Religious (Pilgrimage) Tour

Day 1: Start of the Tour

Arrival in Cairo (preferably in the first half of the day). Check-in at a 3* hotel and free time with the opportunity to take a walk around the capital of Egypt, a country with over 10 million Orthodox Christians, who refer to themselves as Copts.

Day 2: Guided Tour with Visits to the Churches of Old Cairo

Breakfast at the hotel, after which we depart for a city tour of Cairo. The main theme of the tour is visiting the famous churches of the Egyptian capital. This city can rightfully be considered one of the important centers of Christian history. It is here, according to tradition, that the Holy Family, fleeing from King Herod, stopped, and the Virgin Mary nursed the infant Jesus, while Joseph worked as a carpenter in the Cairo fortress of Babylon, which has partially survived to this day.

Day 3: Excursion to the Monasteries of Wadi El Natrun

Excursion to Wadi El-Natrun, a place often referred to as the «cradle» of monasticism. Wadi El-Natrun has served as a refuge for Christians since the first centuries AD. From the 4th to the 7th century, Christian hermits spent their time here in work and prayer, leading to the establishment of around 50 monasteries in Wadi El-Natrun, of which 4 remain active today. It was here, in one of the local monasteries, that the Nitrian Codex palimpsest was found, which includes the Gospel of Luke.

We will visit the Monastery of St. Macarius (Deir Abu Macarius), the largest and most significant Coptic monastery in Wadi El-Natrun, built in the form of a fortress surrounded by defensive walls. The Roman Monastery (Deir El-Baramus) with its tower dating back to the 7th century. The Syrian Monastery (Deir El-Suriani), founded in the 6th century. And the Monastery of St. Bishoy (Deir Anba Bishoi), a monastery that contains 5 churches.

The travelers will spend the night at a hotel in Cairo.

Day 4. Visit to the Monasteries of St. Anthony and St. Paul

Early in the morning, after breakfast at the hotel, travelers will depart for an excursion to the Monasteries of St. Anthony and St. Paul.

We will visit the church, gardens, and living quarters of the Monastery of St. Anthony, which can be accessed through double arched gates located between towers adorned with crosses. The monastery resembles a village enclosed by a wall. Then we will make a pilgrimage to the Monastery of St. Paul, which was built near the cave where the hermit saint lived for about 90 years. In the cave, there is a church dedicated to St. Paul, as well as a sarcophagus containing the saint’s relics. On the monastery grounds, visitors can also see an icon of the Virgin Mary painted from life.

Travelers will have dinner at the guesthouse within the monastery and spend the night at the monastery’s guesthouse.

Day 5: Departure to the Monastery of Saint Catherine

After breakfast at the hotel, we will head to the Monastery of St. Catherine. Dinner will be served to travelers at the monastery’s hotel, and we will spend the night at the Monastery of St. Catherine’s hotel.

Day 6. Visit to the Monastery of St. Catherine. Night ascent of Mount Sinai (Mount Moses)

After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit the Monastery of St. Catherine. Pilgrims enter this holy place without shoes, remembering the commandment of God given to Moses: «Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.» Each Orthodox pilgrim is given a silver ring by the hieromonk of the Monastery of St. Catherine, with a heart-shaped engraving and a «K» monogram in the center.

The holy altar here is located above the roots of the famous Burning Bush. The Monastery of St. Catherine is a unique religious monument and one of the oldest Christian monasteries that has continuously operated.

After dinner at the monastery hotel and a short rest, the group will embark on a night hike to Mount Sinai (Mount Moses).

Day 7: Sunrise on Mount Moses. Departure to Cairo

The Holy Mount Sinai (or Mount Moses) is the place where God appeared to the prophet Moses. The hike to an altitude of over 2,000 meters takes about three hours. According to tradition, anyone who watches the sunrise here and prays to God with sincere devotion will have all their sins forgiven.

After watching the sunrise and having breakfast at the monastery hotel, the group will depart for Cairo. The night will be spent in a hotel in the Egyptian capital.

Day 8: Departure Home

Breakfast at the hotel and free time, which can be spent on one more walk around Cairo. Then, departure for home.