Holy Family Tour in Egypt, explore the places where the holy family has left blessing heritages in different 12 places in Egypt
According to the Coptic traditions, at least 25 places were touched by the Holy Family during the flight to Egypt over three years. The starting point is Bethlehem. After crossing the northern part of the Sinai desert, Mary, Joseph, and Jesus enter Egypt and reach the city of Tal Basta. The Holy Family then crosses the Nile and heads towards Wadi El Natrun and the area of El Matariyeh (a suburb of Cairo). The El Maadi area, near Memphis (the capital of Ancient Egypt), is another stop on the journey. On the way back, Mary, Joseph, and Jesus cross the Mount of Assiut and then return to Palestine after having traveled over two thousand kilometers.
Overview
The Gospel of Matthew describes the flight of the Holy Family into Egypt, which saw Joseph, his wife Mary and their infant son Jesus escape King Herod’s Massacre of the Innocents.
Our Route of the Holy Family tour follows the footsteps of the Holy Family around Egypt.
Your biblical journey begins in Cairo, the Egyptian Capital.
Trip Highlights
- Trace the footsteps of the Holy Family from start to finish
- Visit some of the most spiritual monasteries in Egypt
- Be amazed by visiting the rarely seen ancient ruins in Tel Basta
- Socialize with Monks when visiting Wadi El Natrun monasteries
- Conclude your Trip in Egypt with a Farewell Dinner Nile Cruise
Welcome to Cairo, Egypt - Your tour manager will meet and assist you at Cairo International Airport (Arrival procedures) and then he will escort you to the hotel by exclusive air-conditioned deluxe vehicle. At the hotel the tour manager will assist with a smooth check-in and review your holiday itinerary with you to establish and confirm pick-up times for each tour.
After breakfast you will be accompanied by your tour guide to start the Holy Family Journey in Egypt, your first stop will be at the town of Bubastis; Which is now known as Tel- Basta, about 100 Km north-east of Cairo, there Jesus gushed forth a spring of water to drink, you will visit the holy well, then you will visit Belbeys (ancient Philippos). The Holy Family made their way north-eastwards to Belbeys at a distance of about 55 km from Cairo. They rested there in the shade of a tree that came to be called, “The Virgin Mary’s Tree’ at its place there is the Saint George Church, which you will visit, and then back to Cairo. Lunch at a Local restaurant and back to your hotel.
Breakfast at your hotel in Cairo, then you will enjoy the trip to Sakha about 140 Km North of Cairo. You will visit Virgin Mary Church, a place renowned for its Christian community in the Middle Ages. Also, you will see the footprint of Jesus Christ. Then transfer to Samanoud where the holy family crossed the River Nile to the city of Samanoud inside the Delta they were received by its people in a pleasant way, and so the people were blessed by Jesus Christ. There you will visit Saint Abanoub Church. There is also a holy well where the holy family had drunk from it. Lunch on your way back to Tanta city. Back to Cairo.
After breakfast you will be accompanied by your personal guide to visit Wadi Natrun, a desert area said to have been blessed by Christ. The Holy Family crossed the western branch of the river Nile (Rosetta branch) to the south to Wadi AL-Natrun. According to tradition the Virgin Mary and her son the child Jesus Christ hid in that valley during their trip to Egypt, and Jesus Christ blessed the four directions of the valley. Wadi El- Natrun is considered one of the most famous valleys in Egypt. It is considered the home of asceticism and worship, with four monasteries still existing today. Begin your trip with Deir al-Baramus which is the oldest of the surviving 4 monasteries, and in many ways, the most isolated then proceeds to Deir Anba Bishoy whose body is still in the monastery. Abu Makar Monastery. You will end your trip with Deir El-Suryani which is the smallest and most compact of the 4 monasteries. Lunch on your way back to Cairo.
Breakfast at your hotel in Cairo, you will be accompanied by your personal guide to visit Cairo churches, start by the Hanging Church and St. Sergius, then continue to see the Church of St. George as well as the Fortress of Babylon in Old Cairo, which the Holy Family passed by, transfer to Mostorod to see virgin Mary Church, visit the Holy well and Holly Marry tree at Matariya on the outskirts of Cairo, a well-attested resting place of the Holy Family and a popular destination among medieval pilgrims. Lunch at a local restaurant in Cairo.
Breakfast at your hotel in Cairo, then you will enjoy the holy Family Trip to South Egypt. The Holy Family moved to the south in a boat on the River Nile at a place where the church of the 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 that place of the church. The Holy Family traveled in a boat on the Nile from this place towards the south (Upper Egypt). You will transfer South to EL Minya in about 2 hours and a half, arriving at El Minya, and see the beautiful church hewn out of the cliff beside the river at Gabal El-Their in Minya.
Breakfast at your hotel in Minya and continue the route of the Holy family by visiting The White Monastery, it was built in 400 ad. by St. Shenouda, who constructed the monastery using blocks from ancient Egyptian buildings. The White Monastery has a basilica church inside that used columns from ancient Egyptian structures as well. There are also wonderful paintings on the walls and ceilings. This monastery used to house over 2000 monks. Enjoy your trip to the Monastery of Al Muharraq in Assiut (Which is known as the Monastery of the Holy Virgin at Al Qusiya). It was built around the area where the Holy Family remained for just over 6 months. Their time was spent mainly in a cave which became, in the Coptic era, the altar of the Church of Virgin Mary. End of the Holy family route,
After an early breakfast in Asyut, we begin our long journey back to Cairo. We will take a slightly different route to include a visit to the Convent of the Virgin. The Convent is located on the edge of the Asyut Mountains. According to tradition, the convent was founded around a cave where the Holy Family stayed before taking a boat north and returning to Palestine. Over the past few decades there have been reports of apparitions of the Holy Virgin which have attracted many thousands of pilgrims to the site. During the Moulid (Festival) of the Virgin, up to a million pilgrims come to pray here.
possibility to do an optional Excursion to visit the Three Pyramids at Giza Plateau and the Sphinx
After visiting the Giza Pyramids, we proceed to the Great Museum of Antiquity, Enjoy the biggest collection of Egyptian Pharaonic artifacts including the treasures of King Tutankhamun.
After breakfast at your hotel, our tour manager will provide you with a private transfer to Cairo Airport, Assistance through departure formalities till you get your flight back home.
Inclusions:
- All accommodations as stated in the itinerary
- Meals: 9 Breakfast, 8 Lunch, 7 Dinner & 1 Dinner Cruise
- All transport and transfers in private AC vehicles
- 24-hour airport arrival & departure transfer service
- Sightseeing tours as detailed in the itinerary
- Services of a local Egyptologist guide for all the sightseeing tours
- Entrance fees to sites visited
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
Exclusions
- International flights (available on request)
- Egypt Entry Visa fees (available on arrival for most nationalities)
- Travel Insurance (mandatory, available on request)
- Meals not indicated in the itinerary
- Optional Excursions & Visits
- Tour guide tips
- Drinks, snacks, and other personal expenses (e.g., laundry)
- Tipping kitty.
Price/Person
Price per Adult in Twin Room