Holy Land Family Guided Tour: 11-Day Full Experience

The Holy Family Trip

Overview

Follow the sacred footsteps of the Holy Family Trip on an 11-day journey across Egypt, tracing the places where the Holy Family is believed to have stayed during their years of refuge. Blending spiritual heritage with iconic sightseeing, the Holy Family Trip connects Cairo, Alexandria, and Upper Egypt through churches, monasteries, and deeply revered sites.

🗺️ What to Expect

This is a moderate-paced cultural and faith-based route that moves from Egypt’s most famous ancient landmarks to the quieter, devotional locations tied to the Holy Family’s passage. You will travel by private A/C bus between cities, visit churches and monasteries connected to the journey, and enjoy a felucca ride on the Nile from Maadi, echoing the traditional route south. Expect full days of touring with meaningful stops, reflective moments, and overnights in Cairo, Alexandria, El-Menya, and Assiout.

✨ Highlights

• 🧱 Stand before the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx at Giza Plateau
• 🏛️ Visit Sakkara and the Step Pyramid, Egypt’s first completed pyramid
• ⛪ Explore Holy Family sites around Old Cairo, including St. Sergius Church and Maadi
• 🌿 Discover Matarya, linked to the balsam plant and St. Mary’s Tree
• 🕊️ Visit Zeitoun and St. Mary’s church, associated with the April 1968 apparition
• ⛵ Enjoy a felucca ride on the Nile from the same point the Holy Family sailed toward Upper Egypt
• 🏞️ Reach Upper Egypt’s revered monasteries, including El Muharraq Monastery and Dronka Monastery in Assiout

📍 Itinerary

Day 1, Cairo, Arrival at Cairo airport, meet and assist through formalities, transfer to hotel, briefing with your guide. Overnight in Cairo.

Day 2, Giza and Sakkara, Visit the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx at Giza Plateau. Continue to Sakkara to see the Step Pyramid. Overnight in Cairo.

Day 3, Holy Family sites around Cairo, Visit Mostord, where Jesus caused a water spring to flow. Continue to Matarya, linked to washing and the fragrant “Balsam” plant, and visit St. Mary’s Tree. Drive to Zeitoun to visit St. Mary’s church, associated with April 1968. Continue to Old Cairo and visit the cave area that became part of St. Sergius Church. Drive to Maadi to visit St. Mary’s monastery and church on the Nile River, where an open bible was found floating. Take a felucca ride on the Nile from the same point the Holy Family sailed to Upper Egypt. Return to hotel. Overnight in Cairo.

Day 4, Wadi El-Natrun and Alexandria, Travel to Alexandria with a stop at Wadi El-Natrun to visit Ava Bishoy Monastery and Virgin Mary Monasteries. Continue to Alexandria and visit St. Mark Cathedral. Free time for the rest of the day. Overnight in Alexandria.

Day 5, Sakha, Samannoud, and Tal Basta, Head to Sakha to visit the Virgin Mary church. Proceed to Samannoud to visit Martyr Abanob Church. Visit Tal Basta, where Jesus caused a water spring to well up and idols crumbled. Return to Cairo. Overnight in Cairo.

Day 6, Old Cairo and travel to El-Menya, Visit Christian heritage sites in Old Cairo, including the Hanging Church, the cave church of St. Sergious, and St. Simon Monastery at Elmokatam Hill. Travel by private A/C bus to El-Menya. Overnight in El-Menya.

Day 7, Gabal El Tair, Visit Gabal El Tair, connected to the tradition of Jesus preventing a rock from falling on the Holy Family’s boat and leaving a palm print. Overnight in El-Menya.

Day 8, Assiout and El Muharraq Monastery, Travel to Assiout. Continue to El Muharraq Monastery at Qosqam Mountain to visit the church of the Holy Virgin. Tradition states the Holy Family stayed there for six months and some days, and it is considered the first church in the world. Proceed to Assiout. Dinner and overnight.

Day 9, Dronka Monastery, Drive to Dronka Monastery at the mountain of Assiout and visit the cave where the Holy Family stayed for some time, and from where they began their return to Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight.

Day 10, Return to Cairo, Travel by private A/C bus back to Cairo. Overnight in Cairo.

Day 11, Departure, After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home.

✅ What’s Included

• Meet and assist on arrival at Cairo airport, including help through formalities
• Transfers and overland travel by private A/C bus as stated in the itinerary
• Guided tour briefing on arrival
• Felucca ride on the Nile from Maadi (as per itinerary)
• Overnight stays in the listed cities, as stated in the itinerary
• Dinners in Assiout on the nights specified in the itinerary

❌ Exclusions

• International flights
• Any meals not specifically mentioned in the itinerary
• Personal expenses
• Optional activities and visits not listed in the itinerary

ℹ️ Important Information

• Duration, 11 days
• Difficulty, Moderate
• Meeting point, Cairo airport arrival hall, you will be met and assisted by a representative
• Transport, Private A/C bus for city-to-city travel, plus a felucca ride on the Nile from Maadi
• Physical requirements, Moderate walking and standing during site visits, suitable for travelers comfortable with full touring days
• Notes, The route focuses on locations connected to the Holy Family’s journey in Egypt, across Cairo, Alexandria, and Upper Egypt, including churches, monasteries, and traditional sites
• Cancellation policy, Not provided in the source content

🧳 Ready to Follow Egypt’s Sacred Footsteps?

Book your religious tour in Egypt and experience a rare blend of devotion, history, and cultural discovery, from Old Cairo’s revered churches to Upper Egypt’s legendary monasteries. The Holy Family Trip is designed for travelers who want meaningful sites, a clear route, and a journey that stays close to tradition.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions, FAQ

Q1, How long is The Holy Family Trip?
A, The tour runs for 11 days. It begins with arrival in Cairo and ends with a transfer back to the airport after returning to Cairo.

Q2, What is the difficulty level of The Holy Family Trip?
A, The difficulty is moderate. Expect full touring days with walking and standing during visits to churches, monasteries, and major landmarks.

Q3, Which key Holy Family locations are visited around Cairo?
A, You will visit Mostord, Matarya, Zeitoun, Old Cairo, and Maadi. The itinerary includes St. Sergius Church and a felucca ride on the Nile from Maadi.

Q4, Does the itinerary include Alexandria and Wadi El-Natrun?
A, Yes, you travel to Alexandria and visit St. Mark Cathedral. On the way, there is a stop at Wadi El-Natrun to visit Ava Bishoy and Virgin Marry Monasteries.

Q5, What are the main Upper Egypt stops on this journey?
A, The tour includes El-Menya with a visit to Gabal El Tair, then continues to Assiout. In Assiout, you visit El Muharraq Monastery at Qosqam Mountain and Dronka Monastery.