Fresh Faces in Ancient Egypt

DAY 1 – Depart the USA.

DAY 2 – Cairo
We arrive in Cairo and transfer to the Cairo hotel, our home for the next three nights. Cairo Barceló Pyramids Hotel  or similar, Cairo. (D)

DAY 3 – Cairo
After breakfast, we have an orientation meeting with Romani, our Egyptologist and guide. Then we drive to St. Andrew United Church and learn about the Refugees Ministry. After a delicious lunch, we tour the Egyptian Museum with its amazing antiquities. Our understanding of ancient Egypt civilization 5000 years ago is just beginning. Cairo Barceló Pyramids Hotel or similar, Cairo. (B,L,D)

DAY 4 – Cairo
This morning, we make a visit to Wadi Natrun, one of the early Christian monastic centers located in the desert of the northwestern Nile Delta. Then we visit St. Bishoy Monastery and Al Saurian which has very beautiful frescos from the 4th – 10th centuries. Cairo Barceló Pyramids Hotel or similar, Cairo. (B,L,D)

DAY 5 – Overnight Train to Luxor
After breakfast, we visit the Citadel and the Alabaster Mosque of Mohammed Ali. Then we visit Sultan Hassan Mosque and attend the Noon Prayer. We learn its significance as we visit with the Imam. Next we drive to Old Cairo and see Abu Serga, the hanging church where we see the crypt in which the Holy Family stayed for two weeks. We also visit the beautiful Jewish Synagogue named Ben Ezra. After dinner, we drive to the railway station to take the overnight sleeper train to Luxor. Overnight Train (B,L,D)

DAY 6 – Luxor
Upon arrival in Luxor, our first visit will be to the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut or Madinet Habu. We visit an Alabaster Workshop, then the Colossi of Memnon. After lunch, we cross by sailboat to the west bank of the Nile to have dinner in a local restaurant, and then return to the hotel for the night. Cairo Barceló Pyramids Hotel or similar, Luxor. (B,L,D)

DAY 7 – Sharm El Sheikh
Our morning is free to relax or take an optional hot air balloon flight over the west bank of Luxor, and see the temples, tombs, villages and the sugarcane fields. We check out of our hotel after lunch and then visit the Temple of Karnak. After our visit, we enjoy a nice horse-carriage ride through the city including the Sphinxes Avenue and the local market of Luxor. Then we drive to the airport to fly to the luxurious resort town of Sharm El Sheikh where world leaders often gather. Movenpick Gulf resort or similar, Sharm el Sheikh. (B,L,D)

DAY 8 – Sharm El Sheikh
Today is a free to enjoy the beach, swim, snorkel or dive (equipment is available to rent at the local dive shops.) The Red Sea is one of the top diving destinations in the world. Movenpick Gulf resort or similar, Sharm el Sheikh. (B,L,D)

DAY 9 – St. Catherine
After a relaxing morning, we check out of our hotel and enjoy lunch then continue on to St. Catherine Monastery. We overnight at the St. Catherine Guest House. We will turn in early so that we can get a very early start tomorrow. St. Catherine Guesthouse (monastery) or similar, St Catherine. (B,L,D)

DAY 10 – Cairo
We rise very early today to climb Mt. Sinai and watch the sunrise. For those who prefer to ride up the mountain by camel, that is an option. If you are not up to the early morning climb, resting at the monastery and watching the monks in their daily morning worship is possible. We return to the Monastery for breakfast. After a short rest, we visit the Monastery of St. Catherine and meet with one of the monks who will give us a lecture on the Greek monastic life in the Monastery. This afternoon we return to Cairo. Cairo Barceló Pyramids Hotel or similar, Cairo. (B,L,D)
(Please pack a flashlight–it is needed for the early morning climb.)

DAY 11 – Cairo
This morning, we visit to the Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx then visit the Papyrus Institute. Later we drive to the Step Pyramid and a tomb at Sakkara. We also have time for shopping before returning to our hotel in Cairo. Cairo Barceló Pyramids Hotel or similar, Cairo. (B,L,D)

DAY 12 – Cairo
Today we visit the Monastery of St. Simon (the Tanner) located behind the Zabbalin village (garbage collectors’ village). We take time to explore the beautiful carvings on the mountain, observe worship in the chapels created in a series of caves, and visit the House of Charity for Sisters of Mother Theresa. We have a late afternoon check out of the hotel and enjoy a farewell dinner cruise including Sufi and an Oriental Belly Dance Show. We then drive to the Cairo International Airport for our flight home. (B,L,D)

DAY 13 – Return
We begin our return flight in the early morning hours and arrive home enriched by the experience. Welcome home!