11-Day Holy Family Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival / Start Your 11-Day Holy Family Tour

Upon your arrival at Cairo International Airport, Egypt Fun Tours will welcome you. Our representative will assist you in bypassing customs, luggage checks, and official procedures.

Afterward, you will be transported in a private deluxe air-conditioned vehicle. You will check in at your 5-star hotel and take some time to relax.

In the evening, enjoy a mesmerizing dinner cruise on the Nile. Savor delicious Egyptian cuisine while taking in stunning views. Be entertained by captivating performances from local whirling dervishes. After the cruise, we will transfer you back to your hotel for a restful night.

Day 2: Trip to Pyramids and Museum

Start your day with breakfast before joining your tour guide in a deluxe private A/C vehicle to visit:

• Giza Pyramids Complex: Explore one of the holiest sites in history, home to some of the ancient wonders of the world. The three impressive pyramids, especially the Great Pyramid, stand as timeless miracles of ancient Egyptian civilization.
• The Sphinx: Marvel at this magnificent lion sculpture, a symbol of strength and courage, dedicated to Pharaoh Khafre and constructed during the 4th dynasty.
• The Valley Temple: This impressive structure served as a funerary temple for purification and mummification rituals.

After your tour, enjoy lunch at a quality restaurant before heading to:

• The Egyptian Museum: Discover the treasures of ancient Egypt, housing thousands of artifacts, including funerary objects, papyrus, and wooden coffins that span various periods of Egypt’s history.

We will then transfer you back to your hotel.

Day 3: Trip to Maadi Church & Coptic Cairo

After breakfast at the hotel, join your private tour guide to explore the best Coptic highlights in Cairo, including:

• St. Virgin Mary Church (Maadi): Admire the stunning architecture of this church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, which marks the Holy Family’s journey to Upper Egypt.

Enjoy a tasty lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to:

• The Hanging Church: One of Egypt’s oldest Christian sites, established during the 9th century, this church is uniquely perched atop the walls of the Roman Fortress of Babylon.
• The Church of St. Sergius & Bacchus: Visit this 5th-century Coptic church, believed to be built over the cave where the Holy Family stayed for three weeks.
• The Church of Saint Menas: Explore one of the oldest Coptic churches in Fum El Khalig, dedicated to Saint Mina. Although the original structure dates back to the 6th century, the current building was reconstructed in the 12th century.

After your visits, we will drive you back to your hotel.

Day 4: Wadi El Natroun and Alexandria Trip

After breakfast, check out and board a private air-conditioned vehicle to:

• Wadi El Natroun: This significant Christian site is known as the birthplace of monasticism in Egypt. A personal Egyptologist will guide you through this historic area, home to four surviving monasteries, including Al Baramus Monastery and the Monastery of Saint Bishoy, where Anba Bishoy is buried.

Following your visit, we will drive you to Alexandria for a delicious lunch at a restaurant before checking in at your 5-star hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 5: Fabulous Day Trip in Alexandria

After breakfast at the hotel, your tour guide will take you on a journey to explore the historical and Coptic attractions in Alexandria, including:

• The Catacombs: Discover this 2nd-century burial necropolis, used primarily during the 4th century, featuring three levels and a central shaft leading to the entrance hall.
• The Citadel of Qaitbey: Visit this 15th-century fortress, built by Sultan Qaitbey, which served as a military stronghold and storage facility for ships and weapons.
• The Catholic Church of St. Catherine: Explore this ancient Roman monument erected in 1882, characterized by Crusader wall decorations and several chapels.

After enjoying lunch at a local restaurant, stop for photos in front of the:

• Alexandria Library: Learn about the world’s oldest public library, originally built during the Ptolemaic era, and its modern reconstruction that opened in 2002.

In the evening, return to Cairo for an overnight stay at a 5-star hotel.

Day 6: Trip to El Matariya and Zeitoun Church

Enjoy breakfast before your private Egyptologist guides you to El Matariya (Ancient Heliopolis), where you will visit:

• The Virgin’s Mary Tree: This ancient sycamore tree sheltered the Holy Family during their journey in Egypt and is a significant pilgrimage site.

Next, head to:

• The Church of the Virgin Mary in Zeitoun: Explore this church, which reflects Italian architectural influences and features stunning carvings of the Virgin Mary and Jesus.

After lunch at a local restaurant, return to your hotel for the night.

Day 7: Visit Mostorod, Samnoud, and Sakha

After breakfast, your private guide will take you in a modern air-conditioned vehicle to visit:

• Virgin Mary Church Mostorod: This sacred site is where the Virgin Mary bathed the baby Jesus, considered one of Egypt’s holiest locations.
• Meniet Samnoud: Explore this small town that warmly welcomed the Holy Family, believed to be built over the remnants of an ancient church.
• Sakha: Visit this village known for the footprints of Christ, which are carved on a rock stone by the Virgin Mary.

In the evening, drive back to your hotel in Cairo for an overnight stay.

Day 8: Visit Tel Basta and Tanis

After enjoying breakfast, prepare for another enlightening day of your Holy Family journey. A private car will pick you up, and your guide will take you to:

• The Village of Tel Basta: Discover the site where Christ created a water spring for the thirsty, a significant moment in the Holy Family’s journey.

Next, you will visit:

• Tanis: Explore ancient temples and tombs dating back to the 26th dynasty, immersing yourself in the rich history of this once-great city.

After your explorations, we will transfer you to Ismailia for lunch, followed by an overnight stay at your hotel.

Day 9: Start Your Trip to Sinai & St. Catherine

After breakfast in Ismailia, check out and embark on your tour to Sinai. Your private air-conditioned vehicle will take you through:

• The Sinai Peninsula: Enjoy the scenic drive as you pass the springs of Moses (Oyoun Mousa) and the hot springs of Hammam Pharaohs, arriving at Abu Zanima, a charming fishermen’s town.

After lunch, continue your journey to the desert oasis of Wadi Firan. Here, you will visit the Monastery of Nuns before being taken to St. Catherine for an overnight stay.

Day 10: Visit St. Catherine Monastery

Prepare for an early start at approximately 2:00 AM. You will be taken to:

• Moses Mountain: Join your Bedouin guide and begin your ascent. At the summit, you will encounter one of the greatest monasteries in history:
• St. Catherine Monastery: Established by Emperor Justinian in 527 AD on the site of an ancient church built by Empress Helena in 337 AD, this breathtaking monastery holds a special religious significance and attracts thousands of visitors from around the world.

After your visit, we will drive you back to your hotel for breakfast. Pack your luggage in preparation for your return journey to Cairo, where you will spend the night at a 5-star hotel.

Day 11: Final Departure & Fly Home

Enjoy your final breakfast in Egypt before checking out of your hotel. Your driver will transfer you to Cairo International Airport for your flight home, concluding your unforgettable 11-day Holy Family Tour in Egypt.