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Private, on your own dates · Egypt

Coptic Egypt: The Holy Family Trail

A Christian-heritage itinerary through Cairo — the Hanging Church, Abu Serga where the Holy Family is said to have rested, the four monasteries of Wadi El Natroun — with the pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum alongside.

The route2 cities.
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5 days, 4 nightsDuration
2 citiesWhere you sleep
Breakfast includedMeals

Twin share · land only, flights extra

Why this journey

Egypt sheltered the Holy Family, and it is where Christian monasticism began. This itinerary follows that thread rather than the Pharaonic one, though it does not ignore it — the pyramids are visited on the day you land and the Grand Egyptian Museum takes the following day.

Wadi El Natroun is the heart of it. The valley in the western Delta gave early Christians cover from Roman persecution, and four monasteries there are still working communities: El Baramous, Anba Bishoy, Abu Makar and El Suriani. Monks live in them; they are not museums.

The Coptic Cairo day takes in the Hanging Church, suspended over a gatehouse of the Roman fortress, and Abu Serga, the oldest church in the city and by tradition built where the Holy Family rested at the end of their journey. The cave church of Saint Simon the Tanner, cut into the Mokattam cliff, closes the day.

Two hotel grades are offered, and both are four-star; the difference is the property rather than the programme.

Trip highlights

  • 01The four working monasteries of Wadi El Natroun
  • 02The Hanging Church and Abu Serga in Old Cairo
  • 03The cave church of Saint Simon the Tanner
  • 04The Grand Egyptian Museum and the Tutankhamun collection
  • 05The pyramids and the Sphinx on arrival day

Day-by-day itinerary

What's included

Included in your trip6 items covered in this fare
Hotels1
  • Accommodation as named in the itinerary
Transport2
  • All transfers as named in the itinerary
  • All tours and transfers by private vehicle
Entrance Fees1
  • Tours and entrance fees as named in the itinerary
Guide1
  • An English-speaking Egyptologist guide
Meals1
  • One bottle of water per person during the tours
Plan and pay separately8 items not covered by this fare
Not included8
  • International flights
  • Domestic flights
  • Egyptian entry visa
  • All tipping for guides, drivers, representatives, restaurants and cruise staff (the supplier suggests about USD 7 per person per day)
  • Beverages of any kind
  • Personal items such as laundry, telephone calls and drinks
  • Bank transmitting fees
  • Anything not listed under the inclusions

Your hotels

Hotels are named on your confirmation — all are of the stated category.

3 go inside0 walk through0 exterior only
On the route3 places
CairoEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
GizaEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
Wadi El NatrounEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside

Egypt

IdealGoodFairAvoid
SepFair

Oct–Apr is the best time — comfortable temperatures for sightseeing. Avoid summer heat exceeding 40°C.

Cairo
Average High
34°C
Rainfall
0mm
Luxor
Average High
39°C
Rainfall
0mm
Hurghada
Average High
34°C
Rainfall
0mm
Sharm el-Sheikh
Average High
34°C
Rainfall
0mm

Everything is private

  • All transfers throughout the trip are private, in air-conditioned deluxe vehicles.
  • All sightseeing is on a private basis and includes the entrance fees named in the itinerary.
  • Guiding is by a qualified English-speaking Egyptologist.

Tipping

  • Tipping is customary in Egypt and is not included in the package.
  • The supplier suggests budgeting around USD 7 per person per day to cover guides, drivers, representatives, restaurants and cruise staff.
  • What you give is at your discretion.

Documents and flights

  • International and domestic flights are not included unless stated otherwise on the tour.
  • The Egyptian entry visa is not included and is arranged by the traveller.
  • Carry a passport valid for the whole of your stay.

Meals on board

  • International menus are served on the Nile cruises and in the hotels.
  • Meals outside those named in the day-by-day plan are not included.
  • Drinks of any kind are not included, on board or ashore.

Common questions

Are the monasteries still in use?

Yes, all four at Wadi El Natroun are working communities with monks in residence. Visitors are welcome but it is a place of prayer, so modest dress and quiet are expected.

What should I wear?

Shoulders and knees covered at every church and monastery, for everyone. A scarf in the day bag covers the hair where that is asked.

Is the Holy Family connection documented?

It is tradition rather than record. Abu Serga is held to stand where the family rested at the end of their journey into Egypt, and the crypt beneath it is shown as their shelter. The church itself is firmly fourth-century.

What is the difference between the two rates?

The hotel only. Both are four-star Cairo properties on bed and breakfast, and the itinerary, guiding and transfers are identical.

Do we see any Pharaonic sites?

Yes — the pyramids and the Sphinx on the day you arrive, and the Grand Egyptian Museum the next day. The rest of the programme is Christian heritage.

Policies & booking terms
Booking terms
  1. Full payment must be completed 30 days prior to departure, unless otherwise specified.
  2. All bookings are subject to availability at the time of confirmation.
  3. Travel insurance is mandatory and must be purchased prior to departure.
  4. Prices are subject to change due to fluctuations in currency exchange rates, taxes, or supplier costs.
  5. Guests are responsible for obtaining valid passports, visas, and any required vaccinations.
  6. Cancellations or amendments are subject to the applicable cancellation policy outlined in the package.
  7. The company is not liable for delays, cancellations, or changes due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather, strikes, or other force majeure events.
  8. All travelers must adhere to the local laws and customs of the destinations visited.
  9. No refunds will be issued for unused services, including but not limited to meals, accommodations, or activities.
  10. The company reserves the right to modify the itinerary or substitute hotels of similar standards if necessary.
  11. All special requests (e.g., room preferences, dietary requirements) are subject to availability and not guaranteed.
  12. Guests are responsible for any additional costs incurred due to personal expenses, such as phone calls, laundry, or minibar charges.
  13. Check-in and check-out times are subject to hotel policies and may vary by property.
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