Egyptian Pound.Pound Sterling, US Dollars, Euro and othermajor currencies can be exchanged in Egypt.Exchange facilities are available at variousbureau de changes and all major towns haveATMs. It's advisable to request bank notes insmaller denominations, as it can sometimesbe hard to get change from large notes andsmaller notes are handy for smaller purchasesand gratuities. Traveller's Cheques are notrecommended as they're often difficult toexchange and incur high fees.

Essential Packing - Egypt• Towel for the felucca• Lightweight cotton garments• Comfortable walking shoes for the Pyramids

and Valley of the Kings Pack flip flops/thongs/jandals to wear aboard the Nilefelucca or Nile Cruiser

• DEET based mosquito repellant &antihistamine cream

• 2 pin, European electrical adaptor• Two spare passport photos & a photocopy of

your passport• A small daypack for your day-to-day needs.• Sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, swim costume

and torch• Sleep sheet or sleeping bag if travelling with

us on the felucca, though we suggest hiringlocally a freshly laundered winter warmthblanket for USD$15 (total) for the 2 night stay

Domestic Flights - BaggageAllowanceIf your tour includes a domestic flight or youhave independently booked domestic flightsseparate to that of your international flights,please be mindful that that free baggageallowance for Economy Class travel on flightswithin Turkey is generally 15kg (varying byairline) with 5 - 7kg for hand luggage. BusinessClass travel offers considerably more. Additionalweight is charged per kilo and varies betweenairlines. Please ensure that you check these

requirements prior to travel, if travelling withmore than 15kg.

Arrival Transfer - EgyptA complimentary airport arrival transfer isincluded in your tour. Upon arrival at CairoAirport you will be met by a representativefrom On The Go Tours either just beforeimmigration or in the baggage hall near theluggage belt of your respective arriving flight.The prominent sign depicting our companylogo easily identifies our representative. Pleasehave your tour voucher handy and make itavailable to our representative. After collectingyour luggage you will be escorted to ourawaiting transportation.

If, for any reason you have trouble locatingour representative (after waiting 20 minutesin the arrival hall) or your flight to Egypt isdelayed, please call or send a text message tothe emergency contact number as stated onyour tour voucher.

Istanbul to Cairo FlightPlease note: The flight from Istanbul to Cairois not included in the cost of this tour. TurkishAirlines and Egyptair offer flights betweenIstanbul and Cairo, check the THY or Egyptairwebsites for more details.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Blue Mosque renovationsThe Blue Mosque (also known as SultanahmetCamii in Turkish) is currently undergoingrenovations and for the foreseeable future therewill be scaffolding erected inside and otherconstruction works will be taking place. Whilstwe will visit the inside of the Blue Mosque whenincluded on a tour, please be aware that someparts of the Mosque may be off limits to tourists.

VisasPlease be advised that visa requirements aresubject to change and that visa procurement isthe responsibility of the traveller and not On TheGo Tours. Please also ensure that your passportis valid for at least 6 months from your planneddate of departure from Turkey.

After booking your holiday, please provide uswith your passport details as soon as possible.

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Australian, British, Canadian and Irish passportholders can obtain a 3-month tourist e-visa online prior to departure. Costs arecurrently USD$60 for Australian and Canadianpassport holders, USD$20 for British, USA andIrish passport holders. South African passportholders currently need an e-visa but there is nocharge for this. New Zealand passport holderscurrently do not require a visa for a stay notexceeding 3 months.

To arrange a Turkey e-visa online go to: https://www.evisa.gov.tr

After suspending all visa services for U.S citizensin October 2018, the Turkish Government havenow announced the resumption of limited visaservices for U.S. citizens. U.S citizens are noteligible for E Visas and must apply for a visa viatheir nearest consulate or embassy. Please notethat the Turkish Government may change thevisa requirements/restrictions at any time. If youare a U.S Citizen who plans to visit Turkey, itis essential that you contact your local Turkishembassy/consulate for the latest advice.

Entrance feesOn group tours, entrance fees to tourist sites arenot included in our tour price (except on our Cityof Sultans tour). Funds will be collected in Turkey(and Egypt if travelling on one of our combotours) for your entrance fees, that are payablein local currency - Turkish Lira and EgyptianPounds and will be collected by your tour guide.You will find the cost of entrance fees notedunder 'What's Not Included' on page 1 of thisdocument. Entrance fee amounts do change,therefore upon arrival in Turkey your tour leaderwill outline the exact total of your entrance feesand collect this amount in Turkish Lira on day2 of your tour. A breakdown of these costs isavailable upon request from your guide.

Tipping KittyIt is customary to tip in Turkey. At the start ofyour tour we collect a small tipping kitty fromall tour participants to cover tips en-route (to bepaid in Turkish Lira). This saves you the hassleof when and how much to tip bellhops, luggagehandlers, waiters, your airport representativeand other support staff throughout your tour.

This tipping kitty does not include a tip foryour tour guide (for a job well done!) where werecommend an amount of approximately USD$4-5 per day, though the amount to tip yourguide is up to you.

ClimateTurkey is a destination that can be visitedyear-round. Temperatures in Turkey during theNorthern Hemisphere summer are generallyhigh, particularly during the summer monthsfrom June through September. April can springup surprising results. Days can be amazinglywarm, though temperatures do drop at night, sopack some warmer clothes. Summer in Turkeyfor the most part is hot and dry. For thebeach worshipper, June through September isbest, when you’ll enjoy glorious Mediterraneansun. Turkey is a lovely winter destination,the weather is usually temperate, althoughfrom December through to February you mayenjoy a little snow in Istanbul, Anatolia orCappadocia. Whatever month you consider,you’ll be rewarded with seasonal variations thatrange from leaf-strewn autumns to sun-kissedsummers.

Health RequirementsYou should seek medical advice beforetravelling to Turkey from your local healthpractitioner and ensure that you receive allthe appropriate vaccinations. As a guideDiphtheria, Hepatitis A and Tetanus is stronglyrecommended. The tap water in Turkey isgenerally considered safe to drink, but as aprecaution against stomach upsets you maywant to drink bottled mineral water, whichis readily available from shops, hotels andrestaurants.

CurrencyThe official currency in Turkey is the Turkish Lira.

Euro, British Pounds, US Dollars and othermajor currencies can be exchanged locally or inadvance of departure. Istanbul Ataturk Airportoffers speedy currency exchange facilitiesadjacent to the baggage hall. Additionally,exchange facilities are available at variousbureau de changes and banks in major townshave ATMs. It's advisable to request bank

notes in smaller denominations, as it cansometimes be hard to get change from largenotes and smaller notes are handy for smallerpurchases and gratuities. Traveller's Chequesare not recommended as they're often difficultto exchange and incur high fees.

Time & VoltageTurkey is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Meantime(GMT). From the last Sunday in March to the lastSunday in October, Turkey observes DaylightSaving and is 3 hours ahead of GMT. Standardvoltage is 230 - 240 volts. Primary socketsgenerally require the 3 round-pin variety, similarthough not identical to European sockets. Greeksockets are of the 2 round-pin variety. Werecommend that you pack a universal traveladaptor. You will need a voltage converter andplug adaptor to use U.S. appliances.

Essential Packing• A small daypack for your day-to-day needs• A photocopy of your passport data pages• The voltage in Turkey is generally 220V and

outlets fit a two-pin European plug. Youshould pack a Universal Adaptor and checkthat it is suitable for Turkey

• Spare camera batteries/memory card so youcan go snap happy

• If you fancy a tipple, take advantage of DutyFree

• Take out some Turkish Lira from the ATMfacilities at the airport upon arrival

• Buy a phrasebook and practice your Turkish• Keep a supply of small notes for local

transactions

Pre-Tour Accom & ArrivalTransfersIf you would like to arrive into Turkey prior toyour tour or stay on longer, we can arrangepre or post tour accommodation for you. Pre/post tour accommodation is located at the hotelyour tour commences/ends and is inclusive ofbreakfast.

If arriving on day 1 of a holiday or bookingpre-tour accommodation with us on a tour orshort stay that includes an airport arrival transfer(as indicated in the 'What's Included' sectionof these trip notes) we will be at the airport(Ataturk or Sahiba Gokcen), ready to transfer youto your hotel.

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If arriving prior to 8am on day 1 (essentiallyon a flight that arrives very, very early in themorning) you will need to purchase a night ofpre-tour accommodation to save you waitinguntil standard hotel check in time, which isgenerally 2pm.

ARRIVING VIA ATATURK AIRPORTAs you enter the arrival hall in Ataturk Airportturn LEFT and walk along the concourse. Lookto the right, our representative will be waitinghere behind the barricade, displaying an On TheGo sign. Remember, the representative won’tknow what you look like, so it will be importantto look out for our company sign, to facilitaterendezvous.

SABIHA GOKCEN AIRPORTIf arriving into Istanbul Sabiha GokcenInternational Airport, an additional 50km fromthe Istanbul city centre. Please be timely inexiting customs and in meeting our awaitingrepresentative, who will be holding an On TheGo tours sign.

If your tour or sailing holiday does not include anarrival transfer, you will need to make your ownway to the tour start point. Details of the tour/sailing holiday start point can be found on yourTour Voucher.

Departure TransfersWe offer the following complimentarydeparture transfers: Christmas Turkey, AegeanExplorer, Turkey Unplugged, Turkey andTutankhamun - departure transfers at 11amand 1:30pm on the final day of your tour (day8 for Turkey & Tutankhamen tour) to AtaturkInternational Airport.

Turkey Discovered: Departure transfer on thefinal day of your tour at 9am and 1pm.Should you require a departure transfer at anyother time, this can be booked in advance orlocally.

Site Opening TimesPopular sightseeing spot in Istanbul areclosed on specific days. Please plan your visitaccordingly.Topkapi Palace - Closed TuesdaysGrand Bazaar - Closed Sundays

Blue Mosque - Closed during all prayer timesand Friday’s until 3pm

The Spice Bazaar and Grand Bazaar are closed:01 January04, 05, 06 June11, 12, 13, 14 August29 October

ALL museums in Turkey will close at 1pm, on the14th of June and 20th of August 2019.

During Ramadan (known as Ramazan in Turkey),some restaurants and shops (excluding thosecatering mainly for tourists) and attractions mayclose earlier, so scheduling may be slightlyaltered to ensure featured attractions arevisited.

Approximate Ramazan dates:05 May - 04 June 201924 April - 23 May 2020

ShoppingTurkey is a virtual Aladdin’s Cave. The GrandBazaar in Istanbul is cavernous and full ofunusual and everyday objects. Known locally asKapali Carsi – the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul’s OldCity is a massive conglomeration of shops (some4000) divided into areas specialising in gold,carpets, leather, souvenirs and clothing. Turkishhandicrafts include a rich variety of textilesand embroideries, articles of copper, onyx andtile, mother-of-pearl, inlaid articles, leather andsuede products. Jewellery, carpets and kilimsrepresent top buys at the bazaar.Opening hours: Mon - Saturday 0900 – 1900hrs(closed Sunday).

The Egyptian Spice Bazaar at Eminonu nearIstanbul is an easy continuance from the GrandBazaar or good start point before heading ontothe cavernous Grand Bazaar. Here, you canbuy a dizzying array of spices at a fraction ofthe cost you’d expect to pay back home. PineKernels, peppercorns, real Iranian saffron andother precious commodities are hawked hereat knockdown prices! Real Turkish delight isavailable by the tonne as well. Why not the milk-based Turkish delight studded with pistachios!Opening hours: 0900 – 1900hrs Monday –Sunday.

Markets and bazaars abound in other towns,too. During your stay in Turkey, you may visit aleather manufacturer and emporium. Althoughthe quality of some of the jackets and clothingoutstanding, the initially quoted prices canalso be rather outstanding. If you do fancy aparticular item, haggle, even if you are in theconfines of what looks to be a smart showroom.

Carpet BuyingTurkey is justly famous for its carpets and kilims(a napless woven rug) and you’ll be spoilt forchoice. To ensure you get a good buy, spendtime visiting several shops to compare price,pattern-type and quality. A good quality, long-lasting carpet should be 100% wool. Check thequality of the weave for possible holes. A woolcarpet will have fine, frizzy fibres if you turn thecarpet on its back. Cheaper carpets are madeof cotton and most often the fringe will betoo. If you want a wool carpet and the fringeis of cotton, it’s likely the carpet won’t be awoollen one! The lies can be bigger than the fallof Ottoman Empire. Don’t make the mistake ofbuying a cotton carpet at the price of a woolone! Many carpets are made to look like antiquesat prices to match.

IMPORTANT FOR ALL SHOPPINGSet your budget and don’t be swayed,remember the caveat – ‘Let the buyer beware’.Any purchases made whilst on holiday withus, irrespective of whether the store isrecommended by us or other, are at yourown discretion. Please make sure that you arecompletely happy with the product you arepurchasing and the delivery arrangements (wewould recommend you take away with youany purchases rather than rely on shippingservices). On The Go cannot be held responsibleor accountable for items bought in country orshipping arrangements. We will not becomeinvolved later in your holiday or once you returnhome should your purchase not live up to yourexpectations. Proceed with caution.

Turkey Country Guide

Turkey: Fact FileOfficial Name: Republic of TurkeyCapital: AnkaraPopulation: 70 millionTotal Area: 780,580 square kilometres

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Official Language: Turkish. Kurdish, Englishand French also spokenReligions: Islam 99.8%, Christian and Jewish0.2%Voltage: 230 voltsDialing Code: +90Time Difference: GMT/UTC +2. For other timedifferences please visit www.timeanddate.com

Turkey: Brief historyPresent-day Turkey was created in 1923 fromthe Turkish remnants of the Ottoman Empire.In 1945 Turkey joined the UN, and in 1952 itbecame a member of NATO. Turkey intervenedmilitarily on Cyprus in 1974 to protect TurkishCypriots and prevent a Greek takeover of theisland; the northern 37 percent of the islandremains under Turkish Cypriot control. Relationsbetween Turkey and Greece have improvedgreatly over the past few years. Politically,modern Turkey was almost entirely the creationof one man, Mustafa Ataturk.

Turkey: Geography andweatherTurkey has borders with Greece, Bulgaria,Armenia, Georgia, Iran, Iraq and Syria with easyland and sea access to the Gulf States, theLevant and North Africa. It is the ninth largestcountry in the Middle East and the third largestin Europe. Turkey only consists of 23,000 sq. kmin Europe: the remainder is in Asia. The Sea ofMarmara and the Bosphorus and Dardanellesstraits separate the European (Thrace) and Asian(Anatolian) parts of Turkey. Anatolia is a highplateau region, rising progressively towards theeast and broken by the valleys of some 15 rivers,including the Tigris and the Euphrates. Thereare numerous lakes including Lake Van, whichis really an inland sea. In the north the chainof the Ponitine Mountains runs parallel to theBlack Sea; in the south, the Taurus Mountainsalmost touch the narrow, fertile coastal plain.The climate is temperate with hot, dry summersand mild, wet winters (harsher in interior).

Visit www.worldclimate.com to get an idea ofwhat the weather will be like on your tour.

Turkey: VisasMost nationalities (including citizens of the UK,Australia, Canada and the US) need a visa to

enter Turkey. Citizens of these countries mustobtain an electronic visa before arriving inTurkey which is valid for three months. Thecosts of the visa varies. Citizens of New Zealandcurrently are not required to purchase a visaon entry. We recommend you contact yourlocal Turkish embassy or consulate near to yourplanned date of travel to obtain the latestinformation on your specific requirements.

Turkey: MoneyALL prices stated in this dossier are given as aguide only and are subject to change. All pricesare quoted in US dollars.

Local currencyThe monetary unit in Turkey is the lira, TL.For up to date exchange rates with your owncurrency visit www.oanda.com or www.xe.com.Changing money, credit cards & ATMsRates for foreign currency are always betterinside Turkey. Private exchange offices havecompetitive rates and no commission. Banks aregenerally open Monday – Friday 8.30am – noonand 1.30pm -5pm. Most charge a commission ofUS$2.50 for travellers cheques. ATMs are widelyavailable in cities.

Entrance feesGenerally speaking most entrance fees will becovered by the recommended spending money.There are, however, other sites and museumsthat are not part of the tour programme whichyou may wish to visit in your free time. If youhave an International Student Card you willoften be entitled to reduced entrance fees.

TippingMany workers in Turkey are poorly paid anddepend on tips for their main income. As tipsare a normal part of everyday culture in Turkeywe operate a compulsory tipping kitty to saveyou money and embarrassment. Each memberof the group contributes to the kitty (approxUS $15 per person per week) and this is thenused to pay tips to any people who provideservices to the group as a whole e.g. porters,housekeeping staff in hotels etc. Except atthe cheapest restaurants, a 10%-15% chargeis added to the bill. As the money does notnecessarily find its way to the waiter, you may

want to leave an additional 10% on the table orhand it to the waiter.

Turkey: Optional excursionsA full list of the main excursions availableon each tour can be found on daily itineraryon these trip notes. All prices given areapproximate and are subject to change due tolocal inflation or exchange rates.

Turkey: Local transportIn Istanbul many of the sights are within walkingdistance of each other and the best way to getto know the area is on foot. However, it’s easyand relatively cheap to jump in a taxi and criss-crossing the Bosporus by ferry is great fun.

Turkey: SecurityMost people find that Turkey is a safe andfriendly country but as in any foreign place youshould exercise a reasonable degree of caution.Don’t walk around lonely back streets at night(particularly in Istanbul), don’t wear expensivelooking jewellery or a classy watch and don’tcarry a wallet in your back pocket. Don’t carryyour camera openly; always have it in a smallday pack which is firmly attached to your body,preferably in the front in crowded places. Takeparticular care not to become too relaxed ifyou have had a few drinks and are returning toyour hotel at night – it is best to always takea taxi. Always wear a money belt or leave yourvaluables, including your passport, in the hotelsecurity box.

Turkey: Local food and drinkEvening meals and lunches will generally beeaten in local restaurants. Please see your tournotes for details about any included meals.

Simple snack - $2-$5Meal -$5-$15Fancy restaurant - $20-$25

Your tour leader will take you to localrestaurants, so you can experience the vastvariety of Turkish cuisine.

FoodLots of tasty treats are available in Turkey.Snacks include borek or poca (small pastriesfilled with meat, cheese or potato) sold fromsnack carts in the street, also simit (sesame-

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seed bread rings). Other snacks are lahmacun(small pizzas with meat based toppings) and incoastal cities midye tave (deep fried mussels).Main meals include several variations of thekebab, fish and seafood are good, but usuallypricey and sold by the weight rather than bythe item. Most budget restaurants are alcoholfree. A useful exception is a meyhane (tavern)which usually serves mezes, an extensive arrayof cold appetisers as well as grilled kebabs andfish. Most common mezes are dolma (pepper orvine leaves stuffed with rice) and patlican salata(aubergine in tomato sauce). The best dessert isundoubtedly the honey soaked baklava. Turkishdelight - solidified sugar and pectin, flavouredwith rose water or pistachios, and sprinkled withpowdered sugar - is another popular sweet.

DrinkAll drinks such as bottled water or soft drinks areat your own expense at all times and are fairlyinexpensive. Water from a tap or well shouldnot be considered safe to drink. Bottled water,carbonated soft drinks and fruit juices are widelyavailable throughout the country. Alcoholicdrinks vary in price, with beer generally beingthe cheapest option.

1l of water - $0.5030cl bottle of soft drink - $0.50-$140cl bottle of beer - $2-$3

Turkish coffee is served in tiny cups and can bevery strong. The same can be said for the tea(chai) which is served in delightful tulip-shapedglasses. The local firewater is anis-flavoured raki,stronger than Greek Ouzo. Alcoholic drinks areavailable in most places, but in smaller towns itis not as widely obtainable.

Turkey: National holidays1 January - New Year’s Day23 April - Children's Day1 May - Labour Day19 May - Youth Day30 August - Victory Day6 October - Liberation War Day25 December - Christmas Day

Important: there are several religious publicholidays whose dates are determined by theIslamic lunar calendar and differ every yearaccording to the universal Gregorian calendar.

The month of Ramazan (Ramadan), the ninthof the Islamic calendar, is a great time to travelin the region as you get a real insight into theMuslim faith. It is a time for spiritual reflection,prayer, doing good deeds and spending timewith family and friends. The fasting is intendedto help teach Muslims self-discipline, self-restraint and generosity. It also reminds them ofthe suffering of the poor, who may rarely get toeat well.

During the day, people must refrain from eating,drinking, smoking and sexual activity, so if youencounter someone who is a bit grumpy pleasebe understanding, flexible and sympathetic.As tourists you will be generally unaffectedalthough some places may close early, but yourtour leader will do their best to plan aroundthis. Most hotels bars and tourist restaurants willremain open.

In the evening you will experience a celebratoryatmosphere at iftar, when people break theirfast. To witness Ramazan is a real highlightmaking your tour in the region that bit moreinteresting. Each year it begins roughly ten daysearlier than the year before, according to theGregorian calendar.

turkey & tutankhamun with cruise what's not …...the movie – ‘troy’ or read the poet...

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