Egypt And Jerusalem Holly Land
Jerusalem Old City
Discover the fascinating history of the biblical region on this two week tour which begins in Israel before crossing the Sinai to Cairo and then south into Upper Egypt. Explore the sites of Jerusalem and Bethlehem and then join us to track the Holy Family’s incredible journey through Egypt. This tour features an array of beautiful churches and monasteries that will offer up a better understanding of Coptic Christians and their widespread influence on the culture of Egypt. The tour also visits the important sites in Luxor and spends time in Cairo.
Day 1 – Arrive into Jerusalem
Welcome to Jerusalem and the start of your tour through the Holy Lands. Upon arrival into Ben Guiron airport you will be met by our local reps and transferred to your hotel for the start of the tour.
(Breakfast included)
Day 2 – Jerusalem and Bethlehem tours
Your tour of the Holy Lands starts this morning with a trip to the historic Mount of Olives which as well as being seeped in history also offers up fantastic panoramic views of Jerusalem. From here we proceed to the foot of the mountain to visit the biblical Garden of Gethsemane and the Tomb of Virgin Mary before travelling into the Old City of Jerusalem via Dung Gate. One of the most historical important cities in the world, Jerusalem today sits over a wealth of stories and culture which we have the chance to learn more about as we tour the Wailing Wall, Asqa Mosque and Dome of the Rock before visiting the Holy Sepulcher, the Empty Tomb of Jesus and the Jewish Quarter. Later this afternoon we make the short drive to Bethlehem where we spend time at the Nativity Church as well as the Shepherds’ Field before returning to Jerusalem in the evening.
(Breakfast included)
Day 3 – West Jerusalem and Tel Aviv tours
Following breakfast this morning we travel into West Jerusalem and the home of the Israeli parliament or ‘Knesset’. From here it’s not far to Yad Vasheem, sometimes better known as the Holocaust Museum for an informative yet moving visit. Our tour continues with a drive to Ein Kerem which according to Christian tradition is the birthplace of John the Baptist, as a result many churches have been built in the area and we take the time to see the Visitation Church and the church of St. John the Baptist. This afternoon we travel on to Tel Aviv and the commercial capital of Israel where we have the chance to explore the busy streets and winding bazaars of Jaffa and head to the Old City Port for panoramic views. We spend the night back in Jerusalem.
(Breakfast included)
Day 4 – Jerusalem – Dead Sea. Cross into Egypt and Mt. Sinai climb
We depart Jerusalem this morning after breakfast and travel on to the Palestinian city of Jericho to visit the biblical site of the Sycamore Tree. We then head into the Judean desert to view the likely site of the Mount of Temptation. No visit to this part of the world would be complete without a dip in the salty waters of the Dead Sea which is where we will spend the afternoon before travelling to the border to cross over into Egypt and the Red Sea town of Taba. From there we transfer through the Sinai desert to the site of St. Catherine’s monastery – the starting point of our midnight climb to Mt. Sinai where Moses is believed to have received the Ten Commandments.
(Breakfast and dinner included)
Day 5 – St. Catherine – Port Said
We rise early this morning to witness the remarkable desert sunrise from high up on Mt Sinai before descending to St. Catherine’s where we have chance to visit the Monastery and also use the facilities to freshen up and enjoy breakfast. This afternoon we complete our journey through the Sinai, arriving into Port Said on the Mediterranean Sea in the early evening.
(Breakfast and dinner included)
Day 6 – Port Said – Cairo. Visit Tell Basta
We depart Port Said this morning for the drive to the historically important areas of Farma and Tell Basta, both important in the tales of Jesus and the Holy Family. Legend tells us that it was here Jesus enabled a water spring to well up from the ground and his presence forced the idols to crumble as foretold by the ancient prophets. This caused the locals to turn on the family who subsequently headed south on to Farma which was their last stop in the Sinai wilderness. We then follow the Holy Family’s route into Cairo and the capital city of Egypt which will be our base for the next few days. A bustling city full of incredible sights and sounds, Cairo is home to iconic monuments, beautiful mosques and fascinating museums.
(Breakfast and Lunch included)
Day 7 – Cairo. Tours to Sakha and Wadi El Natron
Waking up in Cairo for the first time this morning we enjoy breakfast before driving out to the sites of Sakha and Wadi El Natron, both visited by the Holy Family on their epic journey through these lands. Sakha itself is home to the Church of the Holy Virgin which hosts a stone thought to show the footprint of Jesus. Wadi El Natron has always played an important part in monastic life hence the various monasteries found there that sometimes doubled as fortresses. Throughout the ages Wadi El Natron was sacked several times and almost destroyed by plague but today it stands as testament to the belief and hard work of the monks who returned again and again to rebuild the ancient Christian stronghold.
(Breakfast and Lunch included)
Day 8 – Cairo – Minya.
It is possible to end the tour here but for those staying with us the tour departs Cairo this morning for the drive to Minya and Upper Egypt. Today Minya is a vital agricultural area for the whole of Egypt producing several different kinds of fruit and vegetables as well as cotton. The town is also the site of one of the most beautiful churches in the entire country – the church of the Holy Virgin located at Gabal al-Tayr (mountain of the birds) is also known as the Pulley as originally you entered the monastery from the base of a cliff up a crevice in the rock by means of a pulley. Located on the banks of the Nile the views here are extraordinary. This evening we return to Minya for tonight’s accommodation.
(Breakfast and dinner included)
Day 9 – Minya – Assuit
This morning we leave Minya for the drive south to Assuit, the largest town in Upper Egypt and located some 235 km from Cairo. The area has historically been heavily Coptic influenced in part due to the Monastery of St. Mary (Deir Dronka) found 10km from the town which we will have chance to visit. This is believed to be as far south as the Holy Family went in Egypt before heading into Nazareth. The Monastery itself and the cave chapel found within it date from the 1st century and it is thought that Mary appears in the chapel from time to time in luminous form. Legend suggests that the Holy Family of Jesus, Joseph and Mary spent around 6 months in this area. We will also visit the famous Monastery found at Al-Muharraq thought to be home to the oldest altar stone in history. Tonight is spent in Assuit.
(Breakfast and dinner included)
Day 10 – Assuit – Luxor via Abydos and Dendera
We depart Assuit and carry on our journey to Luxor stopping off en-route to visit the fascinating sites at Abydos and Dendera. Located on the western bank of the Nile, Abydos is one of the oldest towns in Egypt and hosts both the Rameses II Temple and the Temple of Seti. Dendera is home to what many believe is the best preserved temple complex in the country. The Temple of Hathor covers 40,000 sq meters and dates back to the Ptolemaic dynasty although it is thought there has been a building here since the time Khufu in the 4th dynasty. Later this afternoon we arrive into Luxor and check into your hotel.
(Breakfast and dinner included)
Day 11 – Luxor. West Bank and East Bank tour. Train to Cairo
We have an early start this morning to avoid the crowds and make the most of cooler temperatures for our tour of the West Bank sites. Beginning at the Colossi of Memnon we then visit the world famous Valley of the Kings burial site and the mortuary temple of Ramses III (Medinet Habu) before ending the excursion at the historic temple of Queen Hatshepsut. We spend the afternoon on Luxor’s East bank and enjoy fully guided tours of both the huge Karnak Temple system and the smaller but perfectly positioned Luxor Temple. This evening we transfer you to the train station for the overnight train back to Cairo.
(Breakfast and dinner included)
Day 12 – Arrive in Cairo. Visit Museum and Coptic Cairo
We arrive back into Cairo early this morning and have the chance to visit the Egyptian Museum – home to countless ancient artifacts including the Tutankhamun exhibition. We then continue our tour of Cairo with a trip through the maze like streets on the way to exploring the fascinating churches of Coptic Cairo – both the hanging church of St. Mary’s (one of Egypt’s oldest churches) and St. Sergio which is believed to have been visited by the Holy Family of Joseph, Mary and Jesus.
(Breakfast included)
Day 13 – Cairo. Pyramids Tour
Your tour of ancient Egypt ends in style this morning with a trip to Giza to view the Sphinx and the world famous Pyramids. Enjoy a fully guided tour of these beautiful monuments before having the chance to explore on your own.
(Breakfast included)
Day 14 – Cairo. Departure transfer to the airport
Free time. Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
(Breakfast included)
