Holly Family Trip in Egypt

Breakfast at hotel, Meetup with your Egyptology tour guide, who will give you a shot briefing about the next days of your tour program, then start your day to by visiting, Sakkara to visit history’s first pyramid, the Step Pyramid of Zoser, and the Tombs of the Nobles.  Lunch will be provided at a wonderful Egyptian Restaurant, after Lunch continue the day by exploring Pyramids of the Giza Plateau and Sphinx.  These Magnificent structures are the only remaining monuments of the ‘Seven Wonders of the World’ on the way back to hotel, visit to a famous carpet and papyrus factories, Dinner at hotel, overnight.   

Meals : Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner / Overnight: Cairo

Following a sumptuous buffet breakfast at the hotel, board the bus for a full day guided tour of Old Cairo. Visit the famous Hanging Church with its breathtaking icons and the synagogue of Ben Ezra that marks the spot where it is believe Moses was found by the Pharaoh’s daughter. Then visit the cave under what is now the Greek cemetery where the Holy Family hid from the soldiers of King Herod, at the church of Maadi on the Nile, a Bishop from the Coptic Church will show you the tunnel where it is thought the Holy family escaped across the Nile.  He will also talk to you about the creation of the Holy Family Trail by the Coptic Church, after lunch at a local restaurant, the bus trip will continue to the church at Mostorod that is built over a cave where the Holy Family sought shelter. Then it is on to the famed tree of  Mary in Matariya where the Holy Koran says that the Holy Family was concealed from pursuing soldiers by spider webs.  This evening you will return to hotel to rest and prepare for tomorrows adventures.  

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch / Overnight: Cairo.

After early breakfast, you will board the bus for a voyage north to Wadi Natrun on the famed desert road.  It is here that you will see the magnificent monasteries of al-Sorian, al-Baramose, al-Anba Bishoi and, if permission granted, the monastery of Abu Makar.  These are functioning monasteries where you will meet monks who will colorfully present the history of these incredible bastions of spirituality, places where Jesus was said to have predicted the presence of ‘spiritual fighters’ almost 2000 years ago. Then continue to Alexandria to visit the most important two churches in Alexandria and the catacombs, after an exhilarating day you will go back to Cairo, Dinner at local restaurant, then back to hotel to assimilate all you have experience. 

Meals: Breakfast - Lunch Box – Dinner / Overnight: Cairo.

After breakfast our day will begin with a visit to the Church of Zeitoun. Here in 1968 a vision of Mary was seen by hundreds of thousands of people. The vision remained off and on for more than 2 years and was even seen by President Nassar.  A priest will show pictures of this amazing vision and will tell the story of what happened to Egypt when this vision was seen.  Following a late lunch at a local restaurant, you will continue the day with a tour of the Egyptian Museum.  Here a guide will take you on a tour of the relics of  Ancient Egypt that have are strongly connected to Christianity. Here you will see Pharaonic symbols used by modern day Christians and hear about ancient rituals used even today in church services.  This evening you will explore Khan El Khalili Bazaar, this is your chance to experience one of the most famous marketplaces in the world, mix with locals and enjoy a cup of tea with mint flavor at a coffee shop. Back to hotel for Overnight in Cairo.   

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Overnight: Cairo

Breakfast at hotel, you will board the bus to start your trip to Sakha. This northern Delta town is home to The Footprint of Jesus, a stone impression of the foot believed to be that of the Divine Child, one that was left as the Holy Family passed through this area.  After examining the stone and hearing its story from the priest who cares for it, you will journey to the nearby town of Samanud where ancient Christian documents fill the library. Back to Cairo for a group dinner at local restaurant, overnight.  

Meals: Breakfast / Dinner  / Overnight: Cairo

Early breakfast at hotel, checkout, you will start a bus trip to El Minia, 250 kilometer south of Cairo.  From here you will visit two extraordinary sites: Ashmunayn and Gabel el-Teir, both famous for visits by the Holy Family. The spectacular site of Ashmunayn was a thriving port on the Nile when visited by the Holy Family.  What you will see now are impressive remnants from the many civilizations that have occupied this spot since before and after the visit of the Holy Family.  Called Hermopolis by the Greeks who built tall Corinthian pillars that still stand proudly, Ashmunayn contains exquisite examples of pharonic ruins and a massive underground basilica that was built in the fifth century.  A visit to this impressive site and its small museum will let you see and feel what life was like over 2000 years ago.  Then it is on to Gabel el-Teir to one of the most famous and beautiful sites on the Holy Family Trail, the mountainside monastery built on the site of the cave where the Holy Family is thought to have stayed as they fled upriver from the pursuing soldiers. The priest will tell you why the entrance to the secret Pharaonic tomb might lie beneath the altar and why they cannot know for sure.

We will have a 2 night stay at one of Menia’s fabled Nile River hotels where the sound of the water fills the cool night air.

Meals: 2 Breakfast / 2 Dinner / Overnight: Menia

After breakfast, checkout hotel, on the banks of the Nile, the bus will take you further south to Abu Hinnis, a small Christian town with a big history. Here you can tour an authentic country village and its ancient churches. Then we will visit Ansena, an ancient ghost town on the banks of the Nile that was visited by the Holy Family.  The hardier of travelers can climb to the caves of Abu Hinnis, a fairly difficult hike that rewards our effort with a chance to view cave painting of the Holy Family’s flight to Egypt.  These cave paintings that are among the great art treasures of the world, were done by sixth century hermits who lived in the tombs and quarries of these mountains. Onward to Assiut where we will overnight (in the Assiuttel or perhaps Dronka, a major monastery with hundreds of rooms).

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner / Overnight: Assiut. 

After breakfast, we will start the day off at the church of St. Mark, built on what is believed to be the spot where the angel appeared to Joseph and told him that King Herod had died and they could now return to Israel. Since the church was built more than 200 years ago, the appearance of flashing lights in the air have been reported. In the year 1968, an appearance of flashing lights over the church put a stop to conflict in the region and led to major pilgrimages. This is also the spot where Paul Perry photographed a light from the heavens that was called “the light of Mary” by locals. After lunch, the group will go to Deir Muharraq, a spectacular monastery built around a pharaonic stone believed to be the bed of the Christ child when the family lived there for six months. We will be guided through the monastery by monks and shown spectacular paintings and incredible architecture, such as a castle keep, built in medieval times to protect the monks from attacking Berber tribes. Spend another night in Assiut.  

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner / Overnight: Assiut. 

Breakfast, Checkout, we start tour to visit the most spectacular of Christian monuments are the Red and White Monasteries. Built from remnants of Pharonic temples, these monasteries have truly amazing murals. The Red Monastery looks like a candy cane inside.  If possible, we will stop in Akmeim, across the river from the monasteries. It is there that dozens of Martyrs, the martyrs of Akmeim, have been preserved by the dry heat. Egyptian Christians believe these martyrs still bleed and their hair still grows, even after being dead for 1500 years. We will drive on to Luxor from here and check in to Hotel, free time, overnight.

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch  / Overnight: Luxor. 

This early morning we will go to the Valley of the Kings, visiting tombs of King Tut and other Pharoahs. All of these sites contain connections to Christianity, continue to explore Hatshepsut Temple. cross back the Nile, free afternoon, This evening Luxor Temple is our destination, free time to explore Luxor local market.

There is a chance to enjoy the sunrise by taking hot air balloon ride at the west Bank of the Nile before our visit.

Meals: Breakfast / Overnight: Luxor. 

After breakfast, checkout hotel, we will visit Karnak Temple and then catch our flight back to Cairo to relax, rest and integrate what we have experienced on this magnificent pilgrimage. Tonight, our group will have the opportunity for optional visit to visit the Giza Plateau for the Sound and Light Show at the Great Pyramid. 

Meals: Breakfast / Overnight: Cairo.

Breakfast at hotel free day at leisure relax by swimming pool or spend day for last minute shopping

Meals: Breakfast / Overnight: Cairo.

Breakfast at hotel, checkout, transfer to airport for final departure back home, End of Services.

Meals: Breakfast.