How to Plan a Holy Family Tour in Egypt

Organizing a tour of the Holy Family Route in Egypt is one of the most spiritually rewarding, fascinating, and unique ways to explore the Middle East. According to the Gospel of St. Matthew, the Virgin Mother and St. Joseph the Carpenter fled heresy-pursuing King Herod and entered Egypt via the desert borders of Sinai. From there, the Holy Family began their 3,500 km journey through the Nile Delta, Old Cairo, the desert valleys of Wadi El-Natrun, and the rocky cliffs of Upper Egypt. This journey took more than three years and passed through over two dozen historic crypts, springs, and monasteries carved into the rock. Given the distances and the variety of terrain, it is critical to plan a Holy Family tour in advance. This guide will tell you what to consider when organizing a Catholic pilgrimage in Egypt.
Best Time to Visit and Trip’s Duration
It is best to visit Egypt in the winter months, from October to April. In the summer, temperatures often rise above 40 degrees Celsius in the capital and the provincial cities of Upper Egypt. For a private tour of more than 3,500 km, 5-8 days is a good time frame.
Itineraries
3-4 days: a tour covering Old Cairo, the desert monasteries of Wadi El-Natrun, and the Maadi district.
6-8 days: includes all the sights of the 3-day itinerary, as well as an exploration of the Nile Delta and a journey to the Middle and Upper Egypt (Minya and Assiut).
4. Landmarks to see in Egypt on a Holy Family Tour
Your pilgrimage along the Holy Family Route should follow a geographical layout, which will help you plan a tour of no less than 5 days. The journey has four major destinations:
A. Old Cairo and Maadi: The Coptic Christian World’s Center
The medieval capital of Egypt consists of a fortification belt enclosing Coptic-era churches built directly into the rock-hewn walls of the Roman Babylon fortress. This is where St. Mark’s first Christian congregations used to gather. The most notable attractions include:
Church of St. Sergius and Bacchus (Abu Serga): A 4th-century church built over the rock-hewn cave where the Holy Family spent several weeks in relative safety. Its most notable feature is the hanging church built over the Roman gateways.
The Hanging Church (Al-Muallaqa): The most famous example of a church built over a city gate, known for its beautiful wooden roof in the shape of Noah’s Ark, a marble pulpit, and stunning icons.
The Church of the Virgin Mary in Maadi: Located on the banks of the Nile, this is where the Holy Family would board the boats heading south. The church museum displays the Bible found adrift on the river in 1976.
B. The Nile Delta Region: Where the Holy Family’s Miracles Began
This part of the tour takes you to the northern edge of the country and the region where the Virgin Mary, Joseph the Carpenter, and the young Jesus visited local towns and performed miracles.
Mostorod (Al-Mahamma): The village of St. Mary’s Well with the historic cave where St. Mary used to wash the young Jesus.
Samannoud: This is where the Church of the Virgin Mary and St. Abanoub is located. Built over an old well with a large ancient granite basin, the church complex also has a holy water well.
Sakha (Bikha Isous): The most notable monument is the ancient Bikha Isous Rock-Hewn Church with a relief imprint of the infant Jesus’s foot.
C. The Desert Monasteries of Wadi El-Natrun: Christianity’s Birthplace
Wadi El-Natrun is a region in the Western Desert, known as the birthplace of Christian monasticism and a popular tourist destination. Following the 4th-century Saint Bishoy’s example, hundreds of monks built rock-hewn monasteries in the caves of this area. The most popular ones to include in your Holy Family tour are:
Deir Anba Bishoy: This monastery complex has a massive 5th-century keep tower (hisn), a drawbridge, and the mummy of St. Bishoy.
Deir Al-Suryan: Known for its beautifully painted Coptic-Syriac wall paintings and an ancient library of manuscripts.
Deir Al-Baramus and Deir Abu Maqar: Other fascinating rock-hewn monasteries to explore in the Western Desert.
D. Upper Egypt: The Longest Stay of the Holy Family
Upper Egypt is the region where the Holy Family spent the longest period of their journey. They crossed the Nile Delta heading south and spent nearly a year in the mountainous area of Minya. The most notable sights include:
Gabal El-Teir (Minya): A rock-hewn church built in 328 AD over a rock formation on the edge of the Nile canyon by St. Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine the Great.
Deir El-Muharraq (Assiut): This is the most important site along the entire Holy Family Route. The Holy Family spent six months and ten days in a mud-brick room in this region. The stone altar in Deir El-Muharraq is believed to be one of the oldest Christian altars in the world.
Mount Dronka (Assiut): A cliff-hewn church complex where the Holy Family took shelter from the summer floodwaters of the Nile before heading back north.
A Sample Itinerary for a 7-Day Private Holy Family Tour
Day 1: Discover the Saints of Coptic Cairo
Abu Serga Crypt, The Hanging Church, Coptic Museum, and Maadi Waterfront Church.
Day 2: Explore the Nile Delta Region
A day trip to the historic city of Tell Basta and villages of Mostorod, Samannoud, and Sakha.
Day 3: Tour the Desert Monasteries of Wadi El-Natrun
A day drive to Wadi El-Natrun and visits to Deir Anba Bishoy, Deir Al-Suryan, Deir Al-Baramus, and Deir Abu Maqar.
Day 4: Journey to the Middle Egypt and Jabal El-Teir
A private excursion to Minya and visiting the mountain hermitage of Jabal El-Teir.
Day 5: Explore Upper Egypt’s Holy Family Attractions
Drive to Assiut and visit Deir El-Muharraq at Mount Qosqam and Mount Dronka Cave Church.
Day 6: Optional Day Trips and Return to Cairo
Return to Cairo with optional stops at local handicraft markets.
Day 7: Departure Day
Evening shopping in Khan El-Khalili, personal time, and airport transfer arrangements.
Getting There: Transportation and Tour Tips
It is best to get around Egypt in a private air-conditioned vehicle. Due to the distances, driving through the desert roads of Sinai and Upper Egypt, as well as the rocky terrain of the Delta, can be taxing. A professional driver will also allow for more flexibility when organizing your stops in accordance with your personal interests.
You may want to hire a professional local guide for the Holy Family tour in Egypt. A good guide will be able to provide you with greater insight into the history and theology of the local Christian churches and monasteries, translate ancient inscriptions and symbols, and help navigate the local customs.
Etiquette, Dress Codes, and General Advice
It is advisable to dress conservatively when visiting active Coptic churches and monasteries. Both men and women are requested to wear clothing that covers the shoulders and knees.
We recommend wearing comfortable shoes as some medieval churches have a lot of stairs and uneven floors. It is best to avoid sandals and open-toed shoes. You may also want to bring a warm jacket, a reusable water bottle, and a good sunscreen, especially when visiting Upper Egypt’s mountainous region.
Photography Etiquette
Taking pictures in historic churches is permitted, provided that you ask for permission first. Flash photography is prohibited in crypts and churches with ancient frescoes.