7 Days Egypt Holy Family and St. Catherine Pilgrimage Tour

Welcome to Egypt. Upon arrival in Cairo, a qualified tour coordinator meets guests at the designated meeting point with a sign showing their name. Meet and assist throughout airport formalities, visa assistance, baggage claims and porterage, followed by a private transfer to the hotel. Check in and enjoy time to relax before the pilgrimage begins. Meals: None

Musturud (Al-Mahamma): traditionally associated with the Holy Family's journey; the Virgin Mary Church features a sacred well, and the name Al-Mahamma is traditionally connected with the bathing of the Child Jesus. Virgin Mary's Tree (Matariya): traditionally believed to have provided shelter for the Holy Family during their journey through Egypt. The Hanging Church: one of Egypt's most famous Coptic churches, dedicated to the Virgin Mary and built above the remains of the Roman Fortress of Babylon. Church of St. Sergius & Bacchus (Abu Serga): a historic 5th-century church traditionally associated with the Holy Family's refuge in its crypt during their stay in Egypt. St. Barbara Church: a historic Coptic church dedicated to Saint Barbara and renowned for its traditional architecture and revered relics. St. George Church: a historic church built above the remains of the Roman Fortress of Babylon and noted for its distinctive circular form. Ben Ezra Synagogue: one of Cairo's historic synagogues, famous for the discovery of the Cairo Geniza, a major collection of medieval Jewish manuscripts, and associated in local tradition with the biblical story of Moses. Amr Ibn Al-As Mosque: traditionally regarded as the first mosque built in Egypt and one of the earliest mosques in Africa. Virgin Mary Church (Maadi): a historic church traditionally associated with the Holy Family, where they are believed to have boarded a boat and continued south along the Nile. Meals: Breakfast, lunch

According to Coptic tradition, the Holy Family passed through Wadi El Natrun and blessed the area. Centuries later, the valley became one of the world's most important centres of Christian monasticism. Visit St. Bishoy Monastery, home to the relics of Saint Bishoy and Pope Shenouda III; El-Suryan Monastery, famous for its ancient frescoes and rare manuscripts; Paromeos Monastery, one of Egypt's oldest and most historic monasteries; and St. Macarius Monastery, founded in the 4th century and one of the earliest centres of Christian monasticism. See the Virgin Mary's Spring (Ain Mariam/Al-Hamra Spring), a site traditionally associated with the Holy Family's journey through Wadi El Natrun and the story of a fresh-water spring appearing amid the saline waters. Return to Cairo for an overnight stay at the hotel. Meals: Breakfast, lunch

07:00: Departure. Cross from Africa to Asia via the Ahmed Hamdy Tunnel, with views of the world-famous Suez Canal linking the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Visit Moses Springs (Ayoun Mousa), an oasis traditionally identified with the biblical Marah, where the Israelites encountered bitter water after crossing the Red Sea (Exodus 15:22-27). Continue through the dramatic desert landscapes of Sinai. 17:00: Arrival, check in, and enjoy leisure time, dinner and overnight. Meals: Breakfast, dinner

02:00: Begin the ascent of Mount Sinai (Jebel Musa), accompanied by a local Bedouin guide; the ascent generally takes around 3-4 hours, depending on pace and conditions. Enjoy sunrise from the traditional summit associated with Moses and the giving of the Ten Commandments and the Tablets of the Covenant (Exodus 19-20; 31:18). After sunrise, descend from Mount Sinai to St. Catherine's Monastery. Visit one of the world's oldest continuously functioning Christian monasteries and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located at the foot of Mount Sinai, including the Church of the Transfiguration, renowned for its historic Byzantine mosaic of the Transfiguration of Christ; the Burning Bush, the sacred site traditionally identified with the place where God appeared to Moses; Moses' Well (Jethro's Well), traditionally associated with the well where Moses met Zipporah, daughter of Jethro; the monastery library, one of the world's most important collections of ancient Christian manuscripts; and the monastery courtyard and ancient walls of the remarkably preserved fortified complex. 11:00: Return to the hotel for breakfast and check out. Begin the journey back to Cairo, arriving in the evening. Check in and overnight. Meals: Breakfast, lunch

The sightseeing portion concludes with the timeless monuments of ancient Egypt, connecting the spiritual journey with the civilization that shaped the history of the Nile Valley. Explore the Great Pyramids of Giza, the only surviving wonder of the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the oldest of them all; the Sphinx, the legendary lion-bodied, pharaoh-headed statue symbolizing strength, wisdom and royal power; and the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), one of the world's largest archaeological museums, featuring an extensive collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts including the treasures of King Tutankhamun. Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Breakfast at the hotel, then transfer to Cairo International Airport for the final departure. Meals: Breakfast