7 Days Egypt Holy Family and St. Catherine Pilgrimage Tour

DAY 1: Arrival in Cairo — the Land of Refuge and Biblical Heritage

Arrival in Cairo: Welcome to Egypt! Upon arrival, Egypt Vibes’ qualified tour coordinator will meet you at the designated meeting point with a sign showing your name.

Meet & assist throughout airport formalities, visa assistance, baggage claims and porterage, followed by a privatetransfer to your hotel.

Check in and enjoy time to relax before your pilgrimage begins.

Meals: None

DAY 2: Following the Holy Family Trail — Musturud, Matariya, Old Cairo and Maadi

Musturud (Al-Mahamma): Traditionally associated with the Holy Family’s journey. The Virgin Mary Church features a sacred well, and the name Al-Mahamma is traditionally connected with the bathing of the Child Jesus.

Virgin Mary's Tree (Matariya): Traditionally believed to have provided shelter for the Holy Family during their journey through Egypt.

The Hanging Church: One of Egypt’s most famous Coptic churches, dedicated to the Virgin Mary and built above the remains of the Roman Fortress of Babylon.

Church of St. Sergius & Bacchus (Abu Serga): A historic 5th-century church traditionally associated with the Holy Family’s refuge in its crypt during their stay in Egypt.

St. Barbara Church: A historic Coptic church dedicated to Saint Barbara and renowned for its traditional architecture and revered relics.

St. George Church: A historic church built above the remains of the Roman Fortress of Babylon and noted for its distinctive circular form.

Ben Ezra Synagogue: One of Cairo’s historic synagogues, famous for the discovery of the Cairo Geniza, a major collection of medieval Jewish manuscripts. The site is also associated in local tradition with the biblical story of Moses.

Amr Ibn Al-As Mosque: Traditionally regarded as the first mosque built in Egypt, one of the earliest mosques in Africa.

Virgin Mary Church (Maadi): A historic church traditionally associated with the Holy Family, where they are believed to have boarded a boat and continued south along the Nile.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 3: Wadi El Natrun — The Heart of Coptic Monasticism

According to Coptic tradition, the Holy Family passed through Wadi El Natrun and blessed the area. Centuries later, the valley became one of the world’s most important centers of Christian monasticism.

• St. Bishoy Monastery: Home to the relics of Saint Bishoy and Pope Shenouda III.
• El-Suryan Monastery: Famous for its ancient frescoes and rare manuscripts.
• Paromeos Monastery: One of Egypt's oldest and most historic monasteries.
• St. Macarius Monastery: Founded in the 4th century, one of the earliest centers of Christian monasticism.
• Virgin Mary’s Spring (Ain Mariam / Al-Hamra Spring): A site traditionally associated with the Holy Family’s journey

through Wadi El Natrun and the story of a fresh-water spring appearing amid the saline waters.

• Return to Cairo for an overnight stay at your hotel.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 4: Journey to St. Catherine through the Sacred Sinai

07:00 AM | Departure

Ahmed Hamdy Tunnel: Cross from Africa to Asia via the Ahmed Hamdy Tunnel, with views of the world-famous Suez Canal linking the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.

Moses Springs (Ayoun Mousa): An oasis traditionally identified with the biblical Marah, where the Israelites encountered bitter water after crossing the Red Sea (Exodus 15:22–27).

Continue through the dramatic desert landscapes of Sinai.

05:00 PM | Arrival, check in, enjoy leisure time, dinner and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 5: Sunrise Pilgrimage to Mount Sinai & St. Catherine's Monastery, Return to Cairo

02:00 AM | Begin the ascent of Mount Sinai (Jebel Musa), accompanied by a local Bedouin guide. The ascent generally takes around 3–4 hours, depending on pace and conditions.

Enjoy sunrise from the traditional summit associated with Moses and the giving of the Ten Commandments and the Tablets of the Covenant (Exodus 19–20; 31:18).

After sunrise | Descend from Mount Sinai to St. Catherine’s Monastery.

St. Catherine's Monastery: Visit one of the world’s oldest continuously functioning Christian monasteries and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located at the foot of Mount Sinai.

Church of the Transfiguration: Visit the monastery’s main church, renowned for its historic Byzantine mosaic of the Transfiguration of Christ.

The Burning Bush: Visit the sacred site traditionally identified with the place where God appeared to Moses.

Moses’ Well (Jethro’s Well): Traditionally associated with the well where Moses met Zipporah, daughter of Jethro.

Monastery Library: Discover one of the world’s most important collections of ancient Christian manuscripts.

Monastery Courtyard, Ancient Walls: Explore the remarkably preserved fortified complex surrounding the monastery.

11:00 AM | Return to the hotel for breakfast and check out.

Begin the journey back to Cairo, arriving in the evening. Check in and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 6: Wonders of Ancient Egypt — Pyramids, Sphinx & Grand Egyptian Museum

The sightseeing portion concludes with the timeless monuments of ancient Egypt, connecting the spiritual journey with the civilization that shaped the history of the Nile Valley.

• The Great Pyramids of Giza: Explore the only surviving wonder of the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the oldest of them all.
• The Sphinx: The legendary lion-bodied, pharaoh-headed statue, symbolizing strength, wisdom, and royal power.
• Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM): Explore one of the world’s largest archaeological museums, featuring an extensive

collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts, including the treasures of King Tutankhamun.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 7: Final Departure

Breakfast at the hotel, Transfer to Cairo International Airport for your final departure.

Meals: Breakfast