15 Days Holy Family Tour in Egypt

Day 1: Arrival Cairo – Welcome to land of the Pharaoh’s

Welcome to Cairo, Egypt (Around The Clock)
Your Egypt Smile tour manager will meet and assist you at Cairo International Airport (Arrival procedures) and then he will escort you to the hotel by air-conditioned deluxe vehicle. At 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. Overnight in Cairo.
Welcome Drink

Day 2: Pyramids and Cairo Sightseeing

After breakfast you will be accompanied by your personal guide to Giza Plateau to visit one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Great Pyramids of Cheops, Chefren and Mykerinus, famous Sphinx, and Valley temple facing the great statue. Then transfer to enjoy the Egyptian Museum, Treasures room for the child king Tutankhamen. Continue driving to Islamic Cairo, where you will be able to explore Khan El Khalili, Cairo’s old bazaar.. Back to hotel and overnight in Cairo.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3: Tel Basta & Belbis

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 Babastis; It is now known as Tel- Basta, about 100 Kms north-east of Cairo, there Jesus gushed forth a spring of water to drink, you will visit the holy well, then you will visit Belbeis (ancient Philippos). The Holy Family made their way north-eastwards to Belbeis at a distance of about 55 kms from Cairo. They rested there in the shade of a tree which came to be called, “The Virgin Mary’s Tree’ at its place you there are Saint George Church, which you will visit and then back to Cairo. Lunch at Local restaurant and back to your hotel. Overnight stay in Cairo.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4: Sakha & Samanoud

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 foot print of Jesus Christ. Then transfer to Samanoud where the holy family crossed the River Nile to the city of Samanoud inside the Delta and 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 Chursh. There is also, a holy well where the holy family had drunk from it. Lunch in your way back in Tanta city. Back to Cairo and overnight stay at your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5: Wadi Natroun

After breakfast you will be accompanied by your personal guide to visit Wadi Natroun a desert area said to have been blessed by the 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 Al- Natroun 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 during your way back to Cairo. Overnight stay in Cairo.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6: Cairo Churches

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 local restaurant in Cairo. Overnight stay in Cairo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7: Cairo to Minya Tour

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 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 travelled in a boat on the Nile from this place towards the south (Upper Egypt). You will transfer South to EL Minya about 3 hours, arrive El Minya, see the beautiful church hewn out of the cliff beside the river at Gabal Al-Teir in Minya. Overnight in Minya.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8: Minya – Dandara – Luxor

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. Senouda, 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 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 Holy family route, continue your way to Luxor about 05 hours driving, in the way you will stop at Danadara Temple in Qena, to visit the Temple of Hathor, goddess of love and joy. The temple is located in Dendera which is situated at the north of Luxor. Transfer to your hotel in Luxor and Overnight stay in Luxor
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 9: Luxor Nile Cruise Tours

Breakfast at your hotel in Luxor then you will be met and transferred to embark your 05 star Nile Cruise. In the afternoon you will be accompanied for a wonderful tour of the East Bank of the Nile in Luxor. Here you will see Karnak and Luxor Temples. Return to the ship for afternoon tea and dinner. Overnight in Luxor.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Luxor Nile Cruise Excursions

After breakfast transfer to the West Bank of the Nile in Luxor and visit the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple at El Deir EL Bahari, and the Colossi of Memnon. Return to the ship for lunch & afternoon tea while sailing to Edfu via the Esna Lock. Dinner on board. Overnight in Edfu.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Edfu and Kom Ombo Temples

Enjoy breakfast on board before visiting Horus Temple at Edfu. Return to the ship for lunch and sail to Kom Ombo. Upon arrival, visit the temple shared by the two gods Sobek and Haroeris. Return to the ship and continue sailing to Aswan. Dinner on board. Overnight in Aswan.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: Aswan Nile Cruise Tour

After breakfast pay a visit to the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk, and the majestic Philae Temple. Return to the ship for lunch. Dinner on board. Overnight in Aswan.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13: Aswan – Train to Cairo

Breakfast on board the cruise then disembarkation from Cruise at 08:00 AM. And free time in Aswan with optional tour to enjoy a tour to one of Egypt’s top tourist attractions, Abu Simbel temple, which were originally carved out of the mountainside during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses II in the 13th century BC, as a lasting monument to himself and his queen Nefertari. Later, you will be transferred to Aswan railway station to board the sleeper train to Cairo. Dinner and breakfast will be served on board – overnight inside your compartment.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 14: Cairo Optional Excursions

Breakfast aboard sleeper train before arriving Giza train station, where you will be met and assisted by Memphis Tours representative who will transfer you to your hotel for free time at leisure( you will check into your room as early as possible ) with some optional excursions available in Cairo to visit Step Pyramid of King Zoser in Sakkara and Memphis. Overnight stay at your hotel in Cairo.
Meals: Breakfast

Day 15: Cairo – Fly Back Home

Breakfast at the hotel in Cairo – check out and then transfer to Cairo International Airport for final departure.
Meals: Breakfast

Included:

Meet and greet service by our representatives at airports.
Assistance of our guest relations during your stay.
All transfers by a private air-conditioned vehicle.
Accommodation for 7 nights in Cairo including bed and breakfast.
Accommodation for 1 night in Minya including bed and breakfast.
Accommodation for 1 night in Luxor including bed and breakfast.
Accommodation for 4 nights on a 5 star superior cruise on full board.
Accommodation for 1 night on sleeper train for on half board basis.
All sightseeing tours in Cairo (Private Guided Tours).
All sightseeing tours on the cruise sharing Egypt Smile Tours group.
All sightseeing tours in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and Coptic sites as mentioned in the itinerary Holy Family route as per the itinerary above
Entrance fees to all sites as indicated on the itinerary.
Meals as mention in the above itinerary.
Lunch during tours at good quality local restaurants
A Bottle of water during your trip.
Portage when needed.
All service charges and taxes.
30 minutes of local calling (5 minutes international) and a mobile phone loaned for the length of your stay or an Egyptian sim card for your unlocked mobile device

Excluded:

International Airfare
Entry visa
Any optional tours
Personal spending
Tipping