The Holy Family in Egypt
“In that day there will be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt” (Isaiah 19:19)
Day 1 – Arrive Cairo
Upon arrival, you will be met and assisted through immigration and customs then transferred to your hotel.
Day 2 – Pyramids / Egyptian Museum / Khan el-Khalili Bazaar
Breakfast at your hotel. Our local representative will pick you up from your hotel to start our journey with a visit to one of the seven wonders of the world — the magnificent Great Pyramids of Cheops, Chefren and Mykerinus and their guardian Sphinx. Short break for lunch then transfer to the Egyptian Museum which houses the richest collection of antiquities ever discovered. Continue driving to Islamic Cairo for our last stop to the colourful Khan el-Khalili Bazaar. Transfer to your hotel for overnight.
Optional Sound & Light Show at the Pyramids of Giza (about 2 hours, available at an additional cost)
- Included Meals: B,L
Day 3 – Cairo / Old Coptic Cairo / Maadi
Breakfast at your hotel. Pick up from your hotel by our local representative, visit to St. Mary’s Church in Maadi and see the ancient stone steps leading down to the Nile River that was used by the Holy Family to sail to Upper Egypt. Proceed to old Coptic Cairo to visit The Hanging Church, St. Sergius church to see the Crypt where the Holy Family took shelter, St. Barbara’s Church where the relics of Saint John are preserved. After lunch we visit St. Mary’s Church in Zitoun where She appeared over the domes and accompanied by splendid miracles. Continue to Matarea to see St. Mary’s Tree where the Holy Family rested in its shade. Back to your hotel for overnight.
Optional Dinner Cruise on the Nile (available at an additional cost)
- Included Meals: B,L
Day 4 – Mostord / Samanoud / Sakha
Today we visit the Church of St. Mary in Mostord to see the underground crypt where the Holy Family took shelter and Jesus gushed forth a spring of water which still exists until now. Then proceed to Samanoud to visit St. Abba Noub Church which contains his relics and a huge round granite trough for making dough which is said Virgin Mary used. Continue to Sakha to visit the church of St. Mary where the foot of Jesus was imprinted on a rock.
- Included Meals: B,L
Day 5 – Natroun Valley
Today we drive to Natroun Valley which the Holy Family passed through. Natroun Valley now has more than four monasteries teeming with monks and is considered the home of asceticism and worship. We will visit the monasteries of St. Makar and St. Mary Sourian, visit the monastery of St. Makarios which is the official residence of the bishops of Alexandria. Evening return to Cairo for overnight.
- Included Meals: B,L
Day 6 – Gabal Al Tair / Mt. Qussqam
Early pick up from our hotel after our breakfast, continue to Gabal Al Tair to visit the Cave at Ancient Church of the Holy Virgin. Continue to visit the Al Muharraq Monastery which has the oldest altar-stone in history and was built inside the Cave that was used by the Holy Family. This was the resting place of Jesus during the months he dwelt there and has been named by the Copts of Egypt as the second Bethlehem.
- Included Meals: B,L
Day 7 – Depart Cairo
Today we will be transferred to the airport for our flight back home. Note: pick up from the hotel to the airport for international flights is 3 hours prior to departure.
- Included Meals: B
Included
- 6 nights Cairo including breakfast daily
- 1 Full day St Mary Church Maadi & old Cairo Church + Zitoun Church + Mataria including Lunch
- 1 Full Day Mostord & Samanoud & Sakha including Lunch
- 1 Full day Wadi Natroun & St Beshouy & St Mary Sourian including Lunch
- 1 Full day Gabel Al Tair & Monastery of Muharraq including Lunch
- 1 Full Day to Pyramids + Museum + Bazaar including Lunch
- 2 Transfers in Cairo
Excluded
- Entry Visa approx. $30 USD
- Any Drinks
- Any meals not mentioned clearly above
- Insurance
- Tips