7 Day Coptic and Catholic Egypt Cairo to St. Catherine

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Welcome to Egypt
1 stop
1
Cairo
Your journey begins in the land of the pharaohs. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by a NASCO representative who will assist with immigration and customs formalities. You’ll then be escorted to the Marriott Hotel for check-in to your standard room. Overnight in Cairo.
Day 2
Giza Plateau & Ancient Wonders
3 stops
2
Giza Plateau
Visit the Giza Plateau, an ancient desert terrace where engineering meets eternity. For over 4,500 years, this monumental landscape has been anchored by the three grand pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure—wonders so precisely aligned with the compass that they still baffle modern architects. Guarding the plateau's base is the Great Sphinx, a colossal monument carved directly from a single ridge of limestone bedrock. With the body of a lion and the head of a pharaoh, it stands as an enduring symbol of strength and divine wisdom on this unforgettable journey through antiquity.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
3
Grand Egyptian Museum
Visit the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), a hyper-modern architectural masterpiece standing as the largest museum in the world dedicated to a single civilization. Your journey begins at the entrance with the world’s first hanging obelisk, before stepping into the monumental Grand Hall to face the colossal, 3,200-year-old statue of King Ramses II. Ascend the dramatic Grand Staircase—lined with towering statues of pharaohs and gods—leading up to the expansive main exhibition galleries. Spanning from the prehistoric era to the Greco-Roman period, these chronologically arranged halls chronicle the epic story of Egyptian kingship, society, and beliefs, offering an unparalleled window into antiquity just steps from the Giza Pyramids.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
4
Egypt Papyrus Institute
Visit the Papyrus Institute to discover the secrets of the world’s oldest writing material. This interactive experience brings ancient Egyptian craftsmanship to life through a live demonstration, showing exactly how the stalks of the papyrus plant are sliced, soaked, and pressed together to create durable, woven sheets.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Coptic Cairo & Coptic Museum
3 stops
5
Coptic Cairo
Visit Coptic Cairo, a serene and historic enclave where ancient Christian traditions are beautifully preserved within the walls of the Roman Babylon Fortress. You will explore the Hanging Church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, an architectural marvel suspended over the fortress gatehouse with a timber roof built to resemble Noah’s Ark. Continue to the unique, circular Church of St. George, a Greek Orthodox sanctuary constructed directly on top of a massive Roman tower. Conclude at the Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church, a deeply revered 4th-century sanctuary built directly above the sacred crypt where the Holy Family found shelter during their flight into Egypt.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
6
The Coptic Museum
Visit the Coptic Museum, which holds the largest collection of Egyptian Christian artifacts in the world. Nestled within the grounds of the Babylon Fortress, the museum bridges the gap between ancient pharaonic history and Islamic art. You will explore a stunning collection of intricately carved woodwork, vibrant textiles, illuminated manuscripts, and rare frescoes that showcase the unique artistic and cultural heritage of Coptic history through the ages.
45 minutes • Admission ticket included
7
Khan Al-Khalili
Visit Khan El Khalili, a vibrant, centuries-old labyrinth of narrow alleyways and bustling market stalls. As one of the most famous bazaars in the Middle East, it offers an unforgettable sensory journey filled with the aromas of exotic spices, the glimmer of brass and copperware, and a vast collection of traditional crafts, jewelry, and textiles.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Journey to Alexandria
4 stops
8
Alexandria
After breakfast and check-out, travel to Alexandria. tart visiting and exploring the Catholic churches of Alexandria, tracing a profound legacy of Mediterranean faith. You will discover St. Catherine’s Cathedral, a magnificent Neo-Baroque basilica and the official seat of the Apostolic Vicariate, featuring a grand Roman Baroque facade and a peaceful Franciscan monastery. Continue to the stunning Sacred Heart Church, deeply revered for its breathtaking religious art, soaring arches, and pristine stained-glass windows that beautifully illuminate the historical tapestry of the Latin Catholic rite in this ancient coastal city.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
9
St. Catherine's Cathedral
Visit Saint Catherine Cathedral, a magnificent Neo-Baroque basilica that serves as the official seat of the Apostolic Vicariate of Alexandria. Built by the Franciscans in the mid-19th century, it features a grand Roman Baroque facade designed in the early 20th century. Inside, you will discover a serene sanctuary adorned with stunning frescoes, dedicated to the city's revered patron saint, reflecting centuries of Latin Catholic heritage along the Mediterranean.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free
10
The Church of St. Rita located at 6 Karm El Moneer in the district of Mina El Basl, Alexandria, was built in 1881, and belongs to the Franciscan Order. This church is dedicated to St. Rita, who was widely known as the “Saint of the Impossible”.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free
11
Visit the Sacred Heart Church, a stunning Catholic sanctuary built in 1924 that stands as a masterpiece of religious art and architecture. Inside, you will experience a breathtaking visual narrative, where vibrant frescoes, intricate murals, and magnificent stained-glass windows line the walls, beautifully contrasting scenes from the life of Christ on one side with the life of Saint Francis on the other. Adorned with delicate mosaics and an elegantly carved pulpit, this serene house of worship offers a profound look into the artistry and enduring presence of the Latin Catholic community in Alexandria.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 5
Alexandria’s Historical Ancient Gems
2 stops
12
Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa
Start your day with a visit to the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, a fascinating underground necropolis dating back to the 1st century A.D. This multi-level archaeological wonder blends Roman, Greek, and Egyptian art, featuring intricate tomb chambers, statues, and a grand spiral staircase cut directly into the solid rock.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
13
Visit the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a magnificent 11-story cultural complex designed to revive the glory of the ancient Great Library of Alexandria. Its striking, sun-disk architecture features an immense granite facade carved with characters from over 120 different scripts. Inside, you will explore a vast cascading reading room, multiple specialized museums, a planetarium, and world-class exhibitions that celebrate global heritage, literature, and science along the Mediterranean coast
45 minutes • Admission ticket included
Day 6
St. Catherine Monastery
3 stops
14
South Sinai
After breakfast and check-out from Cecil Hotel in Alexandria , Start you journey to Sinai to visit the renowned St. Catherine’s Monastery, located at the foot of Mount Sinai.
8 hours • Admission ticket free
15
Saint Catherine
The sacred landscape of South Sinai is home to St. Catherine's Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the oldest continuously operating Christian monasteries in the world. Nestled at the foot of Mount Sinai (Mount Horeb), this historic fortress-monastery preserves a profound spiritual legacy, housing a world-renowned collection of ancient manuscripts, rare early Christian icons, and the sacred site of the Burning Bush.
6 hours • Admission ticket free
16
Cairo
After check-out, travel back to Cairo with a packed lunch provided in route. Your adventure concludes with a transfer to Cairo Airport for your departure flight, leaving you with the memories of Egypt's wonders.
8 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• infant seats are available upon request

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