Day 1 : Welcome to CairoWelcome to Egypt. Upon arrival at the Cairo International Airport you will be greeted by our representative who will take you to your hotel. Overnight in Cairo. Day 2 : Cairo ToursAfter breakfast , pick up from your hotel in the morning and checkout . We will start your tour with an egyptologist guide in one of the mysterious Seven Wonders of the Ancient World , visiting these three fourth-dynasty pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Menkaure . Then proceed to visit their guardian Great Sphinx , the head of a pharaoh with a lion’s body , rising from the Giza Plateau . Stroll through the Valley Temple where the Priests Mummified the dead body of king Chephren . Having lunch and then transfer to enjoy the Egyptian Museum , which consists of 107 halls each of them encloses a rare collection of artifacts like jewels, Tutankhamoun treasures, mummies and It includes about 120,000 piece of rare Pharaonic artifacts that date from ancient Egypt. Then reach to the bazar of Khan El Khalili and back to your hotel .Overnight in Cairo. Day 3 : Tel Basta & BelbisEnjoy breakfast and will start the journey of Holy Family in Egypt, your first stop will be at the town of Babastis , also known as Tell-Basta , its located along the River Nile , and notable as a center of worship for the feline goddess Bast, and will visit the holy well, then you will visit Belbeis (ancient Philippos). Belbeis is a major city in El Sharqiya Governorate located about 35 km to the east of Cairo on the eastern edge of the southern Delta. The Holy Family made their way north-eastwards to Belbeis at a distance of about 55 km from Cairo. They rested there in the shade of a tree which came to be called, The Virgin Mary’s Tree , is one of the most famous places that the Holy Family stopped and in their journey from Egypt to Palestine. Christians believe that the virgin stopped at this holy spot and a spring of water sprouted to quench her thirst and to wash her son’s cloths. A large number of Christians visit the Virgin Mary Tree every Christmas. Transfer back to Cairo. Lunch at nearby restaurant and back to your hotel. Overnight in Cairo. Day 4 : Sakha & SamanoudAfter breakfast at your hotel in Cairo, then you will enjoy the tour to Sakha about two kilometers south of Kafr El-Shaikh. Will visit Virgin Mary Church , is located 100 meters high on Western Assiut Mountain, 100m high and 10km from the city of Assiut. Dair Durunka is approximately 50km. south of Dayr Al- Muharraq and 9km. south of Assiut, the historical city of Lycopolis. According to traditions, the Holy Family started their journey back to Palestine from an ancient date to 2500 BC. It is believed to be the last destinations visited by the Holy Family on their journey through Egypt. The monastery was built around the cave in which they stayed. Within the monastery, the cave Chapel of Virgin Mary is said to date from the first century. Enjoying a great stature, the monastery is visited by many a great deal of Christians every year. It is known that this monastery is better equipped than any other place on the route of the Holy family to receive large numbers of pilgrims, especially during the festival of the Holy Virgin in August. Then transfer to Samanoud , one of the important administrative centers that locates on the eastern bank of of Damietta Baranch of the Nile and It has a great value for Egyptian Christians since the Holy Family passed by Belbees; one of the major cities of Samanoud during their journey. There you will visit Saint Abanoub Chursh. Having lunch in your way back in Tanta city. Transfer back to Cairo and overnight at your hotel. Day 5 : Wadi NatrounAfter breakfast will visit Wadi Natroun a desert area called the Desert of Scetis (the Wadi an-Natrun), and Jesus blessed it. The town which is nearest to the Desert of Scetis is Terenouti (at-Tarrana), actually about 40 kilometers from the Monastery of St. Macarius . The Holy Family traveled westwards and crossed the Rosetta branch of the Nile. After Bikha Isous, the Holy Family traveled westwards and crossed the Rosetta branch of the Nile. Continuing their journey, they saw, from a far, the Desert of Scetis (the Wadi an-Natrun), and Jesus blessed it. The town which is nearest to the Desert of Scetis is Terenouti (at-Tarrana), actually about 40 kilometers from the Monastery of St. Macarius. Wadi El Natroun is one of the major tourist attractions in Egypt for enclosing various types of monuments that date back to Pharaonic, Coptic and Islamic Era. The name, ‘Wadi El Natrun’ refers to the presence of 8 different lakes that produce natron salt. The reason is that the Ancient Egyptians used to extract the natron from this valley to be used in burial and mummification rites. Additionally, the valley includes 9 small lakes where migrant birds seek shelter in winter months. Thus, the site is a preferred place for bird-watchers. The valley is regarded by Christians in Egypt as one of the holy places that the Holy Family visited during their journey to Egypt. In the 4th century, St. Macarius, retired in the Natron Valley, later was followed by thousands of people who preferred the isolated and ascetic life of the desert. Organized in communities, these people lived in cells and caves. In Wadi El Natron, there are 4 monasteries that date back to the 4th century. Well-fortified against the attacks launched by the desert nomads, the monasteries became self-sufficient. With the Christian disputes over the nature of Christ, the monks were divided and new monasteries for each party were built. Today, only 4 monasteries have survived. Begin your trip with Deir al-Baramus which is Dedicated to the Virgin of Baramus, also named the Monastery of the Romans is probably the first monastery established in the Wadi El-Natron. The tradition of the place says that the monastery was built in the site where Saint Macarius lived. The name ‘Baramus’– which means “That of the roman”– comes from a group of Romans who went to live in the monastery as early as St. Macarius himself, and on the place of their cells, after their death, a chapel was built. Then proceeds to Deir Anba Bishoy , Abu Makar Monastery and Deir El-Suryani . Lunch and transfer back to Cairo. Overnight stay in your hotel. Day 6 : Cairo ChurchesAfter Breakfast at your hotel in Cairo, you will visit Cairo churches, start by the Hanging Church , locates in the District of Misr El Qadima in the Coptic Compound. It is one of the most famous and the oldest churches in Cairo. .The church dates back to the 7th century and like the whole district it suffered from the fires that burnt the Olsd Fustat and was restored several times. During centuries the church was the seat of the Patriarch of Alexandria. It is also distinguished by its star pattern is that reveals the uniformity of the Egyptian decorative style. Visit church of Saint Sergius and Bacchus, two early Syrian Christian martyrs, It is believed that the Holy Family stayed in the cave that lies behind the sanctuarybefore leaving Egypt in their way back to Palestine. The church badly affected by the fires that burnt the city of Fustat during the Crusades, thus it was rebuilt later. Then continue to see the Church of St. George as well as the Fortress of Babylon in Old Cairo and is one of the most visited monasteries because of the great religious value of its owner who has been tortured severely for seven years before his martyrdom. One of the icons is depicting him with two angels descending from heaven and giving him seven crowns as a reward for his strong faith and bravery. This icon with fascinating mosaic works is placed before the entrance of the shrine, while another one with the same depiction exists within the tomb itself. Transfer to Mostorod to see virgin Mary Church, and Holly Marry tree at Matariya on the outskirts of Cairo . Having lunch at nearby restaurant in Cairo. Overnight stay in your hotel. Day 7 : Cairo to Minya TourBreakfast at your hotel in Cairo, then proceed to South Egypt. the Holy Family took a boat to travel southwards. Thirty five kilometers onwards, they passed the Gabal At-Tair, which is almost opposite to Samalut and Bayahu. When the Holy Family passed this mountain, a large rock was about to fan on the boat, and the Blessed Virgin was very frightened. Jesus, however, extended His hand and prevented the rock from falling, and the imprint of His hand remained on that rock. When Almeric, King of Jerusalem (1162-1173 AD), invaded Upper Egypt, they cut away the piece of the rock, and took it back with them to Syria in 1168. The Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Gabal At-Tair was built in commemoration of the visit of the Holy Family. Transfer to Minya to see the beautiful church beside the river at Gabal Al-Teir in Minya. Overnight in Minya. Day 8 : Minya - Dandara – LuxorAfter breakfast at your hotel in Minya , will visit The White Monastery to continue the route of the Holy family, its called also Deir el-Abyad or Deir Amba Shenuda or Shenute) is a Coptic Orthodox monastery. It lies about 4 kilometers south-east of the Red Monastery . By the time of Shenouda’s death, in 466 AD, the population of the White Monastery increased from 30 to more than 2000 monks and 2000 nuns. It is one of the most celebrated and important monasteries in Egypt. Surrounding the monastery is a high wall of white limestone blocks. Enjoy your trip to the Monastery of Al Muharraq on the west mountainside . This monastery was built by Anba Pachoimous by the beginning of the 4th century. Much of the importance the site enjoys stems from the fact that the Holy Family had stayed in this place for 6 months and 10 days during their flight into Egypt. End of Holy family route, continue your way to Luxor to visit Danadara Temple and the Temple of Hathor. Transfer to your hotel in Luxor and Overnight in Luxor Day 9 : Luxor Nile Cruise ExcursionsBreakfast at your hotel in Luxor , then will embark the Nile cruise to go to the east bank to visit the Luxor Temple and the Karnak Temple. Transfer back to the cruise and have dinner .Overnight in Luxor. Day 10 : Luxor Nile Cruise ExcursionsAfter breakfast will visit Wadi Natroun a desert area called the Desert of Scetis (the Wadi an-Natrun), and Jesus blessed it. The town which is nearest to the Desert of Scetis is Terenouti (at-Tarrana), actually about 40 kilometers from the Monastery of St. Macarius . The Holy Family traveled westwards and crossed the Rosetta branch of the Nile. After Bikha Isous, the Holy Family traveled westwards and crossed the Rosetta branch of the Nile. Continuing their journey, they saw, from a far, the Desert of Scetis (the Wadi an-Natrun), and Jesus blessed it. The town which is nearest to the Desert of Scetis is Terenouti (at-Tarrana), actually about 40 kilometers from the Monastery of St. Macarius. Wadi El Natroun is one of the major tourist attractions in Egypt for enclosing various types of monuments that date back to Pharaonic, Coptic and Islamic Era. The name, ‘Wadi El Natrun’ refers to the presence of 8 different lakes that produce natron salt. The reason is that the Ancient Egyptians used to extract the natron from this valley to be used in burial and mummification rites. Additionally, the valley includes 9 small lakes where migrant birds seek shelter in winter months. Thus, the site is a preferred place for bird-watchers. The valley is regarded by Christians in Egypt as one of the holy places that the Holy Family visited during their journey to Egypt. In the 4th century, St. Macarius, retired in the Natron Valley, later was followed by thousands of people who preferred the isolated and ascetic life of the desert. Organized in communities, these people lived in cells and caves. In Wadi El Natron, there are 4 monasteries that date back to the 4th century. Well-fortified against the attacks launched by the desert nomads, the monasteries became self-sufficient. With the Christian disputes over the nature of Christ, the monks were divided and new monasteries for each party were built. Today, only 4 monasteries have survived. Begin your trip with Deir al-Baramus which is Dedicated to the Virgin of Baramus, also named the Monastery of the Romans is probably the first monastery established in the Wadi El-Natron. The tradition of the place says that the monastery was built in the site where Saint Macarius lived. The name ‘Baramus’– which means “That of the roman”– comes from a group of Romans who went to live in the monastery as early as St. Macarius himself, and on the place of their cells, after their death, a chapel was built. Then proceeds to Deir Anba Bishoy , Abu Makar Monastery and Deir El-Suryani . Lunch and transfer back to Cairo. Overnight stay in your hotel. Day 11 : Kom Ombo and Edfu TemplesOnce breakfast , we will sail to Kom Ombo and we will visit the incredible Kom Ombo temple, dedicated to the gods Sobek and Hareoris. Having lunch on board on the cruise . The cruise continues sailing towards Edfu and then will visit the Temple of Edfu, dedicated to the God Horus . Back to the cruise and head to Aswan . Having dinner on board and overnight in Aswan. Day 12 : Aswan SightseeingEnjoy breakfast at your hotel in Aswan. Then transfer to Nile Cruise and embarkation in the 5-star cruise and having lunch on board. Visit the High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk and one of the most beautiful temples in Egypt, the Temple of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis. Then back to the cruise with dinner on board and overnight in Aswan. Day 13 : Aswan - Train to CairoAfter breakfast on board, we will disembark from your Nile cruise . Day 14 : Cairo Optional ExcursionsEnjoy breakfast aboard the sleeper train. Arrival at the Giza train station and headed straight for your hotel for some leisure time . Day 15 : Cairo - Fly Back HomeBreakfast at hotel and your tour ends with a hotel drop-off. Transfer to Cairo International Airport for your final departure ,where the tour ends. | |
The itinerary order could change without affecting the visits |