16 Days Memories of Egypt

16 Days Memories of Egypt tour itinerary

Day 1: Arrival Cairo

Upon arrival in Cairo airport, you will be met and greeted by our team and transferred to the hotel in our air-conditioned vehicle. After the check-in, you will have a brief meeting to review your holiday program. Overnight at Le Passage Cairo Hotel & Casino or similar in Cairo

Day 2: Pyramids / Museum tours

After breakfast, drive to Giza Plateau to visit one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world, the Great Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mykerinus, famous Sphinx, and Valley Temple facing the great statue. You will have lunch at one of the local restaurants. After lunch, visit the Egyptian Museum then proceed to the Islamic Cairo to visit Khan El Khalili, which is the Cairo’s old bazaar. Late afternoon, transfer to your hotel. Overnight at Le Passage Cairo Hotel & Casino or similar in Cairo

Day 3: Maadi Church / Coptic Cairo tours

After breakfast, you will depart to visit Cairo churches including the Church of the Virgin Mary in Ma’adi, the Hanging Church and St. Sergius, the Church of St. George and the Fortress of Babylon in Old Cairo which was visited by the Holy Family. You will have your lunch in one of the local restaurants. Overnight at Le Passage Cairo Hotel & Casino or similar in Cairo

Day 4: Wadi El Natroun / Alexandria tours

After breakfast, drive to Wadi El-Natrun which was named as Šihēt by the Coptic meaning “Measuring of Hearts”. This area is the real birthplace of Christian monasticism which has about 50 monasteries but only 4 have survived into modern times. You will visit Deir al-Baramus which is the oldest of the 4 existing monasteries and the most isolated. Proceed to Deir Anba Bishoi whose body exists in the monastery. Then proceed to Deir El-Suryani, the smallest of the 4 monasteries. Later, proceed to Alexandria. You will have your lunch in one of the local restaurants. Proceed to visit the Qaitbay Citadel which was built on the same site of the ancient Pharaohs of Alexandria. Dinner and Overnight at Windsor Palace Hotel Alexandria in Alexandria.

Day 5: Cairo

After breakfast, drive to visit Bibliotheca Alexandria and the Catacombs. These Catacombs make up the largest Roman Cemetery made of 3 levels cut in the rock. You will have your lunch in one of the local restaurants. After lunch, proceed to the Latin Catholic Church of St Catherine in Alexandria. Dinner and OVernight at Le Passage Cairo Hotel & Casino or similar in Cairo.

Day 6: Heliopolis / Zeiton

After breakfast, drive to El Matariya (ancient Heliopolis area) to visit the holy tree “Mary’s Tree” which is believed that the holy family rested under it. This place is always believed that Child Jesus caused water to flow from a spring and drank it to arouse this tree. Proceed to the aromatic plant with a beautiful scent named balsam which is added in all perfumes that make them swab or Myron Oil used in church rituals. Proceed to Church of the Virgin Mary in Zeiton area painted by Italian artists with carvings of Jesus and the Virgin Mary. Dinner and Overnight at Le Passage Cairo Hotel & Casino or similar in Cairo in Cairo.

Day 7: Mostorad / Samanoud / Sakha

After breakfast, drive to visit Mostorad which is known as “El Mahamaah” meaning the “bathing place” because Virgin Mary is believed to have bathed child Jesus there and washed his clothes. Proceed to the small village of Meniet Samanoud where the locals are believed to have welcomed the holy Family hospitably and Jesus Christ blessed them and in return hallowed its water spring. Here, the remains of this ancient church are buried under the present church of St. Abanoub church. Here, you will see a huge granite trough that the virgin Mary used for kneading. Proceed to Sakha town near to Kafr El Sheikh. The Coptic name of the town is “Pekha – Issous” Meaning “The Foot of Jesus”. The name originated from the footprint of Jesus Christ on a stone where he set his foot. Later, proceed to see the Church of the Virgin Mary that has preserved a rock with the footprints of Jesus when he was young. Dinner and Overnight at Le Passage Cairo Hotel & Casino or similar in Cairo.

Day 8: Tel Basta / Tanis / Ismailia

After breakfast, drive to the town of Babastis (Tel-Basta) where it is believed that Jesus caused the flow of a spring of water to drink. Proceed to visit Tanis which is the main capital of 26^th dynasty, then onto the small museum, Ramses Temple and the royal tombs. Late afternoon, drive to Ismailia with your lunch in one of the local restaurants in Ismailia. Dinner and Overnight at Tolip El Forsan Hotel in Ismailia.

Day 9: St. Catherine

After breakfast, you will drive to Sinai Peninsula as you pass past Oyoun Mosa (The springs of Moses). You will head to Hammam pharaohs (hot springs) to arrive at the fishermen’s city (Abu Zanima). You will enjy your lunch in one of the local restaurants. After breakfast, proceed to the palm groves of the deserted oasis of Wadi Firan to visit the Monastery of Nuns and Saint Catherine. Dinner and Overnight at New Morgen Land Village Hotel in St. Catherine.

Day 10: Suez

Today, you will wake up very early in the morning and drive to Moses Mountain to climb it and visit one of the famous monasteries in the world called St. Catherine Monastery which was dedicated to one of Alexander’s rulers named St Catherine. Later, you will return to the hotel for your breakfast followed by departure for the Suez with picnic lunches. Dinner and Overnight at Red Sea Hotel in Suez.

Day 11: Red Sea Monasteries/ Jabal Al Tair (the Birds Mountain) / El Minya

After breakfast, drive south along the coast to visit the Monasteries of St. Anthony and St. Paul. These 2 monasteries were built in the 4^th century AD but set against the cliffs coming from the eastern desert. It is regarded as the biggest monastery in Egypt and the church of St. Anthony was built over the saint’s tomb. St. Paul is a relatively younger monastery and considered as the 1^st monk ever. Proceed to Upper Egypt and stop at Jabal Al Tair (the Birds Mountain) near to El Minya city, the cave where the holy family is believed to have rested inside. This cave is located inside the Ancient Church. Dinner and Overnight at Grand Aton Hotel in El Minya

Day 12: Tuna El-Gabal / Al Ashmunien (Hermopolis) / Beni Hassan

After breakfast, drive to the necropolis of Tuna El Gabal where there are many crypts of baboons and Ibis representing the god Thoth, the tomb of Isadora, the tomb of the priest Pet-Osiers, the ancient water wheel and the boundary stele of the city of the Aton. You will enjoy your lunch ion one of the local restaurants and proceed to Al-Ashmunien to visit the open museum with 2 huge baboon statues and the ruins of the basilica church. Proceed to the site of Beni Hasan which is located on the Eastern Bank of the Nile. You will also see the rock-cut tombs. Dinner and Overnight at Grand Aton Hotel in El Minya.

Day 13: Tell El Amarna / Assuit

After breakfast, you will drive to Tell al Amarna” which is the capital of Akhnaton where the northern and southern tombs are seen. Later, proceed to Assuit city to visit Al Muharraq Monastery where the Holy Family stayed for 6 months and 10 days. This is believed to be the longest period spent at the same site. It is believed that it is at this site where the holy family received the divine message to return to Palestine. Nearly 8 Km west of the monastery, there is the rock-cut tombs of Miar which belong to the nobles and the rulers during the 6^th and the 12^th dynasties. Dinner and Overnight at Assiutel Hotel in Assuit.

Day 14: Assuit / Doronka / Akhmiem / Sohag

After breakfast, you depart to Doronka to visit the 1^st century Monastery of St. Mary which is believed to be the last site visited by the Holy Family. This Monastery is visited by over 1 million visitors annually and is believed that the Virgin Mary often appears in a luminous form within the chapel. You will proceed to Akhmiem city in Sohag to visit the open-air museum and the statue of Meryet-amun which is the tallest female statue in Egypt. Overnight at House of Life Hotel in Sohag.

Day 15: Cairo

After breakfast, depart to visit The White Monastery of Saint Shenouda the Archimandrite which dates back to the early 5th century and is made of stones from Pharaonic temples. The monastery name originated from the color of the white limestone of its exterior walls. Proceed to the north to visit the Red monastery which named after Coptic Saint Bishai (AnbaBishai) who is believed to have repented after living a wicked life. The name red monastery originated from the color of the stones used and has several churches. Late afternoon, drive back to Cairo and transfer to your hotel. Dinner and Overnight at Le Passage Cairo Hotel & Casino or similar in Cairo

Day 16: Departure

After breakfast, transfer to Cairo International Airport for your flight back home.

What is Included on the Safari Price:-

• Meet and greet service by our representatives at airports.
• Transport in our air-conditioned vehicle.
• 6-night accommodation in Cairo on HB
• 1-night accommodation in Cairo on BB
• 1-night accommodation in Alexandria on HB
• 1-night accommodation in Ismailia on HB
• 1-night accommodation in St. Catherine on HB
• 1-night accommodation in Suez on HB
• 2-night accommodation in El Minya on HB
• 1-night accommodation in Assuit on HB
• 1-night accommodation in Sogah on HB
• All the sightseeing tours as per the program
• Entrance fees to all sites as per the program
• All meals as per the program
• Bottled water during tours and transfers
• All service charges and taxes.

What is Excluded on the Safari Price:-

• Both domestic and International flights and taxes
• Entry visa to Egypt
• Any optional tour not mentioned on the program
• Any expense of personal nature
• Gratuities and tips
• Personal insurance cover
• Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks except water mentioned above
• Deviation from the program