15 Days Egypt Monasteries Tour

15 Days Egypt Monasteries 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 Hilton Pyramids Golf Hotel 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 Hilton Pyramids Golf Hotel or similar in Cairo

Day 3: Tel Basta / Belbis town tours

After breakfast, you will drive for about 100 Kms north-east of Cairo to a town called Bubastis (Tel- Basta) where it is believed that Jesus gushed forth a spring of water to drink. It is believed that from here, Jesus and his family travelled north-eastwards to a town called Belbeis which is about 55 kms from Cairo. You will have your lunch in one of the local restaurant. Later, visit Belbeis (ancient Philippos where He and His family rested under shade of a tree called, “The Virgin Mary’s Tree’ the visit Saint George Church. Late afternoon, return to Cairo. Overnight at Hilton Pyramids Golf Hotel or similar in Cairo

Day 4: Sakha / Samanoud town tours

After breakfast, drive for about 140 kms to a town called Sakha on the north of Cairo. You will visit the Virgin Mary Church which was famous for the Christian community in the middle ages, proceed to see the footprints of Jesus Christ. From here, you will go to Samanoud where the holy family crossed the River Nile to the city of Samanoud inside the Delta where they were received by the locals hospitably and Jesus Christ is said to have blessed them. You will have your lunch in one of the local restaurants, followed by a visit to Saint Abanoub Church where is a holy well from where Jesus Christ and His family drunk from it. Back to your hotel in Cairo. Overnight at Hilton Pyramids Golf Hotel or similar in Cairo

Day 5: Wadi Natroun town tours

After breakfast, depart to visit Wadi El Natrun which is a desert area believed 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 El Natrun. It is believed that the Holy Family hid in that valley during their trip to Egypt, and Jesus Christ blessed the 4 directions of the valley. This town Wadi El Natrun is considered as one of the most famous valleys in Egypt and the home of asceticism and worship with 4 monasteries still existing today. You will start visiting these monasteries starting with Deir Al Baramus (the Monastery of Baramus) which is the oldest and most isolated, then proceed to Deir Anba Bishoy (Anba Bishoy Monastery / Monastery of Saint Pishoy) whose body is still in the monastery, then Abu Makar Monastery and lastly Deir Al Suryani which is the smallest and most compact of the 4 monasteries. You will have your lunch in one of the local restaurants. Return to Cairo. Overnight at Hilton Pyramids Golf Hotel or similar in Cairo

Day 6: Cairo Churches’ tours

After breakfast, you will depart to visit Cairo’s churches, starting with the Hanging Church and St. Sergius, then the Church of St. George, the Fortress of Babylon in Old Cairo which was visited by the Holy Family, virgin Mary Church in Mostorod, the Holy well and the Holy Mary’s tree at Matariya on the outskirts of Cairo which is famous resting place of the Holy Family and a popular destination among medieval pilgrims. You will have your lunch in one of the local restaurants. Overnight at Hilton Pyramids Golf Hotel or similar in Cairo

Day 7: Minya (South-Egypt) tours

After breakfast, you will drive to the south of Egypt and stop at Maadi, where it is believed that Jesus Christ and his family used a boat on the River Nile to reach this town where there is the church of Holy Virgin Mary. This church is very popular to many visitors coming to see the book. From here, The Holy Family travelled on a boat on the Nile towards the south (Upper Egypt). Drive for about 3 hours to the South to arrive at El Minya where you will see the beautiful church out of the cliff beside the river at Gabal Al-Teir in Minya. Overnight at Nefertiti Hotel or similar in Minya.

Day 8: Minya / Dandara / Luxor

After breakfast, you will proceed to visit The White Monastery which was built in 400 AD by St. Senouda who used blocks from ancient Egyptian buildings. Inside the monastery, there is a basilica church constructed using columns from ancient Egyptian structures. It housed more than 2000 monks. Proceed to the Monastery of Al Muharraq in Assiut better known as the Monastery of the Holy Virgin at Al Qusiya. It is believed that the holy family stayed here for over 6 months in a cave which became the altar of the Church of Virgin Mary. Late afternoon, drive for about 5 hours to arrive at Luxor with enroute stop overs at Danadara Temple in Qena, the Temple of Hathor the goddess of love and joy. Overnight at Sonesta St. George Hotel or similar in Luxor

Day 9: Luxor Nile Cruise Tours

After breakfast, depart to board the 5-star Nile Cruise with your lunch on board. After lunch, you will proceed to the East Bank of the Nile in Luxor to see Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple. Dinner and Overnight on board the MS Salacia Nile cruise in Luxor.

Day 10: Luxor Nile Cruise tours

After breakfast, drive to the West Bank of the Nile in Luxor to visit the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple at El Deir El Bahari, and the Colossi of Memnon. You will have your lunch on board the cruise as you sail to Edfu via the Esna Lock. Dinner and Overnight on board the MS Salacia Nile cruise in Edfu.

Day 11: Edfu / Kom Ombo Tour

After breakfast, depart to visit Horus Temple at Edfu. You will have your lunch on board the cruise. After lunch, you will sail to Kom Ombo to visit the Temple of Kom Ombo which is shared by the 2 gods Sobek and Haroeris. Late afternoon, return to the cruise and sail to Aswan. Dinner and Overnight on board the MS Salacia Nile cruise in Aswan.

Day 12: Aswan Nile Cruise tours

After breakfast, you will visit the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk, and the majestic Philae Temple. You will have your lunch in the cruise. Dinner and Overnight on board the MS Salacia Nile cruise in Aswan.

Day 13: Cairo

After breakfast, you will disembark from the cruise and enjoy free time in Aswan. Late afternoon, transfer to Aswan railway station for your overnight train to Cairo. Dinner and overnight in the train

(Optional tour in Aswan at extra cost: To visit Abu Simbel Temples which were carved out of the mountainside during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses II in the 13^th Century BC for his wife, queen Nefertari).

Day 14: Cairo

Breakfast in the train and arrival at Giza train station in Cairo where you will be met by our team transferred to your hotel. Full day at leisure (optional tour at extra cost: Visit to Step Pyramid of King Zoser in Sakkara and Memphis). Overnight at Hilton Pyramids Golf Hotel in Cairo or similar

Day 15: Departure

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

What is Included on the Safari Price:-

• Airport meet and greet services
• Transport transfers in our air-conditioned vehicle.
• 7-night accommodation in Cairo on BB
• 1-night accommodation in Minya on BB
• 1-night accommodation in Luxor on BB
• 4-night accommodation on a 5-star cruise on FB
• 1-night accommodation in the train on HB
• All 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