| Day 1: Cairo |
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Welcome to Egypt – the city that was part of the flight of the Holy Family. Our tour representative will assist you through customs and escort you to your hotel.
Over night in Cairo
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| Day 2: Old Cairo and the Cave of the Holy Family - CAIRO |
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Visit the famous Hanging Church with its breathtaking icons and the synagogue of Ben Ezra that marks the spot where it is believe Moses was found. Then visit the cave under what is now the Greek cemetery where the Holy Family hid from the soldiers of King Herod. At the church of Maadi on the Nile, we will see the tunnel where it is thought the Holy Family escaped across the Nile and the creation of the Holy Family Trail by the Coptic Church. The church at Mostorod that is built over a cave where the Holy Family sought shelter will be our next stop. Then it is on to the famed tree of Mary in Matariya where the Holy Koran says that the Holy Family was concealed from pursuing soldiers by spider webs.
Over night in Cairo (B)
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| Day 3: The Spiritual Fighters of Wadi El – Natrun - WADI EL - NATRUN |
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We will travel north by bus to Wadi Natrun on the famed desert road. It is here that you will see the magnificent monasteries of al-Sorian, al-Baramose, al-Anba Bishoi and, if permission granted, the monastery of Abu Makar. These are functioning monasteries where you will meet monks who will tell about the history of places where Jesus was said to have predicted the presence of the spiritual fighters almost 2000 years ago.
Over night in Cairo (B)
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| Day 4: The Ancient Egypt Connection - CAIRO |
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Our day will begin with a visit to the church of Zeitoun.
Here in 1968 a vision of Mary was seen by hundreds of thousands of people. The vision remained off and on for more than 2 years and was even seen by President Nassar. See pictures of this amazing vision and hear the story of what happened to Egypt when this vision was seen.
We continue our relic discovery at the Egyptian Museum where a guide will take you on a tour of the relics of Ancient Egypt that have are strongly connected to Christianity, including pharonic symbols used by modern day Christians and hear about ancient rituals used even today in church services.
Over night in Cairo (B)
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| Day 5: Sakha and the Footprint of Jesus - XOIS |
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We start our day with a bus trip to Sakha. This northern Delta town is home to the footprint of Jesus, a stone impression of the foot believed to be that of the Divine Child, one that was left as the Holy Family passed through this area. From there we will travel to the nearby town of Samanud where ancient Christian documents fill the local library.
Over night in Cairo (B)
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| Day 6: Ancient Pi llars and the Mountain of Birds – MINYA |
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Our morning starts early with a bus trip to Minya, 250 kilometer south of Cairo. From here you will visit two extraordinary sites: Ashmunayn and Gabel el-Teir, both famous for visits by the Holy Family. The spectacular site of Ashmunayn was a thriving port on the Nile when visited by the Holy Family.
Called Hermopolis by the Greeks who built tall Corinthian pillars that still stand proudly, Ashmunayn contains exquisite examples of pharonic ruins and a massive underground basilica that was built in the fifth century. A visit to this impressive site and its small museum will let you see and feel what life was like over 2000 years ago. Then it is on to Gabel el-Teir to one of the most famous and beautiful sites on the Holy Family Trail, the mountainside monastery built on the site of the cave where the Holy Family is thought to have stayed as they fled upriver from the pursuing soldiers. The entrance to the secret pharonic tomb is believed to lie beneath the altar.
Over night in Minya (B)
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| Day 7: Secret Cave Paintings of Abu Hinnis |
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We drive further south along the Nile to Abu Hinnis, a small Christian town with a big history. Here you can tour an authentic country village and its ancient churches. Then we will visit Ansena, an ancient ghost town on the banks of the Nile that was visited by the Holy Family. Those fit for it, can climb up to the caves of Abu Hinnis, a relatively difficult hike leading to cave painting of the Holy Family’s flight to Egypt. These cave paintings that are among the great art treasures of the world, were done by sixth century hermits who lived in the tombs and quarries of these mountains. Onward to Asyut where we will overnight in a monastery with hundreds of rooms.
Overnight in Asyut (B)
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| Day 8: Asyut - ASYUT |
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We will start the day off at the church of St. Mark, built on what is believed to be the spot where the angel appeared to Joseph and told him that King Herod had died and they could now return to Israel. Since the church was built more than 200 years ago, the appearance of flashing lights in the air have been reported. In the year 1968, an appearance of flashing
lights over the church put a stop to conflict in the region and led to major pilgrimages. We will go to Deir Muharraq, a spectacular monastery built around a pharonic stone believed to be the bed of the Christ child when the family lived there for six months. We will be guided through the monastery by monks and shown spectacular paintings and incredible architecture, such as a castle keep, built in medieval times to protect the monks from attacking Berber tribes.
Overnight in Asyut (B)
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| Day 9: Red and White Monastery - SOHAG |
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Among the most spectacular of Christian monuments are the Red and White Monasteries. Built from remnants of Pharonic temples, these monasteries have truly amazing murals. The Red Monastery looks like a candy cane inside. If possible, we will stop in Akmeim, across the river from the monasteries. After all the spectacular monasteries, we will drive to Luxor.
Overnight in Luxor (B)
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| Day 10: Valley of the Kings, Luxor Temple - LUXOR |
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Spend a free morning on the east bank of Luxor to shop for gold and silver as well as other quality Egyptian goods. This afternoon we will make our way to the west bank where we will visit the Valley of The Kings, the Valley of The Queens, the Temple of Hatshepsut and also the Colossi of Memnon. Tonight we will visit the Temple of Luxor in all its night time beauty.
Overnight in Luxor (B)
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| Day 11: Karnak Temple - LUXOR |
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We drive back to Luxor where we will visit Karnak Temple and then catch our flight back to Cairo. Tonight we will visit the Giza Plateau for the Pyramids Sound and Light Show.
Overnight in Cairo (B)
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| Day 12: Pyramids and the Sphinx, Saqqara - CAIRO |
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An early morning will take us to visit the Sphinx and Pyramids of the Giza Plateau. These magnificent structures are the only remaining monuments of the Seven Wonders of the World. Next you will drive to Saqqara to visit history’s first pyramid, the Step Pyramid of Djoser, and the Tombs of the Nobles.
Overnight in Cairo (B)
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| Day 13: Transfer to airport |
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We trust that Egypt has shown you the Flight of the Holy Family and met all your expectations.
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