10-Day Holy Family Tour in Egypt — Sacred Sites, Monasteries & Coptic Heritage
Overview
10-Day Holy Family Tour in Egypt 2026 — Tracing the Sacred Path from $2,249
Two thousand years ago, the Holy Family — Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus — fled into Egypt to escape the persecution of King Herod. Their journey across Egypt left a trail of sacred sites, miracle springs, ancient churches, and holy resting places that are venerated by millions of Christians worldwide to this day. Our 10-day Holy Family tour in Egypt follows this sacred path in its entirety — from the Coptic churches of Old Cairo, through the desert monasteries of Wadi El Natrun, along the Nile to El Minya and Assiut, visiting every major site where the Holy Family rested, prayed, and performed miracles during their refuge in Egypt.
This tour is a genuine spiritual pilgrimage, not simply a sightseeing trip. Every site on this itinerary is historically documented in the Coptic Orthodox tradition and recognised by the Egyptian government as part of the official Holy Family Trail. The tour combines deep spiritual significance with Egypt’s extraordinary Pharaonic heritage — including the Pyramids of Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum — for a complete experience of Egypt’s 5,000 years of history. Every aspect is 100% private with your own licensed guide.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Duration | 10 Days / 9 Nights |
| Tour Type | Private Spiritual Pilgrimage Tour |
| Departures | Every day of the year |
| Guide Languages | English · Spanish · German · Portuguese |
| Destinations | Cairo (6 nights) · Wadi El Natrun · El Minya (2 nights) · Assiut (1 night) |
| Accommodation | 6 nights Cairo (B&B) · 2 nights El Minya — Grand Aton Hotel (HB) · 1 night Assiut — Assiutel Hotel (HB) |
| Price from | $2,249 per person |
The Sacred Path of the Holy Family in Egypt
According to Coptic tradition and historical records, the Holy Family entered Egypt through the Sinai and travelled as far south as Assiut before returning north. Their journey through Egypt lasted approximately 3.5 years and covered over 3,500km. Along the way they rested in what are now Cairo’s oldest churches, performed miracles at sacred springs, and sheltered in the monasteries of the Nile Valley that became the foundations of Egyptian Christianity.
Key sites on this tour include: the Church of the Virgin Mary in Ma’adi (where the Holy Family boarded a boat on the Nile) · the Hanging Church (Al-Muallaqa) in Coptic Cairo · the Church of St Sergius (Abu Serga) — built over the cave where the Holy Family sheltered · Mary’s Tree in El Matariya (Heliopolis) — the sacred sycamore tree under which the Holy Family rested · the Desert Monasteries of Wadi El Natrun — four ancient monasteries founded in the 4th century, among the oldest Christian monasteries on earth · the Cave of the Holy Virgin in Gebel El Tair · the Church of the Virgin in Drunka, Assiut.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Holy Family Tour in Egypt?
The Holy Family Tour in Egypt is a pilgrimage route tracing the journey of Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus through Egypt as described in the Gospel of Matthew. According to Coptic Christian tradition, the Holy Family entered Egypt from the Sinai, travelled through the Delta and Cairo, south along the Nile to Assiut, and then returned north before crossing back to Palestine. Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox Church has preserved and documented these sacred sites for 2,000 years. The Egyptian government has officially designated the Holy Family Trail as a national heritage route. Key stops include Coptic Cairo, El Matariya (Mary’s Tree), the Wadi El Natrun monasteries, El Minya, and Assiut — all visited on this 10-day private tour.
Is the Holy Family Tour in Egypt suitable for all Christian denominations?
Yes. While the Holy Family Trail is most closely associated with the Coptic Orthodox tradition — the ancient Christian church of Egypt founded by St Mark the Apostle — the sacred sites are venerated by Catholic, Protestant, Anglican, and Eastern Orthodox Christians alike. Every year thousands of pilgrims from all Christian denominations travel the Holy Family route. Our private tour is designed to be spiritually meaningful for all Christian travelers regardless of denomination. Many of our Holy Family tour guests come from Italy, France, the USA, Ethiopia, and Eastern Europe. The tour is conducted with full respect for the spiritual significance of every site visited.
| Duration: 10 Days - 09 Nights | Type: Private | Run: Everyday |
Included
- Meet & greet service at Cairo Airport by our representative
- Assistance from our guest relations team throughout your stay
- All transfers in a private air-conditioned vehicle throughout the tour
- 6 nights accommodation in Cairo hotel on bed & breakfast basis
- 2 nights accommodation in El Minya at Grand Aton Hotel on half-board basis
- 1 night accommodation in Assiut at Assiutel Hotel on half-board basis
- Private licensed Egyptologist and Coptic heritage guide throughout
- All sightseeing tours as per the itinerary (100% private)
- All entrance fees to all sites in the itinerary
- Meals as indicated in the daily itinerary
- Free bottled water during all excursions
- Portage services when necessary
- All service charges and taxes
Excluded
- International airfare to/from Egypt
- Egypt entry visa ($25 USD — available on arrival at Cairo Airport)
- Optional tours not mentioned in the itinerary
- Personal expenses
- Tips for guide and driver (optional but appreciated)
Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive Cairo — Welcome to Egypt
Welcome to Egypt. Your Egypt For Travel tour manager meets and assists you at Cairo International Airport with customs and luggage. Transfer in a private air-conditioned vehicle to your Cairo hotel. Check in and relax. Your tour manager reviews your 10-day Holy Family tour itinerary and confirms pickup times for each day.
Overnight Cairo hotel.
Day 2: Pyramids of Giza · Grand Egyptian Museum
Day 3: Maadi Church · Coptic Cairo — Hanging Church · St Sergius · St George · Fortress of Babylon
Day 4: Mary's Tree (El Matariya) · Church of the Virgin in Zeitoun
Day 5: Cairo · Wadi El Natrun — Desert Monasteries of St Bishoy, St Macarius & the Syrians
Day 6: Cairo to El Minya — Gebel El Tair · Cave of the Holy Virgin
Day 7: El Minya — Deir el-Muharraq · Church of the Holy Virgin · Historical Sites
Day 8: El Minya to Assiut — Church of the Virgin in Drunka
Day 9: Assiut — Return to Cairo
Day 10: Final Departure from Cairo
Prices:
Prices
Notes:
Holy Family Tour in Egypt 2026 & 2027 — Prices & Booking
All prices are per person in USD. EUR and GBP also accepted. Tours depart every day. Confirmed rates are guaranteed. Christmas, Easter, and Coptic Christmas prices may be higher.
Children Policy
| Age Group | Rate | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Infants (0–2) | Free | Sharing with parents |
| Children (2–6) | 25% of adult rate | Sharing parents’ room |
| Children (6–12) | 50% of adult rate | Sharing parents’ room |
| Children (12+) | Full adult rate | Considered adult |
Payment, Cancellation & Tipping
Deposit: 25% standard / 50% peak. Balance one week before arrival or cash on arrival. Installments over 6, 9, or 12 months available.
Cancellation: 61+ days = 10% · 31–60 = 20% · 15–30 = 50% · 1–14 days = 100%.
Departure: Do not book international flights before 3:00 PM on your final day.
Tipping: Optional. $15–20/day for guide, $10–15/day for driver.
Egypt For Travel — Egypt Today Travel — ETA Category A Licence No. 1947 — Cairo, Egypt