Holy Family

Welcome to the mystical land of Egypt, where the ancient Egyptians lived and ruled for thousands of years. Upon your arrival at Cairo International Airport, our representative will meet you and escort you through the bustling streets of Cairo in an exclusive air-conditioned vehicle. Once you reach your chosen hotel according to your accommodation plan, your tour manager will assist you with your check-in and confirm your itinerary to establish all the pick-up times for your activities during your trip.

Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

Pyramids of Giza: After breakfast, your Egyptologist will escort you on an unforgettable tour of the Great Pyramids of Giza, the only present-day survivors of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. They are among the world’s greatest tourist attractions and never lose their ability to inspire and overwhelm visitors.

Sphinx: Enter the temple of the mysterious Sphinx, an ancient figure shrouded in legend and mystery. Your Egyptologist will enthrall you with the tales told of this fascinating figure.

Egyptian Museum: It's time to visit the Egyptian Museum, which contains more than 140,000 artifacts, featuring the most important masterpieces and royal statues from across Egyptian history.

After you enjoy lunch, you will visit Khan el-Khalili. Khan el-Khalili, established between 1382 and 1389, is a famous bazaar and souq in Cairo's historic center. It was established as a center of trade in the Mamluk era and is named for one of its several historic caravanserais.

You’ll return to your hotel.
Overnight in Cairo.

Round trip 350Km/7hours driver excluding rests and visits

From 07:00 to 20:00

After breakfast, you will start your pilgrimage by following the Holy Family's steps.

Mostorod
The Holy Family rested in the cave now located in the ancient Church of the Virgin Mary, which was built in 1185 AD. The church was also called Al-Mahma, meaning "the place of bathing." It was named so because it is believed that the Virgin Mary bathed the baby Jesus and washed His clothes there. On the Holy Family's return, they also passed through Mostorod, where the Child Jesus, glory be to Him, spawned a spring of water that still exists today.

Belbeis
The Holy Family came to Belbeis from the east, from Al-Mahama (now the old Mahama). Belbeis is located in the Al-Sharkia Governorate, 55 km northeast of Cairo. The Belbeis area has historical roots in the Bible, as it was part of the land of Goshen where the children of Israel resided. In the Pharaonic era, it was known as “Barbes” (the house of the god Bes-al-Qott). It was a major city whose fertile land made it suitable for the children of Israel. Local tradition tells us that the Holy Family took shelter under a tree outside the city (it was called Mary’s Tree), which has been standing for centuries.

After lunch, you will continue driving to your next stop.

Sanmoud
The Holy Family crossed the Nile branch (Damietta branch) from Minyat Sanmoud to reach the current city of Samanoud, which is now located 70 miles north of Cairo.

The Basin
Church tradition tells us that the Virgin Mary kneaded bread in a basin while she was in the city. This basin was preserved in the church until it was lost, but it was found in the sixties when the foundations of the priest’s house were dug inside the church walls in 1965 AD at a depth of approximately 3 meters. An antiquities report acknowledged that it is from the first century AD. Water is placed in it after Communion from the Holy Mysteries to be a blessing for visitors and worshipers, and many miracles occur through its blessing. Among the many miracles that occurred in the church from this basin, the most significant happened on the day of Pentecost, June 7th, 1987, immediately after the Divine Liturgy. All the water in the basin turned into oil, witnessed by all the worshipers in the church, which amazed them and made them hurry to take its blessing.

Sakha
The Holy Family moved west until they reached the Sakha region. When they arrived, they were thirsty, but there was no water. The Child Jesus touched a stone with His foot, and a spring of water came out of it, leaving a mark on the stone. Hence, the name of the place is “Pekha Isos,” meaning “the foot of Christ,” which exists to this day inside the Church of the Virgin Mary. Sakha is one of the few places on the path of the Holy Family named after the event that took place there. This stone was found in Al-Maghtas Monastery, which is named for its fame in the baptism of Copts; even St. Demiana was baptized there.

Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight in Cairo.

After breakfast, you will continue following the Holy Family's steps with your Egyptologist to Wadi Al Natron, 95 miles northwest of Cairo.

Wadi al-Natrun is a depression in the desert named after several names, the first of which was “Sakht Hamat,” meaning “salt field,” due to the abundance of natron salt in the area. It was also called “Mount al-Natrun.” Additionally, it was known in the fourth century AD as the “Wilderness of Shehit,” a Coptic name meaning “the balance of hearts” because it is a place of worship, asceticism, and life reform.

During the passage of the Holy Family in “Mount Natron,” south of the Wilderness of Shehit or Scete, the divine child and His Virgin Mary blessed this place, which later became filled with monasteries and monks. It was said that the divine boy said to His mother, “Know, my mother, that many monks, hermits, and spiritual fighters will live in this desert, and they will serve God like angels.” While they were there, as they passed by the Al-Hamra spring, Jesus sprang a fresh water spring known as “Maryam’s Spring.” This spring is located in the midst of this area, saturated with natron salt, in the middle of a saltwater lake. It is still located about three kilometers from the Baramous Monastery today.

Abu Makar Monastery
Your first stop is 58 miles northwest from Cairo at Abu Makar Monastery. Since its establishment in 360 AD, it has attracted successive generations, with hundreds of thousands of pious souls going to heaven to complete their testimony of Christ after witnessing it on earth. The monastery holds the bodies of many popes of the Egyptian Church, saints, and martyrs, including the relics of John the Baptist.

Suryan Monastery
The Syrian Monastery is located about 40 miles northwest of Abu Makar Monastery.

The Ancient Table in Al Suryan Monastery
It is located at the end of the Suryan Church of the Virgin Mary. In the early centuries, it was customary for the monastic fathers to live in cells far from each other. However, on Saturdays, they would gather in the church and spend the night in prayer and praises, similar to the evenings of Kiahk currently observed in Egyptian churches. On Sunday morning, after the liturgy, they would gather at the table of agape (meaning love) to share their meals, during which a monk would read to them the lives of the saints, making mealtime a time of spiritual benefit.

Anba Bishoy Monastery
Next, after visiting Suryan Monastery, Anba Bishoy Monastery features significant archaeological heritage, including an ancient baptistery, ancient refectory, mill, and fortress dating back to the fifth century.

Baramos Monastery
This monastery has five churches built in honor of saints and martyrs. Some structures date back to the ninth century, such as the first monks' dining room, while the old fortress dates back to the seventh century. The water source that the Holy Family used is located about a mile and a half from the monastery.

Return to your hotel in Cairo for dinner and overnight.

From 07:00 to 19:00

After breakfast, you’ll check out of your hotel and continue heading south, following the steps of the Holy Family with your Egyptologist.

Matariya
Your first stop will be Matariya. After the Lord Jesus blessed the area of Wadi Al-Natrun, the Holy Family traveled south, crossing the Nile to reach Oun—the oldest Egyptian city, now known as Ain Shams. From there, they made their way to the city of Al-Matareya.

Al-Matareya is currently part of Cairo, located in its northern section. It is considered one of the most significant places the Holy Family passed through and resided in for several days. Here, they sheltered under a sycamore tree, known today as “Mary’s Tree.” The Child Jesus caused a well of water to spring forth, which they drank from and blessed. The Virgin Mary washed the child’s clothes in this water, resulting in the growth of the aromatic elderberry plant (balsam), used in making some medicines and perfumes, including holy chrism.

Bab Zuweila
The Holy Family then moved from Matariya to Old Cairo, passing through the old Egyptian Gulf Street (currently Port Said Street) and the Haret Zuwaila area, where they used water from a cistern. The name Haret Zuwaila is derived from a Moroccan tribe, “Zuwaila,” which was recognized by Jawhar al-Siqilli during the founding of Cairo in 992 AD.

Old Cairo
In Old Cairo, the Coptic area includes the Hanging Church, dating back to the seventh century. Also known as the Suspended Church or Al-Moallaqa, it earned its name because it was built on the southern gate of the Roman Fortress.

Abu Sarga
Abu Sarga is the oldest church in Egypt, dating back to the 5th century AD. It is renowned for being constructed over the crypt of the Holy Family, where they stayed for three weeks during their sojourn in Egypt.

Church of St. Barbara
The Church of St. Barbara is another historically significant church in Old Cairo. Originally dedicated to St. Cyrus and St. John, who were venerated for their healing powers, a small chapel at the northeastern corner of the building commemorates these martyrs. Documents from the 13th century indicate that the relics of St. Barbara were housed in this church.

After your visit, enjoy lunch before heading south to Al Minya for an overnight stay. The journey to Al Minya is approximately 152 miles (about three hours) from Cairo.

Upon arrival, you’ll check in at your hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation.

Gabal Al Tayr
After breakfast, you’ll check out and head to Deir Gabal Al Tayr. This site, where the Holy Family stayed for three days, features a cave on a mountain in the desert, accessible by a long staircase. Originally an ancient Roman temple carved into the rock, it also bears Pharaonic and Greek inscriptions on its columns, indicating its historical significance. After the Holy Family's visit, the site remained intact for 300 years until the Church of Mother Mary and a monastery were established around it.

Dayrut al-Sharif – The Monastery of Martyr Anba Sarabamon
The Holy Family also spent several days in Dayrut al-Sharif (Phileas), living with a Jewish carpenter named Dianus, who knew Saint Joseph. They rested under an ancient tamarisk tree, located in the Monastery of Martyr Anba Sarabamon within the Christian cemetery area. Known as the “Maryam Tree,” this remarkable tree has survived for over 2,000 years, still displaying its massive trunk and green leaves.

Al Muharraq
The Monastery of Mount Qasqam, also called the Monastery of Muharraq, is one of the most significant stops on the Holy Family's journey to Egypt. It is one of the largest monasteries in the Egyptian desert, covering over 20 acres. The Holy Family resided here for a little over six months.

Drunka
The Monastery of the Virgin in Drunka is an important tourist destination in Egypt. It attracts thousands of visitors, both foreign and Egyptian, each year, who come to learn about the place where the Holy Family concluded their journey before returning to the Holy Land.

After your visit, enjoy lunch and check in at your hotel in Assiut for dinner and an overnight stay.

After breakfast, you’ll check out and drive back to Cairo. Upon your arrival, enjoy lunch before checking into your hotel.

In the evening, you’ll have dinner and the rest of the night free to explore Cairo at your leisure.

After breakfast, you’ll check out and be escorted to Cairo International Airport for your departure back home.