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Egypt

Sacred Egypt: Monasteries & the Nile

Prices from £6,600 pp

Single Supplement £1,460

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"Out of Egypt I called my son" — Matthew 2:15

Egypt holds a place unlike any other in the Christian story. When Herod's fury threatened the infant Jesus, the Holy Family fled here — into the desert, along the Nile, to shelter in the very monasteries and chapels that still stand today.

This Legacy pilgrimage traces that sacred trail: from the Coptic churches of Cairo and the grandeur of the Pyramids, through the remote monasteries of Upper Egypt, to the timeless Nile — sailed aboard a 5-star cruise between Luxor and Aswan.

Designed for the pilgrim who has walked many roads before, this is a journey of slow attention, deep reflection, and genuine encounter with places where faith has been lived for two thousand years.

"In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the heart of Egypt… It will be a sign and witness to the LORD Almighty in the land of Egypt." — Isaiah 19:19–20

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Itinerary

  1. London → Cairo

    Fly from London to Cairo. Welcome drink on arrival at the 5★ Steigenberger Pyramids — your base for four nights near the Pyramids.

    Dinner — hotel, with welcome drink

  2. The Grand Egyptian Museum & the Pyramids

    A morning at the newly opened GEM — home to the treasures of Tutankhamun — then the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Evening rooftop dinner overlooking the Pyramids.

    Lunch — at the GEM  ·  Dinner — rooftop restaurant

  3. Coptic Cairo & the Nile

    Visit The Hanging Church, Coptic Museum, Church of St Sergius — above the cave where the Holy Family sheltered — Babylon Fortress and the Church of the Holy Virgin in Maadi. In the afternoon we enjoy a felucca ride along the Nile, with lunch served on board.
    Lunch — on board the felucca  ·  Dinner — hotel

  4. The Virgin Mary's Tree & Khan El Khalili Bazaar

    Visit the ancient sycamore at Matareya where the Holy Family rested, and the Holy Family Church. Time to rest at the hotel, then an evening visit to Khan El Khalili, Cairo's great bazaar.

    Lunch — local restaurant  ·  Dinner — near the bazaar

  5. South to Samalout · Gabal El Teir

    Journey into Middle Egypt. Visit the cliff-top Monastery of the Virgin Mary at Gabal El Teir, high above the Nile.

    Lunch & dinner — hotel

  6. El Muharraq Monastery · Assiut

    The Monastery of the Blessed Virgin Mary — where the Holy Family rested longest in Egypt. A living community of monks to this day. We continue to Assiut in the afternoon.

    Lunch — picnic en route  ·  Dinner — hotel

  7. Dendara Temple → Luxor

    The magnificent Ptolemaic temple of Hathor at Dendara, then on to Luxor and the 5★ Jolie Ville King's Island — set on its own island in the Nile.

    Lunch — local restaurant  ·  Dinner — hotel

  8. Karnak & Luxor Temples · Embarkation

    Morning at two great temple complexes — Karnak and Luxor. Afternoon embarkation aboard the 5★ MS Ellie for four nights on the Nile.

    Lunch & dinner — aboard the MS Ellie

  9. Dawn Balloon · Valley of the Kings

    Sunrise hot-air balloon flight over the West Bank — included. The Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's temple and the Colossi of Memnon. We sail on to Edfu.

    Lunch & dinner — aboard the MS Ellie

  10. Edfu & Kom Ombo · Sail to Aswan

    The great temple of Horus at Edfu, among the best preserved in all Egypt, then Kom Ombo — a rare double temple, its plan mirrored precisely for two gods. Evening sail to Aswan.

    Lunch & dinner — aboard the MS Ellie

  11. Abu Simbel

    Private coach to the colossal rock-cut temples of Ramesses II and Queen Nefertari — the most southerly wonder of the journey.

    Lunch — Abu Simbel hotel  ·  Dinner — aboard the MS Ellie

  12. Philae Temple · Fly to Cairo

    A final morning at the island temple of Philae, then fly to Cairo for a last night at the 5★ InterContinental City Stars.

    Dinner — local restaurant, with farewell drink

  13. Homeward · London

    Transfer to the airport in Cairo with your Tour Manager for the return flight home to London.

    Breakfast — hotel

Essential Information

This tour includes:

  • Return flights, London to Cairo
  • Domestic flight, Aswan to Cairo
  • Egyptian entry visa for every traveller
  • 8 nights in handpicked hotels — 5★ in Cairo & Luxor
  • 4 nights aboard the 5★ MS Ellie Nile Cruise
  • Sunrise hot-air balloon flight over the West Bank, Luxor
  • Felucca sail and lunch on the Nile
  • All breakfasts; lunches and dinners as specified
  • Welcome and farewell drinks
  • All entrance fees and private guided touring
  • Egyptologist guide for all site visits
  • Daily prayers with Andrew Nunn
  • McCabe Tour Manager throughout
  • All airport transfers, ground transport and daily water

Flights from regional airports can be arranged at a supplement subject to availability, you can also book this tour without flights. For more information please ask for details.

A £500 per person non-refundable deposit is payable on confirmation. After which, an instalment payment amounting to 50% of the total cost of your trip is due 26 weeks prior to departure with the final balance due twelve weeks prior to departure.

Special requests
Any special requirements, such as dietary needs, mobility requests, and any other requests should be noted at the time of booking.

Final travel documents
These will be emailed to you two weeks before departure.

Travel insurance
Travel insurance is essential. We require all travellers to have adequate cancellation and medical coverage for their journey. We are partnered with Holiday Extras who offer a comprehensive policy as well as yearly policies that also cover short UK overnight stays.

Mobility
Many of our tours and excursions are designed for those who are able to travel independently, or with the support of a companion who can assist during the trip. We recommend that participants feel comfortable with physical activity and are able to manage longer travel days, which may include early starts and extended periods on the road. We encourage you to consider your personal health and comfort when planning your adventure, and we’re happy to help if you have any specific concerns or questions about the suitability of a tour for your needs.

Practical information

About McCabe Pilgrimages
McCabe has been arranging journeys of faith, culture and spirituality for over 40 years with an unwavering focus on attention to detail and service. With a deep understanding of the unique needs and aspirations of Christian travellers, McCabe strive to make every trip a memorable and meaningful experience.

McCabe Travel Ltd. trades as McCabe Pilgrimages. McCabe Travel Ltd. is registered in England and Wales. Registered No. 2125334. VAT No: 318527355. Registered office address: McCabe Travel, The Square, Basing View, Basingstoke, RG21 4EB.

The McCabe Educational Trust
The McCabe Educational Trust is an independent registered charity which was set up in 1991 to support Christian communities. To date the Trust has distributed more than £4 million in grants. McCabe Pilgrimages supports the Trust directly by contributing to the administrative and running
costs, thus ensuring all pilgrim donations are able to go directly to the important projects supported by the MET. In 2026 McCabe Pilgrimages will
once again invite all pilgrims to make a voluntary donation of £20. In addition, McCabe will also donate £20 for every pilgrim who travels with us - regardless of whether they choose to donate - effectively doubling the impact when you do. This scheme is voluntary and confidential with nobody put under any pressure to participate.

Financial and quality assurances
All monies paid are fully protected through McCabe’s membership of the ABTOT bonding scheme. In addition, McCabe are also members of the Association of Independent Tour Operators and abide by the Association’s code of conduct.

Health advice
Please carry an adequate supply of essential medication in your hand luggage in case your checked luggage is lost.

Holiday insurance
Ensuring that your holidays are appropriately protected is one of our main priorities. That’s why we have partnered with Holiday Extras so you can get a travel insurance quote to protect you before and whilst you are travelling. Holiday Extras Cover Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and has been independently rated 5-stars by Defaqto. For more information or to obtain a quote, please go to their website at www.holidayextras.com/travel-insurance or call them on 0800 083 3551 to speak to a friendly advisor.

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