THE HOLY FAMILY IN EGYPT

Day 01
Arrival Cairo Airport and transfer to Hotel.

Day 02
A tour at the mighty Great Pyramids of Giza and the mysterious Sphinx followed by a visit to
the Maadi site & Old Cairo within which the serene landmarks of the earlier Coptic heritage
still stand and finally explore the Egyptian Museum and its treasures.
Overnight Cairo.

Day 03
A city tour including visit to Mostorod which means " the bathing place " because the Virgin
Mary bathed the Christ Child and washed his clothes. On their way back to Palestine, the Holy
Family stopped once more at Mostorod and this time caused a spring to gush from the earth,
which still flows forth to the present day. Visit to a Zaitoun with Virgin Mary Church, then
to El Matariyah and Ain Shams, where the Holy Family rested in the shade of a tree, which
came to be called " The Virgin Mary's Tree ".
Overnight Cairo.

Day 04
Early trip to El Arish, where The Farama is located, which was their last stop in Sinai. Then
to the Delta to visit Zagazig - about 100 km north-east of Cairo and then to explore Belbes –
55 km from Cairo.
3 nights in Tanta.

Day 05
Delta tour starting with Samanoud, when to this day a large granite trough which, according
to local belief, was used by the Virgin for kneading dough, and a water-well which the Christ
Child Himself hallowed. Then to Sakha, which means " the foot of Jesus "; for the Holy Child's
foot-print was marked, here, in bas-relief on a rock. The rock was preserved, but hidden for
centuries for fear of robbery, and only unearthed again 13 years ago. Finally go to Belqas and
Dakkadous.

Day 06
Early drive to Wadi El Natroun in the Western Desert. In the earliest decades of Christianity,
the desert expanses of Wadi El Natroun became the site of anchoretic settlement and, later, of
many monasteries, in spiritual commemoration of the Holy Family's passage through the Valley.
Overnight.

Day 07
Early trip to El Menia, then to El Garnous. Outside the western wall of the Church of the Virgin
there a deep well is believed to have provided the Holy Family with the water they needed. Then
to Samalout.
2 nights in El Minia.

Day 08
From Samalout crossing the Nile to the spot on the east bank of the River where the Monastery of
the Virgin now stands upon Gabal El-Tair ( "Bird Mountain" ), then visit Beni Hassan, Deir El
Sahaba and Kom Maria.

Day 09
Trip from El Menia to Assiut with visit to Ashmounein, where the Holy Family did not tarry
long. Leaving behind them the rubble of fallen idols, they continued in southerly direction to
Qussuam. Here, too, the Holy Family was evicted from the town. Their next stop was at Meir.
Here, they found only consideration and hospitality wherever they went, for which treatment the
town and its people were signally blessed. Finally to the Monastery of Al-Muharraq, which is
nestled against the western foothills of the Mountain. It was built around the area where the
Holy Family remained just over six months. Also visit the mountain-top Monastery of Dronka.
Overnight Assiut.

Day 10
Trip from Assiut to Luxor.
Arrival Luxor and transfer to hotel.

Day 11
Start tour by exploring mighty Karnak Temple, the largest majestic monument ever built.
Visit Luxor Temple right of the centre of bustling town.

Day 12
Cross to the West Bank and explore the Theban Necropolis with private guide to the Valley of
the Kings, the majestic Temple of Hatchepsut and the famous Colossi of Memnon.

Day 13
At leisure.

Day 14
Departure.