DAY 1: Arrival Cairo airport. We will be welcomed and helped at the airport by our Local representative and be transferred to our hotel. The rest of the day is for relaxing and enjoying the largest city in Africa and Egypt's capital Cairo combines the exotic appeal of the East with the sophistication of the West.
DAY 2:OLD CAIRO: After breakfast, we begin our tour, with a drive to Old Cairo where the Holy Family stayed for some time, in the Cave, which is now part of St. Sergius Church, will visit this Church, then to St. George Church, which was built on one of the two towers of the Roman Fort Babylon's gate and is the home of the Greek Orthodox religion where it originated. Then Church of St. Barbara, which lies in the eastern part of Babylon's, then Al Moalaqa Church, which was built in the southern gate of Fort Babylon and known as the hanging Church. Then visit the Coptic Museum, where we will see a rare collection dating back to the early CHRISTIAN times. After lunch, we will drive through north side of the city of Cairo to area called (Matariya) where we will visit the oldest tree in Cairo, the Tree of the Virgin, which sheltered the Holy Family when they first arrive in Cairo, then visit the Holy Family Church, which is considered as one of the oldest churches in Egypt. Then we visit the Church of the Virgin in Zeiton, a more recently built church but holds the story of the appearance of Virgin Mary on one of the church's domes. Last stop will be at the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral. Back to the hotel. (B/L)
DAY 3:ALEXANDRIA: After breakfast, we drive along the Nile north toward Alexandria. Upon arrival we check in the hotel and relax. After lunch, we will visit St. Mary Mina Church & St. Mary Girgis Church, the rest of the evening relax and explore the town of Alexandria. (B)
DAY 4:WADI EL NATRUN: After breakfast, we leave Alexandria to Wadi El Natrun. We will visit the three famous Monastery....Amba Bishoy Monastery , Virgin Mary (Baramus) Monastery , Virgin Mary (Sorian) Monastery. After lunch, drive back to Cairo, the rest of the evening at leisure. (B)
DAY 5:EL MINYA: After early breakfast, we drive up the Nile to EL MINYA. Upon arrival we will check in our hotel and enjoy our evening at leisure. (B)
DAY 6:GABAL ASYUT: After breakfast, we will drive up the Nile to ASYUT (Gabal Asyut) . We will visit Drounka Monastery, which was the last spot in Upper Egypt reached by the Holy Family on their journey, then visit Al Muharraq Monastery, was built in the 4th century and also been visited by the Holy Family, stands on twenty faddans, which makes the largest monastery in Egypt. Then visit Church of the Holy Virgin, it the west of the Monastery, is a church dedicated to the Holy Virgin. The main alter of the church stands in the same cave the Holy Family lived six months and some days. After lunch, we will visit El Qoussiah Monastery and Dyrout Monastery. We will return to our hotel in EL - MINYA. (B)
DAY 7:GABAL EL TAIR: After breakfast, we will checking out then we will drive to Gabal El Tair (the mount of birds) near town name Samalout. Here it was said that a huge blocK of stone was about to fall, on the boat of the Holy Family, from the mountain. The Virgin was frightened, but Jesus stetched his Hand and prevented the rock from falling, and left his Palm print on it. The mountain has become known as the Palm Mountain, and the church built by Queen Helena was named after the Holy Virgin Mary and also known as Church of the Lady of the Palm. After lunch, we will drive down the Nile back to Cairo to our hotel and the rest of the evening at leisure. (B)
DAY 8: SINAI: After an early breakfast, we will be transfer to Cairo Airport to our flight to SINAI. As we drive from the Airport of Sinai to our hotel, your imagination is captured by the biblical traditions of this land's ancient past. This was the wilderness where in the 13 century BC Moses led the Twelve Tribes of Israel from slavery in Egypt to promised land. Arrive your hotel, the rest of the day at your leisure.
DAY 9:ST. CATHERINE: After breakfast, enjoy an early morning climb of Mount Moses. At the foot of the Mount Moses lies ST. CATHERINE Monastery, the main attraction of Sinai, and an isolated holy place of rich treasures. Its location is at the foot of Gebal Musa, on the traditional site of the Burning Bush, where God revealed Himself to Moses. Within the walls of the monastery is the Chapel of the Burning Bush, which is part of the Great Orthodox Church. The Church also contains the Great Mosaic of the Transfiguration of Christ, as well as numerous icons, saced, paintings and other art treasures. The monastery's library contains a wealth of early Christian manuscripts and other religious document that is considered second in importance only to the Vatican's Library. Visit the Cemetery and Charnel House, containing the skulls of the monks who died at St. Catherine's over the centuries. Check out of the hotel and depart by bus to Cairo.
DAY 10:CAIRO: Free for touring the city or relax or shopping (optional tours are provided).
DAY 11: CAIRO/HOME: After early breakfast, check out and transfer to Cairo Airport for departure to USA.
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