Description

The Holy Family Trip (15D-14N)

Highlights:

• Pyramids of Giza

  Several of the Giza pyramids are counted among the largest structures ever built.The Pyramid of Khufu is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still in existence.

• Nile River Cruise
  Relax onboard and experience some of the most important majestic attractions between Luxor and Aswan.

• Aswan
  Aswan is located just north of the Aswan Dam on the east bank of the Nile. The city is part of the UNESCO Creative CitiesNetwork in the category of craft and folk art.
• Luxor is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world is often referred to as the “world’s greatest open-air museum”.

Tour Overview:

Day 1 . Arrival in Cairo
Welcome to Egypt!
Your tour manager will meet you at Cairo International Airport and escort you to the hotel by air-conditioned deluxe vehicle. At the hotel, the tour manager will review your holiday itinerary with you to confirm pick-up times.
Overnight in Cairo.

Day 2 . Cairo & Pyramids
After breakfast, you will be accompanied by your personal guide to the Giza Plateau to visit one of the seven wonders of the ancient world: the Great Pyramids of Cheops, Chefren and Mykerinus; the famous Sphinx; and the Valley Temple facing the great statue.
Then transfer to the Egyptian Museum. Continue driving to Islamic Cairo to explore Khan El Khalili, Cairo’s old bazaar.
Back to the hotel and time for leisure in the evening.
Overnight in Cairo.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Day 3 . Tel Basta & Belbeis
After breakfast, you will be accompanied by your personal guide to start the Holy Family Journey in Egypt. Your first stop will be at the town of Bubastis. It is now known as Tel Basta, and is located about 100km north-east of Cairo. There, Jesus gushed forth a spring of water to drink. You will visit the holy well and Belbeis (ancient Philippos). The Holy Family made their way north-eastwards to Belbeis at a distance of about 55km from Cairo. They rested there in the shade of a tree which came to be known as “The Virgin Mary’s Tree”. You will visit the Saint George Church and then drive back to Cairo.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Overnight in Cairo.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Day 4 . Sakha & Samanoud
Breakfast at your hotel in Cairo. Today, enjoy the trip to Sakha located about 140km north of Cairo. Visit the Virgin Mary Church, a place renowned for its Christian community in the Middle Ages. You will also see the footprint of Jesus Christ.
Then transfer to Samanoud where the holy family crossed the River Nile. They were warmly welcomed by the people of the city, so they were blessed by Jesus Christ. Visit the Saint Abanoub Church and a holy well from which the holy family drank.
Lunch on your way back in Tanta city. Transfer back to your hotel in Cairo and time for leisure.
Overnight in Cairo.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Day 5 . Wadi El Natrun
After breakfast visit Wadi El Natrun, a desert area said to have been blessed by Christ. The Holy Family crossed the western branch of the River Nile to Wadi El Natrun. According to tradition the Virgin Mary and her son hid in the valley during their trip to Egypt, and Jesus Christ blessed the four directions of the valley. One of the most famous valleys in Egypt, it is considered the home of asceticism and worship, with four monasteries still existing today.
Begin with a visit to Deir Al Baramus (The Monastery of Baramus) which is the oldest of the surviving four monasteries, and also the most isolated. Proceed to Deir Anba Bishoy (Anba Bishoy Monastery) and Abu Makar Monastery. Finally ending at Deir Al Suryani – the smallest and most compact of the four monasteries.
Lunch is taken on the way back to Cairo.
Overnight in Cairo.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Day 6 . Cairo`s Churches
After breakfast, start the exploration of Cairo’s churches. We’ll start with the Hanging Church and St. Sergius, then continue to see the Church of St. George and the Fortress of Babylon in Old Cairo, which the Holy Family passed by.
Transfer to Mostorod to see the Virgin Mary Church. Visit the holy well and the Holly Marry tree at Matariya in the outskirts of Cairo, a well-attested resting place of the Holy Family and a popular destination among medieval pilgrims.
Lunch at local restaurant in Cairo.
Overnight in Cairo.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Day 7 . Cairo – Minya
After breakfast we’ll continue the tour towards Southern Egypt.
The Holy Family moved to the south in a boat on the River Nile to a place where the church of Holy Virgin Mary now lies at Maadi. Many visitors go to this church to see the book – this may be a sign that the Holy Family had passed by this place.
The transfer to El Minya will take approximately three hours. Upon your arrival in El Minya we will visit a beautiful church at a cliff beside the river at Gabal Al-Teir.
Overnight in Minya.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Day 8 . Minya – Dandarah – Luxor
After breakfast, we’ll continue the route of the Holy Family by visiting the White Monastery. It was built in 400 AD by St. Senouda, and was constructed using blocks from ancient Egyptian buildings. The basilica church inside the White Monastery showcases columns taken from ancient Egyptian structures as well as beautiful paintings on the walls and ceilings. This monastery used to house over 2000 monks.
We then continue to the Monastery of Al Muharraq in Assiut, which is also known as the Monastery of the Holy Virgin at Al Qusiya. It was built in the area where the Holy Family stayed for over six months. Their time was spent mainly in a cave which became, in the Coptic era, the altar of the Church of Virgin Mary.
Continue to Luxor with a driving time of approximately