Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, your friendly Voyage on the Spot representative will be waiting to warmly welcome you to Egypt and assist you with the arrival procedures.

You will then be escorted to your private, air-conditioned vehicle for a comfortable transfer to your hotel in Cairo. Upon arrival, complete your check-in and enjoy a refreshing welcome drink as you settle into your accommodation.

Your dedicated tour manager will meet with you to review the itinerary, explain the arrangements for the upcoming days, and confirm all pickup times for your tours and transfers, ensuring a smooth and well-organized journey throughout your stay.

The remainder of the day is yours to relax and unwind before beginning your spiritual journey through the sacred sites and rich Christian heritage of Egypt.

Overnight: Cairo
Meals: None

After breakfast at your hotel, meet your Voyage on the Spot Egyptologist guide and private driver for a full-day exploration of Cairo and Giza, combining Egypt’s iconic ancient monuments with its remarkable cultural heritage.

Begin your day at the legendary Giza Plateau, home to the magnificent Pyramids of Cheops (Khufu), Chephren (Khafre), and Mykerinus (Menkaure). Admire these extraordinary monuments and learn about the ancient civilization, engineering, and beliefs that shaped their construction thousands of years ago.

Continue to the iconic Great Sphinx, featuring the body of a lion and the head of a pharaoh. Traditionally associated with King Chephren, the Sphinx has stood as one of Egypt’s most recognizable monuments and a timeless symbol of the Giza Plateau.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, home to one of the world’s most remarkable collections of ancient Egyptian antiquities. Explore an impressive array of statues, sarcophagi, jewelry, royal treasures, and artifacts spanning thousands of years of Egyptian history.

One of the museum’s highlights is the extraordinary collection of King Tutankhamun, including his famous golden funerary mask and treasures discovered within his tomb.

After completing your sightseeing, return to your hotel and enjoy a relaxing evening at your leisure.

Overnight: Cairo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, begin your journey beyond Cairo to explore two important locations traditionally associated with the Holy Family’s journey through Egypt.

Travel to Tel Basta, the ancient city of Bubastis in the Nile Delta, where the Holy Family is traditionally believed to have stopped during their journey. According to Christian tradition, the Holy Family suffered from thirst during their visit, and a spring miraculously appeared for them. Discover the archaeological remains of this ancient city and learn about its connection to the Holy Family tradition.

Continue to Belbis, an ancient town in the Nile Delta and another location associated with the Holy Family’s journey. According to tradition, the Holy Family rested beneath a tree here during their travels through Egypt. Take a moment to reflect on the spiritual significance of this peaceful stop along the sacred route.

Explore the area with your guide and learn more about the traditions, stories, and historical heritage connected with the Holy Family’s journey through Egypt.

After completing your visits, return to your hotel and enjoy a relaxing evening.

Overnight: Cairo
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, continue your spiritual journey through Egypt’s Nile Delta and visit two important locations traditionally associated with the Holy Family’s journey through Egypt.

Travel to Sakha, an ancient town in the Kafr El Sheikh region, where Christian tradition associates the Holy Family with a significant stop during their journey. Visit the historic Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, where a sacred stone bearing what is traditionally believed to be the footprint of Jesus is preserved. Take time to learn about the story and traditions surrounding this important pilgrimage site.

Continue to Samanoud, another location traditionally connected with the Holy Family’s journey. According to local Christian tradition, the Holy Family stayed in the area during their travels through Egypt. Visit the historic Church of Saint Abanoub, an important Coptic landmark associated with the spiritual heritage of the region.

Explore these peaceful sites with your guide and discover the traditions, stories, and centuries-old Christian heritage that have preserved the memory of the Holy Family’s journey through Egypt.

After completing your visits, return to Cairo and enjoy a relaxing evening at your hotel.

Overnight: Cairo
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, depart Cairo and travel to Wadi El Natrun, one of Egypt’s most important centers of Coptic monasticism and a significant destination along the traditional route of the Holy Family.

Located in the Western Desert, Wadi El Natrun has been home to Christian monastic communities since the early centuries of Christianity. Explore the peaceful desert landscape and visit some of the area’s historic monasteries, where generations of monks have preserved their faith, traditions, and spiritual way of life.

Visit the historic Monastery of Saint Macarius the Great (Deir Anba Makar), one of Egypt’s oldest monastic communities, and discover its long spiritual history. Continue to the Monastery of Saint Bishoy, renowned for its ancient churches, peaceful atmosphere, and rich Coptic heritage.

Depending on the monastery access and schedule, you may also visit the Monastery of the Virgin Mary (Al-Suryan Monastery), known for its beautiful Coptic architecture, ancient manuscripts, icons, and remarkable religious artwork.

As you explore Wadi El Natrun, learn about the development of Egyptian monasticism and the role these remote communities played in preserving Coptic Christianity through the centuries.

Take time for quiet reflection in this peaceful desert setting before returning to Cairo.

Overnight: Cairo
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, continue your spiritual journey through the heart of Coptic Cairo, exploring some of the city’s most important churches and Christian landmarks.

Begin with the historic Hanging Church, also known as the Church of the Virgin Mary. One of the oldest and most celebrated Coptic churches in Cairo, it is built above the remains of the ancient Roman Fortress of Babylon. Admire its distinctive wooden ceiling, beautiful icons, ornate screens, and traditional Coptic architecture while learning about its centuries-old religious heritage.

Continue to the Church of St. Sergius and Bacchus (Abu Serga), one of the oldest churches in Cairo and an important site traditionally associated with the Holy Family’s stay in Egypt. Descend into the ancient crypt, where Christian tradition holds that the Holy Family rested during their journey. Explore the church’s historic interior and learn about its significance within the Coptic Christian tradition.

Visit the Church of St. Barbara, dedicated to Saint Barbara and renowned for its beautiful wooden iconostasis, ancient icons, and traditional Coptic design. Continue your exploration of the surrounding area, where centuries of Christian history can be discovered within a remarkably compact historic district.

Depending on the day’s schedule and access, visit additional Coptic landmarks in the area, gaining a deeper understanding of the development of Christianity in Egypt and the enduring traditions of the Coptic community.

After completing your visits, enjoy some time for quiet reflection before returning to your hotel.

Overnight: Cairo
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, check out from your hotel and begin your journey south from Cairo to Minya, traveling through the beautiful landscapes of the Nile Valley.

Upon arrival in the Minya region, continue your exploration of sites traditionally associated with the Holy Family’s journey through Egypt. Discover the peaceful countryside, ancient villages, and historic locations that preserve centuries-old Christian traditions connected with the Holy Family.

Visit Gabal El-Tayr, one of the most significant Holy Family sites in the Minya area. According to Christian tradition, the Holy Family passed through this region during their journey, and the area is home to the historic Church of the Virgin Mary, an important destination for Christian pilgrims.

Continue exploring the surrounding Holy Family landmarks and learn from your guide about the traditions and stories that have been passed down through generations, connecting these places with the biblical journey of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.

Enjoy the scenic views of the Nile Valley as you travel through Upper Egypt, experiencing a quieter and more traditional side of the country away from the major tourist centers.

After completing your visits, check in to your hotel in Minya and enjoy a relaxing evening.

Overnight: Minya
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, check out from your hotel in Minya and continue your journey south through the scenic landscapes of the Nile Valley toward Luxor.

Along the way, stop at the magnificent Temple of Dendera, one of the best-preserved temple complexes in Egypt. Dedicated primarily to Hathor, the ancient Egyptian goddess of motherhood, music, love, and joy, the temple is renowned for its beautifully preserved reliefs, towering columns, and impressive architectural details.

Explore the temple’s grand entrance, spacious halls, sacred chambers, and beautifully decorated ceilings. One of its most famous features is the Dendera Zodiac, a remarkable ancient astronomical representation that reflects the Egyptians’ knowledge of the heavens. Your Egyptologist guide will explain the temple’s religious significance and the fascinating stories depicted throughout its walls.

Continue your journey to Luxor, the ancient city of Thebes and one of Egypt’s most important centers of Pharaonic history.

Upon arrival, board your luxurious Nile cruise, where you will complete check-in and settle into your cabin. Take some time to relax and enjoy the elegant surroundings as you prepare for your upcoming journey along the Nile.

As the sun sets over the river, enjoy the peaceful atmosphere onboard and the beautiful scenery of Upper Egypt.

Overnight: Nile Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast onboard your Nile cruise, begin your exploration of Luxor’s magnificent East Bank, where some of ancient Egypt’s most impressive temples await.

Start with the spectacular Karnak Temple Complex, one of the largest and most important religious complexes ever built in ancient Egypt. Dedicated primarily to the Theban god Amun-Ra, Karnak was expanded by generations of pharaohs over more than two thousand years.

Walk through the monumental gateways and courtyards and admire the breathtaking Great Hypostyle Hall, with its forest of massive columns covered in ancient inscriptions and reliefs. Continue past towering obelisks, colossal statues, sacred spaces, and beautifully preserved temple walls while your Egyptologist guide explains the religious significance and history of this extraordinary complex.

Continue to the magnificent Luxor Temple, a beautifully preserved monument on the eastern bank of the Nile. Explore its monumental entrance, colossal statues of Ramses II, elegant courtyards, towering columns, and detailed reliefs depicting ancient religious ceremonies and royal scenes.

Learn about the temple’s connection to the ancient Opet Festival, when the sacred statues of the Theban gods were carried between Karnak and Luxor along the ceremonial route.

Return to your cruise for lunch and enjoy some time to relax as the ship begins sailing south along the Nile toward Edfu.

Spend the afternoon enjoying the peaceful scenery of the Nile Valley, passing traditional villages, palm-lined riverbanks, and beautiful landscapes unique to Upper Egypt.

As the cruise continues toward Edfu, relax onboard and enjoy dinner while preparing for the next day’s exploration of the magnificent Temple of Horus.

Overnight: Nile Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast onboard your Nile cruise, begin your exploration of Luxor’s legendary West Bank, home to some of the most remarkable monuments of ancient Thebes.

Your first stop is the famous Valley of the Kings, the royal necropolis of the New Kingdom and the burial place of many of ancient Egypt’s most powerful pharaohs. Enter selected rock-cut tombs and admire the beautifully preserved hieroglyphs, colorful paintings, and intricate scenes depicting the ancient Egyptians’ beliefs about the afterlife.

The valley is famously associated with the discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb, as well as the magnificent tombs of other New Kingdom rulers. Your Egyptologist guide will explain the fascinating history of the royal necropolis and the elaborate funerary traditions of the pharaohs.

Continue to the spectacular Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, dramatically built into the cliffs of the West Bank. Explore its impressive terraces, colonnades, courtyards, and beautifully preserved reliefs depicting the reign of Hatshepsut and her famous expedition to the Land of Punt.

Next, visit the iconic Colossi of Memnon, two enormous seated statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III. Standing for thousands of years, these monumental figures once guarded the entrance to the king’s vast mortuary temple.

After completing your West Bank exploration, return to your Nile cruise and enjoy lunch onboard. Spend the remainder of the day relaxing as the ship continues its journey along the timeless Nile.

Overnight: Nile Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast onboard your Nile cruise, continue your journey through Upper Egypt with visits to two of the Nile Valley’s most remarkable temples.

Begin in Edfu with a visit to the magnificent Temple of Horus, one of the best-preserved ancient Egyptian temples. Dedicated to Horus, the falcon-headed god of kingship and protection, the temple was built during the Ptolemaic period and preserves an extraordinary collection of inscriptions and reliefs.

Enter through the monumental Pylon, decorated with impressive scenes of the king before the gods, then explore the grand courtyard, columned halls, and sacred sanctuary. Your Egyptologist guide will introduce you to the fascinating mythology of Horus and the ancient conflict between Horus and Seth, which is beautifully represented throughout the temple’s reliefs.

Return to the cruise and enjoy lunch as you sail south toward Kom Ombo, taking in the peaceful scenery of the Nile Valley along the way.

Upon arrival, visit the unique Temple of Kom Ombo, dramatically situated on a bend of the Nile. This extraordinary temple is unusual because it was designed as a double temple, dedicated to two different deities: Sobek, the crocodile-headed god associated with the Nile, fertility, and protection, and Haroeris (Horus the Elder), the falcon-headed god.

Explore its symmetrical courtyards, halls, columns, and sanctuaries while admiring detailed reliefs depicting the gods, pharaohs, and ancient religious ceremonies. Discover the fascinating reliefs featuring ancient medical instruments, as well as representations connected with the Nile and crocodile worship.

Your guide will explain how the temple reflects the ancient Egyptians’ deep connection with the Nile and their complex religious beliefs.

Return to the cruise and enjoy dinner onboard as you continue your journey toward Aswan.

Overnight: Nile Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast onboard your Nile cruise, arrive in Aswan and begin your exploration of this beautiful southern city, known for its peaceful Nile scenery, islands, and rich Nubian heritage.

Start your tour with a visit to the impressive Aswan High Dam, one of Egypt’s most important modern engineering achievements. Learn how the dam transformed the Nile Valley by regulating the river’s annual floods and created the vast Lake Nasser. Enjoy panoramic views of the Nile and the surrounding landscape while discovering the dam’s importance to modern Egypt.

Continue to the fascinating Unfinished Obelisk, located in Aswan’s ancient granite quarries. This enormous monument provides a unique insight into the techniques used by ancient Egyptian craftsmen to cut, shape, and transport massive stone monuments. Your guide will explain why the obelisk was abandoned and how its unfinished state reveals the ancient stone-working process.

Next, enjoy a scenic motorboat ride across the Nile to the beautiful Temple of Philae, dedicated primarily to Isis, the ancient Egyptian goddess of motherhood, magic, and protection.

Explore the temple’s monumental pylons, elegant colonnades, sacred courtyards, and beautifully preserved reliefs depicting Isis and other ancient Egyptian deities. Learn about the temple’s fascinating history and its remarkable relocation to Agilkia Island, where it was reconstructed to protect it from the rising waters of Lake Nasser following the construction of the High Dam.

After your sightseeing, return to your Nile cruise and enjoy lunch onboard. Spend the remainder of the day relaxing and taking in the peaceful beauty of Aswan and the Nile.

Overnight: Aswan – Nile Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy your final breakfast onboard the Nile cruise while taking in the peaceful views of the Nile and the beautiful scenery of Aswan.

After breakfast, complete your disembarkation and meet your Voyage on the Spot representative for assistance with your transfer to Aswan Railway Station.

Before boarding your overnight train, enjoy some free time in Aswan to relax or explore the city at your own pace, depending on your train departure time.

In the evening, board the overnight sleeper train to Cairo and settle into your comfortable sleeping cabin. Enjoy the unique experience of traveling through Egypt’s Nile Valley as the train heads north toward Cairo.

Relax onboard and spend the night as you journey back to the capital, carrying with you unforgettable memories of the sacred sites, ancient temples, and spiritual heritage you have discovered throughout Upper Egypt.

Overnight: Sleeper Train to Cairo
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, enjoy a free day in Cairo to relax at your hotel, spend time at leisure, or choose from a selection of optional excursions to further enrich your Egyptian experience.

You may choose an optional Alexandria day tour, traveling to Egypt’s Mediterranean coast to discover its fascinating history and cultural heritage. Visit landmarks such as the Citadel of Qaitbay, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, and the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, before returning to Cairo.

Another option is an excursion to St. Catherine, located in the Sinai Peninsula. Explore the spiritual heritage of this remarkable region and visit Saint Catherine’s Monastery, one of the world’s oldest continuously functioning Christian monasteries and an important pilgrimage destination.

Alternatively, simply enjoy a relaxing day in Cairo, giving you time to revisit favorite places, shop for souvenirs, enjoy your hotel facilities, or reflect on the unforgettable spiritual journey you have experienced across Egypt.

Return to your hotel after your chosen excursion and enjoy a peaceful final evening in Cairo.

Overnight: Cairo
Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy your final breakfast at your hotel in Cairo and take a moment to reflect on the meaningful journey you have experienced through Egypt.

At the scheduled time, your Voyage on the Spot representative will meet you at the hotel and escort you in a private, air-conditioned vehicle to Cairo International Airport for your flight home.

As your 15-day Holy Family journey comes to an end, carry with you cherished memories of the sacred sites, ancient churches, monasteries, historic landmarks, and beautiful landscapes you discovered along the traditional route of the Holy Family in Egypt.

We wish you a safe and peaceful journey home, and hope to welcome you again for another unforgettable experience in Egypt.

Meals: Breakfast